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.