Sire:
Although the duties and obligations of my office are ended, I have no
less obligation as a private individual for the service of God and
your Majesty. That service and recognition is due while life shall
last, and therefore it does not seem as if I were fulfilling my duty
by keeping silent and not informing your Majesty of some things which
have been proposed and set forth elsewhere. I beseech your Majesty
to be pleased to regard and consider them as things very important
to the service of God and of your Majesty.
What I have thought fit to submit particularly to your Majesty are the
injuries, hindrances, contradictions, and great disturbances which are
experienced here, whence follow results very offensive and contrary
to the service of God our Lord, and of your Majesty. They are also
prejudicial to the common spiritual and temporal good of this land,
and the quiet, safety, and preservation of these districts and islands,
and of the vassals who live and serve your Majesty here. One (and
a general) injury is the unrestricted presence of a great number
of Sangleys or Chinese heathen who live and mingle freely with
us and the natives of these islands in their trading occupations,
and business. They serve but to consume, make scarce, and enhance
the price of both supplies and money, and to cause uneasiness,
fears, and distrust. Of all the aforesaid we have had experience,
and the particular instances are not referred to, in order to avoid
prolixity. On occasions when there are expeditions, or when it may
be expedient to make them, there are some persons who do not desire
to do so--either for their own interests or convenience, or for
other considerations, ends, and motives which they have for opposing
the accomplishment of the expedition. They say that there are many
Sangleys in the land who are inclined or are able to revolt. This and
other things they say in excuse; but although this consideration and
caution should not be condemned but praised, together with everything
else which may be classed under the name and title of preservation, I
doubt whether they are always most advantageous to the service of God
and of your Majesty. I am only certain that it is of great importance
to be rid of these disturbances and contradictions, which are contrary
to all good. These heathen are the whole year living on, and, little
by little, consuming and obtaining, the goods and money of the state
in their traffic, business, and occupations. This does not take into
account the sale and profitable trade in merchandise which takes place
every year. All the money goes and passes to China, and remains there
from year to year and in fact always. Although it is true that the
profitable trade and sale of merchandise is the sinew and support
of this state, and very necessary, and cannot nor should be checked,
nevertheless, it would at least be fitting for the Christians to gain
what is gained by the heathen from year to year in these islands and
state, in their damaging trades and occupations. Thus would a great
part of the poverty and necessity of the Christians be done away with,
and they would be relieved, maintained, and aided. They could live
more comfortably, and there would be avoided the inconveniences of
discontent, murmuring, and offense, which exist when the people see
themselves so little favored, helped, and appreciated. They become
discouraged with the condition of affairs when they see that the
heathen are much more favored and treated more kindly by us than they
themselves, solely for the advantage arising from what they give,
and greed for it. They carry on their pretensions and business with
us while we ourselves fail in many respects to give an example of
Christian charity which should be observed, and to show the zeal and
consideration which is due to the service of God our Lord and the
common good. The evils which may result from trading are very common,
and these heathen secure many things which they desire, and obtain
by means of payment and reward. In doing this, although they are
exceedingly avaricious, yet in behalf of their vices, unchastity,
and abominations, and for their wishes and desires, for the sake of
gain and profit, they do not stop at trifles; nor are they stingy and
careless, but open-handed and generous, and endeavor and negotiate in
a thousand ways to procure what they purpose and desire. The Spaniards
themselves favor, intercede and negotiate for them for the sake of
their own private interest and their gain in doing so. This manner of
carrying on affairs has been continued until they are now accustomed
to it and perhaps confident therein because of their experience in
conducting business in this way. In addition to this, there has been
negligence and laxity in enforcing decrees in their cases, thereby
causing the heathen to hold the orders given them in but little
estimation, and with good reason to mock and jest, and make sport
of our mode of government and our decrees. It is almost impossible,
or exceedingly difficult, to enforce or execute the latter, or to
remedy the very great inconveniences which result and are caused by
these heathen, because of the many defenders whom they have and find
for their pretensions. Two things in regard to these people are most
worthy of consideration. One is that, as these people mingle so freely
and at large among the natives in these islands for their trading and
business, they can very easily under this pretext and appearance with
all safety, security, and freedom, investigate and note the ports,
islands, and settlements; they can also see how careless and negligent
the forces have become, and can observe the lack of troops, forces,
and defense from which we suffer. Thus they may dare to interfere,
and can bring to these islands any enemy or enemies whatsoever,
