PREFACE

The years 1621-24, although not marked by great battles, conquests,

or calamities, contain much that is of interest in the internal

development of the Philippine colony; and these documents vividly

illustrate the ceaseless play and interaction of human interests

and passions--especially in the romantic but tragic love-affair

of Fajardo's wife, in which is material for a brilliant novel. The

usual conflicts occur between the civil authorities and the friars,

and between the governor and the Audiencia; but the records of these

controversies furnish an unusual revelation of human nature and its

complicated phenomena. The alliance between the Dutch and the English

menaces this far Oriental Spanish colony with even more dangers than

it has already experienced; and its feeble defenses and insufficient

equipment of arms and men keep its people in constant dread and

anxiety. For defense against the expected attacks of the heretics

against Manila more ships and fortifications are constructed; but this

imposes additional burdens on the poor Indians, which the governor

tries to mitigate by endeavors to protect them from the oppression

that they endure from the Spaniards. Controversies arise between the

various orders, and within that of St Francis, which are settled by the

intervention of the bishop and governor. Reports made by the orders

show that over half a million of the natives are receiving religious

instruction; but the bishop deprecates the favorite missionary policy

of gathering the converts into "reductions," and advises that all the

missions should be placed under the supervision of the bishops. The

foreign population of Manila still increases beyond the safety-line,

and spasmodic efforts are made to restrict it; but corrupt and lax

officials render these of little use. The difficulties involved in

the Chinese trade and its economic effects on the Spanish colonies

are still discussed, but without any satisfactory solution to the

problem. The gold mines in northern Luzón are explored and tested,

but with meager results.

A Jesuit at Manila, Alonso Roman, gives the "news from Filipinas"

for 1621. He recounts the persecution of Christians that is still

continuing in Japan, with many martyrdoms. Various encounters between

the Dutch and English occur until, an alliance being concluded between

Holland and England, their ships unite to prey on the commerce of

China, Portuguese India, and the Philippines. The writer relates

several naval encounters, and captures of trading ships. In one of

these the Chinese, pouring melted sugar on the enemy, "sent fourteen

of the Dutch in a conserve to hell." Roman concludes his letter with

an account of the tragedy in which Governor Fajardo slays his wife and

her lover (May 11, 1621)--the latter being a renegade Jesuit, named

Joan de Messa. Another account of this affair adds some minor details.

Fajardo sends his annual despatches to the king (July 21, 1621). He

describes his measures for the prompter despatch of the trading-fleet

to Nueva España, and the recent hostile demonstration made by the Dutch

and English at Manila Bay. He takes all precautions for defense against

them, but is unable to attack them, owing to his lack of troops--a

deficiency which he proceeds to explain. Thus far, the enemy have done

little harm, especially as Fajardo promptly warned the Chinese, and

other trading countries near by, of their arrival. He learns of other

hostile fleets that are preparing to attack the islands, and takes

all possible precautions for their defense. He asks that, until the

affairs of the islands are in better condition, the Audiencia of Manila

may be discontinued, as the auditors embarrass and hinder his efforts,

and are not competent to fulfil their duties. The religious also make

the governor's duties a burden; and their exactions from the Indians

prevent the latter from serving the crown. The Dutch know betters

how to deal with the natives; they exempt the latter from tributes,

personal services, and religious instruction. Little has been done in

opening the Igorrote mines--a task which Fajardo is warned to push

forward. He has sent troops and supplies safely to Ternate. He is

having much trouble in regard to the residencia of his predecessor,

the late Juan de Silva; and complains of the shelter and countenance

given to Auditor Messa by the Dominicans. Fajardo recounts various

matters of government and his procedure therein; also the annoyances

and hindrances which he experiences from the friars. He commends,

however, the Jesuits and their work, suggesting that more of them

should be sent to the islands. He is perplexed and hindered by the

lack of soldiers, but is doing his best with his small forces. The

Council orders the viceroy of Nueva España to send every year to

Filipinas all the reenforcements in his power.

