The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XVIII, 1617 1620 by Various

V >> Various >> The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XVIII, 1617 1620

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

[_In the margin_: "It is well, and what is advisable will be
provided."]

[_Marginal note_: "That it has been heard that the fathers of the
Society are urging that the orders in Japon shall depart thence;
but that it is not advisable that this be done, because of the great
harvest of souls that they have gathered, and are now obtaining,
through their instruction. [He also says] that it will be to our
Lord's service to have the consecration of father Fray Luis Otelo take
effect, since the bishop of the western part is already consecrated;
and since the king of Boso, although an infidel, is well affected to
the Christians, and the two bishops are widely separated."]

It has been heard here that the fathers of the Society are making
strenuous efforts to have the orders leave Japon. That is not at all
advisable, because of the very abundant harvest of souls that they have
gathered, and are gathering, through their instruction and example,
even giving their lives for the welfare of these souls. Accordingly,
I think it advisable for your Majesty to protect this cause, for
thereby will your Majesty perform the greatest service to our Lord. I
think it will also be to His service if the consecration of father
Fray Luis Sotelo take effect, since the other bishop, the one of
the western part, is now consecrated. I am moved to say this because
the king of Bozo, [80] although an infidel, is well affected to the
Christian religious, and has some in his kingdom. That kingdom is
very distant from those regions where the other bishop lives. It will
be advantageous to this community of Manila, for they will be able to
trade and traffic in those districts, and get food and other necessary
supplies from them for your Majesty's fleets. Nothing else occurs to
me of which to advise your Majesty, except that may our Lord preserve
for many long years the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty for
the defense and protection of His holy Church. Manila, July 30, 1619
[_sic._]

_Fray Pedro_, bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus.

[_Endorsed on back_: "Seen and decreed within."]

[_In the margin_: "Have a copy of this clause sent to the governor,
as to what pertains to the religious leaving Japon, so that he
may investigate it. What is advisable in the other matters will
be provided."]

[Appended to this document is the following:]

_Testimony of the resolution by the royal officials Ordinance._
I, Gaspar Alvarez, scrivener-in-chief of the administrative and war
departments of these Philipinas Islands for the king our sovereign, do
certify truthfully to all who may see this present that, in a general
meeting held by the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and
Chancilleria of these islands for the government, together with the
fiscal of his Majesty and the judicial officials of the royal treasury
of the islands, on the fifth of this present month and year of the
date of this present, among certain matters and questions discussed
and determined in the said meeting, was the following.

In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of August, one
thousand six hundred and sixteen, Licentiate Andres de Alcarez, senior
auditor of the royal Audiencia of these islands, who exercises the
duties of president and captain-general of them, while in the houses
where the Audiencia resides, called a treasury meeting to discuss
matters advisable for the service of his Majesty. Licentiate Manuel
de Madrid y Luna, Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte, auditor and fiscal
[respectively], in the royal Audiencia, and the royal officials of
the royal treasury--namely, Captain Pedro de Saldiernos Demariaca,
factor; Juan Saez de Hegoen, inspector; and Alonso de Espinosa Saravia,
accountant--having attended it, and being thus assembled before me,
the present scrivener of the administrative and war departments,
he proposed the following.

_Petition._ A petition was read from Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop
of the city of Zibu, and governor of this archbishopric, which was
of the following tenor. "Most potent Sire: I, Don Fray Pedro de Arce,
bishop of the city of Sanctisimo Nombre de Jesus, and governor of this
archbishopric by virtue of a brief of our very holy Father Paul Fifth,
and a decree of the royal person of your Highness, declare that,
in order to obey the said orders and fulfil my obligations in the
common welfare of this archbishopric, I have come to this capital,
and have left the comfort of a house that I had built, in the said
city of Zebu, and have established myself with greater obligations
for expenses in house and servants, in order to sustain some little
of the greatness due the honor of the archiepiscopal dignity. I
represent, as is well known to your Highness, that the expenses of
this capital are excessive, for the rent of a moderate-sized house
costs more than three hundred pesos and the ordinary food is very
dear. For these reasons and others, well known to your Highness,
and because the duties of the ministry are not lessened by the said
government, it is in accord with justice that, since I bear the weight
and obligations of archbishop, I be granted the salary assigned to his
person. Therefore, I beg and petition your Highness to have the said
grace conceded to me, in fulfilment of the said will of his Holiness
and the royal person of your Highness. I ask for justice.

