_An act decreeing that no one shall embark for the purpose of leaving
these islands, without permission_.
In the city of Manila, on the first of July, one thousand five hundred
and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia
and Chancillería of the said islands, being assembled, and considering
a petition presented by the licentiate Geronimo Salazar y Salzedo,
his Majesty's fiscal in the said royal Audiencia, declared that,
whereas many people who go unpunished by the royal justice for
murders and other crimes that they have committed, and others for
owing money to the royal exchequer, and for bringing suits against
the royal treasurer, and who have other legitimate reasons for not
being able to leave this city, absent themselves from it in order not
to be punished, or to pay what they owe, and go to Nueva España and
other places, favored and assisted by generals, admirals, captains,
masters, and other officers and persons of the ships sailing from
these islands, whence results much harm and trouble; therefore, in
order that the aforesaid evils be remedied, and that this may not be
so henceforth, they ordered, and they did so order, that no general,
admiral, captain, master, or any other officer or person, on whatever
vessel sailing from these islands, for Nueva España or any other places
whatever, shall receive, assist, protect, or conceal, in any manner,
any person of any rank or condition whatever, so that he may embark
on such ship or ships--even though he may go thereon as captain,
master, pilot, sailor, or in any other capacity--without securing
permission in writing from the governor and captain-general of these
islands, drawn up with the necessary conditions, and in the usual
form. If it should happen that the said person or persons embark so
secretly that they do not allow themselves to be seen by the officers
of the said ship on which they are, until it is under sail, as soon
as they allow themselves to be seen, the captain of said ship shall
be informed thereof, in order that he may make investigation of it,
ascertaining and assuring himself how and in what manner, and when
and how, they embarked and where; who helped and protected them
therein, and who saw them embark; and for what reason they secretly
embarked. The said officers shall arrest the person or persons who
shall have embarked, together with those who shall have given their
favor or assistance. They shall be found guilty in conformity with the
aforesaid, and placed in irons, so that at the first port where they
arrive, they may be handed over, with a copy of the investigations
which shall have been made, to the justice thereof, who shall keep
them prisoners. On the first occasion of the sailing of any ship, he
shall send them as prisoners to this city under a sufficient guard,
to the royal prison of this court, delivering them to the warden
thereof, and taking his testimony in the matter, delivering also
the original of the said investigation. They shall send a complete
and authentic copy of all the above to the fiscal of the said royal
Audiencia, in order that such persons may be punished as their offenses
demand. They ordered unanimously that no person, of whatever rank or
condition, for any cause or reason whatever, shall leave this city,
to go beyond these islands, or to leave them for Nueva España,
or any other places unless he has permission in writing from the
said governor, with the necessary conditions. Likewise, it shall
be understood by the captains, masters, pilots, sailors, and other
workmen on any ships whatever, in the manner aforesaid. In order that
this act be exactly enforced, it shall be publicly proclaimed in this
city and the port of Cavite. Copies shall be made of it and affixed
to the doors of the royal houses, so that it may come to the notice
of everyone, and no one may plead ignorance of it, so that one and
all may observe it in the manner aforesaid--under penalty of a fine
of five hundred pesos of common gold, to be applied to the use of the
royal treasury and the interests of the royal exchequer, to which
sum they hold them condemned as soon as they disobey this decree,
besides the deprivation of their offices. This penalty is to be
executed without any favor. Thus they decreed, ordered, and ordained.
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
_An act decreeing that one of the auditors shall have charge of
reviewing the charges against prisoners every two months_.
In the city of Manila, on the fifth of August, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, being assembled, declared that,
whereas there are many prisoners in the royal prison of this court,
whose numbers are constantly increasing, on account of arrests for
vagabondage and other criminal charges: therefore, in order that the
cases of such prisoners be settled and despatched with all promptness,
the charges against them reviewed during the week, and their cases
substantiated and decided, and that the order and system requisite to
the quick and efficient despatch of their affairs may be observed,
they ordered, and they did so order, that now and henceforth, an
auditor of this royal Audiencia shall, during the months assigned to
him, review the charges against prisoners, at such times and in such
wise as he may deem proper. The cases of such prisoners as are in the
prison must be definitely substantiated and concluded, without any
prisoner being able to escape, or any case to go unsettled. He shall
then refer them to the court of this royal Audiencia, in order that
they may be examined and decided therein. In the aforesaid examination,
he shall take particular care to follow the established practice,
so that there may be suitable method and system, in order to avoid
long imprisonments and delays in the cases. To execute the above,
full authority and power was delegated in due legal form. They ordered
the licentiate Christoval Tellez de Almaçan, auditor of this royal
Audiencia, to begin his months from today; then, consecutively, the
other members of the Audiencia. Thus they voted, and ordered it to
be registered as an act, and signed the same.
