CHAPTER XV
In which are mentioned the various events in these islands by land and sea during the years 635–645, and supplies given to the royal treasury, and devout exercises of the brothers of the Santa Misericordia.
[In 1635, no ship sails for Nueva España “for reasons of state, or decisions of Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera.” Although a ship does reach Acapulco in 1637, the citizens of the Philippines are not much benefited thereby, for the goods are all embargoed at Acapulco, contrary to the usual custom, because of certain strict edicts, and all appraised at four times their value, the consequent duties being very heavy. During this period also occurs the disastrous loss of the island of Formosa. The islands are offered some cheer by the happy successes of Corcuera in his Joló campaign, which is begun in 1637. Before going on this campaign, he writes the brotherhood, under date of December 4, asking its prayers for the success of his undertaking. At the end of the expedition, the brotherhood generously gives the royal treasury a loan of 104,609 pesos, 2 tomins, 1 grano. A letter from Corcuera October 26, 1639, to the brotherhood asks it to take charge of the conversion of two of the Moro hostages who have been brought from Joló; all the religious orders also having been asked to do the same. The flagship “Concepcion” is lost in the Ladrones in 1638 on its way to Acapulco; and in the following year, the two ships from Nueva España, on the Cagayan coast. From the end of 1639 to the beginning of 1640, the city passes through a hard time with the great danger arising from the Chinese revolt. The poor are troublesome for there are many of them, and the brotherhood is compelled to labor diligently. To relieve the necessities of the royal treasury, the sum of 102,468 pesos, 2 tomins is lent it, on the occasion of the loss of the galleon, “Encarnacion” on the Mindoro shoals while on its way to Ternate with reenforcements.]
CHAPTER XVI
Of the great earthquakes of the year 1645, and the events that happened therein; losses of the house of the Misericordia in the works in its charge, and the adjustment of the losses of its investments, which were imposed on the houses demolished, in virtue of a general compromise.
[The first shock of the earthquake that occurs on November 30, 1645, is followed by many other shocks more or less severe. By the general appraisals made of the losses the Misericordia is declared in 1648 to have had 89,855 pesos invested in houses, of which only material worth 23,177 pesos, 2 tomins, 6 granos is saved, the loss thus being 66,677 pesos, 5 tomins, 6 granos. The brotherhood further loses 2,739 pesos, 6 tomins, 2 granos, for the tearing down of ruined walls, and spends 7,725 pesos, 2 tomins, 8 granos for the rebuilding of the ruined houses, the total loss thus amounting to 77,142 pesos, 6 tomins, 4 granos. Thus the final assets of the brotherhood on the old investment are 12,712 pesos, 1 tomin, 8 granos. However, the real value of the investment of the association amounts to 159,365 pesos more. A capital of 69,510 pesos which is invested in stockfarms and farming lands of the religious orders is fortunately saved. Between the years 1634–1660 the sum distributed by the Misericordia amounts to 220,770 pesos, 1 tomin; and between 1637–1651, 72,948 pesos, 7 tomins, 6 granos. After the earthquake the brotherhood rebuilds its church, college, and the hospitals for the natives, poor women, and slaves of the city. In addition, it gives 400 pesos toward the rebuilding of the cathedral; 300 pesos for repairs on the Franciscan convent; 100 pesos for repairs on the chapel of San Antonio of the tertiary branch of the said order located in the church of their convent; 150 pesos to Fray Christoval del Castillo, definitor of the Franciscan order (40 of them to be used for his support and that of the religious in his charge in the hospital for the natives, and 110 pesos for pious works and grave necessities, namely, aid in ransoming a Recollect religious who has been captured by the Joloans); 200 pesos to the father procurator of the Recollects; 200 pesos to Fray Juan de San Antonio, provincial of the said order; and lastly many alms to all the needy of the community.]