Royal Catholic Majesty:
On the fifteenth of November there arrived at the port of Acapulco one
of two ships, which sailed from the Philipinas islands on the first
of July. The second, the flagship, entered on the twenty-fourth, for
it was leaking so badly that they succeeded in making port only with
great difficulty. On account of this danger, knowing the nearness of
the land, the flagship had determined to keep off shore, thinking this
course possible because of its better sailing qualities. Ultimately
they availed themselves of the land only for the purpose of taking
aboard water because their supply was failing. They entered harbor
without having lost either any people or any of their cargo. Don Pedro
de Luna, the captain, died of illness two hundred leagues away from
land, as did a few sailors also.
Fray Diego de Herrera had taken passage in one of these vessels. It was
his intention to continue the journey to Spaña to give your Majesty
an account of the wrongs committed in those islands, because of the
lack of justice; and to tell you that the soldiers, inasmuch as they
are unpaid and receive no rations, are being supported at the Indians'
expense, and that on this account many extortions are practiced. The
factor Andres de Mirandaola, Captain Juan Pacheco, and Juan de
Morones, sergeant-major, also came. The factor and sergeant-major
were sent because of certain crimes which they are said to have
committed; however, I do not think that these are very serious. By
these men I have been informed of matters relating to those islands,
and of the nature of the land. They give a very good account thereof,
especially of the island of Luzon, where there are settlements very
thickly inhabited, by both Indians and Moors [Moros], although the
latter must not be thought of as really of that race, but only as
having had the name attached to them. [72] It is not believed that
they are very sincere in the profession of the Mahometan religion,
as many of them both drink wine and eat pork. There are many gold
mines, which are worked similarly to the silver mines here. A few of
some depth were seen there, although the people, naturally indolent,
work them but little--and then only to the extent of their necessities,
when the opportunity of barter is offered them--declaring that whenever
they have any need for the gold, the mines are close by. Fray Diego
de Herrera gave me an account of many other things likewise. I am
sending an abstract of his report today, which has been confirmed by
those who have come from those regions.
Every one asserts that the chief deficiency of that land is justice;
and without justice there is no safety. He who at the present time
exercises the duties of general is not, I believe, held in much
esteem; for they knew him when he held the inferior position of a
bookseller here. To enter into this subject is very disagreeable to
me, but, as your Majesty's servant, I am obliged to mention this; for
I am convinced that, if this venture is to succeed, as I hope in God
that it will succeed, your Majesty must appoint a man to that office
who will be respected and esteemed, and who possesses the necessary
qualifications both for peace and war. I beg your Majesty not to make
trial, especially in the case of those who are to participate in the
administration of justice, of men from the Indias.
As for the question of helping the Philipinas islands, I have up to
this time adhered to the instructions which your Majesty has ordered
to be given me. Since I came here, I have never failed in any year
to send a ship or ships with reënforcements and munitions; but sea
and land and climate have their effect, and the number of men is
constantly diminished; so that, although people are regularly sent
thither, they are actually but little increased in numbers. The object
and plan which should be pursued in matters yonder I do not know; but,
whatever it may be, people are necessary, for the islands are many. As
for the mainland of China, it is so large a land and so thickly settled
that one of its hundred divisions, according to report, is as big as
half the world itself. It is learned from the Chinese that they admit
strangers only with reluctance to their land. For this reason, more
and better soldiers would be needful than those who could go from this
land, for those born here are but little used to hardship--although it
is also understood that the people of China, in spite of possessing
weapons, horses, and artillery, are but little superior in valor to
the Indians. Commercial relations are now beginning to be established
with the Chinese; but until this is definitely completed the hopes of
the merchants here will not rise, in spite of all I do and contrive
with them to encourage and spur them on; for, to tell the truth, no
certain information comes of a nature to induce them to go. And one
of the difficulties consequent upon this commerce and intercourse is,
that neither from this land nor from España, so far as can now be
learned, can anything be exported thither which they do not already
possess. They have an abundance of silks, and linen likewise, according
to report. Cloths, on account of the heat prevalent in the country,
they neither use nor value. Sugar exists in great abundance. Wax,
drugs, and cotton are super-abundant in the islands, whither the
Chinese go to obtain them by barter. And thus, to make a long matter
short, the commerce with that land must be carried on with silver,
which they value above all other things; and I am uncertain whether
your Majesty will consent to this on account of having to send it to
a foreign kingdom. I beg your Majesty to consider all these matters,
to inform me concerning them, and to give explicit orders to the
person in charge here so that no mistakes may be made.
