_Condition of the archbishopric of Manila in regard to the affairs
of ecclesiastical and secular government._
Sire:
Although I am writing to your Majesty at length informing you of
the condition of these islands regarding the enemies who come to
infest them, I cannot refrain from writing this letter apart,
in which I inform your Majesty of matters that, in my opinion,
your Majesty needs and ought to know. For, although I have written
concerning many of them these three years past, I must--inasmuch as
I have had no answer from your Majesty, not even of their receipt in
the Council--repeat what I have written, again and again, until I am
certain that my letters have reached that royal Council. Knowing that,
my mind will be at rest, and I shall be content with what your Majesty
shall be pleased to order to be done in all things.
From the time of the establishment of the faith in these islands,
no ecclesiastical council [8] has been held in them; [but this is] a
matter that is urgently recommended by the holy general councils, for
the correction of abuses and the reform of morals. It is most necessary
in this archbishopric, in order to establish the administration of
the sacraments with uniformity of ceremonies, the celebration of
holy days, and for unusual and peculiar cases that occur in this
new world. Therefore, I petition your Majesty to be pleased to
send me permission so that I, with my three suffragans, may hold
a council as soon as they reach these islands. [_Marginal note_:
"That a letter has already been sent to him regarding this matter;
and he is to follow its directions."]
The devotion, sire, to the most holy sacrament had greatly fallen
into disuse in this city, just as if we who are its residents had not
come from the Christian country of España. Consequently, as soon as
I entered upon the government of this church, I endeavored to promote
this observance, and exerted all my effort and strength--so that, by
the goodness of God, this devotion is being introduced in good earnest,
being aided by the indulgences that our most holy father [_i.e._,
probably Pope Paul V] conceded at the instance of your Majesty;
and there are few persons who do not have those indulgences in their
houses, through an edition that I caused to be printed in order that
all might receive the benefit of them. [_Marginal note_: "That it
is well, and that thanks are given him for his care in this matter;
and that he continue thus, since it is a matter that is so important."]
The principal feast [_i.e._, Corpus Christi] of this revered and
admirable sacrament cannot be held at its season, as the universal
Church has ordained, because then the rainy or winter season begins
in these regions. Consequently, but seldom has the weather given
opportunity to hold the procession in the streets, nor can the
streets be draped or adorned. It would be a very great consolation,
if your Majesty would be pleased to obtain a brief from his Holiness,
in which he concedes us authority in these islands to anticipate the
feast of the most holy sacrament, [celebrating it] on the Thursday
after the octave of Easter; or otherwise, that this feast may come
later--as his Holiness conceded for all of Yndia, in order to hold it
at the most convenient season, since its own time came during the rainy
season; in both regions the same reasons and obstacles occur so that
the feast cannot be celebrated with due and proper observance. I am
enclosing to your Majesty a copy of the brief cited. [_Marginal note_:
"Have a letter sent to the ambassador at Roma, giving him an account
of this section, and sending him a copy of the brief here cited, in
order that he may petition it from his Holiness; for it is a matter
that should be solemnized with so great propriety. Send a letter to
the archbishop, telling him that a request to this effect has already
been made, and that he will be advised of the answer."]
The poverty of this cathedral is so great that it has had no revenue
with which to furnish not only a reredos, or the necessary ornaments
as regards the colors of the seasons, but also a veil to cover the
altar during Lent. On Palm Sunday the two prebendaries who accompanied
me as assistants, when I performed the pontifical office on that day,
wore cloaks of different color from what they should have worn, as we
did not have the right ones in the church. For as the church has not
a single real of income, nor has had hitherto any other aid than the
alms that the inhabitants have given it, it suffers the need of which
I speak. The royal Audiencia has investigated this matter, on petition
of the cabildo, in order to refer it to that royal council. I humbly
petition your Majesty to be pleased to consider that this city is a
general place of concourse for all the nations of the world; that it
seems a necessary obligation that--since it is impossible to celebrate
the divine offices in the other churches of Manila with due propriety,
because of their great poverty--at least these peoples may see that
it will be done in the cathedral, the metropolitan of all the others;
since we do not act as we ought toward so great a Lord, yet as we can,
and with more propriety than in other regions. [_Marginal note_:
"Have a copy of this section sent to the governor and Audiencia,
and let them assist in a matter so necessary. They shall plan how
this may be done with due propriety, and shall advise us of their
action. Have a letter sent to the archbishop, enclosing a copy of
what is written to them, so that he may understand it."]
