A curious relation of events in the city of Manila since the arrival
of the ships in the year 1684.
On the ninth of July the bells were rung for the [arrival of the]
ship "Santa Rosa," with certain news that it was opposite Baco, and
had brought the new governor, Admiral Don Gabriel de Curucelaegui
y Arriola--who, on account of the fury of the storms, would not be
able to make his entrance into this city until August 24. [On that
occasion] he was received with loud applause, triumphal arches, and
laudatory speeches. On that day occurred some memorable events. At
five o'clock in the morning there was a severe earthquake, although
it caused but little damage to the city. In the afternoon, while
his Lordship, before entering through the Puerta Real, was taking
the customary oath in order that the keys might be delivered to him,
the horse of his Majesty's fiscal became unruly, and attacked those
who were near him with kicks and bites. He who came out worst from
this was the secretary whom his Lordship brought over; he was injured
in one leg by some kicks, from the effects of which he suffered for
several days. [89] When the governor had entered the city, and when
he was about two pike-lengths from the gate, the balcony above it,
which was full of people, fell; some were killed, others crippled or
maimed, and others bruised. Among them were friars and lay-brothers,
negroes and whites. With these events, the common people began to
indulge in much gossip.
When Don Gabriel had taken possession of his government, his first act
was to retire Captain Mateo Lopez Perea, and to make Captain Miguel
Sanchez government secretary, quite contrary to their wishes. The
second was to appoint as chief chaplain of the royal chapel the canon
Master Don Pablo de Aduna, as a reward for having always withdrawn
himself from the cabildo, without choosing to acknowledge it as
ecclesiastical ruler. The third (and the source of many others) was
to bring back our troubles, so that the whole pancake [tortilla] was
turned bottom upwards--even going so far as to revoke the sentence
of banishment on the archbishop, and bring him to Manila. This, as
those say who understand the matter, is the most extraordinary thing
that has occurred anywhere in the Spanish domain; for he was exiled
for disobeying sixteen royal decrees and I have given an account
to his Majesty of these sixteen points of disobedience, or [rather]
this disobedience of sixteen points. The preambles of these points,
or their history, required much time and no little paper; but they
will be summarized as briefly as possible.
After the exile of the archbishop, the actions, conversations,
and sermons of the Dominican fathers were so wild and extravagant,
against the members of the Audiencia, the ecclesiastical cabildo,
and the Theatins [i.e., the Jesuits], that their mildest act was to
call all of the latter Pharisees or heretics, and utter other jests
of that sort, even from the pulpit. Consequently the royal Audiencia
felt obliged to advise its president, then Don Juan de Vargas, that
he should apply a corrective to these acts. This was a royal decree,
requesting and charging the [Dominican] provincial to send to the
port of Cavite the friars Bartolome Marron, [90] Raimundo Verart,
and P. Pedroche, [91] and to make them ready, at the cost of the
order, for [the journey to] Espana; and to send to Cagayan the two
lecturers in theology, Fray Juan de Santo Domingo [92] and Fray
Francisco de Vargas, [93] and not allow them to leave that province
without a special order from the government. The provincial answered
that those religious had not done any of the things that were alleged
of them except by his order, and that therefore the blame, if there
were any, was his and not theirs; and that all of them were ready
to die for the faith. Again he was requested and charged as before,
the provincial [94] also being summoned to go to Espana, to give
account of his acts. These orders were resisted, whereupon the convent
was surrounded with infantry. As the provincial and Fray Pedroche
refused to go out afoot, the soldiers took them from the convent,
carrying them with the utmost propriety and respect, by order of
the provisor, who was summoned for this function. They went away,
Father Pedroche hurling excommunications, from which escaped only the
alcalde-in-ordinary Pimentel, who conveyed them to Cavite, because
he had given them excellent bread and pastries. At this, not only the
Dominican fathers and their friends took to flight, but Quintero [95]
and his barangay--especially when they saw some embarked for Espana,
and others for Cagayan. Then, the news of the change in government
having come, was begun the fabrication of a scheme or plot, well
covered up, as follows:
They fully persuaded the governor that this [96] one was a
schismatic--as it were, another Inglaterra in the time of Henry VIII;
and, to forward their schemes--as he had, before all the religious
orders, recognized the cabildo as ecclesiastical ruler--they persuaded
the father provincial of St. Augustine, Father Jose Duque, to render,
and command all his friars to render, obedience to the bishop of Troya
[97]--who had been nominated as head of the diocese by the archbishop,
but whose appointment the royal Audiencia had suspended. The father
provincial did so, in a circular letter sent to all the friars of
his order, arousing the resentment that might be expected in the
ecclesiastical cabildo, and much more in the royal Audiencia.
