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

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

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

In the convent of Marlousao 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 Pasig and its visitas
there are three ministers, who minister to
three thousand tributes, or nine thousand in
confession. 3,000 9,000 3

In the convent of Laglag and its visitas
there are two ministers, who minister to
one thousand tributes, or six thousand in
confession. 1,000 6,000 2

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

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

Society of Jesus

In this province of the Society of Jesus of Filipinas, there are at
present ninety-two religious--forty-five priests, seven theological
and four philosophical students, twenty-eight lay-brethren of long
standing, and eight novices (counting students and lay-brethren).

They are distributed among two colleges, and one seminary of secular
students, six residences under direct charge of the provincial,
and one mission.

_Manila_

There are forty-three religious in Manila--sixteen priests, eleven
students, eight lay-brethren, and eight novices--counting among the
priests the father provincial and his associate, Father Valerio, who
are now about to go on a visit, with one brother already counted;
and Father Alonso de Humanes, who is now about to go to Roma with
another brother of Manila; and counting also the three religious in
the seminary of San Joseph. Consequently they attend not only to
preaching to and confessing the Spanish in Manila, and the other
duties usual in the professed houses; but also to the principal
object, the studies of Latin, arts, and theology, and the training of
novices. They have charge of the seminary for the secular students;
and attend to the Indians of San Miguel and the others of the city,
with frequent confessions and sermons.

_Mission of Silan_

One father and one brother--sometimes two fathers--generally reside
in this mission [_doctrina_] in subordination to the college of
Manila. The tributes of the village of Silan are about four hundred,
and those of the village of Malabag, a visita, lying one-half legua
away, about seventy tributes.

_Octon_

The mission [_mision_] of Octon has one father and one brother. The
novitiate of San Pedro, which is being founded and instituted, has
two brethren.

_Residence of Antipolo_

There are four fathers and three brethren in this residence. The
villages of this residence where the fathers always officiate number
three, and have three churches: Antipolo, with two visitas, namely,
Santa Cruz and Mahayay; Taytay, with one visita, namely, Caynta;
and the village of Santiago de la Cruz, which has no visita, but
attracts savage Indians from the forests. The souls in confession of
this residence number about five thousand, already well instructed
Christians, and they give much occupation to the fathers.

The churches and tributes in charge of the fathers of the Society of
Jesus in the province of Pintados are as follows.

_Zebu_

The college of Zebu has in charge an Indian village situated one legua
from the city, which has eighty tributes. It has three fathers and
three brethren, who are busily occupied with the Spanish inhabitants
and soldiers, the Indians of the city and of the neighborhood, and
the boys' school. It needs many more laborers.

_Residence of Dulac_

Part of the island of Leyte and part of that of Ybabao--on that side
where those two islands almost join--have four fathers and two brethren
in charge. This [_i.e._, the waterway between the islands] has been
a great convenience for conducting the instruction. This residence
comprises a circuit of about thirty leguas or so. In that space it
has in charge the following villages, each village having one church.

Tributes

Village of Dulac, with three hundred and seventy-one
tributes. 371
Village of Barugo, with one hundred and seventy-two
tributes. 172
Village of Buraguen, with five hundred and ninety-five
tributes. 595
Village of Vincay, with four hundred and ten
tributes. 410
Village of Bito, with two hundred and forty-one
tributes. 241
Village of Abuyog, with two hundred and seventy-six
tributes. 276
Village of Palo, with two hundred and seventy
tributes. 270
Village of Malaguicay, with three hundred and
thirty-six tributes. 336
Village of Dagami, with three hundred and eighty-two
tributes. 382
Village of Basay, with four hundred and thirty
tributes. 430
Village of Hubung, with two hundred and forty
tributes. 240
Village of Guiguan, with one hundred and eighty
tributes. 180
Village of Pamhoan, with two hundred tributes. 200

Consequently they have in charge in this residence
four thousand one hundred and three tributes. 4,103
and 13 churches.

_Residence of Carigara_

This residence is likewise situated in the island of Leyte,
and includes the adjacent islands of Poro and Panan. Although the
principal part of it (namely, five villages) is included in a narrow
circuit, the remaining part, because of the paucity of inhabitants,
and their destruction by the Mindanaos, extends for sixty leguas--and
more rather than less. Throughout its extent it has the following
villages, each village having its church.

