Sire:
In the ships which left here this year for Nueva Spaña I gave your
Majesty a long account of everything which, up to that time, could be
related, or which occurred to me, with duplicates of different letters,
therefore the most that I have to add today is the reception of your
Majesty's letter and your royal decrees. I have not done this before as
I had not sufficient leisure to examine them, or do so in the interval
allowed by the season. What I have to say at present concerning their
contents is, that I shall act in all respects, and carry out what your
Majesty orders therein, according to my ability, and as best I can,
and as is most expedient for your Majesty's service. In conformity
therewith and in due form, acts of obedience were rendered; and, in
some points which appear to me to demand more detailed explanation
than was given in that general answer, I will furnish it.
As to what your Majesty wrote to the Marques de Guadalcaxar, [21]
former viceroy of Nueva Spaña, in regard to [the statement] that on
the ship "San Nicolas" three hundred and thirty persons died on account
of its late departure from these islands, all that I can say is that,
since a person of his position and character undertook to write it,
he should certainly have first informed himself thoroughly in the
matter. Although I was present at the despatching of this ship and
went out with it well outside of Cavite, it did not appear to me that,
in regard to the people who were going, the ship was carrying half [of
its quota]; for at most there are accustomed to go with the officers
usually seventy seamen and gunners, more or less, according to the
tonnage of the ships, although the number mentioned is for a ship
of very large tonnage. With these there usually go as many more,
Indians from this country, as common seamen, and some slaves that
the said officers and the passengers are allowed to take with them
for their service, paying the duties which are usually paid to your
Majesty. The passengers are usually kept down to as small a number as
possible; and if so many died as is affirmed in the supposed relation,
they were not Spaniards, because of these not many died. They must
have been negroes and slaves, who were hidden after embarkation by
those who took them aboard, with an eye to the great gain which there
usually is in this, by saving the cost and the duties that they owe,
when the royal officials at Acapulco are friends of theirs, or those
who thus convey slaves are of the household of the viceroy. [22]
In so far as concerns their departure, the regulation of that is
not at present in the power of the governor of these islands; for
the enemy are accustomed to come hither, as has been evident during
the little more than three years while I have been here; they have
come twice, and I am likewise expecting them now--and always with
at least twice the fleet and troops that we have. Every day they are
gaining more strength, as is seen by the presence of so many of them
on this coast. The ships from China do not come, and it is with their
merchandise that our ships must go to Nueva Spaña. We are, moreover,
obliged to keep the small vessels which can be manned, ready for war,
in order to compel the enemy not to divide their forces and thus
inflict the damage which, without this check, they would accomplish;
and in order to fight with them, offering them an opportunity to do
so even though they might obtain from us some advantage, which might
be made up by the gain [of keeping them in check]. As we had to attend
to this and then direct our efforts to fitting up the ships for Nueva
Spaña--shutting up the gun-ports, and changing the vessels so that they
are suitable for merchant ships, and even at times enlarging them and
increasing the conveniences within, and waiting until the amount of the
merchandise has been completed, so that they may carry it--we could not
get them off so quickly as was wished, nor upon an appointed day as
before, when there was no war, and when at Christmas we used to have
thirty or forty ships from China. The viceroy can inform you of this,
for he too can ascertain this through the relations, as well as I.
As for the memorial which your Majesty orders me to send touching the
diminution of the quantity of silver which comes from Nueva Spaña to
these islands, having looked into the matter it appears to me that
not only is this design a proper one, but that it is very necessary
to bring about this result; for I judge that only with the utmost
difficulty can the drain of so much silver every year from that
country and those mines be continued. They, too, are being exhausted
like those of other countries, and the natives are diminishing; so
that the silver is obtained in the most costly and scanty fashion,
to be carried hither and go away to lie in the treasure-house of the
king of China. I did not neglect to consider this when I proposed to
your Majesty that the trade of these islands with Nueva Spaña should
be exclusive of silk and woven goods, except linen and other products
of this country, which are not of great importance; for although the
coming of silver from there would not thus be altogether stopped,
there is no doubt that it would be less, and we would avoid the
drain from España by the French, English, and Flemish, of what they
are accustomed to take away [in payment] for the linens which they
carry thither to sell, and this saving would pass to the Yndias, as
I have explained more at length in the letter which treats of this,
a copy of which accompanies the present. If this is done, there will
undoubtedly be more trade with Xapon, with the opportunity given by the
silk trade; and in this manner we might continue establishing a trade
so that the linen trade with Nueva Spaña might also be restricted,
if linens for Indias could be more advantageously provided by some
other part of España.