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act relating to the breeding of fowls_.
In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas in the
instructions which have been given to the alcaldes-mayor of the
provinces of these islands, the latter have been charged and ordered
to take particular care that the natives thereof shall raise fowls,
in order both to pay their tribute, and to keep the land supplied with
necessary food; they are, however, informed that, although the said
alcaldes-mayor take particular care in the execution and enforcement
of the said instructions, the said natives do not breed the said
fowls, because no pecuniary penalties are exacted from them--whence
it results that they have none wherewith to pay their tribute;
and there is a very considerable lack and scarcity of them in this
city, so that they are worth three or four reals apiece, and then
scarcely to be found; therefore, to remedy this loss, they ordered,
and they did so order, the said alcaldes-mayor, now and henceforth,
to reward any of the said natives who raises the number of fowls
that is called for by the said instructions. The Indians who will
not raise them can be and shall be fined one toston, which is to be
applied equally to the support of the two hospitals in this city,
those for the Spaniards and for the natives; but no other fines or
costs are to be collected from them. They shall keep a book with an
account and a report, in which they shall enter the said condemnations
in legal form--wherein they shall take great care and diligence, so
that the provisions of this act may be better enforced. In order that
the said natives may not pretend ignorance, the said alcaldes-mayor,
upon receipt of a copy of this act, authorized by the present notary,
shall have it proclaimed in the villages under their jurisdiction, with
the number of fowls that must be raised, so that the said penalties
may be imposed with more rectitude and justification. By this act,
they so voted, ordered, and decreed, and they ordained that this act
be inscribed in the book of this royal Audiencia.
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act relating to slavery_.
In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas they had been informed that in the province of Pampanga
were many native slaves, divided among many masters--one slave often
serving ten masters, more or less--whence resulted great disservice
to God our Lord, on account of the vexations, troubles, and great
injuries received by the said slaves in serving so many masters;
and whereas they had ordered Benito de Mendiola, alcalde-mayor of the
said province, to inform himself regarding what should be done in this
matter in order to repair such wrongs; and whereas the latter, in a
petition, presented before the aforesaid Audiencia, has informed them
that no satisfactory division of the slaves is made among the heirs,
and that on this account they may be appraised at the common value and
appraisal, and when they are sold the purchase-price should be divided
among the heirs; and, if after being appraised, one of them retains
a slave, he should pay the other heirs for their share: therefore,
because the said opinion seemed a fair method of procedure, they
ordered, and they did so order, the said alcalde-mayor of Pampanga,
now and henceforth, to take particular care in such cases to observe
the said plan--so that such slaves shall not have so many owners,
nor endure, or be vexed with, the service of so many masters, whom
they cannot serve without considerable trouble. It often happens
that they run away from their masters, or are ill-treated and not
supplied with food and other things necessary to their life. The said
alcalde-mayor shall be advised to execute and enforce the tenor of this
act, being warned that, if he shall not do so, vigorous proceedings
will be instituted against him. By this act, they so voted, ordered,
and decreed, providing that this act be entered in the books of this
royal Audiencia.
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing a proper regulation of supplies_.
In the city of Manila, on the fifteenth day of the month of October,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, being assembled,
declared that at present there is a great lack of provisions in this
city, and that those that are to be had are so high-priced, that there
is general suffering. It is thought that, unless this be regulated,
the trouble will increase in the future.
_Buffalo meat_. Therefore they ordered that a contract should be made
with ten Indian arquebusiers, from among those who have permission to
hunt, so that what buffaloes they kill shall be brought for public
sale at the city slaughter-house; and there shall be there every
day the meat of at least one buffalo, which is to be weighed out and
distributed to the citizens.
_The natives and Sangleys must raise fowl and swine. Item_: They voted
and ordered that, now and henceforth, all the natives of these islands,
and the Sangley gardeners who reside therein, shall raise fowl and
swine, as they are ordered, under penalty of a fine of four reals
apiece--three of these to be applied to the use of the hospitals
of this city, and one to the alguazil-mayor or judge who executes
this decree. To that end, the necessary orders shall be despatched,
directed to the magistrates, charging them with the enforcement
thereof, and warning them that especial attention will be paid to
their observance of them, when their residencias are taken.
_That the natives shall bring their provisions for sale to this
city_. Likewise, they ordered the said alcaldes-mayor and magistrates
to be charged and ordered to procure and give orders, each one in his
jurisdiction, to the Indians to come to this city with fowl, swine,
wine, rice, olive-oil, vinegar, and other provisions which they may
have, to sell in this city, for the provision thereof. They are to come
directed to the president, so that he may have some one commissioned to
distribute the provisions without injury to their owners, and at their
full value. Especial care is to be taken in the execution of this.