Tributes

Village of Carigara, with about three hundred and
sixty tributes. 360
Village of Barugo, with one hundred and eighty
tributes. 180
Village of Alangalan, with four hundred tributes. 400
Village of Xaro, with three hundred and fifty
tributes. 350
Village of Leyte, with two hundred and twenty
tributes. 220
Village of Ogmuc, with one hundred and sixty
tributes. 160
Village of the island of Camotes, called Poro, with
one hundred and fifty tributes. 150
Village of Baybay, with one hundred and eighty
tributes. 180
Village of Canamucan, with one hundred and twenty
tributes. 120
Village of Ymasava, with forty tributes. 40
Village of Cabalian, with one hundred and fifty
tributes. 150
Village of Panaon, with fifty tributes. 50
Village of Nonangan, with sixty tributes. 60

2,420 tributes and 13 churches.

Consequently, the said residence has in charge thirteen churches in
which are instructed two thousand four hundred and twenty tributes;
these are administered by four priests, aided by two brethren.

_Residence of Tinagon_

This residence is located in the island of Ybabao and includes the
islets of Cavayan and Capul. Twelve villages with their churches are
instructed in it. They are as follows, lying within a distance of
twenty leguas.

Tributes

Village of Tinagon, with three hundred and thirty
tributes. 330
Village of Bangaun, with one hundred and eighty-seven
tributes. 187
Village of Paranas, with two hundred and twenty
tributes. 220
Village of Malulubug, with three hundred tributes. 300
Village of Caluigan, with one hundred and eighty-five
tributes. 185
Village of Libunao, with three hundred and ten
tributes. 310
Village of Cotay, with ninety-four tributes. 94
Village of Cavayan, with two hundred and ninety
tributes. 290
Village of Ybatan, with three hundred and thirty
tributes. 330
Village of Boloneto, with one hundred and forty
tributes. 140
Two villages in the island of Capul, called Sucar and
Savan where there are four hundred and thirty-seven
tributes 437

2,823 tributes and 12 churches.

Consequently this residence embraces twelve churches, in which two
thousand eight hundred and twenty-three tributes are instructed by
four priests of our Society, aided by two brethren.

_Residence of Cabo de Spirita Santo, or Palapac_

This residence extends for forty leguas more rather than less--within
the island of Ybabao, and includes the two adjacent islets of Lavan
and Biri. The following villages are instructed in it, and each
village has its own church.

Tributes

Village of Biri, with sixty tributes 60
Village of Calatman, with three hundred and thirty
tributes 330
Village of Pamboan, with three hundred and forty
tributes 340
Village of Laguan, with one hundred and eighty
tributes 180
Village of Catabig, with four hundred and ten
tributes 410
Village of Palapac, with four hundred tributes 410
Village of Gamay, with two hundred tributes 200
Village of Bacor, with one hundred and fifty
tributes 150
Village of Bolor, with one hundred and thirty
tributes 130
Village of Unasan, with two hundred tributes 200
Village of Tubig, with one hundred and twenty
tributes 120
Village of Boronga, with two hundred tributes 200
Village of Libas, with two hundred and thirty
tributes 230

2,950 tributes and 13 churches.

Consequently this residence embraces thirteen churches, in which
two thousand nine hundred and fifty tributes are instructed by four
priests of our Society, aided by two brethren.

_Residence of Bohol_

Only this island of Bohol, which is forty leguas in circumference,
and the islet of Bacacay belong to the king, our sovereign, in all
the territory in charge of the Society. The Society has likewise
charge of the islet of Panglao and that of Siquior, or Isla de Fuegos
["Island of Fires"]. This residence includes the following villages
and their churches.

Tributes

Village of Loboc, with six hundred tributes, where there is
also a seminary for Indians 600
Village of Tubor, with one hundred and fifty tributes 150
Village of Baclayon, with three hundred tributes 300
Village of Dita, with three hundred tributes 300
Village of Tubigan, with fifty tributes 50
Village of Hinabangan, with two hundred tributes. 200
Village of Bacacay, with thirty tributes. 30
Village of Talibon, with two hundred tributes. 200
Village of Bauliron, with one hundred tributes. 100
Village of Yngaon, with one hundred and twenty tributes. 120
Village of Panglao, with sixty tributes. 60
Village of Siquior, with eighty tributes. 80

2,200 tributes and 12 churches.

Consequently this residence instructs two thousand two hundred
tributes, of which two thousand and fifty belong to the king, our
sovereign. Four fathers and two brethren minister to all of them.

