The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XVII, 1609 1616 by Various

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The bishoprics of Cibu and that of Nueva Caceres are already provided
for, as you will be informed. [50]

In the lading of the ships for that trade it is understood that there
has been great evasion of the law, as you likewise say in your letter;
and because this, as is known, causes much trouble, I order you to
take great care to observe inviolably, in regard to this matter,
what is ordained by the decree which treats thereof--causing it to
be fulfilled and executed, without infraction in any case, whatever
it may be, as this is expedient for the general good.

What you have done in regard to the matter of the three per cent
from the Chinese is well, and accordingly its collection will be
continued; and likewise all the current dues from the two per cent
which was recently imposed upon the merchandise of the natives which
goes to Nueva Espana will be collected from those who shall owe it. In
future, you will comply with the orders given you in regard to this,
endeavoring to have both imposts collected with as much gentleness
as possible.

What you say concerning the proposition by the agents of the Mindanaos
regarding the settlement of peace with them has been examined, and
is being considered; and you will be promptly advised of the decision
which will be made.

In the post of alcayde and governor of the troops of the force in
Terrenate a person has been appointed to serve, on account of the
death of Juan de Esquibel, as you will have already been informed.

As it seems to me that the administration of the clove product
and other property which I hold in Terrenate should be suitably
placed, in charge of a person of intelligence and the necessary
trustworthiness, and that these qualities are combined in Pedro de
Baeza, I have appointed him as my factor there, subordinate to the
instructions which you will give him, which will be in accordance
with the confidence that we have in your prudence and zeal, as you
have the matter near at hand, and can be informed so punctually of
what is expedient therein. In the meantime, until the formal decision
is made as to who shall take charge of the cloves for the future, you
will observe what has been decreed in regard to this. You will advise
me minutely of what it has brought into my royal treasury--not only
through the trade with the Portuguese and other nations in Maluco,
but what has been carried to those islands for the crown of Castilla;
and what is the net result, to whom that merchandise has been given,
and where it has been consumed, so that, having this information,
I may decree and order whatever is fitting.

It is very well that care has been taken, as you say, and an order
issued to the effect that Japanese should not reside in those islands;
and you will continue this procedure with the attention which the
matter demands.

As it proves difficult for the natives to conduct warfare after the
manner of the Spaniards, you will issue decrees dispensing with it;
and will provide for safety as you suggest in your letter.

The decree in regard to the time when the ships on that trade-route
shall depart for Nueva Espana you will cause to be carefully executed,
as you know the importance of this for the safety of the voyage.

On occasions when any prebends of the metropolitan church of that city
shall be vacant, you shall propose, as is expected, conjointly with
the archbishop thereof, three persons for each of them, according to
the orders.

You shall see that the cargo which will be carried on the ships in
that traffic be always placed in the first hold; and, between decks,
the ship's stores, sailors' chests, and rigging, as you say. You
will do this in accordance with the order that has been given. You
will likewise take care, as you suggest, and as I charge you to do,
to provide that the common seamen take the provisions necessary for
the voyage, that they may not suffer want.

As you know how important it is that the said ships should not go
overloaded, you will fulfil, with the care which may be expected from
you, what has been ordered in regard to this. For if at any time it
should happen that they threw overboard any cloth from these ships,
you will take such measures as may be best for all, making provision
that the damage shall be shared among all in equal parts, so that those
who are interested can demand satisfaction and no one remain injured.

The results of the accounts [51] of these islands, and errors in them,
you will examine as I have ordered you, and place them in my royal
treasury if you have not already done so, concerning all items which
are not justified by vouchers, advising me by the first opportunity
of what you may do.

In conformity with what you say, my viceroy of Nueva Espana has already
been ordered not to allow any married man to pass to your islands;
and if any of them shall go thither it must be with the permission
of their wives for a limited time, and with guarantees given that
they shall come back within the appointed time; I have thought best
to advise you thereof, so that you may be informed of it, and on your
part execute the same rule in so far as it concerns you.

