Sire:
Although at present, up to the nineteenth of June, the ship "Sant
Andres," the capitana, has not arrived from Nueva España, even at
this late date, which is the one that I despatched last year to
that province, and I have no letters from your Majesty to answer,
I am making a beginning of this one in order to gain time in the
despatching of those ships, so that it may be somewhat earlier than
usual in past years--although at present, having the war on our hands
which we have, and as the ships are later from China than is usual,
and there are very few that come for fear of the war, there will
be more difficulty and labor in the despatch. [_In the margin_:
"Council; examined."]
According to the despatch which the said ship carried, measures were
to be taken to secure its preparation and departure from Acapulco
for this country without waiting into the month of April, or without
delaying more than two or three days in that month; and it was not to
depart later because of the danger of encountering contrary winds in
its voyage here, or being forced into the ports of Japon--and likewise
because this was the best, considering the course which it must steer
to make the port it was ordered to; for it was understood that the
enemy were coming back again, as they did last year, to Cape Spiritu
Santo, with a larger force of ships. This route was decided upon
with the advice of the pilots and other persons of most experience
on these seas, each one giving and signing his opinion separately,
without any one of them knowing that of the others, or any one of them
knowing which one I chose. This order I gave secretly and sealed, and
it was to be opened seventy leguas before arriving at the said port;
in which manner I have taken the precaution and preliminary steps in
so far as I have been able for its reception and protection. Hitherto
this plan has not been made known here, which has been of no small
importance in order that the enemy should not be aware of it. [_In
the margin_: "This is well, and the course which he has marked out
for these vessels has appeared good; accordingly let him exercise
in the future the care which he has shown in this, in order to
keep informed of the design of the enemies; as for the departure of
the ships, have a letter written to the viceroy directing him not
to let it run into April, as he says." _In another hand_: "Have a
letter written to the viceroy of Nueva España to the effect that the
despatch of the ships for the Filipinas shall be accomplished in any
event by the end of March, so that it shall not run on into April,
on account of the great importance of their arriving thus early,
and not having them go with those despatched later--thus compelling
them to take refuge in other ports, or be wrecked."]
In command of these ships is placed Don Fernando Centeno Maldonado,
who has served in the position of commander of the galleys both there
and here, and has served many years in these islands (most of the
time in the Maluco Islands); his services are of high repute, as are
his merits and good qualities. I am sure that your Majesty has been
informed of them, on account of the favors which he has received from
your royal hand; and in the same way I am certain that you know of
the good qualities of Captain Francisco de Salazar, who is filling
the office of admiral on the said ships. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
Besides what I wrote your Majesty last year by way of Nueva España,
with the duplicate which I send by way of India, I have added what
occurred to me in the despatch which I sent with Captain Gregorio de
Vidaña, regidor of this city, having decided to do so on account of
the accounts and news which I receive, and which your Majesty will
already have learned--of all which I now send another copy with
this. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
The news of the confederation of the Dutch and the English proved
to be correct; and on the second of February they arrived on these
coasts, with nine ships of war--seven large and two of moderate
size, five of them being Dutch and four English--with the number of
a thousand to twelve hundred men of both nations, exclusive of the
servants and Japanese; they carried between forty and forty-four
pieces of artillery, in each of the large ships, and the others
each according to its capacity. It has been learned that this is
true from the depositions of two prisoners, and from Chinese who
were in their ships; from Japanese who, while coming from their land
with provisions and supplies for this country, passed by the enemy,
saw them, and entered their vessels; and likewise from the advices
which I have received from Japon.
This matter found me well advanced in the preparation, because I had
so anticipated the news that, although they entered the bay and port
at Cavite with their fleet, they did not dare--as I had caused to be
made several trenches with stockades, and bastions with batteries of
artillery, which appeared to me sufficient; and had placed sufficient
artillery in the two vessels which were fit to receive it--to resolve
to do anything against either the ships or the land; and when they
found out that these defenses were there, and had seen them, they
went out of the bay with all their boats. Having come back to it a
few days later, and seen that the preparation of the capitana and
almiranta galleons was in good condition; and that we had also a
moderate-sized ship, another smaller, two galleys, and another on
which the work was more backward (which are the vessels that can
be made ready), they went out again--going now along the coast,
and now in the mouth of this bay, without separating or dividing the
fleet so as to be out of sight of one another. If they had done this
without guarding against encounters, I would have engaged him with
the capitana and almiranta galleons, which are the ships that could
be manned, although with difficulty on account of the few men whom I
have here; for I had to leave the maimed and sick, and some as guard
for the gates of the city, which takes as many as are necessary for
all the vessels. Even if they were not divided, I should have tried
my fortune with him, but having made all preparations and efforts,
and issued proclamations to assemble the Spaniards who could be found
for this purpose, those who gathered in Cavite, aside from the paid
soldiers, would not number seventy; nor were there more than four
hundred soldiers outside of the maimed and sick, and one company and
a detachment from another--amounting to about a hundred men, more
or less, who remained in this city, prepared also to embark. These
had been brought as detachments of the companies from Nueva Segovia,
Cibu, and Oton--all of which will appear by the depositions of paid
officers and the secretary of the governor, which accompany this, with
the papers referring to the above mentioned matter. [_In the margin_:
"The matters contained in this clause are the concern of the Junta,
and have been examined there." "Examined; the Junta is taking care to
send reenforcements; and let him be careful to maintain what he has
there in so good condition as may serve for whatever occasion may
arise there, as is expected from him. Have a letter written to the
viceroy of Nueva España, telling him to send all the best part of
the troops which he can, considering that the governor writes that
in past years so few troops have gone there that he is now almost
without any in the service; and accordingly he should decree that it
be such which he sends. Advise Don Alonso of what is written to the
viceroy of Nueva España."]