The archbishop of Manila sends to the king (July 30, 1621) an

account of ecclesiastical and some other affairs in his diocese. He

asks permission to hold an ecclesiastical council, and to hold the

feast of Corpus Christi at some other and more convenient date than

it has on the calendar. He complains of the poverty of the Manila

cathedral, and asks for aid; also of the governor's failure to consult

him regarding appointments to prebends, and of the incapacity for

canonical offices of certain royal appointees. Serrano commends the

members of his chapter, some of them individually and by name. The

two colleges in Manila are training so many students that they

cannot find positions in the church, and the archbishop is greatly

pained by their consequent poverty and humiliation. He asks for more

competent bishops to be sent to the islands; and for authority to be

given to religious ministers there to grant absolution for certain

impediments to marriage which render divorces among the natives too

easy. The friars who have charge of instructing the natives ought to

be subject to inspection by the bishops, and thus various abuses would

be corrected. Affairs in Japan are in great confusion, on account of

the persecution of the Christians; and Serrano recommends that Fray

Sotelo be not allowed to go thither as bishop of Japan. He details a

controversy that has arisen between the Jesuits and the Dominicans in

Manila over the refusal of confession to the dying Juan de Messa; the

archbishop is obliged to call an ecclesiastical council to settle the

matter, and they decide in favor of the Jesuits. Trouble arises in the

Franciscan order over the appointment of a visitor, which is quelled

by similar action on Serrano's part, and the governor's interference

in the matter. More laborers are needed for the Jesuit missions,

as well as for those conducted by the friars. Serrano urges that

the hospital order of St. John of God be established in the islands,

as the hospitals there need better care than they are receiving from

the Franciscans. He complains that the officials of the orders give

letters of recommendation too easily; that the Audiencia are lax in

their attendance at church feasts; that the ships are sent too late

to Nueva España, and also return too late to the Philippines: that

workmen in government employ in the islands are defrauded of their

pay; that the city of Manila is overrun with Chinese and Japanese,

far beyond the numbers allowed by royal edicts or regard for the safety

of the Spanish citizens there; and that private persons, by collusion

with the officials, illegally secure for themselves the best of the

Philippine trade with Malacca and other adjacent regions. At the end

of Serrano's letter is the papal bull changing the date on which the

feast of Corpus Christi may be celebrated in Oriental regions.

A letter from Gerónimo de Silva to the king (August 1, 1621) states

that one of the ships to Nueva España has been forced back to Manila

by adverse weather, which has caused great distress in the islands. The

annual relief for Ternate has been sent; attacks on Luzon by the Dutch

and English are expected, but result in the enemy capturing only

a few Chinese vessels. Silva mentions the pitiably small forces of

the colony for defense, and urges that reenforcements and other aid

be sent for this purpose. Undesirable inhabitants of the country are

being sent away, especially the Japanese, who are more dangerous than

the Chinese. Silva refers to the difficulties between the governor

and auditors, and asserts that these are due to the existence of the

Audiencia there, which is a costly and useless burden on the colony,

and a hindrance to the administration of justice and to the fulfilment

of the governor's duties.

Affairs in the Franciscan province of the Philippines are in

unsatisfactory condition; an account of them is sent to the king

(July 31, 1620) by the provincial of that order, Pedro de San Pablo,

in behalf of the province. He states that a visitor has been sent

to it from Nueva España who is not one of the discalced, and is

therefore _persona non grata_ to these (of whom are the Franciscans

of Filipinas); also that other friars "of the cloth" have slipped in

among the discalced, simply to gain admission to the regions of the

East. Hence arise factions, dissensions, and loss to their religious

interests and work; and these intruders seek to rule the others. San

Pablo asks the king to issue such decrees that only one branch

or the other of the order may send religious to the islands; thus

"there will be peace." The intruding Observantines have attempted to

deprive the discalced of the Japan missions and of the convent of San

Francisco del Monte, near Manila; and the royal authority is invoked

to restrain their encroachments. This letter is accompanied by another

(July 20, 1621) signed by San Pablo and other officials of his order,

further entreating relief and redress for their province; and by still

another letter of similar tenor (dated only 1621), complaining of

Auditors Messa and Rodriguez for their unjust and arbitrary action

in the case of the unwelcome visitor sent to the Franciscans, and

urging the king to furnish redress therein and rebuke the auditors.

