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THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
1493-1898
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
Boston Public Library
http://www.archive.org/details/philippineisland08blai
The PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS 1493-1898
Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the
Islands and their Peoples, their History and Records of
the Catholic Missions, as related in contemporaneous
Books and Manuscripts, showing the Political, Eco-
nomic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of those
Islands from their earliest relations with European
Nations to the close of the Nineteenth Century
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINALS
Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and
James Alexander Robertson, with historical intro-
duction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord
Bourne. With maps, portraits and other illustrations
Volume VIII—i5gi-i5g3
The Arthur H. Clark Company
Cleveland, Ohio
MCMIII
COPYRIGHT 1903
THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
/«^ Y
CONTENTS OF VOLUME VIII
Preface . 9
Documents of 1591
The collection of tributes in the Filipinas
Islands (concluded). Domingo de Sala-
zar, and others; Manila, January-March. 25
Liberty of the Indians in the Philippinas.
Gregory XIV; Rome, April 18. . . 70
Articles of contract for the conquest of Min-
danao. Gomez Perez Dasmarinas and
Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa; Manila,
May 12. 73
Ordinance forbidding the Indians to wear
Chinese stuffs. G. P. Dasmarinas, and
others; Manila, April 9-May 20. . . 78
Account of the encomiendas in the Phili-
pinas Islands. [G. P. Dasmarinas] ;
Manila, May 3 1 96
Letter to Felipe II. G. P. Dasmarinas;
Manila, June 20 142
The fortification of Manila. G. P. Das-
marinas; Manila, June 20. . . . 169
Investigations at Manila concerning trade
with Macan. Melchor de Baega, and
others; Manila, May 23-November 19. . 174
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
Documents of 1592
Opinions of the religious communities on
the war with the Zambales. Juan de Val-
derrama, and others; Manila, January
19-20 199
Letter of congratulation to the bishop,
clergy, and people of the Philippines.
Clement VIII; Rome, March 25. . . 234
Letter to Felipe 11. G. P. Dasmarinas;
Manila, May 3 1 236
Rules for the Manila hospital. G. P. Das-
marinas; [Manila, May 31]. . . 245
Expedition to Tuy. [Luis Perez Dasmar-
inas] ; Manila, June i 250
Two letters to Felipe 11. G. P. Das-
marinas; Manila, June 6, 11. . . 252
An embassy from Japan. Hideyoshi, and
others; 1591-92 260
Three letters to Felipe II. G. P. Dasmari-
nas; June 20, July 6 268
Luzon menaced by Japanese. [G. P.
Dasmarinas; Manila, 1592]. . . . 284
Documents of 1593
Letter to Governor Dasmarinas; Felipe II;
Madrid, January 17 301
Two royal decrees. Felipe II; Madrid,
January 17, and February 11. . .312
Bibliographical Data. . . . . -319
ILLUSTRATIONS
Autograph signatures of Augustinian officials;
photographic facsimile from MS. in Archivo
general de Indias, Sevilla 215
Autograph signatures of Dominican officials;
photographic facsimile from MS. in Archivo
general de Indias, Sevilla 223
Autograph signature of Antonio Sedeno, S. J.;
photographic facsimile from MS. in Ar-
chivo general de Indias, Sevilla. . . . 227
Autograph signature of Pedro Baptista, O.S.F. ;
photographic facsimile from MS. in Ar-
chivo general de Indias, Sevilla. . . .231
PREFACE
In this volume are recorded the more important
events in the history of the Philippine colony during
the years 1591-92. The dissensions between the
secular and the ecclesiastical authorities continue,
though the governor asks, in various important pub-
lic affairs, the advice of the religious orders, and in
view of a threatened invasion by the Japanese, ap-
peals to the ecclesiastics to cease their opposition to
his measures, and aid his efforts to save the colony.
Dasmarinas does all in his power for its defense and
increase ; but the unfriendly attitude of the ecclesias-
tics, the restrictions laid on commerce, the poverty of
the public treasury, and the greed of officials and
other influential residents, all greatly hinder and em-
barrass his efforts. A papal decree orders the In-
dian slaves in the islands to be freed. Explorations
are made in northern Luzon, opening up a rich and
important region; and the conquest of Mindanao is
undertaken. The Chinese trade continues to call for
special measures : the Spanish residents of the islands
ask for permission from the home government to
trade with the Portuguese colony of Macao; and, in
order to encourage the Indians to keep up their na-
tive industries, they are forbidden to wear Chinese
stuffs. A revolt of the Zambales and Negritos of
lO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
western Luzon is quelled, and the surviving insur-
gents are dispersed or enslaved. The emperor of
Japan demands from the Spaniards of the islands
tribute and homage, which excites in their minds ap-
prehensions of coming war.
The document of 1591 relating to the collection of
tributes in the islands, begun in VOL. VII, is here con-
cluded. The bishop asks the governor to let him
know his decision regarding such collection ; the lat-
ter replies (February 8) that he cannot make any
change in present conditions without further orders
from the king; and issues (February 28) a decree
regulating the collection of tributes. A dispute be-
tween the bishop and the governor ensues, followed
by letters (dated March 4-21) interchanged by them,
which are an interesting revelation of the relations
between the religious and secular authorities, and of
the conflicting interests involved therein. The gov-
ernor repels (March 8) the accusation that he has
been the mouthpiece of others; defends the Jesuits
from any suspicion of unfriendliness toward the
bishop ; and complains that he is still attacked in the
pulpit. In another letter (dated March 19) Das-
marinas makes suggestions to the bishop regarding
the best means of meeting the religious needs of the
Indians with the small number of priests who can
be thus employed. He denies that he has any par-
tiality for the Augustinians over the other orders and
makes various explanations regarding his attitude
toward the orders. He then urges the bishop to fol-
low his suggestions, and thus to fulfil his obvious and
pressing duties - advising Salazar not to meddle
with the encomenderos, and other matters which do
not concern his office. Dasmarinas also complains
1591-1593] PREFACE II
that the bishop does not provide laymen to instruct
the natives; that he allows the Indians to come to
Manila too often v^ith their complaints, and that
there are irregularities in the appointment of clergy-
men to benefices. Salazar replies (March 21) to
this epistle, manifesting little confidence in the
promises made by the secular authorities, and call-
ing for their fulfilment. The bishop complains of
the wrongs that are being perpetrated, and of the
curtailment of his own authority. He claims that
he has the right to decide whether a religious order
may take possession of a new field. He discusses the
governor's suggestions regarding the provision of
clergymen for various districts, and explains what he
is willing to do. He objects to placing one friar
alone in a village, and desires to leave the assignment
of the friars' charge to their superiors - citing for this
the arrangements already adopted in Mexico regard-
ing this matter; he also objects to any interference
with his priests by the governor, rebukes the latter
for assuming to instruct his bishop in the episcopal
duties, and asserts his own rights and privileges.
Salazar declares that he cannot find suitable laymen
to instruct the Indians, and that they come to him for
help and counsel because the governor treats them
so ungraciously. He no longer fills the office of
" protector of the Indians," for it has brought him
only sorrow, and he cannot do for them what he de-
sires.
A decree of Gregory XIV (dated April 18, 1591)
requires restitution to the Indians for the losses
caused to them in the conquest of the Philippines,
according to the ability of the individual conquer-
ors; and sets free all Indian slaves in the islands.
12 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
On May 12 of that year are signed articles of con-
tract for the conquest of Mindanao, a task which is
undertaken by Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa (the
same officer formerly sent thither by Sande). He
is to establish at least one settlement there; and en-
comiendas are to be allotted, the most important
being reserved for the crown, and one-third of the
remainder for the conqueror. Certain documents
dated between April 9 and May 20, 1591, relate to a
municipal ordinance (March 30) forbidding the
Indians to wear silks or other stuffs from China.
Dasmarifias institutes an inquiry (April 9) into the
results of this on the natives, and the possibility that
the decree should be suspended in some cases. Ten
witnesses, converted Indian chiefs, testify that the
importation of Chinese goods has ruined the native
industries, and demoralized the people; and that the
ordinance should be enforced.
A document unsigned, but prepared by order of
the governor (dated May 31, 1591), gives ''a de-
tailed account of the encomiendas in the Philippinas
Islands," royal and private, pacified and hostile, with
and without instruction; the names of the encomen-
deros, and the number of the tributarios, religious
ministers, and magistrates in each. At the beginning
is given a description of the city of Manila, with the
churches, public buildings, governmental and mu-
nicipal offices, Parian, etc. There are some three
thousand Chinese in the islands, two-thirds of whom
live in the Parian, where they have two hundred
shops. There are so many friars in Manila that
some of them might well be sent to districts where
ministers are lacking. At the end of the document
is a brief summary of the above statistics. The
1 591-1593] PREFACE
13
writer concludes that the number of religious teach-
ers ought to be at least doubled, and " even more, for
when they arrive here, one-fourth of these will have
died " - pathetic commentary on the hardships of a
voyage across the Pacific.
At the end of his first year as governor, Das-
marinas writes (June 20, 1591) a report for that
period. Delay in receiving the royal despatches be-
fore leaving Spain has prevented him from obtaining
the money which he was to expend in building the
Manila cathedral, and the amount raised for this
purpose at Manila had been much lessened by poor
management; but he has stopped the waste (mainly
in large salaries), and is pushing the work as fast as
he can. He has aided the hospitals, but they need
much more help, for they are crowded with pa-
tients on account of the unhealthful climate. He
complains that the bishop hinders his attempts to ob-
tain a statement of accounts from the Franciscan
friars in charge of the hospital for Indians; the king
thereupon orders that this matter be officially investi-
gated, and that the governor take possession of both
hospitals in the name of his Majesty. Dasmarinas
recommends that more ministers of religion be fur-
nished for the Indians, and sends an exact statement
of the encomiendas and their religious needs (the
document preceding this). He places before the
king the problem of collecting the tributes, which he
has recently been discussing with the clergy and
friars ; summarizes the position of the latter thereon,
and his own arguments with the bishop; and com-
plains that the latter is arrogant and self-willed. An-
other letter of the same date reports his measures for
fortifying the city; he imposes a tax of two per cent
14 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
on all shipments of goods from the islands. The
bishop opposes this measure, as do the members of
the late Audiencia, apparently because it touches
their personal interests too closely.
In the summer of the same year, the citizens of
Manila ask that they may be allowed to trade with
the inhabitants of Macao, the Portuguese settlement
in China. Dasmarinas orders an inquiry to be made
into this matter, and has various witnesses examined.
This is done according to a detailed interrogatory -
the witnesses testifying that the Portuguese of Macao
trade with the Philippine Islands, with much profit
and advantage; that the trade of Macao is rapidly
increasing in extent and range, and yet does not not-
ably decrease the abundance of goods to be had at
that port; that, if the Spaniards trade there, it will
be much easier to introduce the gospel into China;
that hitherto no trading ships have gone from the
Philippines to India; that trade with Macao will en-
rich the islands; that the Portuguese at Macao have
plundered a ship sent thither by Dasmarinas; and
that the Chinese desire the trade of the Spaniards.
To this are appended various declarations and de-
crees which bear upon the question discussed; and,
finally, the recommendation of Dasmarinas that the
king permit trade between the islands and Macao.
Hostilities arising with the Zambales of Luzon,
the governor calls upon the religious orders for their
opinion regarding the justice of waging war against
these Indians. The Augustinians make a long and
elaborate response ; they state three conditions as nec-
essary to make a war righteous - that he who begins
it must have authority, just cause, and righteous in-
tention. These are explained in detail, as general
1591-1593] PREFACE , 15
precepts, and then applied to the question now before
them - all fortified by citations from doctors of law
and theology, and from the Bible. Their conclu-
sion is that war may be justly waged against the Zam-
bales. They also lay down the rules which should,
ex jure gentium, be followed in the conduct of such
war; and end by recommending that the Zambales,
when conquered, should be transplanted to some
other district, and remodeled into an agricultural
people. This document is presented in full, as a
curious and interesting example of the reasoning em-
ployed by churchmen of that time in settling ques-
tions of public concern, and of the opinions then cur-
rent regarding the laws of war. The Dominicans
mention the evil practice of head-hunting among
the hostile tribes, and declare that the latter have
no right to attack, as they have done, the peaceable
tribes ; on the contrary these latter have just cause for
war on the Zambales and Negrillos. To them the
question is, whether it is, in the circumstances, ex-
pedient and necessary for the Spaniards to attack
these ferocious peoples. The fathers consider this
war as justifiable; the enemy should be destroyed,
and all who are taken captive should be enslaved for
a specified time. The Jesuits consider that the first
step is to ascertain who are guilty of inciting the out-
rages which the Zambales have committed against
both the Spaniards and their Indian allies - whether
all of that people, or only a few; whether their
chiefs, or certain lawless individuals. When this
shall be known, then the guilty, and they only
should be punished. If the tribe as a whole, or their
chiefs, are responsible, war against them is justifi-
able; but it should be waged with all possible mercy
l6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and moderation. These fathers also recommend a
limited period of enslavement for captives; and that
the women and children of the conquered people
shall be removed from their country and dispersed
elsewhere in small bands - a proceeding from which
" they will receive much benefit, both spiritual and
corporal." But they protest against mutilation, ex-
cept for those who shall commit individual crimes.
The Franciscan guardian renders a short opinion, to
the effect that malefactors should be punished, and
highways made safe for the Indian allies. If war
be necessary to accomplish this, then war is justifi-
able; but therein the innocent should be spared.
A letter of congratulation to the bishop, clergy, and
people of the Philippines is sent (March 25, 1592)
by Clement VIII. On May 31, Governor Das-
marinas writes to the king. He states that he has re-
ceived no letter from his Majesty since he arrived in
the islands, and fears that his own to Spain may be
lost. The islands are generally in a prosperous con-
dition; trade is flourishing, the religious orders are
at peace, "and, aside from the bishop, everything is
quite as it should be." The cathedral church is
complete; the seminary for girls is established, and
some of its inmates have been married, and a new
house is being erected for its use. The new fort is
well under way, and some artillery has been mounted
in it. New galleys have been built, which are
manned by Zambale slaves captured in war. All
trading is now done by the royal ships, which is much
less expensive and more satisfactory. Dasmarinas
recommends that private shippers be charged a
moderate rate on tonnage. The Zambales have been
reduced to subjection, their country devastated, and
1 591-1593] PREFACE 1 7
the survivors dispersed in various new settlements.
New explorations have been made in the interior of
Luzon; one, which seemed important, had to be
abandoned on account of sickness among the troops ;
half the Spanish soldiers have died. The country
is in danger of attack by the Japanese, and needs
prompt and effective succor; he asks that the troops
be sent from Castilla, " and not Creoles or exiles
from Mexico." The governor is trying to secure
quicksilver, on which the Chinese have given him
prices. With this letter he sends a set of rules for the
hospital.
A brief account of the expedition to Tuy is fur-
nished (June I, 1592) by Luis Perez, san of Das-
marinas. He has easily pacified the natives, who are
a superior race; and expects to establish a Spanish
settlement there, another year. The governor
writes (June 6) to the king to make certain explana-
tions about his relations with Pedro de Rojas, his
legal counselor. The letter is conceited and self-
willed, prejudiced and overbearing. Dasmarifias
complains that Rojas and other late auditors have
been greedy of gain in the foreign trade, and have op-
posed the governor's efforts to raise funds for neces-
sary expenses. The latter has ascertained what their
business dealings are, of which he has sent reports to
Spain. He recommends that Rojas be transferred
to some other country, preferably not Mexico. (An
endorsement on the MS. states that Rojas has been
given an appointment in Mexico.) At the end is the
" register of merchandise carried in the ship ' Sant
Felippe ';" all the consignors are ecclesiastics, or of-
ficials of the Audiencia. In another letter (June 11)
Dasmarifias informs the king of a recent embassy sent
1 8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
to him by a king in Japan, and sends to him trans-
lated copies of the letters which they bring, which de-
mand from the Spaniards subjection and tribute, to
be rendered to him. In this emergency, they are
endeavoring to prepare for possible hostilities; and
Dasmarinas asks that the Mexican government be
commanded to furnish troops and supplies to the
Philippines. The letter of the Japanese ruler (writ-
ten in 1 591) demands, with much arrogance, that the
Spaniards render him allegiance and tribute. Das-
marinas replies cautiously, alleging that he does not
understand the Japanese language, and fears that
the envoy is making false representations; he ac-
cordingly sends an envoy (Father Juan Cobo) to
carry this letter, with a present, to the king of Japan.
Another letter to Felipe (June 20, 1592) recounts
the difficulties which Dasmarinas had to encounter
upon arriving in the Philippines. He is disgusted
with the exorbitant claims made by the soldiers for
rewards due them for their services. He finds no
ships or supplies, and no place where the latter could
be kept. He is building storehouses, and collecting
what supplies he can find. He has built such fortifica-
tions as his means permitted; for this he has levied
various duties and contributions. He has incurred
the enmity of the bishop and friars. The royal ex-
chequer is empty, but heavily loaded with debts - a
legacy from the Audiencia. The governor objects to
the Chinese trade, and thinks that the natives of the
islands should be induced to raise and weave their
own cotton. He has issued a decree forbidding the
Chinese traders to remain in the islands; this is vio-
lently opposed by the clergy and friars. Dasmarinas
warns the king that this measure will decrease the
1591-1593] PREFACE 19
royal income. The bishop intends to go to Spain,
and is trying to make trouble for the governor. An-
other letter of the same date is devoted to an account
of his difficulties with the ecclesiastics. He com-
plains of their arbitrary and tyrannical conduct, and
of the bishop's headstrong and obstinate disposition,
and his interference with the conduct of secular af-
fairs. Both he and the friars have so used their
power over the Indians that the latter " recognize no
other king or superior than the father of the doctrina,
and are more attentive to his commands than to those
of the governor." Dasmarinas accuses them of prac-
tically enslaving the natives for their own service
and benefit; and the bishop of taking for his personal
use the money entrusted to him for restitutions to the
Indians. The clergy " are all better merchants than
students of Latin." The governor thinks that it will
be best to send the bishop to Spain. In another let-
ter (July 9), he complains of the evils arising from
the unregulated marriages of the widows and minor
heirs who have inherited encomiendas, and suggests
that he be empowered to control such marriages.
Two papers unsigned and undated, but evidently
emanating from the governor, contain suggestions
for precautions to be taken by the Spaniards in view
of the threatened hostilities by the Japanese. These
suggestions are submitted to a council of war and
to the religious houses, respectively. Among the
former are the expulsion of Japanese and Chinese
traders from Manila; the accumulation of provi-
sions ; agreement that no one will, if captured, accept
ransom; and establishment of a refuge in the hills
near Manila for the women, children, and sick. The
religious are asked to give their opinion on certain
20 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
points : whether it would not be well to take from the
Indians their gold, as a pledge for their good behav-
ior in the event of hostilities ; to induce the Christian-
ized natives to remove inland to more secure loca-
tions, there to produce rice and other supplies; to
seize the property of the Chinese and place it in the
warehouses of the city, and break up the Parian; and
to oblige the encomenderos to store in the city the
provisions which they collect as tributes. Another
communication from the governor is addressed to the
ecclesiastics. He reminds them of their persistent
opposition to his measures, but urges them, in view of
the common danger that threatens the colony, to
unite with him in efforts to repel it and to save the
country.
A letter from Felipe to Dasmarinas (January 17,
1593) commends the governor's faithfulness and care
in his office, and replies to various suggestions made
in his dispatches. Dasmarinas is to take possession
of the hospitals for the king, restrain the assumption
of authority by the bishop, and not allow him to med-
dle with the payment of salaries to the priests. The
religious orders are not to interfere with civil affairs.
Dasmarinas shall appoint, in place of the bishop, a
protector of the Indians. All the tributes are to be
increased by two reals; and the royal fifth shall be
exacted as soon as practicable. The soldiers are not
to be allowed to trade, beyond the amount of a few
hundred pesos; the governor may, at his discretion,
permit some to return to Nueva Espana. The re-
moval of the Chinese traders from Manila is left to
the governor's judgment. Workmen in the islands
are to be paid there, from the royal treasury. The
duties levied by Dasmarinas are approved and con-
1 591-1593] PREFACE 21
tinued. With this letter go two decrees; one (dated
on the same day) ordains that suits involving one
thousand ducados or less may be concluded in the
court of the islands, and those for larger sums may be
appealed to the Audiencia of Mexico. The other
(dated February ii) restricts the trade with China
to the inhabitants of the Philippines, and forbids
those of the American colonies (except those of
Nueva Espana) to trade, not only with China, but
even with the Philippines.
The Editors
October, 1903.
DOCUMENTS OF 1591
The collection of tributes in the Filipinas (con-
cluded). Domingo de Salazar, and others;
January- March.
Liberty of the Indians in the Philippinas. Gregory
XIV; April 18.
Articles of contract for the conquest of Mindanao.
G. P. Dasmarinas and Estevan Rodriguez de Fi-
gueroa; May 12.
Ordinance forbidding the Indians to wear Chinese
stuffs. G. P. Dasmarinas and others; April 9-
May 20.
Account of the encomiendas in the Philippinas Is-
lands. [G. P. Dasmarinas]; May 31.
Letter to Felipe II. G. P. Dasmarinas; June 20.
The fortification of Manila. G. P. Dasmarinas;
June 20.
Investigations at Manila concerning trade with Ma-
can. Melchor de Baega, and others; May 23-
November 19.
Sources: All but two of these documents are obtained from
original MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The
papal decree is found in Hernaez's Coleccion de bulas, i, p. io8;
the account of encomiendas is taken from Retana's Archivo del
bibliofilo filipino, iv, pp. 41-111.
Translations: Such part of the first document as appears in
this volume is translated by Norman F. Hall; the second is by
Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A., of Villanova College; the third
and fifth, by James A. Robertson; the fourth, by Herman G. A.
Brauer, of the University of Wisconsin ; the sixth, by Jose M. and
Clara M. Asensio; the seventh, by Henry B. Lathrop, of the
University of Wisconsin; the eighth, by Alfonso de Salvio, of
Harvard University.
THE COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES IN THE
FILIPINAS ISLANDS [concluded)
LETTER FROM THE BISHOP TO THE GOVERNOR
Jesus
Inasmuch as your Lordship wrote to me at San
Francisco del Monte that the encomenderos were
urgently seeking from you permission to make collec-
tions from their encomiendas, I despatched to you
from that place an answer to the letter which your
Lordship wrote to me after having received my state-
ment and that of the other theologians of the bishop-
ric who think carefully about this matter. I had
therein represented to your Lordship some of the dif-
ficulties which might result from carrying into execu-
tion some of the plans proposed in the aforesaid state-
ment. In the reply, I solved these difficulties; and
have since been waiting to learn what your Lordship
has communicated to the encomenderos regarding
collections in the encomiendas which are without re-
ligious instruction. Since I must inform all confess-
ors who are outside the city how they are to deal in
the confessional with the aforesaid encomenderos, I
pray your Lordship to favor me by advising me of
your transactions with these encomenderos, so that we
may all be of one mind, express ourselves in harmony.
26 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and avoid dissensions among ourselves, which are
wont to be the cause of many evils. It is necessary
that your Lordship should inform me promptly; for
messages must be sent to some districts remote from
here, and, if I do not write at once, I shall be unable
to send word to the confessors in time. May God
guard your Lordship. From this house, on Ash
Wednesday of the year 91.
The Bishop
reply by the governor
Yesterday I received a letter from your Lordship
in which you request me to inform you what resolu-
tions and plans I have adopted in the matter of col-
lecting the tributes. I reply that besides the former
statements and conclusions which your Lordship has
written on this subject in such learned fashion, I have
read also the last decision and statement thereon
which your Lordship sent me in reply to my letter
to you on this subject. I answer that all this comes
as from your most reverend hand, and is most holy
and excellent. But on account of those very obstacles
which I represented to you, which every day are con-
straining me more and more, I dare not undertake any
innovation, or put into execution a doctrine which
will expose all our affairs to such risk.
The point on which your Lordship and I most dif-
fer is concerning the pacified encomiendas which
possess justice and religious instruction ; and in those
also pacified which enjoy justice, but are without re-
ligious instruction. The king grants to neither your
Lordship nor myself authority to deal with these en-
comiendas, nor in his instructions does his Majesty
mention or raise any doubt in regard to them ; he dis-
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 27
cusses only those which are disaffected, or were never
pacified. Consequently, the other encomiendas must
remain in their present condition, without making
any changes, until such time as his Majesty shall
make other provisions. I therefore state that my
opinion and final decision is that which your Lord-
ship may see in this document. I trust that your
Lordship will strive to conform thereto; if you can-
not, please give an account of your opinion of it to his
Majesty, so that he may declare what action we are to
take. In the meantime, I shall order the encomen-
deros and the collectors to act in accordance with my
decision; and I have no more to say on this matter,
and shall make no changes. As far as I am con-
cerned, this discussion is closed for the present, and
settled until I shall receive further orders from my
king; for this decision is what I consider best for his
royal service. From the office, February 8, 1591.
[Salazar writes a short letter (dated Feb. 14) to
Dasmarinas, urging him to adopt the measures pro-
posed by the clergy; but, as it contains no new infor-
mation, we do not present it here.]
ORDER ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR COLLEC-
TION OF THE TRIBUTES
I, Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and cap-
tain-general of these Islas Philipinas for the king our
lord : Inasmuch as I am notified, by the decrees and
instructions of his Majesty, wherein he commands
and charges me to exert myself to check the excesses
and lawless acts which are prevalent in the collection
of the tributes in the encomiendas belonging to his
Majesty, as well as those of the other encomenderos,
28 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
I have looked into this matter; and, with all the care
and attention I could give, I have consulted and con-
ferred as to the best order and method that should be
employed in the aforesaid collections, in order that
God and the king, our lord, may be served. There-
fore, in order that the Indians may not be annoyed or
aforesaid excesses - it is fitting that the procedure
is not due them, to put an end to the evils and wrongs
which have existed in this business, and to check the
aforesaid excesses - it is fitting that the procedure
which is to be henceforth, followed be understood and
established. Accordingly, by this present I do order
and command that in the collection of tributes, not
only in the encomiendas of the king but in all others,
the following rules and conditions shall be observed:
First: In the encomiendas of his Majesty as well
as in those of private persons, where they have Chris-
tian instruction and the administration of secular jus-
tice for the maintenance of law and order, the entire
tribute levied may be collected from the natives ; and
the encomendero is bound, with that part of the trib-
ute which falls to him, to aid in the support of the
minister or ministers of religion who belong to his
encomienda. The said tribute shall be collected in
its entirety in the aforesaid encomiendas where justice
and religious instruction exist, and equally from all
the Indians therein, whether believers or unbelievers.
I also order all encomenderos who are or shall be ap-
pointed in the encomiendas, to provide with the ut-
most punctuality and promptness, each in his own en-
comienda, that part of the tribute which is due from
them for the maintenance of religious teaching,
churches, and all other purposes of religion, under
penalty of being deprived of their encomiendas; and
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 29
the collectors, under the penalties hereinafter written,
which will be most vigorously executed.
Item : In those encomiendas where justice is ad-
ministered, but where, through lack of ministers,
there is no religious instruction, the tribute shall be
collected, reserving that part which would be due to
the minister, if they had one - namely, a fourth part
of the tax, a little more or less, which part shall be left
and freely surrendered to the Indians.
Item : In those encomiendas which, on account of
their remoteness, have neither justice nor religious in-
struction, no tribute shall be collected until such time
as God shall order the affairs of these islands; and
his Majesty, informed of their condition, shall make
other provisions, in order that he may be better
served.
Item : The same is decreed for those encomiendas
which are disaffected or have never been pacified.
No collection shall be made in this case except from
those encomiendas which, having once been pacified,
and having rendered obedience to his Majesty, shall
without any just cause rise in rebellion. From those
encomiendas may be taken such part of the tribute as
can conveniently be collected, for their preservation
and by way of recognition ; and whatever small por-
tion his Majesty may order, and what the lord bishop
cites, may be collected.
And since, according to the above, no tribute is to
be levied where there is no justice, occasion is offered
for many parts of these islands - which, on account of
their great distance, are beyond its reach - to become
turbulent and rebellious as soon as they realize that
they are released from tribute which is now collected
from them. Most pernicious consequences [would
30 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
follow (?) -illegible in MS.'] and many other dis-
tricts would be disloyal and rebellious; and it would
be necessary, when they should have sufficient reli-
gious instruction, to go back and win them and [^illeg-
ible in MS.~\ anew. Assiduous efforts shall be made
to provide, as quickly as possible, justice in the afore-
said encomiendas. Where it is now lacking, I charge
the encomenderos to inform me of such districts and
territories, with their topography and location; also
of the number of those who pay tributes, so that I may
appoint accordingly, in each encomienda, an alcalde-
mayor, or a deputy, or others, if necessary, who may
be suitable persons for such offices. They will have
salaries sufficiently large to enable them to administer
justice to the natives, protecting and defending them
against anyone who would injure them, and maintain-
ing such intercourse and friendship with them as will
incline them to receive religious instruction when
they shall have it. Thus in all the encomiendas which
have this justice and preparation, as soon as it is
known what benefits are conferred upon the natives
by those ministers of justice, in influencing and gov-
erning them, as above stated, authority will be given
to the encomenderos to collect the three-fourths of the
tribute, as I have said. But in the meantime, none
of it shall be imposed or levied ; and as soon as justice
is established, efforts shall also be made, until reli-
gious ministers shall come, to employ a layman or
laymen of virtuous life and example, in order to in-
struct the natives, to the best of their ability, in the
things of our holy faith; and such persons shall re-
ceive some benefice, in accordance with the royal
right of presentation.
The encomenderos shall fulfil and observe all the
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 3 1
aforesaid orders, under penalty of being deprived of
their encomiendas. In encomiendas belonging to his
Majesty, and in those of other and private persons
when the encomenderos shall - by order, or through
any other lawful impediment - be prevented from
making the collections personally, in case these col-
lectors should exceed just bounds they shall be fined
five hundred pesos for his Majesty's treasury, and
half the expenses of any war thus caused. In addition,
they shall make good any losses caused by them to the
said Indians, and shall pay all costs. The aforesaid
persons are likewise ordered to make the collections
with all possible gentleness and equity, observing the
other instructions of his Majesty concerning the man-
ner of collecting tributes. The Indians shall pay in
kind, or in such articles as they prefer to give. I also
order that an authorized copy of this my decree be
furnished to each and every one of the encomenderos
or collectors who shall engage in the aforesaid collec-
tions. This decree I order and command to be ob-
served, fulfilled, and executed, under the penalties
above stated, for the present and until such time as his
Majesty, when well informed of the present state of
affairs in this land, which has been mentioned above,
shall make suitable provisions in these and all other
matters, according to his pleasure. Upon the first oc-
casion that offers itself there shall be sent on my part
and that of the encomenderos of this commonwealth,
to his Majesty, a detailed and careful account of what
is here decreed and ordered, as well as what the lord
bishop suggests and advises ; so that his Majesty, hav-
ing examined both sides of this question, may make
such provisions and so direct our course that God and
his Majesty may be best served, and all may have the
32 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
same object. Done in Manila, on the twenty-eighth
of February in the year 1591.
LETTER FROM THE BISHOP TO THE GOVERNOR
[Evidently as the result of a dispute between these
two dignitaries, Salazar writes (March 4) a letter to
Dasmarinas, deprecating any hostility between them,
defending his own position, ascribing the dififerences
between them to intermeddlers, and prophesying evil
to the country if Dasmarinas maintains his present
purposes in regard to the tributes. He criticizes the
governor's decree in various points - the permission
to collect three-fourths of the amount levied ; the ap-
pointment of more officials (in most of whom the
bishop has no confidence) ; and the importance at-
tached therein to the administration of justice in the
encomiendas, as compared with the provision of re-
ligious instruction.]
Since your Lordship cares so little for these argu-
ments, know that the reason which induced his Majes-
ty to command that in Nueva Espafia there should be
no fiscals was, that they wrought injury to the In-
dians; . . . and yet he had not so much certainty of
the evil deeds committed by the fiscals as he has of
those done by the alcaldes-mayor and the deputies.
. . . Among other decrees which, I am told, Doctor
Vera brought when he came here as president of this
Audiencia, is one commanding him to be very cau-
tious in creating alcaldes-mayor, on account of the in-
jury thus occasioned to the country. . . . You say
that you do not dare to make changes, lest the enco-
menderos abandon their encomiendas, or become dis-
affected; and yet you know that all the inhabitants of
these islands, whether or not they possess encomien-
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 33
das, have been and now are faithful and loyal vassals
to their king; and that nothing which could occur,
even to the injury of their property or lives, would
prevent them from rendering obedience to his Maj-
esty's commands. This is one of the things in which
the inhabitants of these islands can take most pride,
and his Majesty should most highly value them, on
account of the fidelity with which they have served
him, at the cost of their lives and possessions. [The
king confers the encomiendas upon certain persons,
who thus assume obligations to the Indians ; that they
may fulfil these, he orders them to collect the tributes.
Accordingly, the alcaldes-mayor do not appear in the
king's provisions regarding this matter, and Salazar
questions the governor's right to appoint them.]
Neither the king of Castilla nor his ministers can ex-
ercise, in regard to the Indians, more authority than
what the church confers upon them; and the church
has not over the infidels as much authority as some
who think otherwise have given your Lordship to
understand. . . . The church did not grant lord-
ship over the Indians to the kings of Castilla with the
principal object of establishing justice among them,
but did so in order that they should furnish to the na-
tives religious instruction - which always, and in
every instance, can and ought to be given them. [No
tribute should be imposed upon the Indians unless re-
ligious instruction is given to them; and to allow
them the fourth part of the tax is not to benefit their
souls. The bishop insists that the governor is respon-
sible for taking such measures as shall remedy the
present abuses, and urges him to accept the plan pro-
posed by the clergy.] If your Lordship, after read-
ing what I here state, shall decide to pursue and carry
34 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
into execution the opinion and resolution which you
have communicated to me, I cannot, without violat-
ing the obligations of my office, decline to release
the consciences of those whom I have in charge.
From this your Lordship's house, on the fourth of
March of the year 1591.
Fray Domingo, Bishop of the Filipinas.
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE BISHOP
[Two days later (March 6) Dasmarinas answers,
at considerable length, the letter written by the
bishop. He adopts a conciliatory tone, disclaiming
any intention to be arbitrary, unfair, or unfriendly.
He explains his position in regard to the collection
of tributes, saying that the plan laid down in his
recent decree is but temporary, awaiting only the
provision by the king of a sufficient number of reli-
gious teachers. He reminds Salazar that encomiendas
and tributes were established in the land as soon as the
Spaniards had obtained a foothold there, when only
some half-score priests were to be had. Religious
instruction is the chief but not the only reason for
collecting tributes; and, until it shall be adequately
provided, it is but reasonable to collect for the benefit
of justice bestowed upon the Indians. The tax also
is very moderate; "since an Indian pays here one
peso, while in Nueva Espafia he pays three or four
pesos, by w^ay of tribute."] The advantages result-
ing to the Indians are not so small as your Lordship
thinks. If we had no other example of this, the one
which is afiforded by the province of Pintados would
be sufficiently convincing- seeing that, before the
Spaniards came to these islands, and even after they
came, the inhabitants voyaged from one island to an-
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 35
Other with many boats, assaulting, plundering, and
murdering one another, not only in their fleets by sea,
but in armed bands on the land. It was only after
they had intercourse and communication with the
Spaniards - although they had no religious instruc-
tion, and in most regions no justice - that factions,
and raids, and assaults have ceased among them.
This is no insignificant gain, to say nothing of many
others, which, as I have said, result from the estab-
lishment of justice, in their better government, order,
and preparation for receiving religious instruction,
which is our principal object. [Dasmarinas admits
that religion is more important than justice; but the
latter is so much more expensive that it justifies the
appropriation of a larger share of the revenues;
moreover, the encomendero should be allowed
enough for his support, and for that of his family
and the soldiers whom he must support (usually
eight or ten in number). A parallel case is seen in
the relative positions of himself and the bishop; the
latter's office is certainly a higher dignity, and of
greater importance, yet he receives but two thousand
(pesos?), while the governor has twelve thousand;
but the latter is thus remunerated because he incurs
much greater expense. The governor claims that his
instructions command him to consult the bishop only
in reference to affairs in the districts which are
mutinous, or have never been pacified; and cites the
instructions further to show that he is justified in col-
lecting tributes where religious instruction is not
given, and that the bishop's privileges in the conduct
of affairs are only advisory, not authoritative. More-
over, the opinions which the religious orders have
furnished to him show that they disagree with the
36 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
bishop in many important particulars - not to men-
tion that the bishop and the religious superiors signed
their approval of his plan in this matter, soon after
his arrival. Dasmarinas has already compelled the
encomenderos to refrain from collecting the fourth
part of the tax when they do not provide the Indians
with religious instruction - a reform which had never
been secured until he made it. He advises the bishop
to institute another reform by insisting that the
encomenderos shall not collect any tributes until they
shall have provided for the Indians both religion
and justice.]
I do not understand how it can seem to your Lord-
ship that to provide the land with justice is to bring
about its destruction. Your Lordship has, indeed,
told me that, when the alcalde-mayor is what he
should be, he better edifies and preaches than any
minister of religion whatever. Thus far, I have not
found any of these officials who are bad, except those
of whom your Lordship has made some complaints
to me, and whose evil-doing is proved by naught else
than the opinion of your Lordship.
It seems to your Lordship that I wish to appoint
too large a number of these alcaldes-mayor; but one
day your Lordship asked me to appoint some of
them. Since I have come to this land, I have estab-
lished a new administration of justice in the island of
Masbate; and good results which have followed, can
be stated by the father custodian, who arrived yester-
day from that island, and is well acquainted with the
excellent result there. Hitherto, tribute has been
collected there in the absence of every form of reli-
gious teaching, or administration of justice; but now,
only from their intercourse and relations with the
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 37
Spaniards and from having justice established at once
among them, they have already made such progress
that they demand a minister, and even the blacks have
come dov\^n from the interior to settle near us.
[The governor reminds the bishop that the prog-
ress of religion among the heathen must depend
upon the foundation established for that good work
by secular government; and that if this be not main-
tained the land will relapse into barbarism, and the
Spaniards will be compelled to abandon what they
have begun to build in the islands.] Your Lordship
should make some estimate of the damage which
would result therefrom to the king our lord and his
royal treasury; for according to that his Majesty
would have to find one hundred and fifty thousand
pesos and more with which to make restitution, to say
nothing of thirty thousand of income which he would
lose; for all the encomiendas are his. These islands
would be left without one soldier, and your Lordship
and the religious would alone remain; but within
eight days there would be none of you left. Your
Lordship may be sure of one thing: until I receive
express orders from my king to do so, I can make no
change whatever in regard to the encomiendas, by
reducing or cutting off their income. It is twenty-six
years since they were first instituted, and during
twelve years your Lordship has known that they
were in this condition; and yet you have until now
maintained silence. [The governor again declares
that he will not change his attitude ; and that he has
no right to interfere between the king and the
encomenderos. It is his business to establish justice,
and the encomenderos are bound to provide instruc-
tion; but they must have the means to do so.] Your
38 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Lordship does not provide religious to minister to the
Indians, because you have none ; but you have never
been willing to give these good Christian laymen
whom I have mentioned permission to go among
them meanwhile to do this good work, although the
encomenderos have many times asked for them, both
since and before I came here. But your Lordship
replies that you are not willing that any layman
should teach them to make the sign of the cross ; ac-
cordingly nothing is done for them. [The governor
justifies some minor provisions of his decree, on a
basis practically the same as has already been set
forth; and, in his turn, cites various learned theo-
logians. He requests the bishop to prevent the clergy
from discussing this subject in their pulpits, as they
have often done, which is not fitting to the uses of a
house dedicated to God.]
LETTER FROM SALAZAR TO DASMARINAS
[The bishop replies (March 8) to the foregoing
letter, which he accuses of being inspired by others
than the governor- presumably by the Jesuits, since
the name of Joseph de Acosta rouses Salazar to
anger; he declares that "the doctrine contained in
that book^ is exceedingly pernicious, and erroneous in
regard to the Indias," and warns the governor that
under their guidance he will infallibly plunge into
many errors. The land will go to ruin, and the gov-
ernor and his advisers will be responsible therefor.
He defends himself against what he considers unjust
^ Referring to the Historia natural y moral de las Indias (Se-
villa, 1590) of Joseph de Acosta (1540-1600), a noted Jesuit
writer. Markham's translation of this interesting work forms nos.
60 and 61 of the Hakluyt Society's publications (London, 1880).
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 39
aspersions on his character, and remonstrates against
the governor's neglect of his counsels. He promises
to put a stop to the preaching by his clergy on public
matters. The salary due him is greatly in arrears,
which has caused him much privation; but he does
not wish to receive it if it shall proceed from unjust
collection of the tributes.]
LETTER FROM DASMARINAS TO SALAZAR
I have received your Lordship's letter dated to-
day. When your Lordship says that, with the great
number of opinions I am trying to weaken yours, I
can only reply that my intention certainly has not
been such, but to tell your Lordship with all plain-
ness and truth the state of the case - which is that I
have learned whether this is the general sentiment
of the theologians of this bishopric, as your Lordship
said it was in your conclusions. Even if it were so, I
could not do more than leave it in the same state in
which it was, and report it to his Majesty. But, my
lord, if I find some other expression of opinion in
clinging to the majority, I do not think that I am
mistaken in it; and to this end alone I wrote to your
Lordship - certainly not that you should be troubled
by what did not come into my thought. Still less
would I have you think that I made use of anyone
in writing the letter which I sent to your Lordship
last night, for I certify, upon the life of my son Luis,
that (although that letter seems to your Grace to be
a large harvest from my little stock) there is not in it
one word by another person, save what suggested it-
self to me from my own papers and discourses; for
all that I wrote there I have told you already at va-
rious times, except those quotations from authors and
40 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
from the Council of Lima. Those I asked to be
given to me, from memory, by the person who men-
tioned them to me as authority for what he stated
and thought; and I quoted them there that your
Lordship might see that I had not made up my mind
without foundation. All this I had need of in order
to justify myself in your eyes, for it seems to you that
I could not reply without the help of assistants ; but
thus far neither my king nor his advisers have no-
ticed in me such a deficiency as that. On another occa-
sion your Lordship told me, in Saint Agustin,"^ that I
had read Father Acosta, although I have never in my
life seen his book; and when your Lordship says that
his doctrine is very pernicious, I have nothing to reply
but that no book is written by any father of the So-
ciety which is not very carefully looked over and ex-
amined and approved by all the members. But be-
fore God, and in the name of the holy season [Lent]
in which we are, I protest to your Lordship that all
these fathers have not erred toward your Lordship
in anything except that, at my request, they said what
they felt. They are very devoted to you ; and if there
is in my letter anything worthy of blame, the fault is
mine. I say this that your Lordship may not lay it
upon anyone to whom it does not belong. Nor am
I so fond of the far-fetched reasonings of others that
in order to write a letter I need to use anything but
the argument which the subject itself and its accom-
panying circumstances carry with them. And one
occurs to me now, which is that matter of having
laymen, for lack of religious ministers, look after and
bring together the Indians and instruct them in our
holy faith. This, I say, is in conformity with the
^ Evidendy a reference to the convent of the Augustinians.
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 4 1
royal right of appointment, where the king expressly
orders it; and although your Lordship says that it is
not to be believed that the king with so much risk
should have put into my hands alone so important a
business, I am satisfied with myself and I think that
his Majesty is. For any business which is not of my
profession I shall not direct by my own judgment;
in this matter, accordingly, I consulted with those
whose business it was, and I pray your Lordship to
tell me if I did wrong in this. Your Grace says that
I am new in the islands, and unlettered; and on the
other hand you say that those with whom I have con-
sulted are misleading me and are mistaken. I do
not know then what recourse your Lordship leaves
for me to find it out, if, as you say, I am a new ar-
rival, and not a theologian, and you take away from
me the recourse to the experienced and the theolo-
gians. Now since enough has been written and an-
swered about this, I beg of your Lordship not to
weary yourself with answering this letter, which is
written only not to leave yours without reply. At
least do not answer until the treatise is finished which
you say you are composing, in which may it please
the divine goodness to give your Lordship so much
light that his Majesty, seeing it, may confirm it and
approve it as a thing from your hand - with the re-
sult that all may be of one opinion in this island, and
that all the service of God may be set in order and
freed from difficulties, and that these divisions and
encounters may cease ; for I assure your Lordship that
in many ways the state is very much scandalized, and
that that matter is ill carried out which you said
would be improved concerning the pulpits, for this
affair was discussed with no little liberty in that
42 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
place today. May our Lord keep your Lordship.
From the office, March 8, 1591.
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE BISHOP
As your Lordship was absent from this city, and
many things presented themselves to me which were
important to the service of God and of his Majesty,
and needed remedy, it seemed to me that in order to
provide for them it would be best for me to represent
them to your Lordship in this letter; and I beg of you
to see to them in order that they may be provided for
and adjusted as may be most fitting and may best
serve our Lord.
The preaching of the gospel is the matter in which
we serve God most in these regions to which it came
so late; and this is the first intention of his Holiness
and of his Majesty, and it is the principal care which
your Lordship and all of us who have come here
must have. Yet, although this is so, there is nothing
which needs more to be provided for and set right
than this, on account of the lack which there is of
ministers, whether clergy or religious, to do this work.
For although his Majesty in his holy zeal has sent so
many and continues to send them, there is need of a
great many more, considering the many regions
which we must reach. So we must not only make all
possible efforts to have a sufficient number of min-
isters come, but must try to find means to distribute
in so wide a field the force that we have here, en-
deavoring with all equality to arrange and stretch
the line as much as possible, that there may not be an
over-abundance in some parts and a distinct lack in
others; but rather we should act as one who has
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 43
much to cover and but little cloth, who plies the
shears with no little prudence, being watchful in
marking his outline to see how it can reach here and
there. This may cause some inconvenience to the
religious themselves, for it comes to this \^illegible in
MxS.] since we have not the fulness and abundance
that there is in Espana. I have already asked this
from your Lordship at other times, as being one who
was under such obligations to set about it, as well for
the good of the souls as for the temporal good of the
king and of his encomenderos, by selecting and dis-
tributing ministers in order that thus religious in-
struction may be communicated and spread. For
this the following [illegible in MS.~\ plans occur to
me, if they seem suitable to your Lordship.
The new settlement of La Hermita and Malate
may be all one administration. Paranaque and Ca-
vite at least can be another; and, by establishing a
house for religious at Cavite, Paranaque and the
tingues [" hills ''] may be administered by visit, and
also the lowlands of Tuley and Limbo. In this way
there will remain three clergymen who can minister
elsewhere, because [illegible in MS.] which is a
great burden. The Augustinian fathers are able to
give enough instruction to [meet {?)- illegible in
MS.] their obligation; and they will accept it and
take charge of it without any more alms being given
them. I would save up what is given there, in order
to bestow it somewhere else; for there are so many
places where there is need of it. Moreover, two re-
ligious could be taken from Vatan, because there are
four there, and two are sufficient, and there are not
enough alms given for more. Furthermore, Father
Leon is a very good speaker; and the dean, as he
44 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
wishes to advance him, can employ him in the min-
istry.
The king's villages in Ylocos are for the most part
without religious instruction; and the Augustinian
fathers say that it should be given to some of them
because, as they are new Christians, they do not con-
fess yet. Thus, if the convents were near, a few
might remain alone until there should be plenty of
ministers; since now all that they can do is to bap-
tize them and prepare them for subsequent confes-
sion. It would not be unsuitable that, for the present,
while there is no greater supply of ministers, one
friar should be alone in a house, since one clergyman
is also alone, and is entrusted with the care of a
greater number of souls. Moreover, Father Carva-
jal is a good interpreter and could be of use. I beg
of your Lordship to insist that the clergymen who
are ministers of religious instruction should not
come and go so many times to Manila - not only on
account of the offenses which they commit, of which
there always are some (as your Lordship might
ascertain if you wished to), but also that they may
not impose such burdens on the Indians. This is as
much as concerns the provision of ministers.
I propose the Augustinian fathers to your Lord-
ship because they have a greater number of religious
than the other orders have, and not because I have
any partiality in regard to the orders, as your Lord-
ship suspects. I do not know on what you found
your suspicion unless it be on the advantages and
benefits which have resulted to these fathers from
my protection and favor, as your Lordship is accus-
tomed to say, because you will not give any. I will
tell you of several things in which, by my interfering
I59I-I593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 45
and inclining to your side, they have lost what was
due them; for in Cagayan I took away from them a
resident's house which was worth one hundred and
fifty pesos of rent to them; in Tondo, the lands to
which the Indians laid claim; and the property in
Laguio and Nuestra Senora de Guia, which was
theirs. When they were saying mass in their house
to the Indians, with considerable notoriety and scan-
dal to them, and no little affliction to the fathers,
they were ejected from the [^illegible in MS.^^ at my
instance; for I asked it, and chose to give them this
punishment, in order to palliate their offense. There-
upon your Lordship [illegible in MS.] occasioned
some disturbance to result. This is what I have done
for this order, and the way in which I have favored
them, which in truth I might have done in many
things most deservedly, and very rightly and justly.
But I protest before God that I neither have now
nor have had any other consideration or regard in
this or in anything else, except a desire that in some
way or other so evident an obligation should be ful-
filled, and that religious affairs should be settled as
they ought, according to the adjustment and amend-
ment which they themselves sought [illegible in
MS.]. In accomplishing this, let not your Lordship
understand that the royal exchequer is to suffer, be-
cause [illegible in MS.~\ his royal intention is that
there shall be no lack in this. Accordingly, we shall
have recourse in other districts to the clergy whom
I mentioned above as being at leisure, who will be
occupied with their own support. The plans for this,
as I say - taking away here, and replacing there, and
distributing and selecting them in order that each
one may receive a little - this is all matter for your
46 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Lordship and for the obligations of your office. It is
much more your Lordship's duty that you should
attend to this business than it is to prevent the king
and his encomenderos from enjoying what in justice
they ought to, because they do not give you ministers
or because they have not them. Your Lordship can
remedy and provide for this only in one of three
ways - either as a protector of the Indians, or as
bishop, or as one who has a special commission for it
from his Majesty. As protector, what your Lord-
ship can do is to bring suits in the courts (and, even
then, not in all cases), and be satisfied with the de-
cision ; or else perform your own duties in the matter.