As your Lordship ordered, the Society of Jesus presents this paper, in
which are recorded faithfully its ministers, the villages where they
are stationed, the churches, tributes, and extent of its field. From
it two things are apparent: the first, how necessary is a greater
union and settlement of the Indians, in such form as your Highness
may judge best; the second, that the need of help by a great number
of new ministers is extreme. For where there are four priests, ten are
regularly needed, because the indicated number of tributes corresponds
to a very much greater number of souls, either now confessing or being
catechised for baptism as is apparent from the report of a residence
that accompanies this present.

Therefore I entreat your Highness to petition his Majesty the king,
our sovereign, to send a considerable number of fathers of the Society
of Jesus from Europe--at least about fifty, considering that it is many
years since any have been asked for, and on this occasion a procurator
is going for that purpose. It will, moreover, be important for his
Majesty to issue there very urgent orders, so that the superiors
in Europe may not be illiberal and refuse to furnish ministers. If
he considers the pacification of Mindanao, and, besides that, if we
should have to provide Maluco with ministers from here with the new
government which is coming, it is necessary to provide beforehand
for an increase in the number of workers. I hope for all the above
from the great foresight of your Highness, with grace and justice.

_Gregorio Lopez_

Order of St. Francis

Very potent Sire:

Since I am ordered, in your Majesty's name, to give a minute of the
convents in this province of San Gregorio, of the discalced friars and
religious in it, and the number of souls to whom they administer the
holy sacraments and instruction, by virtue of that command I declare
that this province has forty-eight convents with their visitas,
where religious live; and four convents where they do not minister to
Indians--namely, Sant Francisco of Manila, Sant Francisco del Monte,
Sant Francisco of Caceres and Sant Diego of Cavite. Further it has six
[_sic_] hospitals: the royal hospital of Manila; that for the natives;
that of La Misericordia; that at Los Banos ["the baths"]; and that at
Cavite. There are one hundred and one priests, counting well, sick, and
old. There are thirty-eight lay-brethren, who serve and act as nurses
at the hospitals, infirmaries, and convents generally. We have in
charge as many as eighty thousand souls or so. In Maluco there is one
convent where the native Indian Christians are instructed, both those
living there and those who go thither from these regions. There is also
a hospital where the soldiers are cured. From the aforesaid convents
twelve religious have been taken since last year (when some came here),
and religious of our order are requested in many other places.

In [the districts of] some of these convents there are few Indians,
because they refuse to join the chief settlements; nor can those
people be well instructed, as they are very remote, unless they
have religious. Moreover, there are fifteen priests in Japon and six
lay-brethren, busied in the conversion and in hospital work.

_Fray Marcos de Lisboa_, [52] vice-provincial.

Order of St. Dominic.

_List of the houses and missions of the Order of St. Dominic in these
Philipinas Islands._

It has one convent in the city of Manila, with sixteen friars--six
priests and six lay brethren.

It has a mission [_doctrina_] in the town of Binondoc and Baybay
with two ministers for six hundred Sangleys, or a trifle less. For
the hospital of San Gabriel it has two religious--one a priest and
the other a lay-brother--and there the Sangley infidels are nursed
and instructed.

It has a mission in the district of Batan with four priests for one
thousand six hundred Indians.

It has four missions in the province of Pangasinan. The first is called
Bina Lato-gan and has four religious, three of whom are lay-brethren,
and one who is not, for one thousand three hundred Indians.

The second is in Calasiao and has two ministers for one thousand
and thirty Indians. The third is Magaldan and has two ministers for
nine hundred Indians. The fourth is Mauazuag and has two religious,
one a lay-brother and one who is not, for four hundred Indians,
or a trifle less, and the new conversion in the tingues.

It has eleven missions in the province of Cagayan. The first is
called Pata and has two ministers for eight hundred Indians. The
second is called Tular and has two ministers for one thousand one
hundred Indians or a trifle more. The third is called Potol and has
two ministers for three hundred Indians and the new conversion laid
open on the creek of Mandayas. The fourth is called Camaluyuga and has
three ministers for six hundred Indians, or a few more or less. The
fifth is that of Nueva Segovia where the Spanish live. There is a
convent there that has charge of the mission of Bagunbaya, which has
two ministers for one hundred Indians, or a few more or less. It is to
be noted that this house receives no alms, either from his Majesty or
from encomenderos, or from Indians, and consequently it is in great
need. The sixth is called Tocolana and has three ministers for one
thousand Indians. The seventh is called Asiping and has two ministers
for seven hundred Indians or a trifle more. The eighth is called Pia
and is situated on the creek of Lobo. It has three ministers for two
thousand Indians. The ninth is called Malaguey and has two ministers
for one thousand Indians. The tenth is called Tuguiguerao. For one
thousand three hundred Indians it has three ministers. The eleventh
is called Pititan and has four ministers for one thousand six hundred
Indians and for the new conversion among the tingues of Zinbuey.

