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 Espana; 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 Espana 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 Espana], 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 reenforcements 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 Goncalez, 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 reenforcements, 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 reenforcements 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 Nino 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 Parian. 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 Espana has sent abundant reenforcements 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 Parian 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 Parian 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 Nino 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 reenforcements should arrive. This, he said, had happened because Father Manuel Rinto, [105] 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 reenforcements 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 reenforce 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 reenforcements 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 [106] 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 reenforcements 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 reenforcements 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 reenforcements. 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 reenforcements, 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 Nino 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. [107]

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



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA

The following documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla:

1. Letter from bishop of Cebu.—"Simancas—Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes de los obispos sufraganeos de Manila; anos de 1598 a 1698; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 34."

2. Letters from Tavora.—"Simancas—Secular; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes del gobernador de Filipinas vistos en el Consejo; anos de 1629 a 1639; est. 67, caj. 6, leg. 8."

3. Letter from cabildo.—"Simancas—Eclesiastico; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes del cabildo eclesiastico de Filipinas vistos en el Consejo; anos de 1568 a 1670; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 35."

4. Papal bull.—"Simancas—Eclesiastico; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes de religiosos misioneros de Filipinas vistos en el Consejo; anos de 1617 a 1642; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 38."

5. Letters from Salamanca, 1633 and 1634.—The same as No. 2.

6. Report of archbishop on bakery.—"Simancas—Eclesiastico; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y espedientes de los arzobispos de Manila; anos de 1579 a 1697; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 32."

Royal letters, 1630.—The second of these is in "Audiencia de Filipinas; registro de oficio, reales ordenes dirigidas a las autoridades del distrito de la Audiencia; anos 1597 a 1634; est. 105, caj. 2, leg. 1." The others are found in the Archivo Historico Nacional, as noted below.

The following documents are obtained from the "Cedulario Indico" of the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid:

8. Royal letters, 1630.—The first and third of these are in tomo 40, fol. 71 verso and 76 verso respectively.

9. Royal orders, 1632-33.—The first is in tomo 40, fol. 86 verso, no. 99; the second is in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla, the same as No. 7; the third, in tomo 31, fol. 145 verso.

The following documents are obtained from MSS. in the Academia Real de la Historia, Madrid, in the collection "Papeles de los Jesuitas:"

10. Events in Filipinas, 1630-32.—In tomo 84, no. 15; the additional paragraph is from another copy of this document in the same collection, in tomo 114, no. 401.

11. News from Far East.—In tomo 114, no. 587 (copied from a pamphlet printed at Sevilla in 1633).

12. News from Felipinas, 1634.—In tomo 146, no. 113.



NOTES

[1] See Vol. VIII, p. 217, note 32; also Vol. XIII, p. 292, note 39.

[2] Fray Juan de Montesdoca went to Mexico with his parents who gave him a good education. He professed in the Augustinian convent in 1575, and went to the Philippines in 1582. He quickly mastered the Pampanga dialect, and ministered in the villages of Bacolor (1590), Mexico (1593), and Macabebe (1596). He was elected subprior and procurator of the Manila convent in 1594, provincial secretary in 1597, and prior provincial in 1599. He was missionary at Apalit in 1602, and prior of Guadalupe in 1605. He died at Malate in 1612, having gone thither in 1608. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 30, 31.

[3] Fray Mateo Mendoza, born of noble stock, was intended for the profession of arms. Having gone to the Philippines, he was received into the Augustinian order at Manila in 1575. He was sent to Mexico to receive holy orders, as there was then no bishop in the islands. He was missionary at Malolos in 1580, Arevalo (in 1584), San Pablos de los Montes (in 1586), and Porac (in 1594). Although elected definitor-general in 1596, he resigned that office to go to Japan. Returning to Manila in 1598, he became first definitor in 1599, and presided at the provincial chapter in 1602; and labored at Paranaque in 1603, and Tondo in 1605, dying that same year.

Fray Agustin de Tapia was a native of Burgos, and professed in the convent at the same city. He had charge of the mission which arrived at Manila in June, 1595; was preacher and confessor in September of the same year; preacher-general in 1597; missionary in Panay in 1599; at Guagua in 1601; definitor and prior of Cavite in 1602. He died in 1604.

For brief sketch of Fray Bernabe Villalobos see vol. xxiii, note 32.

Fray Diego Cerrabe was a native of Burgos, professing in the convent of that city in 1584. On going to the islands he became confessor and preacher in 1595, examiner in 1596, and lecturer and minister at Pasig in 1600-1602, going to Europe as definitor of the general chapter in the last year, and probably remaining in Spain.