As bishop, your Lordship is concerned with the col-
lections of tribute, in that in confession you should
deny absolution to anyone who confesses that he has
not fulfilled well the charge of an estate. I do not
know whether you, as bishop, can command the con-
fessors that they all should refuse absolution in this
or that case, provided the said confessors and your
Lordship be of the same opinion and doctrine. As
for special commission, I do not know if your Lord-
ship have one, unless it be in the unruly and unpaci-
fied encomiendas. With this supposition there re-
mains to your Lordship no other foundation on
which to act. Neither does his Majesty commit it
to you, nor do I find how your Lordship can be
occupied in dealing with [illegible in MS.~\ more
than to give your opinion on it; and here ends the
prerogative which your Lordship can claim in this
matter. You make strenuous efforts in what does
not properly concern you, and fail to remedy what is
most necessary and close to your office, which is what
I mentioned above about religious instruction. I beg
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 47
of your Lordship that, putting aside human con-
siderations, you order that this be attended to, which
the good of these souls demands with [illegible in
MS.~\ necessity. Since in this way there are needs
now, there will be at least many more. Meanwhile,
until ministers are provided more liberally from
Spain, let them all get along as best they can, and
accommodate themselves, establishing houses wher-
ever they wish to, and where no better opportunity
is to be expected. God knows that this does not
[illegible in MS.] your Lordship, because you in-
terfere with my office. As far as this is concerned, if
I could [illegible in MS.~\ with it and my commis-
sion, or even give it all to your Lordship, and per-
form my duty, [I would ask (?) -illegible in MS.]
your Lordship to do it, if it were not for the obstacle
which that would put in the way of the careful guid-
ance and [illegible in MS.] who manage afifairs.
Neither does your Lordship resolve to order that,
on account of the great lack of religious ministers
which exists, provision may be made in the enco-
miendas that laymen of good life and example may
instruct the Indians, bringing them thus to a knowl-
edge of the true God, as well as into friendship and
intercourse with us. From this would result at least
the favorable disposition which you wish them to
have for the time when there may be religious in-
struction for them, as his Majesty orders in his charge
regarding presentations. I have proposed this to
your Lordship on several occasions, but you do not
set about it or reply to it. Since your Lordship
[knows (?) -illegible in MS.] what persons will be
fitted for this ministry, I beg you to tell me of some
who are suitable ; for, as I am new here, I am not as
48 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
well able to [select them (?) -illegible in MS.~\
properly; and those whom I brought and know are
occupied in other duties and neither [know(?)] the
language nor are acquainted with the country.
The dependence which the Indians have upon
your Lordship as one to shelter them and to defend
them as bishop and father; and, beyond this, as pro-
tector, to try and relieve them and to negotiate with
the person whom the king shall maintain here con-
cerning all that shall be to their good, and to ward
off all that would be grievous to them - all this is
very just and proper in your Lordship, and very
necessary to the Indians as poor, wretched beings.
Although I have always told them to go to you or to
the alcaldes-mayor, who would report their suits or
troubles to your Lordship or to me, I did not, my
Lord, intend to give them occasion that on pretext of
this, or of protection, they should come with every
childish trifle to Manila from their villages, perhaps
very far away. And it is not two or four Indians who
come, but often a whole village, with their women
and children. But whether they come in small or in
great numbers, they stay here, spending in petitions
more than the thing which they are suing for is
worth, while they are needed at home by their sowed
fields, their plants, their young cattle, their wives,
their children, their houses, and for their services to
the community and the church and others. One
might come on a business of importance, as I have
ordered. Now your Lordship sees how annoying
this is, and how you should wean them from repeat-
ing these comings and goings, in which they work
their own harm and ruin themselves; and so, except
in very important cases, their trouble and our time
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 49
might be spared by preventing their coming and
wasting time with their troublesome affairs.
The dignities, prebends, and canonries of your
Lordship's cathedral you will fill the first time, ac-
cording to the apostolic privilege which your Lord-
ship holds, and then the king begins to present. I
am very plain in this, for all I wish is to know what
and how many have been filled by you and how
many remain to be filled, in order that we may agree
on this, as well as on provision for the beneficed
curacies and the administration of religious instruc-
tion, which are assigned to the clergy. In these his
Majesty always presents one of two whom you
propose, according to his edicts. It will be well to
know if the number is full or if there are some places
to be filled, and if those which are filled are so with
establishment in a parish and canonical installation
by your Lordship, preceding presentation by his
Majesty, or if they are, as I have heard of some, only
in encomienda, accepted with your Lordship's con-
sent; because in this way, by taking away one and
placing another [illegible in MS.], and not in right
of possession, the royal right of presentation is
defrauded. I do not understand how it is that, when
your Lordship had ordained Father Salinas under
pretext of [giving him] the benefice of Catanduanes,
it remained as it was, and he is serving in Valayan.
I say all this only through desire that your Lordship
may lose nothing of your rights, and that I may not
give a bad account of what I am responsible for to
his Majesty; and that affairs may be settled with the
clearness and certainty which is desirable. I had
other things to tell your Lordship, but they will wait
for a better opportunity in order not to weary you;
50 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and if any doubt or difficulty arises between your
Lordship and me concerning what has been said,
there are learned men here who can easily solve it
by examining it and discussing it, and by their deci-
sion and determination I will abide very willingly.
Our Lord, etc. From this house of your Lordship,
March 19, 1591.
LETTER FROM SALAZAR TO DASMARINAS
Jesus
Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from your
Lordship, and intended to begin a reply immediately;
but there are so many occupations crowding upon me
that they do not leave me time to take breath; and
although I came out here to finish the little treatise
which I had promised your Lordship, I see that
neither here nor there have I opportunity to do any-
thing.
I was much pleased with the earnest zeal which
your Lordship showed in your letter, but you must
know that as I am old and have seen so many things,
I do not care very much for what I hear, but wait for
what may be done; because laying down general
rules and instructions for what is to be done is a very
easy thing, but very hard to put into practice. Who
doubts that the preaching of the gospel is the most
important thing for which we have come here? but
yet I see that this is the least object of solicitude; and,
if you do not think so, look at the progress of the
natives. I know very well that there is plenty of care
about temporal things; and, as long as these present
themselves, religious instruction is to cease - or the
Indians must support it, even if they never under-
stand it. So we all say that the Gospel is the princi-
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 5 1
pal thing, but our works show what it is that we care
most about. Ordinances, decrees, and provisions
which speak in favor of it, we have in plenty; the
fulfilment of them will come when there is nothing
temporal to be looked after, which will be very late.
If your Lordship does not think so, ask what is going
on in the island of Panay. Of what do they take most
account, of the galleys and ships which are being
built there, or of the religious instruction which was
to be preached there? Because I have seen with what
dislike your Lordship hears of what is going on
there, I have ceased to inform you of it -which I
did, hoping that if you understood the situation, you
would find means to improve it. Letters and mes-
sengers from there have told me things which are
enough to break one's heart; but now I am hardening
it, because I see that it is of no use for me to grieve
over them. This I say in reply to the statement in
the preface to your Lordship's letter, in which you
say: " If they would allow me to be bishop, I
would maintain better order in my bishopric than
there is, and the natives would be much better in-
structed and not so harassed." But where there are
so many to order and so few to obey, he who leads
this dance can ill guide it to the place where it ought
to go. For this reason many things are going so far
astray, and they will go astray as long as
he who has care of everything does not have
the authority which he ought to have. For how
can I arrange for the religious instruction, or take
away here or place there, if after I have ordered
it someone says that he chooses not to abide by it,
but to do what he thinks best? Allowing, in general,
that in moral matters there is a little improvement.
52 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
let US come to the particular point which your Lord-
ship treats of in your letter. But, before considering
it, I wish to warn your Lordship that concern for
these things, and the arrangement of them, and de-
ciding who is to be here and who is to be there, is
my business - not only because it belongs to my of-
fice, but because his Majesty particularly committed
and entrusted it to me, recommending me to do it in
communication with your Lordship; but the execu-
tion of it he leaves to me, as by right is proper. I
say this because I have heard that by virtue of some
decree or other they are persuading your Lordship
that religious can establish themselves without my
consent in villages where they have never been. In
this they are misleading your Lordship, and they
themselves are mistaken ; for that decree on the other
side -which notifies the viceroy of Nueva Espana,
which has never been used in this land, and which
no governor has ever dared to use - is previous to the
Council of Trent, after which it has no force, because
in it the contrary [i.e., to the Council's decision] is
decreed. So I beg of your Lordship, as I am in quiet
and peaceful possession, that no house whatsoever be
taken in my bishopric for religious without first seek-
ing and obtaining my permission. It was some days
ago that I found this out; but because your Lordship
told me that you did not believe what they said to
you, I did not pay any attention to it until I learned,
yesterday, that the provincial of San Augustin says
that, by decrees which they have from the king, they
can occupy houses without my permission. This I
believe your Lordship will not do; and I can not
understand how they can do it with any conscience.
With this understanding, let us come to what you say.
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 53
The new settlement of La Ermita and that of Ma-
late can very well be under one religious administra-
tion, and it shall be that of the priest whom I have
placed there. The same seems to me to be true of
Cavite and Paranaque, of which the priest whom I
have there shall have charge. In this way the
fathers of San Augustin can take away three or four
religious who are now in those tsvo places, and put
them in other localities where they have great need
of these men to fulfil their responsibility. I say this
on the one hand, on account of the great satisfaction
which I have in these two ministers; and on the other
hand, because they are already incumbents of those
two districts, and as such are, in equity, under obliga-
tions. Accordingly, I will not and cannot give them
to one who may tell me that he will not receive them
except as a favor, and then remain there, even though
I should be dissatisfied with him. Add to this that
I have need of some clergymen near me for the
many necessities which arise, which religious can-
not supply, and in order to help in the cathedral at
times ; for there is much need of this, as your Lord-
ship has probably seen sometimes, when you have
been there. As for what they say, that the fathers of
San Augustin will take charge of those districts with-
out having more alms given them, I am very sorry on
account of this offer of these fathers, because I know
that whatever burden is taken from the king's treas-
ury will fall on the Indians ; and I do not wish this,
neither should your Lordship wish it. Since those
fathers have, as I have said, so many districts to pro-
vide for, let them take there what they get therefrom.
Concerning the religious of Batan and the others
of this bishopric, it seems to me that neither your
54 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Lordship nor I should interfere with them, for they
know what is suitable for the government and preser-
vation of their orders; and they would be great fools
not to consider themselves first rather than others, for
St. Paul knew very well what he was saying when
he bade his disciple Timothy to take heed to himself
first and afterward to teaching. For the apostle
knew very well how proper it was for a minister to
take heed to himself first rather than others - and this
not only for the good of the minister himself, but also
for that of those to whom he ministers. Now since
the apostle said this to a bishop, who is under so great
obligations to look after his sheep, how much better
might it be said to the friars, who have this duty only
through charity. This is the law of charity, primum
mihi secundum tibi; and this should be observed
more among religious than among other ministers
who are not included among them - in the first place,
because these religious did not choose to take up this
ministry as under just obligations to do so, but merely
through charity, which looks first to itself and then
to its neighbor; in the second place, because a simple-
minded minister who is withdrawn from the world,
and given to prayer, and a careful observer of his
religion, and who will make the Indians feel that he
lives as a saint, is worth more than twenty who are
inattentive to their duties, and who cannot remain
an hour in their cells. These virtues and other sim-
ilar ones, without which a religious can not main-
tain himself, can ill be acquired by the religious
when they go alone and are so separated as you wish.
Would to God that I might see in every house for
Indians, not four such as are in Batan, but six or
eight, and not one, as your Lordship says, because I
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 55
should expect more fruit from these six or eight quiet
ones than from eighty heedless ones. For as St. Paul
said, speaking to the Corinthians, Regnum dei non
est in sermone sed in virtute; for chattering is chat-
tering, and teaching through works is the true teach-
ing. There are no people in the world who have so
great need of good ministers as have the Indians, or
who notice as much as they do the life which these
ministers lead, and the example which they set them.
For one religious to be alone, although he be a St.
Paul, is unsafe; and so it is proper that in this re-
gion we should permit the superiors of each com-
munity to govern their religious and arrange for
them as it seems best to them; for, since they came to
convert these souls, it is to be believed that they will
not fail to do so if they can. But they will not, and
very rightly, consent to ruin themselves through
maintaining the religious instruction ; but this is not
unfavorable to religious instruction, but rather very
favorable to it -since, in the way which I describe,
it is to give them ministers who will profit them; and
the way which your Lordship proposes means to put
fire to them which will consume them. Of this I
have more experience than your Lordship or any-
one else who is in these islands, because I was a friar
forty-six years, and minister more than thirty, and
have been bishop twelve ; and I know it all and have
seen it all, and this is good reason why more reliance
should be placed on me than on any other. This
same matter was discussed in Mexico among all the
orders. When they saw that it was ruinous to them
to be alone, they determined to establish houses
where there should be at least four; and, in order
that they might support themselves without being
56 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
burdensome to the Indians, they decreed that the
orders of St. Dominic and St. Augustine might have
some estates in the Indian villages, by which to sup-
port themselves. As it had been ordered by his
Majesty that they should not hold property in the
villages of the Indians, I went to Espana to see about
the matter, and obtained from his Majesty the rev-
ocation of this decree. As some of the auditors of
the Council said what your Lordship says now, I
freed them from that error, and proved to them that
it was not expedient that the friars should live other-
wise than in a community. I discussed the same
thing with his Majesty, and it seemed well to him and
so it was provided. In confirmation of this, the
fathers of St. Dominic who came to these islands
brought a brief from his Holiness, confirmed by the
royal Council, which orders that in each house there
should be at least four religious; and they tell me
that in the [illegible abbreviation in MS.^ they
praised it greatly and were much edified. In this
way, wherever your Lordship thinks of making a
short cut, you take a longer route. To give to the
Indians ministers [as you propose?] will be to give
them those who would destroy them, or at least who
would be of very little profit to them. Do not think
that I am so careless that I would have waited till
now if I had thought that what your Lordship says
would be expedient; but as I know how important
it is for the good of my sheep that those who teach
them should live uprightly, I am more pleased to
see the religious living together than to see them
separated. I am sorry in my heart when I know that
some religious is alone in a house, and if I could rem-
edy it I would do so; but I do what I can in not con-
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 57
seating that, through taking too many houses, the
friars may be left alone in others. Your Lordship
will do me the great favor and kindness not to treat
of any other matter which shall be contrary to this,
because I know that it is to destroy the religious and
ruin religious instruction. The provincial who shall
do this will give me a very bad example ; and I shall
understand that he cares more about establishing
houses than about looking after his friars or religious
instruction. On this account the religious and I have
had some quarrels, but I know that they have not
been right; for my zeal and desire has not been to
prevent their having houses, but to prevent their
taking so many that they could not support those es-
tablishments without harm to themselves and to the
Indians. When your Lordship says that two are
sufficient in Batan, you show clearly that you are not
well informed of what is needed in order that there
be religious instruction; for in Batan there is need of
two more friars in order that it may be well in-
structed. As to what your Lordship says about pro-
vision for the encomiendas of Ylocos, you have as
much care for them as if you forgot those which the
king has in Panay and in other regions of the Pin-
tados, who are all, or most of them, Christians. The
Augustinian fathers, in whose charge these were wont
to be, abandoned them ; but since they have returned
to take charge of the religious instruction of that
people, and the obligation which holds them is
greater than that of Ylocos, let them cease to claim
houses there until they have more ministers. As for
those who were to be sent to Ylocos, where there was
no obligation at all, let them be sent to the Pintados,
where there is so much obligation. With those who
58 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
are to be taken from Malate, Laguio, and Parafiaque,
two or three houses might be occupied among the
Pintados in the king's villages, which have been with-
out religious instruction now for some time. If your
Lordship carries this out, you will take a great bur-
den from the conscience of the king and from your
own, and those fathers will do a thing which they
are under great obligations to do; for to claim the
charge of Ylocos is only a whim of those fathers, and
a desire to undertake what they cannot carry on vig-
orously. If your Lordship had consulted with me,
I know that I should have given you much safer
advice than that which others give you ; because there
is no one in this country who knows as much as I do
about what is fitting, nor is there anyone who would
give it to your Lordship with so little regard for
other considerations as I.
What I have said about the religious, that it is not
fitting for them to go about alone, does not extend
to the priests; because these, by their profession and
habit, are not obliged to be together, but each one
goes by himself. This has been the usage of the
church, and, so far, we have not seen that any bad
results have followed; but many indeed have fol-
lowed from the religious dwelling alone.
There is another great evil in what your Lordship
wishes, and it is that, to station so many religious who
are scattered about, each one by himself, is not to es-
tablish religious instruction but to permit it to go to
ruin ; for I have always been of the opinion, and shall
be all my life, that a few well instructed are better
than many ill instructed. When they are ill in-
structed they are like an ill-cured wound, which,
when we think that it is well, breaks forth again.
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 59
Thus it is with the ill-instructed Indians; for when
we think that they have profited, we find that they
are worse than before they were baptized. This
comes from never having sufficient religious instruc-
tion, which in this part of the world is most neces-
sary, among these unfortunate people who in but few
places have seen one happy day. Your Lordship also
suggests where the priests may be placed. To this I
reply that, as we leave it to the superiors to govern
their religious, it would be right for your Lordship
to leave it to me to govern my priests, as I leave it to
you to look after your captains and soldiers; for I
know what each one of my priests is for, as your
Lordship knows of your men. Your Lordship must
understand that I am not so careless of the life that
the priests lead that I am not on the watch, and they
know this well; and if sometimes they come to Ma-
nila it is with my permission, or on business which
cannot be avoided. In this I know that there is more
to be remedied elsewhere than in my priests. If the
scattering of these ministers in so many regions is,
as your Lordship suggests, that the king and the en-
comendero may collect their taxes, it seems to me that
this is not a good means for it; because where there
is not sufficient religious instruction, as there is not
where there is one minister in an encomienda.
neither the king nor the encomenderos can receive
as much as your Lordship wishes to give them. And
I know well from the Christian spirit of our king
that, if he were informed of the truth which I know
and have told you, he would never consent that any
money which was so ill gathered should enter his
treasury. Some day this truth will be known and
we shall see who will weep for not having believed
6o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
it. His Majesty understood this very well when, in
an article of the letter which he wrote to me, he bade
me to try to provide sufficient religious instruction ;
for his Majesty sees clearly that what is actually done
is rather to neglect than really to provide the In-
dians with what they need. Would to God, as I
know that what I say is true, that I might satisfy my
conscience by not saying what I am going to pass
over in silence, and that I might be in peace; for I
desire this more than to see myself in the midst of
disputes and hard feeling. But the obligation which
I have, to fulfil the duties of my office, does not al-
low me to keep silent, but I have to speak and say
what I feel.
I do not understand what your Lordship says about
the Augustinian fathers and do not wish to reply to
it until you have explained it to me, because it never
entered my thoughts to be sorry that you should
favor them, for they deserve it and your Lordship
should do so. But when your Lordship says that
since you came here they have lost some of their
rights, I do not wish to agree to that, nor do I think
that they will say so; but let this wait for another
time, for I do not wish to treat of it here.
At this point your Lordship makes a long digres-
sion, trying to give me to understand what my office is
and what I can do and what I can not do, and for
this your Lordship makes distinctions of protector
and bishop and commissioner. Your Lordship need
not have taken so much trouble ; for, as Captain Be-
cerra dares to write to me not to take so much trou-
ble to give him light, because he has enough from
God, so it would not be very much for me to dare
to tell your Lordship not to take so much trouble as
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 61
you have taken in this letter to teach me what my
office is and what I may do in conformity with it-
because, speaking with the respect which is due to
your Lordship, you did not come to this bishopric to
teach me but to be taught by me. In truth I do not
understand what could be your Lordship's thought in
discussing a matter so foreign to your profession;
and it did not seem at all well to me, unless your
Lordship regards me as so contemptible a person that
I am not equal to this. Although humility is well in
all, and particularly in bishops, it is not humility for
the sheep to teach the shepherd; nor would it be con-
sidered well in me, and still less so in your Lordship,
if it were known that I allowed you, who should take
rules of right living from me, to give them to me.
Read, or have read to you, the chapter si imperator
g6 dutin., in which your Lordship will see what is
the duty of secular princes and what that of bishops,
where among other words it says these: "If the
emperor is Catholic he is a son, not a prelate, of the
church ; and whatever concerns religion he is to learn,
not teach." In what follows in this chapter your
Lordship will see what is your duty and what is
mine; and our Lord, through the prophet Malachi,
says that the lips of the priest held knowledge, and
from his mouth the law is to be sought, and not from
the governors. Since your Lordship wished to be
master when you should have been pupil, you could
not avoid falling into the difficulties into which you
have fallen in this letter, as you say that you do not
know whether the bishop can order that all the con-
fessors should not absolve in this or that case. It is
almost a matter of course that the bishop may re-
serve cases, when that may seem best to him; and
62 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
it is an amusing thing that your Lordship sets about
declaring to me when the confessors are to reserve
the cases and when they are not to do so. I am
astonished, and marvel at your judgment and pru-
dence in coming to discuss such matters with your
bishop, especially when your Lordship knows that
he has studied a great deal to know this which you
can not know, nor would it be proper for you to
know it. The cases which I shall reserve shall be
reserved, and those who dare to absolve, although
they may have other privileges, will commit mortal
sin, when the bishop declares the reason why he does
it; and many doctors of the highest standing main-
tain that the absolution is void in such cases. When
anyone shall confront me with a concession opposed
to this, he must have studied deeply, for many talk
about concessions without understanding them. Since
your Lordship meddles so much in things in which
you ought not to, do not be astonished if I reply as is
suitable, in order that your Lordship may be in-
structed, and that I may satisfy the objections which
are brought against me. When your Lordship says
that you do not know and can not discover how I can
be concerned in trying to remedy anything which
concerns the encomiendas which are peaceful, except
by giving my opinion about the matter, I say that I
am not astonished that your Lordship does not know,
since you are not under obligations to know; but I
am astonished that because you yourself do not know,
your Lordship should think that I do not know, since
you cannot but confess that I know much more than
your Lordship does about the matter in question.
That your Lordship may be completely undeceived,
please know that in order to discuss the collection of
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 63
tributes and the rest that has to be done in that con-
nection, I have no need of a commission from the
king, because I have it from God. This limitation
is proper for your Lordship, because you have no
power but that which the king has given you. I
hold mine from God, who gives the bishops all that
they need to govern their bishoprics; and so I do not
need to have the king tell me what I have to do, but
I have to determine what is proper for the unbur-
dening of the royal conscience, and my duty toward
your Lordship and the others who are under my
care ; for I know better than any who are here what
is proper for relieving the royal conscience in the
Philipinas. Do not consider this as presumption, for
it is not, but merely telling the truth ; for if we con-
sider the law, I studied it very well many years ago,
and as for the facts, I know them better than anyone
else, and there is no one who has so much experience
as I. Your Lordship need not tell me that it is not
my place to act in this matter, for it is, and it is more
fitting for me than for any other to act in it and de-
termine what should be done about it. Neither do
I need to pay any attention to the fact that there are
some who say the opposite, because, beyond the fact
that I know that those who say the opposite are
wrong and make your Lordship err, besides this, I
say that when the bishop determines a thing after
having taken due care not to be mistaken, it should
not be suffered that others, however excellent they
may be, should dare to say the opposite, for this is to
cause dissensions between the prelate and his flock.
Whoever shall be the cause of this, it will not go well
with him, because in this bishopric there is no other
doctor than I, and whatever I say must stand and
64 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
pass in my tribunal. If I am not what I should be,
let them use the remedy which our Lord Jesus Christ
left in His church, as St. Luke tells in chapter XII.
This is to wait for God to remedy the matter, and
advise with anyone who, by his authority, can rem-
edy it, and in the meantime to commend it to God.
This same remedy laymen have as regards their
governors. But in order that they should undertake
to remedy it by opposing it, the error of the bishop
must be so great that it could not be tolerated without
great prejudice to the faith or to customs. But since
I have relied on the reasons which I have, and have
consulted with those who could give a good opinion
about it, and particularly as I am so certain that I
am in the right, it would be rash boldness for an-
other to say the opposite, or to dare to preach it.
Your Lordship is very much mistaken when you
think that what I say is nothing but the opinion of
any other person whatsoever; for now that I have set
about determining this and discussing it so purposely,
I know that no one who says the opposite can support
it. I say this with such liberty because I know what
I am saying; and in the defense of it I should think it
but little to lose my life. When your Lordship tells
me that I interfere with what is your business, I con-
sider it as a great offense ; for you yourself are a good
witness of how little trouble I have given you in this*
matter, and henceforward I shall give much less. I
am not so desirous of ordering that I wish you to
share your charge with me, for my own work, which
is not small, is enough for me. I do wish to have
your Lordship know that my discussion of the man-
ner in which the collections are to be made, or from
what encomiendas they may be made and from what
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 65
ones not, is not interfering with your Lordship's of-
fice, but fulfilling the duty of my own. Not that I
am to imprison or sentence encomenderos who col-
lect contrary to what I say, for this is your Lordship's
duty. Before the tribunal of conscience I must con-
demn those to make restitution who collect without
having the authority to collect, even if it be with the
permission of your Lordship ; and I must place your
Lordship under the same obligation because you gave
them such permission. This distinction of powers
your Lordship ought to have known before telling
me that I was interfering in what was not my business.
In the matter of employing laymen where there
are no ministers of religious instruction, your Lord-
ship says that I do not make up my mind, although
you have already proposed it to me several times.
Twice your Lordship tells me in this letter that you
have communicated things to me, but I am aston-
ished that my poor memory does not recall any of
them. One of the greatest satisfactions is that your
Lordship does things all by yourself, without my hav-
ing anything to do with them, and in truth I hold it
as one of the greatest mercies that could come to me;
and although his Majesty orders the opposite, as
many things fail to be done which kings com-
mand, so this also shall fail to be done, to my great
satisfaction and to yours also, as I think. I have not
stationed Spaniards in the encomiendas because I do
not know whom to place there; and I remember very
well having said this to your Lordship, but we agreed
together that I should decide this matter, as I remem-
ber it. There is no reason why I should give your
Lordship a report on the persons who can be ap-
pointed, because it is my business to appoint them,
66 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and to determine their salaries - not only by com-
mission from his Majesty, but it is also my due on
account of my office. But I have not dared, and do
not dare, to appoint anyone - not because I do not
wish to and have tried to, but because I know that
there is no one in whom we can trust without great
harm to the Indians and very little benefit; because
those who could go and be of service to the Indians
do not wish to, and those who wish to are not suit-
able. Thus your Lordship will see how right I was
in saying that to appoint many alcaldes-mayor and
lieutenants is a greater harm to the Indians, and this
is not a fancy of mine but a common saying in all the
land.
It is very amusing to me that your Lordship places
to my account the coming of so many Indians to me
that I may favor them, just as if I called them, or
were a party to driving them away. It is evident that
your Lordship knows but little of the Indians, since
you say this. In order that I may tell you some
truths, as your Lordship wished to tell me, please
know that the Indians are much dissatisfied and com-
plain that you receive them very ungraciously and
roughly, and thus many do not dare to appear before
you. This can but be a great obstacle to what is
needed to be done in this country. If my meeting
them with a friendly aspect and treating them kindly
is the cause of their coming to me, I do not think that
I shall mend my ways in this, because I know what
they need. As far as being protector is concerned,
that obstacle has been removed, for it is some time
since I abandoned the office of protector; and by no
means would I take it up again, for I do not wish
to know more sorrow than I have known, without
1 591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 67
any other result than to grieve my heart at the sight
of it. When his Majesty shall learn the reasons
which I had for giving it up, I am sure that he will
not regard me as undutiful to him in having aban-
doned it.
In conferring the prebends and benefices I abide
by the royal rights of presentation in what I am
obliged to ; but to station a clergyman in a Christian
Indian village [doctrinal when there is someone who
opposes, is a thing that I have sometimes done, and
will do henceforward, because I know that it is
proper to do so for the service of God and the good of
the sheep which I have in my charge. Against this
there is no right of patronage ; nor would it occur to
the king to wish that this should not be done, nor
would it occur to me to defraud the royal right of
patronage; for I know very well the obligation under
which I am to keep it, and I know when anyone acts
according or contrary thereto. Surely I am sur-
prised that your Lordship should meddle in such
trifles as to ask from me an account of the title under
which Father Salinas was ordained. If your Lord-
ship does not know how he can act, I know ; and for
that reason I created him a priest; and I know that
this was well done, and that it is not fitting to do any-
thing else. I know that your zeal is great, but I also
know what St. Paul said of others who had zeal, and
zeal for God, but he said that that zeal was not ac-
cording to knowledge. And certainly, when your
Lordship interferes in the things in which you inter-
fere in this letter, although I say it be with great
zeal, you have greatly exceeded your powers, and
overstepped the bounds to which they extend. For
even if your Lordship had known and seen that I
68 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
transgressed due limits, your Lordship had neither
license nor authority to treat in so imperious a man-
ner your bishop, whose instruction and advice your
Lordship is bound to follow, and your Lordship
should not undertake to constrain your master. The
worst thing would be that your Lordship should
think that what you have said pertains to your duty,
because that would be a graver matter; for, if your
Lordship could stretch your arm so far as that, there
would be no need of any bishop in this country, ex-
cept a titular one,^ for I do not see what remains to
me if your Lordship can do all the things which you
imply in this letter. But please read the chapter, si
ymperator, already cited, and you will see how far
your powers extend, and what is for me to do. Your
Lordship has plenty to do in your office without ex-
tending your authority to mine, and I have plenty
to do in mine without treating of what belongs to
yours - although, since I have in my charge your
Lordship's soul, not only as a Christian but as gov-
ernor, I cannot be so careless as not often to be
obliged to examine what you are doing and advise
you of what you ought to do. This your Lordship
cannot do with me by virtue of your office, although
as friend and lord, as one who desires my good, I
shall be pleased to be advised by your Lordship of
my faults, which I know very well are not few. Ex-
cept in what my office obliges me to, be certain that
I shall keep as far from interfering in the matters
of your government, or from giving you any trouble,
as if I were not living or were not in the country.
^Spanish obispo de anillo, literally, "bishop with a ring;" the
same as a bishop in partibus infidelium. This means a titular
bishop of the Roman Catholic church whose territory is occupied
by infidels, so that he cannot reside there.
1591-1593] COLLECTION OF TRIBUTES 69
This has turned out a very long letter, and cer-
tainly my occupations did not give me time for so
much ; but the great amount of matter in your letter
which needed to be answered left me nothing else to
do. Believe me that I am very much opposed to dis-
cussing such matters, especially when a man has to
say something which may seem praise or esteem of
himself, which is a thing very unfit for those who try
to serve God. But when this is not done arrogantly,
or in vanity, but to defend the necessary truth, it is
done as St. Gregory the Pope did against the emperor
Maurice, and Gelasius the Pope against the em-
peror Anastasius. Even Moses and St. Paul, al-
though they were so humble, when it was necessary
to defend their authority said things of themselves
which, said in any other connection, would seem
wrong; but, spoken for the purpose for which they
said them, were rightly spoken. As I think that what
I have said is enough to satisfy your Lordship's let-
ter (and, if anything remains to be set right, time
will not be lacking in which it can be discussed), for
the present let this be sufficient. May our Lord give
your Lordship the light of His grace, that you may
follow His holy will in everything. From Quiapo,
March twenty-first, one thousand five hundred and
ninety-one.
Fray Domingo, Bishop of the Filipinas.
LIBERTY OF THE INDIANS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Gregory XIV, Pope : In perpetual remembrance
of the affair.
Since, as we have recently learned, in the first at-
tempts to christianize the Indians of the Philippine
Islands, so many dangers of life had to be undergone,
on account of the savageness of these Indians, that
many were constrained to take up arms against those
Indians, and even to ravage their property; while
subsequently, after the conversion of these Indians -
who, abandoning their worship of false gods, now ac-
knowledge the true God and profess the Catholic
faith - those who formerly had ravaged their proper-
ty now wish to make good what they destroyed, but
are without the means of so doing: with the desire to
provide for the peacefulness of conscience of the said
persons, and thus to guard against all dangers and
discomforts therein, by these presents, with our au-
thority, we charge and command our venerable broth-
er the bishop of Manila to have the above-named
persons and the parties to whom restitution is to be
made come to an agreement thereon among them-
selves, with satisfaction to be made to the owners
wherever these are known. But where they are not
known, then the same compensation is to be made
1591-1593] LIBERTY OF THE INDIANS 71
through the bishop in benefit and aid of Indians in
distress, should they who are bound to restitution be
able conveniently so to do; otherwise, if poor them-
selves, let them make satisfaction whenever they
reach a comfortable state of life.
Moreover, in order that the resolutions determined
upon by the said bishop, with religious and learned
men assembled together, in benefit of the Christians
newly converted to the faith, be not infringed by them
through mere whim or anyone's individual deed or
fancy, we wish and by our apostolic authority decree
that whatever orders and commands be passed by the
majority of the assembly in the interest of the Chris-
tian faith or the health of souls, for the good govern-
ment of Indian converts, shall be steadily and in-
variably observed until further orders or commands
by the same assembly. ... In fine, we have
learned that our very dear son in Christ, Philip, the
Catholic king of the Spains, has ordered that in view
of the many deceits usually practiced therein, no
Spaniard in the aforesaid Philippine Islands shall,
even by the right of war, whether just or unjust, or
of purchase, or any other pretext whatsoever, take or
hold or keep slaves or serfs ; and yet that in contraven-
tion of this edict or command of King Philip, some
still keep slaves in their service. In order, then, as
conformable to reason and equity, that the Indians
may go to and from their Christian doctrinas and
their own homes and lands freely and safely, without
any fear of slavery, in virtue of holy obedience and
under pain of excommunication, we order and com-
mand all and singular the persons dwelling in those
islands - of no matter what state, degree, condition,
rank, and dignity -on the publication of these pres-
72 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
ents to set wholly free, without any craft and deceit,
whatever Indian slaves and serfs they may have; nor
for the future shall they in any manner, contrary to
the edict or command of the said King Philip, take
or keep captives or slaves.
For the rest, as it would be difficult [to send] these
present letters to all and singular the aforesaid
islands, etc.
Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, under the seal of the
Fisherman, April i8, 1591, the first year of our pon-
tificate.
ARTICLES OF CONTRACT FOR THE CON-
QUEST OF MINDANAO
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-
general of these Philipinas Islands for the king, our
sovereign, etc. :
His Majesty orders and charges me, by his royal
instructions and decrees, as the most worthy and im-
portant thing in these islands, to strive for the propa-
gation of our holy faith among the natives herein,
their conversion to the knowledge of the true God, and
their reduction to the obedience of His holy church
and of the king, our sovereign; and to this end and
object his Majesty has given me commission to make
the expeditions and pacifications that I think best
for the service of God and his own, and likewise
to give license and commission for making them.
By reason thereof, he also commissions me to make
covenants and agreements with explorers and paci-
fiers who are willing to bind and pledge themselves,
at their own cost, to make such expeditions and paci-
fications. Moreover, the island of Mindanao is so
fertile and well-inhabited, and teeming with Indian
settlements, wherein to plant the faith, and of so great
circumference - namely, three hundred leagues - and
distant two hundred leagues from this island of Lu-
zon; and is rich in gold mines and placers, and in
74 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
wax, cinnamon, and other valuable drugs. And al-
though the said island has been seen, discussed, and
explored (and even in great part given in reparti-
miento), no efifort has been made to enter and reduce
it, nor has it been pacified or furnished with instruc-
tion or justice - quite to the contrary being, at the
present time, hostile and refusing obedience to his
Majesty; and no tribute, or very little, is being col-
lected. And the assignment into encomiendas made
there has been null and void, as being made contrary
to his Majesty's ordinances contained in his instruc-
tions and articles on "New Discoveries," as the land
must be first entered and entirely pacified, and its
rulers and natives must be reduced to the obedience
of his Majesty, and given to understand the evangeli-
cal instruction. Besides the above facts, by delaying
the pacification of the said island greater wrongs, to
the offense and displeasure of God and of his Majesty,
are resulting daily; for I am informed that the king
of that island has made all who were paying tribute
to his Majesty tributary to himself by force of arms,
and after putting many of them to death while doing
it; so that now each Indian pays him one tae of gold.
I am also told that he destroyed and broke into pieces,
with many insults, a cross that he found, when told
that it was adored by the Christians ; and that in Min-
danao, the capital and residence of the said king, are
Bornean Indians, who teach and preach publicly the
false doctrine of Mahoma, and have mosques ; besides
these, there are also people from Terrenate - gunners,
armorers, and powder-makers, all engaged in their
trades - who at divers times have killed many Span-
iards when the latter were going to collect the tribute
(once killing thirteen, and at other times four or
1591-1593] CONQUEST OF MINDANAO 75
five) , without our being able to mete out punishment,
because of lack of troops. By reason of the facts
above recited, and because all of the said wrongs and
troubles will cease with the said pacification; and,
when it is made, we are sure that the surrounding
kingdoms of Borney, Jolo, Java, and other provinces,
will become obedient to his Majesty: therefore, in
order that the said island may be pacified, subdued,
and settled, and the gospel preached to the natives;
and that justice may be established among them, and
they be taught to live in a civilized manner, and to
recognize God and His holy law, I have tried to en-
trust the said pacification to a person of such charac-
ter that he may be entrusted with it. Now consider-
ing that the good qualities requisite for this, and
which are demanded by section twenty-seven of "New
Discoveries," are found in Esteban Rodriguez de
Figueroa - that he is rich, powerful, possessed of
many friends, popular with the soldiers of this coun-
try, and well-acquainted with the land, as being one
of the first discoverers - and that he has served his
Majesty loyally and faithfully, and offers of his own
accord to make the said pacification at his own ex-
pense; therefore, as I am confident that he will fulfil
whatever he covenants and contracts to do in his
Majesty's service, I have resolved to entrust and
charge to him the said pacification, in his Majesty's
name. And if he, on his part, shall fulfil his offers,
which accompany this writ, then I, on my part, will
fulfil likewise what I promise, as a reward for the
said pacification. Therefore, by this present, I em-
power and authorize said Captain Estevan Rodri-
guez de Figueroa, to make the said pacification and
settlement of the island of Mindanao, and at his own
76 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
expense, under the following conditions and declara-
tions :
As the first condition, the said Captain Estevan
Rodriguez binds himself and promises to fulfil and
observe as inviolate, first and foremost, the decrees
and ordinances of his Majesty in the sections of "New
Discoveries," and in each one of them, separately -
of which he will be given an authorized copy, so that
he may exercise the equity and good method of pro-
ceeding, gently and without violence, which his
Majesty has commanded to be observed and kept in
the said pacification.
Item : That said Captain Estevan Rodriguez
binds himself and promises to pacify and colonize the
said island of Mindanao at his own expense within
three years - making one settlement on the river of
Mindanao, and more if necessary, according to the
condition of the land; and to maintain the island,
thus pacified and colonized, for one year.
Item : From that time the life-title of governor
of said island shall be given to said Estevan Rodri-
guez de Figueroa, and to one son or heir. And I
shall have letters sent to his Majesty, entreating him
to show him favor by granting him the title of adelan-
tado or of mariscal of the island, as may be his pleas^
ure, in accordance with the orders of his Majesty in
my instructions.
Item : It is granted in his Majesty's name that,
when the said pacification and colonization is com-
pleted, he may allot the land and island of Mindanao
into encomiendas as follows: First, the ports and
capitals shall be allotted to his Majesty's royal crown.
Having subtracted these, he may, from the remain-
der, allot one-third part to himself, for the time men-
1591-1593] CONQUEST OF MINDANAO "J^
tioned in the said sections of "New Discoveries," and
in whatever part he wishes. The other two-thirds
remaining he may allot and apportion among the
soldiers enrolled under his banners, and those who
take part in the said pacification.
The said Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa
said that he accepted the above covenant and agree-
ment made as above stated, and promised to abide by
its provisions. To this he pledged himself and his
property; and both the said governor and captain-
general, Gomez Perez Dasmarifias, and the said Cap-
tain Estevan Rodriguez signed the agreement (writ-
ten secretly by the said governor), before me, the
undersigned notary, Manila, May twelve, one thou-
sand five hundred and ninety-one.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa
Before me :
Juan de Cuellar
[Endorsed : "Agreement for the conquest of Min-
danao." "Look for the decree mentioned, in order
to see that it is provided; and bring it."]
ORDINANCE FORBIDDING THE INDIANS
TO WEAR CHINESE STUFFS
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-
general for his Majesty in these islands, to you, Juan
de Alcega, alcalde-mayor of the province of Pan
Panga, and of the places pertaining thereto; or to
your deputy:
Be it known unto you that some days ago the
city of Manila issued an ordinance, which was
confirmed by me, forbidding the Indian natives of
these islands to wear silks or stuffs from China, for
many reasons mentioned in the said ordinance. And
in order to ascertain whether any benefit or advantage
will result to the said Indians from the said ordinance
and whether certain offenses against God and other
abuses will be averted ; and whether there are any for
whose sake the execution of the same should be sus-
pended: I therefore now, by these presents, ordain
and command you that, by reason of the declarations
hereinbefore made, you secure information from
Spanish and Indian witnesses, examining the same in
accordance with the interrogatory sent herewith; in
order that his Majesty may be informed of the facts
disclosed and asserted, and may issue commands at
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 79
his good pleasure. Given at Manila, on the ninth
day of April, in the year 1591.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
By order of the governor: Juan de Cuellar
Compared v^ith the original :
Felipe Ramirez, notary.
Whereas, the city of Manila, on the thirtieth day
of March of this year, issued an ordinance forbidding
the natives from wearing silks and stufifs from China,
for many reasons mentioned in the said ordinance,
which are of importance to the general welfare and
the good government of these islands ; we, the cabildo
and government of the city of Manila, command that
the said ordinance be submitted to the royal Council
of the Indias for confirmation, in order that the said
causes, and any others that may exist, may be certified
to his Majesty. We entreat your Lordship to send us
information, in accordance with the questions sent you
herewith, and that an authorized copy of said in-
formation be sent us for transmission to his Majesty,
with the said ordinance; for which purpose, etc.
The witnesses are to be asked if they know wheth-
er, when first the Spaniards discovered these islands,
all the natives wore any other garments than those
made in the islands, planting cotton and weaving
cloth for their own use, and continuing to do so even
for many years after the Spaniards had settled in the
islands; and whether the one or two ships that came
from China each year, brought any cloth or silks to
the islands. For these were not sold among the
natives; and all that was carried in these ships was
earthenware, horns, herbs, desaumerios, and other
trifles of little importance. Also whether, after the
8o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Spaniards settled here, and the Chinese began to in-
crease their trade with them and to bring many ships
to these islands laden with cloth, the natives began
to wear garments of said cloth from China, discard-
ing their own, which they formerly used ; and wheth-
er this use has reached such a pass that there is no
year when the said natives do not buy and use for
their clothing over two hundred thousand robes of
cotton and silk, which at the present time are worth
as many pesos - and in a few years will, unless this
injury [to our trade] is opposed and checked, be
worth twice as much. For as the natives are not a
people who strive to acquire much property for the
purpose of leaving it to their heirs, but spend all they
get in food and drink and clothing, and as no one
needs more than one or two pieces of cloth a year,
they care not whether these garments be cheap or
dear, but pay for them whatever is asked ; and in this
way the price has risen so high, that a piece which at
first could be bought for two reals, now sells for ten,
and very soon will cost twenty.
Also whether, for the reasons given in the preced-
ing question, there results what would be a serious
loss to these islands, and injury to his Majesty- that
is, whether it be true that, whereas the Chinese form-
erly, in payment for the clothing they brought,
carried away from these islands thirty thousand
pesos in money, they now, on account of the reckless-
ness and extravagance of the natives, take away two
hundred thousand pesos. This money leaves the
realms of his Majesty, and is carried to a foreign
country, in violation of royal edicts; this would be
prevented if the said natives were not to clothe them-
selves with the said stuffs.
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 8 1
Also whether the said natives have, since the Span-
iards have been trading in these islands with the Chi-
nese, abandoned the tillage of their lands, as regards
not only the cultivation of cotton, but that of rice,
wine, and other products of the country; and have
given themselves over to vice and idleness, refusing to
work. For, as there is money in the country, brought
hither by the Spaniards, some of it gets into the hands
of the natives, in payment for services and in many
other ways. And thus the natives, finding the stufifs
brought by the Chinese ready at hand, and having
money to pay for them, have abandoned work and the
cultivation of their lands, and become vagabonds, both
men and women - courting the favor of the Span-
iards, and committing and causing numberless of-
fenses against God. For the natives are addicted to
theft and licentiousness, and the women are ready to
sell their persons; and for these reasons there is, here,
more than an intimacy of men and women.
Also whether the evils and disorders above men-
tioned would disappear with the observance of the
said ordinance. For the natives would then be at
work, and there would be an abundance of fruits
and provisions in the country, and at very low prices,
as there has been hitherto, and thus the country
would be supported; and there would not be taken
out of the kingdom the large sums of money which
the Chinese now carry away for the provisions which
they bring to sell - such as flour, sugar, lard, and
other things. Moreover, the natives would dress in,
their own stufifs, which are better woven and more
economical than those from China; and besides mak-
ing cloth for their own use, they would have some
which the Spaniards could buy for their trade; and
82 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
another large quantity of money would remain in the
country, which now is taken from it because the said
natives do not make the said cloth. Another serious
evil would cease; the natives would no longer sell
raw cotton to the Chinese, who take it to their own
country and make it into cloth, and then return to
sell it to the natives, and with these goods deprive
them of their money. Most of all, there would be
an end to the evils and sins against God above men-
tioned.
Also whether the observance of the said ordinance
will induce the natives and the Chinese to carry on
trade as they formerly did, without using money; for
if the natives should wish to trade or barter in the
islands (which is not forbidden to them), they can
and will obtain goods, as they formerly did, in ex-
change for such articles as siguey (a small white
snail), dye-wood, and carabao horns; to this mode
of trading the Chinese will adapt themselves, and the
outflow of money will cease.
Also whether all these islands, or most of them, are
well adapted to the cultivation of cotton, so that, if
the natives are set to the task, enough will be pro-
duced to supply all the islands with provisions and
clothing; and whether cloth will be made, as good as,
or better than, that which comes from China, and a
surplus be left for shipment to Nueva Espana in ex-
change for necessaries, and a larger surplus of cotton
to be used in exchange for Chinese wares ; and wheth-
er as much money will be taken out of the country as
is now taken away. Let the witnesses tell what they
know on these subjects ; and whether the facts above
stated are notorious or well-known, and matters of
public discussion and report.
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 83
In the village of Bacolor, province of Panpanga,
of the Philipinas Islands, on the thirteenth day of
the month of May, in the year one thousand five
hundred and ninety-one. Captain Juan de Alcega,
alcalde-mayor of the said province for our lord the
king, declared that, inasmuch as the cabildo, magis-
tracy, and government of the city of Manila, among
other ordinances which they enacted for the v^elfare
and government of that city, and for the benefit of the
state, issued one forbidding the natives of these islands
to dress in silks or stuffs from China, for the reasons
and difficulties mentioned in the said ordinance; and
because the enforcement and observance thereof is
very just and expedient for these islands, Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the habit of Santiago,
governor and captain-general of the islands for our
lord the king, in his royal name approved and con-
firmed the same. But as Don Frai Domingo de Sala-
zar, bishop of these said islands, in the name of the
natives as their protector, has protested against the said
ordinance on the ground of its being injurious to the
natives, the captain-general, in behalf of the said na-
tives, and in order to ascertain the truth, makes the
statements contained in this mandate. And in order
to ascertain whether the observance of the said ordi-
nance would put an end to the troubles therein men-
tioned, or whether a fulfilment of the same would re-
sult in the injuries to the said natives which the said
bishop, as their protector, mentions, I hereby com-
mand that the following investigation be made, and
that the witnesses be examined in accordance with the
interrogatory submitted by the said cabildo.
Signed : JUAN DE Alcega
Before me : Felipe Roman, notary.
84 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
EVIDENCE
In the village of fubao of the said province, on the
fourteenth day of May of the year aforesaid, the said
alcalde-mayor, for the purpose of the said investiga-
tion, caused to appear before him Don Nicolas Ra-
mos, a chief of the village of Cubao and governor of
the same - who, being duly sworn according to legal
form, with the aid of the interpreter Domingo Bi-
rral, and having promised on the sign of the cross to
speak the truth, was questioned in accordance with the
purpose of the interrogatory, and deposed as follows:
In reply to the first question this witness stated that
he knew that before the Spaniards came to these
islands for their discovery, pacification, and settle-
ment, and that of all the peoples who then were, or
have since been, discovered here, all the natives of
the islands, so far as this witness is informed - chiefs,
timaguas, and slaves, without distinction of rank-
wove cotton fabrics, with which they clothed them-
selves, all from cotton of their own planting. It is
true that, as far back as this witness can remember,
he thinks that he has never known cotton to have been
planted or gathered in this province, or along the
river and coast of Manila, from the village of Cabite
to this province; but in all the other tribes except
these cotton was planted, large quantities being gath-
ered and sold to the inhabitants of this Pampanga,
and to those of the river and coast of Manila, who
gave in exchange the rice which they cultivated, and
sometimes gold; and they procured the cotton for the
purpose of spinning it and weaving cloth for their
own garments. This continued to be the custom for
many years after the coming of the Spaniards; for,
although one or two ships came from China each
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 85
year at that time, these brought no cloths or silks, but
only iron, and earthenware, and camanguian. The
principal reason why the Tagalos of Manila and the
inhabitants of all this Panpanga have never cultivated
cotton, is because they do not know how ; and because
they have never been accustomed to grow anything
but rice, on which they chiefly subsist. This was his
answer.
