Part 17
Another decree came by which your Majesty orders me to investigate the troubles which the royal Audiencia had represented as being due to the sale of the offices of the notaries for the provinces of these islands. I discussed the matter in an assembly of persons of considerable experience, both seculars and religious; and all were of the opinion that it was not advisable to sell the said offices, but that they should be filled by appointment, and changed annually along with the alcaldes-mayor. For besides that they are of very small profit to your Majesty, it is certain that if the said notaries were permanent, the said Indians would not dare to bring suits against them at the time of their residencia, which is taken each year when the alcaldes-mayor finish their office. Consequently, they come to be so tyrannical that they destroy the poor Indians. For that purpose, I had already resolved before the reception of the decree not to continue the sale of the said offices; and, when those which I found sold became vacant, not to resell them. Will your Majesty please consider this matter favorably, since what is most important for your royal service is that these afflicted natives be not injured by your agents. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that, notwithstanding what the governor writes in this section, these notaryships must be ordered to be sold, or at least one in the capital of each province. For while some troubles may result from this, those which are experienced daily in regulating the notaries who are called 'appointed' are greater. Consequently, general decrees are despatched ordering the suppression of this practice in all parts of the Yndias, although it has been carried out in but few, because the said governors refuse. He petitions that it be so provided and ordered, and justice done. Madrid, November 19, 1630." "Let what is decreed be obeyed." "Observe what is decreed, in accordance with what the fiscal says."]
By the last decree concerning this matter of revenue, your Majesty orders me to investigate whether it would be advisable to make a new appraisement of the tribute which the Indians are ordered to pay in kind; and whether it will be advisable for the Indians not to be compelled to pay in kind, but in gold or silver, or in what they were able and willing to pay. What I can say to your Majesty about this is, that the present practice in these islands was introduced by order of Governor Don Pedro de Acuña, with the consent of the royal Audiencia and the ecclesiastical prelates, by which the natives pay four reals of their tribute in kind, and one fowl besides, and the rest in money. In regard to the quantity and kinds of products which had to be given for the said four reals, the appraisement was made according as the circumstances of each province required. After the religious and ministers who instruct the provinces had conferred among themselves, at the command of the said governor this was done, in the year 604. Since then times have changed, and the prices have been different. Accordingly, the quantity of rice or other products that the Indians are ordered to pay on account of the said four reals is too much in some provinces. Consequently, I think that your Majesty ought to order, with the assistance of another council that was called in the time of Don Pedro de Acuña that the matter be again conferred over, and decision made whether it is advisable to make a new appraisement; and that, if that be found desirable, it be done at once. But in regard to leaving it to the Indians whether they will or will not pay the said four reals in kind, besides the fowl, in no consideration am I of the opinion that that should be left to their choice; for the natives are generally so inclined to laziness that they do not sow or cultivate the lands, unless forced to do so by the obligation of paying the tribute in kind, as it is assigned in accordance with the different fruits and products of the many different provinces in these islands. It is seen in these provinces by experience that the obligation of sowing in order to pay their tribute is what keeps them supplied with all kinds of food. These considerations occur to me in regard to this decree, and to the others that I received the past year concerning this matter. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that he agrees with what the governor writes in this section, and he is certain that it is advisable for the Indians to pay a portion of their taxes in kind; for, in any other way, they would not have the care that is advisable in rearing and planting. Madrid, November 19, 1630." "Observe what the fiscal says."]