The cabildo of this holy church at present, through the goodness of
God and your Majesty's care in filling the prebends with such persons,
consists of excellent persons. If the reason advanced to your Majesty,
by means of which a special brief was obtained from his Holiness
for the senior bishop to govern this church--[which has been done]
through three vacancies in the see--had any justification at that time,
surely, Sire, that justification has now ceased, as the cabildo is now
filled by entirely satisfactory men. Hence your Majesty can certainly
be served by not having this government leave the cabildo in the two
vacancies that will follow hereafter; for, in truth, during the few
days while they governed in the last vacant see, before the arrival
of the senior bishop from his bishopric, they so disposed affairs
that the said bishop simply retained what they had decided, and did
not change anything that he found established. [_Marginal note_:
"Observe the custom."]
Great annoyances result because the governor does not communicate with
the archbishop as to the persons whom he presents for the dignidades
and prebends of this church, who are appointed until your Majesty
shall fill the places. For if it proves that the person is incapable or
unworthy--either because of any secret reason known to the archbishop,
or for any suit that he has pending or for any other reason--the
remedy is more easy in its beginning, by first conferring together
about the case. Your Majesty seems to have so ordered, as appears from
the presentations made by Governors Don Pedro de Acuña and Don Juan de
Silba, which read as follows: "Having communicated with the archbishop,
and having observed the order and decree of his Majesty, I present
So-and-so," etc. There it appears that your Majesty has ordered in
this matter that consultation be held thereon. It would be well to
order this again; for the governor says that he has not seen such a
decree, nor do I find it in the book of decrees. [_Marginal note_:
"Have this decree found and brought. Let them observe the decrees
regarding this. Let the governor report on what the archbishop asks."]
Two appointments from your Majesty came last year to this metropolitan
church of Manila. One was to the deanship, of Santiago de Castro,
a sick man who has not left his house for more than three years. He
is sick and old, and so deaf that he can hold no intercourse or
communication with men. Consequently, he is expecting death daily,
and he may therefore be numbered among the dead, as far as human
intercourse is concerned. This alone could hinder the execution of
his appointment, for in other things he has excellent qualifications
for the dignity. Since his condition renders him unfit for service,
and since the dean must necessarily take upon himself the management
and headship of the cabildo, much consideration should be given to
this appointment--especially as another appointment (as archdean)
came for Canon Thomas de Guimarano, an unlettered man, to whom some
years ago they did not dare to grant permission to hear confessions
on the galleys, where he was chaplain. Therefore, Archbishop Don
Fray Miguel de Benavides wrote these words to your Majesty in the
year 604, the copy of which is in my possession. "Don Pedro de Acuña
gave a chaplaincy in the seminary of Santa Potenciana to one of his
followers, who lives in his palace, one Thomas de Guimarano--a man
of so little capacity that the said archdean and commissary of the
Holy Office examined him at my order, in order that he might hear
confessions in the galley, whose chaplain he was, and did not find him
capable of doing it." Such are the words of the said archbishop as to
his ignorance. He has almost no capacity for management. If he were
seen in this dignity people would greatly blame him who should have
conferred it on him without having first notified your Majesty of his
unfitness. This is the reason why I have kept the two appointments of
the said Guimarano and Santiago de Castro sealed, as they came, and
guarded with all secrecy, until your Majesty could be advised. Your
royal will, I am sure, is that these appointments be not given to them,
thereby entailing so much loss of prestige to the Church, and scandal
to the city. On the other hand, there is no lack, the office of dean
being filled by Licentiate Don Francisco Gomez de Arellano, a man of
good conduct and of exemplary life, in approbation of whom letters
have been written to your Majesty at various times. [_Marginal note_:
"Provision has already been made herein."]
Inasmuch as your Majesty's appointment, and the favor that you were
pleased to grant him in conferring on him the dignity of treasurer of
this holy church, came for Licentiate Don Miguel Garcetas (of whose
good qualities I have written during these last years); and inasmuch
as, by his taking possession of that office, that of precentor fell
vacant, which he was filling _ad interim_: the governor presented for
it Don Juan Cevicos, a priest of good education, very great austerity
and exemplary life, and zealous for the general welfare. In him are
also found many other very excellent qualities; and he is a very
suitable man for your Majesty to confer upon him the dignity that he
holds, or what should afterward become vacant in this church, and even
of anything of greater importance. He has not been graduated; for since
the permission that is expected for the foundation of a university
(which is the intention of the college of the Society of Jesus)
has not yet reached this city, he has not yet had the opportunity to
receive a degree. I have employed him in the capacity of my provisor
[9] and vicar-general where he is of great help, for he is a man of
considerable business capacity. [_Marginal note_: "Seen."]
About seven months ago the governor presented Juan de Miranda for a
_ración_ that was vacant. He is a good ecclesiastic and necessary for
that ministry; for setting aside his virtue, example, and good life,
he is an excellent singer, and has been reared from childhood in this
church. Accordingly I gave him the office very willingly. I petition
your Majesty to be pleased to confirm it. [_Marginal note_: "Seen."]
