Part 5

The bishop of that province, Don Juan de Rrenteria, to whom your Majesty committed the general inspection of this royal Audiencia, died November 4 of last year. If your Majesty should decide to send another person for this place rather than for another place, it is necessary, as also that he be one who has experience, and is disinterested and conscientious. [_In the margin_: "Seen."]

The forts of Terrenate are garrisoned with soldiers and necessary supplies, although all, as I have heard, are quite discontented with their governor, Pedro de Heredia, because of his trade and intercourse with the enemy, of which they accuse him, and his usurpation of the duties from the export of cloves and other things. I shall investigate the truth and advise your Majesty of the result, and in the meantime I shall correct the matter. The enemy have dismantled the forts of Calomatas and Motil, and are, as I believe, somewhat weakened in those districts. I shall send the usual expedition early, with what is asked from me from there; and shall endeavor to secure very friendly intercourse with the king of Macassar, who proves himself ever a most zealous servitor of your Majesty, which is of importance for Maluco affairs. [_In the margin_: "File."]

The Ternatans beg urgently for this king whom we are keeping here in prison, and offer to make treaties of peace--although it would mean no more than to divide them between father and son, and to join the powerful Chile, for all are hostile. It would surely be advisable, for if what they offer were not obtained, the king is nothing more than an old and worn-out Moro, who remains here to no purpose, consuming your Majesty's revenues. [_In the margin_: "See whether provision has been made in this matter. Discuss it in a letter to Don Juan Niño de Tabora."]

Your Majesty orders me to advise you of the mines of the Ygolotes, [15] and the success of the nutmeg of La Laguna. The latter is considered as wild nutmeg, and now as of no importance. I shall endeavor to ascertain whether it may be cultivated, and shall attempt to do so. More than fifty thousand pesos were spent in the mines, but nothing was found at last. A quantity of rocks were sent to Nueba España, in order to be assayed there, as we had no one here who understood it; and, the soldiers having been withdrawn, that exploration was abandoned, as a matter that did not have the desired result.

[_In the margin_: "Seen; have Don Juan Niño de Tabora inform me more minutely of this."]

I found this city without regidors, because the Audiencia had removed those who held that office. By virtue of a decree of your Majesty, the observance of which was demanded by the fiscal, those offices were offered at auction; but only two of them were sold. The purchasers were persons whose standing did your Majesty but know, you would surely not consider yourself served that [these offices should be sold] for so small a price as is two thousand pesos for each--and one thousand pesos of that sum was paid in due-bills. They should be discontinued, to be conceded to the persons of highest standing in this community, who because of their good character will attend more carefully to your Majesty's service, and the conservation and increase of the community, than do those who buy them; for the latter generally try to get from the community the sum that the offices cost them. However, I am ordering the proclamations to be continued; and if there are no persons to buy the offices, after the time-limit has expired I shall appoint the most suitable persons to them, with the guarantee that, if your Majesty shall not consider this satisfactory, they shall pay to the treasury the maximum price for which any of the offices shall have been sold." [16] [_In the margin_: "Gather what has been decreed and bring it here for all the councilors. Bring the general decree which was despatched ordering those offices to be sold. Inform the governor and Audiencia that there must be no innovation."]

Some years [_illegible words in MS._] in the additional two per cent duty that your Majesty ordered to be paid on the goods sent to Nueba España from here, attentive to the petition that they presented. I assure your Majesty that the trade has so greatly decreased, and the succors that the inhabitants here furnish to the royal treasury are so great, that even if the continual personal service with which they generally serve your Majesty did not deserve such a favor, this additional duty should be remitted; for I consider it impossible that at the price goods are bought here they can pay the duty. Will your Majesty decide what is most advisable, and order what is your pleasure. [_In the margin_: "Let those [papers] necessary be brought."]

Your Majesty has no need so pressing in any part of the world as that your governors should have authority to remove or promote religious missionaries to the natives from the districts where they are, because of their lawless and loose mode of life. That has come to such a pass that they have lost respect, by their deeds, for the alcaldes-mayor, and the said religious do not pay any attention to their jurisdiction or to the royal patronage. The Augustinians, who are more exorbitant than others, are very owners of the wills of the Indians, and give out that the quiet or disobedience of the latter hinges on them. For when the alcalde-mayor of Balayan tried to restrain the excesses that he saw, they entered his house armed, and bound and flogged him; that was during the government of the Audiencia. But lately another alcalde-mayor, in Bulacan, having arrested two Indians, seamen on a ship of your Majesty's fleet, so that they might serve at their posts, the religious at that place took them out of prison. Even more oppressive acts occur daily, which need a severe remedy. I petition your Majesty to have sent to me the decree which was sent to Nueba España this past year, with more definite restrictions, so that they may not have any ground for opposing it, and so that their generals, especially he of St. Augustine, may order them to restrain themselves, and so that his Holiness may do the same, the briefs or patents being passed by the Council and everything being sent to me. So great haste is necessary in order not to fall out with them. [_In the margin_: "Send that decree, and write to the governor and archbishop to summon the provincial of the Augustinians and tell him how advisable it is to punish that religious, and those who act so; and have them advised that no mission shall under any consideration be granted to religious against whom such accusations are made. Have them advise us of what is done." "This decree was carried out."]