Coming now to the special consideration of the revenues of this year, the receipts have been less than ever. One hundred and eighty thousand pesos came from Nueva España. The licenses will have amounted to ninety thousand; and the other revenues--duties, situados, moneys from vacant offices, and balances of accounts--to another fifty thousand, including in this twenty thousand that the procurators of the city of Macan gave as aid in the voyage which the galleons made in convoy of their galliots. In all it does not amount to more than three hundred and fifty thousand pesos. The expenses are more than five hundred thousand pesos; but they have been greater [than in other years], for besides the stipends of this holy church, the salaries of the royal Audiencia and other officials, the pay of the infantry of this camp and the presidios, the aid for Terrenate and the island of Hermosa, the naval storehouse at Cavite, and other ordinary expenses, many extraordinary ones have arisen. These include the fleet, the voyage of the galleons, and the embassy to China; the construction of three galleons, four brigantines, and one galleon which is being built--together with more than seven thousand pesos that the governor of Terrenate bought in food and clothing, in order to supply the lack of those which were in the flagship which was lost; and also the unavoidable expenses of this government, although the infantry have not received their entire pay. Your Majesty can easily see how we shall have passed this year. The relief has been mostly through the large contributions by which I am exhausting the inhabitants; by loans; by neglecting to collect many salaries; and by sending more than one-half of the camp on ships through those seas for eight months, in order to save the effective succor which it was necessary to give them while ashore. Consequently, I find myself owing, in loans and debts contracted in this year, to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand pesos. That sum must be paid on the arrival of the succor from Nueva España. If that succor is as short as it was last year, it will mean to drive us out by the gates, and render it impossible for this government to do anything for its increase and the service of your Majesty. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
Nothing has placed the states of Flandes and those wars in greater stress than the mutinies. Your Majesty has a large body of infantry in these islands; and although it is in the Yndias, where it seems to those in España that everything is in superabundance, that is a delusion; for the soldiers experience much misery and hardships, and see only a scanty relief, and every year a large amount of pay remains still due to them. All the remote presidios suffer, and in Terrenate the soldiers desert to the enemy. I humbly entreat your Majesty to consider these reasons, and have the viceroys of Nueva España strictly ordered to send us what is asked from them. For in no other way will they succor these islands, as is advisable; nor do they, in other things, provide anyone to whom can be entrusted the assaying [of metals]. Some persons have done this, but have not had the certainty that was desired. I trust in God that He will help me to attain some success. I shall not desist from the effort--and that, be it understood, without expense to your Majesty. I have some ores in my house again, which I am assaying--mainly because I have no one who understands it thoroughly--although I am proceeding almost blindly. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
After having written this, news came of the arrival of the ships of this year, and a report of the succor that is sent in it, namely, 250,000 pesos in reals. The treasury now owes 150,000 pesos to the citizens for loans, and for food which has been taken from the natives on credit, for the expenses of this year. We cannot neglect to pay any part of that sum as soon as the ships reach port, in order not to lose credit with the inhabitants and natives, who are the ones who support us most. Taking then 150,000 pesos from the 250,000 that come, only 100,000 remain to be deposited in the treasury for the expenses of this year. Last year, when the succor arrived there was nothing owing for loans or food. In the matter of expenses I have been so moderate that I have not paid the salaries of the government employees, nor the debts of any of the back years. I have kept the infantry on ships for the space of eight months, in order to save the succor and actual cash that would have to be given them if they were ashore. Yet at the end of the year the treasury has been found pledged to the extent of the said 150,000 pesos. Since at least 80,000 pesos in reals are to be expended from the treasury this year in relief expeditions, and since we can not fail to have the expenses of last year, I find that in the coming July of 629, when the ships which I am now despatching arrive (if God be pleased to bring them back safely), we will owe 250,000 pesos in loans and food. That will be all the succor that I can count upon as being ordered to be sent me. Neither of those can I get here in this country, for the loan is a grievous burden on the inhabitants. My rigor cannot be greater than that of the present year. And, even did I secure these supplies, we shall be ruined none the less on that account in the following year, since at the time of the arrival of the succor, we shall be owing it all. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
The ordinary expense of these islands, if the infantry are given the full amount of their pay, is seven hundred and fifty thousand pesos per year, at appears from the reports of accounts that I am now sending. The unavoidable expense of necessary aid, factories, salaries, and stipends, amounts to 550,000 pesos. What these islands produce from year to year, in money which can be deposited in the treasury, as an aid to the ordinary expenses, amounts to 150,000 pesos. That leaves 400,000 pesos, which must be sent in reals every year from Nueva España. That should be by way of a gift or consignment (as your Majesty does in other places of less importance and danger than these); and it should not remain at the will of the viceroys of Nueva España whether they will send the money or not--even if they have to get it by loans. And even if this be ordered in the manner in which I request, the treasury will still remain under the obligations and shortage in which it will have been involved all these current years. With good administration and better intelligence--and every day I am trying to further the increase of the royal possessions--I hope that this will be retrieved. For if we have the means necessary to maintain the fleets in activity, we shall endeavor therewith to retrieve most of our arrears. But if the necessary funds be not given, we must necessarily lose what is now sent, which will be of no advantage when our fleet is rendered useless for lack of what is needed. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
I am very sure that your Majesty will have heard by different ways of my care in watching your royal treasury, and the change that has taken place in it, and the reform in the expenses since my arrival in this government. But I feel obliged humbly to petition your Majesty to be pleased to withdraw me from it in case that there is no opportunity of succoring it, as I petition; for I am very certain of the rapidity with which it is hastening to its final destruction, and it is not proper that a possession of so great importance for the Roman church and the crown of your Majesty be lost in the hands of persons of my character and desires. May our Lord preserve the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty, with the increase and prosperity which we your vassals desire and as we need. Manila, August 4, 1628.