Fray Pedro(not Diego) Salcedo was born of an illustrious family in Mexico, and took his vows at that city in 1583 at the age of twenty-five. He went to the Philippines in 1598, where he exercised the care of souls in Bay in 1600, in Hagonoy in 1607 and 1617, in Bulacan in 1614, and in Malolos in 1618. He was definitor in 1602 and 1608, and prior of Manila in 1605 and 1611. His death occurred at Malolos in 1619.

Fray Juan Bautista de Montoya was a native of Castilla, and after professing at the convent in Burgos went to the Philippines, where he was subprior and master of novitiates in the Manila convent (1581-1583), and missionary in Cagayan (1583-1586), after which he returned to Manila, but the same year went to Macao, where he remained until 1591. He acted as definitor that same year, and afterward was missionary at a number of villages, where he lived a busy life, his death occurring in 1632. He wrote sermons in Tagal, and translated the catechism into the same language, and wrote a history of the Augustinian order in the Philippines.

Fray Francisco Serrano professed at San Felipe el Real in 1574. After going to the islands he labored at Macabebe, Lubao, Candaba, and Guagua until 1596, when he was appointed provincial secretary. At the end of his term in that office, he was chosen subprior of the Manila convent, visitor, and finally definitor. He died in 1613.

The above notices are taken from Perez's Catalogo.

[4] Fray Pedro Solier was born in the town of Barajas in 1578, and began his studies in Toledo. Me entered the Augustinian convent at Salamanca in 1593, where he remained until 1598, when he went to the Philippines. He was appointed provincial reader, and retained that office until 1603, when he returned to Spain as commissary procurator. After three years he went again to the islands, laden with honors; and after ministering for two years at Bacolor, was elected provincial in 1608, governing until 1610, when on account of the deposition of Fray Lorenzo de Leon, he went to Spain to give a report of that matter. He was appointed bishop of Puerto Rico in 1614 and took possession of his see in 1615. In 1619 he became archbishop of Santo Domingo. He died in 1620. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 57.

[5] Fray Hernando Guerrero, a native of Alcaraz, professed in the convent of San Felipe el Real in 1588. After his arrival at the Philippines, he labored in various Bisayan villages (1599-1613). In 1613, he went to Spain, whence he returned in 1617. He went again to Spain and Rome in 1625. In 1628 he was appointed bishop of Nueva Segovia, and, in 1635, archbishop of Manila. His term in the latter office was marked by contests with the Jesuits, and he was finally excommunicated by a secular priest, and then exiled to Mariveles by the governor, Corcuera—only leaving that island on signing certain conditions. He died July 1, 1641, at seventy-five years of age. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 48, 49; and Buzeta and Bravo's Diccionario, ii, p. 275.

[6] Innumerable are the names which might be cited here of religious who have given proofs of the keenest patriotism, defending the islands with the cross in one hand and the sword in the other: Father Agustin de San Pedro, a discalced Augustinian, called "Father Captain" for his prowess against the Mindanao Moros; the no less famous Father Pascual Ibanez de Santa Filomena, Augustinian Recollect, who died while bravely assaulting the fort of Abisi, Jolo, in 1857; the Jesuit, Father Ducos; the fathers of all the orders, especially the Augustinians in the war with the English; the Augustinian fathers who accompanied General Malcampo on his expedition to Jolo in 1875; Father Ramon Zueco, Recollect, of imperishable memory, besides innumerable others.—Coco.

Continuing his note, Father Coco quotes from Father Fabian Rodriguez in Revista Agustiniana for January 5, 1886, the remarkable defense and military record of the Augustinian Father Julian Bermejo in Cebu, from the latter part of the eighteenth century until his death in 1851.

[7] Fray Hernando de San Jose, the Japanese martyr, whose family name was Ayala, was born at Vallesteros, in 1575, and took his vows in the Augustinian convent of Montilla, May 19, 1593. He arrived in the Philippines in August, 1604, and was soon sent to Japan, whence he returned in 1607 to Manila as procurator. On his return to Japan, he labored in various places, and founded the convent at Nagasaki, of which he was made prior in 1613. He was martyred June 1, 1617. See Diaz's Conquistas (Valladolid, 1890), pp. 76-103.

[8] Fray Hernando Morales, a native of Montilla, in the province of Cordoba, professed in the Cordoba convent, and on his arrival at the Philippines was sent to labor among the Aetas in Panay. He was minister of Sibucao in 1611, and of Laglag in 1618, in which year he took charge of San Nicolas de Cebu, going later to Dumalag. He died in the last place in 1647.

Fray Felipe Tallada was born in Estepa, in the province of Sevilla. Professing in the city of Sevilla, he was sent to the Philippines, where he labored in the province of Pampanga at various periods from 1605 to 1645. He was definitor and examiner in 1617, and procurator to Spain and Rome in 1618. His death occurred in Betis in 1645. He wrote a life of St. Nicholas of Tolentino in the Pampanga dialect.