_Fray Pedro_, bishop of Sanctisimo Nombre de Jesus."

_Resolution._ Having heard and examined the said proposition, and
discussed and conferred as to what should be done, all unanimously
and in accord, with one determination and sentiment, resolved, in
respect to what the said bishop Don Fray Pedro de Arce petitions, that,
inasmuch as he must reside in this city and archbishopric, if he fulfil
his obligations to govern it, and must have a house and servants, and
the other things required by his dignity; and inasmuch as he cannot
do this with the salary of five hundred thousand maravedis that he
receives in his bishopric: therefore the third part of the salary
received and enjoyed by the archbishop Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado
shall be assigned to him. He shall enjoy it from the day when he shall
show by authentic testimony that he took possession in this city of the
government of the said archbishopric. The official judges of the royal
treasury shall grant warrants for, and pay to him, the third of the
said salary, according to and as it was paid to the said archbishop,
during the full time of his governorship of this archbishopric. That
shall be received from them and placed on the accounts of the said
royal official judges. Licentiate Andres de Alcazar, Licentiate
Manuel de Madrid y Luna, Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte,
Pedro de Caldiernos de Mariaca, Juan Saez de Hegoen, and Alonso de
Espinosa Saravia affixed their signatures. Before me:

_Gaspar Alvares_

According as is manifest by the abovesaid and as appears by the
said original meeting, which is in the book of minutes and meetings
of the treasury, which is in my office, and on leaves one hundred
and eighteen and one hundred and nineteen of it, to which I refer,
and by petition of his Lordship, the said bishop, I gave the present
in Manila, August eleven, one thousand six hundred and sixteen. As
witness at its drawing and revision were Christoval Martin Franco
and Joan Vazquez de Mercado, citizens of this said city.

_Gaspar Alvares_

As is manifest and appears from the original testimony, that remained
in the possession of the reverend Don Fray Pedro de Arce, with which
it was corrected and collated, and is issued actually and really
corrected and collated, and on petition of the said reverend person,
I gave the present in the city of Manila, on the twenty-fifth day of
the month of August, one thousand six hundred and sixteen, witnesses
being Christoval de Saavedra, Blas de Rrosales, and Andres Estevan,
citizens and residents of Manila.

Therefore I affixed my seal in testimony of right. Gratis.

_Pedro de Valdes_, notary-public.

We, the undersigned notaries, testify that Pedro de Valdes, by whom
this testimony seems to be sealed and signed, is a notary-public of the
number [81] of this city of Manila, and that entire credence has been,
and is, given, in and out of court, to the writs and acts that have
passed, and pass, before him. Given in Manila, August twenty-five,
one thousand six hundred and sixteen.

_Diego de Rueda_, notary.
_Juan de Cabrera_, royal notary.
_Sebastian Samer_, his Majesty's notary.

Sire:

Don Pedro de Arce, bishop of Cibu, declares that his predecessor,
Don Pedro de Agurto, first bishop of that province, appointed and
named canons and dignidades, although without any stipend, to serve
in his cathedral church, without your Majesty's order. By his death
the said canons and dignidades claimed the right to govern in the
vacant see of the said bishopric; while the archbishop of Manila also
claimed the right to place a government there himself. Since many
opposing ideas have been expressed among the theologians regarding
this matter, I supplicate your Majesty to have the goodness to order
what procedure must be observed in this, and whether such canons and
dignidades constitute and hold the force of a cabildo, or not, so
that, at any event, suits and dissensions may be avoided; and it will
receive favor. [_In the margin_: "Have all the documents that bear
upon this argument collected, and have the fiscal examine them all,
and let action be taken according to his declaration. May 4, 619."]

The fiscal declares that no other papers than this petition were
brought to him. So far as can be judged from this statement alone,
those who are referred to as canons and dignidades are not such, nor
can they be such. In order to determine what further measures it it
advisable to take, it is necessary that the governor and archbishop
of Manila investigate the matter. Madrid, May 28, 1619.