As soon as the news of the ship arrived, the Troyan wrote and made
public a document with this title: "Advice to those who come as
strangers to these islands, that they may not err in their judgment of
things pertaining to the banishment of the archbishop." This paper had
no solidity, and answer to it was made in another, in which the former
was utterly demolished [98] with sharp arguments. The provincial made
another reply, over his signature, of the same quality as the former
document, but with not slight attacks on the authority and patronage
of our king. On the same day when the governor entered the city [i.e.,
August 24] in the afternoon, on that morning came into Manila Fray
Bartolome Marron (who went about secretly), and Fathers Juan de Santo
Domingo and Juan de Vargas, who were the lecturers exiled to Cagayan;
the latter went publicly through the city, scorning the royal authority
by which they were exiled. Immediately began the intrigue--which,
according to report, came already planned from Mejico.
The governor questioned the religious orders, requesting and charging
them to answer the points that go with this letter, which were set
forth by the bishop of Troya. The fathers of St. Francis in their
paper declared themselves for the king our sovereign, and approved
what had been done by the royal court. The Augustinian fathers said,
"Viva Troya!" [99] with a document full of depositions--some made
by so evil a brain as that of Fray Raimundo Verart (but signed by
the father provincial Duque); some by two stray (that is, recently
arrived) lecturers, one of whom confessed that he had never heard
of the works of Solorzano; and the last who signed the paper was
Fray Gaspar de San Agustin, the procurator-general, who on account
of being learned in grammar, thought that, as versed in the art of
Nebrija [100] (who was an auditor), it was the same to know how to
conjugate past tenses as to comprehend futures. [101] The Recollect
fathers followed their brethren, but with so few depositions that
I judge the number did not reach the plural of the Greeks. [102]
This paper was much commended, and it is something which I admired,
knowing that it was the work of their provincial, Fray Ysidro; and
when it was seen it was recognized as his by the style and manner
of expression--the stamp of the pulpit, which is that [vocation] for
which God has given him grace. The Theatins evaded a reply, recognizing
the game (or rather flame) [juego, o fuego] that was being started;
but they say that in their apology they explained this omission, and
expressed their opinions with no little care--saying that they were
ignorant of what had passed in the sessions of the royal court; and
that, as it was to be inferred that the royal Audiencia had informed
his Majesty of everything, they could not pass judgment on those acts.
These papers, or collections of papers, were going about, when the
Troyan plunged in medias res and decided the question. One Sunday
morning at five o'clock, he went with his notary Caraballo, and
fiscals, and an escort of soldiers, and entered all the churches
(except the cathedral), where he published himself as ecclesiastical
ruler, and commanded that they should not recognize the cabildo as
such. To this [he added] the penalty of major excommunication and of
being considered schismatics, if they did not go to render obedience
within three days; and he left posted in all the churches copies of
his act. [103] This was an action so extraordinary that, if this
were a town of the common people, a riot would have occurred. All
the members of the ecclesiastical cabildo repaired to the governor,
who received them with scant welcome, and without giving them the
title of "Lordship," [Senoria] which is their due when they appear
officially as the cabildo. He told the dean to tell his story;
and when the latter replied that that cabildo was not going to tell
stories, the governor again told him to go on with his story. They
told him in few words what had occurred, and what had just been done;
but when they again told him that the bishop of Troya had taken with
him an escort of soldiers, he said that he had no knowledge of such
a thing. In conclusion, they stated that by three royal decrees they
had been charged with the government [of the see]; and that he should
give them another decree, commanding them to surrender it to the
bishop of Troya, or that he should approve the bishop's appointment,
and immediately they would surrender the government to him; and
with that they went away. Immediately the governor held a session
(or rather sessions) of the Audiencia, which lasted three days;
and at the end of that time "the mountain brought forth," [104]
by a majority of votes. It resulted that, at ten o'clock at night,
there was a peal of bells, as if for a ship from Castilla; and the
members of the cabildo, escorted by many personages, went to render
obedience to the Troyan. He informed them that he could not absolve
them unless they would swear obedience to the archbishop, which they
must also render to his provisor, Juan Gonzalez, on their knees, asking
his pardon for the injuries that they had done him, and making amends
for the losses that he had suffered. When they resisted, laymen came
in among them and undertook to surround them (as they did); and after
they fell on their knees they placed their hands on the missal, and,
as good men who stood in fear of God, they were granted absolution,
but ad reincidentiam, until the archbishop should decree what would
be most expedient. On another day the Troyan was received in the
cathedral, with military display, the long ringing of the bells, etc.