Fray Pedro del Castillo became a conventual of Pototan in 1605, and was minister of Dingle in 1611 and 1633, of Jaro in 1614, of Laglag in 1617, and of San Nicolas de Cebu in 1621. He was also subprior of the convent of San Pablo in Manila in 1623, and minister of Santa Cruz in Ilocos the same year; was procurator-general; and exercised the care of souls in Bacarra in 1626, and in Purao in 1629, dying in 1642.

Fray Martin de San Nicolas was a native of Osma, and made his profession in the convent of Puebla de los Angeles. He was a missionary in Maluco and Japan for some years. While vicar at Guimbal in 1617, he accompanied the troops on an expedition against the Moros of Mindanao. He died at Manila in 1630.

See Perez's Catalogo.

[9] Fray Esteban Carrillo was a native of the city of Ecija and made his profession in the Cordoba convent, where he obtained a professorship. On going to the Philippines he spent four years among the highlands of Ilocos. He was preacher-general (1602-1609), provincial secretary (October 31, 1603), prior of Manila (December 24, 1603), definitor (1605), and procurator-commissary to Madrid (1607). He was one of the foremost orators in Manila, which city he left in 1609 for Spain, where he died in 1617. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 52.

[10] Fray Pedro de Aguirre took his vows in the convent at Mexico. He was, after his arrival at the islands, a conventual in Pasig and Bombon until 1600, in which year he went to Taguig, whence he passed to Calumpit in 1602. He was prior of Santo Nino in 1603, and commissary-procurator to Spain and Rome in 1607, dying in 1631.

Fray Roque de Barrionuevo, a native of Lubia, took his vows in the convent of Agreda in 1589. In 1597 he was laboring in Tanauan, and in Malolos in 1600. In 1606, while in Hagonoy, he went to Ternate at the request of Pedro de Acuna, whence he returned in 1608. He was definitor and minister of Malolos in 1609, of Tondo in 1612. He died in 1649. He wrote a grammar and dictionary of the Mardica dialect.

Fray Miguel de Sigueenza professed at the Burgos convent in 1579. From 1581 to 1599 he labored at various missions in the Visayas and in Luzon. He was provincial secretary in 1602 and visitor to the Tagals the same year, after which (1605) he exercised the care of souls in Hagonoy and in Calumpit until 1607, in which year he died.

Fray Mateo de Peralta was a conventual at Lubao in 1584, of Pangasinan in 1587, of Calumpit in 1590; after which he was at the missions in Mexico (1591 and 1607), Porac (in 1594), Candaba (in 1597), Lubao (in 1602), Betis (in 1608), and Apalit in 1609, where he died in the same year.

See Perez's Catalogo.

[11] The text reads puerta, "gate," which is probably an error for huerta, "garden." See account of their establishment, in Vol. xxi, p. 269.

[12] The Franciscans now (1893) have charge of Sampaloc.—Coco.

[13] Ceded to them by the Augustinians.—Coco.

[14] Fray Jeronimo de Salas was born in Olias and professed in the convent at Madrid in 1590. He was missionary in the Philippine villages of Guagua (1602-1611) and Macabebe (1605). He served as definitor and visitor, and in 1617 was elected provincial, but died May 17 of the same year.

Fray Fernando de Santa Maria Trujillo was conventual at Calumtian in 1596, prior at Barutao in 1598, missionary at Bacarra in 1599 and 1605, at Lingayen and Laoag in 1600, at Bantay in 1602, and at Candon 1605-1611, when he was appointed definitor. After his term, he labored in Tagal villages, and died in 1618.

See Perez's Catalogo.

[15] Fray Diego Uribe del Castillo was missionary in the Ilocan villages of Purao (1613), Santa Cruz (1614), Tagudin (1612), and Agoo (1621). He was examiner in the native language and reader of the province for some time. He died in 1622. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 79.

[16] Ezekiel xviii, 21, 22.—Coco.

[17] See Perez's Catalogo for sketches of these religious.

[18] Fray Juan Pineda was preacher and confessor in 1598, missionary at Apalit in 1602, of Mexico in 1603, of Hagonoy in 1605, and vicar-prior of Cebu the same year. Later he returned to Manila, where he became reader, and afterward procurator until 1609. He then went to Rome to take part in the general chapter, where he obtained the degree of master of sacred theology. He died probably in 1611. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 64.

[19] Fray Lucas Atienza was missionary in Ibahay in 1608, of Dumalag in 1614, and prior of the convent of Ternate 1615-1617. Returning in the latter year to the islands, he was in charge of the mission of Paranaque in 1623 and of Tayabas in 1624. He was assigned to the island of Formosa, but did not go. He died at Tiaong (Tayabas) in 1631. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 188.

