The licentiate Don Antonio de Rivera Maldonado, who was expected
this year, did not come. He wrote me that he had not received his
instructions.
15. _That the ecclesiastical authority had usurped the royal
jurisdiction, and that this was corrected on the arrival of the
royal Audiencia_.
Before this royal Audiencia was reëstablished, the ecclesiastical
authority had usurped the royal jurisdiction; and I was several times
excommunicated for defending it by not allowing them to raise their
secular revenues, of which I had already given an account to your
Majesty; and so they were raising them everywhere without my being
able to help it. Since the coming of the royal Audiencia, several
acts have been passed for correcting this, which are effective.
16. _That it is expedient to take the Parian from the Sangleys,
as it is injurious to the commonwealth_.
Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, during the time of his governorship, founded
a Parian for the Sangleys within the limits of the city, so that of
those who come for commerce, a number of artisans of all trades might
remain in the country, for the service of the commonwealth. Gomez Perez
Dasmarinas, finding it too thickly peopled and with too many houses for
the security of the city, removed it outside, to the place where it now
stands. Its growth has increased to such an extent that more than three
hundred houses of wood and cane have been built, and in them are more
than three thousand Sangleys. This Parian is most injurious for this
commonwealth, because the people who live in it are of no use except
to raise prices in the community, all the provisions being consumed
there; and they commit many offenses against God our Lord. In it there
are many hucksters. There is no way to remedy all this except to be
rid of it altogether; for, besides what has been mentioned, it will
be a saving to this city of more than a hundred thousand pesos each
year, and the country will be more secure. For, having no buildings
in which to store the cloth, they will sell it through the streets
or in their ships, as they used to do before they had a Parian; and,
to get away quickly, they will offer it at more moderate prices. I
have considered this affair with the royal Audiencia; and, having
their opinion, you will do in regard to it what is most fitting for
the service of your Majesty and the maintenance of this country.
17. _That, as there were no royal buildings, some good ones have been
built of stone, in which the Audiencia meet, and the president and
Doctor Morga reside._
When I arrived in this country the royal buildings were demolished,
and there was no place for the Audiencia to meet, nor for the residence
of your Majesty's servant who governs here. I therefore used all my
efforts to erect royal buildings which should be substantial, and they
have been built, and are at present finished off with hewn stone. There
are three suites of apartments: one toward the street, in which the
Audiencia meets, and where the royal seal is; a second toward the sea,
where I live; and the third is situated in the middle, where resides
Doctor Morga, auditor of this royal Audiencia. It will be expedient
to continue work on this building until it is made large enough for
the rest of the auditors and officials of the royal Audiencia to live
in. I assure your Majesty that they suffer inconveniences in coming
from their homes to the Audiencia and its sessions, in so intemperate
a climate; and if they lived together they could attend better to the
service of your Majesty. To put this work in the state in which it is,
ten thousand pesos, which was its cost, were borrowed, as there was
no money in the royal treasury, from the funds of the fourths; and I
wrote to Mexico to send me that amount in order to pay it back. This
has not been done, and I beg your Majesty to order the viceroy to
send that sum of ten thousand pesos, since it was spent in a work so
important for the service of your Majesty; and to send as much more
to continue the work, if that already used be considered well spent.
18. _That houses of stone were built for the cabildo and in them was
placed the coat-of-arms which your Majesty granted to this city_.
I also found this city without houses for the cabildo and that the
regidors with great inconvenience and little dignity were going about
seeking the houses of citizens for the meeting of the cabildo. At
the expense of the city funds I have built some good stone cabildo
buildings on the plaza here, and in them is placed the coat-of-arms
which your Majesty presented to this city. With these and other
buildings which have been built during the time I have been here,
or are now being erected, this city is much improved in appearance.
19. _That the powder-house being too near and in an unsafe position,
a vault was made in the fort of Santiago, where it is now kept_.
I found the powder-house in an unsafe place, and as it is so necessary
to guard and preserve the powder, I ordered a vault of stone to be
made in the fort on the point called Santiago, where it was put and
is now kept with entire safety.
20. _That it is necessary to establish religious instruction in the
Ladrones; and, as it cannot be sent from here, I have written to
the viceroy asking him to order the officers of the ships from Nueva
España to leave ministers there_.