The governor, who had already decided to restore the archbishop to his
see [105]--but without showing the least indication of rehabilitating
the royal jurisdiction, and establishing obedience to what had been
commanded--despatched General Don Tomas de Andaya and Sargento-mayor
Don Gonzales Samaniego [106] for his illustrious Lordship; they were
accompanied by the Dominican father Fray Baltasar de Santa Cruz.
His illustrious Lordship came here, and was received with military
display, a salvo of artillery, etc. He entered the city clad in his
pontifical robes, and went to the palace of the governor, who was
awaiting him; [107] they remained a short time in conversation, the
governor straitly charging him [to maintain] peace. Then he went to
his own house, where he found the superiors of the religious orders,
who also had gathered in the cathedral with many other religious to
welcome him. He remained two days within Manila, and, without visiting
the superiors, or returning their visit to him, he contented himself
with calling on Generals Tejada, Andaya, and Quintero; and he crossed,
near San Gabriel, to the house of Don Francisco de Atienza, who is
sargento-mayor of the army.
Everyone promised himself an Octavian peace; but in ten or twelve days
war made its appearance, and the more experienced were continually
in dread. On the twenty-eighth of November, the eve of the feast
of the table of the blessed sacrament, notification was sent to the
cabildo, the superiors of the religious orders, and all the curas and
missionaries within and without the walls, that no one should admit
into any of their churches the auditors, Don Juan de Vargas Hurtado,
and many other persons, both citizens and military officers, [108]
as having incurred the penalties in the bull De la cena. At this the
entire community felt as the pious reader can understand, recognizing
that the royal authority had been trampled under foot and outraged--and
the more so, that some persons who promptly came to him for absolution
were required to swear upon the holy gospels that they would never
aid in the banishment, exile, or imprisonment of an ecclesiastic, even
though this be ordered by the king himself, in person. Thereupon, they
frankly declared that they would not take such an oath, and returned
to their homes, scandalized at such a reply. Those who most resented
this stroke were the auditors, especially as, on the following day,
when their platform was already placed in the cathedral, and all
had resolved to go there, the archbishop sent them a message that
they should suspend their attendance there for a time, until these
affairs were adjusted. Thereupon, coram omni populo [i.e., "in the
presence of all the people"] who had gathered to see what was going on,
the platform was removed [from the cathedral]. The auditors keenly
resented this; but since they are to blame in having done what they
could not be forced to do, let them pay the penalty.
The governor astonished at a thing so unexpected, again questioned
the religious orders, in the strictest manner, on various points; the
principal of these was in regard to the royal ministers [comision],
whether or not they had incurred censure by having acted according
to the laws of his Majesty--which was the same as inquiring whether
the said laws were just or unjust. The Augustinians and Recollects
evaded answering this. The Franciscans were doubtful; but, learning
that the Jesuits had answered and publicly declared that now was the
time to stand by our king and give blood and life for him, and that
they all would do so in what was not contrary to the law of God, the
fathers of St. Francis were also encouraged, and they came to the same
resolution. The Theatins gave notice of their decision to the governor;
but they told him that sometimes it was necessary to make the occasion
and whet the blade; and, since now they were drawing the sword, they
would strike a sure blow and draw blood. Considering the feelings of
the Audiencia, and its embarrassed condition, they sent one of their
fathers even to its hall of assembly, to make known their resolution
to the auditors; those gentlemen were much relieved, and thanked the
Jesuits for their courtesy. This was made known throughout the city,
and the people expected that this document would be circulated; but
it seems that the threat alone was as effectual as the stroke could
have been. For, at the instance of the governor, his illustrious
Lordship went to the royal court on the sixth day of December, on
which was celebrated the fiesta of St. Francis Javier; and, as the
result of his visit, the session was closed and all [the auditors]
went to the fiesta, to the great joy of the entire city. We do not
know what occurred in the session of the Audiencia; [109] only one
[writer] mentions that its members were absolved, and others state,
more explicitly, that the absolution was only given in the archbishop's
mind, and explained by himself with a sort of benediction. It seems
that, as a result, they put an end to the lawsuits; but, when the
water stopped falling, it rained pebbles.
