Letters from Juan Cerezo de Salamanca to Felipe IV
Revenue affairs
Sire:
I informed your Majesty by way of Yndia, on the twenty-second of October of last year, of the treasury matters, and of the resistance which these royal officials were making about accepting the new ordinances that were left them by the visitor, Don Francisco de Roxas, by having appealed from them, and having represented in the royal Council of the Yndias the impossibility of being able to comply with these in the service of your Majesty. Notwithstanding their allegations, and the resignation of their offices which they made in writing, I continued, by what methods I could avail myself of, to urge them to accept the said ordinances of the visitor. As they persevered in their disobedience, I arrested all three royal officials, and kept them together in the treasury, so that the despatch [of business] might not cease; thereupon they obeyed, and from that time on we have been following the new ordinances. Although I blamed the too great resistance which they made, ever since I have excused them somewhat, through having experienced the great inconvenience and embarrassments which some of the ordinances contained; and I confess how prudent they were in the exercise of their authority before they experienced the present damage. Matters are in such condition that while I am trying to adjust myself to the new ordinances and not to depart one jot from them, I find myself more embarrassed, and the despatches that demand the greatest haste delayed—as happened to me in the stress of sending the reënforcements in a fleet which I sent to Terrenate this year, in which consisted the security of those forts, which were in danger. It was necessary for me to facilitate it by making use of the precedents of other times. Now, in order to fulfil my obligation, I assure you that what most is needed in Philipinas is the facilitation of the course of business, and the choice of [government] ministers who are entirely trustworthy; for in so remote provinces where all is invasion from the enemy, it will be most difficult to succeed in performing your Majesty’s service, if the jurisdiction and authority are so limited. In order to be able to await what your Majesty may be pleased [to order], I have adopted, in certain doubts, the expedient which has seemed most advisable, after holding meetings and consulting with persons in whom I have confidence.
One of these new ordinances directs that the governor shall deliver, whether in large or small quantity, all the goods and wares of these magazines which are used for various purposes. Those which are in danger of spoiling shall be distributed by his order; and what shall not be thus disposed of shall not be passed over, at the time, to the royal officials. That ordinance is impractical, for, besides the continual occupations of the governor in affairs of greater importance and his inability to personally supervise things so minute, your Majesty had issued the necessary ordinance before the visit, and I have followed it in the preparation of fleets and reëenforcements; and I do not pay any attention to the delivery in small quantities when that is necessary. But I am endeavoring to make it understood that it is impossible to do so always, without obstructing the despatches which usually demand attention suddenly. What is of importance to the service of your Majesty is that we, the governor, royal officials, and other ministers, are attending to the best administration of the royal revenues.
In accordance with these new ordinances, the alcaldes-mayor, the assistants of the royal officials, and shipmasters must annually settle their accounts exactly. Because of the difficulty of navigation between some of the islands, it is impossible to obey this ordinance to the letter, or to cease receiving from such men at the time of [settling] the account, what their salaries allow, as the emoluments which they receive are small or nothing. Thus do we continue to proceed, according to the weather-conditions of the season, and the distance [from Manila] of the places where they live.
Whenever ships or fleets have been despatched, some advance pay has been given to the regular sailors and soldiers. It is a harsh measure that because we do not have, for all the greater and less matters that arise, a distinct decree from your Majesty which is in accord with one of the new ordinances, the royal officials should continually impugn and oppose the orders that exist in some of the same matters; and although there should be nothing else to do than to obey the ordinances, the greater part of the time is passed in summons and replies. I have received in these ships a royal decree from your Majesty, under date of August 26 of the past year, in which your Majesty is pleased to order me to collect two per cent on the merchandise exported to Nueva España, in addition to the other three per cent that has been paid hitherto, in accordance with what the visitor agreed with this city by way of a gracious gift; and that on the first occasion [word illegible in MS.; I make?] decision of what must be observed, and give information whether this duty is collected here, or whether the benefit of it is obtained along with the situado of these islands. I caused it to be obeyed and executed according to its contents. And in order that these citizens might appraise their goods in accordance with this order I had the said royal decree published in the usual places, and it was communicated to the cabildo, judiciary, and magistracy of this city. Seeing that the citizens were exceedingly remiss in lading, and the time far advanced for the ships to make their voyage, I proceeded to stimulate them by edicts and orders, and finally by placing them under the penalty of losing the favors which your Majesty has granted them in allowing the five hundred thousand pesos that are brought every year from Nueva España. The city replied to that by appealing from my act and from the said royal decree to your Majesty, as the relation given by the visitor was not in harmony with the acts, and as their citizens had not made any [such] agreement. The four thousand pesos which they gave as a donation was for that time, provided that no further action should be taken regarding this duty until the matter had been discussed in the royal Council of the Yndias. In proof of it, the visitor embarked without having made a beginning in this collection. After many discussions, the citizens had resolved not to lade any goods at present for Nueva España. I gave a copy of all this to the fiscal and the royal officials. I resolved [not] to despatch the ships without cargoes, and even to take the boxes and bales from where they should be found and actually put them on board the ships; but the auditors and officials believed that it would be contrary to law to force the citizens. Therefore I determined to call a meeting of the Audiencia, archbishop, fiscal, and royal officials, in order to determine what ought to be done in this matter. All were of the opinion that the ships should be laded, even though we should postpone the fulfilment of what your Majesty lately ordered, for the damage that would ensue from the ships going empty would be beyond comparison far greater than the gain of the two per cent; and that the appeal interposed by the citizens ought to be granted, as it was apparent that the report which the visitor had made was different from what had actually and truly taken place. In accordance with this, the city has given bonds for all the sum to which this duty can amount, now and henceforth, until your Majesty be pleased to provide what is most advisable. In order that this may be apparent from the investigations, I enclose herewith a testimony of the acts.