I am quartering the infantry, and am surprised that it has not been done in so many years. It is not causing any expense to the royal treasury. For, besides that it is impossible that the soldiers be well disciplined in any other way--three-fourths living, as they do, outside the city--I trust that by this means a much smaller number will die, and that many offenses against God will be avoided.

Although your Majesty has often been petitioned from this country to aid these islands with a fleet, my experience in sailing to India by way of the cape of Buena Esperança, and outside the island of San Lorenço, causes me to desist from that request, as I consider it impossible. But considering that the forces here are for naught else than defensive war, and how important it would be to dislodge the enemy from the Malucas Islands, it seems to me an easier and more advisable method for your Majesty to send the soldiers and sailors who could be a reënforcement, at the account of Philipinas, in the merchant vessels of the trading-fleets [from España], so that in due time they might be taken from San Juan de Ulua, together with the men raised in Nueva España, to the port of Acapulco. For if sufficient money be sent from Nueba España, better ships can be built no-where than here; and thereby could be attained what I doubt greatly could be secured in any other way.

Don Bernardino del Castillo, castellan of this fort of Santiago, has died. I have appointed in his place, and I trust that your Majesty will confirm it, or appoint him to that post, Governor Lucas de Vergara Gavira, who has been governor of the forces of Terrenate, and who served your Majesty with approval in Flandes and in these regions for many years.

The island of Ermossa lies between Great China and the province of Ylocos, which is situated in these islands. There is so short a distance from one part to the other that one can cross over in one night. Although my predecessor, Don Alonso Fajardo, was advised that the Dutch were thinking of fortifying themselves there, and how important it was to these islands to gain the position, he did not do so, perhaps because the enemy were more powerful. Now the latter have a fort with four ramparts (two of stone), which will soon be completed, for the Chinese subjects of that kingdom are helping them. The island has no port for large ships; but the Dutch, together with Japanese, did considerable damage with small craft--so much, in fact, that the past year they captured a vessel with thirty thousand pesos. If time and opportunity permit, I shall endeavor to gain a foothold in another port, in order to drive out the Dutch in the future from what they have there now. If your Majesty would establish a factory there, it would result in the complete restoration of this country to its old-time luster, and with greater prosperity.

The treasury accountants of the City of Mexico have this year exceeded their authority, contrary to the provisions of section 24 of the last ordinances which your Majesty gave to the said treasury accountants, and ordered them to observe, in the year 609. For the ordinances of this royal Audiencia made in the year 1596 are in force--sections 67 and 69 of which treat of the manner in which the accounts of the royal officials are to be audited; and section 29, of the powers given to them for the exercise of their offices--and section 22 of those given to the said accountants in the year of the foundation of that tribunal, which was the year 1609; and the said section 24, lastly, rules that after auditing the accounts in this Audiencia, they shall be sent to Mexico, so that, having been examined, the officials there may inform your Majesty of their opinion. Not heeding that, they have, by extending their jurisdiction, rendered decisions against the royal officials of this treasury in the review of their accounts, and have added things to these, which [these royal officials], as they do not bear them in mind, judge to be unnecessary. It can easily be understood that since your Majesty, by the said section 24, ordered these accounts to be audited here by the president, two auditors, and the fiscal, because of the long distance to Mexico, they are not again to be judged by an inferior tribunal; since these ministers are not to be accused twice for one cause, nor even are additions to be lodged against them, as those in Mexico do. Will your Majesty order them to refrain from sending such despatches through their tribunals, without having your Majesty's new commission for it, thus annulling the said ordinances and sections. I assure your Majesty of what I can testify, that the royal officials in few regions serve with greater fidelity and trust than those here, with continual aid in the documents and other things in their charge. [_In the margin_: "Have what the royal officials write about this matter brought." "This section was copied."]

Your Majesty orders me to give you information as to how General Rodrigo de Guillestegui, who is commander of the vessels that sail to Nueva España this year, may be granted reward. According to his good service here and his great capability, the future succession [to the command] of this fort, or that to the post of master-of-camp, will be very well entrusted to him.