Although in the memorial there is a matter which demands so
much attention as the depopulation of a town like Macan, and the
difficulties are set forth arising from its occupation by the Dutch
or English, and their admission [to trade] by the Chinese--who,
with their greediness, would seek the profit which they formerly
gained from the Portuguese, thus destroying, at a single stroke, the
commerce of this country with Nueva Spaña, which is the means whereby
all who reside here support themselves--to do so would appear a matter
of the most difficulty. It would seem necessary and requisite for the
[preservation of the] Japanese trade to transport some or the greater
part of those people [of Macao] to the province of Nueva Segovia,
or to the island of Hermosa, getting a foothold there whence we might
better continue and carry on the navigation from China to that place
and from there to Xapon, and not from here; for silks are already
as high in this city as in Nangasaqui, on account of the danger from
enemies which the Chinese risk in coming here. It has appeared best
to me not to make any hasty decision in this matter without informing
myself more thoroughly and considering it, so that I may be better
able to state my judgment to your Majesty by the first ships which
shall be despatched, by the favor of God. While my opinion is that,
in the meantime, no more definite plan or decision should be adopted,
there is no more effective remedy for limiting the drain from Nueva
Spaña through this country than to regulate the capacity and cargoes of
the ships which go from here; because if they are large they are bound
to be filled, even though it be with clothing and useful articles for
households, and they must bring back the price of these things, cost
what they may. But if they are smaller vessels they cannot take on so
large cargoes, and accordingly what is bought to be carried in them,
as less has to be bought for this purpose, is cheaper, and, as not
so much is carried, it brings a higher price in Nueva Spaña; in this
manner, therefore, the investment of ten is worth as much as that of
twenty going in large ships, and it is rather profit than loss for the
citizens here, and likewise for the service of your Majesty--although
the citizens of the city of Mexico who have correspondents and secret
factors here will be affected by it, because they will not obtain so
large a portion of the investment and the cheap cargo, as the people
here will need all that the ships can carry. This is all I can say
regarding this at present.
As for what your Majesty writes me concerning the factor and inspector,
Diego de Castro Lisson, in the matter of this office of accounts,
in which relation your Majesty orders me to appoint to the office of
accountant thereof someone who is a fit person, I will say that you
may have information as to what the said Diego de Castro Lisson is,
as he was already in your service when I arrived here. I do not find
him, but in his place Luis de Vera Encalada, a person who for this
office or any other of this profession, or one of trust, ought not
to be preferred to Juan de Messa Suero, if the latter were not dead
(as I have explained to your Majesty in another letter). As for your
Majesty making the choice and appointment of this office, there will
be no other difficulty than that the salary must be larger--as the
authority will be, if the appointment is from the royal hand of your
Majesty--and the business is of so little importance and no profit;
for although he is called accountant of accounts, in my opinion
he is coming to be the director thereof, since the examination and
decision of difficulties or additions is made by us, the president,
two auditors, and a fiscal.
The offices which, being vacant, are filled in the interim until your
Majesty shall grant the appointment and favor thereof have been in
my term merely for half the salary, without the person who served in
them in this way having received any allowance for expenses, in any
manner whatsoever; nor is there anything here with which to make such
allowance, and I have understood that this has always been the case.
The memorial of the pilot Gaspar Conquero, which treats of the
exploring of the island of Oro, which is here called Rica de Oro,
has been examined; and as soon as he makes this port, or there is any
other person suitable for conducting this exploration, and to be given
the island as an encomienda, I shall do so as your Majesty orders.
As for what your Majesty orders to the effect that I should inform
you of the wound which was given Captain Matheo des Villerias, all
I can say is that on the night when it was given I sent to tell the
auditor, Don Alvaro de Messa, that he should conduct the investigation,
and take the proper measures; but he did not do so, although there
was no reason which should hinder him; accordingly, not to lose any
time in this, the auditor Hieronimo de Legaspi undertook the work,
and before him the case was tried. No guilt was charged against any
one, although the wounded man said that he conjectured that it was
Captain Silvestre de Aybar. Afterward his suspicion was changed, and
he told me personally that he suspected Admiral Don Luis de Cordova;
and, although we could not be sure that it was he, the presumption was
stronger since it was learned that Captain Villerias had spoken very
ill of matters which concerned the viceroy Marques de Guadalcacar,
to whose party the said Don Luis de Cordova belongs. Villerias had
another quarrel of this sort with the latter, after which they were
quite friendly. This is not the first trouble which has happened to
Villerias on account of having talked and interfered too much, but he
has had other and more important ones. This would not be any too small
to be worth judicial consideration if the matter could be cleared
up, and if the occasion which, it is said, he gave for his wound by
speaking thus concerning the said marques, could be ascertained.