As the fiscal says, and until they investigate, let a decree be framed
ordering what the bishops must observe in appointing the canons,
when they are not appointed by his Majesty and a cabildo is not
formed. June first, 619.

Sire:

Don Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Cibu, in the Filipinas
Islands, declares that, at your Majesty's order, and for the welfare
of his Lord, he came to govern the archbishopric of Manila because
of the death of the archbishop, Don Diego Vazquez de Mercado; and
inasmuch as the stipend given us by your Majesty is slight, and we
have to keep a house and servants in that city with suitable dignity
and propriety, he laid a petition before your royal Audiencia of those
islands, which was then governing, asking that he be given the stipend
given to the archbishop. Having called a meeting of the treasury, as
your Majesty commands by your royal decrees, they voted to give him,
as a gratification, the third part of the salary given the archbishop,
as appears by the testimony that he presents. He petitions your Majesty
to grant him the grace, because of his many expenses there, to confirm
that action, so that the royal officials who shall pay it shall not
be responsible for those expenses; and thereby he will receive favor.

[_Endorsed:_ "Have the fiscal examine it. May 4, 1619."]

The fiscal declares that, although the Audiencia and council of
the treasury could not do this, and although they petitioned it,
they ought to declare that it was to be understood if confirmed by
the Council. Their motive may be found just; and did it appear so to
the Council, then they might approve and confirm it. Madrid, May 28,
1619. [_In the margin_: "Let a decree be despatched in accordance
with the fiscal's declaration. June first, 1619."]

LETTER FROM ALONSO FAJARDO DE TENZA TO FELIPE III

Sire:

