_An act decreeing that the alguazils-mayor and their deputies shall
make the rounds every night._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of January,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands
declared that, whereas it has come to their knowledge that neither
do the alguazils-mayor of this court and city, nor their deputies,
make their rounds throughout the city, as they are under obligation to
do--as a result of which, murders, robberies, and other lawless acts
and crimes occur daily, to the great injury of the citizens: therefore,
to remedy this state of affairs and provide this community with the
necessary guard and order, they ordered, and they did so order, the
said alguazils-mayor and their deputies to be notified that they must
make their rounds during the night, as they are under obligation to do
in this city, without fail, under penalty of a fine of ten pesos of
common gold--to be applied, as soon as anyone shall be condemned for
disobeying this decree, in equal shares to the two royal hospitals
of this city--for the Spaniards and for the natives--in addition to
the loss and interest to any parties which may result and occur. By
this act, they so provided, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that there shall be in the courtroom, a list of
the charges fixed by the royal tariff, and that each notary shall
keep one in his house._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas the king our sovereign, in his royal ordinances, decrees
and orders that a list of the charges fixed by the royal tariff be
placed in the court-room, and that likewise each notary whom it shall
concern shall keep a copy in his house, for its better observation
and execution: therefore, in order that the aforesaid may be exactly
fulfilled, they ordered, and they did so order, a complete copy of
the said royal tariff to be made by this royal Audiencia. It shall
be set forth in a list, and placed in the court-room; and all the
notaries and persons mentioned therein, and those whom it may concern,
shall make a copy, and keep the same in their houses and affixed to a
tablet in some public place, where it may be seen by those transacting
business. This they shall do and fulfil within one week after this
act shall have been made known to them, under penalty of a fine of
six pesos of common gold; and anyone incurring this penalty shall
pay this sum immediately--half of which shall be set aside for the
poor in the prisons, and the other half for the Spanish hospital in
this city--beside incurring and undergoing the penalties contained
in the said royal ordinances. By this act they so provided, ordered,
and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that within four months the royal officials shall
close up the accounts held by the royal treasury._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of January,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas it has come to their knowledge that in the royal accountancy
of the king our sovereign there are, at this very day, many accounts
to be balanced and closed of individuals who owe the royal treasury a
large sum of gold pesos, and others to whom money is due--whence has
resulted, and results, the lack therein of the system and management
which should be observed in the said royal exchequer: therefore,
in order that on this account no losses may result, and that the
matter may receive its due consideration, they ordered, and they
did so order, that the official judges of the royal treasury of
the king our sovereign, in these islands, within the four months
first following the day on which they shall have been notified of
this act, shall balance and close each and every account that the
royal treasury holds with any individuals of these islands. They
are warned that whoever shall not so fulfil and execute his orders,
after the expiration of said time, will be charged with everything,
and ordered to pay all accounts not balanced and liquidated. By this
act they so declared, ordered and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that all the officials of the royal Audiencia shall
take copies of the royal ordinances._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of January,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas, in one of the royal ordinances, it is ordered that all the
officials of this royal Audiencia, and other persons whom they concern,
shall keep in their possession a copy of the said ordinances; therefore
they ordered, and they did so order, that within thirty days after the
publication of this act, each of the said officials shall take a copy
of the said royal ordinances and keep it in his possession; and each
one, so far as he is concerned, shall observe and execute them, as his
Majesty orders therein, under the penalties therein contained--under
the penalty that if, after the expiration of said time, the said copy
has not been made, they shall be immediately convicted and fined in
the sum of six pesos of common gold, the latter being applied to the
court-rooms of this royal Audiencia. By this act they so declared,
ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that no alcalde-in-ordinary, notary, commissioner,
attorney, or any other official of this royal Audiencia, or of the
ordinary court, shall go outside this city without license._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of
January, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and
auditors of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared
that, whereas the alcaldes-in-ordinary of this city, notaries,
commissioners, attorneys, and other officials, both of this royal
Audiencia and of the ordinary court, whenever they see fit, leave
the city without license--whence results much harm to the litigants,
on account of the delay and unsatisfactory conduct of their business,
beside many other inconveniences resulting therefrom: therefore, to
remedy this evil, they decreed and ordered that, now and henceforth,
no alcalde-in-ordinary, commissioner, attorney, notary-public,
or other official of this royal Audiencia or of the ordinary court,
shall go anywhere outside of this city, without the express permission
of this royal Audiencia, under a penalty of a fine of six pesos of
common gold, in which sum anyone adjudged guilty of the contrary shall
be immediately fined--one-half for the poor in the prison, and the
other half for the poor in the Spanish hospital--beside the loss and
interest which may result to the parties concerned on account of the
delay in justice. By this act they so proclaimed, ordered and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_Ordinances and laws for the Sangleys._
We, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería
of these Philipinas Islands. Whereas it has been learned by experience
in this city that the Sangleys residing in the islands and their
neighborhood have had and maintain among them a custom of practicing,
and they do practice an abominable sin against nature, not only with
the Chinese, but with the Moro and Indian boys of these islands,
by which God, our Lord, is greatly disserved; and, whereas, the said
Chinese have had and have the habit and custom of bringing from China,
or making in this city, money of base metal, and they pare and clip the
royal money, to the great fraud and injury of the royal exchequer; and
although they have seen that some are punished for this, they have not
taken warning; and whereas, the said Sangleys, who are infidels, ally
themselves with the Christian Indian women, and have lawless carnal
intercourse with them; and whereas, besides the aforesaid crimes, the
said Sangleys are wont to buy from slaves and Indians golden jewels,
trinkets, clothes, and other articles which are stolen: therefore,
to supply a remedy for all that, and in order that such crimes and
disorders shall cease, now and henceforth, we command the following
orders to be observed in everything.