It often happens that certain individuals, depending on their favor at
court, try to obtain prebends and dignities from your Majesty which
they do not merit. They are of such a sort that I am told of persons
who even do not know Latin. They hope to be preferred to those who
have spent all their lives in study. It would be of great importance
for the prelate and cabildo of the district of the said ecclesiastics
to inform your Majesty for these appointments, so that, having that
information, the most advisable measures for the service of God and
that of your Majesty may be taken. [_Marginal note_: "Seen."]
During the month of last December, an ecclesiastic named Don Patricio
Arcaya de Guevara, a native of Murcia, left this country for those
regions [of Europe] via India. The governor was accompanied by him
when he came here, and presented him for the treasurership of this
holy church; and in fact he served therein _ad interim_, although
the governor did not know then that he had been expelled from the
Order of St. Augustine in the province of Andalucia, and that he was
living in this country incontinently and with reproach, and with less
discretion than was fitting. I inform your Majesty, for, according to
his resolve, he was going to ask for a dignity in this or some other
church of the Yndias, for which he is not fit. [_Marginal note_:
"It is well. Attention will be given to this in the office, if the
papers regarding this man are sent."]
The wretchedness and misery suffered by my poor ecclesiastics in
this my archbishopric is very great, because of their number having
increased rapidly in these latter years, on account of the college
and seminary of the Society of Jesus, and the care that has been
taken therein to maintain its studies--teaching in the classes Latin,
the arts, and theology; besides the students who are being reared
in the college of Santo Thomas, founded about two years ago by the
Order of St. Dominic. As I say, they suffer so great poverty that I
am assured that some cannot leave their houses because they have no
cassocks to wear--and that, too, in a country where cloth is generally
so cheap. This is a matter that is breaking my heart. I have nothing
with which to employ them, since the ministries are all managed by
the religious. The poor ecclesiastics have only eight benefices of
Indians to administer, besides two Spanish curacies--namely that of
this city, which is administered by two parish priests [_curas_];
and that of Santiago, outside the walls--and one other which has in
charge the Indians and slaves of Manila. Within the last few days two
ecclesiastics, theologues, competed for a sacristy in the benefice of
Nuestra Señora de Guia, which has a salary of only ninety pesos. One
of them had taken four years of theology, and is an excellent student,
and not so fitting for other things. They competed for it only in order
to get a morsel of food, so they would not have to beg it from door
to door. Will your Majesty be pleased to have provided what is most
suitable for the service of God and your own. [_Marginal note_: "Since
he has the case in hand, let him take what measures are advisable."]
News reached this city in the month of January last of this year, of
the death of the bishop of Nueva Cáceres, Fray Diego de Guevara, of the
Order of St. Augustine; he died while visiting his bishopric. Inasmuch
as that church has no cabildo, the task of its government devolved
upon me, as does likewise that of Nueva Segovia. As the bishop of the
latter church, Don Juan de Renteria, has not arrived, I petition your
Majesty to be pleased to have notice taken that greater competency is
required for these bishoprics that are so distant from Manila--in which
counsel can [not] easily be taken on the troubles that confront the
ministry at every step, and the bishop, like him who holds the office
of magistrate, must alone determine these doubts of fuerza--than for
the very large bishoprics of España. Will your Majesty please take
the advisable measures. [_Marginal note_: "Seen and provided."]
The facility of these natives in going to law about marriage is very
great. In fact, they achieve their purpose by alleging obstacles
arising from their own illicit intercourse, before the marriage,
with the relatives of their wives. Often they maliciously conceal
this obstacle and are silent until, the wives after experiencing with
the lapse of time, during their married life, not so good treatment
as they expected from their husbands, and the husbands having
less pleasure in the marriage than they had promised themselves,
they advance their obstacles, and petition for the annulment of the
marriage. With the ease with which they find witnesses for any purpose,
they succeed in carrying their desires into effect--with the liability,
if what they have alleged and proved is false, of living throughout
life in the sin that they have committed to the wrong of marriage;
and if true, as they say, of having been unscrupulous in not having
declared the obstacle. In order to avoid these troubles, it would be
of great importance for your Majesty to be pleased to obtain from his
Holiness power for the ministers in these islands to give absolution
for all the secret obstacles of these neophytes when they come to be
married, in order to contract the said marriage. In this way it will
be managed with less offense and with more ease to the conscience
than now. [_Marginal note_: "Have the ambassador at Roma notified to
propose this matter to his Holiness; and if it be not unadvisable,
to petition him to concede it. After doing this, advise and notify
the archbishop that the matter has been sent to Roma, and that he
will be notified of the result."]