I have not been able to learn in these islands that there are any
Jerominian, Benedictine, Carmelite, Trinitarian, or Victorian friars
here, although I have tried to exercise the care which your Majesty
directs in this regard.
In accordance with the contents of another decree of August 25, of
the past year 620, it appears that your Majesty has been informed that
the reason why the ships left these islands for Nueva Spaña later than
in past years was because the president and auditors were interested,
and principal shippers therein. The truth is, that their not leaving
earlier was due to the coming of the enemy with large fleets to these
coasts, and to the fact that the ships which bring the merchandise for
these shipments [to Nueva Spaña] were late or did not come for fear
of the enemy (as I have already written to you more at length and in
detail), and likewise on account of negotiations and agreements between
the auditors and the present president. I will swear to it that the
report which has been made to your Majesty on this point is untrue,
because I was not brought up in the households or under the instruction
of merchants, but in the good way of military exercises, as were my
ancestors. It must be evident to your Majesty, as the property that
I possess could well attest, that it would be very well for me if it
were increased by the amounts that are lacking and pledged.
As for the property of deceased persons, this treasury has a judge,
on which account I have less knowledge of its administration--although
whenever opportunity offers and it is expedient to take any action
regarding it, I do so according to my duty, and before your Majesty
orders it, as he does order in the decree which treats of this. I made
strenuous efforts not to have individual depositaries appointed for
this property; but not only in this but likewise in the court fines,
and other condemnations and various deposits which ought to enter into
the said treasury, and into the royal treasury and general depositary
in each case where it is concerned, there has been no way of forcing
the auditor Hieronimo de Legaspi to cease making the deposits with
various persons that they might have the profit thereof. For it is
plain and well known that as my occupation keeps me most of the time
encumbered with duties outside of the Audiencia, and often outside
of the city, in my absence these things are done, and others which
should not be. I attempt to correct them, although I do not hope for
amendment from the licentiate Legaspi in this matter of money and
other very unlawful things, ill-befitting his office and his age,
the illegal character of his acts eliciting many complaints which I
have received. I have received a memorial, a copy of which I send
with this, containing more than forty separate heads against him,
and offering proof of them--which, although they are not unknown
or secret things, it will be no little matter to prove against an
auditor while holding his office. Since I have given your Majesty at
other times an account of this person, although summarily, I shall not
say any more of him in this letter; yet more may be said concerning
both him and the auditor Alvaro de Messa. The latter is still in
[the convent of] Ssancto Domingo, stirring up trouble and revolution,
as is his nature, and making people jealous of me--sowing discord and
untrue and evil words to this end, and to destroy my reputation and
render null my services; and afterward to go back and gather them up
in sworn statements and depositions in documents, as a public matter,
without considering that this act of his is insubordination. With this,
and as he has gone so far as to seek false depositions against me--as
is evident from the true ones which I have sent your Majesty--I do
not think that anything further can be said concerning a professing
Christian. Nor can we live in safety and honor where such infernal
actions are committed, if they be not punished and corrected by your
Majesty's just and powerful hand--by ordering that with him shall also
be rebuked the friars of that convent, who not only keep the said
doctor in their house and aid him in his actions against my person
and office, but also give refuge with the same object to a certain
Pedro de Lussara and one Pedro Alvarez, his men, who are working in
his cause. I have given your Majesty other reports of this; but they
interfere so much in this government and in the desire to command,
that at times I have been in fear lest it was not the affairs of their
missions and the Sangleys for which they wish to do everything, and
lest some disturbance should arise that would demand punishment. If
they could be relieved from some of the excessive ardor that they have,
and the desire to go out into secular life with their own lawsuits
and quarrels, seeking to have every one fear them and esteem their
friendship, in other respects they would be the best friars which I
have seen in the Indias.