As the royal instruction which I received had not been brought here
when I came to serve your Majesty in this government (as I have
before explained), what your Majesty ordered in one clause of it,
that on the passage by the island of Ladrones ministers for religious
instruction to those Indians should be left there--such persons as
I might select--has not been executed. Accordingly I have considered
it with the royal Audiencia here; and, together with their opinion,
the intention of your Majesty was communicated to the viceroy of Nueva
España, so that he might carry it out, by ordering the officers of
the ships which shall come in the year 600 to leave there a couple
of religious and ten soldiers as a guard. But as the ships arrived
here from a different direction, and the voyage was a difficult
one, the will of your Majesty has not been carried out. I believe
this will be a work very important for the service of God our Lord
and your Majesty; for in the year 1596 a religious of the Order
of St. Francis, with a sailor, who were passing by the islands of
Ladrones, disembarked from the almiranta "San Pablo" in the boats of
the Indians of those islands, more than three hundred skiffs having
come alongside of the said ship. The Indians took them on board and
carried them to land where they remained during the period of a year,
up to 1597--when, as the ships from Nueva España were again passing
on their way to these islands, having as commander Don Lope de Ulloa,
the said religious and soldiers [_sic_] arrived alongside the ships
in the boats of the Indians, and were received on board. When they
arrived here, the religious gave an account of what he had seen in
the islands of Ladrones, saying that there were many islands thickly
peopled with Indians, who are men of good stature, and strong. They
are a tractable and kindly people. They regaled him and his companion,
and showed them much respect. The land abounds in fish, rice, and
_camotes_. They are heathen; but if the religious would enter there
with love and tactfulness they would teach them. I hope in our Lord
that He and your Majesty will be served in bringing those heathen to
a true knowledge of God.
21. _That farmers have not been brought from Nueva España for the
introduction of agriculture, and that the viceroy should be told to
send them._
For the reason mentioned in the preceding clause, I have not been
able to get farm-laborers from Nueva España, as your Majesty ordered
by a clause of his royal instruction, so that the cultivation of
the soil might be introduced into this country, by associating the
farmers with the natives, so that the latter may be instructed in
farming according to our usage. As soon as I understood the will of
your Majesty, I sent to ask farmers from the viceroy; and he answered
that he would send them another year.
22. _That a demand has been made to have the horses and mares brought
over, as ordered, and that the viceroy has been remiss in this_.
In the same way a demand has been sent to the viceroy regarding the
horses and mares which your Majesty also ordered brought from Mexico;
and I wrote to your Majesty that this was not done.
23. _That rewards for services have been made in accordance with the
order of his Majesty in clause 17 of the royal instruction_.
In the matter of rewards for services, I have tried to have them
given to the most worthy and capable citizens, in accordance with
clause 17 of the royal instruction of your Majesty (as you may see
if you so please by the account which I am sending), not only in
the encomiendas in repartimientos of Indians but in other offices
of importance. Although I have done this with all possible care and
justice, there are so many claimants, and so little material--and
each one expects to be, by right, the most favored--that there must
needs be complaints, which is one of the annoyances of this government.
24. _That an account was sent of the Spaniards who serve in the
islands, giving their names and localities._
With this will go the report which your Majesty ordered to be sent
concerning the Spaniards who serve your Majesty in this country,
whether with or without encomiendas; and of their characters and ages,
and other details about them.
25. _That two new ships have been built, of five hundred and one
hundred and fifty toneladas respectively; and that they departed in
good condition, and are at present making a voyage_.
As there are not enough ships to ply between here and Nueva España I
have built two--one of five hundred toneladas, and the other of one
hundred and fifty--which were completed; and both are making voyages
this year to Nueva España.
26. _That three ships came from Nueva España; and that one of them,
which belonged to his Majesty, was given to an administrator by the
viceroy, and that he sent a decree giving directions to the royal
Audiencia, under penalty._
Three ships came this year from Nueva España, two belonging to private
individuals and the other to your Majesty. Your Majesty's ship,
called the "Santa Margarita," was given to Joan Pardo de Losada, as
administrator, by the viceroy of Nueva España. Since the viceroy did
so, he may have had an order therefor from your Majesty. The royal
Audiencia considered the fact that the said Joan Pardo brought a
decree from the viceroy ordering the governor and the royal Audiencia,
under penalty, not to meddle in the affair which he had decreed;
and saying that the penalty would be that supplies would not come
as agreed. Accordingly the original was retained, in order to give
an account thereof to your Majesty; but, in so far as regards the
execution of his charge, he was not hindered. It seemed best to me
to give an account thereof to your Majesty, so that in the future
you may provide what may be most expedient in the matter.