Your Majesty ordered by a decree, twice issued (the second dated
at San Lorenço, November, 603), that the bishops should inspect
the religious who give instruction, in regard to their duty of the
care of souls. It would be very advisable for so holy a decree to
be executed now, without more delay; for although the orders contain
many who attend most earnestly to the service of our Lord, there are
certain persons who allow themselves to be too easily led by their
inclinations, and who do not labor in their ministry with the devotion
and fidelity requisite. Besides the bad example thus furnished to
these natives, the latter are wronged, and without any remedy, because
there is no superior to whom they can go for vindication--for the
provincials, sometimes for private reasons, generally sustain such
subordinates. That would cease with the visit of the bishops, and
the provincials would find themselves obliged, or the bishops would
oblige them, always to station in the missions ministers of learning,
virtue, and exemplary life. That would bring a cessation of such
troubles. The friars then could not assert that they would leave the
ministries, as they did when there were no secular clergy, since that
is clearly impossible; for there are now so many seculars that they
are sufficient to administer what the orders would abandon. [_Marginal
note_: "Have the decree in regard to this sent to him, and have him
observe the order, as declared in the said decree. Despatch decrees
to the archbishop and his suffragans, in accordance with those already
despatched to the archbishop of Mexico and his suffragan bishops."]
The kingdom of Xapon is in such an upheaval, and the persecution
against Christians so bloody, that it seems rash for religious to go
there. However, those who go there from the orders, guided by the
spirit of the Lord, go clad as merchants, and go about at Manila
in the same way, some days before their passage, in order to have
the Japanese get to know them and take them for men who are going to
their country to trade. Any other method would be rash, as I say, if
they went openly as religious. Further, as Fray Luis Sotelo, of the
Order of St. Francis, tried to go with the name of bishop of Xapon,
delegate of the pope, and commissary-general (a thing prohibited by
your Majesty), and as the bulls for it have been detained by your royal
Council; and as your Council has declared that its opinion is that,
if there were an open door, there would be many things to consider
as to whether Fray Luis Sotelo should go [to Xapon], because of the
many reasons that constrain them to prevent his passage; therefore,
it is expedient for your Majesty to order that quickly; and that they
recall the said Sotelo and take him from these islands, so that he
may not go to Xapon. [_Marginal note_: "Have what was ordered in this
matter brought."]
Having to speak of the orders in particular, I feel obliged to inform
your Majesty of occurrences in this city between that of St. Dominic
and the Society. It was on an occasion of the death of a man in this
city by stabbing, who begged loudly for confession. It was not granted
to him, because a father of St. Dominic said that absolution ought
not to be given him, although the bystanders said that he had called
for confession. A father of the Society stating that absolution ought
to have been given him, there arose between the two orders a very
serious and violent controversy; for the Dominican fathers printed
certain conclusions, in which they declared that it was a rash idea,
and in practice a grave and sacrilegious offense to absolve one
who, only by the report of bystanders had begged for confession,
but was deprived of the power of speech. The fathers of the Society
of Jesus drew up other printed conclusions, in which they declared
that it was not a rash or sacrilegious idea but a very pious one to
absolve such a penitent. They persuaded the people and the orders
and so inflamed the controversy that I ordered them by a decree to
put an end to both contentions. Both orders agreeing to dispute in
my presence, I assigned judges from my cabildo, and from the orders
of St. Augustine and St. Francis, and learned persons of the city,
to be present at the disputation, and consider the arguments on each
side. This was done, and the result was that, having assembled the
other day, all the judges declared, _nemine discrepante_ [_i.e._,
"no one dissenting"], that the opinion of the Society was pious and
reasonable, and could be followed. The reverend Dominican fathers
greatly resented this decision, and tried to carry their point by
persuading the people to accept their conclusions. I thought it a
matter of scandal to condemn ministers, in an affair of the sacraments,
by asserting that they were committing sacrilege. I issued a censure,
and ordered that no one should agree to their conclusions, and that the
Dominicans should not hold them. Upon this second decree they elected
a judge-conservator who accepted the office, but did not continue
in it; so the cause was suspended, and the parties intended to have
recourse to Roma regarding the case. At this juncture the ritual of
our very holy father Paul V, with a bull of his Holiness, dated Roma,
June 17, 1614, came to my hands, in which they order absolution to
such a penitent, who asks for confession after losing his power of
speech, if he shall give signs, in person or through others, of his
desire. Upon seeing the said ritual, I ordered it to be published,
and it was done on the day of Sts. Peter and Paul, in our church of
Manila, this year of 621. A judicial record was made of all of this
matter, and authentic papers with the arguments of each party. That
alone is being sent to your Majesty as a report, in order to inform
you of everything, as is my duty. [_Marginal note_: "Seen."]