A letter from Fajardo to the king (December 10, 1621) concerns various

matters of administration and business. He explains the late departure

of the ships for Nueva España, and the consequent mortality reported

on one of them. He discusses the question of diminishing the drain of

silver from Nueva España to the Orient, and recommends that the export

of silks and other fabrics to that country from the Philippines be

prohibited; but he remonstrates against the proposed abandonment of

Macao, which would surrender the Chinese trade at once to the Dutch

and English, and thus ruin the Philippine colony. Fajardo suggests

that only vessels of moderate size be allowed on the Nueva España line,

and that more definite measures be postponed until the subject of this

trade can be more thoroughly investigated. He denies the assertions

that he is interested in the shipments of goods to that country,

and places upon the auditors the fault of certain matters in which

he, as governor, has incurred blame. He also accuses the Dominican

friars of aiding and sheltering his enemies. A royal decree of 1610

has placed most of the appointments of subordinates in the hands of

the auditors and fiscals, rather than (as formerly) those of viceroys

and governors; and preference is given therein to the descendants

of conquistadors and settlers. Fajardo remonstrates against this,

adducing various arguments to show how this decree hampers the efforts

and authority of the governor, creates difficulties between him and

the auditors, disturbs the course of administration in the islands,

and injuries the public service. Fajardo seconds the demand of the

citizens of Manila that the Audiencia be suppressed, alleging that it

does more harm than good. He has sent the usual supplies to Ternate,

and has despatched a small troop of Spaniards to Celebes to fortify

a post there, with some Franciscan missionaries to minister to the

natives. He has secured the release of certain Spanish prisoners, and

is building two ships. Some of the natives have revolted, and troops

have been sent to chastise them; Fajardo tries to keep the Indians in

due subjection, yet to treat them with justice and kindness, and he

complains that his efforts to do so are hindered by the oppressive and

harsh conduct of the friars (especially of the Dominicans) toward the

natives, and by their ambition to rule in all matters. The governor

is exerting every effort to maintain the fortifications at Cavite

and Oton, and to repair and equip the few vessels at his disposal;

he has news that Dutch and English fleets are coming to harass the

Spaniards and their Chinese trade.

Fajardo's chief enemy in the Audiencia, Alvaro Messa y Lugo, writes

to the king (apparently in 1621), complaining of the governor's

official conduct as ruining the country. Messa accuses him of reckless

expenditures of public funds; of using these to invest for his own

profit in the Mexican trade; of allowing Indian claims for wages to

be sold at a third of their value, and cashed in full; of issuing too

many licenses to Chinese residents, and using these fees for himself;

and of neglecting to audit the accounts of the government. According

to Messa, Fajardo intimidates the Audiencia, interrupts the course of

justice, recklessly liberates criminals, persecutes citizens who differ

from him, neglects to observe the royal decrees, threatens even the

clergy and friars, and tyrannizes over the entire community. It may be

noted that Messa bases most of these accusations on report and hearsay,

without citing any definite authority for his statements. Messa accuses

the governor of neglecting his duties, and failing to provide for the

defense of the country, while spending the royal revenues lavishly;

and even assails Fajardo's personal character. He relates, in tedious

detail, various difficulties between himself and the governor, and

arbitrary acts of Fajardo against him; and recounts his deliverance

from prison through a miracle wrought for him at the intercession of

the Virgin Mary. Messa has taken refuge in the Dominican convent, and

entreats the king to redress his wrongs and punish the governor and his

abettors. He recounts at much length the reasons for which he supposes

the governor arrested him. In this connection Messa relates his version

of Fajardo's killing his unfaithful wife, adding much gossip of the

town that is uncomplimentary to the governor. He also states that the

Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court

in which justice may be sought. Messa urges the king to send a new

governor, and gives his advice as to the character of him who should be

sent. He intimates that Fajardo has illegally obtained wealth to the

value of perhaps almost a million pesos, and that even this sum will

not repay the claims held against him. Messa gives account of certain

residencias entrusted to him, and claims that all his efforts to do

this work have been blocked by the governor, especially in the case

of Juan de Silva. He complains that the authority of the governor and

that of the Audiencia conflict, especially in time of war; and that the

former has too wide a jurisdiction in that he may try cases brought

against the auditors. Messa recommends that aid for the Philippine

colony be sent in the form of men and money, and that the necessary

ships and artillery be constructed in the islands. He complains that

the Chinese traders are illegally compelled to pay assessments,

from which the fiscal, who is nominally their protector, receives

additional pay. Messa asks for honors and promotion for himself,

by way of atonement for the ill-treatment that he has received from

the governor; and closes with the request that Fajardo's property in

Mexico be sequestered.

With this letter is another by the same writer, dated July 30,

1622--a postscript to a duplicate of the preceding letter. He relates

how Fajardo has summoned him to resume his duties as auditor; but he

has no confidence in the governor's sincerity. He accuses the latter

of various illegal and crafty acts, among them sending contraband

gold and jewels to Mexico. Messa recounts the proceedings in the

Santa Potenciana scandal, blaming the governor's course therein. At

the end is a letter from the Audiencia advising the king to refuse

an increase of salary to the archbishop of Manila, with a note by

Fajardo recommending such increase.

