+
Sire:
Fray Francisco de Ortega, visitor-general of his order of
St. Augustine, and prior of the convent of the city of Manila, in
the name of that province, and by the authority which he has for that
purpose, humbly begs and beseeches the following from your Majesty.
1. That your Majesty be pleased to bestow, as a grant and as alms for
the building of the monastery of that city, a fixed sum for a certain
period, as you did in past years for the building of the church of
the said monastery. In that case were assigned for the period of
ten years one thousand ducados annually. This grant is asked in
consideration of the fact that it has been burned twice, and has
been in part rebuilt from the alms that the religious have acquired
with great difficulty. Another ground is the many services performed
by his order in that country for your Majesty from the beginning,
when it was settled, with innumerable hardships which they endured
when engaged in implanting the faith, and in the service and relief
of the royal conscience of your Majesty--there being then no other
ministers there except them alone, as is quite well and commonly known,
and as will appear by the evidence which he adduces thereof. Finally,
a third ground for the grant is the fact that the monastery of Manila
is very poor, so that it cannot continue the work undertaken, and
therefore the religious are much inconvenienced by the narrowness of
their quarters. This is a house where great strictness and austerity
are observed; and in the bestowal upon them of this grant and alms by
your Majesty God our Lord will be served abundantly, and his [Ortega's]
order will receive benefit and favor thereby. Questions 20 to 24 and
the opinion. [_In the margin_: "Let the father declare the nature and
extent of the favor which he desires, and let the decree referred to
be brought." "A copy of the decree mentioned is brought."]
2. _Item_: That in consideration of the fact that when your Majesty's
first governor in those islands, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, assigned one
hundred pesos (of eight reals to the peso) and fifty fanegas of rice
annually for the support of each religious, goods were very cheap,
while now they are worth twice as much, and the religious cannot
be supported with this alms, he begs and beseeches your Majesty to
have the goodness to order that the alms for the food and clothing
of each religious be annually one hundred pesos de minas, or at
least Castilian ducados, and the usual amount of rice. This is a
very moderate request, since the religious possess no income or
chaplaincies, and it will bring but little additional expense upon
your Majesty's royal exchequer, as the monasteries sustained by your
royal crown are but few; and if your Majesty gives commands to this
effect, they will be much advantaged and favored. [_In the margin_:
"Let the governor give information of conditions in this matter,
and what he deems best for the future. Let him make a report of
everything in minute detail."]
3. _Item_: The said father Fray Francisco de Ortega declares that
fourteen years ago, when he came from those islands the first time,
your Majesty at his request and supplication granted favor to that
province, by ordering your royal officials to give annually, to
each religious who was a priest, two arrobas of wine for the mass,
and to each convent of his order in the province six jars of oil for
the lamp of the most holy sacrament, as was done throughout Nueva
España. This was not fulfilled, because before the arrival of the
time for the royal officials to give this alms the said convent of
St. Augustine was burned; and among the property and papers destroyed
was your Majesty's royal decree, bestowing the said favor. He begs and
entreats your Majesty, in confirmation of the said favor and alms,
to issue your royal decree, inserting the first decree therein, so
that henceforth the said grant may take effect; and to direct the
officials of the royal treasury in Mexico to send the things granted
in kind to the royal officials of Manila, so that the latter may
give them to the monasteries of the said order, in pursuance of and
conformity with your Majesty's commands. By so doing the decree will
be fulfilled and the expense to your Majesty's royal exchequer will
also be diminished. [_In the margin_: "Have this decree renewed."]
4. Further, he declares that at the convent of San Augustin de Manila
the novices are taught, and that the arts and theology have been and
will be regularly studied there. It is a seminary whence they go, and
will continue to go, to other districts to preach to and convert those
natives, and to instruct those already converted, and to administer
the sacraments of our holy Catholic faith. There they receive and lodge
the religious going to those islands from this kingdom to engage in the
apostolic work of the conversion of those natives. The house is poor,
so that with its present resources it is impossible to support eight
friars, without the alms that your Majesty ordered to be given for
four-there being, as a general rule, more than twenty religious in the
said convent. He begs and entreats your Majesty, in consideration of
the aforesaid, to order the grant increased to the number of twelve
religious, more or less, as may be your Majesty's pleasure. They
will receive this as a great help and bounty. [_In the margin_:
"That which is provided for the second section above."]
5. _Item_: He begs and entreats your Majesty, in consideration of the
aforesaid and of the fact that the convent at Manila is an infirmary
for all that province, where all those engaged in the conversion
and administration of the sacraments in the Indian villages come for
treatment when sick, to grant bounty and alms to the said convent,
by ordering that the physician and the medical supplies necessary for
the treatment of the said religious be at the cost of your Majesty's
royal exchequer, as your Majesty has done in the kingdom of Peru. [_In
the margin_: "Let him be given the decree in accordance with the
declaration made."]