The Order of St. Francis in these islands is discalced. There
is generally a visitor from the commissaries, who is sent by
the commissary-general of Nueva España, who must be of the same
discalced. This year one came, who was not received by the provincial
and his definitors because he did not come in the way required by the
rules and privileges of this their province. Although the Audiencia
tried to admit the one from Nueva España, matters came to such a pass
and so menacing a condition that by way of authority, and in order
to avoid scandals, Don Alonso Faxardo, governor of these islands,
determined to suspend the commission, after first having conferred
with me. What I did was to assemble the orders and learned persons of
my cabildo. I found: first, that the commissary was not discalced,
although he must be so by virtue of a bull and express privilege,
which he carries in order to visit this province, or to exercise
an act of jurisdiction. The authorization borne by him was very
extraordinary and had a great excess of the ordinary warrants. There
was added a very forcible argument of administration, which is that
twenty or more of the leading friars had been sworn witnesses in
the present contention, while the commissary had given testimony
contrary to theirs, so that no good administration was looked for,
but only numerous scandals and dissensions. Then affairs almost
reached the point where the province was in hostile array, one side
against another. Accordingly, all those of the council, without any
dissenting voice, resolved that it was inexpedient for the commissary
to enter on the administration. That resolution was followed, and
the provincial proceeded with his duties in peace. Therefore, those
in Nueva España will be informed from here to send hereafter only
persons of the discalced religious and of their profession, and they
will be peaceably received. For if they are of the cloth [_paño_],
[10] the discalced religious fear that they are trying to introduce
themselves into this province and into that of Xapon, and to drive
the discalced from here; this has been attempted, contrary to what
this city has requested your Majesty several times to order--namely,
that no friars of the cloth come to these islands, but only discalced,
with whom the province has always been established. [_Marginal note_:
"Seen."]
The great service which the Society of Jesus is performing for God
and your Majesty in the conversion of souls is well known. But they
cannot continue to prosecute what has hitherto been done in this
province because of their lack of workers; for many have succumbed
to the hardships of their ministry, while others are crippled and
incapacitated from helping in the missions. Consequently there is
need of a goodly shipment of these servants of God to be sent, who
so edify and instruct by their good example and learning. For this
purpose, the order is sending Father Francisco Gutierrez as their
procurator-general. I humbly petition your Majesty to be pleased to
order that he be despatched here, so that this so urgent need may be
supplied. [_Marginal note:_ "Have us reminded of this at the time,
if the Society should request it."]
The other orders, those of St. Augustine, St. Dominic, and St. Francis,
experience the same lack of religious. They have their procurators
at that court. Will your Majesty be pleased to have them given
a goodly number of religious, so that they may attend to their
ministries. [_Marginal note_: "Have us reminded in due season."]
The hospitals--of which I am informing your Majesty in a separate
letter--need the efforts of the brethren of [St.] John of God, so that
the sick may be treated as is fitting, and which is the chief object
of those brethren. Hitherto the discalced Franciscan religious of this
province have had charge of their spiritual matters. As that is not
one of their vows, and they do not have charge of temporal matters,
the sick have suffered greatly. Accordingly, should your Majesty
be pleased to send some of those brethren from that country, and to
order them to take charge of the administration of these hospitals,
it would be a very great service to our Lord. [_Marginal note_:
"Observe what is decreed regarding this matter."]
The official investigations that are made in the royal Audiencia
are made with so little secrecy that the parties interested know
the witnesses and their depositions. The same occurs in the letters
of recommendation that are obtained from the cabildos and from some
orders--which the interested party takes to them, made out as they
desire, and only asks for their signatures. These are obtained easily,
whence follow the sinister reports that they give your Majesty, to
the harm of the public welfare. [_Marginal note_: "It is well. Let
us be advised of this on the occasions that arise."]
Although this royal Audiencia by right should attend the principal
feasts at the cathedral, they have not done so; nor have I seen them
attend in a body since I took up the government of this church--now
upwards of a year--except once only. That was on St. Andrew's day,
when a prayer was made for the coming of the ships from Mexico. I do
not know whether the reason has been the want of harmony between the
governor and the auditors, or because the governor's wife took a seat
beside her husband--a thing that has never been practiced in this city
in the time of the former governors. Will your Majesty decide what
should be done in this matter, as the governor's wife must be placated
in it; and whether the position to be occupied by her is to be before
or behind that of the Audiencia. [_Marginal note_: "Have the Audiencia
informed that they must not miss one of the prescribed days, and
are to report on the other matters. Write to the archbishop that the
Audiencia has already been notified to attend on the prescribed days."]