The reason for there being so few troops is, that after the year one
thousand six hundred and sixteen, when a ship called the "Angel de la
Guarda" came, in the following year, sixteen hundred and seventeen,
there came no reenforcements of infantry, but only a patache called
the "Sant Geronimo," with the archbishop Don Fray Miguel Garcia,
and a number of friars; and in that year there died in the engagement
which Don Juan Ronquillo had with the enemy, and were drowned in the
six galleons, more Spaniards than I brought in the year one thousand
six hundred and eighteen. Since my arrival I have sent almost four
hundred soldiers to Terrenate, and this number has not come in the two
reenforcements from Nueva España which arrived in the past years of
nineteen and twenty. Then besides these--and a number who have left
with good cause and permission (although these are few), and others
who have managed to flee without permission, and others who have turned
friars--there are so many who have died in the hospital and outside of
it, that it may be said that all the soldiers in the country are found
in this jurisdiction [of Manila.]. I have wished to give your Majesty
an account of this so that it might be fully understood, and that you
may learn the truth of it; and that you may know how great is the lack
of men here, as I say. That of vessels is not so great as some people
here say, who know nothing of this matter, or who desire to build them,
on account of the money which they usually obtain from this work, or
which is paid to them--without considering the loss to the natives,
or whether the work is necessary or not. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
The enemy having seen that the equipment of the vessels which he
saw in Cavite was making progress, and not having separated his
vessels, or despatched them to get booty--on account, moreover,
of the warnings that I gave in various parts of this archipelago
whence vessels came to this place, and particularly at Macan and
several ports of China--thus far, thanks be to God, he has taken
nothing more than five Sangley ships from that country. One of these
disappeared with the guard which he had placed on it, and they have
not been able to find it again, and another of them was burned, so
that he has not taken more than three, and two of them of almost no
value, and the other not very valuable; for the rich ones remain in
China, and those that made bold to come kept to the course which I
marked out for them, and have arrived safely, making ports in this
island. Even if they arrived here, which is possible, this will be
of importance, in order to make merchandise cheaper; nevertheless,
even if no goods arrive on the ships which have come from Macan,
there is more cloth than money in the country to buy it; and, besides
them, we are expecting others from Camboja and Sian, and from Yndia,
which, if God bring them in safety, will also be of importance. [_In
the margin_: "Examined. It is hoped in God that this and other worse
things will have happened to the enemy; and let him take the greatest
care to advise the Chinese and other merchant ships which go there,
marking out the course which appears safest for them, according to
the information which they have, so that in regard to them the enemy
may fare as they have been doing, according to this statement."]
The fleet of the enemy left the place where they last halted, and came
in sight day before yesterday in the morning. Some vessels were sent
in pursuit, in order to bring me word of the course which they steer,
and whether they are together or separate, [_In the margin_: "This is
well, and let him take good care until the news from them be known."]
I have received a letter from Malaca, which Antonio Pinto de Fonseca
says that he received from your Majesty, with notice and order to
give it to me, to the effect that there and in these regions the
confederated Dutch and English were about to come with fifty-one
ships--sixteen of which had already left, and thirty-five were in
two squadrons which were being equipped. Of these the sixteen which
had left Holland have already arrived at their factories in Sunda,
whence, likewise, it was learned that they say they are expecting this
year the remainder. Fadrique Lopez de Soysa, commandant of that city
[_i.e._, Malaca], gave me almost the same information. Conformably
to this, and to several advices which I have had from Japon, and to
others which I have been able to secure through my own investigations,
it appears that these enemies are considering carrying on this war
in earnest and with energy; for with these ships which have arrived,
those which are expected, and more than sixty which I wrote to your
Majesty in the last despatch that I understood they had, those of
both nations amount to more than a hundred, without counting those
which the French have. If I had the eighth part of that number, and
sufficient men to man them, and to keep this city and the important
posts and forts of this island garrisoned, it would not trouble me
much to see them involved in the cost and expense of such a fleet;
for if I had the means with which to withstand their first attack,
or to inflict upon them some severe blow; or if they did not know my
position, and I could cause them anxiety or divert them from their
object--there is no doubt that their fleet itself would be disarmed and
destroyed. But since I lack such resources, and the time is passing
in which I expected the aid which your Majesty has offered to these
islands--having sent the pilots to Malaca to guide and bring them
here from there--I shall be obliged to make the best of the little
which I have, and to take the best precautions that I can. I am
raising and fortifying a few stretches of wall which are necessary,
expelling the Japanese, and lessening the number of the Sangleys--who,
although there appear to be a great many of them, will certainly,
by the proper management of the licenses, and care in obliging the
Sangleys to secure them, be much fewer than I found here, and than
have been here for many years, on account of those who have died and
left the country and the few who have come in my time. In every way I
shall do my best to drive out as many as I well can so that the country
may be less burdened with suspicious people; and shall likewise take
other necessary precautions which may be in my power. In these efforts
I feel sadly the lack of money; but in times of such need I have been
obliged to try to obtain it in the most guarded and cautious ways. I
am not a little glad to have with me at such a time Master-of-camp
Don Hieronimo de Silva, both on account of his good counsel and aid,
and likewise because if I should fail in this country there would
be someone to defend it; and your Majesty may be certain that he
will do this with the favor of God, and that with this everything
will turn out well. I beseech your Majesty that, confident of this,
you will continue sending the said reenforcement, and will hasten its
coming by way of Nueva España to Panama--sending infantry and money,
the things which cannot be supplied here. [_In the margin_: "This is
well; and let thanks be given him for the excellent courage which he
shows. As for the information that he gives, he has learned the reason
for the fleet not leaving, and the accident which happened to it;
accordingly, let him exercise all care to take what precautionary
measures are there necessary, as he is expected to do. As for the
Japanese and other nations that are there, let him decree what shall
seem most expedient to him for the service of God and his Majesty, and
the good of the commonwealth, as well as its guard and preservation."]