who are covetous of the islands; or they may plan some alliance and
deviltry with the natives. The latter being aggrieved, querulous,
and dissatisfied can be moved by their persuasions, or inclined
and persuaded toward their traffic, modes, and customs of more
gain, comfort, and liberty, with less subjection, oppression, and
ill-treatment, than are suffered and received by many. Consequently,
there is no little cause, disposition, and opportunity for any evil
whatsoever, since we are so confident and these Sangleys are a people
very covetous, cunning, and treacherous--as has been experienced in
the mutiny on a ship and the killing of the Spaniards who were on
their way to the province of Cagayan, a few days ago. There was also
the rebellion of Cayalera, so costly, severe, and injurious, and which
hindered so greatly the service of God and of your Majesty, which was
to have been accomplished. There was afterward the case of another ship
of Portuguese and religious, which was bound for Malaca; and now this
year, but a few days ago, a ship, with about thirty Spaniards aboard,
was going to the island of Mindanao. Many were killed, and the few
who escaped were wounded and injured. The second point is that, in
addition to what has been said about this nation, they have unchaste,
shameless, and abominable ways of life and customs. Besides having
enough proof and experience to be able to say this, I certify to the
truth of having heard this from a religious--a man very zealous in the
service of our Lord and a minister who has charge of the Sangleys at
present. The Christian Sangleys who had acquired sufficient knowledge
and experience before conversion, tell of the habits, customs, and mode
of life of the heathen. Those who were born, or reared from childhood,
in these islands have heard and noted this. They say that they would
dare to certify or swear that at a certain age all, from the sons of
great mandarins down to the lowest class, are guilty of one vile and
abominable sin. There is a wicked rumor here that even their king
himself is no exception. That this evil exists among this people,
is not only declared, but it is a thing which has been proved,
and investigated on complaint, and has at times been punished by
justice. This is the case, Sire, and the number of infidels here is
very great; for in the past year, ninety-six, more than twenty-four
thousand persons were said to have come. Thirteen thousand were sent
away from the country, and the number would have been greater if the
ships from Castilla had arrived, thus supplying means for deporting
more. These people come to these islands and settlements, and trade
very freely with the natives, who are naturally weak and covetous; and,
too, they remain constantly with us. Many of them live and sleep within
the city and in the houses of the Spaniards, whose wives, children, men
and women servants--and of these last, not a few--are there also. Even
if there were no more evils and opportunity for wrong than for these
women and children to be eyewitnesses of what happens in houses where
there are people so vile, bold, vicious, and shameless--who are,
although generous, covetous, cunning, and treacherous--these alone are
sufficient evils and causes for Spaniards not to permit the Sangleys,
or consent, as they do, to their staying in their houses. This they
allow on account of the gain, rent, and payments given them, and for
greater convenience and shortening of their own labors. Consequently,
these people are not separated on account of their aforesaid customs,
nor of the danger and opportunity offered them for connivance and
knavery. They could burn the city in a night; and should they rise,
they could before the blow was felt kill with their weapons many of the
persons who keep and permit them to stay in their own houses, finding
them asleep and unaware; and they know very well how to do it, to our
cost and injury. But neither this injurious and painful experience,
nor all the aforesaid dangers, are sufficient to check or remedy this
grave evil. It is greed which is the road and means of perdition, and
which destroys, corrupts, perverts, and hinders everything; this it is
that jeopardizes and has, perhaps, embarrassed, checked, diminished,
and restricted the service of God and of your Majesty, and the welfare,
honor, and prosperity of your vassals in this land. Thereby have been
retarded in this new world the good and fruitful spiritual and temporal
results which would, perhaps, have been realized ere this, were the
desire for money less, and the love, zeal, and desire for the service
and glory of our Lord greater. There should be more interest in the
common good and less self-interest, which is the loss, impediment,
and ruin of everything. Indeed, this greed and covetousness is the
knot, tie, and strong bond between us and this nation, so different,
injurious, and contrary to our own, as experience and past events have
shown. It is an expedient of the devil that this people shall obtain
all or nearly all that they want. As their communication, presence,
and trade is so prejudicial, and as from it and their interest and
greed result so many common evils and great sins, abominations, and
offenses to our Lord, it seems as if His Divine Majesty were taking
a hand in this and punishing the offenses of those who are in this
land, as also our neglect of correcting them, and our lack of zeal
for His honor and service--both by our great loss of property, and
by this nation, and the injuries that we have received from them,
and our mishaps with them, since thus we lay ourselves open and
deserve to be punished. It seems that He punishes them too with us,
by the injuries, afflictions, and annoyances that they suffer. And
thus His Divine Majesty is punishing both nations. For except for
self-interest as a medium, we are mutually contrary and hateful.