_Laws._--First, we ordain and command that none of the said Chinese
Sangleys, or any other persons whatsoever, shall commit or practice
the said abominable sin against nature, or try to commit it. Whoever
shall do so shall incur the penalty of being burned alive by fire,
beside having all his goods confiscated to the treasury of his Majesty.
_Item_: We ordain and command that none of the said Sangleys shall
dare to make or coin any sort of silver or gold money, or of any other
metal, nor shall they clip or scrape money already made, or make use
of it, under the penalties contained in the above ordinance.
_Item_: We ordain and command that none of the aforesaid shall cohabit
or have carnal intercourse with any [Spanish?] woman or Christian
Indian woman, under the penalty that, in such case, he shall incur
a punishment of two hundred lashes and ten years in the galleys,
as criminals sentenced to row, without pay, and of the confiscation
of one-half his property, to be applied as above stated.
Further, we ordain and command, that none of the said Sangleys,
for any reason or consideration, shall buy from negro slaves or
freemen, Indians or mulattoes, any gold jewels, trinkets, garments,
or any other articles which they sell; but when the said Sangleys go
to them, they shall arrest them and take them before the magistrate,
under penalty that whoever shall disobey this decree shall fall under
and incur the penalties incurred by robbers, and said penalties will
be rigorously executed on their persons and goods.
And in order that the aforesaid shall be observed and executed without
remission of penalty, and so that no one may pretend ignorance, we
order that these ordinances shall be publicly proclaimed in the public
square, in all other public places of this city, in the Sangley Parian,
and in the village of Tondo, in order that everyone may know of them;
and in each one of the said places a copy of them, written in the
Chinese language, shall be posted. No person shall dare to remove the
said placards, under penalty of two hundred lashes. We order all the
alcaldes-mayor of the environs of this city to have them published and
made known to the natives. We request and charge all the religious to
give instructions to the said Indians, and cause them to understand
these laws and ordinances, and the penalties attached thereto. Given
in the city of Manila, on the twenty-sixth of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
The licentiate _Albaro Çambrano_
By order of the royal Audiencia:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_That the official judges shall not grant collections to any collectors
who have not rendered an account and payment of collections that have
been in their charge._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-seventh of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas it has come
to their knowledge that the official judges of the royal exchequer
of the king our sovereign, in these said islands, grant commissions
to certain collectors to make collections from the encomiendas that
pertain to his Majesty's royal crown, who, by virtue thereof, make the
collections; and that it often happens that, without their rendering
any account and payment of them, the said officials again grant them
commissions to make the collections, to the great harm and prejudice
of the royal exchequer, from which many difficulties may result:
therefore, in order to correct the aforesaid evil, they ordered,
and they did so order, that the official judges, now and henceforth,
shall under no consideration grant commissions to any collectors to
make any collections for the royal exchequer and crown, without their
having rendered account and payment of former collections entrusted
to them--under penalty of paying out of their own pockets what such
collectors shall appear to owe the royal estate, as soon as such is
evident, besides undergoing and incurring a fine of two hundred pesos
of common gold (this fine to be applied to the royal treasury of the
king our sovereign), to which sum, from that moment, they declared that
they condemned, and they did so condemn, any one who should disobey
this decree. By this act it was so provided, ordered, and affirmed.
_Don Francisco Tello_
The other honorable auditors signed the above.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that the clerk of court shall bring to the first
meeting a minute of the fiscal suits._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-eighth of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas in the
archives of the office of the present clerk of court, many fiscal suits
are pending, as well as others which have been concluded, in which
his Majesty's royal office is interested; but, not knowing which ones
are concluded, the others are not concluded and finished: therefore,
in order that those that are concluded may be known and settled,
they ordered, and they did so order, me, the undersigned clerk of
court, to bring a copy and minutes of those that are concluded, and
[of the suits now pending,] to the next session which shall be held,
in order that they may examine them and provide what is most advisable
therein. By this act it was so provided, ordered, and decreed.