_Fray Baltasar Fort_, prior provincial.

_Item_: We have three houses in Japon. One is in Nangasaqui, and
has three priests and one lay-brother; another in Sanga, which is
situated in the kingdom of Figen, with three religious--two priests
and one lay-brother, the third in Meaco, the residence of the Dayfo,
with two priests.

_[Endorsed:_ "List given by the convent of St. Dominic in accordance
with his Majesty's order."]

TRADE OF THE PHILIPPINES

_Official letter from the Marques de Montesclaros, [53] viceroy of
Peru, directed to his Majesty, in regard to changing to Espana the
trade between Mexico and Filipinas._

In behalf of the consulate [54] and corporation of the merchants
of Sevilla, your Majesty was entreated to have the trade between
Nueva Espana and Philipinas suppressed, and to order that it should
be carried on only from those kingdoms [i.e., Espana and Portugal]
with the said islands. Your Majesty upon hearing those merchants, was
pleased to order me to make investigation and give my opinion in the
matter. For that purpose you despatched your decree of September 1,
610, and I received it by these last mails.

The arguments which, it seems, were presented to your Majesty by the
said letter and an enclosed memorial, for this purpose, are reduced
to the exaggeration of the general and individual inconveniences
and losses with which the voyage is attended at present in the route
that is followed; and that those inconveniences and losses would all
cease, and great and recognized blessings to the universal benefit of
your Majesty's kingdoms would result, if measures of the sort that
those merchants desire were to be taken. Although one might satisfy
the originator of the idea with less, we shall enlarge the reply to
greater length bearing in mind that the dimensions of this scheme are
not measured by his yard-rule; nor can the advantages resulting from
it compare with the hundred per cent of their profits. We especially
consider that we are talking with your Majesty through councilors
and ministers of such high standing, among whom any state argument,
however great, has its due consideration and place.

It is recognized, Sire, that the chief means of keeping these kingdoms
tranquil is to make them dependencies of Espana, in what pertains not
only to distributive and commutative justice, but also to whatever else
is necessary for the preservation of life, in the spiritual as well
as the temporal. But dependence of this sort, when viewed entirely and
only from the sovereigns' standpoint, is regulated by what is necessary
and requisite that the vassals of regions so distant may live in the
subjection, and render the obedience and loyalty that are due from
them. Although this argument, since it is the most substantial, when
it encounters the others most justly takes precedence of any other and
private advantage of the vassals themselves and the kingdom, it would
[not] be excusable to molest and vex the subjects with what is not
actually necessary, if the above purpose could be attained at less
cost and vexation to them. Accordingly, in the matter of restricting
the mutual trade of certain kingdoms, and directing that trade to
Espana alone, one must proceed with very great caution, and with
measures adapted only to what the attainment of the chief end demands,
in order that we may avoid as far as possible the harm that might
result; since, if this body saw itself so disunited that it could
not even avail itself of its own members, it might become desperate,
and the whole might fall into decay, as is usual with those in despair.

They are persuading your Majesty that the trade of these kingdoms
with Espana is decreasing. I, Sire, feel differently, and am persuaded
that never were the profits resulting from it greater; nor am I less
certain that such result must necessarily follow, in this manner.

It was known in the beginning that neither wine nor olive
oil was produced in Nueva Espana, but these were brought from
Castilla. Inspired by the example of the profits made by some
persons, all--especially the inhabitants of Andalucia--began to plant
vineyards and olive-orchards. He who had esteemed any kind of trade a
degradation twenty years before, now, with the incentive of sending
away his crops, shipped greater cargoes than would a whole fair of
merchants. Consequently, the ocean trade increased, in a short time,
from at most fifty or one hundred casks of wine and a few more jars
of olive-oil--carried by one or two vessels, unauthorized and without
register--to cargoes which fill thirty or forty vessels, that sail
annually in a trading fleet. The vessel in which this is received
is earthen, and of limited capacity; and what was slowly filling it
continued to increase. Now this vessel is full to the brim, but still
they obstinately continue to pour in more. Is it not evident that what
is more than enough to fill it must overflow, and be the same as lost?

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