The duties have been examined, in order that my royal treasury in those
islands should have a surplus, thus saving what is carried from Nueva
Espana for the expenses there. This is now being considered, and in
a short time you will be advised of the decision made. [Guadarrama,
November 12, 1611.]

_I The King_
By order of the king, our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_

_To Don Juan de Silva, governor of the Philipinas, informing him
of the decree that your Majesty has commanded to be given to the
deputy from Olanda, directing him to set at liberty Pablo Bancardin
and other Dutchmen, as they have not given any provocation for their
second capture._

The King: To Don Juan de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, my
governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president
of my royal Audiencia there. At the instance of Teodoro Rodemburg,
who is present at my court on certain business concerning the islands
of Olanda and Celanda, I despatched an order to you, by a decree
of the same date as this (which has been delivered to that envoy),
commanding that the admiral, Paulo Brancardin, and the seventy-four
Dutch who, according to your letter, have been captured with him in
an oared vessel, by Captain Pedro de Heredia, while voyaging from
Terrenate to the island of Morata, should be set free, if it has
not already been done, in conformity with clause thirty-four of the
truce with Flandes. But if, after being freed from this captivity,
he or any of the others should give any occasion for capturing them
again, then (since in this case the fault would be theirs) you will
advise me without setting them free. This I have thought best to
inform you of, so that with this understanding, if they are again
taken with cause--which they have given, as has been said, and as has
been learned by a letter from Sargento-mayor Christoval de Asquelta,
and by what you wrote to the viceroy, Marques de Salinas, in a letter
of the fourth of September, 610, a copy of which he sent to me--and
should they wish to negotiate their freedom by means of a ransom, or
any other means, before or after the use of said decree, you will not
admit of it, nor give them freedom in any manner, either to the said
admiral or to the others; but you shall hold them prisoners with the
greatest care, until you receive further orders from me. Madrid, on the
twentieth of November of the year one thousand six hundred and eleven.

_I The King_
By command of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the members of the Council.

_To Don Juan de Silva, governor of the Philipinas, ordering him to
build and collect immediately a squadron of ships, to cruise in that
sea, about the point of Manila, to make sure thereby that the Dutch
do not rob the ships and other vessels which go to those islands from
Nueva Espana, China, and other regions._

The King: To Don Juan de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, my
governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president
of my royal Audiencia there. By letters from you and other persons
zealous in my service, I have learned that the king of Japon has
admitted the Dutch to commerce with his realms, for their having
offered to carry him a great quantity of silk, which is the chief
commodity in which they deal there; and because those rebels had robbed
the Chinese, from whose ports they procure the silks, they dare not
go to that kingdom for them. Accordingly, to keep the terms of their
offer, and not lose that trade, it will be necessary for them to await
the vessels of the Chinese near that city of Manila, which are going
there with silk, in order to rob them of it. And not only will they
do this damage, but they may also do the same with the ships which
go to Nueva Espana, and other vessels from Malaca and Macan. It has
been represented to me that, both in order to avoid this danger to my
ships and my vassals, and likewise for the importance of keeping the
said Dutch from fulfilling their offer to that king--for if they do
not do it he will drive them out of his lands, where it is important
[for us] that they should not secure a foothold--it would be well to
have a squadron cruise close to the port of that city [of Manila];
and to secure this result, it will not be necessary to have large
ships. I have thought it best to approve this; and, considering that
when you receive this you will already have made the expeditions of
which you wrote me in the letter of the fifth of September of six
hundred and ten, if you have good success in them, with the help of
our Lord, I command you that, with the ships that may remain to you of
the fleet which you were engaged in collecting, you will keep those
necessary for a squadron sufficient to cruise in that sea, and with
it will attend to the matters above mentioned. And if there are not
enough ships by using these, you will make and build, with all possible
despatch, what may appear to you expedient for this purpose; and will
inform me, at the first opportunity, of the number and kind of ships,
and how they are supplied and equipped, with both men and artillery,
and with all else necessary; until I may give a different order; as
such is my will. These presents will be registered by my auditors
of accounts who are in my Council of the Yndias. Dated at Madrid,
the nineteenth of December of the year 1611.

_I The King_

By command of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the Council of War for the Yndias.