_Don Francisco Tello_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that a book be made in which to enter the fines
applied to the poor of the prison and other pious works, and to the
courts, and the manner of their distribution._
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-eighth of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas the aforesaid Audiencia imposes certain fines of small amounts,
some of which are applied to the poor of the prison, and others to the
courts and other pious works: therefore, because it is advisable that
there should be an account and report of these moneys, and of their
source and the manner of their distribution, they ordered, and they
did so order, a book to be made in which to enter the said penalties,
applied as aforesaid, with the day, month, and year, in what cases
they are imposed, and likewise a report of how they are expended and
distributed; and this shall be done with all clearness, so that the
aforesaid may be evident for all time. This act is to be placed at
the beginning of said book. So they provided, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing the collection of all the debts which are in any
way owed to the royal treasury of the king our sovereign._
In the city of Manila, on the thirtieth of January, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president, and auditors of the
royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas
the licentiate Geronimo de Salazar y Salzedo, fiscal of this royal
Audiencia for his Majesty, has made them a report, declaring that the
royal treasury of the king our sovereign, in these islands, cannot
succeed in paying many of its debts, on account of failure to collect
many that have been due it for some time past; and has besought and
supplicated them to order that the royal official judges shall, within
twenty days, exert all possible diligence to collect everything that
is due the said royal treasury for any reason whatever: therefore,
in order to provide a remedy for the aforesaid difficulty, they
ordered, and they did so order, that the said official judges should
be notified that, within the two months next following the date on
which this act shall be made known to them, they shall collect all the
debts that are in any manner owed to the royal treasury, from all and
any persons whatsoever, and from their goods, exerting therein all
necessary diligence. They are to proceed with the necessary rigor
to do this effectively, being warned that if they do not collect
the said debts, to be liquidated within the said period, all that
shall remain uncollected they will be obliged to pay out of their
own property. For the debts which shall not have been liquidated,
they shall observe and execute the act of this royal Audiencia, which
has been made known to them, under the penalty thereof. By this act
they so provided, ordered, and decreed.
[No signature.]
_An act decreeing that it shall be proclaimed in this city, in the
public places thereof, that within three days all natives residing
therein, not servants or otherwise employed, shall leave this city._
In the city of Manila, on the eleventh of February, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the
royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas the
licentiate Geronimo de Salazar y Salzedo, his Majesty's fiscal in
this royal Audiencia, protector of the natives of these said islands,
has made a report to the effect that there are many natives who are
vagabonds in this city, as a result of which they fall into various
vices dangerous to this community; and that rice and other provisions
have become high-priced and scarce; and as a remedy, he has requested
and petitioned the aforesaid president and auditors to provide in
this regard what is most advisable: therefore, they declared that they
ordered, and they did so order, that, within three days from the date
of this act, it shall be proclaimed to all and whatever natives are and
reside in this city, who are not employed as servants to the Spaniards,
or in some known occupation, that they must leave the city and return
to their own villages, to remain and live therein. Nor shall any other,
now and henceforth, remain in this city, under penalty, to anyone who
shall disobey this decree--for the first time, of one hundred lashes;
and for the second offense, one year of service at the oar in his
Majesty's galleys, without pay--on whom they declared that, as soon as
they condemned them (and they did so condemn them), the said penalty
shall be executed without leniency. In order that it may come to the
notice of all the said natives, and that no one may pretend ignorance,
this act shall be proclaimed in the Tagal language, in this city, in
the public places thereof, and in the hamlet of Tondo, and testimony
shall be taken thereof. Thus they declared, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act concerning the order which the alcaldes-in-ordinary and the
alguazil-mayor of this court must observe in their seats._
In the city of Manila, on the fifth of March, one thousand five hundred
and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia of
the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas some dissensions and
difficulties have occurred between the alcaldes-in-ordinary of this
city and the alguazil-mayor of the court of this royal Audiencia, in
the churches and public places where they have met, in regard to the
seats and places which each shall occupy, and their precedence--so
that it has resulted in their coming to blows, to the great scandal
and indecorum of their offices, and particularly in contempt of this
said royal Audiencia: therefore it is necessary in this matter to
provide some regulation to be kept and observed in like cases by the
aforesaid officials, so that the said disturbances shall cease. In
order that the said alcaldes-in-ordinary of this city shall keep
their known seats and places, and that they may be separate from
the said alguazil-mayor and from the ministers of this said royal
Audiencia, they declared that they ought to order, and they did so
order, that, when the alguazil-mayor of this court shall be present
in any of the churches of this city, without the president, auditors,
and fiscal, or any others whom he might join, he shall not take any
seat or bench belonging to the alcaldes-in-ordinary or regidors (nor
shall any other individuals occupy them, or sit in them, or intrude