Just now has been brought to me what this royal Audiencia writes to your Majesty, all complaining that the thirds of their salaries are not paid to them with the promptness that is ordered; that sometimes two or three thirds are owing to them; and that the cause of this is the annoyance and trouble brought about by the governors ordering that they be not paid without their special order. What has been done in this matter during my term will be seen by the testimony that I enclose with the present letter. It would be a strong case if there were any money in the royal treasury, in view of the shortness of the succors as the ships cannot be expected for the last third, that of April. The same measure has been taken this year with all the officials in general, as well as to myself. The treasury owes me ten thousand pesos, and to the citizens a great sum in loans, for since the needs of the treasury are so pressing, we all must feel it. The ships have arrived late, and order has been given to pay immediately the third that is due. What remains to be paid will be paid by the end of this month, when it will be due. Thus have we been doing hitherto, and there has been no delay in any third, unless for two or three days that are spent in making out the vouchers and giving the decree or order--without which nothing is paid, for the reason that I gave above in the third section of this letter. This appears a vexation to the Audiencia. May God preserve the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty, as Christendom needs. Manila, August 4, 1628. Sire, the humble vassal of your Majesty,
_Don Juan Niño de Tavora_
[_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that in regard to the governor taking charge of the payments that are to be made in the royal treasury, he refers to what he has said in another section of this letter. In regard to his holding back the thirds of the salaries of the auditors, it must be ordered that that be not done unless it is rendered necessary by a very urgent occasion. Madrid, November 19, 1630." "Let him see that their salaries are not withheld from the auditors, preferring them to all the other payments that shall be made."]
_Governmental affairs_
Sire:
What occurs to me, of which to write your Majesty concerning this government, in addition to the matters of justice, revenue, and war (of which I am writing in separate letters), is, first, of the peace and quiet that has been enjoyed in this community. All the tribunals maintain peace among themselves, and act with great harmony and unanimity. And although a few occasions and controversies do not fail to arise in the course of the year in all of the tribunals, I endeavor to lean toward that which is of most importance to us, namely, peace. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]
The city has been beautified by the building of a bridge which was desired for a long time; and, although it had been regarded as almost impossible, we now see it in such condition that we can cross by it within two months. Then we shall be able to attend to the conducting of the water or fountain with which your Majesty so earnestly charged me. In this and other buildings, I exert myself very willingly. If the inhabitants were in so easy circumstances that taxes could be imposed on their possessions to carry this construction forward, there would be much more work, [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]
One night in the month of January, fire was carelessly set (as far as could be learned) in the Parián of the Sangleys or Chinese who live close to the walls of this city. All the buildings were of wood and straw; and consequently, although we went to the rescue as quickly and energetically as possible, the fire could not be extinguished. I viewed the fire from the guard-house itself, which looks out on the Parián, in order to prevent the movements that the Chinese might attempt under such circumstances. The master-of-camp, Don Lorenço Olaco, entered the Parián itself, and by his timely efforts, and through God's help, he saved the convent and church of the fathers of St. Dominic, who have charge of the Chinese. The latter, being infidels, were not a little surprised at seeing only the convent and house of the fathers escape so great a fire. Almost all the Parián has been rebuilt, with much better outlines and edifices than before, and that to such an extent that this city is beautified by buildings so fine. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
There have also been other fires this year. One was in the city of Cibu, where the convents of the calced and discalced religious of St. Augustine were burned, together with some houses of the most influential inhabitants. Another was in the city of [Nuestra Señora] del Rosario de Terrenate, where the convent of St. Francis and the royal hospital were burned, together with a considerable portion of the native village. The edifices in these regions are generally of wood or bamboo, and the roofs of straw. Consequently, they are very liable to such disasters. Now edifices of stone are being introduced, roofed with tile or brick, and therefore these troubles are being averted. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]
The year has been a productive one for rice, which is the wheat of this country. We are experiencing the great blessing that will result from the cultivated farms that have recently commenced to be established by the Spaniards. They are cultivated by the Chinese, who are excellent farmers. I am encouraging it to the best of my ability, as I believe this is the shortest road to provide this city with plenty of food.