As for the review of accounts which the said factor and inspector
Diego de Castro Lisson had in charge, I refer you to the report
which he will make or has made, as he has told me, giving the
reasons why he has not continued therein. In the second place, I
have learned that it is a matter of no little importance that this
should be done quite thoroughly and fully--if not for the property
that might be taken from him, yet to put into better condition the
documents and despatches of his department, by which a great amount
will be gained at once forever. It is also equally necessary that the
intelligence and energy of him who comes for this purpose should be
greater [than that of the said factor]; and the inspector-general,
Thomas de Yvio Calderon, is not a person of sufficient prominence,
nor is he discreet enough, for an affair of the greatest importance
to the service of your Majesty--although his standing is not a poor
one, and if a higher position were conferred on him, with the honors
and favors that your Majesty might give him, everything might be
well arranged. I dare say that I have information of no other person
who is more suitable, by his abilities and qualifications, which are
well known and have been shown in the service of your Majesty; and I
have such information concerning his conduct of affairs that I should
consider him very good for you to approve for this commission. If your
Majesty shall decide to send anyone to do this work, I warn you, in
order that he may fulfil his duties with exactness, as is due to the
service of your Majesty, that he should not come as subordinate to or
dependent upon the Audiencia or the governor, if it can be avoided;
but his only business should be to separate entanglements and untie
the knots. It will be no less unadvisable to have him remain here
with an office or allowance; for in such case he would not wish to
offend many persons, but would conciliate their good-will. If your
Majesty will accept mine, you will pardon me for being longer in the
answer than was the question.
As for several points mentioned in the royal decree of your Majesty
of the twelfth of December, one thousand six hundred and ten--by
which persons who come with the viceroys, governors, presidents,
captains-general, auditors, and royal officials, are prohibited
and incapacitated from receiving the favors and rewards of offices,
encomiendas, and other things which are usually given to those who
serve and labor; and preference over other claimants is given to the
sons and descendants of conquistadors, and likewise of the settlers;
and it is directed that for the distribution of the said favors or
rewards the new order and form should be followed which your Majesty
ordains in the said decree, taking away the power from those who
before held it in this matter, and giving what was held by them to the
auditors and fiscals--it has seemed best to me to inform your Majesty
of what presents itself to me in this regard, so that concerning all
this you may provide and command what is most suitable for your royal
service, and for the divine service, in behalf of which the former
is conducted.
This country is most distant from España of any which is known in
the world and it, with the persons who inhabit and maintain it,
are today the most borne down with troubles of all the Indias; for
here is the force of the war which is not felt there, and between
so many nations as are our neighbors, who can wage and maintain it;
it seems, therefore, as if no person who is free to do what he will,
and who aspires to honor and fortune, would come here to serve,
without expectation of those rewards, if he were able to do it
nearer the eye of your Majesty and of his fatherland. For if it is
true that hitherto there have been many of this kind who have come,
it has been in the hope that after three years they could leave,
entering the honored or profitable occupations which they might
have merited. The official persons with whom they came, or to whose
land they belonged, and who were friendly, or appreciative of their
abilities and qualifications, would help them, nor did it appear
that favor would be extended unjustly. All the more now, when on
every hand is barred any one of this class of persons who would
desire to come; only those come whom some misdeed or ill-fortune
drives into this land, and those who legally come to trade and live
as merchants, and those whom the royal Audiencia of Mexico sends by
way of condemnation, besides the people for our defense, and who are
levied in companies in the markets and fairs of that city. And with
these people there would come no noblemen of good parts and honored
character, or many accomplished soldiers with merits acquired in war,
such as the viceroys, governors, and other officers of this sort who
come to serve your Majesty are accustomed to bring with them--without
any suspicion that they ought not to do so, for the importance of
having such men is already known, and is all the greater on account
of the more occasions for war and other emergencies. I assure your
Majesty that it is a well-known and evident fact that there are in
this city honored knights and persons of excellent qualities, merits,
and abilities, worthy of esteem. I assure you that it is also true
that almost all of them came attached to the persons who filled
the said offices, and attracted by their promises and expectations,
whereby this country was greatly distinguished. This could not have
been said if such persons had not come here, but we would already be
very destitute of nobility without them, and would even have forgotten
the way to carry on and fulfil their duties.
That the sons and descendants of conquistadors and original settlers
should be preferred to those who are more recent and have not rendered
greater services is a just and holy thing, especially in the peaceful
countries of the Indias. But if this preeminence in life and in the
favor of your Majesty is granted to them in consideration of the
services which their ancestors have rendered in their conquests and
pacifications, and on occasions of wars which were there carried on,
it also appears just that present services which are being rendered
in this land on occasions of war here and upon these seas, ought
not to take their position behind those of the ancestors. For it is
certain that the services of today are more important, on account
of the greater need which there is for them, and because the creole
sons and descendants of conquistadors or colonists claim the favors
entirely in consideration of this (although there are not many who
show their deserts by continuing their services), going so far as to
demand that those who served Terrenate should have no recognition in
granting the favors and encomiendas of this country, as if there were
anything to provide them with in those islands. I beseech your Majesty
to command that your royal will be declared in this matter--although,
for my part, I have understood that it is those whose services are
the greater, whether in the present or the past, who should have the
first or greater reward, considering the quality of those services,
the rank of the persons, and their abilities and character.