The management of affairs here is attended with great difficulty,
especially concerning the people who shall go; for it is almost
necessary to force them to go. Also with regard to the ships, which
are taken wherever they can be found. Usually they are miserable
little vessels, which draw but little water, and cost almost as much
in employing them as a ship of six hundred toneladas--necessitating,
as they do, pilot, master, mate, and sailors. Nor is it possible
to get along with less, especially for the different watches,
for otherwise the vessels could not possibly be navigated. And,
inasmuch as it does not appear that the merchants are inclined to
buy and fit out ships with a cargo, I am not sure, if this business
is to go on at your Majesty's expense, whether it would not be wise
to have two ships of about five hundred toneladas constructed; and to
arrange that one of them should not return the same year it went, in
order to have time to collect thoroughly all the articles of barter;
but that it should return the following year, and another ship then
set forth from here. In this way, and in accordance with this plan,
after the first expedition a ship would sail from there every year,
while another would depart hence every year. One of them alone
would be sufficient to contain the people going to those islands,
and keep business progressing and increasing there, since there is
no regular expedition.
These ships bear one hundred and thirty-six marcos of gold for
your Majesty and some few gold jewels and other things, as your
Majesty will order confirmed by this memorandum which the general
sends. Likewise they carry almost two hundred and eighty quintals of
cinnamon, besides some belonging also to individuals, which I have
not seized from them, but have paid them a moderate price for it,
of which a previous account has been given to your Majesty. Since
your Majesty has not had any answer sent me regarding it, I gather
that your Majesty does not desire that this should be done. Likewise
I infer the same with regard to other things to which your Majesty
has had no answer made me. And besides all this, the ships carry
silks of different colors (both damasks and satins), cloth-stuffs,
a little gold, and a lot of cotton mantles, both white and colored;
a quantity of wax, glazed earthenware; and other knick-knacks such
as fans, parasols, desks, and numberless other little manufactured
articles. On account of its being an initial attempt, and because the
merchants' interest in this commerce has not been roused or acquired,
the matter of import and export duty, as I have written your Majesty,
has not yet been settled upon. For the future, however, I will see
that they make payment like the rest.
I do not believe that the cinnamon will prove a success in this
land, for it is very little used, because of the use here of other
spices which grow in these regions. I beg your Majesty to order what
disposition is to be made of the same; and likewise to be pleased to
advise me whether cinnamon imported by individuals shall be allowed
to be brought here.
They say that in an island called Cauchi, not two hundred leagues
from Manilla (where the Spaniards are settled now), there is a
great quantity of pepper, and that the Chinese resort thither for
trade. This seems to be the best site which could be chosen, and to
secure it would obviously be attended with but little difficulty. I
see no other objection in this, other than that I fear the opportunity
for general trade, which is desired there, may not exist; and that
the Chinese will resent being deprived of their trade, which must be
very lucrative to them, or having to depend upon the Spaniards to
carry on the same. But all the ability to remove these obstacles,
and to arrange everything satisfactorily, depends upon the person
whom your Majesty may place there to administer justice, and to see
that no wrongs are done; for in the absence of unjust conditions,
self-interest will attract people.
Your Majesty orders that no Portuguese shall go to the islands; yet
it is understood that some have gone there, and have married Indian
women. Will your Majesty please order whether they shall, on this
account, be allowed to remain; or whether they, together with the
Indian women, shall be sent away?
I had given orders that, when any ship should come from the islands,
it should reconnoiter the coast of China on the way, in order that more
information of the land and its commerce might be obtained. I gave your
Majesty an account of this before the step was taken; and I likewise
enclosed the instructions concerning the procedure, which I thought
should be observed. General Miguel Lopez had ordered that it should
be adhered to; but when he died, it appeared to Guido de Labezarii to
be a dangerous enterprise on account of the coast being unfamiliar
and unknown, as well as a region where our ships might fall in with
Portuguese or other people. This is a fact, but nothing of importance
can be done without danger. Still we shall postpone the carrying
out of this until your Majesty shall arrange matters concerning that
land; and the person who manages affairs there will make all suitable
provision, since he will have more information upon the subject.
As I have already written your Majesty, there is a lack of artillery
here, for those islands take it all--so that I have no artillery
for a ship which I am now despatching, and which was built in the
port of Acapulco; and I shall have to take some of that brought by
the other vessels coming here. In future, will your Majesty kindly
order some to be sent both for an emergency like this, and for these
royal settlements?