In the vessels that I despatched from this bay to Nueva Espana last
year on the tenth of August, I informed your Majesty of my voyage
and arrival, and of the condition in which I found this country. By
way of Portuguese Yndia I did the same in December of the said year,
adding then what was new. What news I can now give is that, thanks to
God, the said ships reached here on the return voyage on the third of
this month, after a long trip of three and one-half months--and on the
outward trip, the smaller ship spent less than four months, and the
larger seven days more [than four months]. They have been among the
most fortunate ships seen here. Glory be to His Divine Majesty for
everything. These ships have brought two companies with one hundred
and twenty-four volunteer soldiers together, thirty-four sentenced
by justice to serve in these districts, thirty-two convicts for the
galleys, three hundred and seventy-eight thousand five hundred and
eighty-six eight-real pesos, in reals and in bars of silver, also arms,
military stores, and other necessary supplies for the use of these
strongholds and warehouses. Although the troops and money do not equal
what was asked from here--nor what is extremely necessary, because of
the very stringent need here of both men and money--according to what
I have heard of the difficulty in collecting this aid, and the labor
that it cost the viceroy of those provinces to expedite and send it,
he is greatly to be praised for it. I am under obligations to him;
but I find myself also obliged to entreat your Majesty to have him
urged in vigorous terms, saying that you consider yourself served
thereby, and to order him to continue it, doing the utmost possible
in the reenforcements asked from here. He should also be asked to
furnish those reenforcements in the same manner, in those years when
ships do not reach Acapulco from these islands because of having to
put back into port in distress, or from any other forced cause that
prevents their voyage; for it is certain that even if no ship arrive
there, the despatch [from Nueva Espana] should not be discontinued,
because of its vast importance for the welfare of this community,
and in order to bring provisions and reenforcements, as is usual and
necessary. However much the viceroy be urged on, this country will
not have what it needs, until your Majesty be pleased to have sent
here the reenforcement of the fleet that was promised--adding to the
men and ordering it to be provided with sufficient money for their
sustenance and the execution of what must be done with the fleet. I
trust in our Lord that, if it reach here safely, it will give us very
good results. I offer on my part to procure those good results with
its aid, as far as possible. I shall not again mention in detail the
reasons existing as to why your Majesty should send us this aid, as
they have been written so often by so many men, and are so evident
and well known; and in order to conquer or conserve, or to make war
in any manner, that reenforcement and money are needed. As there is
so great a need of both these things and of small boats, as I wrote
your Majesty in those letters that you acknowledged, I heard that
the rebels of Olanda were coming to these islands with fourteen ships
and a number of caracoas. These latter are the craft of our enemies
of Mindanao, and they do the most harm to these natives. Although
it appeared impossible to make sufficient preparation to resist them
and prevent the depredations which were to be feared from so large a
squadron, I resolved to exert my utmost efforts in order to attend to
our defense, notwithstanding my lack of all things necessary for it
that should have been sent me. Almost at the same time as the news,
arrived the rebels. They had only five ships with high freeboard, to
which were added two others, also large ones, a part of four vessels
that we heard were to come from Japon--according to what was learned
from that kingdom through the fathers of the Society, and by way of
Terrenate, and from some prisoners captured along this coast, not far
from here. The latter, landing in order to reconnoiter the country,
so that they might land some Dutchmen on it, fell into the hands
of a company that I had placed in ambush with the great desire to
gather information and learn the designs of the enemy. In short, it
was learned from those advices, and especially from those from Japon,
that not only was it their intention to pillage the ships from China
(whence proceeds the commerce that sustains this island) and commit
the depredations of former years, but also to await the vessels from
Nueva Espana, in order at once to conclude and finish everything. That
obliged me to make the night day with my continual toil, so that
the Spaniards who were scattered throughout these islands might be
prepared and collected; and artillery cast, which was lacking to
me for what was necessary (even a place where I could get the metal
and the alloy). Then the workmen on two ships, the construction of
which had been ordered, had to be urged to greater haste and all that
was necessary supplied, so that either one or both of them could be
finished in time to serve on the occasion then presented; and a ship
of moderate size, which was the only one I found in this bay when I
entered it, had to be repaired. The latter was so old that it was
necessary almost to rebuild it. Also I did the same with a small
patache and the galleon in which I came, and the Japanese vessel
which also came with me from Nueva Espana. It needed not a little
repair, and gave me a great deal of trouble with its owners, so that
they should lend it. But finally they lent it, and now I have had it
bought at a very cheap price. With it, and one of the new ones which
were finished in time (which is the one now about to sail to Nueva
Espana), and those above mentioned, and another new patache which I
had finished from the bottom up--all together, they comprised two
large vessels, two moderate-sized vessels, two pataches, and four
galleys. They were repaired, and manned in great part with borrowed
slaves and Dutch prisoners (for the Dutch inflict upon the Spaniards
the worst of treatment). While this fleet was so far advanced that
it could sail and fight in a few days afterward, the rebels entered
for the last time into this bay, a thing which they had done eight
times before. After staying a long time in the mouth of the bay,
and seeing it prepared, and some craft ready and filled with men, it
appears that they did not choose to try our arms or tempt fortune;
for they sailed away and left their position, and went farther up
the coast, until they passed the cape of Bolinao [82]--a district
where they thought they would be safe from us, because we could not
go there at that season without evident danger of being unable to
return to this bay, because of having no longer a port to leeward,
save those of Japon, where they have their factories. As soon as
they left here, I sent some light craft after their ships, in order
to ascertain where they were going, and to return to me with the
information, being resolved to go in pursuit of them, and finishing