In the distribution of the offices, encomiendas, and other rewards
and favors which are given in the name of your Majesty to those who
serve who deserve them, the auditors and fiscals hold the authority,
and the viceroys, governors, and captains-general lose what they
used to possess. There will surely be great difficulties from this,
and much greater in this country where there is so much war, and
in others where war shall arise, than in the other parts of the
Indias, which are tranquil and quiet and enjoy peace. For if in
them all the offices and occupations are of advantage and utility,
and for that reason sought through different methods, and on this
account there are many worthy persons to receive them, among whom
to choose, therefore this new order ought to be put into operation
[there]. In this country it is different, because most of them are
engaged in the exercise and labor of war, and there are by no means
too many men for the needs thereof; it thus necessarily results that,
as certain offices are demanded for them, those who appoint to these
are importuned; but here it has to be the governor who importunes,
and who is under obligation to the persons of ability and services,
who are charged with matters which are important. And if beside this,
and besides employing them in dangerous affairs and commissions (liable
to result in an unfortunate end and the loss of life and reputation
through the mutations of fortune which they encounter), if, when they
have carried these out well, the governor cannot be satisfied with
this for them, nor with good will, being under obligation to reward
them, if they do not hold from him the other said offices which
belong to the Audiencia (which is almost always ill-disposed toward
the governor), it will bring about great trouble, not only for those
who seek to toil and win merit, but likewise for the governors, who,
without the aid of such men, could not fulfil their obligations. And
as these services and merits are for the most part acquired in war,
almost always most of these men are counting on rewards, and upon
binding in this manner their captain-general, without having recourse
to submissions or other negotiations. It will be seldom that there
is not some ill-feeling in the Audiencia--now for having proceeded
in the said manner, and again for not having complied with the claims
of every leader and proprietor--but only to the governor. If, on the
one hand, there is this annoyance, and the familiar entrance into his
house in order to seek the offices and rewards; and, on the other,
the entrance into those of the auditors and other persons mentioned
in the said decree--it would necessarily be here, where there is not
much from which to choose, that we would have to give assistance to
those who, on account of their low condition or incapacity, are not
esteemed or well known.
Besides the above arguments, I wish to furnish the latest example
of the difficulty which was experienced here is the previous year
of 617, as there were so many who had to decide the allotment of
offices. This was when Don Joan Ronquillo, with that great fleet,
went out and fought the one that the enemy maintained along these
coasts. As each one of them [_i.e._, the auditors and fiscal] sought
the best galleon and the most prominent post for his relative or
favorite, the galleons were divided among these, ignoring persons
who could manage them better than some of those who were chosen. No
admiral was appointed for the fleet, from which resulted no advantage,
but rather injury--and there might have been more if the commander
of the fleet had died, as might have happened, and each one would
have sought to take his place, as this was not specified. This
[same defect] was found in the ordinances which the Audiencia of
Mexico issued, with so many opinions, when the government was in its
charge, that your Majesty ordered them to be repealed and amended,
as they were so insufficient for such emergencies; and because it
was so evident and certain (as it likewise is to my knowledge) that
through the power which appoints those who serve, and punishes them
when they are in the wrong, they ought to be rewarded when they are
right. For otherwise the governor and captain-general would be the
man who persuades or compels them to serve and labor, and it would
be the auditors who must reward them; for it is in their power to say
who are competent and who not, without its remaining in the power of
the governor to do more than make a proposition in their favor--which
would be of no force if two auditors joined against his opinion,
as they almost always do. Such persons, therefore, would very seldom
succeed in obtaining the reward of their services; and this office
of governor and captain-general would become the most down-trodden,
wearisome, and undignified of all that your Majesty has in his pay
and service--and it should be well considered that the office today
is one of the most laborious and least profitable, when it is served
as it should be, considering its importance. Your Majesty will make
suitable provision, adding to these observations the fact that the
prestige of España has been greatly endangered by the lack of troops