_That pork shall be sold in the public square at a counter, by weight
and assize_. Further, they ordered that, neither in this city nor
its suburbs, nor in the Sangley and native settlements, shall any
person offer for sale or sell, a dead hog or parts thereof, in the
streets or in their houses, unless it is brought to the square or
the Parian, or any other place that shall be assigned therefor by
the magistrate. There it shall be sold publicly at a counter, by
weight and at fixed rates, under penalty of confiscation of whatever
is found on sale in any other way--which shall go to the alguazil or
judge executing this decree--and twenty lashes applied to the seller.
_Price at which hens, chickens, and capons shall be bought and
sold. Item_: In order that the dearness of the price of fowls may cease
(for they are the principal sustenance of this land), and because it
is just that there shall be a common and general price for all, they
ordered that no person--Spanish, Sangley, native, or other, of any
quality, rank, or condition whatever--may sell or cause to be sold in
this city, or within a radius of five leagues thereof, hens, capons,
and chickens, whether of their own breeding, or of their income,
profit, or property, in any way whatsoever, at a higher price than
the following: a laying Sangley hen, two and one-half reals; a Moro
hen, two reals; a male chicken, one real; a pullet, one and one-half
reals; a Sangley capon, three and one-half reals--under this penalty,
that whoever shall be found selling at a higher price shall lose the
fowls which are thus sold, which shall be divided into three parts,
among the hospitals of this city, and the informer or the judge who
shall execute this decree. At this price those who have fowls shall be
obliged to give them to anyone who would buy. The justices are charged
and ordered to take care to have this scale observed and enforced in
their jurisdictions, with the utmost strictness. It shall be proclaimed
and published therein, that no one may plead ignorance thereof.
_That provisions shall be allowed to be sold freely._ Further, they
ordered that all provisions shall be freely offered, and those who
bring them shall sell them at their pleasure and free will: and no
person in this city, or its suburbs and settlements, shall dare to
take by force, or against their will, from the Indians or Sangleys,
what they bring to sell, or cause them any injury or molestation
therein, under penalty of being severely punished.
_That those who sell fish and other provisions shall maintain the
fixed rates_. They also ordered that those who sell fish and other
provisions, shall abide by the fixed rates which are established,
under the penalties imposed for the violation of them. This act
shall be publicly proclaimed in this city, and in the Sangley Parian,
and in the settlements of Tondo, in order that all may know of it.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almazan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act relating to the importation to this city, from the neighboring
provinces, of fowls, swine, and eggs, for the ordinary allotment_.
In the city of Manila, on the seventh day of the month of December,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería residing in the said city,
examined the petition of the protector of the natives of these
islands, presented in the name of the inhabitants of Tondo and its
district, in regard to their ordering that this city of Manila should
be provided with the fowls and swine necessary for its sustenance,
from all the provinces and villages of this neighborhood, allotting
among them equitably what each one is obliged to furnish, so that no
one be overburdened; but, since all this has been thus done until now,
the said village and tributes of his Majesty are being depopulated and
growing smaller. The said Audiencia having likewise seen the want and
necessity which has existed, and exists at present, of the said fowls,
swine, and eggs, for the sustenance of this city--although, to remedy
the difficulty, the said president and auditors have enacted other
ordinances and acts--they declared that, in order that the provisions
of the said act may be better fulfilled, and with greater ease and
convenience, and less vexation to the natives, since the inhabitants
of each one of the villages of these environs know what assistance
they owe, they [the Audiencia] ought to order, and they did so order,
that, now and henceforth, the alcaldes-mayor of these environs of
Manila--namely, those of Tondo, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Mindoro,
Balayan--shall be under the obligation of providing this city from
their said districts with the fowls, swine, and eggs necessary for
its sustenance, at the time and in the quantity and order following.
First, the year shall be apportioned and divided as follows for
each alcalde-mayor: That of Tondo, the first three months of the
year--January, February, and March. That of Pampanga, the next three
months--April, May, and June. That of Bulacan, the next two months--for
the inhabitants of Bulacan, July and August. That of Laguna, the next
two months--for the inhabitants of Laguna, September and October. That
of Mindoro and Balayan, the next two months--November and December.