Your Majesty has already provided by your royal decrees that the
ships should set sail for Nueva España from this port, under any
circumstances, during the month of June, because of their peril of
having to make some port in distress, or of being wrecked, if they sail
later. It would be expedient to apply a more constraining remedy,
in order that this be executed; for were your Majesty's decrees
observed in these islands, as I have many times said, there would
be no errors made in what pertains to the service of our Lord and
that of your Majesty, the welfare of these islands, and the profit
of their inhabitants. But, Sire, as they are not obeyed, and there
is no execution of them, there is general error in what could with
so great facility be done aright. [_Marginal note_: "Have a letter
written to the governor, telling him that we have heard that those
ships that sail to Nueva España sail very late, and that consequently
they suffer in the tempests and hardships that are known; and that
now and henceforth he shall see that they sail as was the custom
before and as is ordered."]
When the city of Manila petitioned your Majesty to be pleased to have
the governors of these Filipinas make the appointments to the offices
of the ships which are despatched hence to Nueva España, from that
of commander to the least office, it was to obviate one disadvantage,
according to their opinion (and in truth not a slight one), by which
the said offices were given by the viceroys to their relatives and
retainers, thus depriving this country's inhabitants of them. That
disadvantage not only has not been corrected by this expedient--since
the governors, not heeding more than their own private interests,
give the said offices to their own followers--but has even given rise
to a greater disadvantage, respecting the return of the ships to these
islands. For, since the viceroys do not appoint to the said offices as
they did before, the result is usually a lack in the reenforcements
that are sent from there [_i.e._, Nueva España]; and there is less
care bestowed on the despatch of the said ships for the return than
is fitting. Consequently, they arrive so late that already the season
of the vendavals, the contrary winds of these islands, has set in;
and therefore the ships have been compelled to put in at Xapon, as
happened in the year 17, and last year. On that account they ran a
risk of being captured by the Dutch; for since the viceroys are not
interested, even in making those provisions, the ships sail later
than they would be permitted if the persons who have charge of the
ships were appointed by him, in whose good success would be also his
share of reputation, or the contrary. Will your Majesty be pleased
to order this to be noted, and take what measures may be most to your
royal pleasure. [_Marginal note_: "Obey the ordinances."]
One could not believe the injury that is done to the soldiers and
sailors, and to all the wage-earners, by not paying the vouchers earned
by their labor and sweat; and on the other hand, by buying these for
much less than their face value. For, being rendered desperate, they
sell vouchers valued at one thousand pesos for one hundred, and the
lamentable thing is that, if they did not sell them, they would never
be paid. Scarcely have they sold the vouchers when they are immediately
paid, and the purchasers even take the poor wretches to the office of
accounts, so that they may be present at the payment, and that it may
appear justified, by their saying that they did it of their own accord,
for which they give a receipt. As it is the price of blood, and they
see that others take that price, it is a grief and sorrow that cries to
heaven for redress, and petitions your Majesty to be pleased to have
a very effective and rigorous correction applied. [_Marginal note_:
"Have a letter written to the governor that this has been learned;
and that he accordingly must correct it immediately, if there is need
therefor, and advise us of what shall be done."]
There are at present more than sixteen thousand Chinese in this
city of Manila, who have received license to stay in the country. In
addition about one-third as many generally remain without having a
license, so that, on good computation, there are now more Chinese
in the country than there were sixteen and a half years ago, when
they revolted and made war on us--without reckoning a great number
of Japanese, whose number I have been unable to ascertain, although I
am told that it exceeds three thousand. Accordingly, in a council of
all the estates called by the governor about two months ago, in which
he asked whether it would be advisable or not to go out to fight the
enemy then in the mouths of this bay--who had seized them with nine
very strongly armed ships, while the governor had four ships (two of
them powerful galleons) and four galleys--the city forbade him to go
out under any circumstances. Among other reasons it was said that if
the governor went out, he would leave the city of Manila unprotected in
his absence, and exposed to the will of so great a number of enemies,
composed of Chinese and Japanese. That argument was not the one of
least weight in the council in determining that our fleet should
not sail against the enemy. I think that there has been neglect and
laxity in the matter of not driving out the Japanese. But, in the
case of the Chinese [it is] the greed for the eight pesos that each
one pays for the license to remain in the country, and the excessive
profits gained by the numerous agents of justice whom the governors
have introduced, unnecessarily and in violation of what your Majesty
has so piously ruled and ordained--namely, that only those remain who
cannot be spared for the service of the country, and it is certain that
we cannot live without them. If your Majesty's decrees were observed,
all would be well managed, and we would live more comfortably and in
less fear of them than we now have. I do not know, Sire, what expedient
can be adopted in this. I know only that it is advisable to execute
the orders of your Majesty's royal decrees, for that was the care
and anxiety of the former archbishops and of the entire community,
who always petitioned for this same thing. Hence I am surprised
that your Majesty has not ordered that what restraint you are able
to place should be imposed, so that your royal decrees be obeyed. I
do not know for what reason (since all or nearly all of them concern
the good government and advantage of these wretched inhabitants) they
are directed either against the governors, the Audiencia, or their
agents, tying their hands with their prohibitions. Since they are the
executors of the decrees, it results that nothing is done. Even the
city is very much interested in this matter of the Chinese remaining,
in order to get their profits and rents in their alcaicerías. Hence I
do not think that it would be worth while to petition for [limitation
of] the number of the Chinese, unless your Majesty assign that
number. Truly, with four or five thousand Chinese, the community
would be well served and the country free from danger. [_Marginal
note_: "Have a letter sent to the governor, telling him of this,
but not the writer; and that since he has charge of so important a
matter, he must see that the decrees and orders that have been issued
regarding this be obeyed. He shall advise us of what shall be done,
so that the Council may understand the matter."]