and money in parts so distant from aid, and in a country which has so
many enemies--the worst in this respect being those who are nearest,
and who are able to make the most cruel thrusts at our honor, directed
and guided by the auditors, without their heeding truth or conscience,
and of which I have already often complained to your Majesty. If the
said auditors are to be given still greater authority, whether it be
for conferring benefits or taking them away, your Majesty will see how
they will treat his president and those who are helping him. Moreover,
if authority be taken away from him, in place of being given to him
for his greater honor and so that he may be able to carry on better
the labors and duties of this office [it may be doubted whether]
persons of the ability that is needed for that position will be
willing to risk inconveniences and losses so obvious--it being certain
that a man is necessary here of integrity and accomplishments and of
excellent abilities; he must also be proficient in various professions
and functions for which occasions continually arise here, so that
he must practice and exercise them. Then in regard to property the
greatest difficulty of all is touched--that is, to need it and not
to have it; for it is necessary to spend all the year and all one's
life in contriving. In regard to war it is the same thing, since
there are so many occasions for it here, and the forces and means to
enable him to carry out what he would undertake are lacking; nor can
he show who is at the head of the enterprise and has in charge what
means are available for his purposes. He must also be accomplished
with weapons, and experienced in the preparation and management of
marine affairs and artillery, for here the governor must be almost
always, and in most affairs of these islands, the head master; for
it is not the same as in España, where each office has its own man,
but in the affairs of government it is certain that this is the most
difficult office that is known. For the greater the obligation, and
the less the means for fulfilling it, so much greater is the labor and
so many more are the demands; and the less there is to give them, the
more captious and more numerous are the complaints and discontents,
which they both utter and write, that they have never seen a worse
governor. Nor are there lacking friars to help them, who preach the
same thing with great effect--all the more if by chance something
which the friars have asked for has been denied them.
Other reasons beside those that I have given could be added to this
effect, which I do not set down, as the city are doing it on their
own part. I beg your Majesty to have all these matters examined
and considered, and to decree what is most fitting for your royal
service--in attention to which it has seemed to me just, fitting,
and proper to make this representation and supplication.
I once more beg your Majesty to have examined and considered what
this city so often requested from you, for a long time before I
came here, in regard to releasing them from the Audiencia--although,
as I have said in other letters, I shall not enjoy this relief from
the burden which is resting upon and is, in every way, irksome to
all the people. I shall refrain from bringing forward this claim
again, but I assure your Majesty that the Audiencia does more harm
than good, as is manifest from the many arguments adduced in regard
to this matter; and there is justice there for no one, except when
it suits the pleasure or convenience of some auditor or auditors,
because the more care is exercised to make them administer justice,
the more they pervert it when they wish to, using the freedom to vote
which belongs to them. On the occasion of the unfortunate event which
happened to me on the night of the twelfth of May past [23]--and it
was so important and serious an affair, as your Majesty already knows,
or will learn by the judicial record and papers regarding the matter,
which I despatched by way of Nueva Spaña and am now despatching via
India--they made (although I am their president) no more demonstration
against the agents, go-betweens, and apologists who were guilty in
this affair than if it had concerned the most wretched and degraded
of the Chinamen who go about here. As it was my own case, and as I
was satisfied in regard to the principal matter that concerned me
(thanks be to God), I did not wish to exercise my authority in the
case; but it may be seen to what lengths the blindness of their
desires and passions leads them.
I have already despatched the supplies to Terrenate, and to the island
of Panay. The larger ships of this expedition will carry the cargo
that is to be brought thence, and the smaller vessels will go to
join the larger ones with the supplies from here inside of two days,
with the aid of God; may He convey in safety the relief for those
places. It is quite sufficient, and is sent earlier than in former
years--although there are not many soldiers for it, on account of
the number which I have sent in past years, and because we have here
a very small force. I have had good news from those forts that, for
the present, they have no enemies, according to what they write from
there, thanks to His Divine Majesty.