On Saturday, December 10, the ecclesiastical cabildo, which had
governed the see, was notified of all these matters, and that it
must be regarded as suspended and under censure [110] for having
accepted the government. At the same time, edicts were posted making
null all the confessions made to the members of the cabildo or to
those persons to whom they had given license [to hear confessions],
and all other things that had been effected by their authority--as
marriages, [the bestowal of] chaplaincies and curacies, etc. [111]
These edicts commanded that, under penalty of major excommunication,
latae sententiae, all [persons concerned] should present themselves
within six days, with the documents and other papers [in the case];
[112] thereupon many men who were dissatisfied with their wives, and
women tired of their husbands, tried to find other spouses who were
more congenial. The scruples of people regarding their confessions
may well be imagined; and this, too, when Lent was past. But the
most astute (although harsh) measure was the command, under the same
penalty, that no one should speak, assert, or teach anything contrary
to the tenor of the said edict. The Dominican fathers, moreover,
even said in the pulpits, when exultant tanquam victores capta preda,
[113] that there is no person in these islands, except the Dominican
religious, who has the ability or learning to make a decision in a case
of morals. Thus the poor prebends are suspended; nor have they any
recourse, since the royal Audiencia is now disarmed. The archbishop
proceeded to welcome them with much kindness, telling them that now
they came to his illustrious Lordship, because they had recourse in
no other direction--words which have aroused much comment, as being
insulting to the king and inimical to his royal patronage; and he
added, that they deserved to be degraded from office and handed over
to the secular power. Above all, he tried to deprive them of their
prebends, and to thrust into the cathedral that dealer in fireworks,
Caraballo, and others of that stamp. The worst is, that he declares
that they cannot be dispensed from their irregular administration [of
the see]--nor can appeal be taken to the delegate of his Holiness,
or to any other--by any bishop of these islands, since all four are
Dominicans and follow the lead of the archbishop; and all the four
cities and bishoprics of these islands are entirely unsettled with
lawsuits and excommunications at every step. No attention is paid to
the officials of his Majesty, the more discreet of whom acquiesce. It
is necessary to apply a very exemplary corrective; for they [i.e.,
the ecclesiastical authorities] have gone to such an extreme that
to issue royal decrees to them is the same as to throw caps at the
tarasca. [114] They act with contempt for the royal authority, which
even the most remote barbarians fear and reverence.
On the first of December was published the residencia of Don Juan de
Vargas Hurtado; and a fortnight later the city challenged the judge
of residencia, by saying that it was conducted with fraud, as the
said judge was bribed. The challenge was admitted, and he named for
his associate Senor Calderon; as the latter declined, he named Senor
de Viga, and then Senor Bolivar, both of whom did the same. The judge
continued to nominate other persons, and all excused themselves. [115]
As a result, it seems, Don Juan de Vargas was anchored to his island
[116] for several years. He himself has caused this, since he has not
the dexterity to apply a curb of silver with the royal arms to Captain
Quintanilla, the scrivener of the residencia--who still endeavors to
urge it on, although he does not lead the plot.
A second embassy came from Borney; and General Don Juan de Morales is
going with the title of ambassador, to establish peace at once. [117]
They say a Theatin will accompany him, to pave the way for introducing
the faith into that kingdom.
The commander [of the galleon] for Castilla is Don Francisco
Zorrilla; the sargento-mayor, Don Bernardo de Andaya; the chief
pilot, Lazcano. [Here is the list of] alcaldes-mayor: Of Tondo,
Don Pedro Lozano; of Pampanga, Samaniego; of Bulacan, Armijo; of
Bay, Don Antonio de Ortega; of Balayan, Don Juan Antonio de Tabara;
of Tayabas, Captain Conde; of Albay, Captain Ariola; of Pangasinan,
Arcega; of Ylocos, the former sargento-mayor of Cavite; of Calamianes,
Don Alonso de Leon; of Mindoro, Prada; of Panay, Don Agustin Crespo;
of the island of Negros, Captain Adriano; of Caraga, Captain Blas
Rodriguez. For accountant of his Majesty, Juan del Pozo y Gatica;
for castellan of Cavite, Don Alonso de Aponte; for sargento-mayor of
that port, Francisco Sanchez.