6. The said father Fray Francisco de Ortega informs your Majesty that
the bishop of those islands, of his own notion and at his own pleasure,
placed religious of his own order of St. Dominic in a settlement of
Sangleys (natives of the kingdom of China) near the city of Manila,
and across a river that flows through it. From the beginning when
that island was gained and settled, the religious of the order of
St Augustine have had the said Chinese and natives in charge, to
whose conversion and baptism they have paid special attention. From
the monastery of his order to the place where the Dominican fathers
have settled the distance is but two shots of an arquebus. This is in
direct opposition to your Majesty's orders and the commands of your
royal decrees--namely, that wherever the monastery of one order is
established, no other shall be placed except at the distance appointed
by your Majesty. As most of the Chinese settled there are idolatrous
heathen, it is a great disadvantage for them to be mingled with the
newly-converted Christian Indians, the natives of another race; and
from this mingling arise many offenses against God our Lord. In order
to avoid these, it would be advisable for your Majesty to have those
Chinese removed thence to the place where the rest of their nation
have settled, leaving those natives free. It would be well also to
decree that the Dominican fathers there shall settle in another place
where there is greater need for them; and that your Majesty entrust
the execution of all the above to the governor of those islands,
[_In the margin_: "Have the governor examine and provide for this."]
7. Further, he says that some three years ago father Fray Mattheo de
Mendoza, of his order, implored and entreated your Majesty, in the name
of that province, to be pleased to grant permission for the founding
of a monastery of Recollet friars of his order, in a hermitage called
Nuestra Señora de Guia, located in a place about one-quarter of a
legua from the city of Manila. Your Majesty ordered your royal decree
to be issued to the effect that the governor and bishop should make
investigations as to whether it would be useful and advantageous to
have the said hermitage granted for the said purpose, and that they
should send their report, together with their opinion on the matter,
to the royal Council of the Yndias. In fulfilment of this direction,
the said governor has sent the said documents to your Majesty. He
[Ortega] entreats you to have it examined and, in accordance with it,
to provide and order what is deemed of most advantage to the service
of God our Lord, and of your Majesty--considering that, if the said
Recollet religious are established there, from their good instruction,
life, and example great results will be obtained, both among the
natives, and from the devotion of the Spaniards. [_In the margin_:
"Let the governor undertake the establishment of whatever religious
of the order of St. Augustine he thinks advisable."]
[_Endorsed:_ "+ Fray Francisco de Ortega, of the order of
St. Augustine."]
Advice on Fourteen Points of Great Import for the Service of God and
His Majesty, and the Increase of His Royal Estate
Sire:
Fray Francisco de Ortega, of the order of St. Augustine,
visitador-general of his order in the Philipinas Islands, by apostolic
authority, and by the royal authority of your Majesty, and the
authority of his general, declares that he has spent thirty-eight years
in the Yndias--sixteen of them in Nueva España and the rest in the
Philipinas Islands--preaching the word of God, and administering the
holy sacraments to Spaniards and Indians. In this period is reckoned
the time spent in voyaging to and fro between this kingdom and those
districts twice (and with this last time, thrice) to your Majesty as
a suppliant, and voyaging twenty-two thousand leguas and undergoing
many dangers and hardships to inform your Majesty of the condition
of those islands, and of what, in his opinion, by reason of his long
experience in that country, was fitting for the service of God our
Lord, and that of your Majesty. His purpose was that, with your royal
clemency and magnanimity and most Christian zeal, you might decree a
reform, and provide what should be most convenient for the aforesaid
objects--which reform your Majesty decreed, and it has been placed
in execution. He has conducted the religious whom your Majesty bade
him take for the conversion of those natives--forty in number, except
for those who died on the voyage; he has founded twelve monasteries
beside the ones already there--in all, forty-three; he has visited
the province and executed your Majesty's commands. And now lastly,
in the service of God and your Majesty, by the advice and consent
of the governor of those islands, under the persuasion and with the
sanction of the religious of that province, he comes again the third
time, bowed down with years and labors, and with thought for the
future, but disdaining the perils of this long and dangerous voyage,
to inform your Majesty of what is advisable for your royal service,
and for the welfare, increase, and conservation of that country. His
declaration follows:
1. That it will be very advisable for the service of God our Lord,
the merit of your Majesty, the welfare and relief of the natives of
those islands, the establishment and increase of the country, and the
relief of your Majesty's royal conscience that you have a large number
of religious provided for the conversion of those to be baptized,
and the maintenance in the faith of those already Christians; for,
because of lack of ministers, many fail to receive baptism, and to
acquire a knowledge of God our Lord. Further, for temporal welfare and
increase, they [the religious] are those who are of most importance;
for, wherever they are, the people are orderly and quiet, even if
not all converted, and there is a constant tendency for wealth to
increase. But where there are none, things tend toward waste and
the dissipation of wealth, which fact ample experience attests in
all parts of the Yndias. It is quite sure and certain that a hundred
ministers of the gospel effect more temporal and spiritual good than
a thousand soldiers.