In reply to the second question this witness stated
that since the Spaniards have become established in
these islands, he has noticed how the Chinese have
come hither, in larger numbers every year, eight ships
at least coming annually from China; and in some
years this witness has seen as many as twenty and
thirty, all laden with cloths and bolts of silk. And
when the natives of these islands and of this province
saw all these cloths brought by the Chinese, they made
less exertion to weave their own; but to avoid even
that little work, all the natives began to clothe them-
selves with the said stufifs from China, discarding en-
tirely their own, which they formerly wore. And so
far has this gone at the present day, that all alike -
without distinction of chief from timagua, or of tima-
gua from slave - dress in these stuffs, making it im-
possible to judge of their rank from their dress. In
this way a very large quantity of cloth is used - far
more, as it seems to this witness, than the number
stated in the question ; and he is very certain that, if
this tendency is not checked and corrected, the price
of every one of those stuffs will in a few years be
doubled ; for now even the cheapest costs not less than
a peso. For the natives of these islands do not ac-
cumulate wealth, but spend it all in food and cloth-
ing; and as none of the natives, however high his rank
86 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
may be, needs more than two or three pieces of cloth
in a year, in order to avoid the labor of weaving them,
and so that they can spend their time in idleness, they
prefer to buy them from the Sangleys, whether they
are cheap or dear, paying without hesitation or heed
whatever price is asked. The result is that every-
thing is growing much dearer; for a piece of cloth
which at first usually cost, on the average, three or
four reals, as already stated, now costs ten reals, and,
unless this rise is checked, will very soon cost twenty -
and this for the reasons mentioned in the question.
These matters should be considered, and some correc-
tive be found, to avoid further difficulties. Thus did
he reply to this question.
To the third question he replied that, for the rea-
sons mentioned in the preceding question, consider-
able damage has been and is suffered, and, unless some
check and remedy is applied, will continue to be suf-
fered in these islands, by the Spaniards and by the
inhabitants of the country, both Spaniards and na-
tives, and especially to the injury of his Majesty's
service ; this damage consisting in the fact that while
the Chinese formerly took away from these islands,
in exchange for their merchandise which they bring
from their own country, at the most from twenty
thousand to thirty thousand pesos in money, at the
present day -as all the natives are extravagant
enough to buy their clothing, since they can dispense
with making it - these merchants take from the coun-
try all the money stated in the question, and even more.
This money they take out of his Majesty's dominions
to their own country, whence it never returns. And
this might be prevented if the natives were forbidden
to buy the said clothing, and would dress in the stuffs
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 87
which they formerly were accustomed to wear. This
was his answer to this question.
In reply to the fourth question he stated that, be-
fore the coming of the Spaniards, all the natives
lived in their villages, applying themselves to the
sowing of their crops and the care of their vineyards,^
and to the pressing of wine; others planting cotton,
or raising poultry and swine, so that all were at work;
moreover, the chiefs were obeyed and respected, and
the entire country well provided for. But all this haS
disappeared since the coming of the Spaniards. For
since their coming all the Indians have given them-
selves over to vice and vagabondage, wandering from
village to village to avoid work, and to indulge their
vices - and this because, seeing that the Spaniards
have plenty of money, they are eager to serve them.
Finding that they have money, and food and clothing
being given to them, or procured by a day's labor,
there is nothing to induce them to return to their vil-
lages to cultivate the soil, and raise animals, and
work, as they formerly did. This state of affairs is al-
ready so general in these islands that, when the
attempt is made to compel a native to work, he imme-
diately takes to flight, and wanders about, halting
only at a place where he is allowed to remain idle.
From this have resulted the offenses mentioned in the
question, a condition which requires a remedy. Such
was his reply to this question.
To the fifth question he said that all the evils and
difficulties and offenses against God, our Lord, men-
tioned in these questions will disappear if the said
* Spanish vinas; here used metaphorically, since the natives then
obtained their wine from the palm-tree, and from rice, etc. See
VOL. m, p. 202; IV, p. 67; and v, p. 169. Cf. U. S. Philippine
Commission's Report (1900), iii, pp. 264-266.
88 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
ordinance is properly executed; for all the natives
would work, and the country be well supplied with
crops and provisions, and a surplus sufficient for the
maintenance of all the natives and Spaniards, as be-
fore the coming of the Sangleys, and the money
which the Chinese now carry from this country to
their own would remain here. Indeed, if these trad-
ers stopped coming altogether, the islands would not
lack supplies ; as for clothing, the natives could dress
in their own stuffs, which are three times better than
those brought from China; and, besides what they
make for their own garments, they could make a
large quantity for trade with the Spaniards; thus
would be kept in this country a very large sum of
money, and thus all this country would be wealthy
and prosperous. This has not been accomplished
hitherto because the natives, for the reasons before
mentioned, will not weave their stuffs as they used to.
And, besides all this, there would be an end of the
very great injury caused by the Sangley's buying the
raw cotton and taking it to his own country, to be
there worked into cloth, which again is brought to
these islands for sale. Best of all, there would be an
end of all the evils and offenses which the question
mentions, and for which a remedy is most important.
Thus he replied to this question.
To the sixth question he replied that everything
said in the questions in regard to the Chinese and the
trading with them, before the Spaniards had come,
is true; that so matters were wont to be in these
islands. Where the natives had not the kinds of
goods mentioned in the question, they paid for them
in rice and gold, which is very advantageous to the
Chinese. If they continue to come and seek to trade
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 89
with the natives, the arrangement described in the
question would be very advantageous to both parties ;
and the Chinese would no longer draw from the coun-
try the large quantities of money which they have
taken away yearly. Thus he replied to this question.
In reply to the seventh question he declared that he
knew that all the tribes who have been discovered in
these islands could plant cotton, and that the soil is
adapted to that use; but that the natives of these
provinces, and of those in which rice is grown, have
been and are unwilling to plant cotton, fearing lest
they may ruin the cultivation of rice, which is their
chief article of food. But this witness is certain that,
if they would consent to do so, they could plant cot-
ton, as it is a crop that requires less labor than rice;
and if cotton were cultivated at least by the Tagalos
Indians, who are the laziest of all, large quantities of
cotton might be gathered. With this they could
make cloth of very good quality for their own gar-
ments, and even some besides for the use of the Span-
iards, who wore these garments when they first came
to the islands ; much also would remain for shipment
to Nueva Espana; and there would still be a large
surplus of cotton for exchange against any articles
they might desire. All these are facts well and pub-
licly known, and matters of public report. The wit-
ness reiterates his statements and abides by them. He
does not sign his name, as he cannot write, and ap-
pears to be about forty years old.
Signed by the interpreter, and by the alcalde-
^^y^^- Juan de Alcega
Domingo Birral
Before me: FELIPE Roman, notary public.
90 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 8
And after the above the said alcalde-mayor caused
to appear before him Don Juan Lisin, an Indian
chief of the said village of Cubao, who received the
oath through the said interpreter, was sworn accord-
ing to the law ; and on this oath, being questioned in
accordance with the interrogatory, he deposed as fol-
lows:
In reply to the first question this witness declared
that he knew that, at the time when the Spaniards dis-
covered and pacified these islands, all the natives
thereof - and especially those of this province, as this
witness has seen - wore no other garments than those
made of the cloths which they then wove, which were
very good; nor did they care to use, instead of this,
stuffs from other countries. And although one or
two ships came from China, these carried no cloth,
but only plates, horns, iron, and camanguian, which
they took in exchange for rice and gold, and for cot-
ton in the boll, where this was grown. And thus he
replied to this question.
To the second question he said that since the Span-
iards had settled in the city of Manyla, the Sangleys -
who at various times had formed settlements there -
seeing there were Spaniards in the country, and that
the money they brought was different from that
which had been used there before, began to increase
their ships, bringing each year a greater number than
before. In these they brought to the islands very
large quantities of provisions (although there was no
need of these in the country) , together with many
pieces of satin, damask, and tafifeta, and other pieces
of fine silk, and a large quantity of cotton cloths, white
and colored. And so far has this gone that this wit-
ness'has known as many as twenty ships to come in a
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 91
single year, and he has known a time when at least
eight entered the river of Manila alone. For, be-
sides these, many go to the provinces of Pintados,
which they call Pan, Cubu, Pangansinan, Ylocos, and
Cagayan. And when the natives of all this Panpan-
ga and of the rest of these islands - the Bisayan as well
as the Tagalan - saw these large quantities of cloth
brought by the Sangleys, and that these were so cheap,
they were unwilling to weave cloth, as they were wont
to do before the Spaniards had come and before the
Sangleys brought cloth to them. To avoid this labor,
little as it was, all the natives have taken to buying
their stuffs for clothing, and have entirely abandoned
their own, which they formerly wore. The result is
that in all this province, as this witness knows, no
cloths are made ; for whenever a garment is needed by
a chief, timagua or slave, he straightway goes to
Manila, where the Chinese have their market, and
buys it from them. Another result of this practice
is this : As all the natives - chiefs, timaguas, and
slaves alike - dress in these Sangley garments, the
slave as well as the chief, no one can decide whether
they are not all chiefs. A large quantity of the cloth
is consumed, and it seems to this witness that the num-
ber is even larger than stated in the question, rather
than smaller. And if this evil is not resisted and
remedied very soon, this number will greatly increase.
For as the natives are compelled to buy them from the
Chinese, every one of the said pieces of cloth, however
worthless it may be, costs a peso or a peso and a half.
If the matter is allowed to go farther, experience
shows that each year the price of clothing will go
higher - all the more because the natives of these
islands, when they have any money, try to spend that
92 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
little for food and clothing; and, not valuing the cloth
that they already have, they buy what they need - in
order not to weave it, as this witness has said - paying
whatever is asked for it. Even the most prominent
and the richest of the natives finds three pieces of
cloth enough for an entire year; and these he buys,
whether cheap or dear, never hesitating to give what-
ever is asked for them in barter, rather than to weave
them - although that would not be more work than
they could easily accomplish. If this be permitted,
all goods will, as before stated, grow dearer every day.
A piece of cloth which this witness has known to be
sold, and himself has bought, in former years for
three or four reals, sells today for eight and twelve
reals ; and it will very soon cost twenty, if no check
or remedy be applied. Thus he answered this ques-
tion.
To the third question he replied that the evil re-
ferred to in the question is as therein specified. Last
year it was stated to this witness that the Sangleys car-
ried away to their country more than three thousand
pesos, which he knows leave these dominions. This
evil should be corrected ; and the remedy would lie in
forbidding all the natives of these islands to buy any
cloth whatever for their own use, and in requiring
them to weave the same, as they formerly were ac-
customed to do. Thus he replied to this question.
In answer to the fourth question this witness de-
clared that he knows that, since the Spaniards have
traded with the Chinese in these islands, the natives
have begun to desert their villages - some of them
leaving their rice-fields, and others the cultivation of
their vineyards or the planting of cotton, living in
idleness and vagabondage; some have taken service
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 93
with the Spaniards and others with the Chinese. All
this has resulted in a corruption of their morals ; for,
being paid in money for their services, and having a
livelihood, as stated in the question, they buy their
clothes from the Sangley, abandoning all labor, being
encouraged and favored by the Spaniards; and this
has led to the offenses against God our Lord whicti^
are mentioned in the question - which are very nu-
merous, as the natives are so many; and unless a
remedy is quickly applied, these crimes will increase
more and more each day. Thus he replied to this
question.
In reply to the fifth question this witness declared
that he knows that, if the ordinance mentioned in the
question is enforced with rigor, the evils and offenses
against God, before mentioned, will cease entirely;
and, the said ordinance being observed, all the peo-
ple will work, as they did before the coming of the
Spaniards. Thus the country will be maintained and
well provided with all necessaries, and the money
which now goes from it will remain here, and the na-
tives will be rich ; and besides all this the natives will
weave much cloth, and make their garments from it,
as it is three times better than that from China.
There would also be a large quantity of cloth for sale
to the Spaniards, and even much which they could use
for themselves, as they did before the Sangleys began
to bring goods hither. Thus would another large
sum of money remain in the country. Of all these
advantages there is great need in this country, which
has suffered because an ordinance so just and advan-
tageous to the entire country was not framed sooner.
There would be an end of another great evil to which
the country has hitherto submitted - namely, that the
94 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
Chinaman buys cotton and takes it to his own country.
And the other abuses mentioned in the question would
also cease. Thus did he reply to this question.
To the sixth question he said that the proposals
therein contained are very just for the natives of these
islands, and the Chinese, if they continue to come to
this country (which will not be necessary), will be
glad to barter their goods for the articles mentioned
in the question, and will be satisfied ; for they traded
thus before the coming of the Spaniards, and went
away well contented. And thus will end the outflow
of the money which has been hitherto carried
from this country, and will continue to be carried
away if no remedy be applied. This was his
answer.
To the seventh question he replied that all these
islands, except this province of Panpanga, and that
of Calonpite and Candava, and the river and coast of
Manila - all the rest, according to statements made to
this witness by people who have visited them, are well
adapted to the growing of cotton ; and if the natives
are induced to plant it, a large quantity would be pro-
duced, enough to maintain even those who do not
cultivate cotton. Then much cloth will be made for
the use of the natives, better than that which comes
from China; and there will be a surplus for shipment
to Nueva Espana in exchange for other things; and
there will be a further surplus of cotton for trade with
the Spaniards and the Chinese - although, as already
said, it would be no injustice to the Chinese to forbid
them taking cotton hence to their own country. Thus
he replied to this question. He reaffirms, upon the
oath which he has taken, that all his statements are
known to be notoriously true, and are matters of cur-
1591-1593] WEARING OF CHINESE STUFFS 95
rent report; and he signs his name. He seems about
thirty years old.
Juan de Alcega
Don Juan Lisin
Domingo Birral
Before me:
Felipe Roman, notary.
[Eight more witnesses are examined; but as they
testify to the same purport as the two preceding de-
ponents (and almost in the identical language of
these), we omit their testimony. All of them are
Indian chiefs, from villages near Manila; and all are
presumably converts, as all bear Christian forenames.
At the end appear the following affidavits:]
This document was prepared and copied from the
original which remains in my possession, and was
prepared by me at the command of the said alcalde-
mayor; and which I declare to have been truly and
certainly done in the village of Bacolor on the twen-
tieth day of the month of May, in the year one thou-
sand five hundred and ninety-one.
Witness: Pedro Garcia de Molina.
Joan de Alcega
I, Phelipe Roman, notary of the province of Pan-
panga, in place of Rodrigo Quadros, notary-public of
the same, prepared this document by order of the al-
calde-mayor, who here has signed his name. At the
end I have hereunto affixed my seal, in witness of the
truth.
Phelipe Roman, notary.
ACCOUNT OF THE ENCOMIENDAS IN
THE PHILIPINAS ISLANDS
A detailed account of the encomiendas in the
island of Lugon and the other Philippinas Islands,
both those belonging to his Majesty and to private in-
dividuals, pacified and hostile, with instruction and
without it; with the names of the encomenderos, the
number of tributarios in each e?icomienda, the num-
ber of ministers of instruction in them, and the
number they lack and need; the capitals and the alcal-
des-mayor established therein, who maintain peace
therein, and govern them in peace, justice, and
civilization, in their present condition. May the last,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-one.^
MANILA
The city of Manila is located in the island of Lu-
zon. It is the capital of all the islands, and the usual
residence of the governor and captain-general, his
counselor, and his Majesty's army. This city has
about three hundred citizens. It contains the cathe-
dral and bishop's house, and the prebendaries - to-
^ The allusion to this document which appears in section 8 of
Dasmarinas's letter to the king of June 20, 1 591, which imme-
diately follows this, shows that it was prepared by his order, to
accompany the letter.
I
1 591 -1 593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 97
wit, dean, archdeacon, schoolmaster, treasurer, two
canons, seven or eight clerical priests, and some, al-
though few, who are to receive orders. The city has
a monastery of Augustinian friars, usually with sixteen
religious, counting those who are going and coming -
eight of the number being priests, and the rest breth-
ren and candidates for orders. There is one Domini-
can convent, with four or five friars ; and another con-
vent of the same order, with a Sangley hospital, in the
Parian in the same city, with two religious. There
is one Franciscan convent, which generally contains
four priests and seven or eight brethren, counting the
teacher and the novitiates. The Society of Jesus has
also a professed house, with its father superior, three
priests, and three brethren. There is a royal hospital
for the Spaniards, and another for the Indians, under
charge of two Franciscan lay-brethren. The num-
ber of paid soldiers is generally about two hundred,
besides their officers. There are two chief constables,
one city and the other government; two constables; a
prison warden; the three judges; the officials of the
royal estate - factor, accountant, and treasurer; an
executioner ; a notary ; a probate judge ; the municipal
body of the city, with two alcaldes-in-ordinary, twelve
regidors, and two secretaries - one of finance and war,
the other of administration; six notaries-public, and
two attorneys; and one constable to attend to vaga-
bonds. There are many calling themselves captain,
but only four have companies. This city contains the
silk-market of the Parian, which is composed of Sang-
ley merchants, who have two hundred shops. The
Parian contains about two thousand Sangleys, more
or less, with their judge and governor. In addition to
these there are somewhat more than one thousand
98 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
in the city, in Tondo, and throughout the islands, en-
gaged in various occupations and trades. Inasmuch
as this relation treats only of the ministers of instruc-
tion here and those necessary, I shall not discuss
further details of Manila and the islands, in order to
come to my purpose. Manila and its environs have
sufficient instruction, and even more than enough;
for the usual alms is given to the religious of the con-
vents, and they are charged to administer the sacra-
ments and to give instruction to the natives there, each
convent in its own district. Therefore the ecclesias-
tics occupied in Manila and its immediate environs,
where there are plenty of ministers, might be sent to
other districts where ministers are lacking.
His Majesty - In the city of Manila are many
Indians who are liable to duty, both in service and
in other employments, who are continually shifting -
so that, out of the three thousand tributarios that there
should be, not more than five hundred tributes are col-
lected for his Majesty. To administer the sacraments
and give Christian instruction there is one parish
priest for the Indians, and they attend mass at the
hospital for Spaniards. They are under the jurisdic-
tion of Manila, in affairs of justice. . . D.
Bagunbaya: His Majesty - His Majesty collects
about three hundred whole tributes in the new village
of Bagunbaya. This means one thousand two hun-
dred souls. The convent of Sanct Agustin of Manila
provides instruction for one-third of them, those
nearest the city. The other two-thirds attend mass
there. They are under the charge of the parish priest
of the Manila Indians -that is, as far as the her-
mitage of Nuestra Senora de Guia [" Our Lady of
Guidance"]. There mass is celebrated for them;
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 99
while he who says it to the Indians of Manila says it in
the hospital. There are many other churches where
they may attend mass, for the parish priest assists at
that of the hermitage, as it is a good settlement and
outside of the city. These Indians are under the
jurisdiction of Manila CCC.
Laguio Y MalaTE: His Majesty -His Majesty
collects three hundred tributes, which represent one
thousand two hundred souls, in the village of Laguio
y Malate. They are instructed by one Augustinian
religious, who has a church and house there. They
are under the jurisdiction of Manila. . . CCC.
LONGALO Y Paranaque : His Majesty - In the
village of Longalo y Paranaque - two places merged
into one - are eight hundred tributes, which are col-
lected by his Majesty; counting in those of other small
hamlets, they represent, in all, three thousand two
hundred souls. They are in charge of one Augus-
tinian convent established there, with two religious.
These religious visit the other small hamlets. Tondo
exercises justice therein. .... DCCC.
CabiTE and others : His Majesty - In the village
of Cabite and other neighboring hamlets, his Majesty
has three hundred and seventy tributes, representing
one thousand four hundred and eighty souls. One
ecclesiastic residing there has them in charge. He
visits in addition some small villages very near by,
and the port of Cavite, where Spanish sailors are
wont to be found. ..... CCCLXX.
Maragondon: His Majesty -Hh Majesty col-
lects two hundred tributes, which represent eight
hundred souls, in the village of Maragondon.
Formerly the ecclesiastic of Cavite visited them, be-
ing assigned a special salary therefor. But he does
lOO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
not visit them now; and for three years they have
been without instruction, through the bishop's negli-
gence. ........ CC.
DiLAO: His Majesty - In the village of Dilao his
Majesty collects two hundred whole tributes, repre-
senting eight hundred souls, whose instruction is in
charge of the convent of Sanct Frangisco of Manila.
They attend mass at this convent, as it is quite near.
CC.
TONDO : His Majesty - The town of Tondo, on the
other side of the river, opposite Manila, is an encomi-
enda of his Majesty, and is capital of a district, with
its own jurisdiction and an alcalde-mayor. In Tondo,
Nabotas, and Tambobo are collected one thousand
five hundred whole tributes, which represent six thou-
sand souls. It has one Augustinian convent with two
ministers, who can give sufficient instruction. MD.
Besides that, there is another convent of Domin-
icans, with two religious, who furnish instruction to
forty Christian Sangleys, whose tribute is paid to his
Majesty. They are under the civil jurisdiction of
that town XL.
ZapA: His Majesty; Pedro de Chaves; a minor
son of Velazquez - In the village of Qapa, an en-
comienda of his Majesty, are collected two hundred
tributes. In Pandaca, an encomienda of Pedro de
Chaves, are collected one hundred more. In other
neighboring small hamlets, on the river above, be-
longing to the minor son of Velazquez, are collected
two hundred more. Together these amount to four
hundred [jzV]. They are under the charge of one
Franciscan religious who resides in Zapa and visits
the other places CCCC.
Passu Thome de la Ysla-Tht encomienda of
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS lOI
Passi belongs to Thome de la Ysla. It has two thou-
sand tributes, under the instruction of one Augustin-
ian monastery with two ministers. On the uplands
are two thousand more, among the Tingues above,
who, although friendly, pay no tribute and have no
instruction. They could be provided with two more
ministers in due time. .... MMMM.
Tagui: Captain Fergara -The, encomienda of
Tagui belongs to Captain Vergara. He collects there
eight hundred tributes. It is provided with adequate
instruction by Augustinians. . . . DCCC.
Thus the encomiendas of Manila, its coast, and the
opposite shore of Tondo have nine thousand four hun-
dred and ten whole tributes, which represent thirty
thousand six hundred and forty souls, or thereabout.
They have thirteen ministers of instruction, without
counting that given by the monasteries, as above
stated. Thus they are amply supplied with instruc-
tion, and even more than sufficiently. They are under
the judicial and civil jurisdictions of Manila and
Tondo, according to their districts.
LA PAMPANGA
BaTAN: Esguerra -The encomienda of Batan,
belonging to Juan Esguerra, has about one thousand
tributarios, who represent four thousand souls. There
is one Dominican convent there, and justice is ad-
ministered by a deputy. . . . . . M.
BiTIS Y LUBAO: King -The encomienda of Bitis
y Lubao, which belongs to his Majesty, has about five
thousand tributes, or twenty thousand souls. It has
four Augustinian convents. Justice is exercised by
one alcalde-mayor and his deputy. . MMMMM.
Macabebe: Pedro de Chaves -The encomienda
I02 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
of Macabebe, belonging to Pedro de Chaves, has
about two thousand three hundred tributes, or about
nine thousand two hundred souls. It has one Augus-
tinian convent. A portion of these Indians are in-
structed, however, by a friar - that portion of them
settled in certain new arable lands in Araya. Justice is
administered by the alcalde-mayor of Bitis y Lubao.
MMCCC.
CandavA: Don Juan Ronquillo; Don Gongalo
Vallesteros - The encomienda of Candava, belonging
to Don Juan Ronquillo and Don Gongalo de Balles-
teros, has about two thousand tributes, or eight thou-
sand persons. It has one Augustinian convent, but
a portion of these tributaries are in charge of the
religious in the above village of Araya. It is in the
civil jurisdiction of the alcalde-mayor of Candava.
MM.
ApaLI: Minor daughter of Santos; Juan Lopez;
Canedo; King -The encomienda of Apali, belong-
ing to a minor daughter of Santos, has one hundred
and seventy tributes, or six hundred and eighty per-
sons. The encomienda of Cabanbangan, belonging to
Juan Lopez de Leon, has about three hundred trib-
utes, or one thousand two hundred persons. The
encomienda of the village called Castilla, belonging
to his Majesty, has seventy tributes, or two hundred
and eighty persons. Another village, called Capa-
langan, with seventy more tributes, or two hundred
and eighty persons, belongs to Antonio de Canedo.
All these villages are instructed by one Augustinian
friar, who lives in the above village of Apali. All
the above-named villages are near a river. It is in
the jurisdiction of Candava and Calompit. In all,
these amount to six hundred and eighty tributes or
1 591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 103
two thousand seven hundred and twenty souls.
DCLXXX.
CalompiT: Juan de Moron [j/c] - The encomi-
enda of Calompit y Agunoy, belonging to Juan de
Morones, has about three thousand two hundred trib-
utes, or twelve thousand eight hundred souls. It
iias two Augustinian convents, and one alcalde-mayor.
MMMCC.
MaloloS: Tirado -The encomienda of Malolos,
belonging to Tirado, has about nine hundred tributes,
or three thousand six hundred souls. It has one Au-
gustinian convent. Justice is administered by the
alcalde-mayor of Bulacan. . . . DCCCC.
BiNTO: Canedo -The encomienda of Binto, be-
longing to Antonio Canedo, has five hundred trib-
utes, or two thousand persons. It is in charge of one
Augustinian religious from the Malolos convent,
which is close at hand. It is in the jurisdiction of
the alcalde-mayor above, who visits it. . D.
GuiNGUINTO : Ligero - The encomienda of Guin-
guinto, belonging to Ligero, has about five hun-
dred tributes, or two thousand persons. Instruction
and justice are administered from Bulacan. . D.
Caluya: King -The encomienda of Caluya, be-
longing to his Majesty, has about seven hundred trib-
utes, or two thousand eight hundred persons. It is
under the charge of the convent of Bulacan, and is in
the jurisdiction of that town. . . . DCC.
Bulacan : Mariscal - The encomienda of Bula-
can, belonging to the Mariscal [i. e., Gabriel de Ri-
bera], has about one thousand two hundred tributes,
or four thousand eight hundred persons. It has one
Augustinian convent, and one alcalde-mayor. It is
a capital town. MCC.
I04 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Mecabayan: Minor son of La Rea-T\it enco-
mienda of Mecabayan, which belongs to the minor
son of La Rea, has about seven hundred tributes, or
two thousand eight hundred persons. It has one
Franciscan convent. It is in the jurisdiction of Bu-
lacan DCC.
Thus the encomiendas of Pampanga have eighteen
thousand six hundred and eighty whole tributes, or
seventy-four thousand seven hundred and twenty
souls, more or less. They have twenty-eight minis-
ters of instruction, by whom, for the present, they are
well instructed, and well governed in judicial and
civil matters.
PANGASINAN
LlNGAYEN : King - The encomienda of Lingayen,
belonging to his Majesty, has one thousand tributes,
or four thousand persons. It has one Augustinian
convent. The inhabitants are peaceable, and have
justice. M.
SUNGUIAN : Vexarano - The encomienda of Sun-
guian, belonging to Vexarano, has six hundred trib-
utes, or one thousand [sic'] four hundred persons. It
has justice and is pacified. There is no instruction.
It needs one religious DC.
Magaldan: Axqueta -The encomienda of Ma-
galdan belongs to Captain Christoval de Axqueta. It
has eight hundred tributes or three thousand two
hundred persons. It has both instruction and jus-
tice DCCC.
LabayA: King; Ximenez; minor son of Sando-
val-The encomienda of Labaya, belonging to his
Majesty, Juan Ximenez del Pino, and the minor son
of Alonso Hernandez de Sandoval, has one thousand
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 105
five hundred tributes, or six thousand persons. It has
instruction and justice. .... MD.
TuGUl Y BOLINAO : Aguilar - The encomienda of
Tugui y Bolinao, belonging to Alonso de Aguilar,
has two thousand tributes, or eight thousand persons.
Not more than one-half are pacified. They have no
instruction. The magistrate visits them. They need
at least three or four religious. . . MM.
Thus the encomiendas of Pangasinan have about
six thousand whole tributes, or about twenty-four
thousand souls, who have eight ministers of instruc-
tion. They will need five more, which will make in
all thirteen. The natives of this province will be
sufficiently instructed with that number.
ILOCOS
BiGAN - The town of Bigan is called Villa Fer-
nandina. Five or six Spanish citizens are settled
there. It has one parish priest, one alcalde-mayor,
and one deputy.
BaraTAO: Don Bernardino -The, encomienda of
Baratao, belonging to Captain Don Bernardino de
Sandi, collects tribute from one thousand five hun-
dred men, or six thousand persons. It has one Au-
gustinian convent with two religious. It has jus-
tice. Two more religious are needed. . MD.
PURAO: Guiral -The encomienda of Purao, be-
longing to Christoval Guiral, has two thousand trib-*
utes, or eight thousand persons. There is one Au-
gustinian convent with two religious, and it has jus-
tice. It needs two more religious. . . MM.
DUMAQUAQUE: King; Don Alonso -The enco-
mienda of Dumaquaque, belonging to his Majesty
and to Don Alonso Maldonado, has nine hundred
Io6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
tributes, or three thousand six hundred persons. It
has one monastery with two religious, and justice.
DCCCC.
Candon : Aregue; Ribas - The encomienda of
Candon, belonging to Juan el de Aregue and Ribas de
Mendoga, collects nine hundred tributes, which
means three thousand six hundred persons. They
have justice, but no instruction. Two ministers are
necessary. DCCCC.
Nabucan: The Mariscal -The encomienda of
Nabucan, belonging to the mariscal Gabriel de Ri-
bera, collects one thousand four hundred and ninety
tributes, which means five thousand nine hundred
and sixty persons. It has instruction, one ecclesiastic,
and justice. It needs two more ministers.
MCCCC. [sic]
Narandan: Hospital -The encomienda of Na-
randan, belonging to the hospital for Spaniards, col-
lects three hundred and ninety tributes, which means
one thousand five hundred and sixty persons. It has
instruction and justice. There is one minister in it.
CCCXC.
Bigan: King -The encomienda of Bigan; his
Majesty collects there eight hundred tributes, which
means three thousand two hundred persons. It has
one religious who takes care of it, and has justice.
DCCC.
Batay Y BaTANGUEY : King - The encomienda of
Batay y Batanguey; his Majesty collects there one
thousand tributes, which means four thousand per-
sons. It has no instruction. It is at present visited
from Bigan. It has justice. Two ministers are
needed. ....... M.
Panay : Don Pedro de Aguirre - The encomienda
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 107
of Panay belongs to Don Pedro de Aguirre, a minor.
He collects seven hundred tributes, which means two
thousand eight hundred persons. It has justice, but
no instruction. One minister is necessary. . DCC.
SiNAY Y Cabugao: King -The encomienda of
Sinay y Cabugao, belonging to his Majesty, pays one
thousand tributes, which means four thousand per-
sons. It has justice, but no instruction. It needs two
ministers. ....... M.
BaraO: Don Juan de la Pena-The encomienda
of Barao belongs to Don Juan de la Pena. He col-
lects there seven hundred tributes, which means two
thousand eight hundred persons. It has justice, but
no instruction. One minister is needed. . DCC.
Cacabayan : King; Gaspar Perez - The encomi-
enda of Cacabayan, belonging to his Majesty and
Gaspar Perez; two thousand one hundred tributes
are collected there, which means eight thousand four
hundred persons. It has one monastery with three
religious, and justice MMC.
BONCAN : Herndn Gutierrez - The encomienda of
Boncan belongs to Captain Hernan Gutierrez. He
collects there three hundred and fifty tributes, which
means one thousand four hundred souls. It is visited
by the fathers from Ylagua. It has justice. . CCCL.
Ylagua: King -The encomienda of Ylagua be-
longs to his Majesty. He collects from it one thou-
sand five hundred tributes, which means six thousand
persons. It has three ministers, and justice. MD.
Balle^ILLO: Pigarro - The encomienda of Balle-
gillo belongs to Andres Pigarro, who collects there
one hundred and fifty tributes, which means six hun-
dred persons. It has no instruction, but has justice.
It needs one minister. ..... CL.
Io8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
El Abra DE BigaN : Dona Maria Ron- The en-
comienda of El Abra de Bigan; Dona Maria Ron
collects from it one hundred and fifty tributes, which
means six hundred persons. It has no instruction, but
has justice. It needs one minister. . . CL.
Bacarra: Captain Castillo; Hermossa -The en-
comienda of Bacarra; one thousand tributes are col-
lected in it by Captain Castillo and Andres de Her-
mossa. This means four thousand persons. There
are two Augustinian priests, and the people have jus-
tice M.
DinglaS: King; Maria Bermudez -The encomi-
enda of Dinglas belongs to his Majesty and Maria
Bermudez. They collect there six hundred tributes,
which means two thousand four hundred persons. It
has no instruction, but has justice. One religious is
necessary for this encomienda. . . . DC.
Thus in the province of Ilocos and its jurisdiction,
there are seventeen thousand one hundred and thirty
whole tributes, or sixty-eight thousand five hundred
and twenty persons. It is in charge of twenty min-
isters of instruction, and needs about eleven other
ministers for the districts where they are wanting,
in all more than thirty ministers. With this number
it would seem that there would be sufficient instruc-
tion in the gospel, as there is in peace and justice.
CAGAIAN
The City of Segovia -The city of Nueva Sego-
via is the capital of Cagayan, and its principal port.
It has a number of Spanish citizens, with an alcalde-
mayor, his deputy, and regidors. There is one Au-
gustinian convent in charge of the Spaniards, with
one priest, and his associate, a brother.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 109
Cabicunga: Don Sebastian - The encomienda of
Cabicunga is assigned to Don Sebastian Ruyz de
Baega. It has five hundred tributes, which repre-
sent two thousand souls. It has no instruction, but
has justice. One minister will be needed there. D.
PaTA: Facant -The encomienda of Pata lies va-
cant. It has two hundred tributes, or eight hundred
persons. It has instruction and justice, and is peace-
ful. The minister of Cabicunga could visit it, and
it would have sufficient instruction. . . CC.
Massi : Serpa; Vacant - The encomienda of Massi,
belonging to Christoval de Serpa, has five hundred
tributes, which represent two thousand persons. D.
On this river of Massi is another encomienda,
called Bangal, with three hundred tributarios, which
means one thousand two hundred persons. It lies
vacant. They are both pacified and have justice, but
no instruction. One religious to reside in Massi, and
visit Bangal, will be sufficient. . . . CCC.
TULAQUE: Captain Castillo; Juan de la Feria-
The encomienda of Tulaque, which belongs to Cap-
tain Castillo and Juan de la Feria, has one thousand
five hundred tributarios, which means six thousand
persons. The greater portion is pacified. They have
no instruction. Two ministers will be necessary for
the whole. MD.
Camalayuga : King - The encomienda of Cama-
layuga belongs to his Majesty. He collects there five
hundred tributes, which means two thousand persons.
They are pacified. They have no instruction, but
have justice. D.
Camanaguan: King -The encomienda of Ca-
managuan belongs to his Majesty. He collects there
three hundred tributes, which means one thousand
no THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
two hundred persons. Likewise Tocol, which has one
hundred tributes, or four hundred persons. These
tributes have been assigned to the repairs of the for-
tress of the city of Segovia. They are pacified and
have justice. At present one minister, to reside in
Camalayuga and visit the other villages, will suffice.
CCC.
GOTOT: Don Pedro de Espinosa - The encomienda
of Gotot belongs to Don Pedro de Espinosa. It has
six hundred tributes. One or two of its settlements
are pacified. Justice is administered there. It has no
instruction. One religious will be necessary there.
. DC.
Maguin Y Taviran : King - The encomienda of
Maguin y Tabiran belongs to his Majesty. It has
five hundred tributes, or two thousand persons. There
is one pacified settlement. Justice is administered
from Cagaian. There is no instruction. One minis-
ter for the instruction of these settlements will be
necessary. ....... D.
SiNAVANGA : Juan Pablo - The encomienda of Si-
navanga, belonging to Juan Pablo de Carrion, has
one thousand tributes, or four thousand persons. It
is hostile, and has no instruction. Two ministers are
needed there. ...... M.
Manacu: Don Sebastian -The, encomienda of
Manacu, belonging to Don Sebastian Ruyz de Baeza,
has two hundred tributes, or eight hundred friendly
persons. It has justice. The two ministers of Mana-
cu are without instruction. The ministers of Sina-
vanga might care for those of Manacu, and it would
be instructed. ...... CC.
DUMON: Sequera-Tht encomienda of Dumon,
belonging to Juan de Sequera, has eight hundred
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS III
tributes, which means three thousand two hundred
persons. It is hostile. One religious might be sta-
tioned there when it is pacified. . . DCCC.
TaLAPA Y GaTARA : Juan Vdsquez; Argonqa;
Alonso Martin -The encomienda of Talapa y Ga-
tara belongs to Juan Vasquez and Juan de Argonga.
It has five hundred tributes, or two thousand persons.
They are hostile. One religious might be stationed
there, when they are pacified, and who can visit the
estuary of Talapanga, which has fifty tributes, or two
hundred persons, and belongs to Alonso Martin. It
is hostile also. ...... DL.
LOBO: Don Rodrigo Ronquillo; Diego Ronquillo -
The encomienda of Lobo, belonging to Don Rodrigo
and Diego Ronquillo, has four thousand tributes, or
sixteen thousand persons. It is all hostile. For its
administration and instruction it requires six reli-
gious. ....... MMMM.
BaTO and Masipin: Don Sebastian; Alonso
Martin - The encomienda of Bato belongs to Don
Sebastian Ruyz Baeza. It has four hundred trib-
utes, and Masipin two hundred tributes, which means
two thousand four hundred persons. It is all in re-
bellion. It might have one religious to minister to
both parts. DC.
Caralanga, Yaguan, Ygui, Tagoran, Pagamon :
Francisca de Cardenas; Alonso Vazquez; Alonso
Sanchez; Don Sebastian - All the above encomiendas
belong to Francisca de Cardenas, Alonso Vazquez,
Alonso Sanchez, and Don Sebastian Ruyz de Baeza.
They have about six hundred tributes, or two thou-
sand four hundred persons. All of them are hostile.
They might have one religious to administer instruc-
tion in them all. . , . . . DC.
112 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Nabugan: King -The encomienda of Nabugan
belongs to his Majesty. It has seven hundred tribu-
tarios, or two thousand eight hundred persons. It is
in rebellion. One minister to instruct them is needed.
DCC.
GaBALATAN, Gat, TapIA, DuDULIQUE: Don Se-
bastian; Alonso Sanchez; Patino — These encomien-
das of Gabalatan, Gat, Tapia, and Dudulique, belong
to Alonso Sanchez, Don Sebastian, and Patino. They
have six hundred tributes, or two thousand four hun-
dred persons. They are all hostile. One minister is
needed for them, who may live in Gabalatan and visit
the other villages DC.
TUBIGARAO, Tabagar, AcUBA: Henao; Alonso
Vazquez - These encomiendas of Tubigarao, Taba-
gar, and Acuba, belong to Henao and Alonso Vaz-
quez. They have seven hundred tributes, or two
thousand eight hundred persons. They are in rebel-
lion. When pacified, one minister might instruct
them. He could live in Tubigarao and visit the other
villages DCC.
BaTONA, Sulu, Rot, LaPUGAN: Bartholome de
Caravajal; Enrrique Martin - These encomiendas of
Batano, Sulu, Rot, and Lapugan, belong to Enrrique
Martin and Bartholome de Caravajal. They have
five hundred and fifty tributes, or two thousand two
hundred persons, who are in rebellion. When the
rebellion is suppressed, one minister can furnish in-
struction in all these villages. . . . DL.
QlMBUS : Caravajal; Serna - The encomienda of
Qimbus belongs to Bartholome Caravajal and Este-
van de la Serna. They have one thousand two hun-
dred tributarios, or four thousand eight hundred per-
sons. It is all in a state of rebellion. When pacified,
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS II3
two ministers can attend to the instruction there.
MCC.
Nalaguan : Juan Vazquez - The encomienda of
Nalaguan belongs to Juan Vazquez. It has five hun-
dred tributes, or two thousand persons. It is hostile.
One minister is necessary. . . . . D.
BOLOLUTAN : Caravajal; Juan Vazquez — The en-
comienda of Bolo y Lulutan, belonging to Bartholo-
me Caravajal and Alonso Vazquez, has five hundred
tributes, or two thousand persons. Bolo is at peace
but Lulutan is in rebellion. One religious can ad-
minister instruction in both parts. . . . D.
BaTAGUAN, SuGARRO: Alonso Sanchez; Alonso
Galindo - The encomienda of Bataguan and Sugar-
ro, belonging to Alonso Sanchez and Alonso Galindo,
has six hundred tributes or two thousand four hun-
dred persons. It is all in rebellion. One religious
can administer instruction, and can reside at Bata-
guan and visit Sugarra DC.
BaliSSI, MoYOT, and CaMIGUIL: Sema; Alonso
Sanchez; Juan Vazquez — The encomiendas of Ba-
lissi, belonging to Estevan de la Serna, Moyot, be-
longing to Alonso Sanchez, and Camiguil, belonging
to Alonso [.y/c] Vazquez, have five hundred and fifty
tributes, or two thousand two hundred persons. They
are in rebellion. One minister, who could live in Ba-
lissi and visit the others, could furnish instruction.
DL.
PURRAO CULIT: Miguel Nunez - The encomienda
of Purrao Culit belongs to Miguel Nunez, and has
about five hundred tributarios, or two thousand per-
sons. It is in rebellion throughout. One minister
could furnish instruction to all the inhabitants. D.
TaoTAO: Alonso Martin -The. encomienda of
114 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Taotao, called otherwise Tingues de la Paxada, be-
longs to Alonso Martin. It has five hundred tributes,
or two thousand persons. It is all in rebellion. One
minister might instruct these encomiendas. . D.
YOGUAN : Luis Patino - The encomienda of Yo-
guan has another village, called Togol, and both be-
long to Luys Patino. They have four hundred tribu-
tarios, or one thousand six hundred persons. It is all
in rebellion. One minister can instruct these villages.
CCCC.
PUGAO : Juan Rodriguez de Mansilla and others —
The valley of Pugao, which is in charge of Juan
Rodriguez de Manssilla, at the head-waters of the
Rio Grande; we are informed that it has two thou-
sand tributarios. They are in rebellion. When they
are pacified, they will require three ministers. This
encomienda belongs to others together with Mans-
silla MM.
Babuyanes: Alonso de la Sema; Frangisco Cas-
tillo -This, encomienda of the Babuyanes consists of
two islands belonging to Estevan \_sic^ de la Serna and
Frangisco Castillo. From one to the other is a dis-
tance of two leagues. It has five hundred tributarios,
or two thousand persons. They are all in rebellion.
It might have one minister, living at Puga and visit-
ing Aperri. ....... D.
Calayan : Serna - This island of Calayan belongs
to Estevan de la Serna. It has four hundred tributes,
or one thousand six hundred persons. It is in rebel-
lion. It needs one minister. . . . CCCC.
Camiguin : Alonso Martin - The island of Cami-
guin belongs to Alonso Martin. It has five hundred
tributes, or two thousand persons. It is in rebellion.
One religious might attend to the instruction there. D.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS II5
We have notice of other islands, although we have
not seen them, and they remain yet to be allotted.
Thus in the province of Cagayan and the islands of
Babuyanes, there are twenty-four thousand whole
tributes, or about ninety-six thousand souls. Not-
withstanding that most of it is in rebellion, a great
part of it is being reduced to the royal crown. In all
the province there is not a single minister of instruc-
tion, and it will need thirty-eight religious, when it is
wholly pacified. As to the administration of justice,
in the part now pacified or being pacified, the enco-
mienda and government of Nueva Segovia has it in
charge. When all is pacified, more alcaldes-mayor
will be needed, and will be provided.
LA LAGUNA
MiRABAGO: Juan Gutierrez -The encomienda of
Mirabago, belonging to Juan Gutierrez, has six hun-
dred, nay, seven hundred tributes, or two thousand
eight hundred persons. It has justice. The instruc-
tion of this encomienda located on the shore of the
lake is in charge of the bridge ® of Tabuco. One min-
ister is needed for the tingues. . . . DCC.
TabucO : Don Luis Enrriquez - The encomienda
of Tabuco belongs to Don Luis Enrriquez. It has
one thousand tributes, or four thousand persons. The
tingues of this encomienda live very far away, al-
though the ecclesiastic in charge of this encomienda
visits them. For this reason they will need one ec-
clesiastic. ....... M,
Taitay : Juan Pacheco - The encomienda of Tai-
tay, belonging to Juan Pacheco, has six hundred trib-
® Spanish puente, in Retana's text ; apparently an error for some
other word referring to the priest at Tabuco.
Il6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
utes. One Franciscan friar takes sufficient care of the
instruction there . DC.
Bay: Juan Pacheco Maldonado -The encomien-
da of Bay belongs to Captain Juan Pacheco Maldona-
do. It has two thousand one hundred tributes, or
eight thousand four hundred persons. It has two
Augustinian convents, and justice. It has sufficient
instruction MMC.
PiLA: Captain Mercado; Penalossa -The enco-
mienda of Pila belongs to Captain Mercado and En-
sign Penalosa. It has one thousand seven hundred
tributes, or six thousand eight hundred persons. It
has justice; and two Franciscan convents furnish
sufficient instruction. .... MDCC.
Mahaihai: Captain Ossorio -The encomienda
of Mahaihai belongs to Captain Ossorio. It has five
hundred tributes, or two thousand persons. It has
justice, and one Franciscan friar. . . . D.
LUMBAN : King - The encomienda of Lumban
belongs to his Majesty. He collects there one thou-
sand seven hundred tributes, which means six thou-
sand eight hundred persons. It has two convents of
Franciscan friars, and is well instructed. . MDCC.
Tayaval: King -The encomienda of Tayaval
belongs to his Majesty. It has seven hundred trib-
utes, or two thousand eight hundred persons. It is
sufficiently instructed. .... DCC.
PangUIL: Minor son of Velazquez - The encomi-
enda of Panguil, belonging to the minor son of Velaz-
quez, has eight hundred tributes, or three thousand
two hundred persons. It is instructed by Francis-
cans DCCC.
SiNALOA : Brito - The encomienda of Sinaloa be-
longs to Pedro de Brito. It has seven hundred trib-
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS II7
utes, or two thousand eight hundred persons. It is
sufficiently instructed, although the tingues live very
far away, and cannot come to the convent for mass.
One more minister is necessary. . . . DCC.
Moron: Hernando de Abalos; Hospital — The,
encomienda of Moron belongs to Hernando Abalos
and the royal hospital. They have one thousand
tributes, or four thousand persons. They have in-
struction, but in order that all may have it, one more
minister is needed. ..... M.
Nayun: King-Tht encomienda of Nayun, be-
longing to his Majesty, has seven hundred tributes, or
two thousand eight hundred persons. They are suf-
ficiently instructed. ..... DCC.
Thus the province of La Laguna, which is the al-
calde-mayoralty styled by itself Bay, has eleven thou-
sand five hundred whole tributes, or forty-eight thou-
sand four hundred souls. These are well instructed,
for with its twenty-seven ministers, if the tingues were
gathered in the settlements, and another four minis-
ters were added, it would have sufficient instruction.
Likewise it is all furnished with adequate justice.
VIGOR AND CAMARINES
CAgERES: The town of Cageres is the capital. It
has thirty Spanish inhabitants and one Franciscan
convent with two religious, not counting those who
come and go. There is one parish priest with his
church, stationed by himself, to whom his Majesty
gives a stipend of fifty thousand maravedis ; and, with
the balance given by the citizens, the sum amounts
to more than three hundred pesos. There is one
alcalde-mayor and his deputy.
MiLARRIT: Minor s\on of Torres -The village of
Il8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Mirralit [sic], belonging to the minor son of Torres;
in this encomienda there are five hundred and twenty
whole tributes, or two thousand and eighty souls in
all. This encomienda is one-quarter of a league
from the town up the river. Two Franciscan re-
ligious from the convent of Cageres visit it, so that it
is sufficiently instructed. The magistrate of Cageres
administers justice there. .... DXX.
MiNALAVA: King -His Majesty has control of
the encomienda of Minalava, in which are six hun-
dred and sixty-eight tributes, or two thousand six
hundred and seventy-two souls. The villages of this
encomienda are quite close to one another, so that
they can hear the bell when it is rung, and assemble
in this encomienda. There are two religious of the
order of St. Francis - one a priest and the other a lay-
brother - so that it is furnished with instruction. In
addition, these religious visit the following encomi-
enda DCLXVIII.
YnguinaN: Dona Maria de i?ow- These two
religious visit the encomienda called Ynguinan,
which has two hundred and six entire tributes, or
eight hundred and twenty-four persons. By means
of the above mentioned visitation, instruction is fur-
nished CCVI.
Linaguan : Pedro de Salazar - These two re-
ligious visit Linaguan also. It belongs to Pedro de
Salazar, who has in the said encomienda of Niguinan
sixty whole tributes. It is one-half league from
Minalava, its capital. There is another encomienda
two or three leagues farther. At present these towns
of Niguinan and Linaguan are not sufficiently in-
structed by this visitation. However, with the ad-
dition of one more minister they will have sufficient.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS II9
Justice is administered in these encomiendas by the
alcalde-mayor of Cageres, two or three leagues away.
LX.
Nabua: King -His Majesty has another en-
comienda also, Nabua by name, numbering one thou-
sand and eighteen whole tributes, or four thousand
and seventy-two persons. The villages of this en-
comienda are near together. They used to have four
ministers, for they visit the two following encomien-
das. There are in Nabua two Franciscan friars.
MXVIII.
BuLA: Dona Maria de i^ow- The village of
Bula belongs to Dona Maria de Ron. It is four
leagues from Nabua. It has two hundred and six
whole tributes, or eight hundred and twenty-four
persons. It is visited from Nabua. . . CCVI.
Bao: Minor son of Sebastian Perez -Thtsc fa-
thers of Nabua visit also the encomienda of the minor
son of the late Sebastian Perez, called Bao. It has
one hundred and seventy-six tributes, or seven hun-
dred and four persons. Like Nabua, the capital, it
used to have four friars, but now has not more than
two. These encomiendas are not well administered,
but five religious would be sufficient for it.
CLXXVI.
Buy: Sebastian G<zrc/<2 - Likewise these fathers
of Nabua visited and instructed the encomienda of
Buy, which belongs to Sebastian Gargia; but they
say they can do so no longer. It is two leagues from
Nabua, and can receive instruction from no other
place. It has three hundred and twelve tributes, or
one thousand two hundred and forty-eight persons,
who will receive instruction, when Nabua, its capital,
has the said five ministers. . . . CCCXII.