In respect to my report, Sire, I declare that the three per cent which has been collected hitherto, has entered into this royal treasury, and has never been reckoned with the situado. The same will have to be done with this two per cent, for it is all needed for the ordinary support, unless that your Majesty should be better served [by ordering otherwise].
The visitor at his departure gave me an account of all that he had done during the two years while he has been occupied in his visit. According to the report which he gave me of accounts which had been settled, I learned that this treasury was clear of debt, and had much money besides. But I have found by experience since then that, although in appearance he stirred up affairs, in fact the expense was greater than the gain. For most of the settlements of which he made a parade are in litigation, and are being nullified by the acquittal of the parties [in the suit], while others in the Audiencia are even abandoned; and few reach the point of collecting [the amounts due]. Some of the new ordinances that he left suffered the same misfortune, because he did not dictate them or draw them up, but entrusted them to two clerks before his visit—for his poor health did not permit him to do more. It is not to be believed that a well-informed lawyer would try to obstruct the service of your Majesty, for nearly all his ordinances are directed to and reflect distrust of the fidelity of the royal officials, to whom your Majesty has hitherto entrusted your revenues. From the good disposition that I observe in them and the work that they do, I judge them to be your very good and faithful servants.
It is advisable that your Majesty be pleased to send an accountant for settling accounts, and that he be a person of authority, with adequate pay. He who serves in that office in the meanwhile was formerly the servant of one of these auditors; and he is more concerned in occupying his time in sustaining friendships than in attending to what is necessary. On that account if some of the new ordinances were to be remade, this would be bettered.
I received some decrees in these last ships, which were despatched in the year thirty-two, and others of the year thirty-three, concerning the treasury, which are obeyed and will be carried out as is therein contained. When these ships set sail—and that has not been done before as the decrees were received late, and by way of India—I shall give an account of the condition of these matters.
The viceroy of Nueva España has sent me four companies as a reënforcement, and this camp has six others. I have reorganized five, so that there are now six companies in this city, each with more than one hundred soldiers, which is the least number that a company generally has.
Since the month of August of last year, when I began to govern these islands, the half-annats[1] have been collected with the care ordered by your Majesty, in which I coöperated with the commissary for that tax. The royal officials and the auditor who was appointed commissary are doing as they should.
In the ships of last year, and by way of Yndia, I informed your Majesty how expedient it was to charge five per cent duty on the silver and reals that are sent annually from Nueva España, as no remedy has been found whereby that commerce can be adjusted to the permission of only five hundred thousand pesos, which your Majesty has conceded to these islands. Past times can ill be compared with the present; and granting the accidents which oblige the viceroys of Nueva España not to practice the rigor which they themselves make the governors of Philipinas overlook, and considering the present thing, and watching out for the greater service of your Majesty, I am grieved because the royal officials of the ships enjoy this advantage—which as I have seen, amounts to more than one hundred thousand pesos per year—and, notwithstanding this new tax, the inconvenience of the quantities of money passing from those regions will increase; for it is most certain that those to whom belongs the trade of Philipinas always find a way by which to attain their objects; and because the viceroy of Mexico undertook to check it this year, by only threats, the inhabitants of these islands are ruined and left without their capital, which remained in Nueva España. May our Lord preserve and prosper the royal person of your Majesty, as we your vassals desire and need. Manila, August 10, 1634.
Don Juan Cerezo Salamanca
Government affairs
Sire:
I have given your Majesty an account on all occasions of my coming to these islands, and of the condition of affairs in them, although with limitations, and with the caution of a new arrival. But now, after having governed them a year, I shall be able to discuss their affairs with experience and more freedom, so that your Majesty, having been informed, may enact what is most advisable for your royal service.
The disputes which generally arise between the governor and the auditors of this royal Audiencia are usually more prejudicial in these islands than in the rest of your Majesty’s monarchy, as these are the most remote; for their preservation lies in the governor being obeyed and respected, and in his orders being executed and entirely observed, without the auditors hindering him, or casting any doubt on his supremacy, as they are often wont to do.
The jurisdiction of this Audiencia is set at rest from the ecclesiastical fuerzas and the litigations of these inhabitants—who, as is seen from the chart which I am sending under other covers, amount in all to 151 married men, 81 single men, 45 widows, and 160 children, besides fifty other men who live in other places. All the rest are paid sailors and soldiers, with whom the Audiencia has nothing to do; and from that one can infer how few affairs of justice arise. That is the cause of the disputes, and of the auditors actually deciding the affairs of government under pretext of appeals, without waiting until the governors grant or deny them, in accordance with law—to the considerable discredit, of the authority that your Majesty has conceded to the government. That results in nothing that is ordered being executed. And although your Majesty has provided a remedy for these accidents with decrees, so that, in case of doubt, the governor may declare what occurs to him, and that the auditors may pass for this purpose into Philipinas, still that has not sufficed; for they take care to give the decrees a different meaning, and will not be subdued by any means that I have used. In proof of this I cite the following examples.
Your Majesty has prohibited the Audiencia from trying causes concerning the Sangleys of the Parián, and ordered that they be tried only by the alcalde-mayor and the governor, reserving only the sin against nature to the Audiencia. Nevertheless, they meddle by taking the [trial of] first instance from the alcaldes-mayor.
