[2] A dignity among the Franciscan friars, inferior to that of provincial (Dominguez’s Diccionario national). [↑]
[3] He came to Manila in 1666, as auditor. Although in Mexico he had received two years’ pay, he reached the islands so poor that he had no money for paying the first third of his media anata; at this, Salcedo pitied him, and compounded his debt with the royal officials. Bonifaz then proceeded to scheme and intrigue for his own selfish ends, occasioning much scandal and commotion in Manila. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 512–516.) [↑]
[4] When Salcedo was arrested, all his property was seized, and the commissary of the Inquisition took possession of all his papers—including letters, royal decrees, and official documents—books of accounts, and papers in lawsuits against various citizens. These last the commissary, induced by gifts and bribes, surrendered to the persons concerned without keeping any record of such suits. The commissary gave many jewels and other valuable articles seized from Salcedo to his relatives and friends, especially to the usurper Bonifaz. The latter appointed Diego de Palencia, one of the conspirators, as alcalde-mayor of the Sangleys and their Parián, “which is the most profitable office that can be bestowed in these islands,” and royal depositary—in virtue of which latter office a considerable part of Salcedo’s wealth was placed in his hands, part of it being placed in the royal treasury. Later, the commissary secured possession of most of what Palencia held; and the usurper spent most of what had been placed in the treasury for paying the soldiery and securing the friendship of the citizens. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 578, 579.)
It is possible that the author of this document is Francisco de Figueroa, who was alcalde-mayor of Tondo in 1660 (Diaz’s Conquistas, p. 575). [↑]
[5] Rosales was a lawyer, whom the usurper released from jail, where he was placed for crimes deserving death, and made an alcalde. He was one of Bonifaz’s most unscrupulous advisers and abettors. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, p. 605.) [↑]
[6] The tyrant, fearful of attempts to deprive him of his usurped authority, not only maintained a guard of bowmen—making his son, ten or twelve years old, their captain—but stationed in his house two companies of musketeers from the royal troops, each of a hundred men, all being paid from the royal treasury, “something which no proprietary governor had ever done.” Besides this, he sent an escort of twelve soldiers every day with his son to the school where he was learning to read and write. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, p. 580.) [↑]
[7] All the military forces, both soldiers and officers, sided with the usurper Bonifaz, except the commandant of Fort Santiago, Lorenzo de Orella y Ugalde. Later, Bonifaz changed nearly all the important military offices, conferring them on his favorites and supporters. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 556, 557, 563.) [↑]
[8] In Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 619–625, is a copy of the document by which Mansilla ceded (October 14, 1668) his right of seniority to Coloma—followed by a notary’s attested statement that this cession was made effective. On pp. 627–641 may be found the proceedings of the Audiencia thereon, in its sessions at the Jesuit college, and its decree issued to the loyal citizens. [↑]
[9] This amounted to 400,000 pesos, although 500,000 were needed for the expenses of the islands (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 611, 617). [↑]
[10] Within less than six months the usurper drew from the royal treasury 8,000 pesos as salary, and 9,000 in gold ingots from Salcedo’s sequestered property. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, p. 612.) [↑]