I20 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
GUAS AND LiBON : Estevan Rodriguez - Captain
Estevan Rodriguez has the encomienda of the vil-
lages of Guas and Libon, with one thousand one hun-
dred and seventy-four whole tributes, or four thou-
sand seven hundred and ninety-six souls. The set-
tlements of these two capitals are near one another,
except some located in the mountains six or seven
leagues away, where there are many Christians.
The said encomienda is instructed and visited with
difficulty. Four religious of the order of St. Fran-
cis-three priests and one lay brother -live there.
They visit the following encomienda.
MCLXXIIII.
POLANGUI : Pedro de Salazar - Between Guas
and Libon, Pedro de Salazar owns a village named
Polangui, with six hundred and forty-one tributes, or
two thousand five hundred and sixty-four souls. By
means of the above-mentioned visitation, they are
tolerably well instructed at present; but if more re-
ligious can be had, they might have two more, so that
there might be two in Guas, two in Polangui, and two
in Luyon, which would furnish sufficient instruction.
Cageres rules it in affairs of justice. . DCXLI.
Canaman : Gregorio Sanchez - Gregorio San-
chez has Canaman as an encomienda, with three hun-
dred and six whole tributes, or one thousand two hun-
dred and twenty-four persons, including adults and
children. It receives instruction from two Francis-
can friars - one a priest, and the other a lay-brother -
so that it is well instructed. . . . CCCVI.
AliMANAN: Diego Diaz Marmolejo - A\im2L-
nan, the encomienda of Diego Diaz Marmolejo, lies
on the way to Canaman. It has six hundred whole
tributes, or about two thousand four hundred souls.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 121
There are two religious of the order of St. Francis in
the said encomienda, who furnish sufficient instruc-
tion. Cageres administers justice therein. . DC.
Magarao : Pedro de Arqeo - The Canaman fa-
thers visit likewise the encomienda of Magarao,
which belongs to Captain Pedro de Argeo. This en-
comienda has four hundred and fifty whole tributes,
or one thousand eight hundred men. The villages of
both these encomiendas [Canaman and Magarao]
are quite near one another, being separated by little
more than one-half league. These villages are well
instructed, with the visitation of the two religious;
although, if there were a good supply of priests, they
might, in order to be thoroughly instructed, have one
more for the administration of the sacraments. They
are one league from the city of Cageres, from which
place they are governed in civil and judicial mat-
ters CCCCL.
QuiPAYO: Luys 5rzz^/zo - Captain Luis Brizefio
has the village of Quipayo as an encomienda, with
five hundred tributes, or two thousand souls. The
villages of this encomienda are quite close together,
being separated by only one-half league, or three-
quarters at the most. It has two religious, priests of
the order of St. Francis. It is well instructed and
has the following visitation. . . . . D.
Caravanga : Sebastian Garcia - These two fa-
thers visit the encomienda of Caravanga, belonging to
Estevan \_sic'] Garcia. There are three hundred
tributes there, or one thousand two hundred persons.
By means of the two above-mentioned religious, it is
well instructed. Cageres governs it in judicial mat-
ters CCC.
Labo y Aguette: King- His Majesty owns also
122 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
another encomienda in this province, called Labo y
Aguetet, having six hundred and forty-eight whole
tributes, or two thousand nine hundred and ninety-
two persons. The villages of this encomienda are
close together, except six villages having seventy trib-
utes, which are up the river, four or five leagues from
the capital. One priest furnishes the instruction in
this encomienda, namely the canon Paz; but he
makes the following visits. . . DCXLVIII.
BaTAS: Minor son of Hernando de la Cruz -
The encomienda of Batas, belonging to the minor son
of Hernando de la Cruz, has three hundred whole
tributes, or one thousand two hundred persons. The
priest of Labo instructs it in visits. . . CCC.
TarisEY: Pablo Garcia -Fahlo Garcia owns an-
other encomienda, called Tarisey, lying between
Labo and Batas. It has about eighty whole tributes,
or three hundred and twenty persons, and is visited
from Labo. Although the said minister of Labo is
aided by another from Paracali who says mass, this
latter does not know the language. In respect to the
said visitations of Batas and Tarisey, it seems that,
to have sufficient instruction, the said encomienda of
Labo should have two friars. The alcalde-mayor
of Cageres administers justice to the natives of these
encomiendas LXXX.
Paracali: Andres Cauchela -The accountant
Cauchela has five hundred and seventy tributes in
Paracali. This means two thousand two hundred
and eighty souls, all sufficiently instructed.
DLXX.
MaubAn: King -In this province at Mauban,
and on the island of Buyun, the island of Mandatto
and Bisayas, his Majesty has one thousand two hun-
1 591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 1 23
dred tributes along twenty leagues of coast. It is not
instructed and numbers four thousand eight hundred
souls. Two religious are necessary. . MCC.
Lagunoy : Brizeno - Captain Brizeno has an en-
comienda in the province of Lagunoy, at Mapoto,
with two hundred whole tributes, or eight hundred
souls. It has not instruction, and needs one minister.
CC.
Lagunoy: Rodrigo Arias -In the same prov-
ince, Ensign Rodrigo Arias owns an encomienda of
seven hundred whole tributes, or two thousand eight
hundred persons. It has no instruction. When in-
struction is furnished to the above encomienda, this
one will have it. DCC.
Lagunoy : Dona Maria Ron -In the same prov-
ince, Dona Maria de Ron has three hundred whole
tributes, or one thousand two hundred souls, without
instruction. ...... CCC.
Lagunoy : Juan Rodriguez Lausor — In addition
Juan Rodriguez de Lausor has three hundred whole
tributes in the same province. There are one thou-
sand two hundred souls living in fine settlements,
near one another. This province and all the said en-
comiendas are without instruction. They might
have four ministers, if there is a sufficient supply, for
they are twelve leagues from the city of Cageres, from
which justice is administered to them. . CCC.
Malinao: Briceno - In the province of Malinao
and Cagarei, the said Captain Brizeno has four hun-
dred whole tributes, or one thousand six hundred
souls. They have no instruction, but below will be
told how they can have it. . . . CCCC.
Albai: Brizeno -The said Captain Brizeno has
another hundred and sixty whole tributes, which
124 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
means six hundred and forty persons, in the province
of Albay, without instruction. . . . CLX.
Albai : Gregorio Sanchez; Diego de Montoro -
Gregorio Sanchez and Diego de Montoro have be-
tween them one thousand five hundred whole tributes,
or six thousand souls, in the same province of Albay.
The settlements in this province are excellent, and
located near together. Four or even three ministers
might take care of these two provinces of Manilao
and Albay, and instruct the said four encomiendas,
which are under the civil jurisdiction of Cageres.
MD.
Camarines : Pedro de Argeo - Captain Pedro de
Argeo has the province of Camarines as an encomi-
enda. This has eight hundred and eighty tributes,
or three thousand five hundred and twenty per-
sons. They are all settled in one village, a condition
which was brought about by two Franciscan friars
who were there, but who left it about three and one-
half years ago. Therefore they have no instruction.
Two religious will be necessary at present.
DCCCLXXX.
Yguey: Alonso Pimente I - Alonso Pimentel has
an encomienda in Yguei, with six hundred and seven-
ty tributes, or two thousand six hundred and eighty
souls. Two religious are needed there. The en-
comendero has taught them a great deal, for many
of them know their prayers. The alcalde-mayor of
Cageres administers justice there. . . DCLXX.
Bondo Y CaporaguA: Alonso Lopez -He owns
the encomienda of the bay of Bondo y Caporagua,
with five hundred whole tributes, or two thousand
souls. They live on nine rivers along eight leagues of
coast, the said rivers having one hundred, or one hun-
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS I25
dred and thirty or fifty, inhabitants. They might be
collected on two of the rivers and be instructed by one
priest. The magistrate of Camarines visits them. D.
BONDO: Manila Hospital -M^Lnils. Hospital
owns five hundred and forty more tributes, or two
thousand one hundred and sixty souls, in the said
province of Bondo. It will need one more minister
for instruction, for they have none. This encomien-
da, with the one above, belonging to Alonso Lopez,
will need three. DXL.
LUMANAO IN Ybalon : Saavedra - In the prov-
ince of Ybalon, Diego Lopez de Saavedra owns the
encomiendas of Lumanao, with four hundred whole
tributes, or one thousand six hundred persons. It
has no instruction. It and the following will need
three ministers, when there is a sufficient supply of
them CCCC.
Ybalon : Christoval Sanchez - On the said bay
of Ybalon, Christoval Sanchez has an encomienda of
seven hundred and forty whole tributes, or two thou-
sand nine hundred and sixty souls. They are with-
out instruction, but can have it with the three minis-
ters mentioned in the above encomienda - two here,
and one there. The alcalde-mayor of Cageres visits
these encomiendas. DCCXL.
Uban y Builan : King - His Majesty has seven-
ty tributes along the river of Uban y Builan. They
have no instruction, but can be visited from Ybalon.
There are two hundred and eighty souls. . LXX.
Coast opposite Ybalon : Pedro de Amedo - Pe-
dro de Arnedo has seven hundred and thirty-five
whole tributes, or two thousand nine hundred and
forty souls, on the coast opposite the said bay of Yba-
lon, in Baco y Busaigan. This encomienda, extend-
126 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
ing ten or twelve leagues along the adjacent coast, and
occupying five settlements along the seacoast, might
be reduced to two settlements, except one river on the
sftrait and mouth of Bugaigan. One priest might be
established here in this encomienda, and visit the fol-
lowing, as it is small DCCXXXV.
Capul: Hernando Mmtzos; - Hernando Munoz
de Poyatos has three hundred and thirty whole trib-
utes, or one thousand three hundred and twenty souls,
in Capul, which is situated one league from the strait.
It has no instruction, but will be visited from the
above encomienda. .... CCCXXX.
CaTANDUANES : Thomas Dato; Rodrigo Sarfate;
Juan de Yepes; Anton Sanchez — The island of Ca-
tanduanes has three thousand tributarios, and more
than fully pays its listed tribute. It has more than
fifteen thousand souls, and belongs to four encomen-
deros: Thomas Dato, Rodrigo Sarfate, Juan de
Yepes, and Anton Sanchez. The five scattered set-
tlements might be reduced to two. With four more
ministers it could be instructed. Cageres administers
its justice, by visitation from Cageres. However, it
will require a deputy, who should generally live
there. ....... MMM.
Thus the province of Vicor y Camarines, with the
island of Catanduanes, has twenty-one thousand six
hundred and sixty whole tributes, or eighty-six thou-
sand six hundred and forty souls. For its entire in-
struction it has at present fifteen ministers. Accord-
ing to the allotment of the land, thirty-two more min-
isters are necessary, so that it may have sufficient in-
struction. In all it needs fifty-three, if there are suf-
ficient. All the province has justice, which is admin-
istered from Cageres.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 127
Masbate: - Moral -The encomienda of Masbate
is an island belonging to Francisco de Moral. It has
about four hundred tributes, or one thousand six hun-
dred souls. The people are peaceable. It has justice
administered from Cageres. It has no instruction,
and needs one minister. .... CCCC.
BURIAS: Captain Brizeno -This encomienda of
Burias is another island, and belongs to Captain Bri-
zeno. He collects there four hundred tributes. It
has justice, but no instruction, and will need one min-
ister. . ... . . . CCCC.
[ZEBU]
Zebu - In the island of Zebu is the capital city,
Sanctissimo Nombre de Jesus, with more than thirty
Spanish citizens, with its alcalde-mayor and magis-
tracy. It has one ecclesiastic, who acts as vicar of the
Spaniards.
Leite: Oseguera- The encomienda of Leyte be-
longs to Don Pedro de Oseguera. He collects there
six hundred and twenty-six tributes, which means one
thousand and five hundred and four persons. It has
justice ; and, that it may have instruction, needs one
minister DCXXVI.
GONPOT Y Cagayan : King - This encomienda of
Gonpot y Cagayan belongs to his Majesty. He col-
lects there seventy tributes. It has neither instruction
nor justice, but needs them. . . . LXX.
BuTUAN: Dona Lucia -Doh2. Lucia de Loarca
owns the encomienda of the river of Butuan. She
collects there one thousand two hundred tributes. It
has justice, but no instruction. Two religious are nec-
essary to take care of it, for it has four thousand and
eight hundred persons. .... MCC.
128 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Zampojar: Caravajal -DiGgo de Caravajal col-
lects along this river of Sampojar, fifty-eight tributes.
They are not well pacified, and have neither instruc-
tion nor justice, both of which they need. . LVIII.
Caraga: Juan Gutierrez del Real; Frangisco de
Sancta Crwz- Juan Gutierrez del Real and Fran-
cisco de Sancta Cruz collect eight hundred and nine-
ty-two tributes in Caraga. This represents three
thousand five hundred and sixty-eight persons. They
have no instruction, and are not pacified ; but when
that shall be effected, it will need two ministers.
DCCCXCII.
Dulaque: Francisco Rodriguez de Avila - Fran-
cisco Rodriguez de Avila collects tribute along the
river of Dulaque from four hundred and eighty-two
tributarios, who represent one thousand nine hundred
and twenty-eight persons. It has justice, but no in-
struction. It needs one minister. . CCCCLXXXII.
LeyTE: Sedeno - Pedro Sedeno collects tribute in
the island of Leyte and along the river of Tambolo,
from five hundred and sixty-three tributarios, who
represent two thousand two hundred and fifty-two
souls. It is peaceful, and has justice, but no instruc-
tion. It needs one minister. . . . DLXIII.
Carigara: Juan de T ruxil lo ~]u2in de Truxillo
collects tribute along the river of Carigara from four
hundred and thirty-four tributarios, who represent
one thousand seven hundred and thirty-six persons.
It has justice, and is peaceful, but has no instruction.
It needs one minister. . . . CCCCXXXIIII.
Barugo: Henao ~ Alonso de Henao collects four
hundred and fourteen tributes on the river of Barugo.
These represent one thousand six hundred and
fifty-six persons. It is peaceful, and has justice, but
1 591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 1 29
no instruction. It needs one minister. CCCCXIIII.
Abuyo : Reyes - Caspar de los Reyes collects three
hundred and four tributes on the river of Abuyo and
the town of Guisan, in Ybabao. These represent one
thousand two hundred and sixteen persons. It is
peaceful and has justice, but no instruction. It needs
one minister. ...... CCCIIII.
Palo : Pedro Hernandez - Pedro Hernandez col-
lects four hundred and ninety tributes from the
encomienda of Palo. These represent two thousand
persons. It is peaceful, with justice, but without in-
struction, and needs one minister. . CCCCXC.
DULAQUE: Sauze do -Domingo de Sauzedo col-
lects from the encomienda of Dulaque six hundred
and thirteen tributes, which represent two thousand
four hundred and fifty-two persons. It is peaceful,
and has justice, but no instruction. It needs one min-
ister DCXIII.
Abuyo Ebito: Tj/^^- Caspar de Ysla collects four
hundred and thirty-five tributes, which represent
one thousand seven hundred and forty persons, in
Abuyo Ebito, and Zebu. It is peaceful, with justice,
but without instruction, and needs one religious.
ccccxxxv.
HiNUNDANGA : Abila - Frangisco de Abila col-
lects five hundred tributes, which means two thousand
persons, from the encomienda of Hinundanga. It is
pacified and has justice, but no instruction. It needs
at least one religious to take care of it. . . D.
TiLAN : Sepulbeda - Frangisco de Sepulbeda col-
lects the tribute of the encomienda of Tilan, which
has one hundred and forty tributes. He collects
unjustly. Although it has justice, it has no instruc-
tion, and needs it CXL.
130 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Baybay and Zebu: Navarro -Fedro Navarro
collects six hundred and fifteen tributes in Baybay
and Zebu. This means two thousand four hundred
and sixty persons. It has no instruction, but has jus-
tice. One minister is necessary. . . DCXV.
Samay and YbaBAO : Juan Mendez - The minor
son of Juan Mendez collects one thousand tributes,
which means four thousand persons, in Samay and
Ybabao. It has peace and justice, but no instruction.
It needs two ministers M.
TinaGON and BuRI: Soria; Nunez -Vt&ro de
Soria collects two hundred and six tributes in Tina-
gon. These represent eight hundred and twenty-four
persons. It has justice, but no instruction. This is
needed between him and Francisco Nunez, who col-
lects one hundred and ninety tributes in Buri. CCCVI.
Samar, Ybabao: Mo//«<2 - Frangisco de Molina
collects in Samar, Ybabao, Siquion and Maripit, four
hundred and seventy-seven tributes, which represent
one thousand nine hundred and eight persons. It
has no instruction, but has justice. It needs one
minister CCCCLXXVII.
Candaya: Frangisco Martin -Fra.ngisco Martin
collects from Candaya two hundred and fifty-five
tributes, which represent one thousand and twenty
persons. It has justice, but no instruction, and needs
it CCLV.
Ybabao: Gonqalo XimSnez; Juan Gutierrez —
Gongalo Ximenez and Juan Gutierrez del Real col-
lect, in the island of Ybabao, eight hundred and
sixteen tributes, which represent three thousand two
hundred and sixty-four persons. It has peace and
justice, but no instruction. It needs, at the least, one
minister. DCCCXVI.
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 131
Ybabao and Zebu : Carreno - Francisco Carreno
collects, in Ybabao and Zebu, three hundred and
thirty tributes, which represent one thousand
three hundred and twenty persons. It has justice
and is pacified, but has no instruction, which it
needs . . cccxxx.
Leyte, Masbate, and Ybabao: Mor^/- Fran-
cisco Moral collects, from Leyte, Masbate, and
Ybabao, one thousand one hundred and sixteen trib-
utes, which represent four thousand four hundred
and sixty-eight persons. It has justice, and is entirely
pacified. It has no instruction, and needs two minis-
ters MCXVI.
BanTAYAN: Minor son of Gamboa -The minor
son of Gamboa collects, in Bantayan, one thousand
six hundred and eighty-three tributes, which repre-
sent six thousand seven hundred and thirty-two
persons. It has both justice and instruction.
MDCLXXXIII.
Tanay: Ossorio - Ossorio collects, from the river
of Tanay, one hundred and eighty tributes, which
represent seven hundred and twenty persons. It has
justice and peace, but no instruction, which it needs.
CLXXX,
Tanay: Juan Martin -Juan Martin collects, from
the river of Tanay and the island of Negros, five hun-
dred and fifty-seven tributes, which represent two
thousand two hundred persons. It has no instruction,
but is pacified and has justice. It needs one minister.
DLVII.
Abuyo : Frangisco Albarez - Frangisco Albarez
de Toledo collects, along the river of Abuyo, Vincay,
and Maya, four hundred and eighty tributes, which
represent one thousand nine hundred and twenty
132 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
persons. It is pacified, and has justice, but no in-
struction, which is needed. . . . CCCCLXXX.
Camote and MaTAN: The city -Tht city of
Sanctissimo Nombre de Jesus has of its own, in
Camote and Matan, two hundred and eighty-seven
tributes, which represent one thousand one hundred
and forty-eight persons. They are pacified, and have
justice, but no instruction, which is needed. For this
and the two following one minister is necessary.
CCLXXX.
Mindanao: Roman - AIorsq Roman collects in
Mindanao one hundred tributes, which represent
four hundred persons. It is pacified, but has no in-
struction. It has justice. . . . . C.
Masagua Y PayTA : Espinosa - Christoval Espi-
nosa collects, from the encomienda of Masagua y
Payta, in Ybabao, one hundred and thirty-seven
tributes, which represent five hundred and forty-
eight persons. It is pacified, and has justice, but no
instruction, which is needed. . . . CXXXVII.
Thus the tributes of the island of Qebu and its
jurisdiction amount to fifteen thousand eight hun-
dred and thirty-three whole tributes. This means
thirty-five thousand [sic^ persons, and for these there
are but two ministers. Twenty-one ministers are
necessary to furnish sufficient instruction. As to
justice, the entire province is sufficiently governed
by one alcalde-mayor and his deputy.
PANAY
The town of Arevalo is the capital of this island of
Panay, and contains more than twenty Spanish citi-
zens. There is one alcalde-mayor and one corregidor
for the river of Panay, besides its body of magistrates,
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS I33
and a parish which is in charge of an ecclesiastic.
Oton and Ymaral: Dona Lugia-Doh2i Lugia
de Loarca collects, from the village of Oton and its
tingues, the island of Ymaras, and the river of Hilo,
one thousand six hundred tributes, which represent
six thousand four hundred persons. Oton has instruc-
tion, and one of its two friars visits Ymaras and the
tingues. There is no instruction in Hilo. It needs
one more minister. Justice is had from Arevalo.
MDCL.
Xaro: Captain yfr^^o - Captain Augustin de
Argeo collects, in the encomienda of Xaro and its
tingues, one thousand three hundred tributes, which
represent five thousand two hundred persons. It is
cared for by one ecclesiastic, but needs another min-
ister. Justice is had from Arevalo. . MCCC.
ArauT: King- His Majesty collects, on the river
of Araut, two thousand tributes, which represent
eight thousand persons. It has justice, but no in-
struction. It needs four ministers. . MM.
Araut : Captain Juan P^^/o - Captain Juan
Pablo de Carrion collects, on the said river of Araut,
two thousand tributes. It has justice, and two Au-
gustinian friars who instruct it. It needs one other
minister. ....... MM.
Araut : Diego Lopez; Lope Rodriguez - DiegQ
Lopez de Valdepefias and the minor son of Lope
Rodriguez collect, on the said river of Araut, one
thousand six hundred tributes, which represent six
thousand four hundred persons. They have
justice, but no instruction. They need two min-
isters MDC.
Axui : King; Rivera - His Majesty and Fran-
gisco de Rivera collect, from the encomienda of
134 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Axui, one thousand two hundred tributes, which rep-
resent four thousand eight hundred persons. It is
pacified, and has justice, but no instruction. It needs
two ministers. ...... MCC.
Aranguen : Captain Sarmiento - Captain Pedro
Sarmiento collects, along the river of Aranguen,
three hundred tributes, which represent one thou-
sand two hundred persons. It is pacified, and has
justice, but no instruction. It needs one minister.
CCC.
Panay: King-Yih Majesty has along the river
of Panay and its branch, the Mayo, eight hundred
and fifty tributes, which represent two thousand four
hundred [sic'] persons. They have instruction and
justice DCCCL.
Panay: Guamico; Lie'vana-C2i\)X.2im Guarnizo
and Ensign Pedro Guillen de Lievana collect, along
the said river, two thousand three hundred tributes,
which represent nine thousand two hundred persons.
It has justice, and one ecclesiastic who furnishes in-
struction. It needs at least two more ministers.
MMCCC.
Mambusao : Rivera; Morales - Frangisco de Ri-
vera and Gaspar Ruyz de Morales collect, along the
branch river Manbusao, one thousand tributes, which
represent four thousand persons. It is pacified, and
has justice, but no instruction. It needs one minister.
. M.
Yguican: Captain Sarmiento - C^iptSiin Sarmi-
ento collects, along the river of Yguisan, ninety trib-
utes, which represent three hundred and forty per-
sons. It has justice. ..... XC.
Maharlu: Angulo - A\ha.ro de Angulo collects,
in Maharlu, Damayan, the island of Tablas, and
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 135
Cabuyan, six hundred tributes, which represent two
thousand four hundred persons. It has justice, and
is pacified. It has no instruction, and needs one min-
ister . . .DC.
BatAn : Miguel Rodriguez - The encomienda of
Batan belongs to Miguel Rodriguez. He collects
there, at Moguin, Dunblon, Baton, and along the
river of Hilo, one thousand two hundred tributes,
which represent four thousand eight hundred per-
sons. It has justice, and is pacified. It needs at
least two ministers. ..... MCC.
ACLAN: Minor son of Antonio Fiores -The mi-
nor son of Antonio Fiores collects, along the river
of Aclan, one thousand three hundred tributes, which
represent three thousand two hundred persons. It
has instruction and justice. . . . MCCC.
Ybahay: Captain Pedro S ar mi e nto - C^pt^Lin
Pedro Sarmiento collects, in Ybahai, Potolanbit,
Buracay, and other islets, and along the large bay
and river of La Lupa, two thousand tributes, which
represent eight thousand persons. All of this terri-
tory has justice, but no instruction. It needs four
ministers. ....... MM.
BUGASON : Pedro Guillen - Ensign Guillen col-
lects, in Bugason, two hundred and fifty tributes,
which represent one thousand persons. It has in-
struction and justice. .... CCL.
Antique: AS'^rw<^ - Alonso de la Serna collects,
from the encomienda of Antique, five hundred and
fifty tributes, which represent two thousand two hun-
dred persons. It has justice and instruction. DL.
Amiagao: Minor son of Fiores -The minor son
of Antonio Fiores collects, in Amiago [sic~\, three
hundred tributes, which represent one thousand two
136 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
hundred persons. It has instruction and justice, and
is pacified. . CCC.
BONGOL: Augustin Ojjor/o - Augustin Ossorio
collects, from the encomienda of Bongol, three hun-
dred and fifty tributes, which represent two thousand
four hundred persons. It is visited by a religious,
and has justice CCCL.
TiBAGUA: Captain Estevan Rodriguez - C2ipta.'m
Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa collects, from the
encomienda of Tibagua, one thousand two hun-
dred tributes, which represent four thousand eight
hundred persons. It has justice and instruction, and
is pacified. MCC.
Caraco: P^r^y^ - Christoval de Parexa collects,
from the encomienda of Caraco, six hundred tributes,
which represent two thousand four hundred persons.
It has no instruction, but is pacified. It needs one
minister. ....... DC.
BagO: Albaro Perez- Alh^ivo Perez collects,
along the river of Bago, three hundred and fifty
tributes, which represent one thousand four hundred
persons. It has no instruction. It is pacified and
has justice. It needs one minister. . CCCL.
Ynavaga: Herrera-¥r2Ln(;hco de Herrera col-
lects, along the river of Ynavaga, five hundred trib-
utes, which represent two thousand persons. It has
no instruction, but has justice and is pacified. It
needs one minister. ..... D.
HiLO: rW^o - Hieronimo Trigo collects, along
the river of Hilo, one hundred and fifty tributes,
which represent six hundred persons. It has no in-
struction, but has justice, and is pacified. . CL.
HiLO: y^/^- Caspar de Ysla collects, along the
said river, two hundred tributes, which represent
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 137
eight hundred persons. It has no instruction, but
has justice. One minister might care for this and
the above encomienda. . . . . CC.
HiLO: Mendia- Martin de Mendia collects,
along the said river, five hundred tributes, which rep-
resent two thousand persons. It has no instruction,
but has justice, and is pacified. One minister is
needed D.
CUYO: Captain Juan Pablo ~ C^.pt2iin Juan Pa-
blo collects, in the island of Cuyo, one thousand trib-
utes, which represent four thousand persons. It has
neither instruction nor justice, and needs two min-
isters. ........ M.
Thus, in the island of Panay and its jurisdiction,
are twenty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety
tributes, or sixty thousand [sic] souls. It has at
present eighteen ministers, and needs twenty-five
more, which will make in all thirty-eight \_sic~\ with
whom it will be well instructed. In regard to jus-
tice, it is quite sufficient throughout the island.
LUMBAN : Sauzedo - The island of Lumban be-
longs to Phelippe de Sauzedo, and has five hundred
tributes, or two thousand persons. It is in the juris-
diction of Balayan. It has no instruction. It needs
one minister to instruct it. .... D.
MiNDORO: Sauzedo -The encomienda of Vaco y
Mindoro belongs to Phelippe de Sauzedo. It has
seven hundred tributes, or two thousand eight hun-
dred persons. It is in charge of one religious, and
is under the civil jurisdiction of Balayan. The op-
posite coast of this island has neither instruction nor
justice DCC.
BaTANGAS: Frangisco Rodriguez -The encomi-
138 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
enda of Batangas belongs to Frangisco Rodriguez.
He collects there one thousand four hundred tributes,
which represent five thousand six hundred persons.
It has sufficient justice and instruction. MCCCC.
Bonbon: The mariscal Gabriel de Ribera-
The encomienda of Bonbon belongs to the mariscal
Gavriel de Rybera. He collects there four thousand
tributes, which represent sixteen thousand souls. It
all has sufficient instruction, and its justice is admin-
istered from Balayan. . . . MMMM.
Balayan: Cauchela -The encomienda of Bala-
yan belongs to the accountant Cauchela, and his Maj-
esty has there six hundred tributes, which represent
two thousand four hundred persons. It has one al-
calde-mayor, who is the judicial chief of the district.
It has instruction, which is administered by one ec-
clesiastic. DC.
[Tuley] : King - The lowlands of Tuley belong
to his Majesty. Six hundred whole tributes are col-
lected there, which represent two thousand four hun-
dred souls. It has no instruction, and needs one min-
ister DC.
Calamianes : Sarmiento - The islands of Cala-
mianes belong to Captain Sarmiento. Tribute is
levied, although not in all parts - about two thou-
sand five hundred, counting the negrillos. Four min-
isters are needed for the whole encomienda. It has
no justice. ...... MMD.
Calilaya: King; Torr^j - Calilaya and Marin-
duque is a corregidor's district by itself. Flalf of
the encomienda of Calilaya belongs to the king, and
the other half to Torres. There are one thousand
two hundred tributarios, or four thousand eight hun-
dred persons. It has had instruction, and there are
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS 139
many Christians. It has justice. One ecclesiastic at-
tends to the instruction. It needs two ministers.
MCC.
Galvan : Medrano - The encomienda of Galvan
belongs to Medrano. It has eight hundred tributes,
or three thousand and some souls. It has had in-
struction, but has none now. It is visited from
Batangas. It has justice, and needs one min-
ister DCCC
Mahuban: ^/w^-Mahuban belongs to his
Majesty. On this coast of Manila he has eight hun-
dred tributes, which represent more than three thou-
sand persons. It has never had instruction, but has
justice from Calilaya. One minister is needed.
DCCC.
Casiguiran : Frangisco Gargia - The encomienda
of Casiguiran lies on the same coast opposite Manila.
It belongs to Frangisco Gargia, who collects there
five hundred tributes, which represent two thousand
persons. Half of it is hostile, and more than half
has neither justice nor instruction. One minister is
needed. . D.
BaletE : Juan Martin - The encomienda of Ba-
lete belongs to Juan Martin Picon. He collects the
half of five hundred tributes, for the other half is
hostile and without justice or instruction. The mag-
istrate of Calilaya administers justice to one-half of
it alone. It needs one minister. . . . D.
Thus Calilaya has five thousand five hundred trib-
utes, or twenty-two thousand persons, who have but
little instruction. Nine ministers are necessary now,
so that it may have some instruction. With the nine
ministers it will have sufficient instruction ; but it has
adequate justice.
140 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Marinduque : Poyatos -The island of Marin-
duque, belonging to Captain Poyatos, has seven hun-
dred tributarios, or two thousand eight hundred per-
sons. It has justice, and needs one minister so that
the people may be instructed. . . . DCC.
BatAN: Captain Esguerra -The encomienda of
Batan belongs to Captain Esguerra, who is his own
deputy. This said encomienda has one thousand trib-
utes, or four thousand persons. It has one monastery,
containing four Dominican friars. . . M.
Thus in the city of Manila, along its coast and the
coast opposite, and in the provinces of Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Ylocos, Cagayan, La Laguna, Cama-
rines, Masbate, Zebu, Panay, Balayan, and Calilaya,
which is all of Luzon and the other Philippinas Is-
lands settled, there are one hundred and sixty-six
thousand nine hundred and three whole tributes.
Each tribute includes husband, wife, and excepting
the sons, the children. Therefore there are six hun-
dred and sixty-seven thousand six hundred and
twelve souls in the said provinces, besides the reli-
gious of the convents of Manila. One hundred and
forty ministers - twenty of whom are ecclesiastics,
seventy-nine Augustinians, nine Dominicans, and
forty-two Franciscans - are divided among the prov-
inces to instruct the natives and administer the holy
sacraments. It appears from this relation that there
is a lack of ministers through the departures above
noted. It shows that one hundred and sixty-one
more ministers are needed to furnish adequate in-
struction. These should be sent very soon, and even
a greater number, for when they arrive here, one-
fourth of these will have died. His Majesty has
1591-1593] ACCOUNT OF ENCOMIENDAS
141
thirty-one encomiendas in the said provinces. Pri-
vate individuals have two hundred and thirty-six. Of
these, however, from many of those in Cagayan and
some in other districts no tribute can be collected,
because they are not pacified, while others are quite
worthless or of slight importance.
The said provinces have twelve alcaldes-mayor,
each with his deputy; and, in addition, are three who
are their own deputies. In some of these districts
it is impossible to go to administer justice, because
of their distance from the capitals where the alcaldes-
mayor live. This must be carefully looked into and
these needs supplied.
Whole tributes
Souls
667,612
Number of religious
140
Religious still needed
161
King's encomiendas
31
Those of individuals
236
Alcaldes-mayor
12
Deputies
12
Other deputies
3
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR DASMARINAS
TO FELIPE II
Sire:
Last year, a short time after my arrival in these is-
lands, I gave an account to your Majesty, by the first
vessels leaving here, of my arrival and of the condi-
tion in which I found matters. I could not enter into
full details, because of the short time between my
arrival and the departure of the ships. I venture to
declare that never were four and twenty days so oc-
cupied, busy as I was in the despatch of the vessels,
the new government, and other things that occurred
here at that time. Now I am somewhat better in-
formed, and I shall give advices of everything with
due punctuality, so that your Majesty may ordain
and decree in accordance with the royal pleasure. I
hereby respond more systematically and clearly to
some clauses of your Majesty's instructions, some of
which I am sure have not been followed; and, ac-
cordingly, some of the affairs in this new land are
in the same condition as when it was discovered.
Your Majesty's orders should have been received and
observed, which has not been done. [Marginal note :
" He has done well."]
2. As these regions are so remote and far away
from the possibility of appeal to your Majesty, and
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 143
from your Majesty's favor and protection, the reli-
gion and zeal of your Majesty are so much the more
remarkable. It is sufficient to support the gospel and
Christian religion in so remote lands and seas, and
among such a diversity of idolatrous infidels, at so
great cost to the royal estate, and at such risks and
losses to your Majesty's subjects and vassals. Never-
theless, your Majesty is interested only in the glorious
renown of serving God, from whom I await the be-
ginning of the fulfilment of the great hopes that the
arrangement and close position of these islands prom-
ise your Majesty for the extension of the holy Catho-
lic faith through your royal medium.
3. To the first clause of your Majesty's instruc-
tions I do not have to respond, as it seems to be but a
preamble of the orders thereby given me. I can
only express to your Majesty my desire to serve you
faithfully, and to render a good account of my obliga-
tion as your Majesty's born vassal, and as your serv-
ant and creature, to pay that debt with all diligence
and zeal.
4. Under the second clause your Majesty orders
me to bring about the maintenance of the pacified
district in these islands, and to increase its extent as
far as possible. In answer I will say that I am
promptly attending to that, as your Majesty will see
by every clause and subject separately. [Marginal
note: " It is well."]
5. I am ordered by the third clause to expend, in
the construction and erection of the cathedral church
of Manila, twelve thousand ducats, to be apportioned
in three parts - namely, between your Majesty, the
encomenderos, and the Indians; two thousand ducats
of your Majesty's share to be advanced from the royal
144 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
treasury of Mexico. I could not collect these two
thousand ducats from Mexico, as the decrees to that
efifect sent to me at Sevilla did not come as they
should have done; and therefore the officers of the
royal exchequer there would not give me the money.
When I came here I found that the work on the
church had been going on for three years, and there
had been spent on it eight thousand pesos, received
from assessments on the three parties - namely, your
Majesty, the encomenderos, and the Indians. There
had been poor management of the expenditure of this
money, as very large salaries were paid to those en-
gaged on the work. Had not some reform been
inaugurated, most of the money would have gone for
salaries. The building is being carried on as rapidly
as possible, although there are other large undertak-
ings hereabout - namely, the fortifications and other
public works of the city. The greatest lack felt is
that of people; but nevertheless I expect, God will-
ing, that in a month from this date, mass can be said
in the cathedral. The two aisles are already cov-
ered over, and the chapel will be finished for Corpus
Christi, and the rest by Christmas. \_Marginal note:
" Thank him for the care he has used, and tell him to
continue the same."]
6. In this fourth clause of the instruction, your
Majesty orders me to provide most carefully for the
hospital for the Spaniards in this city, and that all due
hospitality be observed there. The same is to be done
in the hospital for the Indians. The hospital for the
Spaniards is to be endowed with one thousand pesos
of income, and that for the Indians with five hun-
dred ducats, from the first repartimientos that may be
vacant. Your Majesty gives as alms to the one four
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 145
hundred ducats, and to the other two hundred, from
the royal treasury of Mexico, which also was not
paid, owing to the same difficulty of my not receiving
the proper decree. This hospital is one of the good
and necessary pious works of the islands. As there are
here no doctors or medicines, conveniences or cleanli-
ness for the cure of Spaniards, it is a usual practice
and universal remedy for all to go to the hospital
whenever ill. Thus with all possible care and clean-
liness the poor soldiers and other Spaniards are at-
tended. The rich go also, as there are no conven-
iences elsewhere. The rich pay the hospital for treat-
ment and medicines, and some persons even give
alms. In fulfilment of your Majesty's commands I
have already endowed the hospital for the Spaniards
with the thousand pesos of income, and that for the
Indians with the five hundred ducats. I have not
given the alms because, as I have said, I did not
collect it in Mexico for lack of orders; for, although
in the instruction it stated that a decree would be
given me, that was not done. There are usually many
sick persons in this hospital, and although there is
now an income of two thousand seven hundred pesos,
more or less, much more is needed. Money is neces-
sary to build a couple of rooms where contagious
diseases can be treated. Those are the most frequent
diseases in this land, on account of the heat and hu-
midity; and for their treatment a comfortable and
well-situated apartment is needed. Moreover, we
need a kitchen and other work-rooms; and salary for
a chaplain, to confess and say mass for the sick and
administer the sacraments. He would have not a
little to do. There should also be salary for a doctor
and apothecary, and money sufficient to import medi-
146 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
cines in bulk from Mexico. If they are bought here
there is not sufficient to pay the expenses. Hence the
present income cannot supply these necessities, unless
your Majesty grant more, as the income should be
four thousand pesos. The blankets which your Maj-
esty orders brought from Mexico are not needed, as
those of this country are sufficient, on account of the
heat here, and because our blankets are cheaper.
Consequently the money which is to be spent for them
could be better employed for other necessities. At
the hospital for the Indians, I have tried to make in-
vestigations of some Franciscan brethren who are
there. It were well that they be called to account;
because many things come into their possession, and
much money is handled, in the course of administra-
tion. Nevertheless, they would give no account, say-
ing that that hospital is not under the control of your
Majesty. The bishop upholds and sustains them in
this course, saying that until your Majesty endows
that house and gives what is needed therefor, your
Majesty has nothing to do with that or other pious
works of this bishopric. They persistently shield
themselves with the habit of St. Francis, although
they are but lay brethren, through the artifice of the
bishop. Your Majesty will accordingly send the
despatches which may seem expedient to the royal
service, as otherwise this matter cannot be attended
to. [Marginal note: " Send this decree, after taking
note thereof, so that the sum stated therein shall be
paid over in Mexico. Have this decree framed and
sent, even though it has been despatched already. It
is well that this be favored and aided as much as pos-
sible, because the work is so necessary. Give him
this decree."
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 147
" Granted. Advise his Majesty, that another thou-
sand pesos from vacant tributes be applied to this
hospital for ten years, for the reasons given. Let this
notification be given immediately. In regard to the
blankets, inasmuch as he says they are unnecessary,
direct the viceroy of Mexico to exchange these for
whatever seems most needed."
" Take possession of the hospitals for his Majesty,
as patron of hospitals. Have investigations made
thereof, and of the accounts of whatever person may
have the administration of them. The bishop is to
place no obstacle in the way, although, if he wishes
to be present, he may attend the investigation. Write
this decision to the bishop."]
7. In clause 5 your Majesty directs that religious
be provided for the instruction of the Indians; and
that they be not permitted to leave the islands, at
least not until after due consideration, and with
license from the governor and bishop.
8. Although your Majesty with holy zeal is so
careful to furnish ministers for teaching, to evan-
gelize and extend the faith to these natives, as you
have always provided and now provide at great cost
to the royal exchequer, nevertheless, many more
workers are needed. For there are many encomien-
das, both those in your Majesty's name and those be-
longing to private persons, some of which have never
had a minister, but magistrates only; while others,
although they have had ministers, have not had
enough of them to give sufficient instruction. Thus
it is most pitiable that many thousands of souls who
have been subdued to your Majesty's service for many
years, pay their tributes, declare their desire to be-
come Christians, and ask for ministry, but for lack
148 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
thereof are not converted. The encomenderos will
be glad to pay their share of the expense for the sup-
port of the instruction, which they do not have in
their encomiendas on account of the lack of ministers.
Therefore I send herewith to your Majesty an exact
account of the districts in this country where minis-
ters are needed. And I beseech your Majesty
kindly to provide ministers, to give instruction,
as this is the principal royal purpose. In case of en-
trances and of taking possession of lands for your
Majesty, the lack of instruction is one of the greatest
troubles ; for it is important to the service of God and
of your Majesty that there be religious present when
said entrances are made and possession is taken by
your Majesty. They should be there to attend to the
instruction, as the principal object, so that everything
may be carried on according to the intention and ob-
ligation of your Majesty- that is, that the conversion
of these souls may be brought to pass. It should be
taken into consideration that, of those friars who are
sent here, some die before reaching their destination
and others after their arrival; while others grow in-
firm, and none are born. [Marginal note: " Friars
are sent herewith; and care shall be taken that
provisions be made according to the advices re-
ceived."]
9. Besides the cessation of the preaching of the
gospel for lack of ministers, as has been stated above,
which is the principal danger afifecting the spiritual
good, there is another question of no little considera-
tion touching temporal welfare. In the present con-
dition of things here, where there is no instruction
(even should there be justice) the entire tribute can-
not be raised, according to the statement of the theo-
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 149
logians of this bishopric. The Indians must be left
at least the fourth part of the tribute, which is about
the sum owed and applied for the expense and sup-
port of the instruction. Taking into account the
large number of tributarios and encomenderos of
your Majesty, this would amount to a very great sum,
which would not be collected for this reason, and
your Majesty would lose much more in these fourths.
There is another inconvenience in the lack of instruc-
tion, and that is, that where there is no instruction and
the payment of the fourth is excused and less tribute
collected, the consequence is very damaging for the
other Indians; for they say that the Christians pay
more tribute than do those who are not Christians,
and consequently no one is willing to be converted.
This effect would cease under adequate instruction,
as all would become Christians and would pay the
same tribute, there being no opportunity for the
aforesaid practice. Moreover, restitution of the
amounts collected would be obligatory in the places
where there is no teaching. Over this subject of pay-
ment of tributes I have had various arguments with
the bishop, as your Majesty will see by the papers
which are sent herewith. By them your Majesty
may understand more accurately all that has passed,
and what the bishop and I have written and replied to
each other. Therefore, as briefly as possible, I shall
report it.
10. The bishop founds his opinion on clause 32
of my instructions. This treats of the encomiendas
which are disafifected or have never been pacified;
and orders that I try to correct the excesses in the col-
lection of the tributes of such encomiendas as are
without instruction. From this the bishop formed
150 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
his opinion, or merely on account of his office of
bishop - which, he thinks, makes him master of every-
thing. He commenced his argument by saying that,
as the Indians had no instruction, nothing could be
collected from them, nor from the obstinate infidels
living among those who have instruction, and who
refuse the faith, even if instructed. He contends
that, if anything had been collected, it should be re-
stored. Also, that in the encomiendas where there
is justice or other temporal benefit which tends to the
spiritual, the third part of the tributes in the large
encomiendas could be collected, and in small ones, the
half thereof. This sum would be for the support of
the encomendero, and is even placed under certain
conditions imposed by the bishop. He says that from
the encomiendas which do not have sufficient instruc-
tion no tribute, or at least very little, can be collected;
and, even then, it must be under the same obligation
to restitution of the sum collected or to be collected
by his Majesty and encomenderos, as well as certain
royal officials, collectors, and others who order, per-
mit, or consent to the same. This in substance is the
content of the twenty-five conclusions of the bishop,
or the greater part of them. As I said, the bishop at
the beginning spoke with me personally in regard to
these matters, and then gave his opinion to me in
writing in the letters, treatise, and conclusions which
I am sending now to your Majesty. He preaches
thus to the encomenderos from the pulpits. Inas-
much as it seems difficult for me - whose duty it is to
give orders for the collection of the tributes, and cor-
rect the excesses in this regard, in the name of your
Majesty -to put his theories into practice, I repre-
sented to the bishop verbally, at various times, the
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 151
reasons that I had for making no innovations until
after informing your Majesty and awaiting your
Majesty's order and resolution. Setting forth many
reasons, I tried to persuade him in the letter which ac-
companies this ; I wrote to him explaining that, even
in the never-pacified and rebellious encomiendas^
your Majesty commanded that something be paid, as
a token of recognition of authority. If there are jus-
tices and other benefits useful to the Indians, such as
instruction in the faith, teaching them to live decently,
and attracting them by kind treatment to receive in-
struction, when it should be furnished, then all the
tribute could be collected except the portion due for
instruction. If neglected, the Indians would become
intractable and all would be lost. If tribute is never
exacted from the infidels, they will never become
Christians. This tribute should be collected with
all possible gentleness, avoiding violence and wrongs
to the Indians. The furnishing of instruction is not
delayed by the encomenderos, for they urgently ask
for it; but it is not given them because of the lack
thereof. It seemed to me that, for the said reasons
and others, it is better to make no innovations now;
but that an account of everything be given to your
Majesty so that you may order the necessary provi-
sions. In the meanwhile, collection will be allowed
of at least three-quarters of the tributes belonging to
the encomenderos. If their support is taken away,
these men would leave the land, and everything
would be lost. In that case, even if there were in-
struction there would be no one to receive it; and the
Indians would have to be conquered anew. In par-
ticular some arrangement should be made so that the
Indians shall receive benefit and profit from us, by
1^2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
introducing justice where none has existed, and con-
tinuing commerce, so that they will conceive love and
affection for us and will be disposed to receive the
faith whenever there may be anyone to teach it.
Thus, I told the bishop, the least troublesome way
was for affairs to remain in the same condition until
after your Majesty had been consulted. Otherwise
the land would be lost if the encomenderos should
abandon it, which would without doubt come to pass
if they could not be supported therefrom. More-
over, in accordance with these conclusions of the
bishop your Majesty would be obliged to make resti-
tution of more than one hundred and fifty thousand
pesos, and there would be lost every year more than
thirty thousand pesos of income. As for the enco-
menderos, there was not enough property in the world
for restitutions, nor would there be greater cause for
pity than that an encomendero who has spent so many
years in conquering this land should be deprived of
the bread for his sustenance therein. Furthermore,
in that letter I said to the bishop that, although it is
true that your Majesty commits to him only the ar-
rangements for the disturbed encomiendas and those
unpacified (and these are the only ones in doubt),
nevertheless, it was necessary in that case for us to
meet, in order to discuss them all and give our opin-
ions regarding them. Moreover I told him that,
even though his opinion and advice were right and
proper, yet, in carrying them out there were incon-
veniences and difficulties which endangered this land.
For that reason I did not agree with him, and was of
another opinion. Being unable to agree, it was bet-
ter to advise your Majesty and await your consequent
commands. As we had already waited so long, we
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 153
could wait a little longer for the resolutions of your
Majesty.
II. After several days the bishop replied to this
letter by another of great length. He still insisted on
the observance of his conclusions, saying that it was
unnecessary to await new orders from your Majesty,
as your Majesty had already remitted them to him
and to me. He proceeded to interpret the aforesaid
clause of the instruction after his own manner. He
declares that your Majesty commands the payment of
a small portion, as token of recognition of authority;
and that three-quarters of the tribute is not a small
part. He does not take into consideration that your
Majesty does not treat therein of the encomiendas
pacified, and under administration of justice, order,
and other benefits, but of those never subdued or re-
bellious. The difficulties which I encounter in the
execution of his projects he passes over with some
generalities, as that God will preserve the faith which
He has planted here; and that the encomendero will
have enough for his support from the share assigned
him - namely, the third of the large encomiendas and
the half of the smaller. He also claims that the en-
comenderos will not abandon the encomiendas, as
they are not deprived of all, but of only a part of
them - and that only for the brief period until your
Majesty declares what is to be done (and this period
will be very brief) ; and it is to be noted that this
declaration will be, beyond doubt, that the encomen-
deros and your Majesty shall not collect the tributes.
The time intervening until the declaration comes
from your Majesty seems to him short. As to leaving
things as at present and collecting the tribute without
any innovation therein, until after your Majesty has
154 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
been consulted, the time appears to him long; and
he thinks that orders and corrections will never cease
coming from Espana, and that instruction will never
be obtained in this manner. He enjoins upon me, the
city, and the encomenderos to make every endeavor
and use all diligence to supplicate your Majesty for
said instruction. He declares frankly that if the in-
fidels do not become baptized because they see that
tribute is levied after such baptism, it is of no account
that such are not converted. He supports himself by
the reasons given in his letter, which are characteris-
tic of one who does not have at heart the perpetuity
and preservation of this state; and who does not see,
in the distant future, the trouble which its loss might
cause. He declares, moreover, that even though I
should wish to do so I could not correct the excesses
of the encomenderos and the injury which they in-
flict on the Indians. For the latter there are punish-
ments, but none for the Spaniards. To establish
more justice in the land would be to ruin it, as the
officials do not do their duty, but rob the Indians. At
this, the bishop returns to the subject of the restitu-
tions in which he becomes engrossed; and declares
that he is finishing a treatise or declaration in respect
to them. With this he closes the letter in which he
gives his opinion of what I should have done - con-
cluding by advising that, before allowing the enco-
menderos to collect the tributes, I should investigate
or make inquiries about their good or bad treatment
of the Indians and how they treat, caress, and regale
them. As soon as I should ascertain the truth, I
should either give or deny the permission according
to the results of the investigation. Then he makes a
clever deduction, namely, that in the same manner he
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 1 55
and the other confessors shall not absolve the enco-
menderos without first having made a detailed investi-
gation and inquiry in respect to their treatment and
good disposition toward their tributarios, so that they
could grant or deny absolution accordingly. Thus
he constitutes himself judge, in the exterior court, of
encomenderos and their property.