Your Majesty permits only four thousand Sangleys in these islands, but a greater number has been tolerated because of the advantage of the licenses that they pay, and in order not to disturb the trade with China. In respect to these and many other troubles, the former governors have endeavored very earnestly to assure that nation, charging the justices to be very attentive in their jurisdictions, and not allowing them to grant passage from one part to another without permission. Especially is it charged upon the alcalde-mayor of the jurisdiction of Vinondo—the point where the Sangleys fortified themselves during the insurrection. For this so laborious occupation, in a special meeting fees were assigned for each license, at the rate of one real and a quarter for him and his clerk. This has been the practice for many years. This Audiencia having begun to govern these islands because of the death of Don Juan Niño de Tavora, the Order[2] of St. Dominic endeavored to alter these licenses and the fee, by representing the injury that was done the Sangleys. But the auditors, in consideration of the above so superior reasons, confirmed to the letter the last act made concerning this matter by the deceased governor; and when I succeeded to the government in accordance with your Majesty’s order, the said religious endeavored to do the same thing. Upon becoming thoroughly familiar with the matter, I confirmed the said governmental acts, enacted by the Audiencia and by Don Juan Niño de Tavora. Nevertheless, from this they have stirred up this pretension, trying the subterfuge of having recourse to the Audiencia for an affair of justice—where they are admitted without these same auditors heeding that they have [already] cast their votes for the government measure.
In the month of September of the past year, five Sangley ships were wrecked on this coast of the province of Ilocos, with a great amount of silver. When preparing to send a person to look for it, the fiscal presented a petition in the Audiencia, although he ought to have presented it to the government. Not to confuse matters by withdrawing them from his charge, and to avoid controversy, and in order that what was to be done be accomplished quickly, I tolerated this mode of despatching the business through the Audiencia, hoping that the alcalde-mayor, to whom the matter would be committed, would make diligent efforts. But seeing that he sent to this treasury but little more than three thousand pesos, I am left with deserved pain for having allowed the jurisdiction of the government to be usurped. I have sent a new alcalde-mayor, with new ordinances for the purpose.
Geronimo de Fuentes bid at auction [for the position of regidor], and the judges of the auction knocked it down to him; and after he had paid to the treasury the price and the half-annat, his title as regidor was made out in the ordinary form. When he went to take possession of his post, some regidors opposed him, appealing to the Audiencia, as is their custom, with the intention that the royal decrees and the orders of the government should never be fulfilled; and, in order not to open the door so that those alcaldes-mayor of the provinces might attempt the same thing with their successors, I had possession of his post given to him, reserving to the party concerned his right, safe and in full force.
Your Majesty has prohibited any one from sending money to Macan, and the governors order the same by their edicts under penalty of confiscation. Antonio Fiallo gave information of over thirteen thousand pesos sent him by Bartolome Tenorio, chief-constable of the court, making a gift to your Majesty of the portion which pertained to him as denouncer. And although this cause originated from the edicts of the government, the auditors tried it, acquitting the said Bartolome Tenorio—commenting on the suit in examination and review during my absence, without carrying it to the regular session.
The ordinances governing the cabildo of this city were given by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, governor of this island, with the command that none of them be altered without an order from the governors. One of them prescribes the form of the election of alcaldes-in-ordinary. Although time has somewhat vitiated it, the order that the regidors should give account to the governor of all that occurred has been observed. Consequently, they send him annually two commissaries from their last cabildo meeting with the nomination of eighteen or more persons, on whom they have cast their eyes for the choice of two alcaldes. This year, while separated into factions, the regidors—finding one of them favored by an auditor who was trying for his own private ends to oust an alcalde in opposition to the community—tried to pervert the said custom of sending me the nomination. I did not allow that, because of the innovation and because of the difficulty involved therein that, in a presidio that is open to so many enemies, alcaldes may be chosen to whom the city cannot be entrusted—for the alcaldes are captains of the inhabitants when occasion arises—declaring, besides, the more than thirty years of this practice. They obeyed, and proposed eleven persons who were satisfactory in every respect. The other new regidors, who had offered the said auditor more than they could perform, opposed the nomination, appealing to the Audiencia, and refusing to make the election on the following day, the first of January. As it was vacation time, I gave one of the auditors commission to preside in the cabildo, in accordance with that fact. He excused himself on account of sickness; whereupon I gave it next to the other remaining auditor, who also excused himself. In default of both of them, I gave the same commission to him who performs the duties of fiscal, basing my reason for it on the grounds that, according to the ordinance he has a vote in a deadlock; and on the fact that one of the auditors usually presides in that act, although there are precedents of some unprofessional men having presided. Don Juan Sarmiento, a creole, and Admiral Don Fernando Galindo, of España, a man of great worth, were elected.
After the vacations were past, the two auditors and the fiscal conspired together, in order to annul the said election and to make another new one. They offered the necessary support to the regidors of their party, in order to have them present themselves in the Audiencia under pretext of appeal. This they did, heaping up nullities in order to make a suit of suits for the purpose of constituting themselves judges of what my delegate did in virtue of a commission of the government, without allowing it to be returned to the delegate, who was ignorant of what had happened in the election. They carried the matter so far that they actually tried to take the cause from me. That compelled me to censure their procedure, and to tell them that the appeals would be granted according to law—but not by violence; giving boldness to the litigants so that those who remained without due punishment because of the support that they were giving them, should become disrespectful, as they had done; and that I would consult the lawyers and learned persons of this city, so that, if that suit did not belong to the government, I might refer the cause [to the other court]. The lawyers gave me their opinions, saying that that matter pertained to the government. On that I founded my declaration in virtue of royal decrees which so ordered, especially one of November 4, 1606. However they did not refrain from it on that account—as they are obliged to do, even if I should go further; and, prosecuting the matter in accordance with the dangerous argument of time, I remitted the case as definitive to Doctor Arias de Mora, advocate of this Audiencia. With him I gave sentence, confirming the said election of alcalde as according to law. As such, the said Don Juan Sarmiento and the senior regidor—because of the absence of Admiral Don Fernando Galindo, who has been occupied in the service of your Majesty—are in the exercise of their offices; and this has resulted in the quiet and peace of this community and that of the appellants themselves. The latter already confess their error, although lately, and as a matter of form, they have presented themselves in appeal from the definitive act; while the other party has refused the two auditors, and there is talk of settling the cause.
