The present volume covers the years 1597-99, and is mainly occupied
with the details of the Philippine colony's internal affairs
and development Mindanao has been conquered, but proves to be an
unprofitable possession, except that the Spanish garrison there
serves as a check on the piratical Moros, who otherwise would harry
the Pintados Islands. Japanese pirates have menaced Luzón, and the
Chinese immigration needs frequent restriction. In the colony there
is much corruption in official circles and inaction and inefficiency
in the military. The new governor relates his efforts to improve the
condition of the city and administer the affairs of the islands;
but he is accused, especially by the ecclesiastics, of immorality
and tyrannical behavior, and of general unfitness for his office. The
Indians are oppressed in various ways; and some mutinies among them
have been suppressed. Formal submission to the Spanish crown is
required from the Indians; but this proves difficult to enforce. They
need more missionaries, who are to be sent. The usual discords between
the secular and ecclesiastical authorities still exist; and the
relations between Manila and Mexico are none too cordial. Complaint
is made of the trade recently begun with the Chinese at Canton.
A letter from Antonio de Morga (June 30, 1597) notifies the king
that the treasure-ship "San Felipe" has been wrecked on the coast of
Japan, and her cargo seized by the emperor of that country; this is
a heavy blow to the Philippine colony. Franciscan missionaries have
been crucified in Japan. Morga approves the reëstablishment of the
Audiencia in the islands.
Luis Perez Dasmariñas recommends (July 20, 1597) that the royal
hospital at Manila should be placed under the joint care of the
Franciscans and the Order of La Misericordia. He reports that the
religious are reluctant to do this, but that the confraternity approve
of the plan--except that they are unwilling to assume a financial
responsibility in a work which is, on their part, one of charity only.
A group of short letters from Tello to the king (April 29-August 12,
1597) relates various matters of interest. The conquest of Mindanao
has been practically effected. The numbers and power of the Chinese
in the islands have been greatly reduced. A rising of the Zambales
has been quelled. Insubordinate Spaniards have been punished; "on
New Year's day, I had the entire city council arrested for an act of
disobedience to me." Tello is improving the city, and is striving
to secure a good water-supply. He has imprisoned Dasmariñas, for
failure to equip the lost treasure-ship properly. The Japanese talk
of seizing Formosa, but the Spaniards are planning to forestall
them in this. The Chinese who slew some Spaniards en route to
Mindanao have been punished with death. It is reported that the
Spanish fort of Maluco has been seized by the natives. The natives
of Mindanao have rebelled (August, 1597), and reënforcements have
been sent thither to end the the Chinese, whom he views with some
suspicion. The Japanese trade requires regulation, especially that in
deerskins, which threatens to destroy the game. The sale of provisions
especially should be under government supervision. Sumptuary laws
and the prevention of gambling are required. Negroes should be kept
out. Building houses with wood should be prevented. The streets
need repairs. The officials take much advantage of their position,
and especially favor their dependents unduly. Military commissions
are given by favoritism. Soldiers are ill disciplined, ill paid,
ill lodged, demoralized, and in bad health. Military stores are badly
cared for; the very arquebuses in the armory are rotting, and there is
no preparation for emergencies. The ordinary magistrates pillage the
treasury, are oppressive, indolent, and corrupt, and take advantage
of their position to traffic; they are not sharply looked after. The
encomenderos are extortionate and fraudulent, take law into their own
hands, and fail to provide religious instruction for the Indians. The
royal exchequer and treasury is negligently and wastefully managed,
and insufficiently regulated. There are many sinecures, and not a
little fraud in offices. In the voyages to and from Mexico, many
frauds and illegal acts are committed by the officers of the vessels.