12. While these letters were passing between us,
and during several days after - which were wasted
in persuading the bishop to make no innovations until
after consultation with your Majesty; and, although
our opinions do not coincide, we should however
agree in giving account to your Majesty of what was
happening- the encomenderos came to me sorely
troubled, saying that in the pulpits, sermons, and con-
fessional, they were being greatly harassed and many
obstacles were being imposed on the collections in
their encomiendas; and that they were being ruined,
and were being prohibited now from collecting more
than the third or the half of their tributes. They
were also constrained to make restitutions of past pay-
ments. Thus they are so afflicted and ruined that, if
this continues, they will have to be allowed to leave
their encomiendas and to go to serve your Majesty
nearer the royal person, where they may gain a live-
lihood - since after having served so many years with
bloodshed and services which deserve merit and ob-
tain it, these scruples are imposed. They ask me in
the accompanying petition ' if your Majesty would
not issue some order declaring what must be paid.
13. Having investigated their grievance and
affliction, and seeing that the bishop was reading his
'' Evidently referring to the petition which appears in VOL. vii^
p. 301.
1^6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
conclusions in the pulpit and was quite determined to
have his way, and was even giving orders that abso-
lution should not be granted to the encomenderos act-
ing contrary to what he thought proper; inasmuch
as the bishop declared in his conclusions and treatise
that that was the universal determination and senti-
ment of all the theologians of this bishopric, I deter-
mined to communicate and confer with the superiors
and religious of the orders themselves. Thus they
might thoroughly and conscientiously consider what
could and ought to be done in regard to this matter,
and ascertain (if it were a fact that all held and
thought alike) whether some regulation could be
made; and if not, to advise your Majesty of every-
thing. I acquainted them, in detailed information,
with the reasons for making no innovations until after
reporting to your Majesty, and for not restricting the
poor encomenderos to such an extent. I discovered
that three-fourths of the number of theologians and
religious were of a different opinion, one quite con-
trary to that of the bishop. Although it is true that
the Dominicans (of which order he is a member),
but not all, hold that his doctrine is good, the Fran-
ciscans think differently; for, singularly enough, they
have another opinion with regard to the payment of
the quota and reject the bishop's opinion respecting
the infidels. The Augustinian fathers, however, who
are three times more numerous than the Dominicans,
and with the Augustinians the fathers of the Society
[of Jesus] -these two orders, I say, hold (in entire
agreement, nemine dis crep ante) ihdit the encomen-
deros can, with good conscience, collect the entire
tributes from the encomiendas which have instruc-
tion, from both the believers and the infidels. Where
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 1 57
there is justice, but no instruction, they may collect
three-fourths of the payment, the remaining fourth
being left to the Indians, the believer and the infidel
paying equal shares. From the encomiendas which
have neither instruction nor justice, nor other spirit-
ual or temporal benefits, nothing whatever should be
collected; nor from the encomiendas disaffected or
unpacified, except in case of those disaffected without
cause and through their own fault, which would ac-
cordingly pay the part justly collected by way of ac-
knowledgment. All the aforesaid facts your Majesty
may consider at greater length by means of the
opinions which I send. It may be seen how many
there are which vary from that of the bishop and his
friars, who alone follow him. I saw fit to reply to a
note in which he inquired what resolution I thought
of taking, and what order must be given to the en-
comenderos for their collections. I declared therein
that if he did not wish to wait until the return of our
ships in two or three months, in which the remedy
for all would doubtless be sent, I had resolved
to give orders to the encomenderos according to a pa-
per which I sent him, wherein my opinion was upheld
in every respect and agreed completely with that held
by the said fathers. [Marginal note: " Have this
opinion brought, so that after consideration the con-
tents of this letter may be replied to from clause nine
to this point; also all the papers which are here ac-
knowledged by the governor, and those of which men-
tion is made in the following clauses as far as the
twenty-first."]
14. At this juncture, the bishop came to see me in
these royal houses of your Majesty; and among other
discussions in regard to my assertion that the clergy
158 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
must not have preeminence over me in every respect,
as they have done heretofore, he replied that he had
directed his clergy that no one, not even your Majesty,
had any rights here, and other things to this same
effect. To this I replied that I would not interfere
with his clergy, as far as punishing them is concerned,
nor with his jurisdiction; but that the boat-service
which they took from the Indians without payment,
and a thousand other injuries committed by them un-
der the pretext that they are fathers of instruction,
ought not to take place ; and that he had misunder-
stood me. It is true that I said he was very peevish;
and I begged him to speak plainly for if we could not
come to terms this time and disagreed again, I could
discuss the subject no longer. While replying to me
on this point and others, he rose from his chair at
the beginning of the discussion, very wrathful and
choleric. Several days later, on the fourth of March,
he wrote me a letter as long as it was good-humored
and free from anger - as may be seen, if your Maj-
esty wishes. Nevertheless (not to discuss what con-
cerns myself), it contains nothing new, except many
arguments by which he still defends his opinion.
Among other statements, he declares (and rightly)
that the encomenderos are so loyal vassals of your
Majesty that they would not leave their encomiendas
nor the country, as if I had denied their fidelity and
loyalty in thinking that if they could not be supported
by their encomiendas, they would leave them, and,
having abandoned them if they could not be sup-
ported therefrom, try to seek their fortunes elsewhere.
He says also that although a Franciscan father is
placed in every province, there is not sufficient result
to warrant the paying of the tribute; and that neither
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 159
the king of Castilla nor his officials have any greater
power in the Indias than that given by the church,
although the church does not have so much authority
as this with the infidels. He still insists that your
Majesty entrusted to both him and me equally the
settlement of this matter; and that bringing justice
into the land is like bringing firebrands. [Marginal
note: " Answer him with what has been decreed in
this."]
15. To this letter I replied by another which your
Majesty will please to have examined, in which I an-
swered his assertion that without giving instruction to
the Indians we can collect tribute; for he said that
where there is justice, three-fourths of the tribute can
be collected, as this is a temporal good which tends
to spiritual benefit and which prospers, directs, and
administers equally justice, government, and good
order. It is not my intention to leave things thus as
the bishop points out, until your Majesty has been
consulted in regard to furnishing or providing other
means of instruction, since you have therefor so great
care and holy zeal. Moreover, the tributes are so
moderate here that each Indian pays eight reals,
whereas in Nueva Espana he pays twenty-four and
thirty-two. For we see that since the Spaniards went
to the Pintados, although without then providing in-
struction, their communication and example, and the
blessing of justice, alone have caused hostilities, and
the razing of towns among the natives to cease; as
also the wars by land and sea waged among them ; this
is no small gain. This assertion that the ministry of
instruction is more important and noble than that of
justice and other good works, I admit; but justice and
its ministers, and the other necessary means for the
l6o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
preservation and defense of the Indians, are of greater
cost and expense than that for instruction - to which
is allowed one-fourth, and which is reserved and kept
for the Indians; thus in respect to the cost of each
ministry its stipend must be given, as I prove in my
letter by many arguments. As to his saying that your
Majesty ordered me to remedy, with his help, these
excesses in the collection of tributes, I responded that,
only as regards the disaffected and never-pacified en-
comiendas, your Majesty orders me to communicate
and confer with him, in these words : " I have heard
that there has been and is disorder and misappropria-
tion in the collection of the tributes from the disaf-
fected or unpacified encomiendas," etc. Therefore
your Majesty bids us to discuss no others except these,
as in the others I shall correct the excesses. The only
ones in doubt are those disaffected. It says further
that " Such encomiendas must not be abandoned; but
that at least the entire tribute should not be collected,
but only a small part in token of acknowledgment,"
etc. Consequently it is not ordered that they be aban-
doned, but that something be collected ; and even then
nothing shall be collected except from those who are
in rebellion without cause ; your Majesty declares fur-
ther that "Since the Indians of the said encomiendas
receive no temporal or spiritual benefit from their en-
comenderos, there is no reason why they should pay,"
etc. It clearly follows from this that, if they receive
any temporal benefits - as is that of justice, and oth-
ers which are proposed - the collections may be made.
In continuing, your Majesty declares: "This is a
matter that requires as effectual a remedy as you can
provide ; and I therefore charge you to decide in this
what appears to you to accord with the judgment of
1 591 -1 593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II l6l
the bishop." This does not mean to commit the
affair to him alone; but, after hearing his opinion,
and having examined his discussion and treatment of
the matter with me, I am to resolve upon what meas-
ures are best for the remedy thereof, and then in the
name of your Majesty provide and carry out that
remedy, and have it observed most punctiliously.
Further, I told him that two-thirds of the number of
religious are of this opinion and sentiment, contrary
to that of the bishop ; moreover that the bishop him-
self and all the theologians were lately of one mind in
this matter, but that now the bishop alone disagrees ;
and that I think I make no mistake in being guided by
so many learned opinions in a matter which I find to
be of service to God and my king. Furthermore, I
replied to various inquiries that he made of me, such
as the remedy which had been brought to bear in these
things, and the resulting benefit. My answer is so
long, that in order not to be detailed here, I refer your
Majesty to the aforesaid reply, as well as to the result
obtained, which I show there, and to the orders now
in force. I see no other remedy than to take the mat-
ter as I find it. I see that for lack of justice nothing
can be collected, as the Indian receives no benefit.
I wish to establish justice for administration and gov-
ernment, and for dealings with and good management
of the Indians, that both your Majesty and the en-
comenderos should receive profit; and that the royal
estate should not suffer, nor the encomendero starve,
abandon everything, and go away. For your Majes-
ty's share alone there would necessarily be more than
a hundred and fifty thousand pesos of restitution, not
to count thirty thousand pesos of income which would
be lost from the present tributes (for all the encomi-
1 62 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
endas belong to your Majesty) ; and these islands
would be left alone without a single soldier, and with
only the bishop and the religious, so that within one
week there would be neither the one nor the other. I
assured him, in fact, that without express order from
your Majesty I could not curtail or diminish the royal
income or alter the encomiendas from their first es-
tablishment, which they have had for twenty-six
years. I answered him fully in respect to the estab-
lishment of justice where there is none, and the great
good that would result therefrom. I urged him to
appoint laymen of good life and example, who, while
there are no religious there, may instruct and bring
them up in the holy faith, as your Majesty commands
in the royal charge regarding presentations - to
which the bishop never has given me an answer. I
told him that finally, in these two ways, it will be
brought about that they will not be left alone and in-
tractable, and thus ready to rebel and rise in two
days' time. It were well that these laymen of good
life, when religious are lacking, not only be not ap-
pointed by the bishop, but that they do not importune
the Indians. The bishop does not wish others than
the religious to do that, and meanwhile it is not done
by either. It would doubtless be of some benefit, and
the lack of instruction of which your Majesty com-
plains would be obviated, if the encomenderos
could furnish it. But, if there is no such thing in the
land, the encomendero is not to blame - as your Maj-
esty declares plainly in my instructions, clause forty-
nine, in the following words, "they do not supply it or
try to supply it as they are bound to do, and as they
should, although there is a sufficient number of the
said ministers." Therefore, when there is not a good
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 163
supply, but a lack of ministers, the encomendero is
not at fault, and has no reason for not collecting his
tribute. Should the encomenderos be deprived of
this, your Majesty, as the party most interested, could
not support here a soldier, nor the bishop, nor me, and
everything would be lost. I replied to his question
as to what action I should order taken; and finally,
as authority (with added reasons) for the orders that
were being carried out, I cited several authors who
were quoted in an opinion that I had from the re-
ligious. He was greatly offended thereby as your
Majesty will see by his reply, and I have just en-
treated him to wait at least until the ships arrive ; and
especially as, in a general meeting of the orders which
took place soon after my arrival, all agreed, and he
with them, in the opinion which I have now applied
in my orders; and I asked him, inasmuch as he had
approved of it then, not to make any innovation now.
Finally, I begged him at least to refrain from scan-
dalizing the people from the pulpit, defending cer-
tain opinions and refuting others very improperly and
freely. Since the Augustinians krpt silence, they
should not be obliged to answer for themselves.
16. This letter appeared to the bishop so disre-
spectful and bold that in his reply there are but sharp
and heated words against the religious. He says that
they err from the beginning, and that they do not
know the fundamental principles. He had imagined
that the letter was not mine alone, as he believed that
I could not by myself have seen the authors cited
therein for its authority and doctrine. He says that
neither I, nor your Majesty, nor the pope has authori-
ty to take from the infidels a single real; that it is
true that he was of the general opinion before, but
164 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
that he erred then, and now is in the right. (It ap-
pears to me, however, that he errs now, and was then
in the right.) So firm is he in his opinion that he
does not wish to call it opinion, but truth. He de-
clares that if all the orders in this bishopric, and the
universities of Salamanca and Alcala ^ in addition,
should say the contrary, he would not forsake his
opinion ; and he is very certain that your Majesty will
oblige me to follow his opinion. He offers a treatise
on the subject which he is preparing for the explana-
tion and elucidation of everything, and finally closes
by asking me to have the money paid which is owed
by the royal treasury.
17. It is unnecessary to report here my reply to
his letter; for, besides being brief, inasmuch as I had
said all that there was to say in regard to the princi-
pal business, I did not care to attempt more than to
pacify him, and to reply by means of the fathers, who
had caused him to show such indignation, and to beg
him not to give rise to scandals and schisms. I ad-
vised him to finish his treatise and hoped that God
would grant that everything might be settled and
composed.
18. After this there was quiet for several days, in
^ The university of Salamanca was founded in the twelfth or
thirteenth century. The city of Salamanca, although it contains
beautiful churches, owes its fame chiefly to the university. The
studies were divided into the greater schools, or university proper,
and the lesser schools, or colleges. In 1569 it had the following
chairs: canonical law, ten; theology, seven; medicine, seven; logic
and philosophy, eleven ; astronomy, one ; music, one ; Hebrew and
Chaldean, two; Greek, four; rhetoric and grammar, seventeen.
It was among the very first universities to teach the sciences.
The university of Alcala was founded by Cardinal Cisneros,
July 26, 1508, under the name of Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso.
It was removed to Madrid in 1836. The building occupied by the
university combined in itself several forms of architecture, not
adhering to any one.
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 1 65
which we maintained no correspondence. During
this time I gave to the encomenderos (who had beg-
ged me to do so in the name of your Majesty) the
order which was necessary for the collection of their
tributes. As your Majesty will see by the accom-
panying document, this order was the most justifiable
that could be given and did not depart one jot from
my opinions, which I also send in their original form
to your Majesty. The encomenderos are now some-
what consoled for their former afflictions, and all this
land likewise, as will appear by the petition presented
to me which I send in the original. This order will
be kept in force until your Majesty shall order dif-
ferently.
19. After the lapse of several days, and having
ascertained that the service of God and that of your
Majesty were suffering, as the bishop would not right
them, I wrote him the accompanying letter. In it
I proposed some means of providing instruction in
places where there is none. Moreover, as the en-
comenderos were still uneasy because he denied them
absolution, I gave him to understand that, in the dimi-
nution of the encomiendas and the reduction and col-
lection of the tributes, he was neither judge nor party,
since he could discuss the subject only in one of three
ways which I expressed therein; and by no means
could he do more than give his opinion, which he
had already done. I again have recourse to the lay-
men of good life, in lack of religious; and beg also
that he will not keep engaged here the large number
of Indians that he is wont to, who come here under
the pretext of making complaints, which are a thou-
sand childish and impertinent trifles - thereby losing
much more in their absence from their homes and
1 66 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
fields. I remind him that the appointments to preb-
ends, canonries, and benefices are reserved to your
Majesty's royal patronage; and that you should not
be defrauded, as you have been, by making the ap-
pointments terminable ad nutum, and not with com-
plete title, and with due presentation by your Majesty,
and canonical institution of the bishop. On these
things I write a separate letter to your Majesty, as
also on other matters about which I give advice. I
offered to place the unsettled points in the hands of
learned persons.
20. This letter so important, weighty, and full of
substance that it required a remedy and settlement
without any disagreements, he interpreted in such
a way that he ended by losing his head, and expressed
himself very freely, saying in reply such things that
- considering they were not said to me personally, but
to a minister of your Majesty -I would have been
quite justified in checking and correcting the offense
once for all. But as I am in a new country, and far
away from your Majesty, it is better to avoid dis-
pute, publicity, and scandal. Indeed, it will be seen
by his letter that even the importance of the affairs
about which I wrote him did not check him, or
settle the matter, and that he cares only for defend-
ing his own dignity - thinking that every one must
learn of him, and that he is the only doctor who can
teach here ; and that he will oblige the encomenderos
and me to restore the tributes wrongly exacted. He
thinks that, in writing to him, I have exceeded my
duty and have treated my bishop with much show
of authority and domineering; that I have acted as
if I were his master; and that if I can do so much,
there is no need in this land for a bishop, but a titular
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 167
bishop would be enough. He cites me decrees show-
ing the respect which emperors must have for bishops,
and refers to some examples and authorities, as if he
were preaching to some rebel against the church. It
never even entered my imagination to say a word to
him which should be lacking in the respect and
propriety due to his office, but I wish only to fulfil
my duty.
21. I have written all this so fully in order to
give an account to your Majesty of everything that
has passed between the bishop and myself, in the
controversy and discussion regarding the collection
of tributes. It appears at even greater length by his
letters and mine which accompany this, so that your
Majesty may be sure of the arguments on both sides.
My present orders are that the encomenderos shall
not collect tribute where there is neither instruction
nor justice (although some persons thus will sufifer
large loss). Nevertheless, the majority of them are
quiet and consoled, and are observing the order I
gave them (which I send to your Majesty), until
such time as your Majesty, as above stated, may be
pleased to order something else, and to clear up all
these doubts.
22. In regard to the needed instruction and min-
isters, I am writing a separate letter to your Majesty.
I am sending a very long and exact account of the
encomiendas and encomenderos in these islands of
your Majesty, both with and without instruction and
justice ; also of the ministers there are and those who
are needed. I beseech your Majesty to have them
provided, since it is so great a service to God and
for the good of these souls, and a means by which so
many evils and troubles will cease. May our Lord
1 68 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
preserve your Majesty for many long years as is
needed by the Christian world. Manila, June 20,
1 59 1. The papers referred to in this letter are inside
the first sheet.
Gomez Peres Dasmarinas
[Endorsed: " Manila. To the king, our sovereign.
From Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, June 20,
1591."
" July 16, 1592. Make an abstract of the different
points." " Relation abstracted as ordered." " Pro-
vided within; let the petition be acted on at once."
" Everything has been examined and provisions
made."
" Let examination be made of the provisions made
in clauses 9 to 21, that came recently with the dupli-
cate of this letter. The other clauses are answered,
and despatches sent."]
THE FORTIFICATION OF MANILA
Sire:
As there are no funds here belonging to your
Majesty, and as this city is very poor and has no
established source of income to meet the expense in-
volved in carrying on the erection of the wall around
it -which is absolutely necessary for its protection
and safety because it is quite exposed without it-
therefore an effort must be made to find some source
of revenue in order that so important an undertaking
may not be given over. I have accordingly in your
Majesty's name granted the merchants' peso \_peso
merchante'] on Chinese goods for two years. The
amount of this is thus far unknown, because it has not
hitherto been laid. The most profitable source of
income is the monopoly of playing-cards which has
been established for the benefit of your Majesty's ex-
chequer. I apply the proceeds of this to the wall for
the present until your Majesty commands otherwise.
This amounts in one year to two thousand five hun-
dred, or three thousand pesos. I considered that the
whole amount was very small, while it was absolutely
necessary to fortify this place, which is entirely open
and exposed to every sort of danger. Hence, seeing
that there was a great quantity of Chinese stuffs here
this year, and that there were present a number of
170
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
merchants from Peru and Mexico who ought to do
something for the good of the city - if for no other
reason than the damage they do it by raising the price
of merchandise with the large amount of money they
bring - I decided for this once to levy upon all, upon
citizens and inhabitants of this city and these islands
as upon all others who were therein, an assessment
and contribution of two per cent, upon the cargo and
appraisement of everyone, as appears from the de-
cree to this efifect, a cop}?^ of which I send your
Majesty. All, citizens and others, were satisfied and
were ready to pay the contribution which fell to the
share of each, for they plainly saw how just it was
to ask it. But, the very moment the bishop and his
friars knew of the matter, they called a formal meet-
ing of their theological council and in it considered
whether I had authority to levy the assessment,
whether I had received orders from your Majesty to
that effect or not, and whether I had incurred the cen-
sures of the bull concerning the Lord's supper [De
cena Dojnini], inasmuch as this was a new impost.
They resolved, in fact, that I had no authority to do
this, and were even on the point of declaring me ex-
communicated. The city was so upset and disturbed
by them that open scandal almost resulted. I do not
now discuss the character of this assessment, for your
Majesty will see the justification for imposing it. All
I have to say is that certainly, in addition to my or-
dinary difficulties with the bishop, this last trouble
is due specially to the president and the auditors, al-
though they know well how necessary and useful the
wall is. It was because of the lack of it that the
English, when they plundered the ship " Sancta
Ana," were able to get away with their booty so safely.
1 591-1593] FORTIFICATION OF MANILA 171
It would have been possible to attack them and to
force them to give it up in the island of Oton, where
they lay at anchor for some days, if it had not been
that the president and auditors were unwilling to run
the risk of leaving the city when it had no wall. If we
had had any, no matter how few the people in it, it
would have been safe. But they have not said or
done anything to help me. On the contrary, they
have joined the bishop in denouncing and attacking
this tax because it affects them. They have loaded
themselves with cloths and merchandise in such quan-
tity that their share of the tax is likely to amount to
something; and this they would be glad to avoid,
like the good merchants they are. I at least do not
know any other rich people here than the president
and auditors ; and that is the only reason why they ob-
ject to the tax, to which they incorrectly give the name
of " impost." This it certainly is not, for it is assessed
once only and upon men such as the Peruvians and
Mexicans, w^ho are going away, and will not be
obliged to pay it again, even if it is demanded. It
is a great pity. Sire, that the theologians, when they
are not invited and ought not to be invited to do so,
meddle thus with this matter, as they do with every-
thing else which is decreed ; and that they should wish
to act in all respects as a superior tribunal. This they
do not only in the interior court of conscience, but
with outward proceedings in the exterior court by ex-
communications, declarations, and the taking of meas-
ures to stop that which is being done. It is this dis-
turbance and interference for which in other letters
I beg your Majesty to command a remedy. The ec-
clesiastical tribunal has certainly possessed itself and
gained the mastery of everything here to an extraor-
172 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
dinary degree; and this is not consistent with ex-
emplary conduct and life in the clergy. From the
bishop down to the humblest of them, they are as
good merchants as the most secular and the most skil-
ful tradesmen. It is because the two per cent affects
and includes them all, as I have said, that the theo-
logical council finds fault with it, declaring that it is
not just. It is fortunate that they do not directly
affirm it to be unjust; but assert that I err in laying
this assessment, which the laws themselves declare
shall be laid for expenditures upon defenses and
walls. From this it is plain that they desire to be
jurists and theologians and governors, and, under pre-
text of conscience, to embark in and embarrass every-
thing. Notwithstanding, I have gone on with this
tax; and all who pay it are very well pleased -ex-
cept, as I say, these long petticoats, who smart under
it. I believe it will amount to something, and a state-
ment of its value will be enclosed in this report. The
best of all is that, some days before the two per cent
was laid, there was a meeting called at my request,
and held in the bishop's house before him and me
and all the regidors of the city. At this meeting were
present all the superiors of all the orders; this mat-
ter was discussed, and it was decided that the tax
might lawfully be levied, inasmuch as it did not ex-
ceed two per cent, and was for the public welfare;
while now they have taken to denouncing it. May
our Lord keep the Catholic person of your Majesty
for many a long year, as Christianity requires.
Manila, June 20, 1591.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
It appears that the duty [i.e. the ordinary duty of
1591-1593] FORTIFICATION OF MANILA 173
three per cent] on the appraisals amounts in this
present year to thirteen thousand two hundred and
fourteen pesos and six tomins. XIII U. CCXIIII pesos.
Hence, in proportion to the three per cent duty,
the duty now imposed for the building of the wall
comes to eight thousand eight hundred and nine pesos
and six tomins. VIII U. DCCC IX pesos.
This is without having finished the clearing of the
vessels, although there is little left now to be shipped.
[Marginal note : " Everything that has been done
in regard to the walls is approved ; let this impost and
the others be continued until the fortification is com-
pleted."]
INVESTIGATIONS AT MANILA CON-
CERNING TRADE WITH MACAN
+
Most potent Lord :
The city of Manila in the Filipinas Islands declares
that the investigation which it presents to the gov-
ernor, Gomez Perez de las Marinas, was made at his
request and contains its opinion. Since this docu-
ment will show clearly the excellent reasons for,
and the great advantage and lack of all harm
resulting from, trade between Macan and the
said islands - and, besides the general advantage,
that it would be of great importance for the
commerce, trade, and conversion of Great China -
the city beseeches your Highness to have the investi-
gation examined ; and to favor the said city by order-
ing that commerce be opened with the inhabitants of
Macan, in order to enable the inhabitants of the Fili-
pinas Islands to trade and traffic with them. Since
this is a matter of so great utility and necessity, as ap-
pears from the investigation, may the city receive
favor.
ROMO
+
(The city: The investigation presented to the
governor. Manila, July 15, the day on which it was
presented.)
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 175
I, Melchor de Bae^a, declare, in the name of the
cabildo, magistrates, and regimiento" of this city, that
the rights of those whom I represent require that a
formal report of this inquiry be made, in order to
notify the king, our sovereign, concerning the lack of
harm and the great profit which would be derived
from commerce between Macan and these islands;
and that, besides the benefit which the Portugese re-
ceive, this commerce would be of great importance
for the conversion of Great China and for its trade
and commerce with these islands. Likewise the king
ought to be informed that no ships or merchants have
gone or are going to Goa or other ports of Yndia to
trade or traffic, or to take away their [i.e., the Portu-
guese] shares, bargains, and profits; and how they
could pursue their business in the said port of Macan,
and at Canton, without there being felt any scarcity,
or enhancement of prices ; but, on the contrary, a great
excess of goods would remain at Macao -all that
arises from the trade which they are about to begin
with Goa, Chave, and other regions that maintain
trade with Macan. All this would result in the great
increase and prosperity of these islands, from which it
appears that the said commerce, which does no harm,
should not be hindered.
I beseech and beg your Lordship to give orders that
the said report be accepted, and that the witnesses
whom I shall put forward testify according to these
questions. Your Lordship will please make a de-
cision concerning the matter. I offer my plea to that
effect.
^ Regimiento : the body of regidors, who never exceeded twelve,
forming a part of the municipal council, or ayuntamiento, in every
capital of a jurisdiction. See Bouvier's Law Dictionary (Rawle's
rev. ed., Boston, 1897), "> P- 860.
176 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
I also beseech your Lordship to give orders that
that section in the instructions which your Lordship
received from the king our lord be added to this in-
quiry, so that I may be able to send word to the said
city of Macan. I present the claim, etc.
[Interrogatory~\
Item: Let them testify whether they know that
the Portuguese inhabiting Macan, Malaca, and other
places in India trade and hold business intercourse
with the Castilians who inhabit this city and these
islands; and whether the said Portuguese have de-
rived or are deriving from it much gain, profit, and
advantage, without incurring any loss or harm. The
witnesses know about this, because they have been in
Macan, Malaca, and other regions of Yndia, and
have seen it with their own eyes ; if it were otherwise,
the witnesses would know, and it would not be of less
importance, because they have seen it all themselves,
as above stated, and are Portuguese ; etc.
2. Item : Let them testify whether they know
that a greater number of ships and much more money
than in any previous year have gone to the city of
Macan from the city of Goa and other places in In-
dia, to purchase Chinese goods. There was and is
plenty of cloth and merchandise for all, and no
scarcity is produced by the exportation which is made
to India; etc.
3. Item: Let them testify whether they know
that not only the Portuguese meet with no loss, as
stated in the previous questions, but that, on the con-
trary, if the Castilians pursued the said commerce
more frequently, making the journey to Macan a fea-
ture of their trade, they could enter Great China, for
1 591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 1 77
the Chinese greatly desire their trade. This would
render an immense service to God and to his Majesty,
because the gospel could be imparted to the Chinese
from here ; etc.
4. Item: Let them testify whether they know
that no ships or merchants have gone or are going to
Yndia to buy and sell, or to check their trade. The
witnesses know this, because they have seen and ex-
amined it with their own eyes ; were it otherwise, they
would have known, seen, and heard of the matter. It
must have been no less than this, since they continue
to come to this city and trade with Yndia ; etc.
5. Item: Let them testify whether they know
that not only the Portuguese have gained much, with-
out loss or injury, but that the commerce between this
city and that of Macan, according to the previous
questions, and the entrance into China through trade
are of immense advantage for the prosperity and en-
richment of these islands, as well as for that of their
citizens and inhabitants. In a short time this city
and port will be one of the richest which his Majesty
possesses in the Yndias ; etc.
6. Item : Let them testify whether they know
that in July of last year, ninety, when Gomez Perez
de las Marinas, governor and captain-general of these
islands, sent a ship to the port of Macan with royal
money to purchase ammunition for the fortress and
fortifications of this city and the islands, promising
the captain in command at Macan to favor and help
him in all his needs, as a vassal of the same king and
master, some inhabitants of this city sent by the said
ship a quantity of money, in order to purchase goods
with it, which was seized by the Portuguese of Macan
who were on board. The ship would not have been
178 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
sent if it had not been on account of the instructions of
his Majesty which the said governor possessed. We
know for certain in this city that the captain in com-
mand seized the said ship and the money, thus bring-
ing loss and ruin to the said citizens. As to what
they do not know, let them refer to the said instruc-
tions and despatches, which the said governor sent.
7. Item : Let them testify whether they know
that the said loss and ruin has been so severe that those
citizens who own nothing else are unable to support
themselves, or to aid in the service of his Majesty
when occasions arise, as they have done until now.
They are embarrassed with debts and obligations.
8. Item : Let them testify whether they know
that the aforesaid is generally known and manifest to
all.
Melchor de BAEgA
This interrogatory was presented to the governor,
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, in the city of Manila, on
the twenty-third day of May, in the year one thou-
sand five hundred and ninety-one, on behalf of the
cabildo, magistrates, and regimiento of the city. His
Lordship examined it and declared that he would
order, and he did order, the attorney of the said city
to give a report of his declaration before the notary,
Caspar de Azebo, whom he would entrust -and he
did entrust - with the examination of the witnesses.
Caspar de Azevo
Authority given by the Cabildo to Diego Her-
nandez Bitoria, whom, they elected attorney-general.
On November [jzV] nineteen, one thousand five hun-
dred and ninety-one, there met and assembled before
1 591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 1 79
me in Manila, Esteban de Marquina, public and
cabildo notary of this city, and the magistrates and
regimiento of the same - namely. Captain Diego de
Castillo, Alcalde Don Francisco de Poya y Guevara,
High Constable Antonio de Cariedo, Captain Joan
Pacheco, Diego Hernandez Bitoria, and Antonio
Garrido de Salzedo. All these regidors met, and
unanimously elected and appointed the regidor
Diego Hernandez Bitoria attorney-general for them
and for this city. They gave him power, as he holds
it and justly needs, to draw and present all the claims,
petitions, injunctions, evidences, oaths, warrants, and
investigations which may be fitting and necessary,
and which the said cabildo would, if present, offer,
in connection with all the trials and suits, both civil
and criminal, which the said city might have con-
cerning its privileges and exemptions; and in what-
ever process, whether in or out of court, might come
before any magistrate and judge of the king our lord.
They also gave him power to replace or recall at-
torneys, and to appoint new ones. They gave him
this power, and gave assurance for maintaining it, by
signing their names, and by pledging the property
and revenues of this city which have been or are to be
received. It was signed by Diego del Castillo, Joan
Pacheco Maldonado, Antonio de Cariedo, Don Fran-
cisco de Poya, and Diego Hernandez Bitoria.
Before me:
ESTEVAN DE MARQUINA
Therefore I have hereto set my seal in witness of
the truth.
Esteban de Marquina
l8o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
[^Testimony^
Witness: Captain Poyatos. On May twenty-
seven, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, in
the city of Manila, Melchor de Baega, attorney of
this city, presented as witness in the name of the same,
Captain Hernando Munoz de Poyatos, a citizen of
this city, from whom he took oath, according to law,
upon a sign of the cross, under obligation of which he
bound himself and promised to tell the truth. After
having been questioned according to the interroga-
tory presented by the said Melchor de Baeca, he made
the following declaration :
1. To the first question, the witness testified that
the Portuguese of the city of Macan trade and hold
business communication with the Spanish inhabi-
tants of this city and of these islands; that much gain
and profit has come and comes to them, and that they
have not met, and never will meet any injury for
coming to trade in these islands. The witness knows
this because he has been in the city of Macan, and
has seen that matters are as the question declares
them to be. And he believes that they will surely
continue thus if the inhabitants of Malaca and other
regions of India will continue to trade in these
islands. This is his answer.
2. To the second question, the witness, who, as
specified above, has been in the city of Macan, testi-
fied that, although ships now go from Goa, from
these islands, and from many other parts in greater
number and with much more money to invest in
Chinese goods than hitherto, there are cloths and
merchandise enough for all who go there, and much
is, left over. This is what the witness answers, be-
cause he has found it so in the said city of Macan.
1 591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN l8l
3. To the third question, the witness testified that
he was convinced that if the Spaniards in these
islands went to the city of Macan to trade and traffic
with its inhabitants, a great step would be made
toward the possibility of preaching the gospel among
the Chinese, a thing which would be of great service
to God our Lord, and to his Majesty. He does not
know anything about what is asked of him in the rest
of the question. This is his answer.
4. To the fourth question, the witness testified that
he has lived in these islands more than sixteen years,
and that in all this time he has neither seen nor heard
that any ship had been despatched from these islands
to Yndia for trading purposes ; had it not been so, the
witness would have known of it ; nor could it be other-
wise, since he has resided in these islands for so many
years. This is his answer.
5. To the fifth question, the witness testified that
the answer was the same as the one given to the pre-
vious question, and that, to his knowledge, if com-
merce is established between these islands and Macan,
in a short time this city, its inhabitants, and the islands
will be greatly enriched. This is his answer.
6. To the sixth question, the witness testified that
Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas despatched a
large ship from these islands to the city of Macan,
and that it was well known by all that it was sent for
the purpose specified in the question. Concerning
the rest of the question he refers to the decrees and
other documents issued by the said governor in refer-
ence to the despatching of the said ship. He has
heard that the rest of the question is true. This is his
answer.
7. To the seventh question, he testified that certain
1 82 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
inhabitants of these islands sent money to Macan, and
that they suffer need because thus far they have not
been given the proceeds. This is his answer.
8. To the eighth question, he testified that his an-
swer was the same as the one given to the previous
questions, and that it is the truth according to the oath
he took. He acknowledged it with his signature,
and declared that he was more than thirty-five years
old, and competent to be a witness.
Fernando Munoz de Poyatos
Before me :
Caspar de Azevo
[Here follow depositions, in answer to the same
questions, from six other witnesses, all agreeing in the
main with the facts as presented in the questions and
in the deposition of Captain Poyatos, given above.
The other witnesses are: Bastian Jorge Moxar, a Por-
tuguese, Ensign Christobal Flores, Notary Alonso de
Torres, Captain Juan de Argumedo, Captain Pedro
Sarmiento, and Joan Sordo.]
[Bastian Jorge Moxar, besides what is contained
in the foregoing, testified that the Portuguese feared
any Spanish trade in the Indian country, and that the
use of Spanish ships in the trade would bring great
distress to the Portuguese.]
[Notary Alonso de Torres alleged that he had
bought goods from the Portuguese in Manila for
from sixty to sixty-five per cent above their cost price ;
and the Portuguese captains had told him that they
could make twice as much on their investments with
a trip to Manila as to any other port of the Indias,
and with a shorter voyage. He was told by his inti-
mate friend Francisco Sobrino, of Goa, that the said
1 591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 1 83
Sobrino came to Manila in eighty-eight with two
thousand odd pesos in Chinese goods, and left a year
later with eleven thousand three hundred pesos. On
the ship sent by the governor, certain citizens of
Manila had placed funds amounting to more than one
hundred and twenty thousand pesos, the witness him-
self entrusting four thousand pesos to the said Fran-
cisco Sobrino, all which money was seized by the
governor of Macan. He further states that he him-
self is one of the heaviest losers by this act.]
[Captain Juan de Argumedo reported the follow-
ing conversation:] To the third question the wit-
ness testified, as before, that he was in Macan,
and knows that the Portuguese are not injured
but greatly benefited. While the witness was speak-
ing with the chief captain of the said city, and
the mandarin of the Chinese, the latter said:
" Let the Spaniards come here and trade ; for the
inhabitants of your country do not come to trade with
the Chinese, as the Portuguese do." The witness an-
swered : " We are hindered by the Portuguese, who
do not wish us to come." Thereupon the mandarin
became much vexed, and addressing the chief captain
of the Portuguese, said loudly: " How is this, does
not the land which you hold belong to the king of
China? The Portuguese have nothing to do in the
matter;" and then, addressing the witness, through an
interpreter who was there, he said: "Look you,
Castilian, from now on come here and carry on your
trade, and have nothing to do with the Portuguese;
for we will give you all you need, as well as a pass-
port." This witness then answered and said: " Sir,
it would be better to assign the Spaniards a small
piece of land near Canton, upon which to settle."
184 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
The mandarin, after a little hesitation replied : " If
you will come to Canton with me, I shall obtain a
chapa — a passport used there - from the viceroy, and
shall see to it that the Spaniards make a settlement in
good time." As this witness had no order to that
effect, and was busy with his own affairs, he did not
go to Canton, or pursue the matter further. Consid-
ering what he has seen, he believes that the Chinese
desire the trade of the Spaniards; that, if the latter
went there, a place would be given them for a settle-
ment; and, if the trade were once established, he
thought it certain that the holy gospel could be com-
municated to the Chinese, whence would follow much
good to the service of God and of his Majesty. He
knows this because it was in the same manner that
the gospel was introduced into the realms of Xapon
by the Theatin friars, who went there with the mer-
chants. This is his answer.
[Captain Pedro Sarmiento testified that the
Chinese desire commerce with the Spaniards; for
when the witness was there, by order of Governor
Guido de Lavezaris, the said Chinese assigned the
Spaniards a definite site on the mainland for settle-
ment and a trading-place. Joan Sordo testified that
he believed the Chinese would welcome the Span-
iards, and quoted a Sangley as saying to him : " Cas-
tilians, when will the day come for your entry into
China? for these mandarins oppress us so that we
long for the day."]
Petition of Diego Hernandez Vitoria
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-first day of
June, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one,
Diego Hernandez Vitoria, a regidor of this city, ap-
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 1 85
peared before me, the notary, and before the under-
signed witnesses, in his capacity of attorney-general,
and declared that he would give, as he in fact did
give, the power which he holds from the cabildo and
regidors of this city, to Melchor de Vaega, attorney
at law; and that he would approve and ratify all the
pleas which the said Melchor de Vaega might make
in this suit in the name of the said city, and as attor-
ney of the same. He signed his name in the presence
of the witnesses, Hernando Diaz, Miguel de Solarte,
and Adrian Perez.
Diego Hernandez Vitoria
Before me : Gaspar de Azevo
I, Diego Hernandez Vitoria, citizen and regidor of
this city and attorney-general of the same, declare
that, in order to show by the above investigation the
little harm which the Portuguese suffer from our
going to Macan, I need a copy from the government
books, of the decrees which Pedro Brito took to
Macan. Therefore, I beg and beseech your Lord-
ship to order that the said copy be given me. I offer
this plea. DiEGO Hernandez Vitoria
On the seventeenth of July, one thousand five hun-
dred and ninety-one, in the city of Manila, the person
mentioned in the petition presented it to Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general for
the king, our lord, in these islands; and his Lordship
ordered that the copy which he asks be given him,
attested in the form prescribed.
Gaspar de Azevo
In fulfilment of this, I, the said Gaspar de Azevo,
notary-in-chief of the government of the Philipinas
1 86 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
Islands, caused to be made and did make, out of the
government books which are in my keeping, a copy
of the decrees which Pedro de Brito took to the city
of Macan, and whose contents are as follows :
[DECREES TAKEN TO MACAN]
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of
Sanctiago, member of his Majesty's council, and his
governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands.
At present I am actually practicing and exercising the
said office of governor and captain-general, accord-
ing to the commission of his Majesty, which reads as
follows :
Commission of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas as gover-
nor; and other decrees which were taken to Macan,
Don Felipe, by the grace of God, King of Castilla,
Leon, Aragon, the two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Portugal,
Navarra, Granada, Toledo, Valencia, Galizia, Ma-
Uorcas, Sevilla, Cerdena, Cordoba, Corcega, Murcia,
Jaen, the Algarbes, Algeciras, Gibraltar, the islands J
of Canarias, the eastern and western Yndias, and the ;
islands and mainland of the Ocean Sea; Archduke of
Austria; Duke of Borgona, Bravante, and Milan; ;
Count of Abspurg, Flandes, Tirol, and Varcelona; !
Lord of Vizcaya and Molina: Inasmuch as, from
the time when the Filipinas Islands were discovered !
in the great Chinese Archipelago, I have always
given much care to the supplying of religious to ■
preach the gospel in those far-away and remote re- |
gions, in order that our Christian religion might be |
spread in those islands which our Lord through His . v
mercy chose to call to a true knowledge of Himself; %
and in order that a more godly success might be ob- |
tained among the natives of the said islands and oth- '%
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 187
ers of the same archipelago, and of other neighboring
lands and provinces surrounding the regions already
discovered and pacified; and in order that, through
the mild method of instruction, they might attain
the end for which they were created, I have con-
tinually supplied Spaniards to settle those islands, so
that with their presence and defense, religion might
be established and its ministers protected. More-
over, wishing better to regulate affairs and to render
them more stable, I gave orders for the establishment
of the Audiencia and royal chancilleria in the city of
Manila, of the said Filipinas Islands. But now-
having heard that the said Audiencia is a heavy bur-
den to a new and thinly-populated land; and that
besides, having few matters to settle, it incurs heavy
expenses for the maintenance of ministers and officers
- I have decided to order the abolishment of the said
Audiencia and the resumption of the same form and
order of government that existed before the establish-
ment of the Audiencia. Considering how much and
how well you, Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of
the order of Sanctiago, have served me, and consider-
ing the many good qualities united in your person,
I hereby elect and appoint you my governor and cap-
tain-general of the said Filipinas Islands, hoping that
you will continue to serve me on all occasions with
the love and faithfulness which my great trust in you
imposes upon your person. In such capacity, it is
my will that you enjoy and exercise the said offices in
the cases and matters connected with and depending
upon them, so long as I desire; and in the manner
which the persons who have exercised them hitherto
have been accustomed, permitted, or obliged to do;
and as other persons who have served and are serving
l88 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
me in similar offices in these islands and provinces of
the Yndias do, may, or must do. It is my desire that
you administer justice for me, both civil and criminal,
in all the cities, towns, and places, settled or to be set-
tled; you shall also confer offices of justice, war, and
others which exist in the islands. Through this de-
cree, or a copy of it, signed by a notary, I order that
the civic bodies, courts, regidors, knights, esquires,
officers, and good men of all cities, towns, and places
of the said Filipinas Islands, and the officers of my
exchequer, and the captains, inspectors, and other per-
sons residing there, whatever be their station, shall -
after you, the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, have
taken the oath with the solemnity required by the oc-
casion, and according to the custom of the cabildo
of the city of Manila, of the Filipinas Islands - re-
ceive you and look upon you as my governor and cap-
tain-general of the said islands, and freely allow you
to enjoy and exercise the said offices, and to carry out
and execute my justice in the said islands, whether it
be through your agency or through the lieutenants
of my governor and captain-general. I think it ad-
visable that the offices of corregidor, alguazil, and
others which you assign in the said islands shall be
declared vacant and removed whenever you consider
that my service and the execution of my justice de-
mand it. You are empowered to substitute others in
their places ; and to hear, dismiss, and decide all the
civil and criminal trials and suits which may arise in
the said islands and towns; you and your lieutenants
are empowered to deprive the said offices of the fees
connected with and pertaining to them, and to make
any investigation in former suits, and other matters
connected with and pertaining to the said offices
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 189
which you and your lieutenants may consider neces-
sary for my service, the execution of my justice, and
the settlement and government of the said islands and
communities. In order that you may enjoy and exer-
cise the said offices, and carry out and execute my jus-
tice as above stated, all men shall submit to you and
give and cause to be given to you all the support and
aid which you ask and need from them. All shall
respect and obey you, and carry out your orders and
those of your lieutenants; and they shall in no wise
place or allow to be placed any obstacle or opposition
before you, since I hereby accept and consider you as
accepted in the capacity of the said offices, and in the
enjoyment and exercise of them. I give you power
and authority to enjoy and exercise them and to carry
out and execute my justice as above stated. In case
those persons, or any of them, shall not accept you
as holding the said offices, I command whomsoever
holds the reins of my justice in the said islands, as
soon as you, the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, ask
for them, to give and yield them up to you, and to
exercise their offices no longer- under pain of incur-
ring the punishment incurred by those who exercise
royal and public offices without any authority; for I
hereby suspend and hold them suspended from the
said offices. You, your lieutenants, and other magis-
trates shall enforce, and cause to be enforced, all fines
and punishments which you may inflict, which
moneys are to be given and delivered to the officials
of my exchequer. Whenever you consider it fitting
for my service and for the execution of my justice
for any of those persons, who are now or may be in
future in the said islands, to leave the same and not
return thither, but come before me instead, you shall
190 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
send them in my name, and cause them to depart in
accordance with the ordinance to this effect. You
shall state to the persons whom you thus send the rea-
sons for your doing so; but, if it seems best to give
the information secretl};^, you shall give it enclosed
and sealed, and then you shall send me a similar ex-
planation by another messenger, in order that I may
have knowledge of it. You are warned not to send
any one in this way unless urged by serious reasons.
Both parties are to do nothing contrary to this, under
pain of losing my favor. Given in San Lorenzo,
August the ninth, one thousand five hundred and
eighty-nine.
I, THE King
I, Joan Ybarra, secretary of the king our lord, had
it written by his order.
The licentiate
Hernando de Vega de Fonseca
Registered :
Pedro de Ledesma, Chancellor.
San Joan de Sardaneta
Clause of the instruction. The king, our lord, sent
me, in such capacity, an order through royal decree
and instruction, signed by his royal hand, the original
of which does not accompany this on account of its
being inserted in other important decrees and secret
orders relating to his royal service. The order in
question reads as follows : " Whenever you think
best to allow and give permission to the inhabitants
of the said islands to go to Xapon, Macan, and other
kingdoms or settlements of the Portuguese or the
heathens, for the sake of trade, you can do so after
having first carefully investigated whether there is
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 191
any obstacle or danger in the journey." Since, for the
reason which will be stated below, his Majesty's de-
sire corresponds to two other royal decrees which will
be shown, we have inserted here a number of original
documents which successively read as follows :
The King: To Don Gonzalo Ronquillo de Pefia-
losa, my governor and captain-general of the Filipi-
nas Islands, or, in your absence, to the person or per-
sons having charge of the government. According
to what I wrote you on the fourth of April of last
year, eighty-one, and what you have seen since in the
despatches sent by the fleet which left for Nueva
Espafia on the thirteenth of June of the said year,
you must have heard that, on account of the death of
the most serene, powerful, and lofty king, Don
Enrrique, my uncle (may he rest in peace), I suc-
ceeded to the kingdoms of Portugal ; and that their
crown is united to that of the other kingdoms which
I already possessed. Since for this reason all become
one and the same people, and you and the Portuguese
are all my vassals ; and since it is right that, for the
better support of my service, there be agreement and
amicable relations among all, especially in these re-
gions - where, on account of their great distance from
here, one must exert himself to remedy the losses
which may come from events that occur daily, with-
out awaiting orders from here, on account of difficul-
ties which would be caused by the delay - I command
you that on all occasions, whether together or sepa-
rated from one another, you maintain friendly rela-
tions and one mind among yourselves, as I have writ-
ten, being careful to help, support, and defend one
another alike in all needs and with great harmony
and friendship, as it is right for you to do. I warn
192 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
you to act in all things according to that trust I place
in you, so that there may be no omission in the afifairs
committed to you, for this should be your chief and
main aim. Lisboa, March thirty-one, one thousand
five hundred and eighty-two.
I, THE King
By order of his Majesty: Antonio de Herasso
The King : To Don Gonzalo Rronquillo de Pena-
losa, my governor and captain-general of the Phili-
pinas Islands ; or, in your absence, the person or per-
sons who may hold the reins of government. You
understand, from what I have written you before and
what I write now, the causes and reasons why there
should be a close and friendly relation between you
and your people dwelling in those islands and my
viceroy of Eastern Yndia, and my governor and cap-
tain-general of Malaca with his Portuguese; and how
well served I shall be if, since you are all on the same
footing, and since you are all my vassals, you deal,
communicate, and make friends with one another,
and help one another whenever occasion and need
shall arise. There was little necessity to remind you of
this ; yet, seeing that it is so important and so reason-
able that things be so, I have decided to recommend
the matter to you, assuring you that I shall be much
pleased thereby. If at any time my viceroy of Yndia,
or the governor and captain-general of Malaca,
should write to you asking to send men to his aid, you
will send him the men whom you can spare from
those islands, in order that he may be secure; and
do so with the precaution that you shall find needful.
In either case, you will give orders as one who has
the matter at heart, and knows what can and must be
1 591-1 593] TRADE WITH MACAN 1 93
done. Since I trust in you and your prudence, and
allow you to send some troops and captains under
similar circumstances, you shall ask the same to obey
and carry out whatever he whom they go to help may
say and order, either in writing or orally, serving him
with the good discipline and obedience to which that
nation [the Portuguese] are accustomed, in the ex-
peditions and military exploits which may take place.
Lisboa, on the thirty-first day of March in the year
one thousand five hundred and eighty-two.