[Words illegible in MS. The assembly hall?] has been shut often because of the sickness of these auditors, and more than two months have gone by without any session. Although the business that arises is but slight, it is well for the governors to know what is their obligation when there is a deficiency of auditors in a district so remote from your Majesty; and whether the progress of the suits ought to be stopped on account of death or long illness, for three or four years, until the remedy comes from España; or whether one can proceed as was done when there was no Audiencia. Also it is desirable to know whether it is exactly and legally necessary for an auditor to preside every year at the elections of alcaldes; or whether it will be sufficient, in the absence of auditors, to appoint a person from the number of the influential persons of Filipinas, since the auditor did not per se possess jurisdiction to preside, except by virtue of the commission given him by the government; or whether the said election of alcaldes must cease because there is no one to preside.
By decree of June 8, 1621, your Majesty orders, under severe penalties, that those who still owe anything of the proceeds from saleable offices can neither vote nor be elected as alcaldes-in-ordinary. This has been observed; but certain persons, because of their revengeful dispositions and passions, have extended the decree to [cover] other and different debts. Especially this year has the fiscal tried to prevent the votes of some regidors by obtaining statements [of their accounts] from the accountancy department—some of which debts the visitor brought forward, although that had not been done hitherto, except when only royal officials have (and only in a few years) given a memorandum of those disqualified by evident debts; and in the three preceding years none of these same exhibits were of this sort. They were a disqualification while the visitor was present here, and the interested parties demanded a declaration as the said royal decree did not concern them, and these statements were not obtained from the visit; they have made an appeal, in regard to these points, and they are pending in the royal Council. None of those debts are regarded as evident while they are in litigation, and while the royal officials do not begin to investigate them. I referred their petitions to the said royal officials, so that they could investigate and give their opinions. Having examined it, I declared that those therein contained were able to vote and to be elected, in accordance with the aforesaid; and that, in a community so limited as this, it is not right to give permission to avenge one’s passions under pretext of this royal decree. That extends, according to its terms, only to the debts for saleable offices. Few would be the former regidors and alcaldes who would not be included; and it is advisable for your Majesty to be pleased to have the proper decision made known.
During disputes in this Audiencia, it is the president’s privilege to appoint judges; and when the auditors are challenged, he alone remains unchallenged. Moreover, he has appointed them without any opposition, basing his action on the old custom of this Audiencia, and on the words of the law: “The president, the members of my Council, and the auditors who shall remain unchallenged, shall appoint lawyers.” But recently they have tried to make an innovation and to read the petitions of the recusants and to ascertain the causes that they give. That they did in opposition to the accountant, Martin Ruiz de Zalazar, in regard to a plea of appeal. As they were not in harmony, I appointed as judge an advocate of this royal Audiencia, who having been summoned to the session, and being asked whether the case had right of appeal, declared in favor of the said accountant: without allowing him to vote the auditors made him leave the session, and proceeded by act against the party. The said accountant again challenging him, because of these and other injuries, the said auditor, without allowing him to read the appeal, declared that his associate was not challenged; and the latter, as his alternate, proceeded to try the new challenge, without its being sufficient to contradict it in writing in the session. The so open enmity between the Audiencia and the royal officials being evident, I have withdrawn the papers until your Majesty be pleased to provide the remedy. A similar difficulty has happened to me in regard to the appointment of a lawyer in the challenge of the said Don Juan Sarmiento; and it is necessary for the governors to know what pertains to them in such cases, since the appointment of lawyers is not a point of law, but of the direction of that Audiencia as president; and when he is not there they appoint, without considering whether or not there have been judges in the cause.
The two auditors whom Don Francisco de Rojas suspended have died. Those who are left will attend better to the service of your Majesty anywhere else than in Philipinas. That will mean the cessation of many challenges and other indignities, as well as the vengeance feared by those who have made depositions against them during the visit.
Your Majesty orders me, by a decree of August 26 of the past year, that in matters of government and expenses of the royal treasury, when at the request of part of my [word illegible], I refer them to the fiscal, so that he may advise according to his judgment. I have observed that from the commencement of my government, and I shall observe it with greater care in the future; but it will be advisable to have the fiscal ordered to defend, in the disputes with the Audiencia over jurisdiction, the royal decrees which are in favor of the jurisdiction of the government.
Your Majesty orders me by another royal decree of the same date to see that the ships which are despatched from all these islands to Nueva España leave every year from this port in the beginning of June. That is advisable, but it is impossible to establish it this year; for never have these ships left without having to wait for the arrival of the others [from Nueva España], in order that [the inhabitants] answer their agents in regard to their [commercial] relations, and because no other opportunity for this arises during the year. Consequently, although the ships have been, as far as I am concerned, prepared in time with all that is necessary, the inhabitants have not begun to lade them until they have seen those which arrived safely on the twentieth of July. Since that, the fulfilment of this royal decree touching the two per cent has been discussed, as appears more in detail from the sworn statement of the acts, which I enclose. From now on I have commenced to order that the ships in the coming year are to set sail without those which are now departing; and that the royal decree of your Majesty must be inviolably kept and observed; but even with this warning in advance the early despatch has many inconveniences.
This year no ships have come from Macan, so that the Chinese have brought more merchandise than usual. Their main deficiency has been that of not coming laden with woven stuffs; but with the fair treatment that has been given them, it is hoped that a great abundance of cloth of all kinds will come in the first champans.
The loan of 60,000 [pesos] made to the royal treasury by the inhabitants of Macan, which I ordered to be paid, was opposed by the fiscal, because the Portuguese have kept a quantity of the goods of our citizens. Consequently that sum remains on deposit, in a separate account, so that, when the account is adjusted, their money may be returned to them.
