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

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30. _Item_: That there are four orders of religious in those
islands--those of St. Dominic, St Francis, and St. Augustine, and
the Society of Jesus--and they are well known there. On account of
the trouble caused by other orders going there, and the necessity of
having to make new allotments for mission work, he petitions your
Majesty that no other orders may go there--even though they be the
same orders in name, under pretext that they are of another mode
of living; for Fray Luis Sotelo endeavored to introduce there the
calced friars in the Order of St. Francis, while the people are well
contented with the discalced friars. And the other orders should be
made to understand that the land is very new, and does not need so
many different kinds of religious. [95]

31. _Item_: Many Chinese marry native Indian women, and become
Christians and live near the city of Manila. Their only occupation is
as retailers of goods. If they were to be gathered into one place, in
a location that should be given them where they could build a town,
in order to cultivate the land and sow it (for they are excellent
farmers, and there is so much fallow land that might be given them),
not only would they be very useful to the community, but numerous
troubles that follow, because they are hucksters and retail the food,
would be avoided. This is especially desirable because in this manner
they will become more domestic and peaceable; and, since the number
of those born is thus increasing, the city will not have so much
security as if they were collected together, nor can this be done
hereafter so easily as now. He petitions your Majesty to charge your
governor to do this, by the best plan that offers.

32. Great difficulty arises from the governors placing in the city
magistracy relatives or dependents of his household, or those of
the auditors. Because a certain ex-governor did that, nothing was
enacted in the cabildo that he did not know, and of which he was not
informed. Consequently the cabildo does not proceed with any liberty,
nor does any one dare talk with Christian freedom, or defend the
community in grave cases. He petitions your Majesty to order that
such persons be disqualified to act as regidors, or as alcaldes or
scriveners of cabildo (which has resulted in the same difficulty).

_Item_: Your Majesty granted favor to those islands and their
inhabitants, so that they might be encouraged to work gold mines of
which only the tenth part of the product should be paid for twenty
years, which time is about at an end. He petitions your Majesty
to grant that country favor for another twenty years, so that the
operation of the mines may be better established.

33. In regard to the inspection of the Chinese vessels, when they come
with their merchandise, your governor appoints an inspector. The
ex-governor was wont to appoint a member of his household. On
that account notable wrongs have been committed; but no one has
dared to demand justice against the inspectors, because they are
such persons. He petitions your Majesty to order that this post be
filled by one of the alcaldis-in-ordinary--who, inasmuch as they
understand the great importance of conserving that trade, and as it
is a matter that grieves them, will show the Chinese good treatment,
since it is incumbent upon those officials to consider the interests
of their community.

34. _Item_: That the trading-ships that navigate to Nueva Espana have
sometimes not been despatched, for personal purposes of the former
governors, which is to the great injury of your royal treasury and of
the citizens, since those ships are the sinews of that community. He
petitions your Majesty to order your governor to prevent such a thing,
so that, unless compelled by a very great necessity, the annual
despatch be not neglected.

35. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to order your governor not to
exclude the regidors of the city from appointments in accordance with
their merits, since they derive no profit from the city magistracy,
and are serving the community.

36. _Item_: He petitions that your Majesty be pleased to order that
religious be provided, belonging to the orders there, for there is
great need of them

37. _Item_: The maintenance of commerce with the Chinese, and the good
treatment of those from that nation who dwell in those islands, are of
so great importance that that community cannot be maintained without
them (as they practice all the trades needed by a city), and it is
advisable to treat them well. But your governor, Don Juan de Silva,
after having levied upon them so great a tax as the annual payment
of nine reals of eight for permission to remain in the country (which
meant, however, to impose this tax on the citizens, since because of
it all prices were raised), besides this made them render personal
services, by which they were sorely vexed. He therefore petitions
your Majesty to order your governor to treat the Chinese as well as
possible, and to exempt them from those personal services, which are
a greater burden on them than are the licenses. This should be done,
also, since they are foreigners, and remain voluntarily; and, moreover,
since there is so great need of the kind and just treatment and equity
which should be extended toward foreigners for their conversion,
inasmuch as the miracles which in those regions secure conversion
are good examples.