27. _That the viceroy of Nueva España kept back the money of citizens
of those islands to the great damage of this country, the licenses
being given to Peruvians._
Your Majesty has ordered that the viceroy of Nueva España should each
year give licenses to citizens of this state for five hundred thousand
pesos, the money to be brought here in return for their merchandise
which they export hence. It happened that this year's sale of the
goods that went over last year was profitable; and the said viceroy,
although he was under obligation to execute that order, did not do
so. He assigned to the citizens only two hundred thousand pesos in
licenses, and the balance, making the sum of five hundred thousand,
to Peruvians, on condition that they should become citizens in these
islands for a certain time--thus keeping back from the citizens
three hundred thousand pesos, which has brought about disastrous
injury. For not only were they prevented from availing themselves
of their own property, but the Peruvians to whom were given, in
their places, the said licenses, being wealthy people, came loaded
down with money to be registered--although the fiscal of your royal
Audiencia and another royal official, who went to inspect the ships,
could not find any proof, as the money had all been taken out before
they arrived at the fort. When they arrived here, finding much cloth
in the possession of the Chinese and not considering its price, they
spent their money. When the citizens came, as they could not lade the
share which had been assigned them, since no money had come therefor,
the Peruvians freighted the ships; and the profit which, through your
Majesty's gracious aid, the citizens of these islands should have
had, was enjoyed by the Peruvians. May your Majesty order this to be
investigated, and direct in regard to it what may be best for your
royal service and for the maintenance of this country. As the licenses
to lade their cloth in the ships which are going to Mexico--being one
of the profits and rewards which we have in this country to give to
deserving citizens--is a matter which always gives rise to complaint,
no matter how justly the distribution is made, in order to avoid this
and to proceed as justly and satisfactorily as is generally possible,
I have ordered during the whole time I have spent here that, first of
all, the ship should be gauged for its tonnage by persons chosen by
the city--men who are intelligent, conscientious, and disinterested,
and otherwise competent for the said gauging. The allotment has been
and is still made as justly as possible.
28. _That the persons appointed to lade the ships did not keep the
order which was given them, breaking it to the injury of citizens,
and were arrested_.
This year were appointed, to direct the lading of the new ship "Santo
Toma," Captain Gaspar Perez, the alcalde-ordinary, Captain Juan de
Arsega, and Captain Christoval de Asqueta, a regidor of this city. They
were given the usual order to lade according to a list, beginning
first with the men who are most deserving and have been longest in
the country. As they did not keep the order which was given them,
and laded after their own fashion, I have arrested them. The citizens
of this city have brought in complaints of them and many claims have
been filed against them. I am receiving testimony thereof, in order to
punish them according to their crimes. I have always tried, from the
day I entered, to govern as your Majesty was pleased to command me,
and to protect this commonwealth and the poor in it, even with my
own property; and it is well known in these parts that I have done
this so far as lay in my power.
29. _That a port called El Pinar, has been opened at Canton, where
Spanish ships may go with safety to trade with China, for which there
is a chapa [i.e., "passport"]._
By clause 21 of the instruction for my government, your Majesty gives
permission for certain citizens of this island to trade--if that
seem best to me, and with the consent of the royal Audiencia--in the
neighboring kingdoms where trade and traffic with these islands is
permitted. With this basis, and the knowledge that the Chinese do
not resist the coming of the Spaniards as they have hitherto done,
and considering the importance of the opening of this port in that
country, so that the preaching of the holy gospel might enter there,
which is your Majesty's desire, I determined last year to give a
license to Don Juan de Çamudio to go (in his own vessel, at his own
expense) to the province of Canton, and establish in the best way
possible his enterprise; and to bring certain metals and other articles
which we were lacking, for the royal stores of these islands. He made
the voyage and carried out this mission. Besides this, he opened at
Canton a port for the Spaniards in China, which is called El Pinar,
although he was greatly opposed by the Portuguese of Macao; and the
Spaniards were left there to go to trade in Canton--a house being
given them inside the city, and a chapa to come back and settle there
whenever they might wish to. With this despatch and some merchandise,
the said Don Juan came back to these islands well content.
30. _That a ship is being sent to Canton, to follow up the good
beginning made there by the Spaniards_.
