The Indians of these Pintados Islands have by nature good dispositions
and abilities. I have learned by experience with some few, who were
brought up in our houses, from the time when they were children,
that if there were several seminaries where the education of the youth
might be carefully attended to, taking them out of the power of their
heathen parents, while still children (for the latter would give them
up willingly), inside of a few years there would be a very prosperous
Christian community in the sight of God and men. In my opinion there
is no more effective means to establish the faith firmly among these
barbarians than this.
Your Majesty would do a great service to our Lord by ordering that a
seminary for these people should be established. I believe that the
money which has been collected from the fourths, where there is no
instruction, might well be employed in this work. In all conscience,
it ought to be spent for the spiritual good of those Indians, as
your Majesty directed by your royal decree. And none will do so well
as this, which is the seed for all the rest. I have learned that,
in the royal buildings at Manila, fourteen or fifteen thousand pesos
are spent which are obtained from these fourths. From these and some
other funds which lie in the treasury and are every day accumulating,
several of the said seminaries might be well established.
[_In the margin of the preceding paragraph:_ "Have the papers brought
which relate to this."]
It is a great disadvantage for conversions to our holy faith, and
for the civilization of these same Indians, for them to be dispersed
like wild beasts among the mountains. It would be a great relief for
the burden on the royal conscience of your Majesty, if your ministers
should execute the order given by your Majesty to reduce this people
to settlements. As they now are, the labor of the ministers is
immense, and the results are small; and they are unable to establish
Christianity and civilization as they should. [46]
[_In the margin of the previous paragraph:_ "Write to Don Pedro
de Acuña that with the help of these fathers, with all possible
gentleness, and at the least cost, he shall see to it that the Indians
be thus reduced; and if there be any great difficulty or disadvantage
therein, let him advise us of it."]
The Indians have many grievances against the corregidors and
encomenderos. With fewer or none of these judges there would be more
justice; and if the encomenderos or collectors of tributes were not
present in villages, the Indians would be better guarded.
[_In the margin of this paragraph_: "Let Don Pedro de Acuña send
information."]
The students in this country receive no reward for their studies,
and accordingly tire of them and leave them at the most important
time. It would be well if your Majesty would give permission for us
to graduate them from our courses of study, which are the first that
were established in this country. In this way the sons of the country
will be encouraged; and the cost of bringing masters from España,
and maintaining them with a perpetual salary, will be saved to the
royal treasury. In great part there will also be saved the expense of
bringing ministers from Europe, since they will be trained in this
country--where they are used to the climate, and know the language
of the natives. Although at present we cannot found so organized
a university, at least they can be graduated in arts and theology,
which are the sciences lectured upon in our Society.
[_In the margin of this paragraph_: "Provided for in the duplicate
of this."]
There are many persons in these islands who have toiled in the service
of your Majesty, and your Majesty would direct his favor well if
he extended it, among others, to Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor
of this royal Audiencia, who is a man of good parts and fitted for
any matter pertaining to the service of your Majesty. Likewise the
licentiate Don Antonio de Ribera, auditor of this royal Audiencia,
has done a great deal in saving a galleon in which was carried the
entire wealth and support of this country. Captain Hernando de Avila,
treasurer of the royal exchequer of your Majesty, is filling that
office as a faithful servant. Captain Christoval Ascueta Menchaca
has served many years and is worthy of reward.
[_In the margin_: "On the memorandum of the exchequer."]
Throughout our entire order, especial care is taken in all matters
respecting your Majesty, and we shall still continue this, beseeching
our Lord to protect your Majesty many years for us, as He may see
is fitting for the welfare of His church and of the kingdoms of your
Majesty. Manila, July 8, 1601.
_Diego Garcia_, visitor of the Society of Jesus.