Considerable is being done on the galleon in Sorsogon, where the
"Santelmo" was wrecked; they say that General Don Tomas de Andaya
will go there for its construction, with title of lieutenant-governor
and commander-in-chief for Mariveles; he is in high favor with the
governor.
The bishop of Sinopolis is coming from Cebu, his patience quite
exhausted with the follies and impertinences of Don Diego de Aguilar,
who has worn out that unfortunate community with his extravagant
actions, all originating in his insatiable greed. The ecclesiastical
ruler of Cagayan is the bishop of Troya.
On the twenty-third of December the members of the cabildo came again
to cast themselves at the feet of the archbishop; and, after a long
harangue of misereres and entreaties, he replied to them by asking
if they were not ashamed to show their faces, and other things of the
like sort, in the tone of a tercerilla, [118] and then left them. It
may well be imagined with what joy they must have celebrated the
Christmas feasts.
The evil genius of the archbishop at present is Fray Juan Ybanez,
otherwise named de San Domingo; he is the lecturer that was exiled to
Cagayan. He has made strenuous efforts to deprive the members of the
chapter of their prebends--regarding which the archbishop had three
times sent advice to the governor; the latter replied, to the third of
these communications, that the archbishop should say no more on this
point, because he would not do what he asked. It is a great pity that
this gentleman should have meddled by recalling the archbishop from
banishment, since that act has been the source of the disturbances
in this unhappy community, troubles which will exist for many years;
for it cannot be doubted that he has in other respects conducted the
government well, and with unwearying efforts--especially in what
concerns the increase of the royal revenues. But he is thoroughly
repentant for his error, at seeing his hopes of peace frustrated,
which was the purpose in his decision.
1685
The prebendaries remained suspended until the fourth Sunday in
Lent [i.e., March 25], when the [censure for] irregular government
was removed from them; but for this purpose a conference was first
summoned by the archbishop. It included the bishop of Sinopolis, the
superiors and masters of the religious orders--and with them crowded
in all the swarm of doctors and masters of Santo Tomas, to the no
little annoyance of the bishop and the religious orders. In this
conference the question was asked whether the members of the cabildo
were worthy of being absolved for their irregular acts. All answered
in the affirmative, except little Master Caraballo; and he said that
his illustrious Lordship could not grant the dispensation, as these
were cases that concerned the faith, specifying his declaration in
the document which was drawn up. The Dominican fathers gave the same
opinion; but the bishop of Sinopolis replied to them, saying that if
this were a matter contrary to the faith, as they seemed to imagine,
they could not discuss it, since that pertained to another tribunal;
it was finally decided that the absolution should be given to the
prebendaries. When we were all expecting that this would be done,
as it ought to be, within the body of the ecclesiastical cabildo,
the fourth Sunday of Lent having arrived, the archbishop commanded
that there should be no preaching in any of the churches of this
city, or in those without the walls; and that all the people should
repair to the cathedral in the afternoon. He commanded that two seats
should be made ready there--one outside the church, in order that the
countless multitude who were present might enjoy this so edifying act;
and the other at the great altar itself. The altar and the cibary
were covered with a canopy.
At ten in the morning, he declared the members of the cabildo to be
excommunicated; and, the facts being as I have already stated above,
they were now absolved ad reincidentiam, by the bishop of Troya;
such relapse [reincidencia] had not occurred in any instance, and
therefore the declaration of the canons was without cause, and only
directed at a very scandalous paper on the absolution--which was
performed with great ostentation, in the following manner.