I knew the master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, in Flandes, all the time while he was in those states. He served there for seven years in a most satisfactory manner, when he came to these islands with pay of eighty escudos. With that pay, he served in the government of Terrenate until your Majesty appointed a person to that office. He is poor and out of employment. I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to show him honor and to reward him, since his rank and services deserve it.

Your Majesty also has here one Captain Don Antonio de Vera, captain in this camp, who has served for many years, of which I can testify as an eyewitness from the States of Flandes. He desires your Majesty to reward him with a habit; and beyond doubt that will be well bestowed, and a great encouragement to those who are serving here.

I found Admiral Don Cristoval de Lugo i Montalbo here, a man of very well-known character, and who has rendered excellent service in Milan, and in the wars of Saboya and Piamonte [_i.e._, Savoy and Piedmont]. I have busied him in the post of chief commandant of Pintados, and as my lieutenant in military matters of that province. He deserves honor and reward from your Majesty.

Your Majesty conceded for another lifetime to my wife, Doña Maria de Ssalaçar (whose parents and grandparents served your Majesty well in these regions), the encomiendas that her mother possessed. Inasmuch as I am so liable to die at any occasion in your Majesty's service that may arise, which desired end I shall endeavor to attain; and since she cannot remain decently as a widow in this country: I petition your Majesty, in consideration of all my services and those of her father and grandfather, to reward her, and to concede to her, for the time while she holds it, absence from the said encomiendas, that she may enjoy them wherever she pleases to dwell. For that will not result in any harm to a third party, nor can the personal presence of a woman be of any service to your Majesty. This reward can not serve as a precedent, while there are many other precedents in other parts of the Indias to private persons (and they not of my position) [that render it possible].

The almiranta arrived July 29, and its being able to get here seems miraculous, as this is the season when there are no vendavals. I am giving employment to all the paid substitutes possible, in order to stop to some extent the so great waste of the royal treasury, which such men use up without any profit.

I found the deanship of this holy church vacant because of the death of Don Francisco Gomez de Arrellano. On the twenty-eighth of the past month the archdeanship fell vacant because of the death of Ssantiago de Castro. I have made presentations in the following dignities in your Majesty's name, for your royal patronage, _ad interim_, and I trust that your Majesty will confirm them: dean, precentor, schoolmaster, archdean, one canon for the precentorship, one cura for the schoolmaster, canon, one racionero, in the ration of Lorenzo Rramirez--all persons of proved virtue and deserving of these rewards. May God preserve your Majesty. Manila, August 4, 1625.

_Fernando de Silva_

DOCUMENTS OF 1626

Letter from the archbishop to Felipe IV. Miguel Garcia Serrano; July 25. Letter to Felipe IV. Fernando de Silva; July 30. Letter from the sisters of St. Clare to Felipe IV. Jeronima de la Asunsion, and others; July 31. Petition for aid to the seminary of San Juan Letran. Juan Geronimo de Guerrero; August 1. Royal decrees. Felipe IV; June-October. Military affairs of the islands. [Unsigned]; 1626.

_Sources_: Most of these documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The last two of the "Royal decrees" are from MSS. in the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid; and the sixth document is from a rare pamphlet in the British Museum, London.

_Translations_: These are all made by James A. Robertson, except the second, by Robert W. Haight.

LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP SERRANO TO FELIPE IV

Sire:

In the ships that came from Nueva España to these islands this last month of June, I received a decree of your Majesty dated Madrid, December six of the former year six hundred and twenty-four, with a copy of the one that your Majesty wrote to the governor of these islands, in respect to the gold mines of the Ygolotes. I shall discuss it with the said governor, as your Majesty orders, as soon as this despatch shall be made, which will be at the end of this month. I shall exert all the effort possible, so far as I am concerned, so that your Majesty may be well served in everything. I believe that Governor Don Juan Niño de Tavora will not be lacking in the same, for he shows very earnest desires to employ himself in your Majesty's service. [_In the margin_: "That it is well."]

I received two other decrees, of the fourteenth and thirtieth of August, of the same year, in which your Majesty is pleased to lay down the form that must be observed in the visitation of the missionary religious; and ordering that the latter may not make arrests or employ stocks or prisons, or fiscals or constables who make arrests, besides those whom the archbishop or bishop shall assign, or who shall have the latter's authority to do so in cases permitted by law--all of which will be observed and obeyed as your Majesty orders, [_In the margin_: "Seen."]