An interesting complement to Morga's report--all the more so because
it is apparently written by an ecclesiastic--is found in a document
unsigned and undated (but probably of 1598) which enumerates the
reforms needed in the islands. The writer advises that the usual
inspection of encomenderos and officials be made by the prelates
of the church, rather than, as hitherto, by laymen appointed by
the governor. He urges that fewer offices be provided, and that
each should have more extensive jurisdiction. The present system
is a heavy and increasing burden on the wretched Indians, who are
in danger of perishing; and causes much unnecessary waste to the
royal exchequer. The city should establish a storehouse, where rice
and other supplies should be kept in store for times of need. Thus
the natives would not be harassed, often at most unseasonable times,
to supply provisions for the Spaniards; both peoples can be aided in
times of famine, and prices can be better regulated. More care should
be used in selecting men to collect the tributes from the Indians;
and their appointment, as well as that of the lay protector of the
Indians, should be approved by the archbishop. The Indians who are
engaged in various labors for the Spaniards are often kept waiting
a long time for their pay, or even cheated out of it; when such pay
is due them, it should be sent to them promptly and safely. Rewards
should be given to deserving soldiers; and the troops should no longer
be recruited with exiles and criminals. The troops should be paid
more liberally and punctually; and one meal a day should be given to
the poor Spaniards, whether soldiers or not. The soldiers, moreover,
should be paid from the time of their arrival; for, as it is, they must
serve long without pay, which causes great suffering and immorality
among them. Half of the advance pay now given them in Mexico should be
held back until their arrival at Cavite. The desirability of aiding
needy Spaniards is again urged, and this charity should be placed in
charge of the Confraternity of La Misericordia. The seminary of Sancta
Potenciana is well conducted, and a most important work; it should
be further aided, and now needs that some order of professed nuns
be represented in it. Again the writer urges that the vessels plying
between the islands and Nueva España be commanded by inhabitants of
the Philippines, in order to correct the abuses now prevalent.
Upon the arrival of the ships from Nueva España, bringing the members
of the reestablished Audiencia, the royal seal, which represents
the authority and person of the king, is received by the governor
(June 8, 1598) with great solemnity and pomp, and deposited in the
royal building; the official record of this proceeding, with the
oaths taken by the new governor, is here presented.
The new archbishop of Manila writes to the king (June 24, 1598)
complaining of the neglected and impoverished condition of his see,
and the little interest or attention given to religion by the laity
therein. He denounces the governor as avaricious, corrupt, vicious,
and tyrannical. The archbishop asks that a new governor be appointed,
who shall have no selfish aims in accepting the post, preferably
an ecclesiastic. Some check must be placed on the immigration of
Chinese, who are ruining the country and demoralizing the natives. The
Inquisition should be reëstablished in Manila. In another letter (dated
July 26) Santibañez explains to the king his attitude in regard to
the marriage of one of his relatives, and complains that the governor
has, in consequence of this affair, slandered and persecuted him. The
archbishop again denounces Tello's vices, and asks that he himself
be permitted to return to Spain, as he cannot remain with Tello in
that land.
Fray Miguel de Benavides, bishop of Nueva Segovia, sends to the king
(June 30, 1598) a complaint against the conduct of the new governor,
Francisco Tello: the latter has contracted an unlawful marriage, and is
also very licentious; he has seized the property of a citizen; and he
is cowardly, extravagant and reckless, even wasting the public stores
for his own uses. Benavides asks that Luis Dasmariñas be appointed
governor in Tello's place. A postscript to this letter (dated July 5)
complains of the wrongs done to the Chinese by the Spanish officials,
and for details refers the king to Fray Diego de Soria, who is going
to Spain.