As we have to carry on the war in this way, so that the expense and
labor may bring the best results, I beg your Majesty that while it
shall last you may be pleased to discontinue the Audiencia here, as
it is this that most hinders and opposes the administration and the
government, as will appear by several depositions which accompany
this. This is the enemy which most afflicts this commonwealth, and
most causes dissensions, parties, factions, and hatreds between the
citizens--each auditor persecuting those citizens who are not wholly of
his own faction, especially those who extend aid and good-will toward
the governor, against whom, as it seems, they show themselves always
in league. They always make declarations of grievances [against him],
because they are not each one given, as used to be and is the custom
here, whatever they may ask for their sons, relatives, and servants;
and they habitually discredit the governor by launching through secret
channels false and malicious reports, and afterward securing witnesses
of their publicity. They even, as I have written to your Majesty,
manage to have religious and preachers publish these reports--to which
end, and for his own security, each one of the auditors has formed an
alliance with the religious order which receives him best. As I have
given your Majesty an account of this matter and of the actions of
the said auditors--which in God and my conscience I know to be true,
and which will be evident by the depositions and papers which I have
sent and am today sending with a letter and relation giving particulars
regarding this matter--I shall not go more into detail thereon in this
letter; I refer you for its substantiation to the said documents, and
to the fact that I consider this government much more difficult, with
the auditors of this Audiencia, than it is or would be even if there
were more war, for that war which they cause within its boundaries
appears beyond remedy, on account of their abilities and rank. If your
Majesty be not pleased to withdraw them from here I beg you, as I owe
it to your royal service, that you will take measures so that in no
way and at no time shall they be able to succeed to the government
of this land; for I hold it beyond a doubt that they will bring it
to ruin, and destroy it in a very short time, even though there came
to it no more enemies than that of their own tendencies. If I wrote
to your Majesty, in the first days after my arrival here, that the
auditors were not necessary except for the Audiencia sessions, I beg
now that more be added. It appeared to me that for the citizens and
for the affairs of these islands, those who were here were sufficient;
at present I am of the opinion that if the presence of this tribunal
must be continued, more members are necessary, in order to avoid
the difficulty which has been found to result from the alliance of
Doctors Don Alvaro de Mesa, and Don Antonio Rodriguez, for neither more
nor less justice can be secured than they choose, and they are even
disturbing the government and good order which ought to prevail. Even
if I should not attain and enjoy the benefit of this improvement, I
beseech your Majesty that, if more auditors are to be sent, they may
be persons of tried experience in Audiencia duties--to whom it would
be well to give senior rank therein, for those who are in it now are
totally ignorant of its procedure, never having had any experience
in so responsible positions, so that they could know how to act. If
they had only been able to learn from the licentiate Alcaraz, who
was experienced and very prudent! but they were estranged from him,
or rather they estranged themselves with their singular behavior--so
that, a long time before he died, he took an oath not to return to
the Audiencia, and kept it. And I myself, if I could, would do the
same, for the reasons I have given and for many others, which make me
desire to merit that your Majesty would be pleased to use me in some
other way, away from this country. To such a point has it gone, that
if this country were not involved in the perils of war as it has been,
and as they are still threatening it, I should beseech your Majesty to
place it in charge of some other person, who would be more interested
in documents. But may God not choose that I should be relieved from
the service of your Majesty, in which from the age of fifteen years I
have been engaged; and I offer this so heartily that if your Majesty
were pleased to send another governor who should labor somewhat,
and I might aid and assist him some little time, I would do so with
the greatest good-will. It would be no little pleasure to me to be
employed in naval and military affairs, and other things in which,
with my counsel and my personal aid, I might be able to help; and to
know that the matter of auditors and their demands, their rivalries,
and their faultfinding, should concern another, and that he would have
to oppose and resist those things, which would be not a little. Nor
would there be overmuch time to satisfy, quiet, and render content the
many religious--which is another labor and servitude, with which there
is no way to deal; for it is without remedy, since each one wishes
to be the sole distributer of goods and favors, the moderator and
judge of punishments, and the governor of the governor, or else his
persecutor. [_In the margin_: "Not to be read in the Junta. Join with
it the letters which the auditors write against Don Alonzo Faxardo."]