I, THE King
By order of his Majesty:
Antonio de Erasso
Considering the fact that the king, our lord, is
pleased to have harmony, friendly relations, com-
merce, and trade between the inhabitants of these
islands and the Portuguese nobles inhabiting Macan,
Xapon, and other regions - which things are neces-
sary for the preservation of these his kingdoms, and
the welfare and prosperity of his vassals, and the exal-
tation of our holy Catholic religion; and since in ful-
filment of this royal desire and ofifer of friendly in-
tercourse, commerce, trade, and many other things
pertaining to his royal service, as I am in need of
ammunition for this camp, I am forced to send a per-
son to the city of Macan - namely, Pedro de Brito, a
regidor of this city of Manila- whom I order to sail
from these islands to the said city of Macan on the
ship " Nuestra Senora de Conception " (or, as it is
also called, the " San Pedro "), with Pedro de Solor-
zano as captain, and Antonio Diaz Delaleres as ship-
master. I have given him permission to sail, and if
necessary, to let this document serve as a permission
194 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
for the voyage and the return to this city, observing
strictly all my instructions and orders: therefore in
the name of the king, our lord, I request and ask in
my ow^n name the chief captain of the said city of
Macan, the officers of the exchequer, and the magis-
trates and rulers of the city; and whatever governors,
captains, judges, and magistrates may reside in the
said city in his Majesty's name; also nobles, and other
persons who live there, and in others of his kingdoms
and seigniories - of all these I request that, whenever
this is shown, they examine the said royal decrees and
obey and observe them. I request them to let the
said regidor, Pedro de Brito, come into port with
the said ship and crew, allow them to land, and com-
municate and trade with the inhabitants and natives
in all things that they desire and need, and to offer no
obstacle or hindrance; but, on the contrary, to protect
and help them for their success, and in the necessary
preparations which they will make, as they owe to
the service of his Majesty. I shall do as much to
them whenever a similar request is made of me. In
the city of Manila, on the third day of July, in the
year one thousand five hundred and ninety.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
By order of the governor:
Caspar de Azevo
This was corrected and compared with the said
government book from which it was copied.
Manila, June twenty, one thousand five hundred and
ninety-one. The following witnesses were present
when it was corrected and compared: Miguel de
Solarte and Adrian Perez.
Caspar de Azevo
1591-1593] TRADE WITH MACAN 195
The Governor's Opinion
Sire: Having examined this investigation which
the cabildo, magistracy, and regimiento of this city
have made, so that your Majesty might favor the in-
habitants of Manila by granting them commerce with
the inhabitants of Macan, and considering the little
harm which the Portuguese would suffer from it, my
opinion is that, with your Majesty's pleasure, the
favor could be granted, for very little trouble will
follow from it. Moreover, it will benefit this camp,
in that we shall be able to get ammunition, supplies,
and other things from the city of Macan: for, as far
as ammunition is concerned, the trade with China is
closed, since no Chinese would dare to bring it over.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
This copy was made, corrected, and compared with
the evidence and other decrees already mentioned, at
the request of the attorney of this city of Manila, and
by order of the said governor, on June twenty-second,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, in Manila;
and in the presence of the following witnesses, who
saw when it was taken, corrected, and compared:
Miguel de Solarte, and Adrian Perez. Therefore,
I set my seal to it in witness of truth.
Caspar de Azevo
We, the undersigned notaries, certify and truly
testify that Caspar de Azevo, whose signet and name
are attached to this investigation, is government
notary of these islands ; and, as such, the instruments
drawn before him, or which have heretofore been
drawn before him, are to be given full faith and
credit in or out of court. Port of Cavite, June
196 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
twenty-third, one thousand five hundred and ninety-
one.
Alonso Esteban DE Marquina, notary.
ToMAS Perez, notary.
Miguel de Quintanilla, notary-public.
The preceding was deliberated upon in Madrid
on the twentieth day of July, one thousand five hun-
dred and ninety-two.
The licentiate GONZALEZ.
[Endorsed at beginning of document'.
" The city of Manila in the Filipinas Islands; con-
cerning the possibility of their inhabitants trading
with those of Macan.
Ledesma, secretary."
" Eighty-four maravedis were paid for the exami-
nation, on July 15, 1529 {sic\ sc. 1592).
The licentiate GONZALEZ."
" The possible trade between Macan and the in-
habitants of Manila."]
[Endorsed on back of document'. " Investigation
concerning the question of Macan; for Domingo de
Uribe."]
DOCUMENTS OF 1592
Opinions of the religious communities on the war
with the Zambales. Juan de Valderrama, and
others; January 19-20.
Letter of congratulation to the bishop, clergy, and
people of the Philippines. Clement VIII ; March
25-
Letter to Felipe 11. G. P. Dasmarinas; May 31.
Rules for the Manila hospital. G. P. Dasmarinas;
[May 31].
Expedition to Tuy. [Luis Perez Dasmarinas] ;
June I.
Two letters to Felipe II. G. P. Dasmarinas; June
6, II.
An embassy from Japan. Hideyoshi, and others;
1591-92.
Three letters to Felipe 11. G. P. Dasmarinas; June
20, July 6.
Luzon menaced by Japanese. [G. P. Dasmarinas;
1592?].
Sources: All these documents are obtained from original
MSS. in the Archive general de Indias, Sevilla.
Translations: In the first document, the opinion of the
Augustinians is translated by Joseph FitzGerald; that of the
Franciscans, by Victoria G. Peacock; the remainder, by James A.
Robertson. The second document is translated by Rev. T. C.
Middleton, O.S.A., Villanova College; the third, by Jose M. and
Clara M. Asensio. In the eighth document, the first letter is
translated by Helen E. Thomas; the third, by Mary F. Foster.
The remaining documents of this group are translated by James
A. Robertson.
OPINIONS OF THE RELIGIOUS COM-
MUNITIES UPON WAGING WAR
WITH THE ZAMBALES
OPINION OF THE AUGUSTINIANS
Your Lordship orders us to give our judgment
whether it be lawful to make war on the Zambales, in
view of the many injuries that they have been and
daily are inflicting upon our people ; and, if so be that
the war is lawful and righteous, what measures may
be taken to attain the end proposed therein, security.
In reply to this we say that, according to all the
authorities, divines as well as canonists and jurists,
three conditions are required in a war to make it a
righteous one ; and on these we will rest the justifica-
tion of the war at present under consideration.
The first condition is that he who begins the war
shall have authority; the second, just cause for mak-
ing war; and third, righteous intention.
The first requires that he who begins the war and
by whose order it is waged be a public person, as St.
Augustine declares. Contra Faustum ManichtBum;
cited by Gratian (23 qu. I. c. Quid culpatur) : Ordo
naturalis mortalium pad accommodatus hoc -doscit,
ut suscipiendi belli authoritas atque consilium penes
principes sit. Whence it is clear, as St. Thomas says
200 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
(2a 2ae, q. 40, art. i)," that a private person cannot
lawfully make war ; for, if he is aggrieved, he should
resort to his superior for satisfaction ; and it is as little
within the right of a private individual to collect such
a body of men as is requisite to carry on a war. The
difficulty is to understand what is meant by " public
person " or " prince ;" for it is plain that it is not law-
ful for every prince or judge whatsoever to wage war.
The solution of this difficulty, according to St.
Thomas {ubi supra) ^ and Cajetanus {ibi and in Sum-
ma, ch. Bellum), and Castro {De justa hcereticorum
punitione lib. 2, c. 4), is that by " public person " in
the present case is understood the one who in his gov-
ernment depends not on another; such are the kings
of Spain and France, also some free commonwealths,
as Venice, Florence, and Ferrara: these have authori-
ty, without recourse to another, to wage war. But
those princes and states whose government is not
sovereign may not levy war without authority from
their superior; and so the lords of Castilla and the
viceroys and governors appointed by our king Phi-
lippus may not without a warrant make war.
What is said applies not when war is waged for
defense against enemies, but in other circumstances;
for if it is for defense, such war is permitted to any
governor or king, as the authors say, because vim vi
repellere licet'^^ and thus the viceroys and governors
of the Indias have authority to levy war against dis-
^^ The quotation from St. Augustine is cited in Gratian's
" Decretum," in Corpus juris canonici; it reads thus, in English:
" The natural order, fitted to promote peace among mortals, de-
mands that the power to wage war, and the direction of it, rest in
the sovereign." The other citation is from St. Thomas Aquinas's
Summa theologica, part ii, div. ii, qu. 40, art. i.- Joseph Fitz-
Gerald.
^^ " One may repel force with force,"
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 20I
turbers of the peace and quiet of the states of which
they are in charge, without necessity of resorting to
his Majesty for permission.
The second condition of righteous war is that the
cause for which it is waged shall be a just one, as St.
Thomas says : " Those upon whom war is waged de-
serve it for the offenses that they have committed, and
the grievances that they have inflicted upon the one
who makes war on them." Thus says St. Augustine
(lib. 83. QuiEstionum super Josue, 9. 10), and Gra-
tian quotes him (23, q. 2, c. Dominus noster) : Justa
autem. bella solent definiri qucE ulciscuntur injurias,
si gens vel civitas plectenda est, quod vel vindicare
neglexerit quod a suis improbe factum est, vel reddere
quod per injuriam ablatum est}^ And as this injury
and grievance may be of many kinds, so too, many
and various are the just causes of war; but we will
consider here only those which make for the matter
in hand, confirmed by the authority of Scripture.
The first ground of a righteous war may exist when
one is hindered from doing what he may by right
do. This is matter of natural and divine law and on
this ground Julius Caesar, as Lucan represents him
(lib. i), made defense of his conduct in waging war
against the Roman state - viz., that the state had
blocked to him, a Roman citizen, the route to Rome ;
and so he said, arms in hand. Omnia dat qui justa ne-
gat.^^ On this ground, as St. Augustine says (in
Quaest. Num. q. 43),^* the children of Israel justly
^^ "Just wars are defined to be those which avenge wrongs ; if a
nation or a state is to be punished either for neglect to punish the
evil deeds of their people, or to make restitution of what has been
taken wrongfully."
^^ " He concedes all who refuses what is just."
^* This reference is to St. Augustine's " Questions on (the book
202 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
made war on the kings of the Amorites {Ut legiti-
mum, c. 21 ), for having withstood their passage
through their country when they were on their way
to the promised land, although the Israelites had
given assurance that they would do no damage to the
lands, the crops, or the vineyards of the Amorites.
And so says St. Augustine (and he is quoted ubi
suprdj last chapter), Notandum est sane quemadmo-
dum justa bella gerebantur a filiis Israel contra Amo-
ritas: innoxius enim transitus denegabatur qui jure
humancB societatis aequissimo patere debebat.^^
Upon which passage Joannes Andreas in his gloss
well says: Licet enim transire per alienum agrum
jus non sit, tamen quia necessarius et innoxius erat iste
transitus illi prohibere non debuerunt; item quia via
publica erat et nemo prohibetur via publica.^^
The second ground, as I said, of a righteous war is
the self-defense of the prince or of his subjects. This
ground also is matter of both natural and divine
right; for even as self-defense is a natural right, on
which right is founded the rule of vim vi repellere,
so too in the prince is the defense of his subjects - for
the care which the prince has of his subjects is as
essential on his part as is the care which each one of
them has for himself; hence, if the subjects are ag-
of) Numbers." The citation JJt legitimum is to a chapter in
Gratian's DecretuTUy of which these are the opening words.-
JosEPH FitzGerald.
^^ " It is to be observed in what manner just wars were waged
by the children of Israel against the Amorites; for inoffensive
transit was denied to them, although by the most equitable laws of
human fellowship it should be open."
^® " Though it be not lawful to cross over the lands of others,
still, as this transit was necessary and harmless, they [the Amorites]
ought not to have forbidden it - and, further, because it was a
public route, and no one is forbidden to use a public route."
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 203
grieved by their enemies, the prince may justly in
their defense make war, and vim vi repellere. This
is much better than that the individual should him-
self avenge the wrong; for the individual can lawful-
ly defend himself and his property only in continente,
as Sylvester declares {Bellum, 2 § 3), but he may not
avenge past wrongs, nee sua repetere save by recourse
to his judge and superior." Whatever goes beyond
that is contrary to law and good government and, as
Cajetan says, is extra moderamen tutelfB,^^ it being an
essential condition of the right vim vi repellere that
it be done cum moderamine. But the prince and the
state have the same authority with respect to their
enemies at whose hands they have suffered injury,
which they have with regard to their own subjects;
and hence not only may they defend themselves lest
either they or their subjects suffer injury, but they
may avenge injuries by inflicting punishment, exact
satisfaction for damage done, and take the enemies'
lives, if so the quiet and safety of their subjects re-
quire. Under this head come the many wars waged
by King David against the Philistines, mentioned in
the Scriptures; as also the war of the Machabee cap-
tains against the kings Antiochus and Demetrius.
The third cause and ground is rebellion and dis-
obedience of subjects. This was the ground of
David's war with Sheba, son of Bichri, who raised a
revolt, as you may read in II Sam. 20;" and this is
^■^ In continente, " on the spot;" that is, at the actual time of the
assault or other wrong. Nee sua repetere, " nor recover his own "
(by force or violence is implied). Silvester is cited in the Theo-
logia moralis of Alphonso Maria de Liguori.- Joseph Fitz-
Gerald.
^* " Beyond the due limits of [lawful self-] defense."
^^ The Spanish writer cites " II Kings." But the books desig-
204 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
what St. Augustine says (Contra Faustum Manichce-
um, 1. 22, c. 74) : Adversus violentiam resistentium
sive deo sive aliquo legitimo imperio jubente geren-
da ipsa bella suscipiuntur a bonis ubi eos vel jubere
tale aliquid vel in talibus obedire juste ordo ipse con-
stringit (in c. Quid culpatur, ubi supra.)^^
The fourth cause and ground for a righteous war
is when there is default of keeping faith or carrying
out agreements; for in such case the party who has
been wronged may lawfully make war on him who,
by not keeping faith, has done him injury. This
made Joran [Jehoram], king of Israel, wage war on
Mesa [Mesha], king of Moab, for his having failed
to keep the agreements and to pay the tribute which
he had promised to pay to his suzerain, King Ahab;
and that this war was just is clear, for that he was as-
sisted therein by the holy and righteous Jehoshaphat,
king of Judah, with the approval of the prophet
Elisha - who in the name of the Lord urged them on
to war, and promised them a sure victory- as is seen
in II Sam. ch. 3. These four causes and grounds,
or any one of them by itself, justify war; and there
are other grounds also, but these are the most certain
and the most applicable to the matter in hand.
The third condition which, as we have said, must
nated " I and II Kings " in the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and the
Catholic canon are called in the English Bible " I and II Sam-
uel."- Joseph FitzGerald.
20 " Whether at command of God or that of some legitimate
ruler, wars are undertaken even by good men, to be waged against
the violence of rebels, when civil order itself justly constrains them
either to command such action or to obey [i.e., to serve in the
army]."
Quid culpatur is the opening of a chapter in Gratian's Decretum,
a section of the canon law, and serves as the title of the chapter.-
JosEPH FitzGerald.
1 591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 205
be fulfilled to make a war righteous is a right inten-
tion on the part of him who wages it; because^ failing
this, even when the other two conditions concur -to
wit, authority and just cause - a faulty intention may
render and does render the war unjust. This con-
dition is also laid down by St. Augustine (Contra
Faustum)^ and he is quoted by Gratian (in c. Quid
culpatur) ; and as his words are of great weight and
define wherein a bad intention consists, it is well to
quote them: Quid culpatur in bello? an quid mori-
untur quandoque morituri ut dominentur in pace
victuri? Hoc reprehendisse timidorum est non re-
ligiosorum. Nocendi cupiditas, ulciscendi crudeli-
tas, impacatus atque implacabilis animus, feritas re-
bellandij libido dominandi et si quae sunt similia:
haec sunt quae in bellis jure culpantur.^^ And what
must be the right intention of the prince in levying
war the same Augustine declares in the book De Ver-
bo Domini] and the passage is found in c. Apud, ubi
supra: Apud veros dei cultores et ipsa bella pecca-
ta non sunt quae non cupiditate aut crudelitate sed
pads studio geruntur ut mali coerceantur et boni sub-
leventur." Peace is the end that is to be sought in
war, and so saith Aristotle (lib. 10 Ethicorum) :
Bellum gerimus ut in pace degamus.^^ And Augus-
^^ " What is condemned in war ? Is it that men who at some
time must die, die in war? It is for cowards to fault this, not
religious men. The desire to do injury, the cruelty of revenge,
unappeased and implacable hate, the wild passions of rebellion, lust
of power and the like - such are the things which are justly con-
demned in wars."
22 " With God's true worshipers even wars are not sinful if they
are waged, not through greed or with cruelty, but for the sake of
peace, that the wicked may be repressed and the good sustained."
^^ " We wage war that we may live in peace."
2o6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
tine says the same {Epist. ad Bonifacium) : Non
quaeritur pax ut bellum exerceatur, sed bellum geri-
tur ut pax acquiratur.^^
But here it is to be noted that this right intention
which is here required is a condition no more essen-
tial to a righteous war than to other good works, for
in all these it is required, and without it no work is
virtuous ; and hence it is that if this right intention be
wanting in the prince who levies war and in those
who urge it, he would sin by wrong intention, but if
the other two conditions be fulfilled, he, as Soto says,
will not be held to make amends for the injuries that
may be done in the war. So, too, if a judge orders
a robber to be hanged, granted that ex odio suspen-
dat/^ he will not be held to restitution, if on the testi-
mony adduced the man deserved hanging.
Reply
Having ascertained the conditions required to
make a war just, from them we shall be able clearly
to decide whether such is the war against the Zamba-
les at present under discussion. To this question we
will answer affirmatively: that it is lawful without
any scruple whatever, for in it the three conditions
meet which are required for a just war, as we have
already said.
And first, in this war is found the first condition,
namely, authority in the one who wages it, for he is
persona publica, the governor of these isles; and also
he has a superior who is our king. But since the
cause is self-defense, as will later be proved, he has
^* " Peace is not sought that war may be waged, but war is
waged that peace may be won."
^^ " He hangs him out of hatred."
1 591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 207
no need of other permission to defend his state against
enemies who molest it, as we have proved.
In this war, the third condition, too - we shall
speak of the second later - is fulfilled, namely, right
intention ; for its end is the peace and security of the
subjects, disturbed by these their enemies. And this
peace it has not been possible to secure by means of
our benevolent efforts, although such means have
been tried - as appears from our labors to that end
last year in sending religious of our order, and per-
sons known to the Zambales, to persuade them to de-
sist from wrongdoing and be our friends, granting
them a general pardon for the wrongs they had com-
mitted against us; and although the Zambales
promised, and made oath in their fashion, they have
defaulted utterly, committing since then many atro-
cious wrongs against our people, as appears from the
reports on that matter which have been drawn up.
And, forasmuch as nothing has been gained through
kindness, comes now, as a last and drastic remedy, the
resolution to win peace and security for the king's
subjects by waging war on his enemies ; and this is the
right intention that is required according to Aristotle
and St. Augustine, as before quoted. But even sup-
pose this intention to be lacking, it is already said and
proved above that this condition is not in such sort
essential as to oblige to indemnification.
It remains that we look into the second condition
of just warfare, to wit, that just cause exist for waging
it. This condition, in which might be presented
greatest difficulty, is the clearest and plainest part of
the matter before us; for not only are some of the
four causes and grounds pointed out by us, as being
any one of them in itself sufficient, but all the just
2o8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
causes are here concurrent. The first condition is
fulfilled in that these Zambales impede the general
traffic by sea and land of those who go to Pangasin
and Ylocos and Cagayan. And, albeit the traffic
works damage neither to them nor to their lands, but
uses a common highway, yet they sally out upon the
highways and kill and rob passengers, as appears
from the reports.
Concurs also the second cause; for, although these
Zambales are not molested by our people, they as-
sault and murder them, not only falling upon them
in the highways, as already said, but also seeking
them out in the settlements while they are laboring
in the fields; so that neither in their fields nor their
homes are our people safe - which also is shown in
the reports.
Furthermore, after promising obedience to our
king and to the governor on his behalf, they have re-
belled and renounced obedience, as we have said; and
this is the third of the reasons which, as we said, jus-
tify the war.
Finally, the war is justified by their failure to keep
their word and their pledges of friendship; for, as is
well known, they have again and again, in the time of
previous governors, been reconciled and have
promised friendship, and thus have obtained pardon
for their acts. And in the year just past this was
done with greater formality and more solemn assur-
ances, as appears from the record ; but notwithstand-
ing this, breaking the compact of peace, they have
since then inflicted other and graver injuries - sally-
ing out as robbers into the public routes by land and
by sea, making descents on our settlements and mur-
dering everyone on whom they can lay hands, be they
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 209
Indians or Spaniards, seculars or ecclesiastics. In-
deed, it is well known that last year they murdered a
religious of our order, and they were tracking our
provincial and two others, his companions; but all
these, thanks to their own watchfulness, escaped.
From what has been said it stands amply proved
that the war to be waged against the Zambales is a
just one, and, beyond all scruple, as well on the part
of him who sets it on foot as of those who take part
in it.
But it may be that some one will, in opposition to
what has been said, cite to us certain law texts to the
effect that when a number of persons or a town sins,
even if all or most of them are guilty, yet they should
be pardoned. In the Decretum (dist. 50, c. ut con-
stitueretur) St. Augustine says, writing to Boni-
facius: Ubi per graves dissentionum scissvras non
hujus aut illius hominis periculum sed populorum
plurimorum strages jacet, detrahendum est aliquid
severitati ut majoribus sanandis malts charitas synce-
ra subveniat.^^ And (i q. 7 c. Quoties) Pope Inno-
cent, as cited by Gratian, says: Quoties a populis
aut a turba peccatur, quia in omnes propter multi-
tudinem vindicari non potest inultum solet transire.^^
Much to the same effect is what is said by Alex-
ander III (c. Eixtra, De clerico excommunicato)^
and also by Honorius III (in the last chapter, De
transact.). And the reason for this is that in a mul-
^® " When from dissensions and factions results, not peril to this
one or that, but slaughter of whole populations, then severity must
be relaxed somewhat, that sweet charity may intervene for the
healing of those greater ills."
^^ " Whenever evil is done by whole populations or by a multi-
tude, then, because it is not possible to punish them all, on account
of their great number, the matter usually passes by unpunished."
2IO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
titude or in a town are many innocent persons, and
it were a grave injustice to require that they shall suf-
fer the rigorous punishment awarded to the guilty;
while it is certain that in a war one suffers as much
as the other; and hence, lest the innocent be punished,
the guilty should be pardoned. To the objection
which cites these testimonies in proof that parcendum
est multitudini^^ Castro makes apt reply (lib. 2 De
justa haereticorum punitione c. 14), that the propo-
sition is true and applies when the multitude or town
purposes amendment, and there is fair hope of the
same; but if the case is otherwise, and they persist in
their evil ways after being admonished, reason says
they shall be punished rigorously. The opposite
course would only give them occasion to go on and
become more hardened in their sin and misdoing, and
cause others, after the example of these, to do the
same - that appearing to them to be lawful, when
they see that it is not punished. And such is the
teaching of c. Qui vult, de Poenitentia^ 3. 6., attrib-
uted to St. Augustine : Cum enim tot sunt qui labun-
tur ut pristinam dignitatem ex authoritate defendant
et quasi usum peccandi sibi faciant, rescindenda est
spes ista.^^ Then, as these Zambales have many times
been warned, and have promised and sworn peace
and amends, and have totally defaulted, as we have
already said, and have taken occasion, from the lenity
shown them, to do greater mischiefs with more bold-
ness-mistaking for timidity the kindliness that we
have used toward them - it follows that, numerous
28 " "Yhe multitude should be spared."
^® " For when there are so many who fall that they defend their
former iniquity by authority, and who make, as it were, a business
of sinning, that hope itself must be cut off."
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 211
though they are, we ought no longer to dissemble with
them, but must punish them sternly; for the more
numerous they are, the more mischief they do.
What we have stated in enforcing our thesis af-
fords us occasion for explaining here the mode of
procedure in this war, and - assuming it to be a law-
ful war, as has been sufficiently proved - for inquir-
ing what considerations may be urged by those who
carry on the war. And, for the sake of brevity and
clearness, we will resolve the matter into a few points,
without any arguments, for these points are corolla-
ries of a just war.
First: If, to attain what is purposed -to wit, to
bring the said Zambales under control - it becomes
necessary that we burn their crops, their houses, and
their other properties, and even kill those who make
resistance, even if the presumption be that among
them are some who are guiltless - it is lawful to do
all this during war, until the final victory is won
which is purposed. We say " if necessary," for un-
less the purpose of all that is done in the war is the
final victory, such deeds will be impious and tyran-
nical. And hence the matter should not be left to the
arbitrary will of the soldiers, but should be directed
by the order of him who governs them.
Second : Also, if during the war there be lack of
subsistence, or of other supplies needed for its prose-
cution, these may be taken from what the enemy have,
even though the owners be guiltless, and this without
obligation to restitution - the reason being that cum
licet helium licet apponere media necessaria ad finem
victoriiE.^^
^^ "As war is lawful, it is lawful to use the means needful to
attain the end, which is victory."
212 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
Third : Ex jure gentium, during the war, all mov-
ables taken from any one of the enemy belong to
him who has them, and there is no obligation to
restitution: Sylvester Presbyter (Bellum, i § lo),
and Cajetan (in Summa). I say " during the war,"
because when it is ended non licet ultra praedari.^^
Fourth: After they are reduced to subjection,
those who are most guilty may be condemned to
death, as also such others as regard for the security
and tranquillity of the land may determine. But it
will not be lawful to kill those of them who are found
to be guiltless, even though it be feared that they
may be mischievous in the future; for no grievance
has been suffered at their hands, and means can be
found of holding them securely, as we will show
presently. Those of the inhabitants of a state who
are usually deemed guiltless are lads not yet old
enough to bear arms; old men incapacitated by age,
save in the case that heretofore they have been mis-
chievous; and the women, unless it appear that they
too have engaged in war. But it will not suffice to
say with Soto that they supply provisions for their
husbands during the war, for that is a natural right
and obligation. All the rest are deemed guilty, fail-
ing proof to the contrary; here strict investigation is
to be made, lest wrong be done.
Fifth: Ex jure gentium, those captured in a just
war are held as slaves. Paludanus (in 4. d. 15, q. 3)
holds that this is not to be understood as applying to
Christian captives; and such is the truth, and this
provision is observed among Christian kings. But,
as these Zambales are not Christians, they may be
dealt with according to the jus gentium, and made
^^ " Plunder is no longer allowable."
1 591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 213
slaves. Yet, inasmuch as they are a people of small
mental capacity, and hence do not realize the serious-
ness of their crime, they ought not to be treated with
the full vigor of law ; and therefore it seems to us that
it will be enough to make them slaves for a limited
time, ten or fifteen years.
Sixth: The war ended, his Lordship the gover-
nor may exact from the Zambales all the costs of the
war, and indemnification for all the losses suffered;
and he may, by way of chastisement, levy from them
some tribute : for all this is jus belli in the case of a
just war, such as is this, as stands proved.
Seventh: Since it is not enough to punish past
crime unless a remedy is applied for the future ; and
since a wide experience has shown that little confi-
dence is to be reposed in the word and the character
of this people ; and since to leave them in their moun-
tains would be to give them occasion and good oppor-
tunity for doing mischief and damage hereafter, as
always in the past: it seems to us that inasmuch as
these Zambales are few and have not in their villages
or in their territory any cultivated fields or any fixed
settlements, it will be advisable, as security against
their returning to their old ways, to transplant them
from the mountain region to peopled districts, de-
priving them of arms, and giving them a village site
and lands upon which, with police control and under
a government, they may live and cultivate their
farms. This we deem the ultimate remedy, and as
being necessary for the ends of peace and security at
which we aim.
Finally: It seems to us from the experience we
have had in this matter, and from what we have seen,
that the expeditions sent against these Zambales have
214 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
been ineffective because this method was not em-
ployed. The plan should be carried out chiefly by
means of the Indians of Pampanga and the Zamba-
les of Pangasinan - people who know the country and
its hiding-places and coverts ; and who, as being more
agile than Spaniards, bear more easily the toils of the
march over the routes that have to be traversed,
owing to the wildness of the region, which, as is well
known, is very great. In payment of the costs to
these Indians, the slaves captured in the war might
be apportioned to them; and in virtue of this com-
pact they will not commit the cruelties and murders
to be apprehended from them. Besides, this will
benefit the state; for, having more field-hands, they
will plow and cultivate more land. Further, as re-
gards the Panpangos, they will in this way obtain sat-
isfaction for the many and serious wrongs that they
have suffered from the Zambales in the way of both
murders and robberies.
Such, with all respect for the better judgment of
others, is our opinion regarding the matter proposed
to us by your Lordship, with command to declare our
views. This we do, recommending always modera-
tion and Christian charity, which should ever be
practiced, and especially in dealing with this people
- who, as we have said, do not realize the gravity of
their offense; and on whom, therefore, the penalties
of the law ought not to be inflicted in all its rigor.
And, to signify that this is our judgment, we confirm
it with our names. Given at San Augustin de
Manila, the nineteenth day of January, 1592.
Fray Joan de Valderrama, provincial
Fray Alonzo de Castro, definitor
Fray Lorenso de Leon, definitor
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1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 217
Fray Joan de Tamayo, prior
Fray Antonio Serrano, prior
Fray Diego Gutierrez
Fray Diego Munoz
Fray Diego Alvarez
Fray Alonso de Montalvan, superior
Fray Matthias Manrique
Fray Alonso de Paz ''
[Endorsed: " Opinion of the Augustinian fathers
regarding the Qambales." " Opinion of the Augus-
tinian fathers upon waging war against the Zamba-
les."]
^^ Juan de Valderrama was the head of the Augustinian mis-
sionaries sent to the Philippines in 1582. He had much executive
ability, and, besides conducting one or more churches in the villages
near Manila, held successively important posts in his order (prior
provincial, from 1590). He died in 161 8. Alonso de Castro came
to the islands in 1577, and w^as missionary in several villages, both
Tagalo and Bisayan, as he had mastered both languages. Gifted as
a theologian and. orator, he was designated by Felipe II as bishop
of Nueva Caceres, but died (1597) before he could exercise that
office.
Lorenso de Leon came in 1582, and held many high positions in
his order there. In 1606 he returned to Mexico, where he died in
1623. Juan Vega Tamayo who arrived in the same year, remained
until his death (in 1603), most of his time being occupied in official
duties at Manila. Of Antonio Serrano it is only known that he
occupied various official positions in the Manila convent from 1590
to 1596. Diego Gutierrez was a missionary in Luzon from 1578
until his death in 1613.
Diego Munoz came in 1578, and was professor of theology in
the Manila convent, missionary to the Chinese at Tondo in 158 1,
the first commissary of the Inquisition in the islands (see his instruc-
tions, VOL. v^ pp. 256-273), and prior provincial from 1587. He
died at Manila in 1594. Diego Alvarez was in the islands from
1578 until his death (1601) mainly engaged in official duties.
Alonso de Montalban came in 1590, and died in 1604. Matias
Manrique came in 1586, and died in 1593. Alonso Paz is known
to have been in Luzon during 1591-93.
The above information is obtained from Perez's Catdlogo.
2l8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
OPINION OF THE DOMINICANS
Jesus
Admitting the information received against the
Negrillos and certain Zambales, who commit as-
saults; and admitting (what is generally known) the
murders committed daily, both past and present, and
which have not been committed in their just defense
or in just revenge for injuries - as is evident because
indeed the Batanes, Panpangos, Pangasinanes, and
Ylocos (and these last are the worst sufferers) were
at peace with them, and, since that peace, neither the
Panpangos nor the others have disturbed them in
their villages or on the highways, but, on the contrary,
have tried to preserve friendly relations; and admit-
ting (likewise a well-known fact) the custom of this
race from the earliest period of killing, whenever
possible, Spaniards and Indians, without any distinc-
tion, and without having received any injuries, for the
sole purpose of proving their courage by their ability
to kill men, collecting heads and hanging them up in
their houses, as such proof ; item, admitting one other
certain fundamental, that no incursion has been made
into their lands for the sake of provoking them in
their common habitation, but that they, on the other
hand, invade, from their lands, the royal open high-
ways and the settlements of the peaceful natives, in
order to kill those who are living in peace with them,
and with all : we render freely an exact opinion.
I. The Negrillos and mountain Zambales have
not, because of their former wars, before the arrival
of the Spaniards in this land, at present any just title
to war against the settled and peaceful people of these
islands. This is proved, for, although in those former
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 219
times force ruled, and injustice held full sway, and
meant different things to each individual, and no dis-
tinction was made - as, where two persons quarrel
with words, and injure each other equally, there is no
satisfaction other than to stop, and there is no distinc-
tion in the injury - now, after the pacification of the
Indians in settlements, these wars ceased for many
years; for which reason the old animosities do not
furnish any just pretext for war to either Negrillos or
Zambales against the Ilocos, Panpangos, etc. Item :
Since those petty wars ceased, the Panpangos, etc.,
and all the others have not incited the Negrillos or
Zambales to war; nor have they done them any in-
jury, either personally or in their lands. Therefore
the present action of the Negrillos and mountain Zan-
bales in committing assaults on the highways and kill-
ing as many as they have killed, has no just pretext of
war from their neighbors.
2. Second, we assert that the Batanes, Panpangos,
Pangasinanes, Ylocos, and other tribes living near the
Negrillos and mountain Zambales, have a just pre-
text for war against the Negrillos and mountain Zan-
bales - a proof of which is admitted in the fact of the
murders, robberies, attacks, and assaults on the high-
ways, made without any just pretext, as we have said
in the first conclusion. Therefore, on the contrary,
the injured ones have a just pretext against them.
There appears to be no doubt regarding these two
conclusions, for they are most certain according to
natural reason and to all law. The whole difficulty
is whether the injuries committed, the present harm,
and that which with some reason is feared (which
will be greater each day) - considering also the con-
dition of the Negrillos, and the sort of country in
220 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
which they live - whether all these together consti-
tute sufficient pretext for an expedient so severe as
war; and if fire and sword are necessary.
To answer this doubt, we must admit that, with the
diversities and natural features of countries, and with
the characteristics of the peoples therein, is entwined
most intimately the jus gentium, as we call it. Ac-
cordingly, in some lands some things are regarded as
established, and classed with the jus gentium, but not
in others; and some things lawful in certain lands
are not so in others. On the contrary, things that
would be wrong for some would be lawful and jus
gentium for others; while things wrong for others
would be lawful and honorable to the first, because of
the diversity of countries, customs, and race, whence
arises this jus gentium. Therefore we say that, if in
Castilla, where neither the land nor people of these
islands are known, this case were to be judged on
only the things written and proved, nothing more
than that these people were assaulters would be de-
cided; and an order would be issued to proceed
against them as against assaulters. If these things
should happen in Sierramorena, no orders would be
given to destroy the towns near by; or, if in the Pyre-
nees, for that reason war would not be declared upon
the Gascons or Navarrese. For this would be es-
teemed a personal ofifense, and not one committed by
the community. But here, where we know the land,
the people, and their abominable and long-standing
customs, we must esteem it, not a personal, but a com-
munal offense; nor must we presume amendment
where ferocity springs from custom, now rendered
almost natural instinct, and from the land being un-
conquerable. Therefore it must be presumed that,
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 221
if they are not punished by force superior to their
own, they will grow worse each day; for they con-
sider cruelty honorable, and esteem him most who
kills most. Therefore, with people of this nature, we
apply the saying of Aristo - namely, that it is lawful
to make war on and kill like wild beasts, those people
who live unsettled and wandering like wild beasts.
It is quite evident that Aristo means people harmful
to others; for, even when they live like wild beasts,
but are not harmful, war is not on that account law-
ful. And inasmuch as these arguments extend to the
Negrillos and Zambales, it is our opinion that the
war must be judged as just or unjust rather by the
condition of the land and people, the injuries that
will be inflicted, and the little relief obtained by em-
ploying other methods, than by the severity of the
injuries received. It is no remedy to guard the roads,
as is quite evident, because they do more harm in
one night than the soldiers in a week. Likewise it is
no remedy to guard the villages, for the people are
obliged to go to the fields, etc. Consequently we say:
That, it is justifiable - by methods which will not
cause greater annoyance to the regions adjoining the
Negrillos and Zambales - to make war upon the Ne-
grillos and Zambales, even with fire and sword,
whenever the above reasons are evident. We prove
this by the above statements, for ferocity is a quality
among them now almost a natural instinct; and they
place all their honor in killing, without caring for
any other object. Again, these ills cannot be obviated
and prevented, except by destroying them, if it be
possible. Item : because there is no hope that they
will make peace and settle down; for their happiness
consists in living a nomadic life, without any re-
222 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
straint, and they are a race who never keep any
promise.
Item : We say that, because the method of war-
fare as employed by the Castilians is not by means of
rough ground, forests, and dense thickets - as witness
the war of Granada, in which Hespana lost so many
men because the rising was in places unknown to the
Spaniards but known to the Moors. It has been seen
here many times that the Spaniard needs ten or
twenty servants to take care of his person, furniture,
food, and clothing, alone - from which results more
loss than that which the Negrillos and Zambales can
inflict in a lifetime. We think, in the absence of
better judgment, that, for a specified time, those cap-
tured alive should be handed over to the neighboring
districts as captives, or remanded to the galleys.
Whoever is put to death, let it be by order of the
captains, and at the time and place appointed. We
render this opinion, as long as this measure does not
appear more harmful \^i.e., than the harm caused by
the Negrillos and Zambales]. If any measure what-
ever is more harmful, then we shall consider it un-
lawful, although we are assured that a most justifiable
right exists for making war, and for destroying with
all the harm possible to them, and less harm to the
surrounding people, than is done or can be done by
the Negrillos and Zambales. Item : We declare
that, as the losses of war are accidental, and depend
on artifice, seasons, and innumerable other circum-
stances, it might well happen that what is advanced
one time as justifiable may, given a change of condi-
tions at the time of execution, become unjustifiable;
for with the change of conditions the argument of
justice or injustice is altered.
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1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 225
Item : Because the term " Zambales," in general,
comprehends many people to whom the above argu-
ments do not apply, we say that, under the terms
Zambales and Negrillos, we understand only those
who are nomadic, as above stated. As to whom these
may be, we refer to the investigations in detail ; it is
not for us to judge the information given, but to
credit it. This we advance as our opinion, and as
such we sign it. Given in the convent of Santo Do-
mingo at Manila, January i, 92.
Fray Juan de Castro
Fray Alonso Ximenes
Fray Juan de Castro
Fray Juan de San Pedro Martir
Fray Juan Cobos
Fray Thomas Castellar
Fray Juan Garcia
OPINION OF THE JESUITS
Jesus
In regard to our right to make war upon the Zam-
bales, the following is our opinion. Granting as true
the reports of robberies and murders committed by
them, past and present, on both Castilians and the
pacified Indians (who are our allies, and Chris-
tians), then it must be ascertained how these crimes
have been committed -whether by all their land
in common, or one portion of their province, so that
by common consent those of one or many villages or
the whole province conspire, and the bravest and
strongest go forth to rob and kill; whether its head
or chief is of one or of many villages or of the entire
province, by whose order certain men go out to com-
226 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
mit these depredations ; or whether it is not really by
common consent, or by the authority of the chiefs,
but by crowds of ruffians from one or several vil-
lages who commit the said injuries.
If this people have a leader, and any go out from
the villages or from the province to commit assaults,
then this is sufficient cause for war. The same is true,
even if they do not go at his order, but if the chiefs
allow them to go, and do not punish them ; since they
have authority and power therefor. If there are no
chiefs, then it must be ascertained whether they go
out by common consent, to commit assaults, even if
all do not go, but only a few. For, if they go by com-
mon consent, then war may be made on them all. But
war may not be made if they went out as a single band
of plunderers, even when they have friends and rela-
tives in the villages, who protect them and supply
them with food. It can not be determined that the
latter are accomplices; neither can they be punished,
nor be dissuaded from doing it, nor even prohibited
from giving them food, etc., because of their being,
as is usually the case, women and children, while the
former are barbarous and cruel men. In such a case,
then, it could only be allowable to seek to apprehend
the guilty, as well as one might, and to punish them
in conformity with their crimes. But nothing may
be done to the others.
But should it be by common consent, according to
the first supposition, without any leader, or if they
have chiefs who possess authority superior to the
others, so that they may punish them as they deserve,
but who do not punish these guilty ones or have them
punished by their order, then, in these cases, war is
allowable against the villages that shall have taken
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 229
part in the depredation, or against all the province, or
the guilty part; but it must be with the moderation
with which our Catholic king has ordered, in so
Christian-like a manner, war to be made, with the
least bloodshed and injury possible. Those captured
shall not be killed, except those who shall have com-
mitted individual crimes, who consequently merit
death; and the others shall not be reduced to per-
petual bondage, but for a limited period only.
However, because of the great danger from this
tribe, in order to be sure of peace and to render secure
our allies who dwell near the Zambales, whom we are
bound to protect, all the children and women and the
others may be taken from their land and divided in
various parts in small bands, even when their crimes
were perpetrated by but a few ruffians. By this
method we receive much benefit and security, and
they no harm, but on the contrary much benefit, both
spiritual and corporal. But in no case do we think
that they may have their ears cut off or be crippled
so that they can not take flight - neither women, nor
children, nor those who do not commit any individual
crime which may merit such punishment; for this is
great cruelty and will engender in all a deadly hatred
of our nation and law. Besides, other and gentler
means can be used to prevent them from becoming
fugitives - such as dispersing them throughout many
widely-separated districts, and providing some one to
watch over them. ANTONIO Sedeno
OPINION OF THE FRANCISCANS
Jesus
I have read the papers which your Grace sent me,
230 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and although, at first reading, the justification of this
proceeding was not apparent, I wished, on account of
its being so serious a matter, to study at leisure the
doctors who have discussed this subject. It is im-
portant for me to know if what I have heard is true -
that the Zambales have, upon various occasions, been
molested by the Spaniards. To be sure of this point is
a matter of much importance, because if we have in-
jured or provoked them, first, by wrongs, or by ex-
acting from them tributes which they did not owe,
such action on our part would ill be justified. But,
since I am not certain on this point, I first find, ac-
cording to the account which I have read and ex-
amined in the papers which your Grace sent me, that
they have been persuaded and invited with offers of
peace, and pardon for the injuries which have been
done; and that for this purpose, the governor, using
mild and conciliatory measures, sent religious with
the military, to whom the said Zambales promised to
be peaceable. They made similar promises to for-
mer governors, but have kept none of them; on the
contrary they have been bolder and more lawless
than ever, robbing and killing many persons on sea
and on land. For these offenses I consider that all
the malefactors should be punished, and that means
should be provided to protect the highways for the
benefit of the Tagalos, Panpangos, and Ilocos, and of
all others who pay tribute - since it is for this pur-
pose, together with the teaching they receive, that
they pay their tributes, and have placed themselves
under his Majesty's protection and favor. If this
punishment cannot be accomplished without war,
then I consider war justifiable, for the reasons above
stated. Without doubt the authority of the king is
1591-1593] WAR WITH ZAMBALES 233
the first condition to be established, observing faith-
fully in all things the spirit of uprightness and Chris-
tian moderation -which is justice, charity, and free-
dom for the innocent, according to the saints, particu-
larly St. Augustine and St. Thomas, and other doc-
tors of the church - seeking the common weal. Since
the cause for just war is the injury received, war
against them would be unjust, if they are innocent of
the charges against them. This is my opinion, in
view of the aforesaid report, in the absence of better
judgment. Issued from this convent of San Fran-
cisco at Manila, January twentieth, 1592.
Fray Pedro Baptista '^
^^ This was doubtless St. Pedro Bautista Blazquez y Blazquez
Villacastin, born June 29, 1542, of a noble Spanish family. He
made his religious profession in the Franciscan order, in 1567.
After some time spent in Mexico, he came to the Philippines, where
his first task was the instruction of Tagals in music. In 1586 he
was chosen as custodian of the Franciscan communities there, which
ofKce he held until 1591 ; he was then appointed guardian of the
Manila convent. He was very active in mission work in the islands,
and founded several convents and villages. In 1593 he was sent
by Governor Dasmarinas as ambassador to Japan; was afterward
placed in charge of the Franciscan missions in Japan ; and founded
a hospital for lepers and a convent in the city of Miaco. On
February 5, 1597, Father Bautista with five of his brethren, and a
number of Japanese converts, were martyred at Nagasaki. He was
beatified in 1627, and canonized by Pius IX in 1862. See Gomez
Platero's Catdlogo biogrdfico (Manila, 1880) ; and Santa Ines's
Cronica, i, pp. 452-466.
LETTER OF CONGRATULATION
TO THE BISHOP, CLERGY, AND PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Venerable brother and beloved son, health and
apostolic blessing.
The lofty works of divine power, that in the earthly
realm take place not by human but by heavenly
means, very often are wont to display themselves
from the very outset; while matters that through
divine wisdom as leader and mistress tend to a spirit-
ual end, the health that is of our souls, in the mean-
while lie unrecognized, or, if unveiled, seem of such
trivial import as not to be viewed in their grandeur
even by the keenest of minds, until aroused thereto
chiefly by the splendor of their results. This, as
oftentimes before, has happened now at this very time
in the conversion to gospel truth of the New World,
of both the Indias, and especially of the Philippine
Islands. Wherefore we are uplifted in great wonder
at the most bountiful results wrought therein secretly
by divine wisdom, from the first discovery of those
countries. Previously we had learned of this, in
truth, from the letters of many persons and from
report; now however, that the divine goodness has
raised our insignificance to the summit of apostolic
dignity, we have heard it also from the ambassador,
1591-1593] LETTER OF CONGRATULATION 235
our beloved son Alphonsus Sanchez, a professed
priest of the Society of Jesus - sent in your name first
to Sixtus V, pope, of happy memory; then to the fol-
lowing Roman pontiffs, our predecessors; and lately
to us - from whom, in private conversations which we
frequently have held with him, we have learned more
in detail . . . From conversation, too, with the
same Alphonsus we have learned of your purposes
and deeds in the foundation of churches, the spread of
divine worship, the training of natives, the establish-
ment of schools, the practice of useful arts, the ap-
pointment of magistrates, the defense of missionaries,
the protection of new converts, and, in fine, the per-
manence of those commonwealths - which as so many
members and parts thereof you have brought about
through the union of the New World with the Old.
Now, however, in order that you may have some
recompense for your love and good-will toward us,
and enjoy some reward for your endeavors and toils,
by the authority of almighty God and of the holy
apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own, in virtue of
these presents, we take you all and singular and all
that you have, into our trust and protection, and that
of the apostolic see; and we send you through the
same Alphonsus our apostolic blessing. .
Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, under the seal of the
Fisherman, March 25, 1592, in the first year of our
pontificate.
LETTER FROM GOMEZ PEREZ DASMARI-
NAS TO THE KING
Sire:
By two ships which sailed from this port for Mex-
ico at the end of June, 1591, I wrote your Majesty,
advising you of everything here, in duplicate, sending
a copy in each ship. Afterward, on the eighteenth
of October (same year), by a fragata sailing to
Malaca and Eastern India, I wrote later events, and
sent the duplicate of the letters. As that route is not
considered very safe, I send this, combining both
reports, written in fuller detail - fearing least per-
chance, on account of the many accidents which have
taken place on the sea in these years, all the letters
have been lost. I cannot help fearing so because, as
I write this, a ship has just arrived from Mexico, by
which I have received no letter from your Majesty;
nor have I received one since I have been in charge
of this government - although, praise be to God, I
have had good news of the health of your Majesty.
For this I return infinite thanks to God, and pray that
it may continue, and that He may give your Majesty
complete success in all the new cares and anxieties
which may present themselves. I am confident that
His Divine Majesty will give long life to your Maj-
esty, in order that everything may be ordered and
arranged according to the needs of Christianity.
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 237
Supposing that the duplicates of the letters afore-
said have been received, this letter will be more brief,
in order not to repeat herein what has been said
elsewhere. It is now necessary to describe in general
the state of this land, although this year has
been very unfortunate, deaths and sickness being
common among both Indians and Spaniards; and we
are also pressed hard and threatened by enemies, as
your Majesty will learn by a separate letter. As to
the general quiet and tranquillity of this state and
kingdom, it has never been better; for great progress
is being made in the strengthening and adornment of
public buildings, both ecclesiastical and state.
Hitherto the Spaniards have not experienced mis-
fortune, but much profit in traffic; and trade [with
Nueva Espana] is being regulated and put in order.
The natives are content and happy; the Chinese are
more fond of trading with the merchandise which
they bring from that kingdom. There came this year
twenty-eight ships with much merchandise, includ-
ing very rich goods of silk and other articles. The
religious are agreed among themselves, and aside
from the bishop, everything is quiet as it should be -
except in some few matters, of which I will give an
account to your Majesty. The encomenderos have
more peace of conscience than they have heretofore
had, and justice is equitably administered in the dis-
tricts of the alcaldes and the villages of the Indians ;
and, finally, everything which my poor strength
could accomplish has been done for the common
tranquillity and good government. As I realize my
little worth and ability, I would wish it to be known
how much I desire and strive to accomplish in the
service of God and your Majesty.
238 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
The cathedral church is completed, thanks be to
God; and mass has been celebrated therein since the
twenty-first of last March with a large attendance and
much devotion, and to the great satisfaction of the
people.
The seminary for girls, although in its first house,
is maintained in seclusion and good order; and there
have been several marriages or establishments made
from among the inmates. As I have written, that
house is so unsuitable that the erection of the new
church and house is being pushed forward; it is be-
ing built of stone, and will be very substantial and
commodious, and will be completed inside of six
months. Your Majesty is patron of this house; and
not only on account of the preeminence of the royal
patronage and what for this reason is due, but for
the good ordering of the house, I desire that there be
sent me from Espafia some rules or laws whereby
such houses are ruled and governed. The regulations
which I have been able tentatively to ordain here are
those accompanying this letter. This house will have
four hundred pesos of income. That being built has
not hitherto received anything whatever from the
royal exchequer of your Majesty; for, although I
would like to give it, your Majesty does not have it
here. I am sending also a set of rules for the conduct
of the hospital, in order that your Majesty may order
them amended there.