Tello sends the king a report on military matters (June 17, 1598). In
Mindanao, Ronquillo had been successful, but retired (pursuant
to orders afterward canceled), and is to be tried. In Cagayan the
revolt has been extinguished, and its leader killed; and the Spanish
encomendero whose oppression had had most to do with causing the
revolt has died in prison, while awaiting trial. Relations with
Japan are still uncertain, although Luis de Navarrete's reception
as ambassador had on the whole been favorable. Some new economies
are being practiced in the military establishment. An impregnable
citadel has been formed within the city, but there is a lack of
weapons; and there is great negligence in Nueva España in providing
serviceable and well-equipped soldiers. Another letter (dated June 19)
complains that the reënforcements sent from Nueva España are ragged,
penniless, and unarmed, largely on account of the rascality and greed
of their captains. The viceroy of that country illegally permits
Mexicans to bring money to the islands, to the great detriment of the
inhabitants. The old soldiers who have obtained encomiendas receive but
little income therefrom, because so many of the Indians are revolting;
these men need aid, which the king is asked to grant. The governor
claims that he is annoyed by defamatory libels, and asks that the
offenders be punished. He objects to the reckless marriages of rich
widows, and proposes to the king a plan for correcting this evil. The
royal treasury is greatly straitened, and for its relief Tello asks
permission to levy additional duties on the Chinese merchants. In
a third letter (July 9) Tello reports the number of religious in
the islands, belonging to the various orders, and the number still
needed. The Council of the Indias orders that suitable measures be
taken to increase the number of missionaries in the islands, and to
send out such as are fitted to do this work.
The Audiencia complains to Felipe II (July 15, 1598) of Tello for
various improprieties of conduct and irregularities of procedure;
but above all for failure to recognize that, by the establishment of
the Audiencia, the extent of his own jurisdiction is diminished.
A letter from Felipe III--who has succeeded his father on the
Spanish throne--to the archbishop of Manila (March, 1599) refers
to the latter certain complaints sent from Manila regarding some
Augustinian teaching friars.
Bishop Benavides writes (May 17, 1599) to the king, informing him of
the death of the new archbishop, and complaining of the acts of the
governor and Audiencia in sending a ship to trade with China--from
which all kinds of evils, spiritual and temporal, would result to
Macao and the Philippines.
Benavides writes to the king's secretary (May 22, 1599) urging that
a new governor be appointed for the islands; and he recommends for
that post several persons. He asks that no ships be allowed to go from
the Philippines to China, as that will ruin the Portuguese who trade
there. He complains of the undue power exercised by the bishops over
the religious orders; and that he receives so little salary that he
cannot live decently on it.
A brief statement of the religious houses established in Luzón up
to June 28, 1599, is made by Gerónimo de Alcaraz, secretary of the
cathedral chapter of Manila. A long report on military affairs was sent
(July 12, 1599) by Tello to the king. He urges that annual supplies of
men and arms be sent to the Philippines from Nueva España, adducing
many important reasons for this. The Spanish colony is surrounded by
many and powerful heathen countries, who are hostile to the Christian
faith. The insalubrious climate and various military expeditions are
continually causing losses of men. Artillery and skilled workmen are
greatly needed; and the fortifications need repair. The government of
Nueva España has given little attention to the needs of the Philippine
colony. Japanese pirates have menaced Luzón, and the Chinese are
suspected of plots against the Spaniards. Light sailing-vessels are
being built for defense of the coast, since galleys cannot be used
to advantage. Mindanao is pacified, but no tribute has yet been
paid, and the country is poor. A rebellion in Cagayan has been put
down, and the leaders executed; so that region is now pacified and
secure. Dasmariñas's expedition to Camboja has proved a failure,
and he is stranded on the Chinese coast, in great need; but Tello
is unable to send him aid, and advises him to return to Manila. Aid
for the poor soldiers is urgently needed and requested. This letter
is accompanied by a report of the conquest of Mindanao and of affairs
there, and other papers. Mindanao is a source of little profit; but it
is necessary to keep that island in subjection, in order to protect
the Pintados natives. Another paper gives a history of affairs in
Camboja, the relations of the Philippine colony with that country,
and the failure of Dasmariñas's expedition thither. At the end of
the document are depositions (dated in 1593, and apparently copied
from the official records of the colony) to show that the conquest
of Champa is justifiable, as its king is a pirate and tyrant, and a
man of evil life, and robs and kills Christians on the high seas.