In so far as concerns the Indians, no more help can be drawn from
them for the service of your Majesty, on account of what the fathers
demand. Nor can they be exempted from labors and penalties if the
latter need their services, or wish to punish them; and may God will
that this bring not loss some day. For one of the ways with which
the enemy best succeeds in winning over the natives is that, besides
exempting them from tributes and personal services, they will not have
to support religious instruction or ministers. Although there are many
good Christians, not all are so forward in this matter. In the same
manner in which I have already stated this, I can declare, and assure
your Majesty, that there are in all these religious orders men of most
holy and exemplary life, who have gathered a great harvest of souls,
[_In the margin_: "If there are several papers on this matter, let
them be joined together and brought in."]
In the prosecution of the work of pacifying, reducing, and subduing
the Indians who are called Ygolotes, and gaining thorough knowledge of
the mines of gold that are in those countries, the riches and profit
that might be obtained from there could not be secured this year,
after the death of Captain Garcia de Aldana, who understood these
matters and had them in charge. This is due both to the loss of his
personal supervision, and to the lack of troops at this time, when the
enemy's fleet were so near; but, if it be possible, nothing shall be
lost. [_In the margin_: "He was written to concerning this last year,
as far as the matter was examined; at present let him again be charged
to continue all the care which he has been taking in the working of
these mines, and, since he sees the importance which lies in this,
let him do all in his power to find persons in every way satisfactory
to go there. Let him inform us every year of what he may be doing;
for he knows in what great straits the royal estate is, and how much is
being spent in those regions, without there being any results from it,
while so much profit lies in those mines, as we have been informed,
and as has been written to him. And let him again be charged to take
the care which is expected of him that this may have the result; let
it be known what he has done in cultivating and improving a matter
of so much importance."]
On account of word that I had of the distress in which the city of
Macan was, with the news that had been received there that the Dutch
and English were about to sack the place, and as they sent from there
to ask me to help them with six large pieces of artillery, I sent it,
and the aid reached them. The people of that city have shown themselves
grateful for this, and send in return the value of the said pieces,
invested in useful and necessary articles for the service of your
Majesty, which have already been received. Immediately upon sending
the guns I had six other larger ones cast, for from twenty-five to
thirty-pound balls, and incomparably better. For we are continually
becoming more skillful in foundry-work and in working the metals;
so that, of almost forty pieces which have been cast in my time, with
the assistance and care of Don Hieronimo de Silva, commander of the
artillery, only one has been a failure. [_In the margin_: "Let him
be thanked for what he mentions here, and let him continue to act
thus when occasion may arise. As for what he says of the artillery,
it has seemed very satisfactory; and let him continue to cast pieces
as he may have need of them, as he says he is doing."]
The reenforcements which this year went to Terrenate arrived there
safely, thanks be to God; and a small ship which routed the enemy with
two or three large ships of war, which he keeps there at the entrance
to those forts, came back thence with Captain Antonio Gomez, who had
the responsibility of conveying the succor, and collected and made
it ready very well with one galley. [_In the margin_: "This is well,
and let him always try to send to these places as much as he can, both
of troops and other things which are ordinarily sent; for he knows how
important a thing it is to keep the forts there in proper condition."]
With this was sent the ordinary quantity of rice and provisions, and
even considerably more; and likewise arms, munitions, clothes, cloth,
and money, and more than a hundred and twenty Spanish soldiers, who
are to remain there. This year I shall try to send more and better
relief than I was able to this time--and earlier than ordinary,
for then it will run less danger from the enemy.
The master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, writes me from those parts
that he has news of many vessels of the enemy, and that he has put
those places into the best state of defense that he could--although
there was not much that he could do, because they were in good
condition before, and never so well supplied with troops, money,
and other necessary things as they have been at this time. [_In the
margin_: "Examined."]
He told me of nothing else of any importance except that he gave the
present or gratuity which is usually given in your Majesty's name to
the king of Tidore and his son, and that they are quite peaceful and
well disposed. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
He also tells me that he has negotiated and agreed with the Dutch for
the ransom of Martin de Sosa de San Pago, governor and commandant of
Fernanbuco, and Doña Angela Benegas, his wife, and their children;
of Captain Sequera y Miranda, and a father of the Augustinian order;
and of other prisoners, soldiers, and sailors, in exchange for some
of theirs, whom we had in our power. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
The purchase of cloves which was ordered was made in those
islands--which, according to the hopes that have been held out to me,
must have amounted to even more than two hundred and fifty baras
of six hundred and forty libras each. I am told that it could not
be secured in so great a quantity as I wished to send your Majesty,
on account of a crop failure, and small harvest; and the little which
was bought was used for the needs of those forts, and to have means to
satisfy and confer favors on the Portuguese--who, with their galliots,
aid our people with rice and other things. [_In the margin_: "What he
says here is well; and as he has already been told at various times
how important it is that this [_i.e._, the cloves] should be brought
here, let him again be charged to continue the endeavors that he has
exercised, in such manner that he may bring this about, since it is
so important a matter; and let him charge the governor of Terrenate
to maintain this [trade], so that it will not there be applied as he
says it is. Let him use all possible care in this, and advise us of
what he does."]