The reënforcements for the island of Hermosa, which left here during the last part of August of last year, sought shelter because of bad weather, and went to anchor at Macan, for there was no other place wherein to take shelter. Although the ship bore the [new] governor of the island of Hermosa, namely, the sargento-mayor Alonso Garcia Romero, with his wife and family, and the provincial of the Order of St. Dominic, Fray Domingo Gonçalez, together with other religious, the Portuguese attempted their accustomed discourtesy, endeavoring to give it color by the pretext that the ship had put in there in order to invest a quantity of money that they were carrying. And although [the said Romero] maintained his men at a great expense, only awaiting suitable weather to carry aid to the island of Hermosa, the Portuguese maliciously detained your Majesty’s ship, and did not allow it to depart until the first of April, when the said governor determined to leave the port at all hazards. He put his determination into effect with the secret permission of the captain-general [of Macan], who, as was right, assisted him; but the Portuguese render so little obedience toward him that they fired twenty-three pieces charged with balls, and it was only by good fortune that the vessel was not sunk. That is the usual practice of the Portuguese toward all the vessels that arrive there from these islands. That is the reason why the governors of Philipinas refuse to send any ships there for supplies, except in a case of extreme necessity. Will your Majesty be pleased to order the inhabitants of Macan to give a different welcome to the vassals of your Majesty who belong to the crown of Castilla.
I have until the present refrained from writing about the island of Hermosa; but now, after a year of residence here, I am obliged to do so. [Word illegible in MS.] that it was settled, and some forts have been built. They are occupied by three companies of infantry, and together with the Pampango soldiers and the other men of service they number more than four hundred, counting the rations which are given them. During the year two pataches ply back and forth in August and April with the reënforcements, and carry what is necessary for the said presidio. The climate is mild, as the island lies in twenty-five degrees of latitude. The soil is fertile, but the natives so intractable that they do not allow us to avail ourselves of the fruits of it; and as yet the religious have not reduced a single reasonable person to holy baptism. They are so treacherous a race that, when we believe that they are most peaceful, they suddenly revolt, and kill whomever they meet unprepared.
On its northern side, this island is about one hundred and twenty-five leguas from the Philipinas; and so near to China that only a channel of thirty leguas separates it from the province of Ucheo. Sailing even farther north, Japon is 195 leguas away. The men are well built, and not so brown as other Indians. The island lacks ports, and only small vessels can reach our forts. The Dutch fortified themselves on the same island first, and in a better place than we; and it was as easy to drive them from it [then] as it is now difficult. From their location to our settlement is a distance of fifty leguas by sea, and there is no road overland or by the other sea. There was no resistance offered to our settlement, although that is the usual thing that happens when one desires to fortify himself in these regions.
The motive for settlement was the desire to be able to enjoy the trade with China near at hand, which would redound to the advantage and profit of the surrounding islands. That has not had the desired effect, because of the difficulties that have arisen, distinct from the facilities of the first plan—to which are added new accidents, which are being continually experienced. The chief of all is that your Majesty has more than two thousand infantry-men in various presidios, while in this camp [i.e., Manila] those who remain do not exceed six hundred. From this place are sent out all the reënforcements for all parts. If it were necessary to fit out six or eight galleons, it would be very difficult to do so without the infantry now in the island of Hermosa; and yet, with that infantry, they could attempt great things. In my opinion, even if all the purposes for which the island of Hermosa had been settled had come to pass, it would result in loss to the rest of Philipinas; for it is advisable for the good of these islands, that the Chinese, Japanese, and other nations bring their merchandise from their lands to this city at their own account and risk, and never at ours; and permission should not be given to make a way-station, or to maintain anyone to buy their goods. The advantage of that will be little, and the scarcity [of goods] general. I am not bold enough to say that the forts of the island of Hermosa should be abandoned, but I affirm stoutly that it would be well had they never been commenced.
In the letter touching military matters, I write at length of what has occurred in the forts of Terrenate, and I refer you to that letter. This is where we can now give the greatest care.
As for the kingdoms of Japon, I am informed that the persecution of Christians was greater than ever last year, and that more than twenty religious from all the orders were martyred, and that even those most carefully concealed were betrayed by their confidants for the reward of one thousand taes which was promised by edict for each religious. Later they write here, but with little foundation, that that fury had ceased, and that the king was proving more humane; but the fact is that it is advisable to prohibit (so that what the provincials for the present are applying as the suitable remedy may have the desired effect) all religious from passing to the said kingdom. For, besides the little or no result that they obtain, that trade is shut to these islands for that reason; and that is what we ought most to desire, and what is of greatest importance to your Majesty’s service and to the conversion of Japon itself.
By virtue of your Majesty’s decree in which you are pleased to grant authority to those governors to take the residencia of their predecessors, because of the inconvenience experienced in their going away without giving it, the decree was presented to me in behalf of Governor Don Juan Niño de Tabora, deceased. By virtue of it I have taken his residencia, and send the same to your Majesty. I have not discovered that there is any charge to make against him, as he has lived honorably, and in the praiseworthy manner that his obligations demanded.
The Sangleys celebrate their festival, according to their custom, every year in the month of March, in their Parián. They are very fond of gambling, and, by the advice of all the orders, they are permitted to play during their pastimes. The money given by the winners has been distributed among the servants of the governors, because they do not have any means of livelihood, and because the obligation of the charge is so great that the pay is scarcely able to support them decently. But I have distributed this money among the retired captains, the poor, the widows, and worthy men who suffer necessity. The Order of St. Dominic is the only one that dissents from the opinions of the orders.
When the Audiencia was governing, there was a change in the method of collecting the licenses of the Sangleys; but it resulted in so much loss that, as has been found by experience, this [year’s] collection has exceeded by many thousand [pesos] the collections made last year.