This year, in continuation of the beginning which Don Juan Çamudio has
made in China, I have agreed with the opinion of the royal Audiencia
that it was therefore best to send another ship, well equipped with
artillery and arms. This vessel will sail very soon, and has for
captain Joan Tello y Aguirre; and it will cause no expense to the
royal exchequer. I hope in our Lord that a way is about to be opened
up for what is desired for so great and powerful realms.
31. _That the king of Sian, desiring trade for his realms with the
Spaniards, sent an embassy to them, which was well received; and
that he treated Joan Tello very well, and opened a port at the city
of Odia_.
After my arrival in this government I received a letter from the
king of Sian, a copy of which will go with this. In it he told me
of his desire for commerce and trade with these islands of your
Majesty. Seeing how well disposed this king was, in the year past
(1598) I despatched Captain Joan Tello with an embassy for the king
in answer to his, indicating great esteem for the friendship which
he offers me, and for his desire for the trade of the Spaniards in
his kingdom. I offered him in the name of your Majesty the closest
friendship. Captain Joan Tello made the voyage, and, having fulfilled
his embassy, made an agreement also that a port should be left open
for trade, so that the Spaniards could go there and settle freely,
and be exempt from taxes. They brought in their ship ivory, benzoin,
and stone for the citizens of this city. He came back here with the
response of the king of Sian, a copy of which will go with this. I
have understood, indeed, from Captain Joan Tello that the king of
Sian has in his house a religious of the Order of St. Dominic, who
was sent from Malaca to administer the sacraments to the Christians
who come there from India on their commercial voyages. Seeing what a
good opportunity and opening there was to begin preaching the holy
gospel in that kingdom, I sent another ship this year, very well
supplied, having as captain Joan de Mendoça, with an embassy to the
king beseeching him to consent to have sent from here four religious
of the said order, for if they also were with the one who was residing
there, it would further much the end which was sought; and asking that
he would admit these religious. Once settled there, they will succeed
in obtaining good results. Captain Joan de Mendoça is now expected,
and whatever news he brings on his arrival I shall communicate to your
Majesty. May God further these affairs, as they are especially for
His service and for the advantage of the royal crown of your Majesty.
32. _That the city of Cebu sent a ship to Castilla, in the year 1597,
which was lost on the sea_.
Your Majesty having granted the city of Cebu authority to despatch
a ship to Mexico, it did so; and the ship left Cebu about two years
ago, carrying merchandise both for the citizens of that city and of
Manila, which was considered best; but, from the time when it left
until now, there has been no word of it. It is thought that it was
lost, which is no slight matter for this country, coming in addition
to the loss of the ship "San Phelipe"--with which, and the retention
of their money which the citizens of Manila have suffered, and other
hardships, this commonwealth is hard smitten, as is the courage of its
people. If there is any way in which to resuscitate it, it will be for
your Majesty to give permission for the citizens thereof to despatch
a ship of three hundred toneladas to Peru every two or three years,
with the products of this country; they will not undertake to carry
anything more than flagstones, ivory, and other things which are not
carried from España, and this will not cause any loss to the royal
customs duties of your Majesty.
33. _That it brings much damage upon this colony that the officers
on the voyages are appointed by the viceroy of Mexico_.
I have already advised your Majesty of the irreparable injury resulting
to this commonwealth from the appointment of the officers of the ships
on this voyage by the viceroy of Nueva España; for they come here
provided with money on commission, and when they have arrived here they
invest it; nor is there any way to prevent them from lading the ships
as soon as they have left the port. This they effect by placing their
cloth in small vessels six or seven leguas away; and then they take
from the ship the cloth belonging to the citizens, and lade their own,
from which results great injury to this country. This was done even
by Don Antonio Maldonado, son of the licentiate Maldonado, auditor of
Mexico, who unloaded on a beach a great deal of cloth belonging to
citizens here. This would not happen if the officers were appointed
here; because those appointed would give bonds before they left,
and, as they must come back and render an account, they would not
commit these evil acts. Your Majesty will be pleased to order what
is most expedient.
34. _That a sworn statement is being sent of the execution and
fulfilment of the decrees_.
I am sending your Majesty a sworn statement of the decrees which have
been put into execution, besides those which are being carried out;
and the same will be sent next year.
35. _That it is customary on feast-days that the city banner should
be brought out, and that the royal Audiencia should be present, and
the standard-bearer should walk at the left hand of the president;
and that this custom was opposed by an auditor_.