There have been many complaints, in regard to the allotment of
encomiendas, from the old and worthy soldiers who have spent their
lives and blood in your Majesty's service. It has already been enacted
in this matter, by royal decrees, what must be done. The relief that
I find is for your Majesty to be pleased to order strictly that
the regulations made in regard to it be obeyed. [_Marginal note_:
"Have the governor notified to obey what is decreed regarding this."]
For the last two years it has been customary in these islands for
private persons residing here who have money and protection to despatch
their own small ships both to Macan and to Malaca, Sian, Camboja,
and other parts of this archipelago. Since they have the authority,
they send the best sailors that we have here in those ships. Thus
it occurs that we can get no hands, nor even the best soldiers, when
it is necessary to prepare them and fleets for the occasion of your
Majesty's service; for fleeing from the annoyances and ill treatment
that they experience, many absent themselves on such occasions. Verily,
there is not a leech that sucks out the blood from the body more than
these little ships do this camp of men. It would be very expedient for
your Majesty to order what measure is most fitting for your service;
for ¡f we weaken the body by our own hands, so that it will have but
little strength in time of need, and if this land is exhausted of men,
how can the enemy be resisted when they attack us? In truth, Sire,
I understand that the neighboring kingdoms of Macan, Japon, Malaca,
Sian, Camboja, and all the other lands, have so many Spaniards that
a great troop for your Majesty's service could be formed from them
alone. [_Marginal note_: "Have sent to the governor a relation of
this, and that he accordingly take upon himself the remedy for it,
since it is so important a matter that the soldiers that he shall
have do not leave there; and that he advise us of what shall be done."]
Lastly, I petition your Majesty to be pleased to have an answer written
to me regarding the matters of this letter that require a reply. For
since some of them concern the common welfare of the ministry, others
the special welfare of this church, and others that of this city,
I shall necessarily be forced to repeat them on all occasions until
I am certain that they have come to the notice of that royal Council
of your Majesty--whose very Catholic person may our Lord preserve
for the welfare of your kingdoms with the increase of many others,
as we your humble chaplains desire. Manila, July 30, 1621.
_Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano_,
archbishop of Manila.
[_Endorsed_: "Seen and decreed within. In the Council, September
30, 622."]
[The bull mentioned in the first part of the above letter follows:]
_Copy well and faithfully drawn of the bull in which his Holiness
concedes that the feast of Corpus Christi in Eastern Yndia and the
regions subject to the crown of Portugal, be anticipated or transferred
to another and more suitable day, besides other favors and privileges._
Antonius, by the divine mercy cardinal priest of the holy _Quatuor
Coronati_, [11] to the illustrious the most serene king of Portugale
and Algarbes, health in the Lord. According to the pledge of loyalty
enjoined upon us by the apostolic see, we willingly charge ourselves
with those matters whereby divine worship may everywhere be advanced,
the devotion of the faithful of Christ increased, and fitting regard
paid to the safety of their souls in the Lord.
In truth, the petition presented to us not long ago concerning your
interests stated that, since in the regions of the Indias, Ethiopia,
Arabia, and Persia (through favor of the divine clemency lately brought
under our rule), by reason of the difference of the seasons in those
countries, the day whereon the solemn feast of the sacrament of Corpus
Christi is celebrated, falls, according to ordinance of the universal
Church, in the winter time, wherefore it cannot be celebrated at that
season with due ceremonies and solemnity--[the faithful] are desirous
that the same feast be transferred to some other season outside of
winter, that it may be kept more fittingly and with greater honor.