I shall take care that the accounts of Governor Lucas de Vergara
Gaviria shall be ready; and no more has been possible on account of
the many things which I wrote in regard to this matter, as will appear
to your Majesty by the copy which is brought by Captain Don Jacinto de
Quesada Figueroa. [_In the margin_: "This is well; let him advise us
of what he is doing, and tell him that those papers have not arrived."]
Of the residencias which are entrusted by your Majesty's orders to
the auditor, Don Alvaro de Mesa, he has just finished despatching that
of the fiscal, Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte. Unreasonable demands
have been made upon the latter, and he has suffered more than I can
tell--for as it were, behind enmities and oppositions Don Alvaro has
taken him under his jurisdiction, and has given him very good cause
for merits. [_In the margin_: "It is well."]
As for the residencia of Governor Don Juan de Silva, my predecessor,
I have not wished [Don Alvaro] to undertake or begin it, because that
business would prevent him from going out to inspect this country; and,
as this is very necessary, I had assigned that duty to him, in order
that he might accomplish it. For this reason, and for others arising
from his fearful and obstinate temper, his behavior became so furious
that one session day, the last before Palm Sunday, he drove me to such
an extremity that, losing somewhat my self-control and moderation,
we might both have ruined ourselves. But God held me in His hand,
and I am satisfied, in so far as that matter concerned me, with the
remonstrance and sufficient correction which was necessary for his
presumption, leaving it for a later time to write of it, and begin a
process in the matter, conjointly with the alcaldes-in-ordinary, as
your Majesty commands. This is being done, although in his absence
and with his opposition; for he broke from his imprisonment in
the buildings of the cabildo of the city, in which he resided, and
retired to the convent of St. Dominic, where he has been joined by a
certain Pedro de Lussarra and another named Pedro Alvarez, who was
in that of St. Francis--who were also absent, as I have written to
your Majesty in other letters. All three are there sowing discord,
stirring up feeling, and trying to make people envious of me, and
write down their envious complaints; and for this end they employ
means which ought not even to be written. They also avail themselves
of the religious of St. Dominic, and likewise in order to make and
forward such papers and despatches from the shelter and covert of
the tribunal of the Holy Office, the commissary of which here belongs
to this religious order. It is not hard to accomplish it in this way
because they have always done so, and lately with Don Joan de Silva,
my predecessor--against whom, among other despatches, they made one
with full and authenticated documents, which a friar of their order,
named Fray Francisco de Sant Joseph--who was carrying the papers,
and whom they considered a holy man--being at the point of death, and
having scruples of conscience, ordered to be thrown into the sea. As
I am making, in another letter, a longer report to your Majesty in
the matter above mentioned, referring to the auditor Don Alvaro,
I shall add nothing more in this, except to say that his case must
be dropped, and the Audiencia will be obliged to do so, through its
need of judges. The auditor Don Antonio Rodriguez has not been present
at it for a long time, although I have warned and commanded him to do
so. He gives as his excuse that he is in ill health; but it is certain
that that does not fail him for being present almost regularly for
the documents and councils made by the said doctor Don Alvaro, and
with the same intention and wish, influenced by their alliance--which
is known certainly by an investigation which I have made for your
Majesty's information, and send with this, concerning his trading and
trafficking in merchandise, with so much greediness and meanness of
spirit that that and other things which are told about him, and are
said to be well authenticated, would appear to besmirch the honor that
the robe and insignia of his office carry with them, which makes him
unworthy of it. But, as you wish me to tell what is true, I promise
myself honors and favors from your Majesty, and punishment to him who
dares to write or to say what is not true. This does not give me so
much trouble as the preparation and disposal of military affairs, and
other obligations of my office, which I could not fulfil if I had to go
about conjecturing what ill-affected persons do and write against me,
as in this case; and in verifying the facts time would be lost. I do
not know whether he will leave, even if nothing else should be done,
[_In the margin_: "Have the letters and documents in regard to this
matter joined together."]
As there is a lack of money in the royal treasury, and great need
thereof for the maintenance of all the paid sailors and troops,
measures to supply this need were decided upon in the session of
the Audiencia, for this and other objects for the service of your
Majesty--to the effect that thirty thousand pesos could be drawn
from the treasury of estates of deceased persons, lent for this
purpose. Although the orders and documents proper and sufficient
for this were despatched, the auditor Don Alvaro, judge for the
said estates, would not transact the business which pertained
to his office, and what he is under obligation to do for this
purpose. Accordingly it was necessary that the lock (of which he
held the key) be broken open. Of the acts and measures taken in this
case a copy is sent in this despatch. It is understood and likewise
said that the opposition shown by the said doctor Don Alvaro in the
case referred to, was because he was indebted for some deficiency,
to be placed in the said funds, of what should have been therein,
or had been taken from it--a thing which I do not assert, and which
indeed I do not believe (although appearances indicate it), until I
am more certainly informed. [_In the margin_: "See whether there are
documents in regard to this, and have them brought."]