In another decree, of June twenty of the past year twenty-five, your Majesty also orders me to inform you, with the distinctness and clearness necessary for the better understanding of what you desire, of the annual incomes and values of the benefices and revenues of this archbishopric of Manila, and what sum pertains to the dignidades, canonries, and prebends, both of this church and of the others of my diocese. [Your Majesty also asks for] the number in each church; how many beneficed curacies there are in each district, and their income; the number of missions, their value, and whether they are in charge of seculars or religious of the orders. I gave your Majesty a long account of that in a letter that I wrote the former year of six hundred and twenty-one on the twenty-fifth of July, to which I have had answer from that royal Council that it was received in the following year of six hundred and twenty-two. I only neglected to place in that letter the incomes of the archbishopric and the prebends of this church--taking that for granted, as a matter very well known, since your Majesty sustains both the archbishop and the dignidades, canonries, and prebends from your royal treasury, because there is no other source, and the tithes are not sufficient. The latter are placed in the said treasury, and are collected at the account of your Majesty. They amount to a very small sum, since, from what I have experienced, only the stock farms of the larger cattle of the Spaniards pay tithes to your Majesty, and that has not, as yet, been practiced with the Indians. Consequently your Majesty pays the archbishop a salary of three thousand ducados of eleven reals each; the dean, six hundred pesos of eight-real pieces; the four dignities of archdean, precentor, schoolmaster, and treasurer, five hundred pesos; four canons, four hundred pesos; two racions, three hundred pesos; two media-racions, each two hundred pesos--all paid in thirds. Consequently both the archbishop and his prebendaries suffer abundant misery; and, because of that, your Majesty is petitioned to favor us by increasing these salaries, since they hardly suffice to pay their house-rent, and support them very moderately. [_In the margin_: "Set down everything in the books that have been ordered to be made."]

This cathedral church has no other revenue than the alms received from burials; and if it were not for the four hundred pesos that your Majesty has granted it for a limited time, it would have nothing for the wine, wax, and flour for divine worship. With this and with some allotment of cargo (although little) that the city generally gives it, the band of musicians, who come to serve on their feast days in the same church, is maintained.

What seculars administer in this archbishopric is divided into nine benefices, besides the three curacies of Spaniards in Manila, Santiago (which is in Manila's suburbs), and the port of Cavite. Twenty thousand souls are ministered to in the said benefices. [_In the margin_: "_Idem_."] [17]

The Order of St. Augustine has thirty-two convents, in all of which are fifty-six priests, who have in charge ninety thousand souls.

The Order of St. Francis has thirty-eight convents, with guardianias and presidencies, in which are forty-seven priests. In all of them forty-eight thousand four hundred souls are ministered to.

The Order of St. Dominic has three convents in this archbishopric. It ministers to three thousand souls, and has five religious.

The Society of Jesus has eight priests in three residences, and ministers to ten thousand six hundred souls.

The discalced Augustinians have three convents in which are six priests. They minister to eight thousand souls.

Consequently, the souls of the natives alone who are ministered to in the district of this archbishopric of Manila amount to two hundred and one thousand, six hundred souls.

The bishopric of Nueva Segovia has four secular benefices, two of them for Spaniards, one in the said city of Nueva Segovia, and the other in Villa Fernandina. The other two benefices are for Indians.

The Order of St. Augustine has fifteen convents in this bishopric, and they minister to fifty-eight thousand souls there.

The Order of St. Dominic has twenty-five convents in the said bishopric, in the province of Cagayan and that of Pangasinan. They minister to seventy thousand souls in these.

Consequently the number of souls of the natives ministered to in the said bishopric of Nueva Segovia is one hundred and twenty-eight thousand.

There are six secular benefices in the bishopric of Camarines, whose seat is in the city of Caceres. They minister to ten thousand six hundred souls.

The Order of St. Francis has twenty-four convents, with guardianias and presidencies, in this bishopric, and minister to forty-five thousand souls.

All the souls ministered to in the said bishopric of Camarines amount to fifty-six thousand eight hundred.

These two churches of Caceres and Nueva Segovia (and the bishop of Zibu gives account of the church there to your Majesty) have no prebendaries; and there is no one besides the cura, who serves the said church and ministers to the few Spaniards there.

Each of the secular beneficiaries in these islands has an annual stipend of one hundred and ninety pesos, which are paid from your Majesty's royal treasury to those who minister to your royal tributarios. The same sum is paid to the religious, except that the ninety pesos are given in rice. To both classes is given one arroba of Castilian wine, and flour for the mass. The other encomenderos give the same to the ministers of their encomiendas.

Now then I have satisfied what your Majesty orders me by the aforesaid royal decree, as clearly as possible. If I have not named the villages and chief places of the benefices, the reason is that I believe myself excused from that labor.

The government of Don Fernando de Silva, knight of the habit of Sanctiago, during this interim in these islands has been very successful; and he has proceeded as prudently as if he had exercised the government for many years. He has secured peace both with the royal Audiencia and with all the other corporations.