2. That it would be very advantageous for the service of God our Lord,
and that of your Majesty, and for the welfare and relief of so infinite
a number of people as there are in the great kingdom of China, that
you order the continuation of that which you ordered twelve years ago,
and the execution of which was begun, although the effect attempted
was not followed up nor attained because of the hidden judgment
of God. This was for your Majesty to write to the king of China,
sending him, in token of affection and friendship, certain articles
of the products of this kingdom, which that kingdom does not have,
with a request for him to give audience to the ministers of God,
whom your Majesty should send him; to give license or permission
for ministers of the gospel to enter his kingdom and preach our holy
faith freely; and to grant that the Spaniards and Chinese should have
trade and commerce, the former being assigned some maritime port,
such as has been assigned to the Portuguese in Macan. For there is
a long experience from the time when father Fray Martin de Herrera
of his order of St. Augustine went there, up to the present time,
that in no other way will they admit the ministers of the orders
in those islands, who have gone there to strive for their relief
and salvation; because, beside imprisoning and ill-treating them,
and prohibiting them from residing there, they have sent them back to
the city of Manila. Humanly speaking, there is no other remedy, or no
remedy more mild and better suited to the justification of your Majesty
than this. He regards it as beyond question that what previously had
no effect your Majesty will in your most Christian conscience command
to be carried out, since by this command you run risk of little loss,
and there is a clear possibility of gaining much. [_In the margin_:
"Have the papers brought that were lately examined, and what was done
in this matter."]
3. The said Fray Francisco de Ortega informs your Majesty that,
within sight of the mainland of China, is an island called Nao, lying
toward the south, where is grown and where there is a great quantity of
pepper. Its inhabitants have trade and commerce with the Chinese, and
although the island is not large, it is said to contain fifteen cities,
most of which have from twelve to fourteen thousand citizens. They
are a dull-witted race, and are given over to many kinds of vice
and licentiousness. This is an argument that the entrance to this
island will be easier; and therefore the information is given that
one thousand Spaniards would suffice for its pacification. If there
were a justifiable ground for seizure, this would be a position of
great advantage for communicating with and entering the great kingdom
of China.
4. Likewise he says that in his opinion it will be of great importance
for your Majesty to write to Xapon, to the king of Firando, as he
declares his wish to become a Christian and asks for religious of the
order of St. Augustine, as appears by a letter written by a father of
the said order there, Fray Francisco Manrique by name. This latter says
that the king is very desirous of becoming a vassal of your Majesty;
and, if he does so, it will be very advisable to have him for a friend,
for whatever opportunities may arise for your Majesty's service.
5. _Item_: He declares that, in his opinion, it will be very
advantageous to the service of our Lord, and to that of your Majesty,
that an attempt, by order and command of your Majesty, should be made
to conquer and settle with Spaniards one of the Maluco Islands, namely
the best and chiefest, by name Terrenate, settled by the natives,
and by Moros, Turks, and Javanese, who have been brought there for
its security and protection--and where the doctrine of Mahoma holds
sway. This would be of very great advantage to the salvation of those
souls, and would prevent the inhabitants from leaving there to preach
the doctrine of Mahoma in the surrounding islands, as he is informed
they are doing in the island of Mindanao, which is under your Majesty's
dominion and protection. In addition, your Majesty's royal exchequer
would gain greatly, for your Majesty would be master of all the cloves
that are taken to Persia, and to many parts of the world, besides
those which come to España by way of Portuguese Yndia. From there
a great quantity of the spices in that island might be exported to
Nueva España, and thence to this kingdom in quicker time and at less
cost than are required by way of Eastern Yndia and Lisboa--although
the trade and commerce by way of Yndia ought not to cease, as that
would not be advantageous to your Majesty's service.