They have tried to establish the same policy in the inspection of the Sangley ships, contrary to all good government; for it is fitting that those people have many to protect them, as I tell more at length in the section treating of the licenses given by the alcalde-mayor of Tondo. In no year have they been less humbled than in this.
The wheat used by the inhabitants comes from China, because these islands do not grow it. Consequently, the common sustenance is rice. Formerly, as a policy of good government, the past governors assigned a place where the bread ovens were gathered together, and prohibited the baking of bread in any other place. In order to make this bread near at hand, the city made a contract with Captain Andres Fernandez de Puebla, so that it might be made on a site belonging to him—with the provision that he, spending in the building what then seemed sufficient, should enjoy half of the income of the said ovens, while the other half should remain for the city. All the governors have confirmed this, as it appeared of utility to the community. This is what I have to inform you of, according to your Majesty’s orders in your royal decree.
The post of protector of the Sangleys is vacant, as your Majesty has ordered that account be given of it, and that six suitable persons be proposed for it, who must be lawyers. It is impossible to find so many in this community, because of the few inhabitants here; and some do not care for the said post of protector on these terms. I propose to your Majesty the person of Captain Matheo de Heredia, who, besides having served for many years in various exercises, is one of the best lawyers in Philipinas. The royal Audiencia entrusts business of importance to him, and he possesses ability and merits for things of greater worth, and this favor will be well bestowed on him.
The viceroy of Nueva España has sent abundant reënforcements this year, with three hundred thousand pesos in money and the materials for the clothing of the soldiers (the best that have ever come here); this has been of great relief for the present needs.
The captain-general of the artillery claims that he can issue warrants on the treasury as well as I, because of his office. The royal officials oppose that, as there is no money assigned for it, and they are not subordinate to any other but the governor, and that was not done in the time of his predecessor. It will be fitting for your Majesty to declare what is your pleasure, considering the fact that this treasury is poor, and that it is troublesome to have many giving warrants on it. May God preserve the royal person of your Majesty, as is needful to us your vassals. Manila, August 10, 1634.
Don Juan Cereso Salamanca
Military affairs
Sire:
On the twenty-second of October, I informed your Majesty of military affairs. Now I shall do the same in detail, with the zeal of a true and faithful vassal; in accordance with which I say that the conservation of these islands consists in not embarking in new enterprises, but in keeping the presidios well defended which cannot be dispensed with, and to abolish those of least importance. By so doing there will be men in this camp for undertaking great things, as has been done in other times by your Majesty’s governors; while the contrary is true now, for the aforesaid reason, and the governors content themselves with not losing anything that is in their charge.
I imagine that there will be difficulty in abandoning the forts of the island of Hermosa; nevertheless, by my remarks in my letter on government affairs, to which I refer, that seems advisable. Accordingly, that can be reduced to but two posts, thus saving most of the rations which are consumed; but in my opinion all that may be done is superfluous.
The fort of this city is in a state of defense, although not in the perfection that is practiced in these times; but the fortification of the city is ruinous, to the degree of which your Majesty is informed. On the other hand, the location of its settlement is admirable, for more than half of it extends along the seashore where it cannot be approached by any enemies; while another part of the wall is bathed by the river. But on the land side it has a height, and a location suitable for opening trenches up to the walls. The latter has no terreplein, and is seven palmos in height. The redoubts are smaller and have no regularity; on the contrary, the casements of three cavaliers of the said wall are in the way. The moat is filled up, and there is scarcely a sign of there having been one. This is no cause of blame to the past governors, for without doubt much was done in walling the city; for the only purpose then was to assure themselves from the domestic enemy from China and Xapon, and from the natives of the land, without imagining that Europeans would be able to cause any anxiety in parts so remote. But the governors who have successively come here, having experienced the armed wars with which the Dutch have appeared in this port, have tried to repair and improve somewhat the old wall, as is proved by three cavaliers of great importance that they had built. With slight repair the requisite completeness was given to it. Considering the great importance of this post and that building is very cheap and costs less than in any other part, I resolved, after gathering up the remains of what stood there to repair the fortifications, to build a royal cavalier in the modern style at the weakest part of the wall. Without troubling the royal treasury, I began the work some four months ago, and now I hope to have it finished in two more. At the same time, we are opening a suitable moat, and we shall reduce the defense of the city to fewer posts. That it may be more strongly fortified, all the redoubts that impede communication between the cavaliers will be torn down, so that the wall will consist of only four stout bulwarks.
What most surprised me in Philipinas is the careless way in which the powder is kept; for all that there is in the islands is kept in one room in the fort at Manila, and that in a very prominent part of it, that overlooks the wall. And if that powder should explode through any accident (which may God forbid), besides the danger to the city, there would be no powder in the islands, or any material for its manufacture. In order to obviate so extremely great a danger, two towers will be built in one of the four cavaliers, in order to separate and preserve a goodly portion of it.
One of the motives which compelled me to fortify the wall is because the orders have built very near it churches so large that two of them in particular are commanding eminences; and because between one of the churches (which is called Minondo) and the church of the Parián there is generally a settlement of twenty thousand or more Sangleys during the year. They are the people who formerly rose in rebellion. By suitable measures, those of the Parián have aided me in this work, with forty thousand pesos from their communal fund.
I have informed your Majesty of the little importance of the galleys, and that only that of Terrenate was suitable to be maintained; but, having considered the matter more fully, I am of a different opinion, and I say that they are necessary so that we may aid Terrenate in any perilous need. However, they are not of any use in this port of Cavite, where they are kept, as they would be if sent to the province of Pintados at Oton or Cibu, in sight of the domestic enemy, namely, the Mindanaos, Joloans, and Camucones. These people are the ones who pillage the natives; and because we have had only twenty oared vessels in those districts this year, not any of those enemies have left their lands, although they generally render the provinces disquieted and fearful.