LETTERS TO THE DOMINICAN PROVINCIAL

_To the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic for the Philipinas,
directing him to apply to certain actions of the religious thereof,
the correction which he ought and is bound to apply, maintaining
friendly relations with the governor._

The King: To the venerable and devout father provincial of the Order
of St. Dominic for the Philipinas Islands. By a letter from Don Juan
de Silva, my governor and captain-general there, of the fifth of
September, 610, I have learned that several religious of your order,
from various motives, usually oppose the things that are ordered
for the sake of good government. At times this has gone so far that
incidents such as to cause anxiety have occurred. Such was the case
in Nueva Segovia, regarding the Indian whom the alcalde-mayor held
prisoner, on appeal condemned to death by the Audiencia, who had
ordered the sentence to be executed there. When the day before the
execution arrived two friars went to the prison, saying that they were
going to confess him. They succeeded in being left alone with the
prisoner in a room with a window opening on the street; and, having
provided some one to take him to their convent, they thrust him out of
the window, without the knowledge of the persons about the building,
which resulted in a very scandalous affair. The alcalde-mayor, on
learning of it, went to the convent to get possession of the prisoner;
and found that for his greater security they had placed him upon the
altar--which, as may be seen, was an improper action. When he attempted
to take away the prisoner, the friars treated the alcalde-mayor very
scurvily; and when he had removed the Indian they proceeded against
him with censures and interdicts, in such wise that he had to return
to the church, unpunished, the man whom they themselves had delivered
up, when he was seized--demanding his death, and saying that it
was best to execute him there as an example for all. Although it is
understood that you made the proper remonstrances in this case, yet,
as I wish to know what they were, I charge you to advise me of it;
and from this time forth to continue, with the care which I am sure
you will exercise, to apply in all cases due remedy, as you are bound
to do. I also charge you to maintain very friendly relations with the
said Don Juan de Silva, my governor, to whom I am writing to maintain
the same relations with you, on account of the importance of this
for the service of God and my own. Madrid, on the twenty-first of
December of the year one thousand six hundred and eleven.

_I The King_

By order of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the Council.

_To the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic of the Philipinas,
directing him to see to it that the religious of the order do not cross
over to Japon without permission from the governor, as is ordered._

The King: To the venerable and devout father provincial of the Order
of St. Dominic in the Philipinas Islands. By a letter from Don Juan
de Silva, my governor and captain-general there, of the fifth of
September, 610, I have learned that several religious have passed
over to Japon without his permission, claiming that that of their
own superiors was sufficient. As it is expedient for my service that
the decrees regarding this should be executed by my said governor,
as he is again ordered to do, by another decree bearing this date,
I charge you that, with the diligence which I trust you will use,
you will take such action that the religious of your order shall
not contravene this decree; and that you will, so far as possible,
secure the observance of the orders which I have issued, as that
is so important for the service of God and my own, and for the good
government of the islands. Madrid, on the thirty-first of December
of the year 1611.

_I The King_

By command of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz de Contreras_
Signed by the members of the Council.

[_Endorsed_: "_Idem_, to the provincial of the Order of St. Augustine
for Philipinas." "_Idem_, to the provincial of the Society of Jesus
there." "_Idem_, to the provincial of St. Francis for Philipinas."]

DOCUMENTS OF 1612-13

Status of missions in the Philippines. Gregorio Lopez. S.J.,
and others; [_ca_. 1612].
Trade of the Philippines. Juan, marques de Montesclaros; April
12, 1612.
Letter from the bishop of Nueva Segovia. [Domingo de Soria, O.P.];
August 15, 1613.
Letter to Silva. Felipe III; December 2, 1613.

_Sources_: All these documents save one are obtained from original
MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The second is taken
from _Doc ined. Amer. y Oceania_, vi, pp. 298-314.

_Translations_: The first and second are translated by James
A. Robertson; the remainder by Robert W. Haight.

STATUS OF MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Order of St. Augustine

_List of the convents and ministrations of the Order of our father
St. Augustine in these Philipinas Islands, and the religious and
ministers necessary for them._

_Spanish towns_

In the convent of the city of Manila, twenty priests and ten brethren.