Together with this ship, I will endeavor to send one of those that have
arrived here which may be repaired; and in them I wish to send all the
people able to go--a number not in excess of one hundred and eighty
men--and some munitions. The flagship, which is of larger tonnage,
will be repaired and put into shape, for it is in bad condition;
as well as another ship which was to sail thence within twenty
days. Afterward, the vessels will remain, in order that they may
go from here in a year, and take more people with them. Meanwhile,
your Majesty will have time to make such provision as you think best.
The rigging which is bought here is that conveyed by the ships from
España, and is very costly and very inferior in quality; but nothing
else can be done. I beg your Majesty, therefore, to send from yonder
a large quantity of rigging, both small and cable size, for ships of
small tonnage and for larger vessels (provided your Majesty think
it is well to do so). Please have sent also a lot of canvas. Your
Majesty will have to order the officials to make selection of both,
and to see that it is very good; or else let them send to Vilbao
[Bilbao] where they say the best rigging is made, and at the most
reasonable prices. This must come, moreover, with the fleet, if it
is to be utilized by these ships.
The accountant Melchor de Legazpi, on hearing of the death of his
father, wished to go to throw himself at your Majesty's feet, in order
to beg you to remember his father's services, and how he had died in
your royal service; and he had for this purpose sold his property,
and was poor and even not free from debt. However, I prevented him
from going, by telling him to write to your Majesty, and recall his
father's services to your Majesty. Certainly, from the accounts I have
received, his father did perform such services; and I understand that
he was a good man, and served with all possible loyalty.
The boon which his son desires does not lie in those islands, but
must be given by your Majesty in this land, and to the extent that
seems best to you, in order that certain of his sisters, who are of
a marriageable age, may not be left unprovided for. In those islands
he was to have had a repartimiento which they say was a very good
one. This repartimiento possessed a large amount of provisions, and is
called Vitis and Lau. I believe that it was this which General Miguel
Lopez wished your Majesty to grant him and the same thing is desired
by the successor to his office. My opinion is that it would be well to
annex it to the royal crown, in order to supply soldiers and sailors
with provisions from it. Your Majesty could order the accountant
Legazpi to be given such recompense in this land as your Majesty may
be pleased to give him; for by remembering the dead your Majesty will
encourage the living--so that, in addition to the mere duty involved,
they may die for you with the utmost zeal. Whatever your Majesty may
do for him, moreover, I shall consider as a favor done to myself.
As for the procedure which this royal Audiencia is to adopt with the
Inquisition, there is only a mere document which bears no signature;
a copy of which I send which relates thereto. Neither the auditors
nor alcaldes are satisfied with this, and they think that they
should possess more authority than an unsigned paper. Your Majesty
will send whatever orders seem best to you, for there is no other
provision here save the general order which your Majesty gave for
all the Inquisitions.
I am sending your Majesty today copies of some letters which were
Written to me from the islands, in order that your Majesty may have
an account of those regions, up to the departure of these ships. One
is from General Miguel Lopez Legazpe, and another from Guido de
Labezarrii; two from Fray Martin de Rada, and two from Fray Francisco
de Ortego. I am sending also a copy of the list of gold mines of the
islands; the certificate of the villages which have been annexed to
the royal crown; the procedure adopted by the master-of-camp, Martin
de Goyti, in making the treaty with the Indians; the peace made with
Indians of Manilla; the account, given by a Chinese, of the coast of
China, and the picture of the same; a little book which Fray Martin
de Rada sends your Majesty, _de latitudine et longitudine locorum
invenienda_, the memorandum sent by General Guido de Labezarii to
your Majesty; and, finally, the instructions which I had given to
the person who was to go to explore the Chinese coast. I enclose
also the ordinances which your Majesty ordered sent to the officials
of Veracruz with affidavit of delivery; and a copy of the decrees
which Cardinal de Siguenca, inquisitor-general, sent. [73] May our
Lord preserve the royal Catholic person of your Majesty many years,
and grant you the increase of kingdoms and seigniories, as we your
Majesty's servants desire. Mexico, December 5, 1573.
Your Majesty's loyal servant, who kisses your royal hands,
_Don Martin Enriquez_
[_Superscription_: "To His Royal Catholic Majesty, King Philipe our
sovereign, in his Royal Council of the Indies."]