The archbishop of Manila, Miguel Garcia Serrano, writes (1621) a report

for the first year of his term of office--which, however, he does

not send until 1622. He has been occupied in official visitations,

mainly in the city of Manila. Among the clergy therein he finds no

offenses, save that a few have gambled in public; these are promptly

disciplined. The cathedral is the only Spanish parochial church;

it cares for two thousand four hundred souls. Another curate is in

charge of the Indians and slaves of Manila, who number one thousand

six hundred and forty and one thousand nine hundred and seventy

respectively; but many of these confess at the convents of the various

orders. The Indians should have a suitable church of their own,

and Serrano recommends that the king provide one for them. At the

port of Cavite is a parochial church, which ministers to over three

thousand souls. The Indians in the archdiocese of Manila are mainly

in charge of the religious orders, as follows: Of the Augustinians,

ninety thousand souls; Franciscans, forty-eight thousand four hundred;

Dominicans, twenty-eight thousand; Jesuits, ten thousand six hundred;

Recollects, eight thousand. Besides these, twenty thousand Indians

are under the care of secular priests--making a total of two hundred

and five thousand. Serrano describes the method of government and

administration that is followed in the missions; the natives could

be more easily reached and instructed in a few large villages, but

the effort to collect them in these "reductions" has proved to be

neither satisfactory nor profitable, in the Philippines as well as in

Nueva España. Chinese converts residing in the outskirts of Manila

number one thousand five hundred souls, in charge of the Dominicans

and Franciscans. Among the Japanese who are in the islands there are

more than one thousand five hundred Christians. In the bishopric of

Cebú are two hundred Spaniards; the Indians and other people under

instruction amount to one hundred and nineteen thousand six hundred

and fifty. Of these about sixteen thousand are in the care of secular

priests; nearly fifty thousand, of the Augustinians; and fifty-four

thousand, of the Jesuits. In the bishopric of Cagayán (in northern

Luzon), there are but seventy Spaniards; the Augustinians instruct

fifty-eight thousand, and the Dominicans seventy thousand, Indian

natives. The bishopric of Camarines (in eastern Luzon) has only some

fifty Spaniards; eight thousand six hundred natives are cared for

by secular priests, forty-five thousand by Franciscans, and three

thousand two hundred by Jesuits. The total number of souls of natives

under religious instruction in the islands amounts to over half a

million--apparently not counting therein the children. But the great

number of Indians still unconverted demands many more missionaries,

whom the king is urged to send. The archbishop gives some account

of the hospitals and their management; he recommends that they be

placed in care of the hospital order of St. John of God. He also

enumerates the various religious and benevolent confraternities

in Manila, with their purposes and revenues; of these the chief is

that of La Misericordia. Serrano describes the character and present

condition of the two colleges in Manila, San José and Santo Tomás,

and of the seminary for girls, Santa Potenciana; for the former he

requests faculty for granting decrees to their students, and for

the latter substantial pecuniary aid. He states that, in general,

the Indians are well treated by their religious teachers; but he

recommends that more power over these ministers be given to the

Philippine bishops. The constant menace of the islands by the Dutch

enemy, however, lays cruel burdens upon the Indians, in ship-building

and in other preparations for war which they are compelled to make

by the royal officials. Serrano closes by answering certain questions

about prebends, curacies, etc.

A royal decree (December 31, 1622) orders the Dominicans in the

Philippines not to meddle in affairs of government. Another of the

same date confirms and enforces a previous decree (1603) of Felipe II,

ordering that all religious who are missionaries to the Indians be

examined as to their competency for such work, especially in their

knowledge of the native language, by the archbishop or some person

appointed by him. A letter from the king (October 9, 1623) directs

Fajardo to push the exploration of the Igorrote mining region, and

to send nutmeg from the islands to Nueva España. Various matters

mentioned by the governor receive perfunctory and formal answers. On

November 27 following, Felipe IV confirms the permission given by the

governor and archbishop to the Dominicans to found a college at Manila.

At the close of the year 1623, an expedition is sent to explore and

pacify the province of the Igorrotes (in northern Luzon), already

famous for its rich gold mines. The report of this enterprise,

furnished (June 5, 1624) by its leader, Alonso Martin Quirante,

narrates its progress from day to day, the plan of the campaign, the

encounters between the Spaniards and the Igorrotes, and the success of

the former in repulsing the attacks of the natives and obtaining ore

from the mines. Martin describes the country through which he passes;

the native tribes, their customs, and their methods of obtaining gold;

the mines, and the ore secured from them. He considers the general

idea of the richness of these mines incorrect and exaggerated; he

examines them, however, carefully, and obtains specimens of the ore

from each. Then follows a report of the various tests and assays made

thereon, from which the results are not very satisfactory; a table

showing the values of the metal obtained in each of the assays; and

the action of the Audiencia of Manila thereon--they deciding to abandon

further attempts to explore or work the Igorrote mines, and to send to

Nueva España for further test the ores brought by Martin to Manila;

moreover, the men now at the mines are to be sent to Nueva Segovia,

to subdue the revolted Indians there.

_The Editors_

September, 1904.