In the principal island of the Celeves, otherwise known as that of
Matheo, and by still others as that of Macazar, [24] as the chief man
of that island is lord of that region, there is, at a certain point
of it, a strait which makes an islet. This waterway was recently
discovered, and by it there is a better route to Terrenate than
was formerly followed. According to the information given me a post
can be occupied there, whereby this passage (which is very narrow)
can be guarded, and the enemy be prevented from using it. Likewise
your Majesty will have shelter for his vessels, and a foothold
in that country, which abounds with meat and rice. This would be
very useful and convenient for sending supplies thence to Terrenate,
during the whole year. During most seasons of the year the voyage from
Macazar to the islands of Panay and the Pintados, or to this island,
can be made. As there have been some Spaniards and friars there,
and this was pleasing to those Indians and their master; and as they
are receiving the water of holy baptism in considerable numbers, and
have now shown signs that they are troubled at the lack of religious;
and as the Spaniards have retired by the order of Master-of-camp
Don Luis de Bracamonte--it has appeared best to me to send again
some men and a couple of religious of the Order of St. Francis,
together with Captain Francisco Melendez Marques, who has been very
well received and is much liked by the said Indians. I ordered him
that, through friendship, or in whatever way he could best do it,
he should strive to win their good-will, so that they might not
only consent to give us a place where fortifications might be built,
which would be a sufficient foundation for greater works, but that
they should also aid in that labor; and that he should use and take
possession of the site as soon as it should be conceded to him, or
as soon and as fully as possible. Or having examined and chosen the
spot, he should leave it until I should be able to send the troops
and what was necessary therefor. For the said purpose he took nearly
a thousand pesos in money, or in stuffs and other articles which are
most valued there. I take it that this is a thing more than expedient;
and, if I had been informed of it before, I would have tried to do
this earlier. I shall be glad if your Majesty is satisfied and pleased
with it, as in all I desire to win your approval.
The chief captain of Ffernanbuc, [25] Martin Dessosa de San Pago,
and his wife and three children, who were prisoners in the hands of
the Dutch, I have had exchanged for prisoners whom I held here. He
and his household are going with their goods in the galliots which
are now leaving this city for Yndia.
I also freed from the same captivity Captain Miguel de Sequeira
Sañudo, who also has already set out for Yndia, by the "Aura" [_i.e._,
"Breeze"], of Macan. As for the stuffs and merchandise which remained
to be got out of the ship called "Nuestra Señora de La Vida," which was
wrecked, a great deal more of its cargo has been unloaded than what I
informed your Majesty of in the last despatch which I sent by way of
Nueva Spaña. All the artillery that was in it was likewise taken out;
and I have ordered it to be conveyed to a shipyard in this island,
where two ships are being built, which were already necessary to
supply the place of the old ones. There is no anxiety about raising
money for the future when the Indians are helping with a good will,
as they are doing now; and this work is being paid for, as well as
that on some galliots or little galleys, of seventeen benches each,
which also I am having built, as I save in that way half the crew,
and they are sufficient for this country and its coasts. There are no
other vessels belonging to the enemy that can secure any advantage
over them, for our vessels, to aid in fighting, can carry very
good artillery; and, as for going about where occasion arises to
punish or intimidate the Indians, they are excellent--although for
attacking the vessels with which those called Mindanaos, Xoloans,
and Camucones (who are bad neighbors of ours) usually sally out, we
need other boats like theirs. But if we had a fourth of their number,
and a couple of these galliots, they would not dare to await attack,
even though as many of their ships as could be found in their islands
were assembled, as has lately been seen; for some of these tribes
having recently been tardy [in their payment of tributes], when we
sent a galley with four or five smaller boats from here we could find
no more of them, although the sargento-mayor Don Fernando de Silva,
who went out for this purpose, is even now in search of them.
In the last few days, news has come from the province of Nueva
Segovia that some Indians on four or six of the encomiendas there
had fled to the woods, driving away the religious and burning
the churches. Although it is not a thing to create much anxiety,
I thought best to despatch immediately, without losing an hour of
time, Admiral Joan Baptista de Molina, with a sufficient number of
soldiers--some Spaniards, and some from the province of Panpanga--for
their pacification and the punishment of the leaders and the guilty
ones, for it is well to quench the fire, however small it may be,
before it extends and increases. On the other hand the enemy's
greatest desire is to see these natives disaffected toward us, and
disposed to favor them, as they have intimated to some who were in
their power, and whom afterward they set free--[telling them] that
they levy no tributes from them, nor have they any friars to flog the
Indians, nor any religious teaching; on this they base their hopes
of limiting our power in this land, which without this means they
cannot expect. It is necessary on the one hand to punish severely the
presumption of these natives, and on the other not to afflict them or
make them desperate. It is very certain, thanks be to God, that for
my own part I have kept them all contented, favored, and well paid,
without consenting that, even for the service of your Majesty, they
should suffer any oppression; and they prove this by the contentment
in which they live and with which they aid [me] in every way, as is
well known. There must be in that court [of España] enough persons,
both religious and laymen, who have gone from here who can tell
you this. But all this is not enough, nor even holding in check
the alcaldes-mayor, encomenderos, and collectors, if the ministers
in the missions will not treat them well. For it is not sufficient
to protect them from the oppressions of the passing Spaniards, who
will be forgotten, if on the other hand they are liable--on account
of their service, or for some displeasure, or for gain, or because
they do not know as much theology as the others--to be flogged or
put in the stocks, and to suffer other hardships, which they feel,
even though they are Indians. These fathers of St. Dominic are not
their least oppressors, although I do not know whether they take
from them anything which is of importance; and they favor them much
and even at times in a manner not very honorable. The friars serve as
protectors to them and inspire them to boldness; and now by this path
of protection, and again by that of punishment, the Indians are all
being brought to recognize them as powerful lords, in both spiritual
and temporal matters. So far has this gone that, if the alcalde-mayor
orders anything, even though it be just and necessary and for the
service of your Majesty, if the friar orders something else, it must
be as the latter desires, at least for the time being, until a more
urgent order is issued. Your Majesty will be pleased to consider what
is best to decree in regard to this for the future, as I am applying
the most gentle and expedient means and correctives for the present.