The person whom your Majesty has in these islands of the greatest service, and fit for any important mission, is Don Lorenzo de Olaso, master-of-camp of this army, who became captain-general at the death of Don Juan Niño de Tavora. He has assisted me greatly in everything, especially in the work of the cavalier which is being built. While the Audiencia was governing, he carried himself prudently; for by their quarrels over jurisdiction they occasioned him great troubles, which with any one else might have been more embarrassing and far-reaching.
On August 14 and October 22 of the past year I wrote to your Majesty concerning a matter of importance, namely, that a governor be sent to Terrenate, for Pedro de Heredia is old and rich. I say the same now, and by what has since occurred it will be recognized that only your Majesty’s royal service moved me [to advise thus], having understood the dangerous state in which those forts are found to be, on account of their [present] condition.
On August thirteen of the same year, the said Pedro de Heredia advised me that many soldiers of that presidio were about to mutiny, but that he was making the best of it, as well as he could, until the reënforcements should arrive. This, he said, had happened because Father Manuel Rinto,[3] commissary of the Holy Office, had published an edict regarding the sin against nature, in which many had been included. The father had given them two months in which to seek absolution. To this was joined their understanding that the governor would make an examination of those who should be absolved, from which arose their desperation. He also said that, both on this account and because the Dutch had a galleon of great strength in Malayo and were awaiting other galleons from Chacatra, it was advisable that the usual reënforcements come, and be well guarded; for if it came in the usual manner it would infallibly be lost.
That despatch found me already preparing two galleons and one patache for that purpose, for the conjectures that occupied my mind gave me greater anxiety than did the enemy themselves. In a council that I summoned, some thought that I should not risk or weaken our forces; and that I should send that aid in light vessels, and in the usual way. But, considering the condition and danger of those forts, I resolved to reënforce them in a creditable manner by sending the said two galleons, manned with good infantry and with first-class troops; taking for that purpose one company of volunteer soldiers from the camp. That was a move of importance, and one that it is advisable to make every year, so that no soldiers should be forced to go; and, knowing that they will be exchanged, many will go willingly. I appointed as commander Admiral Don Jeronimo de Tremonte. He filled this post extremely well, and observed his orders not to turn aside for other enterprises, but to place the reënforcements in Terrenate, and to defend himself from whomever tried to hinder him, but nothing more. The two [Dutch] ships that the enemy were expecting were boarded and burned by the Botunes[4] Indians of the kingdom of Macassar, who found them anchored and their crews ashore; they killed those who were on land. But the ship of Malayo, confident in its strength and great swiftness, attempted to drive away the reënforcements alone—risking itself because of the great importance of this matter to the Dutch, for they knew that the soldiers of our presidio were watching the outcome [of this battle] in order to decide upon the murder of the governor and the chief officers, in accordance with the plot that they had made. It fought with our ships for eight hours, and then took flight, disabled and with great loss. Seven persons were killed in our ships, including the chief pilot. Accordingly, the reënforcements arrived in safety, when the said Pedro de Heredia had arrested one hundred and fifty persons; [of these] he had burned and garroted eleven men, while many had died in prison, and [only] forty were left alive. These he sent to me by the same ships that brought, the reënforcements. At present their trial is proceeding, in the first instance, under Don Juan Lorenzo Olaso, master-of-camp of the army of Philipinas. Inasmuch as the charges against them are insufficiently substantiated, there are opinions expressed that we should overlook their acts. But, considering that if those forty soldiers are guilty, they may infect the presidios where they may be stationed; and since the matter is so public, and open to the gaze of so many barbarians—especially of the Sangleys, who are more liable [to this sin] than any other nation, this wretched affair ought to be punished with great severity and vigor. [In the margin: “His Majesty has ordered, by a decree of the past year 635, that convict soldiers be not sent to Terrenate; and that those who are there be removed every three years, so that they may serve with greater comfort and good will.”]
The volunteer soldiers remained in Terrenate, and more than one hundred and forty were changed. To these was given one installment of pay that was sent them; and it had been many years since they had received any pay. The rest were provided with materials for clothing, and with food; and, since they know that the same thing is to be done every year, that presidio remained happy and safe.
But the said governor, Pedro de Heredia, lately writes me that the natives of the island of Terrenate, who have until now recognized Cachil Varo as king of Tidore, have refused to obey him; and they have crowned another Moro in his place, a chief named Cachil Borotalo, as they say that the latter is the true heir of that kingdom, and that Cachil Varo was an intruder. That makes me most anxious, because, besides that it is not my duty to disinherit kings, the new one who claims to be king has, until now, been living in Malayo under the protection of the Dutch and serving in the post of naval commander. Although he has sent ambassadors to me, and promises to be faithful, there is little trust to be placed in his word, while Cachil Varo is a very valiant Moro, and a true servant to your Majesty. Every year, hitherto, a present has been sent to him, as well as to his father before him; and besides being very much of a Spaniard, he has retired into his fort of Tidore (which is of greater importance than the forts that we ourselves hold), and the great mass of the people, with more than two thousand chiefs, obey him.
The governor [of Terrenate], Pedro de Heredia, tells me that he has not meddled in any way with these disturbances, but that he is neutral. But the said king of Tidore complains of him, and attributes to him the insurrection of his vassals and the summoning of a Dutchman to be new king. That does not change him, and he will remain faithful to your Majesty. He knows that you are ignorant of the injuries that are being done him because of the governor’s greed for the ransom of the damage.
Such is the condition of the affair at present. I do not blame the king or clear the governor, notwithstanding the many years during which affairs have been going badly. But that the latter has been found lacking in the alliance, and has neglected to aid the king, has not furnished any reason why the other allies should not take warning by this and renounce our friendship. These are schemes of which the Dutch avail themselves. Those who are acquainted with the king of Tidore, and know of his services, grieve, and think that it is necessary to protect him. I am now reflecting on the way in which these matters can be settled, so that they may not fall into a worse condition, by making use of the relationship between them. But in case of need I shall not be found lacking to Cachil Varo; and because this matter demands expedition, and so much expense cannot always be incurred as in the past reënforcements, I shall send this aid in October, in galleys and pataches; for that is the time when the enemy have gone away.