38. _Item_: That about two thousand Japanese generally reside in
that city; and that, as trading ships come annually, many Japanese
remain there. But they are not only of no use to the community, but
a signal danger, since they have three or four times placed the city
in danger of being ruined. In this last encounter with the Dutch,
Japanese went to them who gave them information; and on the day of
the battle a company of them who fled from Manila went to help the
enemy. He petitions your Majesty to show that kingdom the favor to
order straitly that no Japanese remain there; but that those who go
there every year must return to their own country.

39. _Item_: Inasmuch as the Indian natives have been so ruined by
the past shipbuilding, and your Majesty is indebted to them, for
personal services and things taken from them by Don Juan de Silva for
your royal service, more than one million [pesos]: he petitions your
Majesty to order your governors that now and henceforth they shall
endeavor most carefully to avoid, as far as possible, harassing the
Indians; and that they shall also avoid the building of galleons,
since, as stated in another memorial, these can be brought from India
at a much less cost to your Majesty; and that an effort be made to
remunerate the natives for a part of the debt due them.

40. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to command that a copy of the
commercial decrees be given him, that he obtained formerly when he
was in this court in this same office; for the last governor took
possession of the decrees when the packet in which they were sent
to the city fell into his hands, and refused to give them up, but
kept them.

Most potent sire:

The procurator of the Filipinas declares that, having to descant upon
the matters of that kingdom that need remedy and reform, both for
the service of your Highness and for the welfare of that kingdom; and
as he had considered and discussed them before leaving that kingdom;
and considering his many years of experience, which best demonstrates
what is needful for that kingdom's prosperity: the first thing that
occurs to him is the following.

First: That the cabildo of the city of Manila, inasmuch as certain of
the regidors are appointed by the governor and at times from his own
household, suffers very great troubles because they are unable, when
discussing the common welfare in the said cabildo, to do it freely,
or to advise your Highness of what is expedient, because those persons
tell it to your governor. And, as is often necessary, if they have to
write the truth of what is occurring, if it is against the governor,
they know that he will hear of it, and will be angry at them, as has
sometimes occurred; and he has even arrested them, and has spoken
to them roughly and harshly. Inasmuch as the said governor is the
soul of that community, and the one who must reward their services,
and is even the cause that nothing but what he wishes is done and
written; and inasmuch as many times certain prominent persons and
leading men refuse to act as regidors, and those persons who would
be very desirable to retain therein have left the cabildo:

I petition and supplicate your Highness that those who enter the
said cabildo because of the absence or death of those who are now
members be appointed by the entire royal Audiencia. Those appointed
shall be nominated by the said cabildo and the said royal Audiencia
shall select one of the two who shall be nominated; and your governor
shall be unable to remove him, just as if he were appointed by your
Highness. By this method this trouble will end, and a confirmation
of this request should be sent.

_Item_: Inasmuch as the said regidors do not have any profits, and
as, on that account, those who it is important should be regidors
refuse to act: if they were assigned some just reward they would be
eager to defend their community. This reward could take the shape of
one-half tonelada for each regidor, in addition to his allotment in
each ship. Consequently, they would be encouraged to work and would
oppose the difficulties that arise.

_Item_: Will your Highness please grant me a royal decree that
the governor may not compel the said cabildo to go to his house to
hold their meetings; but that they always hold them, as is usual
and customary, in the said city hall, so that they may freely
discuss what is advisable for your Highness's service and that of
your community. For sometimes the governor has ordered the regidors
to meet in his house to hold a session of cabildo, contrary to the
privileges of the city.

Further, I petition your Highness to give me also a duplicate of the
royal decrees which have been drawn for the last ten years in favor
of that kingdom, so that, having them in its possession, they may be
executed when expedient.

_Item_: When the insurrection of the Sangleys occurred, there were
many houses near the walls, whence they did us much mischief until
these were destroyed. Your governor, Don Pedro de Acuna, ordered that
no edifice be built within three hundred paces of the wall. Will your
Highness please to have the ordinance of your governor confirmed for
the city's perpetual defense.