At four in the afternoon, the archbishop being seated on the chair
which stood outside the holy church, assisted by his provisor, Juan
Gonzalez, and a racionero, the prebends went to him, and, while they
knelt there, a judicial record was read to them of all the offenses
committed--that is, all the enactments made--by them while governing
the archbishopric; and, while they were there before the public in
that embarrassing condition, [en calzas y en jubon] [119] the names
of all those who supported the cabildo, and recognized that body as
the ecclesiastical ruler, were read. He even published the Theatins,
on account of an opinion that they gave to the cabildo at the latter's
request, on the question whether the cabildo could release on bail
the cantor Herrera from prison--since he did not appear, nor could
his case be prosecuted, nor was there hope that he would appear soon,
for it was more than a year and a half that he had spent in prison;
the Theatins decided this query in the affirmative, saying that the
cabildo not only could, but ought to, release him. Those who signed
the paper were the past provincials, Javier Riquelme, former rector of
San Jose, and Tomas de Andrade, [120] rector of the great college and
of their university; Fathers Alejo Lopez [121] and Jaime Vestart, at
present masters in theology; Ysidro Clarete [122] and Pedro Lope. [123]
Although the matter was so plain, and the paper was signed by so many
fathers, the archbishop annulled that act, as if he were the supreme
pontiff of the Church. This is a matter at which the Theatins have
smiled much, but with a smile that but conceals their annoyance. [124]
The members of the chapter expressed their detestation of all that
they had done, and took oath upon the holy gospels that they would not
again commit such crimes, besides many other oaths that they took,
which were required from them--oaths very offensive to the king our
sovereign. Finally, they were absolved as if they were heretics--the
harshness of the archbishop reaching such a pitch that he wished to
flog them, and already held in his hand the rattan for doing this;
but, after many entreaties from their relatives, he refrained from
carrying out this threat. This inquisitional act being finished, the
archbishop entered the church with them, and, seated on his chair
while they stood, he delivered a speech in which he treated them,
and the religious orders that recognized them as ecclesiastical
rulers, as if they were heretics--although the Dominican fathers,
who also had thus recognized them, escaped from this. Those who were
most offended were the Theatins; and although they are now silent,
one may be sure that they are gathering up their stones. Thus ended
this act, which grieved the hearts of all; and on the following
day the archbishop commanded that they should go to the convent
of Santo Domingo to sing a mass, as a thanksgiving for such absurd
performances. It was sung by the treasurer Valencia, assisted by his
illustrious Lordship; and the sermon was by the father vicar-general,
Fray Bartolome Marron--who, carried away by his fervent spirit,
emptied his sack of foolish ideas. Among other things, he declared
(besides making many threats) that the Order of St. Dominic was the
sister of the clergy, and in proof of this alleged that his convent
was ruled by the cathedral clock (although this was a matter generally
known, and of no great importance).
Don Juan de Vargas was excommunicated, and interdicted from entering
the church, but he was not posted as such. The archbishop would not
allow them to go to say mass in his house, without heeding the wretched
health of his wife, or his having so large a family--and he suffered
the more hardship, as he remained in his house on the island. [125]
Besides, when he went out of his house he took with him, as always, his
trumpeter; this the archbishop could not endure, for it sounded ill to
the Dominicans. Accordingly, they notified him of an act that he should
not be accompanied with trumpets, because he was scandalizing those
who were weak in the faith--although it was a fact that such scandal
was not presented before either the weak or the great. With this,
Vargas undertook recourse to the royal Audiencia; and, the document
being drawn up, he sent it to the governor, with the request that it
be considered in the session of that court. His Lordship withheld it,
desiring to settle once for all with the archbishop that he should
recall the excommunication or interdict; but, this settlement being
somewhat delayed, his Lordship returned the petition to Don Juan, with
the message that he must have patience for a few days, while he would
make every effort (as he did) to secure a settlement; but that, if he
should not accomplish it in that time, Don Juan should avail himself
of his right. During the four days, various arguments and letters
passed between his Lordship and the archbishop; and at the end of
that time the latter, urged by the diligent efforts of the governor,
consented to yield, but in the wrong direction; for he threatened
Don Juan de Vargas with being posted as publicly excommunicated,
to the great annoyance of his Lordship. Don Juan de Vargas did not
resort a second time to the royal tribunal; but instead he went to
the archbishop and demanded absolution. The prelate commanded him to
go to Father Marron and Father Verart, and ask their pardon, and to
do what they should order him to do. He did so, and they commanded
him to go to the provisor on the same errand; and the latter sent him
to little Caraballo, the dealer in fireworks. All this he fulfilled,
even to signing a letter for the king, in which he retracted all that
he had written against the Dominicans; in one word, he signed what they
placed before him, already written. We all supposed that he would be
quickly absolved, and he himself demanded this; but answer was made
to him that his illustrious Lordship would notify him of it, and of
the time and manner thereof. All this was to give time for the return
from Cagayan of the bishop of Troya, so that Don Juan should ask his
pardon and compensate him for the injuries which that prelate judged
Don Juan had inflicted on him. He came from Cagayan about Holy Week,
and that time passed without any mention of absolution, until, on Holy
Saturday, the archbishop going to give the Easter salutations to the
governor, the latter addressed him very fittingly--telling him that it
seemed very wrong that at a time when Christ our Lord suffered for men,
and not only pardoned but even excused those who were tormenting him,
his Lordship, who stood in the place of Christ, was incriminating Don
Juan de Vargas, and refusing to pardon him even after he had obeyed,
in so edifying a manner, all the commands that had been laid upon him,
although those commands were unjust, and ought not to be obeyed. This
was the substance of the discourse, which lasted more than an hour;
and they discussed therein the question of the absolution, with the
warmth which will be related.