One of the principal feast-days which is kept in this city is that
of the apostle St. Andrew, in memory of the victory which was on
that day won against the Chinese pirate Limahon, driving him from
the land when he had already hemmed this city in. On that day the
city brings out its banner, and goes to vespers and mass at Santa
Potenciana. In the time of the former royal Audiencia, they used
to go with the pennant to the royal houses with the city officers,
and from there the president and auditors set out to the festival;
and the president had the standard-bearer at his left hand, and the
senior auditor at his right. I am informed that the same thing is done
in the city of Lima and that of Mexico. I have had this custom observed
here; but the licentiate Almazan, auditor of this royal Audiencia,
has denied that the standard-bearer or any other person should be
stationed with the royal Audiencia without special permission from
your Majesty, whom I beg to be pleased to command in this what shall
be done. In the meantime, it will be continued as hitherto.
36. _That public feast-days are celebrated with veneration and
dignity_.
I assure your Majesty that the other public feast-days, such as Corpus
Christi, that of the patrons of the city, and the like, are celebrated
with the utmost veneration and dignity in this land, where we are in
the sight of so many heathen.
37. _That it is expedient that the Indians be punished with some
moderate fine of money, and not in rice._
Your Majesty has ordered that the Indians shall not be punished
in money fines; but as they all, in their perverseness and evil
disposition, are more afraid of the punishment of taking from them a
real than of a hundred floggings, the desired results do not follow,
and they do not plant, raise animals, and do other things tending to
the production of supplies, and to the common good. It would be well
for your Majesty to give permission for the imposition of moderate
fines in money. It is particularly unfitting that the chiefs should
be flogged, and in regard to this the royal Audiencia has commenced
to take some action. May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your
Majesty through many happy years. Manila, July 12, 1599.
_Francisco Tello_
_An account of the religious orders which are in these Philipinas
Islands; the provinces, houses, and religious contained in them;
and the ministers whom it is necessary that his Majesty should have
sent, in order that there may be sufficient religious instruction in
the islands_.
_St. Augustine--60 houses; they have 163 religious, and ask for 20
each year_. The Order of St. Augustine has occupied the provinces of
Tagalos, Pampanga, Ylocos, and Pintados. Being the first established in
these regions, they occupy the whole country. They have in the islands
sixty houses, which contain from two to three religious each--one
hundred and eight being priests, and fifty-three lay brethren. They
will have to establish more houses--not only for the newly-entered
countries, but that there may be sufficient religious instruction
in these islands. For this it is necessary that your Majesty send
each year twenty religious. These might be brought at a less cost
to the royal estate from Nueva España, where there are many of them;
and they would do very well, as they are used to instructing Indians,
and have already come half the way.
_St. Francis--40 houses; they have 120 religious, and need 50_. The
Order of St. Francis has occupied the province of Camarines, and has
there forty houses, and one hundred and twenty religious--ninety-seven
being preachers and priests, and twenty-three lay brethren. They need
fifty religious.
_The Society of Jesus has 12 houses and 43 religious_. The Society
has twelve houses, and occupies the province of Pintados, in Leite
and Ibabao. In them are forty-three religious--twenty-three of
these priests, and the rest lay brethren. They will occupy many
houses. Religious of the Society have gone to the pacification of
Mindanao, where they will administer instruction and establish more
houses. They have need of fifty religious.
_St. Dominic--12 houses; they have 71 religious, and need 50_. The
Order of St. Dominic has occupied the province of Cagayan, where
there are twelve houses and seventy-one religious. They need fifty
religious, in order that there may be sufficient instruction in the
province of Cagayan, where they must occupy a number of houses. Those
sent should be priests, because all the lay brethren that are necessary
are being received in the islands.
In all these four orders there are persons of much learning and many
accomplishments, and good linguists who instruct the natives, among
whom they have achieved great results. In the houses of the Society of
Jesus there are two colleges--one at Manila and the other in the city
of Santisimo Nombre de Jhesus--in which religious of very exemplary
life teach Latin to the Spaniards and give instruction to the natives.
_Copy of a letter written in the past year (1598) concerning the
erection of prebends and half-prebends of the cathedral church at
Manila. Cited in clause 7 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_.