In regard to the trade and commerce of silks and other products of China, in which consists all the substance of the inhabitants of this community, certain straits will be experienced this year, because the returns from Nueva España have been very slight, and prices here are very high. Consequently, all the city has thought, with the general consent, that there should be no [record of] investment, or register, in the ships that are despatched this year to Nueva España for aid. Thus was I petitioned in the name of the whole city. I discussed it in the session with the auditors, and in a treasury meeting with those who attend that. All thought that what the city petitioned should be conceded, as it was well known that it would tend to its increase and profit, or to say better, to the restoration of this community. Your Majesty has much more interest in that than in the duties on the investment and register, which are of slight consideration to this treasury and to that of Mexico; while it is of great interest to all the monarchy that so much silver be not sent to China as was going every year from these kingdoms of your Majesty. Since your royal decrees make so much of the harm that would follow to those kingdoms and to all the monarchy from excesses in these regions, I do not doubt that the decision to set aside the [record of] investment for this year will be quite in accord with its welfare and to your Majesty's pleasure. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that, in spite of the causes mentioned by the governor in this section of his letter, he has been notified from Mexico and various other places in regard to this particular; and that the ships were laden with merchandise of great value. Hence the omission of the register only served to defraud the royal duties. Consequently, the governor should be censured for his act and a greater demonstration [of displeasure] reserved for what should result from his inspection and residencia from Mexico, that being one of the matters referred to that city." "Let the decision of the fiscal be followed; and advise the inspector of this, so that he may charge those who are guilty."]
Not less attention has been paid to the government of the Indians and natives of these provinces. I found them greatly oppressed and harassed by the many burdens, assessments, and services that were imposed on them for the service of your Majesty and the support of the government employees and justices. In regard to this matter, I held several conferences with the ecclesiastical prelates, the regulars, and the seculars. At these were present your Majesty's fiscal, the assessor of the government, and two encomenderos in the name of the others, and I conferred with them on the most important points. Later, with general consent, I made a new set of instructions and ordinances concerning the justices and encomenderos. By them was prohibited under heavy penalties whatever had been introduced that was harmful to the Indians. An attested copy of certain points was given to the superiors of the orders and to the ministers who are not regulars, of which it seemed best that they should be notified at the same meeting. They were strictly charged with the execution of those clauses; under penalty that if redress were not made by their own action, your Majesty will enforce it. And in order that some cooperation might be supplied on the part of your royal treasury to this general relief which we are trying to effect for the Indians, it was resolved, with the consent of the tribunal of the treasury, to pay the natives who serve in the naval storehouse, the rope-factory, and in the repairs of the ships of your Majesty, a moderate sum which seemed a just recompense for their labor. By that means, and without any remarkable cost to your Majesty (since other expenses were cut down), the villages were relieved of many thousands of ducados which they had to contribute (to their own ruin) every year for the just payment of the aforesaid services. Thus, adding to all this the efforts that, as I wrote in the letter on military affairs, have been made and are being undertaken in regard to their protection, I think everything possible will have been done this year for the just government and administration of these unfortunate natives. [_In the margin_: "Take it to the fiscal." "The fiscal says that from what this section shows, the zeal and care of the governor in the welfare, protection, and instruction of those natives ought to be esteemed, and he ought to be ordered to go ahead. At present nothing else in particular can be answered or advised, because this letter does not contain the matters mentioned in it and said to have been given to the religious orders, etc." "Advise him that the papers have not come, and that we are awaiting them, in order to decide as shall be most advisable."]
Quite a number of meetings were also held in regard to the government of the Sangleys or Chinese, both those naturalized in the country and those who are transient--the traders and mechanics, who are very numerous. All that needed reform was discussed very deliberately, and is being carried out in accordance with the decisions of the other tribunals. However, we cannot help having a million difficulties in regard to all the matters concerning that nation, as we do not govern them after their own manner--as I state in greater detail to your Majesty in the letter on judicial matters, when discussing the manner in which I think those people should be governed. It is sure and certain that so long as there cannot be the remedy that I ask for in this matter, what is desired and expedient cannot be attained. [_In the margin_: "Seen; and have particular care in this."]