In the convent of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, five priests
and two brethren.

In the convent of our Lady of Guadalupe, three priests and one brother.

_Province of Tagalos_

Tributes Indians Ministers

In the convent of Batangas and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to eight
hundred tributes, or two thousand four hundred
[souls] in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Taal and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand five hundred tributes, or four
thousand five hundred in confession. 1,500 4,500 3

In the convent of Tanavan and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Sant Sebastian and its
visitas there are two ministers, who minister
to one thousand tributes, or three thousand
in confession. 1,000 3,000 2

In the convent of Bay and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or three thousand in
confession. 1,000 3,000 2

In the convent of San Pablo and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
two thousand tributes, or six thousand in
confession. 2,000 6,000 3

In the convent of Tagui and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
five hundred tributes, or one thousand five
hundred in confession. 500 1,500 2

In the convent of Pasig and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand five hundred tributes, or four
thousand five hundred in confession. 1,500 4,500 3

In the convent of Palanac and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Tongdo and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

In the convent of Caruyan and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Bulacan and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Malolos and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
seven hundred tributes, or two thousand one
hundred in confession 700 2,100 2

In the convent of Quingua and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
six hundred tributes, or one thousand eight
hundred in confession. 600 1,800 2

In the convent of Calompit and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 2

In the convent of Agonoy and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

_Province of Panpanga_

Tributes Indians Ministers

In the convent of Apalit and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
six hundred tributes, or one thousand eight
hundred in confession. 600 1,800 2

In the convent of Macabibi there are three
ministers, who minister to two thousand
tributes, or six thousand in confession. 2,000 6,000 3

In the convent of Lubao and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or three thousand in
confession. 1,000 3,000 3

In the convent of Guava and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

In the convent of Bacolor and its visitas
there arc four ministers, who minister to
one thousand three hundred tributes, or four
thousand in confession. 1,300 4,000 4

In the convent of Mexico and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
five hundred tributes, or one thousand five
hundred in confession. 500 1,500 2

In the convent of Betis and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
five hundred tributes, or one thousand five
hundred in confession. 500 1,500 2

In the convent of Poray and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to six
hundred tributes, or one thousand six hundred
in confession. 600 1,600 2

In the convent of Ayumbon and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to six
hundred tributes, or one thousand six hundred
in confession 600 1,600 2

In the convent of Candava and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

_Province of Ylocos_

Tributes Indians Ministers

In the province of Alingayen and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or one thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 1,400 2

In the convent of Agoo and its visitas there
are two ministers, who minister to one thousand
five hundred tributes, or four thousand five
hundred in confession. 1,500 4,500 2

In the convent of Bavan and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

In the convent of Purao and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or three thousand in
confession. 1,000 3,000 2

In the convent of Tagurin and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or three thousand in
confession. 1,000 3,000 2

In the convent of Santa Cruz and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
nine hundred tributes, or two thousand seven
hundred in confession. 900 2,700 2

In the convent of Candon and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Bantay and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or three thousand in
confession. 1,000 3,000 3

In the convent of Sinay and its visitas there
are two ministers, who minister to one thousand
two hundred tributes, or three thousand six
hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 2

In the convent of Batac and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand five hundred tributes, or four
thousand five hundred in confession. 1,500 4,500 3

In the convent of Dinglas and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand five hundred tributes, or four
thousand five hundred in confession. 1,500 4,500 3

In the convent of Ylavan and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand four hundred tributes, or four
thousand two hundred in confession. 1,400 4,200 3

In the convent of Bacarra and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

_Province of Pintados_

Tributes Indians Ministers

In the convent of Hibahay and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
two thousand tributes, or six thousand in
confession. 2,000 6,000 3

In the convent of Aclan and its visitas there
are two ministers, who minister to one thousand
two hundred tributes, or three thousand six
hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 2

In the convent of Batan and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
eight hundred tributes, or two thousand four
hundred in confession. 800 2,400 2

In the convent of Panay and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
one thousand two hundred tributes, or three
thousand six hundred in confession. 1,200 3,600 3

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