The archbishop summoned an assembly, by means of the document which
I send you with this, full of contemptuous remarks about the royal
authority--as the paper itself shows, without further explanation. The
good old man is obliged to decide with the Troyan and his friars what
he has to do, and then seek the support of the religious orders. For
this conference a letter was written to the bishop of Sinopolis,
and the latter told the fireworks secretary his poor opinion of such
conferences; that if he must do what was there determined by the
friars, and if this was to be like the former conference--so many
black-gowns [negritos] crowding in, and, when one asked a question,
its stirring up fifteen hundred other things--it was best to cease
having such assemblies. The bishop remained at home, but sent his
written opinion that the archbishop ought to absolve Don Juan de
Vargas, and that privately. The Franciscans and Theatins did not
attend the conference, nor did they send their opinions--excusing
themselves by letter, with various pretexts, which did not taste like
honey to him. The archbishop wrote to the guardian of St. Francis
an ill-tempered letter, threatening him with vengeance; but the
guardian was not asleep, nor did he forget the rule of "interrogation
and reply," etc. At the said conference were present the Troyan,
the Augustinian and Recollect provincials, and the two Dominicans
Marron and Verart, the axletrees of the other cart; these last and
the Troyan said that poor Vargas could not be absolved. Father Duque,
the Augustinian provincial, declared that he could and ought to be
absolved, and that privately, saying: "As for the offences of Vargas,
either they are or are not committed against the faith; if they are
against the faith, as is being assumed, they do not belong to your
illustrious Lordship or to us, and it is not allowable to discuss them
here." Verart sprang to his feet like a flash, and began to argue
with the Recollect. In such debates the entire afternoon went by,
without their reaching any decision. At the end of a week the sentence
was uttered, and Vargas was notified that for four months he must do
what follows: During the first month, he must go on every feast-day
to divine worship in the cathedral, clad in the sackcloth robe of
a penitent, and with a halter round his neck; and in this guise,
he must listen in public to mass. The second month, he must do the
same at the convent of San Domingo; the third month, at San Gabriel;
and the fourth, at Binondo--and this, when it had been decided in the
conference that he should be "absolved privately," which are the formal
terms of the sentence! When he was notified of this, he appealed from
that decree to the court where this matter legally belonged; [126]
but as all the bishops were Dominicans, where could he go where they
would not confirm his sentence? Accordingly, Vargas came before the
royal Audiencia, asking a laymen's decree. [127] His petition was
considered in the session of that court, and [afterward] shown to
the fiscal of his Majesty, who [at the time] was absent, inspecting a
Chinese ship. In this state (which is not one of innocence) the affair
remains at the time of this writing; but if it shall be decided before
the ship sails [for Acapulco] I will write further.
I only omitted to state that the first sentence of the archbishop was,
that Vargas might choose between the punishment above described and
the following one (which is not to be talked about): He should erect
in the plaza, at his own expense, a scaffold or stage, and then give
notice that it was there; and the archbishop would go to absolve
him thereon. Vargas must go thither naked from the girdle upward,
wearing yellow hose, and carrying a green candle; and on the stage he
would be flogged. And in truth he deserved the lash, since, by not
sending to Espana, as the royal Audiencia decided, the two friars
who made war on him, he finds himself today in so great affliction,
which also occasions the royal authority to be insulted as never
before has been seen in all the [Spanish] realm.