[The rest of the letter is badly torn, but a sufficient amount
remains for the general meaning to be discovered. The writer calls
for the expulsion of the Sangleys so far as this is possible. The
city desires them to remain only from avarice, desiring the rents
from their shops, and the profits arising from their business. The
Sangleys have corrupted some of the most illustrious persons in the
country. Severity is requisite.]
June 28, 1597.
_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_
_Notes regarding the Sangleys_
First, it is meet that the governor order, with all care and
exactness, an investigation and exact and unexaggerated calculation
to be made of the number of Sangleys who are needed in the ordinary
and necessary occupations for the service of the commonwealth, in
this city of Manila, and in Cagayan and Cibu. This done, it should
be ordered and brought about that the Christians occupy and serve in
those occupations which they understand and formerly filled. Thus
it will follow that fewer heathen will serve in these occupations;
and that the Christians will profit thereby, and will be occupied
and provided for, and many other difficulties and injuries would
thus cease. And then, having diminished the number of Christians
who understand and can be used in occupations, and having left,
as is necessary to the service of the commonwealth the required
number of heathen, who are not imprudent or gamblers (for there are
many who are too dangerous and cunning to be permitted to remain),
all the other heathen Sangleys of these islands should be collected,
put on vessels, and sent back to their own lands, with great care,
rigor, and despatch. This diligence should last until this country
is cleansed and freed from people so injurious to it.
But I must also say, in order to relieve my conscience, that the person
to whom this business and the execution thereof is entrusted should
be worthy of the greatest confidence, and as good a Christian as can
be found. He should claim no temporal interests, but look only to the
service of God our Lord, and that of your Majesty, and to the common
welfare of this land. If he be not such a one, no better opportunity
could be imagined for large thefts and substantial bribes, involving
thousands of pesos, thus failing to provide the relief which is meet
and due.
_Item_: That every year, as some Sangleys are converted and made
Christians, care be taken that they be given occupation, and an equal
number of heathen who have hitherto filled positions be expelled.
_Item_: That in the trading-ships which come every year, it be not
permitted to bring more than the sailors necessary for the care of the
vessels (according to the capacity and tonnage of the ship), and the
merchants who come with their property. The latter must return to their
land that same year after the sale of their goods, and must not remain
in the country; nor shall they be permitted to do so for any reason
whatever. The ship shall return with all the persons whom it brought,
together with those who came before and had remained in the country.
_Item_: In no case shall license or permission be given for heathen
Sangleys to carry on trade and contracts, sales, and business in these
islands and at large among the natives. The Christians, however,
shall be allowed such occupation for their convenience and greater
safety, and in order to avoid many distrusts, dangers, and troubles.
_Item_: No Sangley who is not a Christian should be allowed to go
inland more than two leguas from the city, or remain or trade in the
settlements of the natives, especially those of Christians, under a
severe penalty for doing so, and one much greater to the magistrate
who should consent thereto.
_Item_: It is meet that the religious do not keep or aid heathen
Sangleys, in their convents and districts, by giving them advantages
and employments; for these may be accomplished by the natives, without
employing the Sangleys, thus avoiding no few inconveniences, as can
be seen and understood. It is scarcely less (and perhaps even more)
to the service of our Lord that these works be postponed somewhat,
or that some of them which are less urgent be abandoned; as it is
not meet that for neatness or greater excellence in the work, the
Sangleys live as they do at present.
_Item_: That to no heathen Sangley should be given license to make
rice-wine as so much of this is consumed. If license be granted
it should be to some poor Christians, in order to aid and relieve
their necessity.
_Item_: It is of great importance that neither consent nor permission
be given to any Sangleys to enjoy or exercise any occupation whatever,
outside of the parian and the public place assigned to them and
to the service of the state. They should not be allowed either to
live and remain during the day, or to sleep at night, in the city,
in any convent or in any house of any citizen of whatsoever rank,
under a heavy penalty. Upon the citizen who should consent to and
conceal this act, it is meet that a greater penalty be imposed and
executed. It would even be proper to add to the penalty incurred by
him in person and estate the penalty for treason to the service of your
Majesty, and to punish the guilty person as a traitor. Thus would this
evil be corrected and remedied; for it is a pity, sorrow, and shame,
that it should exist and be permitted for the aforesaid causes and
reasons. Consequently, it is meet that the penalty be executed with
more severity on the citizens, since--as they are responsible for
the greatest injury, and are most to blame--from them must emanate
the remedy, which consists of applying severity and chastisement.
_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_