Sire:
In accordance with what your Majesty orders me in his royal
instruction, we, the archbishop and myself, made a visitation
of the cathedral church, which is greatly lacking in all
necessaries, and particularly in chaplains, which is noticeable
on feast-days. Accordingly it seemed advisable to institute two
prebendaries, each with a stipend of two hundred pesos per year; and
two half-prebendaries, with a hundred and fifty pesos of stipend each
per year--to be paid in the same manner as the other canons. I beg your
Majesty to have this approved, since it has been done in conformity
with your Majesty's order to provide whatever was necessary. We are
considering from what source the other necessaries can be provided, as,
outside of the royal exchequer of your Majesty, there is at present
no other fund; and the royal treasury is in great need, between the
mortality of the natives and the taxations of Don Luis Perez de las
Marinas; the yearly income has diminished by more than fifteen thousand
pesos. We shall try our best to order affairs in the best possible
way. May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your Majesty, as we
your servants and vassals have need. Manila, the twelfth of July, 1598.
[_Francisco Tello_]
_Statement of the accounts received from the director of the hospital
for the natives. Cited in clause 8 of the letter of the governor of
July 12, 1599._
The accounts which the lord president, governor, and captain-general of
these islands, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago,
ordered me, the accountant Bartolome de Rrenteria, to audit from the
seventeenth of September of the year ninety-eight, when the said lord
president was at the royal hospital for natives of these islands. He
inspected and took possession thereof in the name of your Majesty;
and ordered me, the said accountant, to make in his presence an
inventory of the income and property belonging to the said hospital,
and I did so, as follows:
It was found that the said hospital has, through the bounty of
your Majesty, five hundred ducats each year, paid from the fund set
aside for such purposes by the royal exchequer; one thousand five
hundred fanegas of rice in the hull, one thousand five hundred fowls,
and two hundred pieces of cloth from Ylocos; and a further grant of
four toneladas, to be sent each year in the ships of your Majesty or
others, without duties or freight charges. Likewise there was found, as
property of the said hospital, a farm for cattle, with a thousand head;
ten mares, four colts, and one horse; six men slaves with five married
slave women, and three other unmarried women and two unmarried men;
and four hundred pesos, in coin. Besides this, Antonio Valerio, steward
of the said hospital, has put in charge of me, the said accountant,
a quantity of money received from various persons. The said Antonio
Valerio has also rendered an itemized account of the whole thereof,
from the first of September of the said year ninety-eight to the end
of December of the same, and the expenses in that time amount to five
hundred and thirty-seven pesos and one tomin; he likewise rendered
another account in this year of ninety-nine, from the first of January
to the end of April thereof, and the itemized expense account amounted
to seven hundred and fifteen pesos and four tomins, as appears by the
book which is in my possession. Besides, all necessary provision was
made for divine worship in the said hospital. The said hospital has
a house of stone, amply adequate, with three halls and apartments,
and everything necessary and pertaining thereto. The said steward
has no further account to give, because by command of his Lordship
the accounts are audited every four months, and he will give what is
lacking at the end of August of this year. That this matter may be
understood, I have given this, at Manila, on the second of July in
the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine.
_Bartolome de Rrenteria_
_Copy of the instruction given to the alcaldes-mayor of the provinces
and to the religious, for the Indians to render submission to the
king our lord, and the measures taken in La Laguna. Cited in clause
10 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_.