The new fort, which will be called Santiago, is now
raised from the level of the ground more than two
estados; and in one ravelin thereof, which is now
finished, eight pieces of artillery have been mounted
already, and guard is kept. By the time this reaches
you, God willing, the fort will be finished and per-
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 239
fected. All the beach from the fort of Santiago to
the fort of Nuestra Senora is occupied by the curtains
and traverses - the latter very suitable, two and a
half estados in height. It needs nothing but the
parapet, which is being built. Although that already
built was called a fort, it is not one, nor can it be of
use; for it is but a large tower, badly cemented, and
was falling in four places. It was braced by four
buttresses which were called cavaliers, and cost your
Majesty a large sum, as I have written. Everything
is now being rebuilt in order to put the fort in good
condition.
I have launched four galleys, and have for them a
gang of free rowers on pay, although they are hard
to manage. Even that has been accomplished in the
face of great difficulties and scruples; for the re-
ligious say that I cannot maintain galleys or rowers,
or avail myself of Indians for that purpose. If they
do not serve, it is impossible to maintain galleys here,
because there are no other people to row. What I
have been able to accomplish is that the Indians are
to remain on the galleys until your Majesty shall
advise me of the plan which you are pleased to adopt.
I have manned one of the galleys with four hundred
Qambales, who were captured in war. They were
given to me by some captains and soldiers, and I have
used them in your Majesty's service. They are now
on a galley and would to God that I could thus pro-
vide everything for the many needs which your Maj-
esty has here.
As regards the sailing of the ships on the account
of your Majesty, and not that of private persons, I
have already written the weighty reasons, and send
herewith a duplicate of the letter in which they are
240 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
set forth. In fact, when all the expenses are on your
Majesty's account, this not only causes no loss what-
ever to your Majesty's offices and royal exchequer,
but results in great profit to this state from the
charges on the tonnage. The cost is but half of what
it is when the ships sail at the expense of private per-
sons; and, if your Majesty would set the price of the
tonnage at the same rate as private persons set it, there
would be gained a large sum of money. This is the
truth, although in Mexico they try to argue and discuss
this point for private ends. Moreover, in this manner
deserving soldiers are utilized and occupied, as your
Majesty ordains, in these matters of transportation;
and the dangers arising from the insufficient number
and the vices of those who come from Mexico in these
vessels are avoided. There are also deceits practiced
by private persons, and other reasons which I have
already stated. Besides, when the ships belong to
private persons, their owners will not become citizens
of these islands ; and, on account of the large amount
of money taken away by them, the prices of merchan-
dise are raised, and the land is ruined. I therefore
repeat that if your Majesty will set a moderate price
for the tonnage on the ships, not only will there be no
expense for your Majesty's exchequer, but there will
be gained more than twenty thousand pesos. In ac-
cordance therewith will your Majesty please signify
your will.
As I wrote your Majesty last year, troops have been
sent for the pacification of the Qambales, and in their
proceedings with the natives the severity and chastise-
ment which they deserved were dispensed with. Gar-
risons were established, and many of the chiefs were
subdued; they appeared to act sincerely, and gave
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 241
evidence of being tractable and living in peace and
justice. The troops returned, and thereupon the
pacified ones, and those who still remained to be re-
duced, came down from the mountains to the high-
ways, robbed, murdered, and committed innumerable
injuries. Therefore I determined to lay a heavier
hand upon them, and to bring them to open warfare,
if that could be done conscientiously, after consulting
with the religious orders, and after I had made
inquiries concerning the damages, treacheries, upris-
ings, and crimes of the Qambales, and the reasons and
causes therefor.
All the religious orders concurred in the opinion
that war by fire and sword was justifiable, as is evi-
dent by the original opinions which I send herewith
to your Majesty. In conformity therewith I resolved
to strike the blow at once by sending troops with six
captains. Under each captain was a troop of twenty
Spanish soldiers and five or six hundred Indians -
Pampangos, who were willing to go to war, and gave
much assistance, because of the damages received by
them from the Cambales. They approached that
country, which had never before been entered, by six
routes; and although they were troubled by the
roughness of the roads and the large brambles, they
hid themselves and destroyed all the food and the
crops which were either harvested or growing. In
that region those whom they killed and took captive
amount, men and women, to more than two thousand
five hundred; and from the men taken the captains
and soldiers gave me about four hundred Sambales.
I have utilized them for your Majesty's service on
the galleys, where they are learning to row. Many
have been reduced by famine, and have formed settle-
242 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
ments where they were ordered to do so. As it was
the rainy season, and the troops were dying, I com-
manded them to withdraw, leaving garrisons at
convenient points, and well provisioned, in order that
they might overrun the country and destroy their
rice and grain. I believe that, because of this, these
people will not revolt again nor raise any disturbance.
On the contrary, I think that in due time they will be
pacified thoroughly. The relation of what was done,
accompanies this letter.
All of Cagayan has been as quiet as Manila for
many days and months. Tributes are being collected
from the encomiendas that remained to be pacified
and subdued. A memorandum of encomiendas and
villages explored lately, with an account of the dis-
covery of Tuy, accompanies this letter.
I enclose, with the duplicate, also the relation of the
late exploration of Tuy, in which I stated that my son
Don Luis would remain there, in order to make an-
other entrance of not less importance, of which I had
a reliable report and account. It happened that,
having gone upon this errand, and having arrived
with the soldiers that he was taking to the province of
Ylocos, through which he had to pass, he was taken
ill, in the month of October, with attacks of fever.
This sickness was very severe, and he came here to be
treated; and, although he is doing well, he has not
entirely recovered his strength. Almost all the sol-
diers fell sick at the same time, as that district is at
that season very unhealthful. Captain Don Alonso de
Sotomayor died, as well as some of the soldiers there.
Others were brought to the city sick, and so the ex-
pedition had to be abandoned until a more favorable
opportunity.
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 243
On account of these expeditions and pacifications,
and because their country is not very healthful (and
particularly so this year), both for Spaniards and
Indians, a number of the soldiers have died, so that,
from the total of four hundred, I have but two hun-
dred left. And although this fort, in its present
condition, can be defended by a much smaller force
than formerly, yet without it, there would be no safe
position. Since Espafia is at such a distance, when
reenforcements arrive half of the former troops will
have died. If in any one year (as has happened)
there should fail to be a ship from Castilla, it is pitiful
to see the state of this land. Moreover - as I report
elsewhere to your Majesty, and send papers thereon -
for the new danger from hostile Japanese, against
which I am guarding, I need troops, in order to
defend a land so destitute and far away that it cannot
expect succor in time of necessity. Although I have
sent earnest petition therefor to Mexico, I think that
they will neglect my request, just as they do every-
thing else, unless they see an order from your Majesty.
I beseech your Majesty to have compassion for this
new plant of the faith of Jesus Christ, which costs
your Majesty and your subjects so dearly to establish
and preserve. May your Majesty grant me grace and
send me troops, and let those who come be from those
realms of Castilla - a matter of moment and impor-
tance - and not the Creoles or exiles from Mexico. I
should also be provided with ammunition, arms, and
men to cast artillery. An order should be sent to
Mexico to supply me with money, to meet the needs
and contingencies. I trust in our Lord, and in the ex-
cellent arrangement and plan that this city is
assuming, that if there are supplied barely sufficient
244 " THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
troops to defend a town of this size, your Majesty
need not fear all Xapon, nor any other more powerful
enemy that might attack us. This I discuss at greater
length elsewhere; but here I only remind your Maj-
esty of the completion of this fort, and the necessity of
troops therein, as also of the workmen and their wages
for which, in my former letters, I have petitioned
your Majesty.
By a decree which I have received here from your
Majesty, I am ordered to make inquiries as to whether
there is quicksilver here, or if it can be brought from
the Chinese realms and taken to Mexico, and at what
price. I will say that I have dealt with these Chinese,
and they are so distrustful that unless the money is
given them beforehand, they will not bring the goods
the following year. It is true, nevertheless, that they
guarantee the fulfilment of their commission. They
ask one hundred ducats for a pico of quicksilver, the
equivalent of one hundred and thirty Castilian libras.
If this price is satisfactory, will your Majesty order
as suits your royal pleasure ; for they can bring from
their land whatever quantity is desired. May ourLord
preserve your Majesty for many long years, with in-
crease of better kingdoms and seigniories, as is needed
for Christendom. At Manila, May xxxi, 1592.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
RULES FOR THE MANILA HOSPITAL
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of
Santiago, governor and captain-general of these
islands and districts of the West, for the king, our
sovereign. Inasmuch as it is advisable, for the service
of God, to reform certain matters in the royal hospital
of this city that require such remedy, and to decide
and establish other matters for its better government
and service, for the welfare of its poor sick, and for
the perpetuity of the said hospital, as it is a work of so
great piety and so much needed in this community:
Therefore, by this present, he ordained and ordered
that the following articles be observed and kept to the
letter, as permanent rules and regulations.
I. First, because sick persons are received in the
said hospital, who are not of the character and station
entitling them to admission, many annoyances result;
for some of them are wealthy, and others are servants
of certain persons from whom they receive pay and
wages. By receiving these persons into the hospital,
contrary to right, they occupy the places and beds
which more properly should belong to his Majesty's
poor soldiers, the workmen of this colony, and the
other poor, for whom hospitals are chiefly established.
And, that there may be system in this, and that ex-
pense to the hospital may be avoided, and so that the
246 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
expense incurred be for those persons whose due it is,
he ordained and ordered that, now and henceforth,
the hours for receiving sick persons shall be from six
in the morning until five in the afternoon; and that
the head chaplain, or his substitute, and the physician
or physicians who may be there, and the steward,
surgeon, and nurse of the said hospital be present at
the entrance and reception of patients. These he
ordered and commanded not to receive any sick
except workmen or paid soldiers of this colony, paid
sailors, and the sick and needy poor; there is no re-
striction on the admission of such, whether they are
servants of the king or not. In case any sick person is
received without the previous order and consultation
above-mentioned (unless some of the said hospital
officials are lawfully prevented), or if the sick person
belongs to the classes who ought not to be received,
then he who shall have received him shall incur and
bear the penalty of paying all the expenses incurred
by the hospital for such sick person.
2. Item : It is ordained that, when a sick person
is received, his name shall be taken down, with the
date and hour of his entrance. He shall come con-
fessed, or shall confess immediately; shall declare
whether he is married or single, and whether he has
father or mother; and an inventory shall be made of
the possessions and clothes that he brings to the hospi-
tal - so that, when he comes to leave the hospital, his
property and that of the said hospital may be known.
And if the property should have to be used for the
repose of his soul, or left to any other heir, the same
consideration and account must be observed.
3. In order that this be observed with rigor and
care, a book of accounts shall be kept, wherein shall
1591-1593] RULES FOR HOSPITAL 247
be entered, by day and hour, the names of the sick
who are received, and the exit of those who leave or
die, since all the wealth of the hospital consists in al-
lowances and income.
4. Likewise, in order that there may be greater
neatness and order, there shall be a numbered ward-
robe, in which shall be kept the clothes of the hos-
pital, and the clean and reserve clothes, respectively -
the blankets being kept in one place, the sheets and
the other white clothes in another, and the bandages
to be used for wounds and sores in another. Great
care must be taken in this division; and it is very
advisable to keep the clothes and garments of those
sick with contagious diseases in a place by themselves.
Likewise the clothes and garments of those who enter
shall be washed and laid aside with memoranda as to
the owner of each garment, so that if he recover, it
may be returned to him clean and neat; or if he
should die and it must be sold, either for the repose
of his soul or for the hospital, that it may be in good
order and condition.
5. Item : There shall be two porters who shall
serve by the week. They shall take oath not to allow
anything to be given to any sick person, except by
permission of the doctor. The hospital door shall be
locked at seven at night, without fail, and cannot be
opened.
6. Item : There shall be an apothecary shop in-
side the said hospital, so that medicines can be fur-
nished to the sick more easily and at less cost; and
the apothecary shall not give or hand out any med-
icines except by order of the physician, either on his
own account or that of the said hospital.
7. Item: The head chaplain or another (his
248 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
substitute) shall always sleep in the hospital, in order
to administer the sacraments to the sick.
8. Item : The nurse shall have two deputies for
service, so that watch may be kept in turn through
the quarters of the night, and attention given to the
service and sudden needs of the sick. For this pur-
pose it is ordered that the chaplain, as above stated,
and the nurse, steward, apothecary, and all the serv-
ants, shall always sleep in the hospital.
9. Item : No person connected with the hospital
shall keep swine or have other means of gain in the
hospital.
10. Item: A book shall be kept, in which shall
be set down the alms given by charitable persons to
the hospital, whether in money, clothes, and food,
or other things.
11. The food of the sick shall be received and
placed under the head of ordinary expense of the
hospital; and at mealtimes, the physician shall be
present at the distribution of food to the sick, in order
to see that his orders are observed; and the steward
likewise, if not lawfully prevented.
12. Item: Those who are sick of contagious
diseases shall be treated separately, and their service
of beds and clothes and their food shall be kept sep-
arate from those of the other sick; and much care
shall be taken in this.
13. Item : A book shall be kept wherein to enter
the income of the hospital, whether from tributes and
annual pensions, or from other sources of income or
profit possessed by the hospital. Likewise there shall be
a book for the entry of alms and legacies bequeathed
to the hospital by the dying, as well as those collected
and sent to it by charitable persons, in either money
1591-1593] RULES FOR HOSPITAL 249
or fowls, or anything else, so that the steward in whose
care they shall be placed may have them all credited
in the said book, and so that there may be a full ac-
count of everything. There shall also be another
book in which to enter the clothing, beds, ornaments,
and other furniture acquired by the hospital; and it
shall be kept by the person in whose charge they are.
There shall be another book in which to enter the
names of the sick, with the day, month, and year of
their entrance; and the deaths and the departures,
also with the date. Likewise there shall be another
book of the allowances, wages, and pay spent in the
hospital, both of its sick and of its officials, entering
therein the tickets of admission of the sick.
[Endorsed: " Rules of the Manila hospital." ]
EXPEDITION TO TUY
When we went upon this expedition to Tuy, the
Indians surrendered of their own free will, and no
blood was shed, solely through the efforts of two
religious who accompanied Don Luys. Then they
gave only their tribute of recognition in beads and a
trifle of adulterated gold. And so that it might not
appear that the tribute was to be collected imme-
diately, they were given one year's respite, within
which the Spaniards would return to collect it. They
bound themselves to pay it. In order not to break
faith, we shall not return there until the time limit
has expired ; and, even then, I shall see to it that when
we return they shall not be oppressed in any way, in
order to compel them to give the whole tribute. They
shall give only what they are willing to, because we
have furnished them no instruction; nor have we
effected a settlement, as I expected - because of the
few people we have, on account of the death of many
of them, and because I am deliberating whether I
should make a settlement in Tuy itself, as it is the
capital, or at place thirty or forty leagues from Caga-
yan, up the river, opposite Tuy, and midway between
Cagayan and Tuy. This year we shall go thither, and
and I hope, with God's help, to found the settlement
and attain the success that is desirable. As I had to
1591-1593] EXPEDITION TO TUY 25 1
encounter the Zambales, who were attacking me,
everything could not be done. The land there is very
fertile, and the climate more temperate than this.
The Indians are robust, intelligent, and energetic.
All the houses are large and quite well constructed.
The villages contain about five hundred or more in-
habitants. Two crops of rice are gathered, one being
irrigated, and the other allowed to grow by itself.
The land contains deer, buffaloes, swine, goats, poul-
try, anise, ginger, cotton, and many wild fruits. The
people display more politeness and good manners
than all the others. They have places set apart where
they discuss public matters. They say that public
affairs must not be discussed in the houses with
women. When asked if they had enemies, they an-
swered, " Yes, we would have them if we would leave
our land to commit depredations. But we are not
like you Castilians, who rob everywhere." They
recognize no king among themselves, nor any other
sovereignty than to have a chief in each village, who
is over all, and whom all of that one village alone
recognize. I trust, God helping, that this plan may
be fully carried out this year. Sealed at Manila,
June I, 1592.
TWO LETTERS FROM DASMARINAS TO
FELIPE II
Sire:
Immediately upon my arrival last year, I wrote
your Majesty what I observed in the disposition
of the licentiate Pedro de Rrojas, my counselor -in
the little while in which I could study him - that he
was very fond of his own opinion, and of meddling
with what did not concern him. This resulted from
his office, since he wished to reduce everything per-
taining to war and administration to justice. I also
stated that he considered his commission and mine as
identical, with no distinction between them ; and that
I thought him moved by and wedded to his opinion.
Now that by intercourse with him, I know him bet-
ter, I am able, in accordance with what I owe your
Majesty's service, again to [break in the original
M*S.] he is indeed so sure and certain of his opinion
that it appears to him that with four courses at Sala-
manca [break in MS.'] other letters or judicature
but his; and that he knows everything, and others
nothing. Regarding this, he uses very free and dis-
respectful language, shutting himself up in his reso-
lution, from which there is no drawing him. And
hence there happened to me one day with him what
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 253
your Majesty will see by the enclosed investigation,^*
which I send, only that your Majesty may know what
passed, and the liberty with which he talks and acts.
It is not a new thing, since he antagonized and quar-
reled with President Sanctiago de Vera, as is evident
by the investigation I send thereof ; he certainly has
very little fondness for peace, and is inclined to dis-
putes and arguments. As the royal Audiencia was
here so haughty and domineering, he retains that au-
thority and harshness, with which he tries to reduce
all others as his vassals. In the matters of justice that
he discusses, he is unable to be impartial, but is in
many matters very biased. This is because of his
trading and trafficking, which the president and all
the auditors carried on from the time of their arrival
- and with so great avidity, trying to secure it all to
themselves, that I find no rich men here beside them.
This is the reason why Rojas (as I inform your Maj-
esty in a separate letter) and the auditors opposed the
pancada,^^ in order that the consignments of money
sent by them to China for merchandise might not be
known -which, at last, have come to light. More-
over, as they were unwilling to pay, on the present
shipment to Espafia, the two per cent that I levied as
a tax for the wall, they opposed it; and they stirred
up on both questions the bishop and friars. I inform
your Majesty of these things in another letter, and of
the manner in which I have cleared up all doubts re-
garding them, and ascertained the investments of the
present year, as appears by the accompanying paper.
^* The document here mentioned is an official report of cer-
tain conversations between Dasmarinas and Rojas; it is not pre-
sented here, because it is of little importance or interest.
^^ Contract for disposing of goods by wholesale.
254 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
If the matter of inspection and the residencia held
here had fallen to my order and commission, as it fell
to that of the viceroy of Nueva Espana, I would have
proved to your Majesty the investments of past years.
I wish to say but two things, pertaining to your Maj-
esty's service, and which I ought to say. One is that
the licentiate Rrojas, in this country, where he is so
busied with these means of gain, is so puffed up with
the authority and name of auditor, and with his other
abilities, that I believe that he will not serve your
Majesty so well in this country as in another, where
these opportunities are wanting. The other thing is
that I do not consider it fitting to the royal service of
your Majesty to give a man who should have served
your Majesty in a similar place here, anything in
Mexico; for as such men go delighted with their in-
terests and gains from trade here, they are fettered
and biased by their relations with the trade of this
country, which always [break in MS.~\ objects and
profits, and not in accord with the common welfare
and perpetuity of these islands. In both of these mat-
ers your Majesty will determine what is most im-
portant for your royal service. May our Lord pre-
serve and prosper your Majesty for many long years,
as Christendom has need.
Manila, June vi, 1592.^^
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
[Addressed : " To the king, our sovereign."]
[Endorsed: "To His Majesty, 1592. Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas. June 6." " A place has already
been given him as alcalde of Mexico, although the
^^ An extensive synopsis made by some government clerk is
w^ritten on the back of this letter.
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE 11 255
matters reported in this letter are not remedied there-
by."] .
[Accompanying the letter, and on a separate fold
of paper, is the following:]
Register of merchandise carried in the ship *' Sant
Felippe "
I, Juan de Cuellar, notary of mines and registers,
certify that, in the galeon " Sant Felippe " now ready
to set sail for Nueva Espana, from the port of Cavite,
this present year of five hundred and ninety-one, the
persons named below are exporting the following
bales and boxes of merchandise :
Bales Boxes
Don Frai Domingo de Salazar, bishop
of the Philippinas, fifteen bales and
thirty-three boxes. ... xv xxxiii
The president Santiago de Vera, with
the others contained in his memoran-
dum, sixty bales and twenty-nine
boxes. ...... Ix xxix
Pedro Hernandez, for the licentiate
Rojas, former auditor of the royal
Audiencia, and present counselor,
etc., nineteen bales and four boxes, xix iiii
The auditor Don Antonio de Rribera
Maldonado, fifty-two bales and
twenty boxes. .... Hi xx
The licentiate Ayala, fiscal, twenty-
seven bales and seventeen boxes. xxvii xvii
The dean of Manila cathedral, in the
said vessel and in that of Juan Pablo,
thirteen bales and seven boxes. . xiii vii
256
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
Bales Boxes
Estevan Gonzales, canon of the said
church, five bales and three boxes. . v iii
The licentiate Herver del Corral, visi-
tor of the royal Audiencia of Manila,
eighteen bales and one box. . . xviii i
The schoolmaster of the Manila
cathedral, six bales. . . . vi
Father Cervantes, ecclesiastic, three
bales and six boxes. . . .iii vi
The beneficiary Juan Gutierrez, two
boxes ii
Father Rodrigo de Morales, eccle-
siastic, three bales. . . . iii
Father Crisanto de Tamayo, ecclesias-
tic, two bales. . . . . ii
Benito Gutierrez, ecclesiastic, two
bales ii
And in order that this might be evident, I give
the present, signed with my name and the usual
flourishes. Given in Manila, June four, one thou-
sand five hundred and ninety-one.
Juan de Cuellar, notary of registers.
Sire:
In another letter I have informed your Majesty
of my fears of Japanese enemies. After that
letter and packet were closed, and the ships about to
leave, it happened that the ambassadors of whom we
had advices came here in a ship that made port on
the twenty-ninth of May. On the thirty-first, they
delivered to me the letter from that king, enclosed in
a box of wood one and one-half varas in length and
painted white. Inside this was another box of the
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 257
same proportions, excellently painted, varnished, and
polished in black, with some medium-sized gilded
iron rings and some large cords of red silk. Within
this box was another one painted in various colors -
yellow and gold -with its large iron rings and cords
of white and violet silk, both covered with damask.
In this third box, wrapped in a stout, wide paper,
painted and gilded, was the letter, written with
Chinese characters in the Japanese language, on stout
paper, illumined and gilded with great neatness.
The letter is even larger than the sealed bulls from
Rroma, on parchment, and is sealed with two painted
seals stamped in red. I am not sending the originals,
because you have no one who can translate them
there; while they will be needed here, perchance, for
what must be done to affirm the embassy, and even
for objects and matters of importance that we might
be able to discuss, by virtue of these letters, with the
king of China. Therefore I enclose only one copy
of the letter, in accordance with the best and most
exact translation that could be made here; and an-
other copy made for me by the emperor himself, by
means of an interpreter. Although these two copies
differ somewhat, they agree in their essential point,
namely, the demand for recognition and obedience,
made with the arrogance and barbaric haughtiness
that your Majesty will find in them. They also
brought, resting in small boxes, a letter from the
king's chamberlain (one of the grandees of that
kingdom), another from their captain-general and
another from the king of Firando ; and at other times
letters have been written to the governors here. I am
also sending the translated copies of these letters, from
which your Majesty will see the determination and
2^8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
resolution of that king; and that we are not harboring
suspicions, but veritably expect him here by October
of this year or the beginning of next. I have as-
sembled the orders, as is due to the respect and name
of religion - giving them all needed information, and
asking them only whether they thought that it was
fitting to answer to this tyrant, and in what form. I
did the same with the captains and war-officers of
these islands - those of the best judgment - in whom
I place the greatest confidence. To these I com-
municated the matter in all its details ; and, after dis-
cussing it thoroughly with them, and after they had
all consulted together, it was decided that this letter
of which I am sending your Majesty a copy, should
be written. The said persons affixed their signatures
thereto, in token of approbation ; and it is in my pos-
session. My purpose in sending a person to Japon,
and in answering his letter, is, as your Majesty will
see plainly, only to divert his attention and put him
off, until the repairs and fortifications and the reen-
forcements that I am expecting are well assured ; and
to prevent him from being informed by his ambassa-
dor of matters here, so quickly as the latter could in-
form him. I also plan that, by means of the envoy
going from here, I may know and be advised of af-
fairs there, by one way or another. Therefore, when
he comes, we shall know it, and be forewarned. Even
now this place is in a reasonable state of defense ; and
I even trust that, God helping, the enemy will find
more resistance than his barbarous confidence
promises him. I beseech your Majesty to be pleased
to provide in this what is most advisable for your
Majesty's service. And for the future - and because
it may arrive late for this emergency, as is expected -
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 259
will your Majesty ordain that Mexico shall furnish
what pertains to its part. For, if I ask for troops,
they send me twenty men, who die before they arrive
here; and none are born here. And if I ask for am-
munition, they laugh at me, censure me, and say that
I ask impossible things. They retain there the freight
money and the duties ; and if they should send to this
state what is yours, your Majesty would have to spend
but little from your royal patrimony. And, just as
they forget us in everything, I fear that they will do
so in this. Surely it is advisable to send troops here,
and to have this matter attended to, well and con-
tinuously, from Mexico ; for, as long as this state of
affairs continues and the fortification goes on, the
inhabitants are being punished by greater anxiety;
as they cannot see that this is taken as a matter of
general course and in earnest, and the fortifications
are being continued - which is, I believe, the chief
reason why Japon is moved to try to obstruct it.
Your Majesty will ordain what is most to your serv-
ice. May our Lord preserve your Majesty many
long years, as Christendom requires. Manila, June
II, 1592.^^
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
[Endorsed: " Manila. To his Majesty. 1592.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas. June 11."]
^'^ An extensive synopsis of the letter was made by one of the
government clerks.
AN EMBASSY FROM JAPAN
LETTER FROM THE KING OF JAPAN
It is more than one thousand years since Japon has
been governed by one sovereign. During this period
the wars and dissensions among the rulers of the
country were so many, that it was impossible to send
a letter from one part to the other; until now the
Lord of Heaven has willed that the country be united
in my time, and that it be reduced to my obedience.
In accomplishing this, everything was so favorable
to me, that as yet I have lost no battle, but have been
victorious in every one for ten years. Likewise I
have conquered the island of Lequio, which was not
under my sway, and Acoray [Korea] f^ and even
from Eastern Yndia embassies have been sent to me.
Now I am about to invade Great China in order to
conquer it, for heaven, and not my forces, has prom-
ised it to me. I am much surprised that that country
of the island of Luzon has not sent me ambassador
or messenger, and I was therefore of a mind, on my
way to China, to attack Manila with my fleet, were
it not that Faranda, a Japanese noble, told me of the
^^The conquest of Korea was not accomplished until 1592,
although the preceding year had been spent in vigorous prepara-
tions for the campaign. Hideyoshi evidently made this statement
in boastful anticipation of success. His design was to conquer, at
one blow, both Korea and China.
1591-1593] EMBASSY FROM JAPAN 261
good treatment accorded to my vassals, the Japanese
traders, who go to those islands from here. When I
asked him if the ruler there was my friend, he an-
swered and assured me that, if I should send a letter
to the governor, he would send me an ambassador.
And should he not do it, since I am well established
in my kingdom, I am so powerful that I have men
who can go to conquer any kingdom whatever. Al-
though this messenger is a man of low rank, I have
accredited him, because of the good account he gives.
And also, since I am not sending the troops I thought
to send, I shall descend, within two months, from
where I am now, to Nanguaya, my seaport, where
are stationed the forces composing my army; and if
an ambassador comes to me there from those islands,
and I ascertain that the governor is my friend, I
shall lower my banner in token of friendship. If an
ambassador is not sent, I shall unfurl my banner ^^
and send an army against that country to conquer it
with a multitude of men; so that that country will
repent at not having sent me an ambassador. In
order to become the friend of the Spaniards, I am
sending this embassy from Miaco, in the year 19,
[sic] from the country of Japon, to the country of
Lugon.*"
[Endorsed: " Copy of the letter from the king of
Japon."]
^^ The device of Hideyoshi was a bundle of gourds.
*** As explained in the letter of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, of
June II, 1592. (q.v. p. 256, ante), two copies of the translation of
this letter into Spanish were sent to Spain. The above, which is
the second in the document we follow, bears title " The same
letter translated by the ambassador, through an interpreter." The
other copy was the one made by order of the governor in Manila.
262 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
LETTER FROM THE CHAMBERLAIN, TIAU KIT*^
Although we have never before had any corre-
spondence, I am writing this present letter in all
courtesy. Next year, our great prince, Quampec,*^
is going to make war on China; and unless it renders
homage to him, together with all the other king-
doms (notwithstanding their distance from here),
and pays him tribute, he will send his soldiers to
seize their land. On this account, all the neighbor-
ing kingdoms have rendered homage to him and
obeyed his commands. Likewise he was thinking of
making war on that rich kingdom of yours ; but Gu-
antien informed a certain member of the council, who
in turn informed Quanpec, that war would be un-
necessary, if without it tribute were sent, and that this
would certainly be done, if you were advised of the
As the governor states in his letter, they are alike in essentials.
The first letter is dated " The year nineteen of Tienche, in the
ninth month, and on the nineteenth day of the month. The
Quanpec of the kingdom of Japon." See another version (in
Spanish) of the second letter, vv^ith still other variations, in Santa
Ines's Cronica, ii, pp. 545-547 ; the editor of that work states that
the date of the letter - which, however, is there given as " the 13th
year of Tenjo, nth month "- corresponds to the year 1591.
^^ This letter, as found in the archives, is written on a separate
sheet and is inserted in the fold of the following letter.
*^ A corruption of Kuwambaku, the Japanese designation of a
regent appointed by the Mikado. The holder of this office at the
time here referred to was Hideyoshi, one of the most notable rulers
of Japan. Born in 1536, he entered the army when a youth, and
rapidly rose to its head. He was appointed regent in 1586, but in
1591 abdicated in favor of his adopted son, Hidetsugu - retaining,
however, actual authority until his death in 1598. This embassy to
the Spaniards in the Philippines was but one evidence of Hide-
yoshi's insatiate arrogance and ambition; for he planned to sub-
jugate China and all the other countries within his reach. For
the history of his reign, see J. J. Rein's Japan (London, 1884), pp.
277-294; David Murray's Story of Japan (N. Y., 1894), PP- 184,
190226; and W. E. Griffis's Mikado's Empire (5th ed., N. Y.,
1887), pp. 236-243.
1591-1593] EMBASSY FROM JAPAN 263
intention of the kingdom and court of Japon. Act-
ing upon this suggestion, I am writing the present let-
ter; let us promptly consult together. I am one of
the grandees of the kingdom. Therefore your king-
dom can sleep secure, and you need have no fear or
hesitation; but discuss all secret matters with him
whom I send, who is my confidential man. With all
due courtesy. The year 19, Tienchen,^^ the ninth
month and eleventh day. From Siaulyuquiu.
The Chamberlain
[Endorsed: " Copy of the chamberlain's letter."]
LETTER FROM DASMARINAS TO THE RULER
OF JAPAN
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,** knight of the order of
Santiago, governor and captain-general in these is-
lands, great archipelago, and districts of the West,
for the king, our sovereign, Don Phelipe the Second,
king of Castilla, Leon, Aragon, the two Sicilies, Jeru-
salem, Portugal, Navarra, Granada, Cerdena, Cor-
^^ The Japanese calendar was based upon the lunar year ; and
the years were divided into cycles of sixty years each. Besides this
division, there is another and more arbitrary one, into periods be-
tween important historical events, which divisions are named from
a list of Chinese words specially set aside for this purpose. The
name used in this document, Tienchen, is that of one of these
historical periods ; it is written " Tensho " by Griffis, and its dates
given as 1573-92. See Rein's Japan, pp. 434-437; and Griffis's
Mikado's Empire, pp. 623-626.
The place from which the letter was written was probably the
town of Shiuri, the chief port of the Riu Kiu (or Loo Choo) Is-
lands, known to the Spaniards as Lequios. See Basil Hall's " Bib-
liography of Luchu," in Transactions of Asiatic Society of Japan,
xxiv, pp. i-ii.
** A difEerent version of this letter is given by Santa Ines, ii,
pp. 547-549.
264 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
cega, Murgia, Jaen, the Algarves, Aljecira, Jibraltar,
the Eastern and Western Yndias, and the islands and
mainland of the Ocean Sea; archduke of Austria;
duke of Borgona, Bravante, and Milan; count of
Abspurg, Flandes, Bretana, Tirol, etc. : to the very
exalted and powerful prince and seignior, Quamboc^
after all due respect, wishes health and perpetual
happiness. Faranda Mango Schiro, a Japanese vas-
sal of yours,^^ and a Christian, arrived in this city,
bringing me news of your royal person, at which I
rejoiced exceedingly; for, because of your greatness,
and the worth and prudence with which the God of
heaven has endowed you, I am much affectioned un-
to you. Some days ago Faranda gave me a letter,
which - although it seemed to be in its form and
authority, and even in the gravity and style of its
language, a document despatched by so great a
prince - yet, since the messenger was below the rank
and quality requisite to the royal name of him who
sends him, and of the one to whom he is sent, and
the importance and greatness of the embassy, I have
doubted, on the one score; and on the other, because
he is a man so common and poor, and coming in an
ordinary merchant vessel, which came hither for the
purpose of selling provisions and other articles. Be-
cause this took so long in coming hither, I have
doubted whether these letters were not written by
this man himself or by another, for some individual
end, so that by this means, he might receive more
attention here. Furthermore, as I have no accurate
*^ La Concepcion states {Historia, if, pp. 217, 218) that Fa-
randa had come to Manila in 1591, and, having carefully observed
the condition and defenses of that city, returned to Japan and in-
formed Faxevedono (Hideyoshi) that he could easily conquer the
Spanish colony in the Philippines.
1 591-1593] EMBASSY FROM JAPAN 265
interpreters thoroughly acquainted with both the
Japanese and Spanish languages, as has been like-
wise declared to me by the letter and embassy, I am
in doubt also of the true sense and purport of the
words of the letter. I think that if the king of Japon
wished to write me, he might, since he has in his
kingdom the fathers of the Society of Jesus and
other Spaniards, send me at least a copy of his let-
ter in my own language, through their medium. I
can say with truth that I have not even been able to
read or understand in toto the letter or embassy pre-
sented me by this man; and therefore, that he may
not have practiced any fraud or deceit toward your
royal person, or toward me, I have thought it best
to detain him here, until I could ascertain the truth
and will of the king of Japon, and what are his com-
mands and wishes. And in that doubt, because of
what I owe to even the semblance and appearance of
a letter and embassy from you, I have observed this
respect and courtesy of writing this reply to the small
portion of your letter that I understand, which has
been no more than Faranda has chosen to interpret
for me. Since I am sending the father vicar. Fray
Juan Cobo,^® a man of great virtue and goodness,
and of the highest estimation in these islands - from
whom, because of his prudence and worth, I seek
counsel, and to whom I communicate the most impor-
tant matters - he will express, in my name, the fullest
respect due to your exalted rank. For the honor of
*^ Juan Cobo was a prominent member of the Dominican order
in Manila. He accomplished his errand as envoy to Japan, but on
the return voyage was shipwrecked, presumably on the coast of
Formosa; it is supposed that any who might survive the wreck
were slain by the natives. See La Concepcion's Historia, ii, pp.
223-229.
266 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
the embassy, if it is really one, I give you many
thanks,*^ assuring you that I am and will remain
your friend ; and that, in the name of my king and
sovereign, the greatest monarch in the world, I shall
rejoice at your well-being and grieve over ill-for-
tune (which may the King of Heaven keep from
you) . Let it be taken for granted that I desire your
friendship, in the name of my king and sovereign,
because of the good reception and hospitality ex-
tended by your royal hands to the Spaniards, vassals
of my king, who have gone to Japon and Asia by way
of Eastern Yndia and these districts ; and because the
best treatment possible has been extended here to
your vassals and will be extended to them with the
same love. My king will consider it a favor to be
advised if the message brought to me by this man is
true. If it is such, then I shall respond to the friend-
ship due so great a prince, without any lack of my
duty and obligation to my king and sovereign, to
whom I shall immediately give account of this, in
order to ascertain what his orders shall be then. I
trust that this matter will result quite to the satisfac-
tion of two so great princes as my king and the king
of Japon; and that these discussions and conferences
in true friendship and alliance may redound to much
peace to the universal happiness of the world, and
to the glory of omnipotent God, the King of kings.
Inasmuch as certain presents have been sent me but
lately from Japon, which are of great value, I would
wish to have some rare and valuable products of our
Espana to send in return ; but, since weapons are the
articles most esteemed among soldiers, I am sending
you with this a dozen of swords and daggers. They
" Span., yo beso vfas Reales manos, " I kiss your royal hands."
1591-1593] EMBASSY FROM JAPAN 267
are the finest that we have, and you will receive them
from me as from a private person who desires your
well-being and greatness, with the good will with
which they are offered, and as a token of affection.
[I send only these, too,] because the bearer of this
letter is going only for the purpose of assuring me
of what I have stated above, so that we may have the
information here that is desired. May our Lord pre-
serve your royal person with great prosperity. Ma-
nila, June xi, 1592 years since the birth of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
[Endorsed: " Copy of the letter, from the king of
Japon - I mean, to the king."]
THREE LETTERS FROM GOVERNOR
DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II
Sire:
Last year I wrote to your Majesty that I had ar-
rived in this city of Manila, on the first of June of
the year ninety, having been nine months on the way,
counting the time I spent in Mexico recruiting
troops; the total of these was two hundred and sev-
enty soldiers, including those I brought from Spain.
On my arrival here, I ordered the soldiers whom I
had brought, inasmuch as they were drawing pay
from your Majesty, to mount guard and do sentry
duty, posting sentinels at the forts, and excusing those
whom I found here, and the townspeople, from act-
ing as sentinels. Although I understood that they
were very grateful to me, and that they kissed your
Majesty's hands, for this; and as there was, on other
accounts, no reason why they should fail to do their
duty; still, some ungrateful rogues counseled the sol-
diers that they should resist authority, and that they
should not perform their guard duty, or carry their
muskets - all of which, they said, was only to make
trouble for them. Besides, they did other things well
worthy of punishment. Along with this fiction, they
instantly bombarded me with memorials and impor-
tunities for rewards for services. I assure your Maj-
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 269
esty truthfully that, even if you had here three hun-
dred encomiendas and a like number of offices, you
could not recompense them for their services, which
they exaggerate and overestimate beyond what they
have actually performed for your Majesty. The most
deserving of them merits very little, unless it be a re-
ward for having conducted himself with great free-
dom, and for having destroyed the property com-
mitted to his charge. I do not in conscience feel that
your Majesty is under any obligation in this country,
beyond that of rendering justice for past excesses. I
could easily give your Majesty a detailed account;
but, not to be prolix, I shall leave it until the especial
thing that demands reform here has been somewhat
remedied - and this is in regard to the soldiers of
this land. For in their begging for favor they are
all in need of reform; for it is through many sick-
nesses, and through being dependents of the members
of the Audiencia, and in like manner, that they have
been deprived of their gains.
Likewise, I found here not a ship or a galley, not
a libra of iron or of copper, or any powder except
what I brought from Mexico - forty quintals. Not
a braza of rope did I find, nor balls for ten pieces
of artillery which are here. These are very insuffi-
cient for the needs of the place ; for four of them are
swivel-guns, and another, a large piece, is neither
culverin, cannon, nor sacre; nor do any here under-
stand how to manage it, except by chance; there is
no account of it, no design, and no name for it. There
are no storehouses, with the exception of a shed where
there is a little rice; and an enclosure where have
been put the wood and remains of three rotted gal-
leys, which were built but never launched. Their
270 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
timbers are all rotted, and the oars of the galleys
also. The enclosure contains, as well, a makeshift
turret where the little powder that they had was kept,
and where I put what I brought; but unfortunately
we had a fire, and now it is all gone. In order to
collect these necessary supplies from those places
where it is not proper to keep them, I resolved to
build storehouses, and have constructed four, where
we are placing what comes - such as iron (for I con-
fiscate it all), rigging (which is being made, for the
sake of having some in reserve), rope, lead, and rice.
Shovels, pickaxes, and spades are being made, because
of the great need for them. Ammunition I planned
to obtain in the following way: I sent to Macan a
ship which I found here, and which had been de-
spatched hither from Mexico by the Marques of
Villamanrrique (bound for Macan, as he said) -
after taking from it guarantees to the amount of fif-
teen thousand pesos that it should make the voyage to
Macan and return, bringing the ammunition. I sent
also a regidor, Pedro Debrito by name, with a copy
of the warrant that your Majesty gave me, authoriz-
ing me to do this ; but up to this time he has not re-
turned. Some Chinese who have come from there
say that the ship has been captured by Portuguese,
and sent to India. I can scarcely maintain my posi-
tion for the lack of ammunition, which is great- and
greater than ever just at the present time, for twenty-
two Chinese ships have come, without bringing a
libra of copper, of saltpeter, or of powder; and they
say that under peril of their lives they had been
forced to dispose of them. They say the same of
horses and black cattle. As for the affairs of this
city, the need of thorough equipment is very great,
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE H 271
for it has almost nothing, not even a prison; and that
under an Audiencia, as your Majesty will see by that
report. Neither are there any fortifications, so I
have devoted myself to providing for what is most
necessary, namely, safety. I began the walls at the
point, where a fort was being built. I have made it
with its curtains and traverses, placing the traverses
symmetrically as regards one another. It is one and
one-half estados from the ground, and the founda-
tion is of the same depth. It is from sixteen to twelve
and eight feet wide on top, according to the plan.
The creek of the sea stretches up to the fort, in all
about one thousand brazas in length; and while it
would not do more, it will serve as a very good trench.
On account of this fort and wall I have increased the
import duty here on all articles from China, such as
pepper and other things. Likewise, playing-cards
were seized in your Majesty's name. With this the
work was begun, but was about to stop for lack of
funds; and, assuming that your Majesty does not
possess them, and orders me also to fortify this city
and be responsible for order in it, it seemed best to me
to levy a tax for this purpose on the property of all
those from different places who were settled here, and
on the inhabitants in general. This I did, charging
two per cent, in consideration of the many and great
profits. Inasmuch as this affected the property of the
president, the auditors, the bishop, the clergy, and
those in benefices, they immediately held secret meet-
ings and declared that I was incurring the censure of
the bull of the Lord's Supper. As is a very common
proceeding for the bishop and the Dominican friars,
because I will not let them go to Espana to seek many
things from your Majesty " very important to the
272 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 8
welfare of these islands," I am now excommunicated;
the Franciscans are now saying the same thing be-
cause I have forbidden them to go to China and
Japan, and now to Espana. So great is the freedom
and assurance of these saintly folk that they say they
will go whether I will or no ; that I am the most ill-
tempered man in the world, the most cruel, intoler-
able, and wicked ; and that it is from fear that I will
not let them go. In response to this, I say that I be-
seech your Majesty to be pleased to hear them and pe-
ruse their letters, and to appoint a person and time, so
that the truth may be known; for, if the truth be
known, for me and for the vindication of whatever
they may say, I am sure that no man in this country
can injure me in the least degree. This is the truth,
and even though other motives unite with malice and
evil intention, I am not concerned a maravedi in my
honor or another's honor, or any sign of it. If this be
not so, may neither God nor your Majesty protect me.
What I find here is plenty of debts, which your
Majesty owes for the services of the poor Indians, and
for the work and material on the public buildings,
all of which the Audiencia failed to pay; and for the
salaries of chaplain, chancellor, bailiffs, and others,
the total of which must amount to more than thirty
thousand pesos ; and there is nothing here with which
to pay them.
In order to obviate the discomfort of the soldiers,
who are quartered some in one place, some in another,
among the inhabitants; and to prevent the quarrels
into which they get with the people, I have built for
them barracks of stone and brick which are now
finished, and which will accommodate four hundred.
They are near the official buildings and a small fort
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 273
which I have made, where they may keep their flags,
and where they may be assembled and at hand, and
safe from the misfortune of fire, when there is need of
such safety.
With your Majesty's permission, I must state that
I regret the trade of these Chinese, for it seems to me
injurious. It might be forbidden on the ground of
the great sums of money which they take from these
islands to foreign countries. The most of the trade
is in cotton stufifs - the material for which they take
from this country in the first place, and bring it back
woven. The natives here could just as well make
these, if they chose, of their own cotton, and even
better than those which come from China. They
could export them to Mexico, and could have a trade
worth four hundred thousand pesos. This would lead
to greater care in producing and cultivating the cot-
ton, because they would not have the Sangleys acting
as middlemen. The rest that they bring is silks, very
poor and sleazy, except some silk which is brought
in raw or spun into thread. This last, I fear, exceeds
in quantity that brought from the Spanish kingdoms;
and would interfere with your Majesty's royal reve-
nues from the silks of Granada, Murcia, and
Valencia, which would be most undesirable. Be-
sides this, there is another point deserving no slight
consideration - namely, that they (the Chinese) come
to these islands with freedom to sell their goods, and
even settle here, and frequently marry. They do not
permit us, however, to go to their country, nor may a
Spaniard go thither to invest one real - a custom
entirely contrary to freedom of trade. Therefore,
in order to avoid other undesirable results, I have
decreed that Chinese traders shall not live here under
274 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
the pretext of being merchants; but that only certain
workmen who are mechanics may remain, and that,
when their merchandise is sold, they shall return
home. The bishop and all the friars say that they
cannot thus be deprived of the liberty of coming and
settling here, and that no such commands or decrees
can in conscience be made for them. From the pul-
pits they say that the governor is going to hell, because
the Chinese have their laws, and we cannot dictate
to them unless we first govern ourselves according to
the laws and customs which we found among the
Indians of this country, because it was and is theirs.
In regard to what I have said concerning the trade
of these Chinese, I am doubtful on only one point -
namely, if this trade be abandoned, your Majesty will
lose the royal duties which this commerce brings in,
on the arrival and departure of the merchants. These
must amount to thirty or forty thousand pesos yearly,
lacking which, your Majesty would have to supply it
from your royal treasury in Mexico, or elsewhere, in
order to maintain the army here, and for other very
pressing expenses. I have set all this before your
Majesty, so that, having considered it on both sides,
your Majesty may inform me of your will.
The bishop is about to go to Spain,*^ and is so
wrought up over what touches his individual inter-
*^ Salazar embarked for Spain in this year of 1592, and after
his arrival there obtained from the king various favors, and a con-
siderable gratuity for the adornment of the Manila cathedral.
The king determined to relieve Salazar's burdens by erecting new
dioceses in the islands, and creating him archbishop. While
preparations for this v^^ere being made, the aged bishop died at
Madrid, Dec. 4, 1594. See La Concepcion's Hist, de Philipinas,
ii, pp. 192-194; also biographical sketch in Cartas de Indias, pp.
837, 838, where are mentioned his writings (one of which was
printed).
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 275
ests, and matters connected with his friars (as are all
of the latter), that he declares publicly that if I
would not let him go he would betake himself to a
desert, in order not to look upon injustices. Not the
least among these are the many murders of Indians,
very evil in the way in which they were committed,
and worse in their concealment for twelve years past;
and the failure to make restitution of great amounts,
received but not returned. Because I am remedying
this, with which neither the bishop nor his clergy
concern themselves, the bishop forces them to take
this attitude because the name of injustice irritates
him.
With great eagerness the bishop is making up some-
thing to say about me, taking great pains to get
information in regard to my life, and trying to bring
forward someone who could tell him something to
write. About a little amber which I bought a few
days ago, for my own use, and at my own expense, he
made many inquiries of the man who sold it - namely,
whether he had been paid for it, and how; besides
other things of which he has managed to get hold.
But since I am sure these charges against me will not
be believed, his base intention gives me no uneasiness.
May our Lord guard the Catholic person of your
Majesty for many long years, since Christendom has
need of you.
Manila, June 20, 1592.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
Sire:
By the letters I am writing your Majesty through
your royal Council of the Indias, your Majesty will
learn of all affairs here. It is advisable that your
276 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
Majesty be able to correct and provide as is most
fitting to your royal service. Although I advise in
those letters concerning the conditions of affairs here,
and what I think about each one, agreeably to the
nature of the events and affairs contained in the
letters, I am writing this letter, addressed to your
Majesty in person, so that it may serve merely as a
memorandum and reminder of certain matters that
most occupy and busy me. I set them down here in
small compass, in order not to fatigue your Majesty,
since I have already given a detailed account of
them by letters, memorials, informations, and reports
which I am sending to the Council, in which your
Majesty can ascertain what you may be pleased to
know.
In this land, as being so new, and where affairs
have not as yet the solidity and completeness requisite,
are many obstacles and impediments to its good gov-
ernment. One of them, and not the least, is the
power, authority, and even tyranny, with which the
bishop and religious have insinuated themselves into
and domineered over it. Nothing is attempted or
tried that they are not wont to oppose it; and nothing
is ordained or decreed here in which they do not
meddle and interfere, without being summoned or
consulted. They assert that they must pass their edict
of approval or disapproval on everything; so that
there are but few or no matters whose execution they
do not oppose and obstruct - saying that such and
such cannot be done or ordered, under penalty of
going to hell; and, in conjunction with the bishop,
they immediately excommunicate and terrorize, so
that the secular arm and hand of your Majesty has
not here the strength and freedom that it should have
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 277
for the execution of affairs. One of the things most
needing reform is that, as the bishop, according to
his caprice - and often in cases outside of his jurisdic-
tion - excommunicates and proceeds unjustly, doing
violence to the law ; and as there is no royal Audiencia
here to remove the excommunications : justice and
the despatch of business may suffer greatly, unless
your Majesty entrusts the governor here with power
to try such cases, and to lift and remove the ban, since
other recourse is so distant, and so many wrongs
might be perpetrated. For it is certain that, both in
this and in all other matters, the conduct of the bishop
and of the religious with so great power and license
is one of the most severe trials of this government;
because the bishop has a title as a saint (so that some
persons imitate him), and a man of upright life.