The documents that are drawn up commanding that, for the present,
the license fees of Sangleys who are baptized without cutting their
hair should be paid, I send with this, as I offered to do in the last
letter to your Majesty, that you may be pleased to command that what is
the most just action in this matter shall be decided upon. I likewise
send a sworn statement of the money which various people have imported,
and that all of it has been carefully placed in the royal treasury,
[_In the margin_: "Have these papers joined and brought."]
On account of my continual occupations at various times, and other
delays due to the obstacles made by the auditors to whom this duty
belongs, whom I appointed for the council on accounts, some time has
passed since I have been able to audit the accounts. Together with
the work done thereon by the accountant and inspector of them, they
were despatched in the last session of the council up to the accounts
for the year past, nineteen. They are sent sealed with this despatch
to Nueva España. [_In the margin_: "It is well; and let him continue
this diligence, always sending the accounts to Mexico, as usual."]
The office of clerk of the court is about to be sold, having been
placed at fifteen hundred pesos. He who served in it during the last
eleven years, since the death of the proprietary incumbent, had been
treasurer and chief official of the said office since the time the
Audiencia was founded, and was the most competent and best fitted
person for it who is known in these islands, as well as a settler of
thirty years' standing here. After months of bidding, during which
there was no one who would pay the price set on it, a man obtained it
who was incapable, and lacking in talent and knowledge of the law;
wherefore he has been indicted and accused, as will be seen by the
documents of the case, which I shall try to send with this. At one
stroke the price was raised to eight thousand pesos, with the aid and
encouragement of the auditors, wherein each one of them personally
aided him, in order to hold the new clerk on his side, and to drive
out from the Audiencia a man of integrity and faithfulness. Although
the trouble which will result to them from transacting their business
with such a man as is he whom they are trying to place there will be
enough punishment for such guilt, yet looking more to the service
of your Majesty and the prompt despatch of the administration of
his royal justice, I did not interfere in the matter; but rather I
think that, if there is no other more competent person, it should be
given by purchase to him who was serving in it, even though it were
not at so high a price, because his competency and knowledge of the
law for the service of your Majesty will be very much greater. With
this object in view, he has been continually paid his salary from
the judicial expenses. [_In the margin_: "Let this clause be taken
to the fiscal. This has been done."]
The income which your Majesty orders me to give to Don Miguel de
Legaspi, grandson of the former Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, I have now
given him, assigning him an encomienda with what appeared to be a
sufficient number of Indians. [_In the margin_: "It is well."]
For some time past I have withheld the appointment to several
encomiendas which have been vacated, not only for the aid which
resulted from their tributes to the expenses of the royal treasury,
but particularly because their number was not sufficient to satisfy
and render content so many claimants as there are here--some of them
deserving, and others with a backing of auditors, ecclesiastics, and
religious. These latter are the ones whose demands are most pressing,
and who make the most outcry with their claims and complaints--going
so far as to murmur and consider it unjust that such rewards are given
to those who have not been here so long--although the services of the
latter were rendered in Terrenate, under such hardships and during
war--desiring that their longer residence in this city should be
preferred to the services of the others. [_In the margin_: "Let him
deal out justice as seems most fitting to him."]
The bishop of Camarines, Don Fray Diego de Guevara, died in his
bishopric. He had ardently desired, as he explained and told me
many times, to leave it and go to España to beseech your Majesty to
approve his departure from this country--for it appeared to him that
no bishop was necessary in that region [of Camarines], nor so many
in so small a country as are these islands--if it were not that the
disagreements and difficulties which he had with the friars of that
province obliged him to remain. There was lost in his person one of
the most zealous for the service of your Majesty that were here; and
one who labored for it with most affection, good sense, and integrity,
without aiming at private ends or his own aggrandizement. [_In the
margin_: "There is already a person appointed in his place."]
The bishop of Cebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, is likewise little or not
at all desirous of greater honors. On the contrary, according to his
own words, he desires the quiet of a cell, with scant alms from your
Majesty, for the repose of his old age; and we all believe this, for
we regard him, as he is generally reputed, as a holy man, as humble
as the latest novice of his order. [_In the margin_: "It is well."]
The archbishop of this city, Don Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano, showing
his zeal for the service of your Majesty and for procuring the
assistance and welfare of these islands, planned and offered himself
to go to that court [of España], laying aside his own repose for
the hardships of so long a voyage. In this matter, I think that the
officials of his church did not divert him from the exercise of his
office--this being my opinion, and that of many others--in order to
leave themselves freed from so much domination and authority as this
office entails, and with more free will, as they were wont to be before
[he came]; and for this reason I will not say that they were making
illegal use of that office--although they have discussed my affairs
in an unfriendly way, at the instance of someone who induced them
to do so; but, on the other hand, they have acted with great virtue
and as very good ecclesiastics. When I had consulted the Audiencia,
in their session, about the purpose of this voyage, it appeared that
it was not quite necessary, and that your Majesty therefore might not
approve of it; accordingly, this opinion was stated to the archbishop,
with many thanks for his zeal and his kind offer. According to what
I have heard, he was hurt by it; so it appears that he would have
liked better that his desires should be realized. [_In the margin_:
"Examined."]