Moreover, since the said countries are very far away from your kingdom
of Portugal, the cities and towns and provinces therein being also
at great distances from one another, it is therefore difficult for
any Catholic prelate either to pass thither from your said kingdom
of Portugal, or, if resident there, to go from one region to another,
and therein bless whatever things be needed for divine worship, as well
as purify the churches themselves, with their burial-places, that may
have been defiled through the shedding of human blood or seed; again,
since the holy oils, which everywhere are to be consecrated each year,
cannot because of the difficulty of the voyage thither be carried from
your said kingdom of Portugal, wherefore you are unable to have them
renewed according to church ordinance; again, as in cases of apostasy
from the orthodox faith of persons who subsequently, through divine
inspiration, are moved to return, as well as in regard to the many
Turks and Mahometans, or followers of other misbeliefs whatsoever,
who are desirous to embrace the same faith, there is no recourse
possible to the apostolic see, or to others in your said kingdom of
Portugal who are especially delegated therefor: hence do you humbly
petition the same see mercifully to make due provision therein for
yourselves and the peoples of the said countries under your care,
to the effect that all and singular the rectors of churches in those
countries may be granted full and free power to bless newly erected
churches and burial-places, to purify them when defiled, as well as
to use holy oils brought from Portugal, or consecrated by any prelate
in those countries, even five years previous; that moreover the same
rectors of churches in those countries also be empowered to reconcile
apostates from the faith, absolve them, and restore them to their
former state in all things, and through all.
Therefore, while commending in the Lord your praiseworthy desires
in this regard, being inclined also to favor you as in duty bound,
through the gracious authority of our lord the pope, whose charge
we fill as penitentiary, as well as through his special and express
command given us therein _viva voce_, we hereby do grant to all
and singular the venerable fathers in Christ, by the grace of God
bishops in those countries, as well as to you [and] your successors
respectively now and for the time being, or their vicars-general in
spirituals now and for the time being, the following powers, to wit:
That with the council of their respective clergy and people they be
empowered to transfer the said feast of the most holy Body of Christ
to another season of the year, outside of winter, when it may be
celebrated with due solemnities and ceremonies. That whosoever shall
take part in the celebration of the feast thus transferred may gain,
all and singular, the indulgences and graces which they would otherwise
gain were they present on the day set by the universal Church. That in
their respective churches, all and singular, the rectors of churches
and districts for the time, being may bless vestments, crosses,
images, or other church ornaments whatsoever that are needed or proper
in divine worship--not, however, chalices and patens. Moreover, that
wherever there is not present a Catholic prelate who is a bishop, they
may purify and bless the churches themselves, with their chapels and
burial-places, should they be defiled through the shedding of human
blood or seed, or any other things that have been blessed by any
bishop, or, in the absence of a bishop, by any person constituted in
church dignity, or by a rector of any parish church actually holding
the care of souls, provided they duly employ the proper rites usually
observed in such matters. Again, that they may use the holy oil brought
from Portugal within the previous five years, and, if consecrated by
any Catholic prelate in those countries, when it is three years old.
Besides, with regard to such persons as, having once received holy
baptism with the true faith of Christ, have fallen away therefrom,
but are now desirous to return, we grant full and free leave and
power to absolve the same from the heresy that they subsequently have
incurred, as often as in any manner they may have fallen therein,
as well as from whatsoever other faults and spots wherewith by reason
of human frailty they may be stained and marked; and to receive the
same back to the bosom of holy mother Church, and to restore them to
their former state in all things and through all, with the fulfilment,
however, of salutary penance for their fault--provided, however, that
these things are to be done by a bishop as often as one is present,
in the places where there is a bishop.
[These things are granted] notwithstanding any apostolic, provincial or
synodal decrees, or customs, or constitutions and ordinances of general
or particular councils, or other things whatsoever, to the contrary.
Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the seal of office of the
penitentiary, the XV Kalends of July in the third year of the
pontificate of our lord Paul III.
I, Gabriel de Muxica Buitran, secretary of his Excellency, Don Fray
Miguel Garcia Serrano, archbishop of the Filipinas and member of his
Majesty's council, and notary-public of the ecclesiastical court of
this archbishopric, attest and witness truly that this copy was drawn
from another that appears to have been authorized by the bishop of
Malaca, Don Goncalo de Silva, signed with his signature and sealed
with a seal, which appears to be that of his arms. This is a certain
and true copy, and has been corrected, revised, and collated with
the said original copy from which it was drawn. For its validity,
Don Juan de Cevicos, precentor in the holy metropolitan church of
this city of Manila, and judge-provisor and vicar-general in it and
its archbishopric for the said his Excellency, affixed his signature,
interposing his judicial authority and decree. It is sealed with the
smaller seal of the aforesaid. As witnesses at its correction and
revision were Father Thomas Saravia, secular priest, and Luis Mendes
de Leon, gospel priest, citizens and residents of this said city,
on July last, one thousand six hundred and twenty-one.
_Don Juan Cevicos_
In witness of truth:
_Gabriel de Muxica Buitran_