A group of papers regarding the hospitals of Manila is dated July–August, 1636. Governor Corcuera writes to the king regarding the conduct of these institutions. The expenses therein are too great; and Corcuera has levied an assessment on the pay of the officers and soldiers, to aid the hospital fund. He finds mismanagement in the royal hospitals, and dismisses from their charge the Franciscan brothers who have administered their affairs. He recommends that they be placed in the care of the hospital order of St. John of God, and of secular officials. He has established a hospital at Cavite, supported mainly by assessments on the sailors and workmen there; and a convalescent ward in the hospital for Spaniards at Manila. Then follow the comments on Corcuera’s suggestions, made by the royal Council, approving some, and criticising others; the act issued by the governor for the establishment of the aforesaid convalescent ward, to which he assigns an encomienda of Indians; and a statement of the amounts contributed for the hospital fund by each of the companies and garrisons in the islands, with official attestations, etc.

The Editors

May, 1905.

Documents of 1636

  1. [The nuns of St. Clare at Manila. Miguel Perez, O.S.F., and others; 1635–36.]
  2. [Relation of 1635–36. [Unsigned; Manila?]; June.]
  3. [Letters to Felipe IV. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera; June 30.]
  4. [Letter to Father Felipe de Cardenas. Cristobal de Lara, S.J.; July 3.]
  5. [Letter to Felipe IV. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera; July 11.]
  6. [Hospitals and hospital contributions. Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, and others; July–August.]

Sources: All but two of these documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla. The second and fourth are from MSS. in the Academia Real de la Historia, Madrid.

Translations: The first, third, and sixth are translated by James A. Robertson; the second and fourth, by Robert W. Haight; the fifth, by Emma Helen Blair.

The Nuns of St. Clare at Manila