I wrote to your Majesty concerning the auditor, Hieronimo de Legaspi,
immediately upon arriving here and making his acquaintance, what
I heard and saw of his proceedings; I will therefore dispense with
repeating that, since I am fulfilling my obligation by what I have
already written concerning him to your Majesty, and what I am doing
here, on my own part, and shall do, to curb him in his way of life
and his lawless acts. And I do not repeat what might be added,
as it is almost all of the same sort as those of which I have
written--being the effects of a depraved character, as is evident,
for his will is governed by unfitting motives. He has, moreover,
a son who is accustomed to argue with him, increasing his covetous
disposition, although there is no need for that. [_In the margin_:
"Let the papers in regard to this matter be examined."]
[In accordance with] what your Majesty has commanded that the
archbishop and I should do, calling together the provincials of the
orders resident in these islands, notice has been given them concerning
the things which your Majesty mentions concerning their methods of
procedure, and the incidental exactions and excessive fees which some
of them levy upon the Indians--for masses, burials, and suffrages;
[7] for the building of vessels, and of churches and their houses;
and for repartimientos and new impositions with which they were
loading down and harassing the natives; and charging them with the
reformation of this. It did not seem necessary to the archbishop,
but for my part I shall nevertheless carry it out, informing each one
of the provincials separately, and trying to further the royal will of
your Majesty, without allowing scandal to result by making this public,
and difficulties from such things becoming known. I would already
have done so if I were not waiting for an opportune occasion when I
should be free from the occupations that I have had--encounters with
enemies, the equipment of vessels, procuring supplies, and the many
other things for the service of your Majesty. These can be attended
to only with great difficulty, lacking the favor of the religious
orders, [which much be considered] in order not to annoy them; for
most of them are very easily irritated, especially those of the Order
of St. Dominic. For, even when they have no cause for displeasure,
there is no one who can bring them to reason, since it appears that
they regard it as their vocation to be opposed to the government
and to the governors, as they have done since their establishment
in these islands, without a single exception--unless only it be Don
Luis Perez Dasmariñas, whom, with the asperity on which they pride
themselves, and their tyrannical ways they subjected in such manner
that they ruled him. In order that those who succeed me may continue
attending to the service of your Majesty without the difficulties
and quarrels which we, the former governors and I, have experienced,
it will be expedient that your Majesty order them not to interfere so
much in the government, and that they must restrain their audacious
and insolent mode [of speech]. For this is so uncurbed and terrible
that any honorable man would fear it on account of what the friars
cast at him, to the prejudice of anyone who acts contrary to their
wishes; and this they do not only through the pulpits, but by various
other means, as I have said they did with the past governors--and
particularly with Don Juan de Silva, my predecessor--and which I
also have sufficiently experienced and suffered. [_In the margin_:
"Let him exercise care to do what is ordered in this matter, and have
it done at the first opportunity." _In another hand_: "Write a letter
to the provincial of St. Dominic, telling him that the insolence
which his friars display is known, and what Don Alonso says here,
and accordingly the provincial must convene and reprimand them,
obliging them to look after the affairs of their order alone, and the
conversion of souls, as is their duty (which is the principal reason
why they went there); and let them not mix in government affairs,
or any others not concerning their order; and have him advise us of
what he shall do." _In another hand_: "Write to Don Alonso that such
a letter has been sent to the provincial of St. Dominic, that he may
be aware of it."]
None of these things of which I have informed your Majesty and have
just written about are meant to comprehend, nor can they concern, the
fathers of the Society of Jesus; for they are judicious, prudent, and
moderate men, and, without in the least failing in their obligation to
the service of your Majesty, they attend to those of their vocation,
and to the protection of their Indians, so that each of them is
suitably occupied. To spare what I might write concerning their
well-ordered procedure, I will say that these fathers who are here
are of the same [character] as those who are under the inspection of
your Majesty and that of the supreme pontiff. They are religious who
reap a great harvest among souls in this newly-christianized land. It
would be expedient for your Majesty to order their general to send
[more of] his men here, increasing the number of them; for they are
greatly needed for the mission villages that these fathers have in
their charge, and the work which they accomplish therein, and the
other duties of their office. Nor is there anyone of that order who
talks of going back to those kingdoms without the most urgent reason
making it necessary. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
I have understood that several auditors of this Audiencia, meeting
outside of the sessions and by themselves, have written to your
Majesty, and have caused various persons to write by different methods
and routes, things against me, [accusing me of acts] unworthy of my
office, and even incredible of my character. Perhaps [they do this]
on account of what I have written to your Majesty concerning their
actions, and to satisfy their unjust resentment, uniting [against me]
for this reason and to justify themselves. As it would not be just
that, relying upon the great distance and the long time which is
necessary to clear up the truth, and on the changes and innovations
which in the course of time usually occur, any one should dare
to write letters not true of persons like myself, and especially
to your Majesty, I beseech you humbly to be pleased to entrust my
residencia and those of the said auditors to a person who would take
it from all of us, with authority to prove the facts and inflict such
punishment as shall be necessary. Copies of what has been written
against me, and of what I have written, should be produced, so that
whoever shall not prove his statements may be punished as the crime
deserves, for informing your Majesty maliciously against other people's
reputation. On account of the importance of this, whoever is to take
the residencias should be a person not belonging to this country,
and who will not have to remain here, living with these auditors,
or the auditors with him. Whether he shall find me with much or with
little property, I pledge whatever I have; whatever may be lacking
for it will oblige me to pay the cost of an inspection, and the
condemnation of the guilty. But I have no more than what I inherit,
tied up with so many debts from this voyage that I have not been
able to pay them, nor even to acquit myself of the two-thirds of my
[first year's] salary which I owe to your Majesty, as I was forced to
make use of it for my living. Although all will not be pleased at the
inspection, I assure you that, if it could be general for all classes,
there would be found plenty of things to be regulated, and much more in
the man who thinks that he is the one most secure therefrom. With this
I will end this letter, leaving it in this state until it is time to
seal it, in case anything should occur to be added. [_In the margin_:
"Have this clause taken to the fiscal." "It has been done."]