At this same time poor Don Juan de Vargas finds himself in the fray
of his residencia. [128] For this investigation the governor named,
as associates of the judge, his Majesty's accountant, Captain Don Juan
del Pozo Gattica, and Sargento-mayor Lucas Mateo de Urquiza. The secret
inquiry ended a week ago, but they have not made known the findings
therein, which are said to be favorable. Only the Dominican fathers,
in whom he trusted for this emergency, have aided him by contributing
[a document of] fifty-three sections, regarding his entire life and
character--many of these concerning the Zambals of Playahonda, whom
he had assigned to the Dominicans; [129] and the first section goes
to show that he "lacked the chief qualifications of a knight"--the
way in which they speak of him. The city, through its attorney,
made fifty-six charges against him; and among these they demanded
from him damages for the losses that this community had suffered
from the return to port of the ship or galleon "Santa Rosa"--because
instead of ballast they placed in it wax, and for fifteen hundred
other articles that were included in the lading of the ship. As soon
as the secret inquiry was ended, Admiral Faura was arrested in the
fort, and Sargento-mayor Gallardo at the entrance of the bastion;
and all their goods were seized--but not much of their property was
found; if there had been, it would have showed that they were fools,
and certainly they are not of that sort. All agree that six hundred
thousand pesos would not suffice Don Juan de Vargas for what they
demand from him. [130]
In Camarines there are great controversies between the bishop and
the Franciscans, whose commissary, Fray Ysidro de la Madre de Dios,
made very sarcastic [saladas] remarks to the bishop who, it seems,
does not relish so much salt. The former acted so that the bishop
demanded from the royal Audiencia that they should send that friar to
Espana. It is to be noticed that this good religious is so devout that
his friars, on account of his modest behavior, call him "the Theatin"
[i.e., "the Jesuit"]; but seeing himself accused on such a ground,
he was furiously angry, going so far as to tell the bishop that
everything was going to destruction since bishops so ignorant as his
illustrious Lordship were appointed, etc. The royal Audiencia made
no answer to the bishop's demand, except in general terms; for that
religious has a well-established reputation, and it is acknowledged
that he has cause [for what he says].
By a loyal decree the bishop of Troya was notified that he must raise
the censures that he had laid upon the alcaldes-mayor, the collectors
[of tribute], and the rest of the officers of justice throughout
the bishopric of Cagayan. Up to the time of this writing, he has not
replied; if he shall do so, I will add a note of it.
The royal court soon responded to the petition by Don Juan de Vargas,
by a royal decree which was sent to the archbishop, to the effect
that he should absolve Vargas ad reincidentiam, and send them the
acts. It was doubted whether the governor would sign it, because he
disliked lawsuits and controversies, and because this was to decide
the point at issue; but he signed it. The secretary of the court went
to make the decree known, and the good old man took the document for
the ceremony of kissing it and placing it on his head--but, placing it
in his breast, told the secretary that he needed time to reply to it;
that those gentlemen [of the Audiencia] took their time for planning
these decrees, and expected that he would reply in haste; and that
he must send him stamped paper for a reply. The secretary replied
that he had orders not to leave the royal decree with the bishop,
and that his illustrious Lordship could answer that he heard it,
and afterward reply by means of a long letter whatever he chose; but
the latter was obstinate, [131] and refused to give back the decree,
and told him to wait for his answer. Since this will be actually made
by Fray Marron and Fray Verart, it will make much trouble. In fine, he
has, however, already explained extra-judicially his intention--which
is, that even if they cut off his head he will not lower a shred
of sail; and if he posts the governor and auditors on the list of
excommunicated persons, it will be [not only] what can be demanded,
but what they deserve. It is expected that the contest will be renewed,
[132] and affairs point to nothing less.
The archbishop has now replied to the decree, and his answer was
to send a bunch, or olla podrida, [133] of papers which he calls
"acts." Regarding the absolution, he says therein that he cannot
absolve Don Juan de Vargas, since it is a matter which concerns the
Inquisition. The Audiencia held a session on the first of the month,
regarding the archbishop's reply; their conclusion has not been
made public.
A military council was held to deliberate upon the reestablishment
of [a fort at] Zamboanga, and all voted that this should be
accomplished. The city was informed of this, as a command of his
Majesty, in order that the citizens might aid the enterprise; but
they were of a contrary opinion, for reasons which it is said, are
frivolous. The truth is, according to report, that they do not like to
be exiled [there]. The governor demanded the opinion of the Theatins,
which they gave in accordance with that of the military council,
very energetically demolishing the reasons adduced by the city. The
whole matter, it seems, is going before the royal Council. Manila,
June 8, 1685.