themselves among them in any part or place that shall be given them),
but shall place and keep his chair and seat in some distinct and
fitting place, as does the president, the Audiencia, or any of the
members thereof. Likewise, in the processions and parades through the
streets, funerals, betrothals, passage of retinues, and other like
occasions on which the towns-people gather, the said alguazil-mayor of
the court, finding himself alone, without any of the aforesaid persons
whom he might accompany, shall refrain from going in company with them
[the alcaldes] in any manner--whether invited, or of his own accord;
whether the city's alcaldes go as a municipal body, or as individuals
to such functions; or whether they are not present at them. Meantime
the question is being considered and consulted as to what is to be
done and observed in all the above matters, and what it is advisable
to do in the future, and whether this royal Audiencia should make any
further provision. All the above shall be observed and fulfilled by
the said alguazil-mayor of the court, and the alcaldes-in-ordinary
of this city, without their having any wrangling or differences, or
any scandal--being warned that, if they do so, proceedings will be
instituted against the guilty persons who violate the order; and they
shall be punished to the full extent of the law. By this act they so
voted, ordered, and decreed.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almaçan_
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that the taxing officer of this royal Audiencia shall
be notified to fix the costs in the suits, either personally, or by
some other intelligent person whom he shall name for this purpose._
In the city of Manila, on the sixteenth of March, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas it has
come to their notice that the taxing officer of this royal Audiencia
does not fix the costs in the suits that are brought there: therefore,
because it is advisable that the above officer fulfil the obligation
of his office, as his Majesty ordains and commands, and that the
inconveniences which arise from this be avoided, they ordered, and
they did so order, that the said taxing officer should be notified
that, now and henceforth, in whatever processes shall be brought for
consideration in this royal Audiencia, whether definitive or under
any plea whatever, the costs shall be fixed by him (thus complying
with the tenor of the royal ordinance treating of this matter),
either personally, or by some other intelligent person whom he shall
designate for the said purpose, and shall appoint in his place, who
shall be a person fit for the said service. They ordered the clerk
of court of this royal Audiencia to be present at those suits which
shall be brought for consideration in the manner above mentioned,
before the said taxing officer, in order that he may fix the costs
therein; and, regarding the aforesaid, they charged one another's
consciences. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that Doctor Antonio de Morga shall take the
residencia, for the months of January and February, of the deputy
regidors, within the limit of ten days._
In the city of Manila, on the sixteenth of March, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the
royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas,
for the past months of January and February of the present year,
up to the present time, no residencia for the use and exercise of
their offices has been taken of the deputy regidors of this city,
it is fitting and necessary that it be taken immediately: therefore
they appointed, and they did so appoint, Doctor Antonio de Morga,
auditor of this royal Audiencia, for a term of ten days, to take the
said residencia for the said months of the said appointed regidors,
who have filled their said offices, proceeding therein as the king
our sovereign decrees and commands in his royal ordinance. For this
they granted him the authority and commission as fully as is required
by law. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_.
_An act decreeing that Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of this
royal Audiencia, shall audit the accounts of the city for the past
year, 1598._
In the city of Manila, on the sixteenth day of the month of March,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors
of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas the auditing of the accounts of this city for the past year,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, was committed to the
licentiate Albaro Çambrano, late auditor of this royal Audiencia
(whom may God keep in His holy glory!), and because by his end and
death the auditing, continuation, and balancing of the accounts,
as his Majesty orders and commands in his royal ordinance, have
been neglected: therefore, they appointed, and they did so appoint,
in place of the said licentiate Alvaro Çambrano, Doctor Antonio de
Morga, auditor of this royal Audiencia, to audit the said accounts,
and to continue and finish them according to the order given to the
said licentiate Albaro Çambrano--for which, they granted, and they
did so grant, him authority and commission as fully as is required
by law. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed.
Before me:
_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_
_An act decreeing that, on account of the end and death of the
licentiate Albaro Çambrano (whom may God keep!), the licentiate
Tellez Almaçan is to continue, close, and complete the accounts of
the royal exchequer._
In the city of Manila, on the sixteenth of March, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas the licentiate Albaro Çambrano, late auditor of this royal
Audiencia (whom may God have in His holy glory!), to whom was assigned
the auditing of the accounts of his Majesty's royal exchequer--which
are at present being audited by the royal judicial officials--is now
dead and passed from this present life: therefore, in order that on
this account the auditing may not be delayed and fail of prosecution,
as is fitting, and as the king our sovereign commands in his royal
ordinance, in place of the licentiate Albaro Çambrano they appointed,
and they did so appoint, the licentiate Tellez de Almaçan, auditor
of this royal Audiencia, to continue, close, and finish the said
auditing, according to the commission given to the said licentiate
Albaro Çambrano, for which they gave him commission in legal form. By
this act, they so voted, ordered, and decreed.