The King: To Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, my
governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president
of my royal Audiencia, which I have ordered reëstablished in the
city of Manila in the said islands; or to the person or persons in
whose charge the government of them may be. Fray Miguel de Venavides
of the Order of St. Dominic, bishop of Nueva Segovia in those said
islands, has given me certain memorials and accounts of affairs, and
of measures suitable for their improvement, and for the security of
the consciences of the confessors, of the encomenderos and soldiers,
and of other persons, particularly in regard to what affects the
spiritual good of the Indians, and the obligation which rests upon
me to further it. As these are matters important to conscience and
reduced to two points, I directed that, for the consideration of them,
certain theologians, grave and eminent persons, should meet with the
president and members of my Council of the Yndias. What they agreed
upon was reported to me, and I now give you its substance and the
conclusion which has been reached. The first difficulty was whether
the faith must be preached to the heathen by poor preachers, provided
only with the support of God according to the gospel, and what has
been provided by the ordinances concerning discoveries; or whether
the said preachers must enter escorted by soldiers bearing arms. And
the question on the second point was, whether tribute should be levied
upon the infidels who are not opposed to the preaching of the gospel
and are not enemies; nor is there any other just cause for waging war
against them, except solely to maintain the Spaniards. "Supposing that
these tributes are imposed and levied primarily with the obligation of
giving instruction, and maintaining justice to those who are subjected,
they should not be levied on those who are not subjects and have not
received the faith." Having examined the said ordinances, it appears
that what is provided in them is in conformity with the precepts
of the gospel and with the justice necessary to the service of
our Lord, and to the promulgation of His faith in newly-discovered
countries. The bishop admits this, merely complaining of the lax
execution of the decree, and the great liberty which the captains
and soldiers take in interfering with the Indians and taking from
them their liberty and property. Since my will has always been and is
that the said ordinances should be observed, and whoever has violated
or acted contrary to them in the past has displeased me, I order
you that from now on you shall see to it that they be observed and
carried out, inviolably. And to this end I have ordered to be sent
to you--printed, and on separate sheets--the clauses which treat of
the order to be observed in preaching in newly-entered countries, and
how the tributes are to be levied; and the care with which, in both
matters, you are to proceed--all being directed toward the good and
contentment of the Indians, and their best condition, preservation,
and civilization. And this you shall again cause to be published,
adding penalty of death, perpetual banishment, or confiscation of
property to any or all transgressors, according to the degree of
their guilt. This you will execute inexorably, under penalty that,
besides considering you lax in your duty, I shall have you punished
with all rigor--and this infallibly, since you know my wish; and in
these scrupulous matters the peace of my conscience rests upon your
discharge of duty. In order that proper means may be taken in these
matters you will meet with the archbishop and the newly-appointed
bishops, and the superiors of the orders; and you will consider the
measures to be taken to satisfy the injuries inflicted, and whether the
tributes collected from the infidels contrary to the said ordinances
can conveniently be restored. And if this cannot be done without
great difficulty you will advise me thereof; and in the interval while
advising me and while I am providing what appears to me to be best,
everything shall remain in the same condition, with the peace and
propriety with which I hope that you are governing both spiritually
and temporally--as I charge you all to do, each in what concerns
him. Likewise you will confer with the said superiors and religious,
and bring it about that they shall undertake to remedy by love all
which shall be found to have been done through force and fear; for,
according to what the bishop tells me of these Indians, they are well
disposed (not only in spiritual but in temporal matters), freely to
render me submission. Done at Madrid, on the eighth day of the month
of February in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven.
_I The King_
By order of the king our lord:
_Joan de Ybarra_
In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of August in the
year one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the above-contained
decree was proclaimed by Francisco Rodriguez, public crier, in a loud
and clear voice, many persons being present, at the regular session
of the Audiencia. I certify this.
_Gaspar de Acebo_
In the city of Manila, on the fourth day of the month of August in
the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the governor
and captain-general of these islands, Don Francisco Tello, in
accordance with the royal decree of his Majesty, dated at Madrid,
the eighth of February of the year one thousand five hundred and
ninety-seven--which treats of certain difficulties suggested by
the bishop of Cagayan [34] in the Council of the Yndias and to the
royal person--assembled at the royal buildings the bishops of these
islands and the provincials and superiors of the orders thereof,
in consultation upon the said decree. The said governor having read
to them the said royal decree, and certain ordinances treating of
discoveries and pacification, exactly as is contained in the said
decree, and they having heard what his Majesty orders, and having
consulted thereon, a decision was reached in the said meeting as to
what the governor and captain-general should command in regard to the
ordinances which his Majesty sent him, and which were publicly read,
as hereinbefore stated, with the heavy penalties which the aforesaid
decree provides against transgressors. For the future they understand
that our Lord's service demands that, by peaceful means of love,
all the Indians should render voluntary and free submission to his
Majesty the king of Castilla, our lord; and they offered that by
themselves and the religious, and the other ministers under their
control, all efforts should be made that this might be accomplished in
a short time. As regards restitution for the past, it seems best to
them that what can be easily effected by pious works and other means
should be done; and as for the rest this means would be taken, that
the religious should gain over the Indians by love and gentleness,
and that they should grant the natives freedom from tributes, which
were levied in times past, while they were infidels. Therefore the
following persons have affixed their signatures.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Archbishop of Manila_
_Fray Miguel_, Bishop of Nueva Segovia.
_Fray Pedro_, [35] Bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus.
_Fray Bernardo de Santa Catalina_, provincial.
_Raymundo de Prado_, vice-provincial.
_Fray Joan de San Pedro Martir_
_Joan de Rivera_