When I had written this, and the despatch of these vessels was so far
along that they would, with the help of God, pursue their way when
moon and weather should favor the voyage, His Divine Majesty (to whom
be thanks!) was pleased to rejoice and encourage this land by bringing
safely to a port of this country, near the point of Balinao, in this
neighborhood, the capitana "San Andres" which was expected from Nueva
España. Although thus far we do not know how much money comes in her on
your Majesty's account for the maintenance of affairs here, with it in
this country, however little it may be, things will go much better than
without it, and with the anxiety over its delay. [_In the margin_: "It
is well, and we thank our Lord for this news, and hope in His Divine
Majesty that we shall have other and better news from those islands."]
The reenforcement of soldiers is so scant that, even if all went to
Terrenate, there would not be many; for the enlistments of those who
came in two companies do not amount to a hundred and ten, besides
seventy convicts [_forcados_] who come for service, and I know not
how many galley-slaves. The number of those who die here ordinarily
is very great, as I have already explained, whereby the lack of
troops--which is what we most suffer from here, and can least be
supplied--becomes every day greater; and in the same degree my labor
and anxiety increase, adding to this and my obligations the fulfilment
of so many duties as this government entails, with so little means
to carry them out, and with so much as must be done to carry on
war with so many enemies as there are in these regions. With this,
and the knowledge of the misfortune and loss of the fleet which
was coming to help us, we have already ceased to consider what we
may have to bear. But nevertheless, with the help of God, I hope
that the enemy, when they come here as they have hitherto done, may
lose more than they gain. In the meantime we will exercise skill,
care, and vigilance in this matter, until the reenforcements which
I am expecting are added to our forces here, to punish the enemy,
and better results are obtained than in the past. I will nor repeat
again the many things which are necessary, as I have already done so
sufficiently; nor again state the better facilities for sending aid
regularly by way of Panama, which is the most important thing. This
must have been already examined and considered, if the letters in which
I discussed it at length have not been lost. I beseech your Majesty
to be pleased to have executed immediately what is most expedient for
the royal service in this matter. [_In the margin_: "Write to the
viceroy of Nueva España, sending a copy of this clause, so that he
may see how few troops are being sent to the governor; accordingly,
let him be charged to reenforce him with all the soldiers that he can,
since he can see how important it is that that country be fortified
and have troops; and entrust it to his care and zeal that this year
there shall be sent sufficient help, as has been written to him,
and let him continue this every year."]
The letters of your Majesty have not arrived, but we are waiting for
them and hope that in time they will come, and that these ships will
not lose the favorable weather necessary for their voyage, on account
of the great importance of securing it. If they should come with the
promptness with which I charged the person whom I sent for them, I
shall answer them in the most important matters. If not, I shall do so
as soon as possible, as befits the importance of what is contained in
them, and the service of your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Examined."]
I have ordered in the session, several times, that careful abstracts
should be made of the enactments made therein of which it is desirable
that an account should be given your Majesty. Thus far it has not
been possible to carry this out, in which matter I did not choose,
merely in order to avoid trouble with them, to employ any repressive
measure, which might increase their ill-humor; and likewise because
I do not know that anything more has happened than what I write to
your Majesty. The reason for the auditors neglecting this matter
is well known to be that the definite account which we must make
to your Majesty from this Audiencia may not clash with that which
the auditors who met together separately have made to your Majesty
and your ministers. This leads me, every time when I speak of it, to
repeat my supplication to your Majesty, as I now humbly do, that this
may not go on without the inquiry of residencia which I have requested,
and the punishment due each one. May God protect the Catholic person
of your Majesty in accordance with the needs of Christendom. Manila,
July 21, 1621.
_Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca_
[_In the margin_: "Examined."]
[_Endorsed_: "Examined and decreed within on the margin, that which
concerns both the Council and the Junta. On September 22, 622."]