That I do not take it upon myself either to praise or
to censure. I have never seen a man more peculiar
or so inconsiderate and obstinate in his opinions, who
even does not hesitate to oppose the right of patron-
age, the jurisdiction, and the royal exchequer of your
Majesty. All this he judges and discusses as inju-
riously as the most utter foreigner, and even enemy,
would do. I say this with truth, on account of what
I owe to your Majesty's service ; and although I warn
him of the harm that he is doing, as it appears to me,
and although I am restraining myself in regard to
him with the moderation suitable in a land so slippery
and uncertain, he is wont to answer with monkish
liberty, what the king must do for him; and that, in-
asmuch as neither pope nor king can do him good
or ill, he is not at all concerned. He says that your
Majesty has no authority here; that to him is due
the conquest and conservation of this land; and that
278 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
he is not bishop for your Majesty, but for the pope.
What royal patronage he must observe, the pope de-
clares in his bulls, and not he who praying kept to his
bed. He talks with the same liberty in his theology
and judgments, since in order to prove his opinions,
he says that the universities of Salamanca and Alcala
(who do the contrary) are in error, and he right.
He declared also that those who should follow the
instruction of the Theatins here would go to hell ; and
that the doctrine of Father Acosta was heretical -
beside innumerable other things. And it is quite
certain that, since my arrival here, I have had in him
a continual opposition and obstacle to whatever is
ordered and done. If things are not quite to his taste,
he says that he will go into retirement, and abandon
everything. And the friars say the same thing -
namely, that they will abandon their doctrinas [i.e.,
Christian villages] if their power over the Indians is
taken away. This power is such that the Indians
recognize no other king or superior than the father
of the doctrina, and are more attentive to his com-
mands than to those of the governor. Therefore the
friars make use of them by the hundreds, as slaves,
in their rowing, works, services, and in other ways,
without paying them, and whipping them as if they
were highwaymen. In whatever pertains to the
fathers there is no grief or pity felt for the Indians;
but as for some service of your Majesty, or a public
work, in which an Indian may be needed, or as for
anything ordered from them, the religious are bound
to gainsay it, place it on one's conscience, hinder it,
or disturb everything. Without doubt, if I did not
exercise so much caution and moderation, some mu-
tiny or rebellion might arise, in a country so new, at
I59I-I593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 279
less Opportunities than those which the bishop and
his friars afford. For they do not content themselves
with opposing our proceedings in the tribunal of
conscience [fuero interior~\^ announcing them as sins
or cases against conscience; but also, as soon as they
assemble in their councils and enunciate their propo-
sitions, in the latter and in their pulpits they declare
these acts to be unjust, wrong, and worthy of restitu-
tion. Thereupon the bishop orders refusal of abso-
lution in confessions, excommunicates, and proceeds
in the outer court.*'' Thus if it is ordered in accord-
ance with your Majesty's commands that the citizens
alone discuss [any matters], they say that that is not
just, because it must be for the general welfare. And
if, by your Majesty's command, it is ordered that
the Chinese merchandise be bought at one price, the-
ology declares that no such thing can be ordered. If
it is decreed that the Indians, in order that they may
cultivate and weave their cotton, since it is so abun-
dant in the country, should not wear silks and Chinese
stuffs, nothing could be worse. No sooner is the ex-
cise, or the merchant's peso, or the two per cent duty
imposed for the wall, than it is against conscience
and the bull De cena Domini [" of the Lord's sup-
per "]. If I undertake to appoint magistrates to gov-
ern in peace and establish order among the Indians,
they say that I am setting the land on fire. If I pass
any sentence in accordance with the merits of the
case, there is murmuring, and [it is said] that such
a thing has never been seen in these islands; and
therefore there is no man more severe or of more
evil disposition than I. They assert also that not a
^® A court of canon and civil laws, in opposition to the inner
court, or tribunal of conscience. (See vol. vi, p. 260, note 51.)
28o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
single arquebus-match should be lighted here, or a
single soldier be kept; and that the pure gospel must
be preached. Thus, I behold myself, Sire, greatly
restricted by these obstacles, and even more by the
procedures of the bishop in matters in which he has
no jurisdiction, and which do not concern his office -
because those that do pertain to him, he has most for-
gotten. For I assure your Majesty as a Christian
that since my arrival here, although the work on the
church was no farther advanced than the raising of
the walls a matter of six varas, and enclosing a
court, never did he come to me so that we might
give orders to have even one brick placed in it. On
my faith, he has not been so forgetful of his own
house, for he has one so handsome and well-finished,
and from money for the restitutions, which was in
his possession. From these restitutions he gave pen-
sions to whomsoever he wished, and took such part
as he chose for his own house. Nor have I known
him, as long as I have been here, to consult in regard
to placing one minister of instruction where there
is none, or to convert one soul; but he has only op-
posed those who tried to provide instruction and to
be of service in this matter. This is because he
wished, in all things, to have his clergy preferred,
in regard to whom he took sufficient care to impor-
tune me for them; although they are all better mer-
chants than students of Latin. Consequently, in no
other way was more time wasted than in listening to
his complaints on this score, and regarding the Au-
gustinian fathers - to whom he is very hostile, be-
cause he wished his Dominican friars to have every-
thing good; and in disposing of the misrepresenta-
tions and invented tales with which he kept coming
1591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 28 1
to me, we lost much time. In short, the bishop is
growing old, as I am informing your Majesty in an-
other letter. But it is certain that, unless he himself
goes away, I see no other remedy for the obstruc-
tions caused by his temper and passion (by which he
has embarrassed the course of business and govern-
ment here), than the very journey which he con-
templates - namely, to send him to Espana (as I
would assuredly do, because he would have made
this step necessary for me) in order to tell your Maj-
esty that there will be no deficiency in his duties
here, for he has not busied himself more in them
than to hinder me in mine. May our Lord preserve
your Majesty for many long years, as Christendom
needs. Manila, June 20, 1592.°*^
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
[Endorsed: "Manila. To his Majesty. Gomez
Perez Dasmarinas. June 20."]
Sire:
In previous letters I have reported to your Maj-
esty the irregularities and abuses existing here in the
marriage of widows of encomenderos and others who
are minors, and I now refer again to the subject.
According to the order of your Majesty, the widow
or child of an encomendero who served in the con-
quest inherits the encomienda or income. It hap-
pens very often that the widow is young, and rich
through her succession to the encomienda; and,
following bad advice or personal inclination, she
makes an unsuitable or improper marriage, giving
^^ A synopsis by a government clerk is written on the back of
this letter.
282 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
that rich reward and appointment to some trader or
newcomer, without merit or claim for service. Thus
many honorable and deserving men, who have ren-
dered services to your Majesty here, and who might,
by this means, be rewarded and established, are de-
prived of the encomiendas. The same occurs in the
case of minors, who by reason of their youth or
through bad advice on the part of interested guar-
dians or relatives (who openly sell them in marriage
to the highest bidder), contract many misalliances.
In addition to these evils, many quarrels and lawsuits
ensue from this practice.
Only yesterday a woman who had but a month ago
buried her husband, one of the most honorable cap-
tains in these islands, married one of her servants, a
man of very short lineage, still fewer years of serv-
ice, and poor natural endowments. I think that the
same thing will happen in the case of four or five
rich widows and several minor encomenderos, who
are about to be married. All this might be pre-
vented or largely corrected, if the governor here, by
order of your Majesty, should be empowered to
control this matter. Without his consent and ap-
proval no marriages should be allowed, at least of
an encomendera, who owes her position to favor con-
ferred by your Majesty upon her father or husband,
for services rendered, or to special favor on your
Majesty's part. It is not right that some trader or
transient resident, who has rendered no service, but
who has rather been unserviceable to your Majesty,
should usurp and enjoy these benefits by unjust means.
The governor should be instructed not to allow, on
any account, marriages to take place with any cred-
itor or servant; but he should have, as his sole ob-
1 591-1593] DASMARINAS TO FELIPE II 283
ject, reward and honor to worthy persons who have }
served your Majesty in the country. God keep your ?
Majesty many years in the prosperity of which ^
Christendom has need. Manila, July 9, 1592. i
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas i
LUZON MENACED BY JAPANESE
PRECAUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE WAR-OFFI-
CIALS AND CERTAIN OF THE CABILDO
OF THE CITY
That the citizens reserve their arms and food to
as great an extent as possible, and, for possible con-
tingencies, fowls and any other delicacies for the
sick.
That the vessels coming from Xapon be examined
carefully to see whether they bring in secret other
articles than those which they announce publicly.
That twenty vessels - virocos and f ragatas - well
manned and equipped, be stationed in the river, below
the artillery of the fort, in order to be used in carry-
ing food, news, or messages to any point considered
advisable ; and that the other boats - champans, and
all other vessels - not needed there, go up the river,
where they can not be attacked by the enemy and
used for making entrenchments by them, and in order
that the seacoast may be kept clear for fighting and
skirmishing. |
That an immediate general review and muster be |
made of all the Spanish forces for the defense of this |
city; every one, not only of those who are paid, but J^
of the old inhabitants, to be entered on the list, with ;'
his weapons. ;:
That a proclamation be made throughout the
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED 285
coast of these islands that no viroco, banca, fragata,
or other vessel leave the islands without permission;
for, should they happen to meet the enemy, the latter
would have news of afifairs here.
Another proclamation that no citizen or anyone
else may remove from this city gold, silver, property,
wife, children, or household, or leave it without per-
mission, under penalty of his life, and confiscation of
the property thus removed, the latter to be applied to
the expenses of war.
As we see our fears of the Xaponese enemy so con-
firmed in every direction, and that the German "
pirates are actually here and committing daily dep-
redations along the coast, it seems that, in order to
relieve ourselves from anxiety regarding so many
Xaponese traders as are in the city, it would be ad-
visable to assign them a settlement or location out-
side of the city, after first taking away all their
weapons; and that they live there and sell their prop-
erty. Likewise, the question of what shall be done
with the Xaponese servants here should be consid-
ered, for there is a great number of them, and they
have free entrance into our houses and this city; in
this great danger they would be able to set fire to it,
or cause other like damage.
Also, it will be advisable to send word throughout
the coasts of Mindoro, Lunban, Valayan, Ylocos, and
other districts that piratical enemies are about, so
that they may be forewarned and that the natives may
be protected.
That the coast be reconnoitered from Paranaque to
Cavite, to ascertain whether the enemy have disem-
barked along it, and to discover what location and
®^ The writer apparently confuses the Dutch with Germans.
286 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
convenience there is for laying ambushes and keep-
ing the enemy busy.
What is said here of our fears of Xapon should be
understood as well of the Chinese, since we have so
little confidence in them.
That word be sent to Gallinato to set a price on
rice, and gather as much as possible, on the account of
his Majesty's tributes there.
That four f ragatas be fitted up and used for noth-
ing else than to transport rice and food, putting each
fragata under command of a thoroughly trustworthy
master.
That the biscuit brought by the Chinese, should be
taken, and also one-half the flour brought by this
Xaponese ship, in order to give it a trial, at a moder-
ate price ; and if any well-preserved tunny-fish have
been brought, they should be taken, although first it
should be ascertained whether they have any yew-
tree or other poison in them.
Item : It appears advisable that two careful regi-
dors of this city - in order that they may secure due
respect, and act in the name of the city - should go
to bring twelve or fourteen thousand fanegas of rice
and one thousand five hundred jars of wine, from
such district or districts as they may choose, for any
necessities that might arise in general - namely, in
city, monasteries, and hospitals; since all are sus-
tained by alms, and, in such times, there is no pos-
sibility that these can be supplied or provided for
them from any place. For this reason it would be
advisable to levy an assessment among the citizens
of this city; for, although there may be no necessity
therefor, it can be sold, and paid to those who should
have lent or furnished the said rice and wine, and
1 591-1593] LUZON MENACED 287
Up to the amount that shall have been lent - so that,
in one way or another, having either consumed or
sold it, each one shall receive satisfaction for his
loan.
Item: It is advisable that, in case anyone of us,
from myself and my son first, down even to the least,
should be captured while fighting with the enemy,
no one shall be ransomed, even though the enemy be
willing to surrender him for a very small ransom;
and that this be with no exceptions or with no equivo-
cation, so that each one may fight with greater cour-
age and resolution, preferring - though God grant
that we come not to blows with the enemy - death
rather than capture.
Item : whether it would be advisable that, in the
tingues and mountainous districts near Manila, forts
and strongholds be established, to which, if possible,
there be a safe path from this city, and an entrance
and exit therefrom to that place. Then, when occa-
sion should arise, the women, children, old people,
sick, and other non-combatants might be placed
there; for, if they remained in the city, they would
hinder us and cause us to starve, while there they
will have more comfort and refreshment.
PRECAUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE RELIGIOUS
In all present and future affairs, the chief remedy
is to invoke God, endeavoring to placate Him by sac-
rifice and prayer, and beseeching Him to protect us
by His powerful right hand. This duty devolves by
special right upon the religious. Our duty is to
threaten and strive to correct him who offends God.
Admitting that we expect outside enemies - and
we have them among us, because of our little assur-
288
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
ance that the natives, if they see themselves safe, will
not rise and attack us, on which point will be dis-
cussed, in its proper place, whether it will not be ad-
visable to collect the arquebuses given them during
the war with the Qambales - the immediate question
is whether it would be advisable to take some security
from them, such as, for instance, the gold that they
wear, and of which they should be possessed, so that,
if they did not prove an aid to us, they should not
prove harmful. Also, whether this gold should be
deposited with the fathers who instruct them, so that
the natives would understand that this action is taken
only for security, and with no other intent; and
whether this gold should be brought to Manila by the
said fathers of the doctrina, and deposited in the
fortress - that being the most secure place. Also it
should be considered whether this taking their gold
seems a harsh measure, and whether others easier
and milder ofifer themselves - as the exemption of
certain chiefs from tribute, and otherwise making
much of them. But this race is so barbarous and un-
grateful that, if they understand our necessity, and
discover any weakness or fear in us, the majority of
them will rebel against us, and we shall be compelled
rather to deal with them as with enemies. Therefore,
whatever our exigency, we must deal with them with
the same courage, superiority, and firmness as in our
most prosperous time itself ; and we must assure them
that our orders and requests are solely for their good,
and by no necessity of ours. It appears to be advis-
able to order them that each chief send one of his sons
with his gold, in order to watch it, and to prove that
the rightful owner accompanies it.
Likewise: whether it will be advisable to have a
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED 289
quantity of rice, swine, fowls, and other food stored
in certain parts of the mountains and tingues; for
were the places where these are chiefly produced
near this city, or in places easy of access to the en-
emy- and since it is supposed that they would come
in force - in such case, it would not be difficult for
them to seize this food and appropriate it to their
own use, or burn it, for we could not have sufficient
forces to divide them, or withdraw them from the de-
fense of this city. And in this connection it is ob-
served that it would be advisable to have the cattle-
pastures - which are the support of this state, and
the first thing that the enemy look for - established
inland (as there is sufficient pasturage in all parts),
with some guard. And since, if the enemy came, and
we were actually confronted with the danger, it
would be necessary for the Indians who have their
villages and houses on the seacoast, or along the rivers
or estuaries, where the enemy could penetrate easily,
to retire inland to live, it seems that it would be
advisable for the fathers of the doctrinas to have the
natives warned and persuaded immediately to move
to more retired and secure places; and that they
should commence their sowing, since there are many
virgin and unoccupied lands. Should such an event
[the coming of an enemy] occur, then this would be
already done; and if not, then they would lose noth-
ing in harvesting their rice; for it would be necessary
to abandon their hamlets and comforts, if the enemy
did come. Furthermore, as these Indians are traders,
as is known, and trade in rice and other products with
this community, since they bring it from Otton, Ca-
marines, Ylocos, and other places, this trade and pro-
vision would, if the enemy came, have to cease ; and
290 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
if these Indians remained among us and near their
present abodes, they would consume our food, and we
both would starve. In order to supply food, there is
no better remedy than to commence to sow in distant
and secure places, so that the natives may be safe,
prepared, and forewarned, and that there may be
abundance of provisions ; since, by withdrawing from
each varangay ten men, or the number that may be
deemed sufficient, these fields and new settlements
may be commenced.
Likewise should be considered whether it would be
advisable to store the property of all the Sangleys in
the stone warehouses of this city, where the goods
might be kept safe, while the Sangleys could go out-
side of the city to build their houses, because of the
great danger, lest by some fire-contrivance they
should burn that Parian and a great part of the city.
This is to be understood as proposed only if occa-
sion should arise for us to take such measures. Like-
wise, it will be advisable to have the houses or
churches which now are thatched with straw or nipa
roofed with tiles ; or else they might be destroyed, be-
cause of the manifest danger of being set afire with
great facility upon any occasion.
Whether the encomenderos, because of these com-
mon necessities, should be allowed to collect from
each tributario the value of two reals in rice and one
real in one laying hen, or two chicks (male or fe-
male), or one cock, and the rice at its value among
them. Also whether the encomendero should not
store it in the city, in the house that he is actually
living in ; and whether, since the hen is obtained from
the Indian as the tribute for one real, neither the hen,
the male or female chicks, nor the cock - whichever
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED 291
the Indian gives in tribute, the matter being left to
his choice - can be valued, sold, or bought for more
than one real.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE GOVERNOR TO
THE ECCLESIASTICS
+
Relation of the proposition made by Gomez Perez
Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Santiago, and
governor and captain-general in these islands, for the
king, our sovereign, to the fathers provincial of the
orders, and to other superiors, religious, and ecclesias-
tics at the meeting that he held with them; and the
response of the said fathers.^^
Since my arrival in this kingdom, whose govern-
ment and defense the king, our sovereign, was
pleased to entrust to me - certainly a trust greatly
disproportionate to my poor strength - 1 have ever
watched over its conservation and perpetuation, as
being a new land, in the midst of infidel and idola-
trous enemies; and I have even peopled the greater
part of it with them ; and those so far away have a
remedy and aid from their hardships and dangers.
In this, God has willed, by His mercy, to plant His
faith among and to enlighten those natives, by preach-
ing to them, through His ministers. His holy law,
with a zeal so fervid. And this is very different from
other provinces in these regions, where there is like-
wise a Christian faith, and the name of church of
the faithful ; but their people are so remiss that they
content themselves with furthering only their trad-
ing and commerce, caring only for their own indi-
vidual aims and interests, and peradventure, to no
"^ The reply here mentioned is not preserved with this document.
292 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
little renunciation of the name of Christian, and caus-
ing it to be despised (as in Goa, Malaca, Macan, Ma-
luco, and other parts) -who, satisfied with their own
individual interests and business, do not, as here, re-
gard the propagation of the holy gospel as their prin-
cipal purpose. The maintenance of this is costing so
many deaths of blessed fathers religious, who, in the
planting of this vine in the Lord, completed so much
toil and affliction with their lives, and who, in the
conversion of souls, were laboring and overcoming
all manner of danger and fatigue ; so much blood and
lives of so many honorable Spaniards, who have so
happily ended their days in the furthering and build-
ing of this new church ; and lastly, the vast amount of
wealth and royal patrimony which his Majesty has
expended, and is expending daily, in the prosecution
of so glorious an object. This is none other than the
exaltation of the Catholic faith, although it costs so
much, as is known, that every year he expends money
from his own house, while the temporal gain derived
here is so small, and the expense and cost so great and
excessive that, unless he lift up his eyes and behold
the eternal reward which will result from this, he
would have abandoned it already- and as, I believe,
no other monarch whatever would have been so
zealous for the honor of God, and the Catholic name,
that he would not have abandoned it. Therefore we
must consider prudently, and fear lest (may God pre-
serve him to us for many years!) he might die, and
be succeeded by one who, because of nearer cares and
labors, will grow tired, and not take any care of the
afifairs of this state. Therefore, it is advisable that,
should this happen, he [a successor] take and find it in
such condition that, with the divine favor, it might,
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED
293
in its own strength, furnish its own defense from the
injuries inflicted by weather and enemies ; and, plan-
ning out its duty in the most secure manner, take
courage, so far as it might, to construct a solid and
durable fort. And although this care and vigilance
have always been mine, and I have been especially
attentive, from the time of my arrival, to look after
the repair and fortification of this city, as being the
head and court of this kingdom, and where, in what-
ever attack and emergency, the heart and principal
strength of the defense of this kingdom must be lo-
cated ; and for this and for the conservation and per-
petuation of this state, I am setting in force many
activities and provisions that I have ordained and
made in anticipation, which are to be seen and con-
sidered, conforming to and governing myself in this
by the express orders given me by his Majesty -who
for it points out to me, and advises me especially of
certain hostile nations, with whom I must proceed
carefully and cautiously: nevertheless, in the prepa-
ration and repairs of this city, the defense of the coasts
and seas, in order to resist the enemies that might in-
vade them, I would have displayed greater zeal and
energy (both in these and in other provisions), had
not the fathers, superiors of the orders, and other re-
ligious, in all or nearly all of them, opposed me by
raising scruples, both in private conversations and in
their pulpits and sermons, contradicting my authority
and raising up obstacles. For indeed, in the build-
ing of the wall and fort of this city, the scruples that
they have urged against me are well known - namely,
that this country had no need of the defenses; that
the Indian, to whom the country belongs, does not
request them; and that the whole thing results in
294
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
labor and oppression for the Indians. If galleys are
built and equipped - even when by order of his Maj-
esty, and for the defense of these seas and rivers, it
has been said with accusations that for so poor a land
this is a very heavy burden ; and that these and other
preparations cannot be made, except in a known ex-
tremity, and a manifest and evident danger. They
have urged the same obstacle against me in equipping
the galleys with seamen from among the Indians;
and say that, in good conscience, this cannot be done ;
that although such natives otherwise may be the per-
petual slaves of their chiefs, while here they are sea-
men for but three years, at the end of which they are
freed, this is not sufficient to justify it, as the work is
different, greater, and against natural right. They
have even said that, if there is no other means to
have galleys, there should be none, or that the king
find the method, since, by virtue of the tribute that
he levies, the defense of the land belongs to him. If
order is given to gather the rice and other foods - so
necessary a preparation in case of any adverse event -
or that tackle, lines, and other supplies be made (for
which the Indians are well paid for their work there-
on), neither can this be done, because the Indians
are deprived of food, and it is a great affliction. In
short, there is contradiction and opposition to every-
thing, and moreover, called by a name so serious as
charge of conscience and salvation or condemnation
of the soul. This, at the very least, however neces-
sary may be the things ordained, renders lukewarm
and greatly disheartens him who ordains them, and
continues to warn him; so that it has happened to
me that, by finding myself confused and with my
hands almost tied by so many outcries in the pulpits,
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED 295
SO many declarations, and so many acclamations and
persuasions, I have been temporizing. And, little by
little, this has increased, with that which the troubles
and dangers were demanding in the procuring of re-
pairs and remedies, until now when it is evident - by
reason of the information that I have received of
Xaponese enemies, which can have only a sure and
certain foundation - that there will be no need of an-
nouncing to them, in the manifest danger that threat-
ens, the arousing and quickening of the great and
ardent desire that I have always had, that I might
succeed in seeing this state in some condition of per-
fection, and in such repair and defense that it may
await, with courage and confidence (after the protec-
tion of God), any attack whatever from surrounding
enemies, who are known here - until, with the lapse
of time, and God opening His hand more generously,
and the city growing stronger with its power and
forts, it may, not contenting itself with only conserv-
ing that conquered in the name of God and of its
king, extend and enlarge itself, ever acquiring
greater dominion and authority. For this purpose,
there is no surer means than by repairs and prepara-
tions to have foreseen the danger and extremity to
which we might come, before such danger comes to
let fall its blow - since, if we await it until that time,
the enemy will give us no opportunity to take coun-
sel or protect ourselves, much less to make and pre-
pare things, that, necessarily, to be of use, should
have been made and prepared much beforehand; for
the sword is worn many days in the belt, to but one
that it proves its worth by its aid. It would not suf-
fice for me then, when the enemy tried to kill me in
the fort, to have my sword at home. Nor is it a dis-
296 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol 8
creet state which, when expecting enemies, waits un-
til they are actually seen, before providing a fort,
walls, artillery, galleys, arms, and other preparations
\_aparatos^, which for that very reason are called
preparations : because they have to be made ready be-
forehand [aparejados] many days, and even years.
Accordingly, not only should the arms be ready, but
the soldiers experienced in and accustomed to them;
the galley not only finished, but the rower skilful at
the oar; the food collected; and even the money,
which is the sinew of war, ready and assigned for the
expenses of war - in order that the enemy, who spies
on all our actions, may see how well prepared and
equipped we are, and be restrained and intimidated.
For many times battles are fought as much by means
of reputation as with forces, and since the future dan-
ger, when it is assured, must be held as present, in
order to anticipate it and prepare for it, let us take
counsel on the danger expected as if we had it al-
ready at the doors of our houses. And with the same
diligence, let us set ourselves to the preparation, as
if we actually saw the enemy on that sea. I would
wish to be judged as too forearmed and assured, than,
by negligence, over-confidence, and lack of diligence
to lose one palmo of land, or one iota of reputation.
This proposition, then. Fathers and Sirs, I have pe-
titioned and prayed from your Paternities and
Graces, that we might assemble here, since we all
have equal share in the common safety, to discuss it;
and so that, in the provisions and preparations that
must be made, I may take action in everything with
an easy conscience, which is the part pertaining to
your Paternities; so that, with light and clearness on
this point, I may prepare in time for the imminent
1591-1593] LUZON MENACED 297
danger that threatens. For if we waited until the ex-
treme point of necessity was reached, innumerable
difficulties would ensue, since what gradually, and in
space of time, can be done easily, and with few people,
who are well paid, must then be done at one stroke,
with an infinite number of conscripted and unpaid
people, and with intolerable confusion and hardship,
besides many other annoyances, which are a great
hindrance and obstacle to both soul and body, and
to defense from the enemy, but which are avoided,
if preparation be made beforehand.
[Endorsed on the front leaf: " For the religious."]
DOCUMENTS OF 1593
Letter to Governor Dasmarinas. Felipe II; Janu-
ary 17.
Two royal decrees. Felipe II ; January 17 and Feb-
ruary II.
Sources: Both of these documents are obtained from the
original MSS. in the AF'hivo general de Indias.
Translations : These are made by James A. Robertson.
LETTER FROM THE KING TO GOMEZ
PEREZ DASMARINAS
The King: To Gomez Perez Das Marinas, my
governor and captain-general of the Philippinas Is-
lands. I have received the letters that you wrote me
by the last fleet from Nueba Espafia. You have done
well to advise me so minutely of the condition in
which you found afifairs in those islands, and how ill
their government was being carried on. You shall
continue on all occasions to do this, acting in the is-
lands according to your obligation, and in conformity
with the hope and satisfaction that I have had, and
have, in you. You have done very well in having ob-
served so punctually, as you say, what was ordered
you in the instructions that I had given you. You
shall do likewise with the other matters in your in-
structions.
I was very glad to hear how far advanced work was
on the cathedral church of that city. I was pleased to
see the care and promptness with which you have at-
tended to what I ordered you in regard to this. I
consider this as a service from you, and charge you
that, if there be anything lacking to finish the work,
you shall see that it is done as quickly as possible. Al-
though you have been sent in duplicate the decrees
that you carried, they are now being sent again, with-
302 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
out considering that fact, to the officials of Mexico,
so that they may, upon the first opportunity, provide
you with the supplies mentioned.
You have done very well in applying the one thou-
sand pesos of income to the hospital for Spaniards,
and the five hundred to that for the Indians, as I
ordered you in your instructions. I charge you that
you aid and protect them to the best of your ability,
since the work is so charitable.
Since you say that the blankets that I ordered sent
from Mexico for the said hospitals are not needed,
as you have there all you want, and at a cheaper price,
and that the money spent on them might be better
spent on other indispensable necessities of the said
hospitals, you shall advise the viceroy, Don Luis de
Velasco, so that he may convert the money for them
into what you consider most needful.
You advise me that you wished to audit the ac-
counts of certain brothers of the habit of St. Francis,
who have charge of the hospital for the Indians, but
that they refused to show the accounts, and asserted
that I had nothing to do with it; and that, until I
should endow that house and satisfy its needs, I could
have nothing to do with it, nor in the other charitable
works of that bishopric. You say that the bishop had
abetted that, and that he had sided with and aided the
brothers. And although you ought, notwithstanding
his reply, to continue your investigations, which have
not yet been made, you shall, as soon as you receive
this letter, take possession of the said hospital, and
of any others in the said islands, in my name, as
patron of them - for such I am by right and by apos-
tolic bull. Likewise you shall call to account all who
shall have had charge of the incomes, alms, and other
1 591-1593] FELIPE II TO DASMARINAS 303
matters pertaining to them. I am writing to the
bishop not to hinder you in this; and that, if he de-
sire, he may be present at the said settlement of
accounts.
Since the bishop has gone to excess in placing so
many fiscals and officials in that city and in the other
towns of that island, and in arresting and whipping
Indians, to the very great prejudice of my jurisdic-
tion, he certainly must restrain himself. Now and
henceforth you shall see that the said bishop does not
meddle or concern himself with more than pertains
to him by right, and that he observe the regulations
imposed by the laws of my kingdoms.
I have noted what you say in regard to the artifices
and plans of the bishop, so that my patronage might
not be exercised; and that he appoints the incum-
bents of benefices removable ad nutum, and tempo-
rarily, not in actual ownership and by institution, in
order to be able to remove them and appoint others ;
and the excommunications with which he annoys the
officials of my royal estate, and the encomenderos, if
they do not furnish the salaries of those ecclesiastics
whom he appoints without notifying you. Inasmuch
as these things are prohibited with especial distinct-
ness, and the said patronage belongs to me throughout
all the states of the Yndias, you shall have it observed.
The bishop shall not meddle with the matter of the
salaries, but you yourself shall pay to those who shall
give instruction what is due them according to the
ordinance.
As I have understood the opposition offered by the
religious, and the difficulties that they placed In the
way of executing the ordinance which prohibited
buying the Chinese merchandise - except through
304 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
persons assigned for it and at a moderate price set
by them, who should buy at wholesale, and after-
ward distribute the merchandise - 1 am writing the
enclosed letters to the provincials of the orders, or-
dering them not to offer any opposition in such mat-
ters. You shall deliver them to the provincials, and
shall act according to your orders.
You have acted excellently in ordaining that no
suits regarding actions committed and past before the
establishment of the Audiencia shall be admitted,
since, as you very truly observe, this meant opening
the door to many difficulties, and giving opportunity
to the people to become entangled in embarrassments
and troubles. Therefore, you shall continue with the
execution of this plan, and shall endeavor always to
prevent suits and quarrels, which are so prejudicial
and harmful in lands so remote, as is easily under-
stood.
In regard to what you say of the embassy and pres-
ent that you think should be sent to the king of China,
in order to conciliate him to my service, and to open
the door, by this way, for the preaching of the gospel
in those districts, I am considering the matter, and
shall advise you of what is resolved upon.
All that you say concerning the need of religious
is borne In mind. Therefore as many as possible will
always be sent. At the present time, a number of
them are going. In especial thirty descalced religious
of the order of St. Francis. Care and diligence will
be exercised. In the future, to provide those who, as
you shall advise us, are needed.
It Is very advisable and necessary for the Indians
to have a protector and defender, as Is the case In
PIru and Nueba Spana. And since, as you say, the
1591-1593] FELIPE II TO DASMARINAS 305
bishop, to whom I had entrusted it, is unable to at-
tend to the affairs, acts, and judicial procedures
which require personal attention, you, as governor,
shall appoint the said defender and protector, to
whom you shall assign a suitable salary. This salary
shall be paid from the tributes of the Indians, dis-
tributed proportionally among those assigned to my
crown and those allotted to private individuals, with-
out at all infringing for this purpose upon my moneys
that proceed from other sources. Notwithstanding
this, you are to understand that the bishop is not to
be deprived of the general superintendence of the
protection of the said Indians.
You report that, upon your arrival at those islands,
you found that the Indians of Sirean, Yllocos, and
Cagayan were paying ten reals, and had been doing
so since the tribute was imposed, because, as they
were more wealthy, heavier tribute was imposed on
them than on the others. You say that you are in
doubt, because your instructions state that the tribute
of eight reals is to be increased and raised to ten,
whether you are to understand that all the tributes
are to be raised two reals; for if so, then those who
formerly paid ten must now pay twelve, just as those
who were paying eight now pay ten. Inasmuch as
the intention was that all the tributes should be raised
two reals, you shall order that those Indians who were
paying ten reals shall pay twelve, now and hence-
forth. You shall adjust this with the mildest possible
means.
Respecting the duties that are to be paid on the
gold dug in those islands - about which you say there
has been a dispute, since the former fiscal of the Au-
diencia there claimed that it should be the fifth.
306 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
while the city contradicted him, and petitioned that
it be but the tenth - you shall endeavor, conveniently
and mildly, now and henceforth to introduce the fifth,
since it is the right that pertains to me. If you shall
encounter in this great difficulties and annoyances,
you shall leave the matter in its present shape. You
shall advise me of the condition of the country and
the mines, and the annual amount of the said fifth,
based on the present value of the tenth, so that after
examination in my royal Council of the Yndias, the
most advisable measures may be enacted.
You say also that, inasmuch as you found Don
Bernardino de Sande very poor, you were unable to
collect from him the proceeds of the encomienda of
Baratao, in accordance with the writ issued by my
royal Council of the Yndias. In consideration of
this, and because he had served well, you say that you
left him in possession of the encomienda, providing
that he annually put one-third of the income arising
from it into my treasury. Also, that you have allotted
the other villages that he occupies in La Laguna of
that city to Don Juan Ronquillo and Don Gonzalo
Ronquillo de Ballesteros in equal portions, as a re-
ward for their services; and that likewise you have
appointed Captain Gomez de Machuca (who is a
very meritorious person) to the post of treasurer, with
a salary of five hundred pesos, until the owner of the
office should arrive. All of the above is well
done.
Likewise you say that one section of your instruc-
tions orders that while the soldiers draw pay they
may not trade, as such a thing would distract them
from their military duty; and that although this is
right, you think that they might be permitted to in-
1 591-1593] FELIPE II TO DASMARINAS 307
vest two or three hundred pesos, because of their
great poverty and as an aid to its alleviation. This
would not embarrass them, and you would not allow
it to distract them. In consideration of this, I en-
dorse what you say. Therefore you may tolerate this
in them to the above amount.
You wrote me from Mexico what you repeat in
your latest letters - that, in order to be able to ensure
respectable soldiers going to those islands, it would be
advisable to permit the soldiers who go there to re-
turn to Nueva Spana, or wherever their wives or
business interests were, after several years' service, or
if necessary business arose, or if they were, as some
are, married; for, as it is seen that they are not per-
mitted to leave those islands, none but mestizos and
people of little account go there. After discussing
this matter, it was determined to refer it to you, as
I do now, in order that you may act as you may con-
sider most advisable; but so that there may be no
lack of the people necessary in that country.
The suit that you mention between the bishop and
the encomenderos in regard to the tithes, has not yet
arrived here. As soon as it comes, it will be exam-
ined, and necessary steps will be taken.
Inasmuch as you report that there are certain Sang-
ley shops in the Parian, whose rent is given to their
governor; and that it is not advisable that those Sang-
leys remain there, because they are not Christians ; but
that some settlement outside the city should be as-
signed them, and the rent for their shops applied to
that city as public property, while another kind of
remuneration be given to the said judge of the Sang-
leys : I refer to you everything pertaining to this mat-
ter, so that, after consulting with the licentiate Rojas
3o8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
and the municipal government of that city, you may
provide for it in such manner that the said Sangleys
receive no injury or dissatisfaction.
Under the present cover I enclose to you a second
decree, ordering that my officials of those islands
should pay their wages to the sailors, carpenters,
blacksmiths, and other workmen; and that, if my
treasury there should prove insufficient for this, they
send to Nueba Spafia for the deficit. Under other
covers I am writing to the viceroy to have this care-
fully obeyed.
Notwithstanding that the provision mentioned in
your instructions, ordering that none but inhabitants
of those islands engage in trade, was not delivered
or afterward sent to you, you shall observe the con-
tents of that section of the said instructions which
treats of this.
The effort which you report having made with
the city, that a convent of nuns be founded in the
church of Sant Andres (the erection of which has
begun), which is discussed in section twenty-seven
of your instructions, is well, and you shall con-
tinue it.
You will know my wishes in regard to the sale of
the offices from the despatches that have been sent
to you, and you shall observe them.
The bulls of crusades and composition, which you
say might be applied in those islands, were sent to
you; and my royal Council of the Crusade is writing
in regard to it.
In remunerating and providing for the deserving,
you shall continue to observe the instructions and
orders given you.
In regard to what you say about the entrances and
1 591-1593] FELIPE II TO DASMARINAS 309
new discoveries, and their great necessity in order
that the soldiers may be maintained, and their extreme
poverty alleviated, this is not the principal end that
must be observed, but that of the service of God, and
the welfare of the Indians. Inasmuch as you have
the matter in hand, you shall consider what will be
most advisable, and you shall accordingly ordain in
it what you consider fitting, in accordance with the
nature and condition of the country, and the people
that you shall have.
You have done very well in applying the proceeds
of the merchant's peso on the Chinese merchandise,
and the monopoly of playing-cards, to the wall of
that city; and because you have made, for the same
purpose, a two per cent assessment and contribution
on the citizens and on the Peruvian and Mexican
merchandise traded in that land. And although you
report that this two per cent assessment has been
made for only one time, you shall continue the col-
lection of this duty, and that on the playing-cards,
and the merchant's peso, until the said fortification
is finished.
You shall be very careful to favor the cathedral
and hospitals. You shall advise me of what alms can
be given, and to what amount, since you report their
necessity as so great.
I note what you say in regard to the change of
lieutenant-governor that you advise, or my giving you
permission to appoint another. In the meantime, un-
til what is deemed advisable is provided in regard to
this (which is now being discussed) you shall en-
deavor to maintain pleasant relations; and shall pro-
ceed as is most desirable to the service of God and to
mine, and to the welfare of the land.
3IO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
What pertains to the navigation from those islands
will be determined as soon as possible - namely,
whether it shall be at my account, or at that of private
individuals, and you shall be advised of the resolu-
tion taken. In either case, you shall send informa-
tion, now and henceforth, upon all occasions, to my
royal Council of the Indias, of all vessels leaving
there, and of their registers, with itemized cargo - as,
so much in gold, and so much in merchandise, with
the declaration of the different kinds.
You say that you have experienced difficulties and
opposition on the part of the encomenderos in estab-
lishing the increase of two reals on the tribute of each
Indian ; and that notwithstanding that they afterward
agreed to it, yet they petitioned that they be allowed
to collect their tributes in the usual way. As this
does not seem to you advisable, but you desire that
they collect with mildness, you shall ordain thus, and
it will receive endorsement.
In undertaking the construction of the galleys, you
shall advise me of its progress, and of their cost, and
for what purpose they can best be used.
I am ordering Joan de Ledesma to send you, with
this, signed copies of the decrees prohibiting Peru
and Guatemala from trading in those islands and in
China. In accordance with these decrees, you shall
regard as confiscated everything that may be traded
in violation of those orders.
It is not advisable to make any innovation in re-
gard to the permission which you request - namely,
power to despatch vessels to Peru and other points;
but you should observe the decree.
The other points of your letters are being discussed,
and an answer will be sent to you upon the first occa-
1591-1593] FELIPE II TO DASMARINAS 311
sion. Madrid, January 17, one thousand five hun-
dred and ninety-three.
I THE King
By order of the king, our sovereign :
Joan de Ybarra.
Countersigned by the council.
[7w the margin, at the beginning of this document'.
" Reply to Gomez Perez das Marinas, governor and
captain-general of the Philippinas Islands."]
TWO ROYAL DECREES
LAWSUITS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Don Phelipe, etc. When I ordered the suppres-
sion of my royal audiencia and chancilleria resident
in the city of Manila of the Filipinas Islands, and
established there a governor and lieutenant-governor
(the latter of whom is a lawyer) , to take care of mat-
ters of justice, one of my decrees was ordered to be
promulgated, in which was declared the order to be
followed in the hearing of suits and causes that might
arise in the said islands. This is of the following
tenor:
" Don Phelipe, by the grace of God, king of Cas-
tilla [his other titles follow]. Inasmuch as, for
certain reasons advantageous to my service, I have
resolved to order the suppression of my royal audi-
encia, at present established in the Philipinas Islands,
and have appointed as my governor and captain-
general of them Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of
the order of Santiago, and you, the licentiate Pedro
de Rojas (at present my auditor in my said royal
Audiencia), as his lieutenant-governor and counselor,
to determine matters of justice ; and inasmuch as, the
said Audiencia not having existence, it is advisable
that for the peace and tranquillity of the said islands
1 591-1593] TWO ROYAL DECREES 313
and the citizens and inhabitants thereof, and the good
administration of justice therein, you should under-
stand the system that you are to observe and follow
in the hearing and determination of the suits, which
were moved and were pending in the said Audiencia,
or that will be moved hereafter: I declare, desire,
and will that in all cases you shall hear, sentence, de-
termine, and execute in the following form and
manner. All the suits that were pending in the said
Audiencia, and were not concluded on trial, you shall
resume in the condition in which they were left, and
they shall be prosecuted before you. You shall pass
sentence upon them ; and if appeal is made by the par-
ties, or either one of them, from your decisions, you
shall submit the appeal to the president and auditors
of my royal Audencia residing in the city of Mexico,
in Nueba Espana. You shall likewise refer to my
said Audiencia of Mexico the suits that may have
received sentence on trial in the said Audiencia, if
appeal has been made from the sentence, so that the
cases may be prosecuted before it, and sentenced in
review. And if any suits were sentenced in review in
the said Audiencia of the said Philipinas Islands, and
the execution of the sentences is demanded, then you
are authorized to have them executed, as well as the
sentences given on trial in the said Audiencia in suits
pending therein, and on which no appeal was made,
and if the said sentences on trial were passed in a case
where judgment was rendered. Likewise I declare,
and it is my will, that you may hear and try the suits
regarding Indians which shall be moved in the said
islands henceforth, and those which might come be-
fore you on appeal from the corregidors that are and
were in the said islands. In hearing the said suits
314 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [VoL 8
regarding Indians, you shall observe the royal decree
and edict given at Malinas, and the declarations that
w^ere made regarding it. In this and in all the above-
mentioned cases, as well as in all other suits and causes
that the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas can and ought
to try, as being governor and captain-general, and
you, the said licentiate Pedro de Roxas, as his coun-
selor and lieutenant-governor, for the determination
of the said suits and matters of justice, you shall
observe the laws and ordinances of these kingdoms,
and the instructions, provisions, and decrees, given by
the emperor and king, my sovereign (may he rest in
peace) , and by me, and those that shall be given. And
for authorization to perform and fulfil all that is
above mentioned, and any portion and part of it, and
all else annexed and pertaining to it, I grant you as
complete and sufficient power as is required and as is
needed. I order the presidents and auditors of my
royal audiencias of the said Nueba Espafia, and all
the councils, magistrates, regidors, knights, esquires,
officials, and good men of all cities, towns, and ham-
lets of Nueba Espana and of the said islands, to keep
and observe this my decree in every point, according
to the tenor of what is contained and declared there-
in; and that, for its fulfilment, they give and cause to
be given to you the help and assistance that you re-
quest and that is necessary. And I order my said
presidents and auditors of my said royal Audiencia of
Mejico to hear the said suits that shall be sent there,
in accordance with the above order; and that they
give sentence and conclusion to them in accordance
with the law and ordinances of these kingdoms, and
with the said ordinances, provisions, and decrees ; and
none of you shall violate them. Given at San Lo-
1591-1593] TWO ROYAL DECREES 315
renzo, August twenty-one, one thousand five hundred
and eighty-nine.
I THE King
I, secretary of the king, our sovereign, had this
written by his order. JUAN DE Ybarra "
I have been informed recently that, because of the
great distance of those islands from the city of Mex-
ico (to whose Audiencia must be sent appeals in the
said causes), many, especially the poor, refuse to
prosecute their suits; for in some of them the costs
amount to more than the principal, besides the an-
noyance of the delay. This serves as a cause for
grief and annoyance, from which the wealthy profit
to the injury of most of that community. As I de-
sire the relief of this state of things, I order, with
the concurrence of my royal Council of the Indias,
for the present that henceforth all suits for the value
of one thousand ducados or less be concluded in the
courts of the said Philipinas Islands. If appeal be
made from the sentences given at the first instance,
and substantiated in the second, in conformity with
law, the case shall be regarded as closed with the
sentence imposed by the said lieutenant-governor in
the second instance, and no appeal can be taken from
it. In suits and causes for more than one thousand
pesos [sic~\, appeal may be made to my said royal
Audiencia of Mexico, in accordance with the tenor
of the decree inserted above. In order that this may
be public and manifest, I order this my decree to be
published in the said city of Manila. Given at Ma-
drid, January seventeen, one thousand five hundred
and ninety- three.
I THE King
3i6
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[VoL 8
Countersigned by Juan Bazquez, and signed by
the council.
[/w the margin : " In order that suits and causes
of one thousand ducados and less may be concluded
in the court of the Philipinas islands; and, if the
amount be in excess of the above sum, they may be
appealed to the royal Audiencia of Mexico."]
RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCE
The King: Inasmuch as, whenever we have pro-
mulgated ordinances prohibiting trade between the
Western Yndias and China, and regulating that of
the Philipinas, I have been informed that there has
been neglect in the execution thereof; and that, as
the merchants and other persons in the Northern
Sea who trade in these our kingdoms of Castilla, and
in the Yndias, have suffered so many losses during
past years, and those engaged in the profits of the
Chinese trade have gained so much, the latter has in-
creased greatly, while the commerce of these my said
kingdoms has declined, on which account both these
kingdoms and my royal income have received great
damage: therefore, since it is so important that the
commerce of these my said kingdoms and of the
Yndias be preserved and increased, and that there be
quite usual communication and trade between them,
I have, with the concurrence of my royal Council of
the Yndias, determined to prohibit by new orders -
as by this present I do prohibit, forbid, and order -
in the future, in any manner and under any circum-
stances whatever, any vessel from sailing from the
provinces of Peru, Tierra Firme, Guatimala, Nueva
Espana, or any other part of our Western Yndias, to
1 591-1593] TWO ROYAL DECREES 317
China, for trade or traffic or for any other purpose.
Neither can they go to the Philipinas Islands, ex-
cept those from Nueva Espana, which are permitted
to go by another decree of this same date. We have
ordained that, should this be done, such vessel will
be regarded as confiscated, with all its money, mer-
chandise, and other cargo. One third part of all of
this shall be applied to our exchequer, a second third
to him who shall give information thereof, and the
other third to the judge who shall pass sentence.
And further, we forbid that any merchandise
brought to the said Nueva Espana from the Phili-
pinas Islands be transferred to the said provinces of
Piru and Tierra Firme, even when the duties im-
posed on such merchandise have been paid. For
our purpose and will is that nothing from China and
the Philipinas Islands be used in the said provinces
of Piru and Tierra Firme, except what may be there
at present, and for which we allow them four years,
to be determined from the date on which this our
decree shall be promulgated. For this purpose every
person shall register what he has at present before
the justice of the city, town, or hamlet, where he
lives, or of which he is a citizen. Henceforth what-
ever of the aforesaid merchandise shall be taken to
the above-named provinces, or whatever shall be
found in the possession of any person whatsoever,
outside of the said register, or after the conclusion
of the above time-limit, we order that it be confis-
cated also, and divided and shared as above stated.
But we permit them to bring to these kingdoms, any-
thing of the above-named articles that they may
have had hitherto, within the limit of the said four
years. I order my viceroys of Piru and Nueva Es-
3i8
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
[Vol. 8
pana, my governor and captain-general of the Phili-
pinas, the presidents and auditors of my royal audi-
encias of the Yndias, and all other magistrates there-
in, that they observe and fulfil this our decree,
strictly, inviolably, and punctually ; and that they ex-
ecute the penalties contained herein without any re-
mission or dispensation whatever, as is thus my will,
and as is fitting for my service. They shall promul-
gate it in all places where this shall be necessary and
desirable, so that all may have notice of it, and none
may plead ignorance. Given in Madrid, February
eleven, one thousand five hundred and ninety-three.^^
I THE King
^^ On February 9, 1594, Garcia Hurtado de Mendoga, marques
of Canete, and viceroj'^ of Peru, ordered this decree to be deliv-
ered to the royal officials of Ciudad de los Reyes, who in turn
ordered it to be promulgated in due form by the herald.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA
The papal decree of 1591 is taken from Hernaez's
Coleccion de bulas^ i, p. 108; the account of encomi-
endas, from Retana's Archivo del bibliofilo filipino^
iv, pp. 41-111; the letter by Clement VIII, from
Hernaez, ii, p. 357. All the remaining documents of
this volume are obtained from the Archivo general
de Indias, Sevilla, being translated from the original
MSS. or from transcriptions thereof; the pressmarks
are as follows :
1. Collection of tributes (i59i).-See Biblio-
graphical Data for VOL. vil.
2. Conquest of ili^/wJ^w^o.- " Simancas - Secu-
lar; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes
del cabildo secular de Manila vistos en el Consejo;
anos 1570 a 1640; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 27."
3. Ordinance regarding Chinese stuffs — ^^ Si-
mancas- Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y
expedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistos en el
Consejo; anos 1567 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 6."
4. Letter by Dasmarinas (i 591). -The same as
No. 3.
5. Fortification of Manila -The same as No. 3.
6. Investigations at Manila- " Simancas - Fili-
pinas; descubrimientos, descripciones y poblaciones
320 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.8
de las Yslas Filipinas; anos 1582 a 1606; est. i, caj. i,
leg. 3 1 29-"
7. Opinions of the religious orders - " Simancas
-Secular; Cartas y expedientes del presidente y
oidores de dicha Audiencia vistos en el Consejo ; anos
15B3 a 1599; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 18."
8. Letters from Dasmarinas (1592) ; also all the
remaining documents of that year. - The same as
No. 7.
9. Letter from Felipe II (1593). -" Audiencia
de Filipinas; registros de oficio y partes; reales or-
denes dirigidas a las autoridades y particulares del
distrito de la Audiencia; anos de 1568 a 1605; est.
105, caj. 2, leg. II."
10. Two royal decrees.- (i) Is a part of No. 9;
(2) The same as No. 6.
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