Last year the Audiencia wrote that one galleon and one galley had been finished. It is a fact that more than thirty thousand pesos have been spent in their construction, having been commenced in the time of Don Juan Niño de Tavora.
There is nothing of so great importance in this government, as that the port of Cavite be well provided with the necessary naval supplies; and that this matter be charged to a competent and very intelligent person; for the other offices are bestowed as favors, but for this one we are looking for a person whom we can ask to accept it. Accordingly, we have found him, in the person of him who is commander of the fort there and river-master, namely, Captain Juan de Olaez. He has so borne himself that the port has never for many years been found so well supplied and more faithfully administered—which is quite different from the utterly destitute condition in which I found it.
The rewards of Philipinas are poor, and especially those which I have had to give, because I have had no power to provide encomiendias. Consequently, on this account, and because of the events that have occurred in my time, I have promoted some worthy soldiers with the titles of infantry captains, in consideration of the fact that they are those who have toiled in what is most necessary, and who have, besides their pay, only their simple posts, as before. Some, under warrant of this honor, have become married and settled as citizens; that is a matter that ought to receive much attention. The sons of influential men have been encouraged to enlist as soldiers, and have begun to serve in the infantry, which was considerably in decline. I have taken special precautions not to appoint my servants to these posts, except in the case of my captain of the guard, as was done by all the other governors. The judicial posts have been bestowed upon the worthy and old settlers, but those who ask for them are very few, for they do not care to go far from the city; and it is at times necessary to beg them to accept those posts which are far away.
No ship has come from Yndia as yet, for they are late. That causes us to doubt whether we may expect the return of three citizens [who have gone] from this place, besides those who generally cross these seas. I think that they are detained in Malaca, and that they have not gone past that place, because they found the enemy on the sea. At least, I am assured by letters from the king of Macasar that fourteen urcas were on his coasts on the tenth of January of last year, where they remained for forty days. They asked him for refreshment, but he denied it to them. He said that the enemy had returned to the strait with another ship (with which they had succored Malayo), and the one that had fought. At that same time the king of Cochinchina wrote me that twelve other urcas had left his shores, which on their way from coasting along China, brought at least six which had been lost in a storm; but that they were rich with the booty captured from the Sangley prizes they had made. All those ships took their station in the strait of Malaca, and consequently, I do not expect any from Yndia this year. May our Lord preserve and prosper the royal person of your Majesty, as we your vassals desire and need. Manila, August 10, 1634.
Don Juan Cereso Salamanca
[In the margin: “This letter is accompanied by the plans of the old and the new city of Manila.”]
Ecclesiastical affairs
Sire:
There is but little for me to mention in ecclesiastical matters; for the orders are conducting themselves in an exemplary manner, except that they often usurp the royal jurisdiction, under pretext of defending the natives; and they take away the authority from the alcaldes-mayor, so that nothing that the latter order is carried out, so that sometimes a layman is obeyed better than they. It is advisable to correct this, and to order that the bishops live in their dioceses, and not in this city.[5]
The bishop of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus is governing this metropolitan see during the vacancy. He is an apostolic man. I have consulted with him in regard to the appointments for the prebends that have become vacant by the death of the archdean and precentor. The prebends have only been changed by promotion; and the only one to enter new is Don Juan de Olaso Aclotequi, whom—because of his great virtue, and because he is the uncle of Don Lorenzo Olasso, master-of-camp of these islands and formerly captain-general of them—I presented as treasurer. He had before been canon. With that this holy church is well administered, and has good subjects. In particular, the bachelor, Pedro Diaz de la Rivera, is considered a good ecclesiastic; and his gray hairs are worthy of whatever favor your Majesty will be pleased to show him. May our Lord preserve the royal person of your Majesty, as is necessary to us your vassals. Manila, August 10, 1634.
Don Juan Cereso Salamanca
[1] Medias anatas: half of the first year’s income; a tax which was paid to the crown upon entering any office, pension, or grant. It was introduced into the Indias by a law of 1632. See Recopilación leyes de Indias, lib. viii, tit. xix.
[2] Spanish, Religion. This word was first used in the sense of “monastic order” or “monastery” in the sixth century, in France. This narrower sense was used along with the broader one, until the latter was gradually crowded out (during the second half of the fourteenth century); being, however, finally recovered during the epoch of the Reformation; The term “man of religion” (homo religionis, homme de religion) was never used in Latin, French, or English to mean a pious man, but exclusively for a man belonging to a religious order. See “History of the word religio in the Middle Ages,” by. Professor Ewald Flügel, of Leland Stanford Junior University—an abstract of which is printed in Transactions of American Philological Association, 1902, pp. ci, cii.
[3] Thus in our transcript; but in the king’s answer to this letter (post) the name appears as Rivero.
[4] Probably referring to the people of Butung or boeton, a large island off the southeastern peninsula of Celebes; their state of civilization is similar to that of the Macassar and Bugis of that island.
[5] This recommendation was thus answered by the king, in a despatch to Corcuera dated Madrid, December 1, 1636: “Inasmuch as it is proper that all the prelates take personal charge of the government of their churches, thus fulfilling their so stringent obligations for that, I have thought it best—notwithstanding that I charge them by a decree of the same date as this that, if they should be absent from their churches, they shall without fail go to reside in them—to order you, as I am doing, to see for your part by repeated urgings that they go to reside at and to serve their churches, in case that any of them should be absent.” This is found in the “Cedulario Indico,” at Madrid—pressmark, “Tomo 39, fol. 228.”