_Item_; That the orders and monasteries have established several
settlements about Manila, so that they can keep Indians in service
for their own works, causing the said Indians to be reserved from
personal services. For this purpose they depopulate the encomiendas,
and bring the people to Manila, and those settlements become dens
of thieves and vagabonds, and of hucksters and retailers who buy
provisions at wholesale for their retail trade, and enhance their
cost; and commit many offenses against God. I petition and supplicate
your Highness to order that those settlements be broken up, that the
Indians go to their own districts, and that only one dozen Indians
remain for each monastery.

_Item_: Inasmuch as the care and vigilance that should be exercised
toward foreigners is of great importance for the security of
that kingdom, so that it may not again suffer a disaster like the
last--especially toward the Chinese nation, with whom more risk is run,
since they are very greedy and cunning, and are bribers who easily
corrupt the judges with bribes and gifts: therefore, in order to
remedy this now and henceforth, it is advisable that a competent,
energetic, and disinterested person be chosen in that community,
who shall have under his charge that duty of cleansing the country
and giving licenses to those Chinese who are to stay, and he shall be
accompanied by a regidor. Inasmuch as, were the appointment of such
person in charge of the governor alone, it might, as it is an office
of profit and honor, be given to some of his servants or followers,
or as an investment, it is necessary that the selection of such person
be made by the entire royal Audiencia and the cabildo of the city;
since it is of so great importance, as it is the weightiest affair of
that community. Since so many will take part in the election, they
will cast their eyes on a person who is suitable for this post. To
such person the most ample commission must be given, and he shall
proceed as is the custom in war against criminals; for in any other
way, were opportunity given for appeals and suits, he would accomplish
no good. I know that from my own experience, as a person who had that
duty in charge for four years, and who labored arduously in it.

_Item_: That your Highness order straitly that no person keep
Sangleys in his house or allow them to sleep inside the city under
any consideration (for in that matter I accept no person of that
community); and that the said judge may punish such transgressors
with heavy penalties, without any one being able to prevent him.

_Item_: It is fully as advisable that no Japanese be [allowed in the
city], which is a great cause of trouble. For they are, on the one
hand, a warlike race, and easily come to blows with the Spaniards, for
they will not suffer ill-treatment. Consequently they have sometimes
risen against us, and have seized arms. This has occurred because
some soldiers have desired to harm or injure them, whereupon they,
to revenge themselves, seize certain cutlasses that they carry, and
begin to assemble together. They may place us in exceeding great
danger. On the other hand, if we are careless in permitting them,
many Japanese will come. We are in great danger, besides, lest some
take to the highways, for among those who come from those kingdoms
of Japon are many who have fled for crimes, and who have no right to
return to their country. Likewise [it is advisable to restrict their
coming] in order to preserve the friendship of the emperor; since,
if we do not retain them in that kingdom, there will be no occasion
for any event of treachery that should force us to break friendship
with him. I petition your Highness to order this straitly, and that
the said judge also have it in charge.