my preparations for it. The news which was soon brought me was that,
after taking the open sea, a storm struck them. According to that
news, and the report by some Chinese of a junk that was plundered,
and signs that were seen along the said coast, the enemy lost one of
their largest ships on that coast. These Chinese met them on their
way to Japon, so that they abandoned the islands. Although I should
be better satisfied had my toil and ardent desire been employed in
fighting and attaining some good result, with God's help, still I have
also enjoyed great happiness and give His Divine Majesty many thanks
because our vessels have arrived here, and those of the Dutch have
received less gain than loss, and have caused no considerable loss
[to us]. Likewise the despatches that I sent to China were important
for that, in which I advised the Sangleys when and where not to come,
and when and where they could come. I also sent an order and money to
Macan to buy a ship of more than medium size, which was there, from
the chief commandant of that city. According to the letters in which I
have been answered, the ship can arrive here soon. With it, those that
I have here, the other new one (which is now finished), and an _urca_
[83] sent me by the viceroy of Yndia, I shall have seven vessels,
counting larger and medium-sized ones, besides the large one and one
patache which are about to sail to Nueva Espana, which can direct a
good artillery fire. To them I shall add some artillery recast from
burst pieces which, for lack of alloy that I sent to buy at Malaca,
and which has now arrived, were not cast before. With this, I shall
endeavor to get ready as soon as possible, for whatever time the enemy
may come, or for whatever decision may be made, according to advices
that we shall have of the enemy, and the measures that shall appear
to be most advisable for your Majesty's service. The viceroy of Yndia
sent me the urca above mentioned, after I had sent him a despatch with
the letters that should be sent your Majesty from there, begging him to
send me for next year, and for the occasion that can be expected in it,
some ships with sailors and soldiers, equipped and manned. I also sent
money and an order that, if any good or suitable ship be found, it be
bought; or that they should contract to have one or two built wherever
most convenient--or in Cochin, because the wood is harder than that of
this island. Don Diego Christino, chief commandant of that city, was
charged with it. According to the reply of Captain Gregorio de Vidano,
whom I sent for that purpose, brought to me in the report that he has
made me of the affairs of Yndia, it seems that that state is in need
of reinforcements and special aid, as are we in this state of ours;
only we, although few, are living in comfort, God be thanked, and
if not with many forces, we are prepared and alert. Accordingly he
returned with the said urca which the viceroy gave him. The latter
sent me many offers of friendly offices in what might occur, and
such as should be possible for him, with expressions of very great
goodwill. I have believed them, for he is so gallant a gentleman,
as is currently reported. However, I doubt their practical results,
and would not like to find his aid necessary; for one can imagine
that the inhabitants of that state would put difficulties in the way
of it. That has already been demonstrated by experience. According
to the little that can be hoped from India, and of what they write
from Nueva Espana regarding the exhaustion of that country, and the
impossibility of getting from it any of the reenforcements necessary
in this country--as is evident from the so meager aid that has come
here--the sending by your Majesty of the fleet that you have offered
to these islands becomes unavoidable. You should see that the infantry
contingent be in excess of two thousand men; that the contingent of
sailors and artillerymen reach nine hundred--embarking them in such
vessels as can come with comfort. It should be noted that ships for
these regions and for the journey from Espana must not be less than
five hundred toneladas, nor much greater than six hundred. Vessels of
this burden, if new and strong, will be of very great service both
for war and for trade and commerce with Nueva Espana; and each one
will be assigned to the use most fitting to it, in accordance with its
build. And if they carry efficient troops and artillery, a quantity of
anchors and cables, capable commanders and sailors, and an order that
the money for their sustenance be provided, they will be very welcome,
whatever may be their fashion and build, as the restoration of this
country will be certain. This is the only remedy hoped for. I have
sent reenforcements of food, money, and other things, to the forts of
Terrenate, with which, according to the advices received from that
island, they are sufficiently provided until the regular time comes
again to send them help, as it is the usual custom to do. When that
time expires, which now is just the opposite of this voyage [i.e. to
Nueva Espana], I shall try, with God's help, to send, together with the
ordinary help, two companies of infantry, with some other soldiers of
those who have come this year from Nueva Espana. If I can increase it
to a greater number, I shall do so, by changing some of the soldiers
who have been there so many years, and leaving those that shall be
necessary for the defense of those forts. I shall also try to send
two galleys, as galleys are more important among those islands than
among any other parts of the islands of this region. I would already
have sent those soldiers, if the season had not hindered, after the
Dutch had left here; and until then it was impossible to divide the
forces which were being collected to oppose them.

I have had many loud complaints from the forts of Terrenate, written
by religious and laymen, of the governor there, Lucas de Bergara
Gaviria--not only of his asperity and harsh government, but of his lack
of balance in other things. Since these complaints were so numerous,
I was obliged to get the opinion and resolution of the members of
this royal Audiencia; but at the same time came letters from Lucas de
Bergara Gaviria, asking permission to resign his post. Consequently
I was forced to seek some one to go there. After nominating for
that post the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba, as one to whom
your Majesty had entrusted that government, he excused himself from
going there, with arguments that he advanced for it. Accordingly
the master-of-camp, Don Luis de Bracamonte, was appointed in his
stead. Although I consider the latter a man of so good qualities,
that I know of no one here who is better than he, still--both because
he goes with little desire to stay there (as he shows), and because
the choice of the one who must go to those islands will be very much
better if made by your Majesty's Council--I beg you to be pleased to
have the choice made, and to order that the person appointed for it
go immediately to discharge his duties.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22