In another letter of the same date (July 12) Tello makes a general
report of affairs in the islands. In matters of religion, there is
need for more ministers of the gospel. Two bishops have arrived in
the islands, and are in charge of their dioceses. The hospitals have
been aided; that for the Spaniards has been placed in charge of the
Confraternity of La Misericordia, and that for the natives is under
the king's authority. The seminary for girls (Santa Potenciana) is
in good condition, and doing excellent work. It should be under the
charge of professed nuns, and its income ought to be increased; the
king is asked to provide for these matters. The Jesuits have begun
the foundation of a seminary for the Indians, in which they are to
learn the Spanish language and civilized ways of living; the king
is asked to aid this also. Measures are being taken to enforce the
royal decree that formal submission and homage must now be rendered to
the king by the conquered Indians; but Tello finds some difficulties
in this. The bulls concerning the crusades are being preached, and
Tello expects to extend this to the Indians. One of the auditors has
died, and his place is filled. Tello has been obliged to check the
assumption of secular authority by the ecclesiastics. The Chinese
should be driven out of Manila, and the Parián abolished. A building
of stone has been erected for the Audiencia; Tello asks for a grant
of money to continue this work, and mentions other public buildings
which he has erected or improved. Religious instruction should be
commenced in the Ladrones Islands; and the viceroy of Nueva España
has been asked to send missionaries thither. The latter functionary
has neglected several matters which are necessary to the prosperity of
the Philippine colony, and has been arbitrary and overbearing in his
treatment of it. Especial complaint is made that he has evaded the
law which restricts the Chinese trade to citizens of the Philippine
colony, by granting licenses for trade to Peruvians, who have taken
from the islands the best of the Chinese trade, which is their main
support. A port at Canton has been opened to the Spaniards for trade;
and efforts are being made to improve this opportunity. Trade with
Siam has also begun. Tello asks that the citizens of Cebú be allowed
to trade occasionally with Peru; and that officers of vessels to Nueva
España be not appointed there, but in the islands. He recommends that
the Indians should be punished by moderate pecuniary-fines, rather than
by flogging. Various papers are appended to this letter by Tello. One
is a memorandum of the number of converts and missionaries in the
islands. Another is an inventory of the resources and income of the
hospital for natives, and a statement of its expenses for part of
the current year. The instructions given to the alcaldes-mayor and
to the religious for securing the formal submission of the Indians
to the authority of the Spanish king, and the measures taken for this
purpose in La Laguna, are given in detail.
The ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila during the
year June, 1598, to July, 1599 (the part in this volume ends with
December, 1598) throw much light on social and economic conditions
at that time. Certain Chinese prisoners remain too long in jail for
non-payment of debts, thus causing much useless expense; their services
will hereafter be sold for the payment of their debts. Notaries must
be present at the inspection of prisons. Prisoners shall no longer
be permitted to leave the jail at their pleasure. All huckstering is
forbidden, under heavy penalties. No person whatever may leave the
islands without the governor's permission, under heavy penalties. The
prisons must be regularly visited by the auditors, so that justice
shall be promptly and duly administered. The Indians shall be
encouraged and obliged to raise poultry. Provision is made for the
aid of certain slaves in Pampanga. Another act makes regulations for
the supply of provisions in the city of Manila. Buffalo meat shall be
provided by contract with Indian hunters. The natives and Sangleys
shall be obliged to raise fowls and swine. The Indians must carry
their provisions to the city for sale; and for meat, fowls, and some
other articles the prices are fixed by the authorities. The natives
about Manila protest against being compelled to furnish supplies to
the city; and the Audiencia therefore enacts that this responsibility
shall be divided among the various districts, each being assigned
a period of two or three months therefor. Residencias of regidors
shall be taken every two months. Various reports are to be sent to
the king and his Council.
The remainder of the ordinances contained in this document will be
presented in _Vol_. XI.
_The Editors_
December, 1903.