6. _Item_: He declares that, in his opinion, it would be very
undesirable for the Japanese tyrant to put into execution his
proposed expedition to Manila, of which he insolently wrote to your
Majesty's governor in that city; and this matter might be entrusted
to Governor Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, as he is a very valorous and
resolute soldier. He by his valor and prudence will succeed in the
undertaking; and had Doctor Santiago de Vera, your Majesty's governor,
sent, years ago, a captain of the energy, valor, and mettle of the
present governor, that island and those near by would be gained and
pacified, to the great gain of your Majesty's royal exchequer.
7. _Item_: He declares that, in order to effect the above, it will
be very advisable for your Majesty to order the island of Bindanao
conquered and settled. This island is located about eighty leguas from
the island of Terrenate and from the others, which are separated from
one another by not more than two or three leguas; and some are even
nearer. Besides being advisable for the above purpose, the island
is very large, and thickly populated, and contains a very abundant
supply of cinnamon, which, if cultivated, will bring great gains to
your Majesty's royal exchequer.
8. _Item_: He declares that it would be advisable to reënforce the
city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, on the island of Cubu, with more
troops, for its security, as well as that of the other islands near
by and those of Maluco, as it is a way station between Maluco and
Nueva España, and one of the best ports as yet known in those islands.
9. _Item_: The said father Fray Francisco de Ortega, in the name of
that city and the island of Cubu, by virtue of the specific and general
authorization given him for that purpose, humbly begs and entreats
your Majesty that its title of city, given it by the governors who
have ruled in that island, be confirmed by your Majesty by your
royal decree, in consideration of the fact that it is the first
settlement made in those islands, the place where the natives began
to be converted, and where the inhabitants first rendered obedience
to your Majesty; and by this they will be advantaged and favored. [_In
a different hand_: "Let it be given the title of city."]
10. _Item_: He begs and entreats your Majesty to be pleased to
order that the regidors of that city hold office for life, and not
for one year, as now; and that their appointment be entrusted to
the governor, so that he may appoint them in your Majesty's name;
for thus the regidors will be the oldest and most deserving men,
and that community will be governed better.
11. _Item_: He begs and entreats your Majesty to be pleased to give
license that the inhabitants of that city [Santisimo Nombre de Jesus]
may build a vessel of about two hundred and fifty toneladas, in order
that the said ship may be sent with the vessels sailing from Manila
to Nueva España, with the wax, cotton cloth, and the other cloth made
from banana leaves, called medriñaque--in which products tributes are
collected by all those of this island and by the encomenderos of the
island of Panae. The reason for this request is that in taking these
things to Manila there is great risk and danger from the natives,
because each Spaniard who goes to Manila is forced to take forty
or fifty Indians, whence it happens that there are more than four
hundred Indians in Manila for three months of each year and longer,
who are outside their native place. This is to the great damage and
loss of the natives, and if your Majesty grants this permission,
it will be avoided. [_In the margin_: "Let this be referred to the
governor, so that if there is no special disadvantage, and it does
not conflict with his present orders, he may grant permission for
the sailing of this vessel."]
12. In what pertains to the island of Luçon, where the city of Manila
has been founded, and the other islands of that archipelago, the said
Fray Francisco de Ortega declares that everything is improving since
the arrival of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmariñas in that country; for he
is very vigilant and painstaking in all matters touching the service
of God our Lord, and of your Majesty. Thus all things are peaceful
and tranquil; and by his prudence, good example, and good government,
that state and the spread of the holy gospel are increasing rapidly.
13. Likewise, with zeal for the service of God and of your Majesty,
according to what he saw, learned, and heard asserted by persons
zealous for the service of your Majesty, he declares that the galleys
that are [at] the Havana [20] are of little use and advantage, and
a great expense to the royal exchequer, because they cost annually
forty-two thousand ducados. And since they are there, they have
been of no effect at all--although occasions have arisen when they
might have been useful--because they were not well equipped, and
lacked soldiers. Therefore it will be advisable either that they be
strengthened and disposed as is necessary for the occasion that may
arise, or that such excessive expenses without any profit accruing
from them be avoided. [_In the margin_: "Already provided for."]
14. _Item_: That the port on the point at the entrance to Havana
[Cavite?] is very important for the guard and defense of the entrance
to the port; but it must be strengthened with more pieces of artillery,
for it has very few for the defense of the entrance by sea and land,
if a large force of enemies should come; and that the fort built on
the headland in front of the point is very good, exceedingly strong,
and very important for its object. Nevertheless, according to what
he saw, learned, and heard said by military men, the work must be
made smaller, for it covers a great deal of space; and, unless it be
retrenched, a much greater garrison must be supplied, besides a great
deal of artillery for its guard and defense, and for the object for
which it was built.
[_Endorsed_: "+ Father Francisco de Ortega of the order of
St. Augustine."]