_Item_: There are certain depositories in the said islands called
"commons" [_comunidades_], in which each Indian places one-half fanega
of rice at the annual harvest season. Those commons were ordained
with the object and purpose that they might serve the said natives
in time of need, by relieving the poor and lending to other needy
persons, who return it at the harvest. The plan would have been of
great importance had that end been secured; but what actually occurs
is, that the alcaldes-mayor sell the rice, or appropriate and loan
it, and never return it. And between the stewards and the religious
for feasts of the village (for they are those who have charge of the
Indians of the missions), at the end of the year all the rice has been
used, so that the needs of the poor Indians are not succored. That
waste can well be avoided; and they regard it as another very large
tribute. Therefore, it is advisable for the service of God and the
welfare of those poor natives that your Highness order the said commons
to be suppressed. If it be necessary to keep them, it is advisable
that the governor of the Filipinas order that there be one reliable
steward in each one, who shall have charge of the said depository; that
no magistrate or religious put into or take out of the said commons;
and that during any time of necessity the rice be lent to the poor;
and at the harvest it be paid in kind. If this were to be put into
execution, it would be of great importance, according to an opinion
that I expressed on this matter in the Filipinas. If the above plan
were observed in the commons round about Manila, some forty in number,
there might be, as a result, one hundred thousand fanegas of rice
or more on the occasion of any sudden need, which could be placed
within the city very speedily; for, as the city has no depository,
the greatest danger of the Spaniards, in case any enemy besiege them,
lies in their capture through famine. With this the remedy would be
secure, and at the same time the Indians would be fed and aided in
their needs. When it was expected to place this plan in execution,
the said governor sent three of his servants, with a salary of seventy
reals to be paid by the commons. Those men, who consisted of judge,
alguacil-mayor, and clerk, remained at each commons, balancing
accounts and making investigations until all the contents were used
up on their said salaries. Consequently, they established order or
agreement in nothing, and all remained as before. For this reason,
then, affairs are going to pieces; for men are not sought for the
offices, but offices to accommodate whomever the governor desires.

_Item_: That many posts for alcaldes and corregidors have been
created by making two such districts out of what was formerly one,
so that the governor could accommodate persons to whom he was under
obligations. That is much to the cost of the Indians, and [an offense]
to God and to my conscience; for the multiplication of those offices
means the multiplication of those who destroy the Indians and inflict
innumerable injuries upon them. I petition and supplicate your Highness
to order the said corregidors' and alcaldes' districts remade as they
formerly were.

_Item_: That the governor be warned to endeavor to avoid, as far as
possible, the injuries inflicted upon the natives in the cutting of
wood and in personal services; for they sometimes draft them in the
planting season or at harvest, so that they lose their fields, as I
have seen. In addition to this, many times they do not pay the Indians,
because there is no money in the treasury, which is continually short
of funds. This often arises from the fact that they do not estimate
and consider the needs of the Indians with the amount of money that is
available; and consequently all the Indians complain. Finally, when
the said Indians are paid, it is done by the hand of the chiefs or
cabezas de barangay, who generally keep the money. Will your Highness
be pleased to order the governor and royal officials to avoid the
above grievances as much as possible; and when it is necessary for
the Indians to perform any personal labor, which consists generally
in the cutting of wood, to see that it be when they are not busied
in their fields--for that can generally be avoided--and that they be
paid the just wage, and that promptly. For acting in any other way
burdens your royal conscience, since those who perform such service
are very poor, and do not dare to ask for their pay, if it is not
given them. Consequently they very often do not receive it. In this
way are they much burdened by personal services.

_Item_: Considering the nature of the Indians, who are generally
indolent and lazy--inasmuch as the religious have always forbidden
them to pay the tributes in kind, insisting that they be allowed to
choose for themselves in what they wish to pay it, consequently the
rate of living has risen greatly. The country is steadily going to ruin
because the Indians are not compelled to pay in kind; for they refuse
to plant or cultivate, and all engage in mercantile pursuits, seeing
that they can easily gain the ten reals which is the amount of their
tribute. Although the effort has been made to remedy this by another
way--namely, by official visits from the alcaldes-mayor, in order that
they may rear fowls and plant fields, the result of that has been to
strip them of their possessions. For when the alcaldes-mayor go to
inspect them (that is, every four months), and do not find the fowls
that they have ordered the Indians to rear, they sentence them to a
pecuniary fine. Such is the Indian that he does not take warning from
that, nor will he work unless he knows that he must pay the tribute
in kind. Moreover, it often occurs that the justices themselves take
from the Indian the fowls that he has reared; and then when they go
to visit him and he does not have them, they punish him with stripes
and fines. Thus they practice many injustices against the Indian;
but, if he knew that he had to pay in kind, he would rear the fowls
as formerly.