According to the distribution of licenses to Sangleys, it appears that
the care which I took to reduce the number of those here has had a
good effect, and that they have gone back to their own country. For,
as strict measures were taken to the effect that all those in this
country should not remain here without securing licenses, a much
smaller number of these have been issued this year than last. Likewise
a large part of the Japanese have been expelled, so that for a long
time there have not been so few of them here as now. I sent an order
and what was necessary for the fortification at Oton, and had that
port put in a state of defense. The same thing is being done with
the fort at Cavite, as I wrote to your Majesty.
In the same way we are steadily engaged in repairing and equipping the
ships, not only the capitana and the almiranta, but the ship which
this year came from Nueva Spaña, and another small ship and three
galleys. I do not know whether they can be manned, but everything
is being prepared for any emergency that may arise. What we cannot
make is money and Spaniards, the lack of the latter being the most
serious; and I have many times represented to your Majesty that the
aid from Nueva Spaña has come in scanty measure, as if from one who
was not obliged to give an account of this matter. The infantry, of
whom a very small number have come, are in such a state that I would
be glad if most of them had remained there; and, in short, counting
them all--aside from those who are crippled, and those housed in the
forts here and at Cavite--they do not amount to seven hundred and
fifty in all these companies, as appears from the certified official
statements which I send with this. Deducting those who are usually left
in the ports, and the number who are ordinarily sick in the hospital,
there will be barely enough to defend the capitana and almiranta,
two galleys, and a patache (or another galley in its place), if they
are also accompanied by some respectable citizens and persons who are
anxious to serve and merit reward. There are not yet here, however,
the usual number of unpaid soldiers--who are here called "irregulars"
[_extravagantes_] because nearly all of them are so, and serve in these
companies; but now, when there are not many troops, they are thus
far well provided and paid, and are content, thanks be to God. With
their help, when occasion arises, I hope that the soldiers will do
their duty very well; and for such time I shall collect all that I can
of those whom I have mentioned who are off duty, and likewise those
who are to return to carry on their work in the mines of the Indians
who are called Igolotes, the neighbors of those in Pangasinan. With
the help which has been offered me by Doctor Don Juan de Rrenteria,
bishop of Nueva Segovia and of that region, who displays a zeal for
the service of your Majesty conformable to his obligations, my hopes
have increased for the good results which I desire in this. May God
our Lord, for whom it is done, grant us this and all other things,
and protect the Catholic person of your Majesty, according to the
needs of Christendom. Manila, December 10, 1621.
With the arrival of a ship which has come from Xapon to the island of
Mariveles, at the mouth of this bay (whence I do not know where it
went), I received the letters which came for me. I learned by them
that nine armed ships were ready to sail from that country to join
on this coast two others which came out earlier to cruise along the
coast of China. It appears, however, that they certainly have left
Xapon, as this was made known and affirmed by a Dutch factor, who
fled from them in Malayo. His declaration accompanies this letter,
to the effect that this fleet is already equipped, and that it has
been detached merely to come to these coasts to rob the ships from
China, and to bring about an encounter with those from Nueva Spaña,
keeping a place to retire to and fit up in some Japanese ports. I
am not surprised if this also is true, as it has been learned from
many besides this factor that the Flemish and English nations have
a hundred vessels and more in these parts, besides those that are
expected, and are said to be coming. But God is before and above
all. Your Majesty will arrange and decree what is most suitable;
meantime, while I live, and remain here, I shall do what I can, and,
with the divine favor, I expect no evil result.
_Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca_
[_Endorsed_: "See whether this letter is a duplicate, for it is old."]