They are charged and ordered to take particular care to be punctual
in entering upon their months without awaiting any other orders,
and to send to this city each week, until their term is finished, to
the person who shall be nominated and appointed, three hundred laying
hens--the fourth or third part of them pullets, at the rate of four
small ones or two large ones for one laying fowl--and likewise two
thousand eggs, and the number of swine that he may consider proper,
and that can be produced. And the said person, as soon as he shall
receive them, shall distribute them all in due order and form, to those
persons and in the manner ordained and ordered, paying immediately
those who brought them, according to the scale imposed by this royal
Audiencia--advising the natives that during Lent, in place of fowls,
they must send eggs.
In order that this act may be better enforced, and that nothing may
arise to obstruct or hinder its fulfilment (inasmuch as it has been
ordered, by other acts, that all the natives shall raise the said
fowls and swine, under certain penalties), the said alcaldes-mayor are
again charged to exert all care in this matter, so that the natives may
easily furnish what is assigned to and ordered from them. Furthermore,
there shall be no Sangleys (whether infidels or Christians), or native
chiefs or timaguas, excused from undertaking the said breeding, and
furnishing the said allotment, since it is important for their own
welfare, utility, and profit. The said reservation shall be observed
in regard to everything else therein contained; and they ordered all
the said alcaldes-mayor to issue letters and royal decrees, with this
act inserted therein, in order that the provisions herein contained
may begin to be observed from the first of January of the coming
year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, beginning with
Tondo and continuing with the other places in the said order. And
the said alcaldes-mayor shall be notified that, just as care will
be taken to reward them for the care and diligence that they shall
exert in its fulfilment, in like manner those who do not observe it
will be punished; and orders will be given to take especial account
in their residencias of the carelessness or neglect observed by them
in this. Thus they decreed and ordered, and affixed their signatures.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act ordering the auditor last appointed to audit the accounts of
this city for the past year XCVIII_.
In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the king
our sovereign, by one of his royal ordinances, ordains and orders the
aforesaid, that one auditor of this his royal Audiencia shall each
year audit the accounts of this city; and that they shall commence
with the last elected, and that each year they shall continue with the
rest of the auditors in their turn: therefore, in conformity with the
said royal ordinance, and in order exactly to enforce its provisions,
they ordered, and they did so order, that the licentiate Albaro
Çambrano, auditor of this royal Audiencia, beginning the aforesaid,
shall immediately audit the said accounts of this city for the past
year of ninety-eight, ordering and providing therefor whatever is
necessary. To that end, and for any act connected with and concerning
it, they gave him power and full commission, as far as is required by
law. In future years the other members, in their turn, shall continue
to audit the said accounts annually, as is here declared. Thus they
voted, and ordered it to be registered as an act, and signed the same.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that the residencias of the faithful administrators
of this city shall be taken every two months._
In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the king
our sovereign, in one of his royal ordinances, ordains and commands
that the said president and auditors shall take a residencia every
two months of the faithful administrators of the city in which this
his royal Audiencia shall reside: therefore, in order that the said
royal ordinance may be exactly enforced, and his Majesty's royal
will observed and enforced in everything, they ordered, and they
did so order, that from the first day of January of the coming year,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, and thenceforth, the said
decree shall take effect. They appointed therefor the licentiate Albaro
Çambrano, auditor of this royal Audiencia, to take the said residencia
of the said regidors and faithful administrators who have filled the
said offices, and to take from them an account of how they employed
their time in the past, and up to the said day. This shall be done in
due form, and in conformity with the law. And they gave him power and
full commission therefor, as far as the law required. In the future,
the said residencia shall continue to be taken every two months by
the said auditors--the licentiate Tellez Almaçan, and Doctor Antonio
de Morga, each in his turn, and in the aforesaid manner, to succeed
the licentiate Albaro Çambrano. By this act they so provided, ordered,
and appointed.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
An act decreeing that the auditors shall keep a
record of the suits concerning the royal exchequer.
In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the
royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas
the king our sovereign, in one of his royal ordinances, orders and
commands the aforesaid to keep a record of the suits and affairs of
the royal exchequer; and that on Thursday of each week the senior
auditor, his Majesty's fiscal, the royal officials, and the notary
of the royal treasury shall hold a meeting: therefore, in order that
the provisions of the said ordinance may be strictly enforced, they
ordered, and they did so order, that the said record be made. And
considering that Thursdays are days for judicial decisions, and that
on this account they cannot attend to the aforesaid matter, the said
meetings shall be on Tuesday afternoons in the royal offices--at
which shall be present Doctor Antonio de Morga, the senior auditor of
this royal Audiencia, his Majesty's fiscal, and the royal judicial
officers, together with the notary of the royal treasury, according
as the king our sovereign orders and commands in the said ordinance,
exercising in everything requisite and necessary care and expedition
for the increase and preservation of the said royal exchequer. By
this act they so declared, ordered, and decreed.