_Item_: There is one abuse very worthy of correction, which is, that
the religious and alcaldes-mayor keep certain Indians in service,
whom the village grants weekly, and who are called _tanores_. Those
Indians have to serve for nothing, which is contrary to justice and
their rights. This was introduced from the custom in Nueva Espana. Will
your Highness be pleased to order that the said _tamores_ [_sic_]
be suppressed, or that they be paid for their toil. For they make use
of such Indians, and manage to be well served at others' expense. It
is also the custom to give fish freely on Friday, at the cost of the
village, to the alcaldes-mayor and also to the religious.

_Item_: That the royal Audiencia shall not try the suits of the
Indians in the first instance; for all the cases are brought before the
Audiencia, and the Indians spend all their substance with lawyers and
attorneys, and even go into debt, for they are fond of litigation. And
since suits conducted by audiencias last so long, the Indians spend
all their substance, which means the ruin of the country. Since your
Highness has ordered that such suits be tried summarily and orally,
will your Highness be pleased to order that that decree be observed;
and that the alcaldes-mayor and justices try in the first instance,
and in the second in a case fully proven, so that the Audiencia may
give sentence therein, and despatch the suits quickly.

_Item_: That, although your Highness has ordered that the Indians be
not fined pecuniarily, your order is disregarded, especially by certain
officials of the doctrinas [_i.e._, missions]. There is considerable
abuse in this matter that deserves remedy. In some districts, also,
very large fees are collected. Will your Highness be pleased to order
this remedied, I mean the taking in some districts of these fees by
officials of the doctrinas. [96]

_Item_: The governors have appointed captains, masters-of-camp, and
all sorts of military officers among the natives. They allow them
to have company colors, and finally are teaching them how to fight
after our manner. That means, even if we should need the Indians,
naught else than to awaken one who sleeps, until what he has practiced
becomes his purpose.

_Item_: The Portuguese of Malaca carry to the islands many
slaves--negroes, for the most part. Those are generally the worst ones
that they have, and they are drunkards, thieves, and fugitives, who
take to highway robbery; and they endanger the country considerably,
because of their number. Will your Highness be pleased to order that
no one of the said negroes or slaves be carried thither, when twelve
years old or over, under penalty of confiscation; and that that order
be rigorously executed.

_Item_: That when the governor or auditors leave their offices they
give their residencias in person; for this is of great importance,
so that they may have fear in giving the residencia. [97] It it also
advisable that public suits, both civil and criminal, be prosecuted and
concluded in course of appeal and petition in the royal Chancilleria
of Manila; for it disheartens all to have to come so many thousands of
leguas, or to send with so great expense and hardship. Consequently
their grievances continue; and many, although they seek redress,
have not the means to obtain it. The said governors, inasmuch as they
represent your Highness, should treat the citizens with respect, and
not use abusive language to them, nor insult and affront them--as they
have often done, so that certain men have all but died of grief. The
governors have even exposed the citizens to great danger, by not
treating them well by word of mouth. Will your Highness please order
the said governors to be very restrained; and, should any merit it,
that he be punished as your Highness has ordered by your laws.

_Item_: Because of the increase of business in the city of Manila,
and the number of inhabitants, it is necessary for the proper despatch
of business to have one or two more notaries-public.

In regard to the prompt despatch and equipment necessary for your
Highness's two vessels that sail on that line with the trade and
merchandise of that kingdom for Nueva Espana (which involves the most
important affairs of that kingdom), the reform and careful management
required by that despatch are very necessary and worthy of great
consideration; for during the last ten years they have managed that
just as they pleased, most often despatching the ships beyond the
time when they were formerly despatched, and often poorly equipped
and overladen. Consequently many vessels were wrecked with a great
amount of property, in which your Highness has also lost much. And the
citizens of Manila, when they might be very prosperous and wealthy,
are, thanks to him who has despatched the vessels, very needy and
poor--so much so, that they could not collect a gratuity to give
me. Since it is a matter of so great importance, if your Highness be
pleased to order the observance of the plan that I shall set forth
in these articles, as a person who has so great experience in it,
and which has been for some time in my charge, the necessary remedy
will be applied in the following manner.

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