[20] Fray Eustaquio Ortiz was born in Alpechin in Mexico, making his profession in the City of Mexico. On arriving at the Philippines he was given the office of conventual procurator; and later was missionary among the Zambales. In 1602, when prior of Bolinao, he went to Japon with Father Guevara, remaining there six years. On returning to the islands he became provincial secretary (1609), prior of Santo Nino of Cebu (1614) and of Manila (1623), minister of Tondo (1626), and lastly prior of Guadalupe, where he completed the convent in 1629. He died May 4, 1636. He wrote two books or treatises in the Japanese language. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 45, 46.

[21] Ecclesiasticus x, 2.—Coco.

[22] Fray Francisco de Bonifacio, a native of Sevilla, took his vows in the Salamanca convent in 1586. He was fluent in the language of Cebu, and labored in various missions among the Bisayas (1596-1611). The latter year he was chosen definitor, and in 1614 presided over the chapter. He was minister at Pasig in 1617, at Tondo in 1618, and at Bulacan in 1620. In 1621 he went to Oton, as his presence there was necessary. In 1626, while definitor, he acted as provincial because of the death of Father Becerra, after which period he had care of missions in Luzon, until his death in Manila in 1645. Two manuscripts written by him were conserved in the convent at Cebu.

Fray Vicente Sepulveda was a native of Castilla, and professed in that province. In the Philippines he became chief sacristan of the Manila convent, and learned thoroughly the Pampanga dialect, ministering in that province for five years. He was definitor in 1611, and provincial in 1614. His term was one of discord because of his rigorous enforcement of the laws passed by the father visitor. In 1617, he was chosen to fill out the term of provincial, that office becoming vacant by the death of Jeronimo de Salas. He was killed August 21, 1617, as the result of a conspiracy of brother Augustinians who were opposed to him.

Fray Diego Gutierrez was a native of Sigueenza in the province of Guadalajara, and professed in the convent of Agreda in 1574. He went to the Philippines in 1578, where he had charge of various missions in Luzon. He served as definitor during the chapters of 1578 and 1590. His death occurred at Lubao in 1613.

Fray Antonio de Porras was born in Sevilla and professed in the convent of that city. He arrived at Manila in 1598, where he exercised the duty of master of novitiates in the convent. He went to Bisayas instead of Japan which was his chosen field, working there from 1600 to 1639 (the year of his death). He held several important ecclesiastical offices in the Bisayas.

See Perez's Catalogo.

[23] Definitors are the fathers who compose the council of the provincial. Aditos are those who are to be substituted for any definitor because of his death.—Coco.

[24] Fray Fernando Becerra was born in Valladolid and took his vows in the convent of Salamanca, where he read sacred theology. On going to the Philippines he was missionary in Bantay in 1611, preacher and reader in 1613, provincial secretary in 1614, missionary at Hagonoy in 1615, at Pasig, 1617, 1620, and 1623, after having served as visitor and definitor. He was elected provincial by acclamation in 1626, but died July 31 of the same year. He left several writings. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 81, 82.

[25] Fray Alonso Mentrida, an illustrious Bisayan missionary and a noted writer, was born in the city of Mentrida, and took his vows in the convent of Casarrubios in 1590, where he became reader for some time, later exercising the same duty at Manila and Lubao until he went to the Bisayas, where most of his work thereafter lay, although he ministered in some of the Luzon missions. He served as definitor in 1614, as prior of Manila in 1618, and as provincial in 1623. He died at the age of seventy-eight, on March 22, 1637. He compiled a grammar and dictionary in Bisayan dialects. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 53-55.

[26] For sketches of these religious, see Perez's Catalogo.

[27] Juan Enriquez was a professed religious of the Toledo convent. After going to the Philippines he labored in San Pablo de los Montes in 1607, in Taal in 1608, and in Malate in 1611. He was definitor in 1617, and visitor and provincial in 1620. In 1625 he went to Spain as procurator, and died there in 1631. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 77.

[28] Fray Juan de Villalobos was a conventual in Panay in 1593, prior of Santo Nino de Cebu in 1599, first prior of the convent of Guadalupe in 1602 and 1605, and later visitor and definitor. He died in 1620. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 45.

[29] Fray Pedro Garcia Serrano, a native of the town of Chinchon, in the province of Madrid, took his vows in the province of Castilla. He had considerable reputation as an orator, and was given the title of master in sacred theology some time after his arrival at the islands in 1613. He filled many posts in the order, among them that of vicar-provincial, definitor (1629), and prior of Guadalupe (1624-1629), as well as that of commissary of the Inquisition and calificador of the Holy Office in the archbishopric of Manila. He died in Mexico in 1631, while on a voyage to Spain, having been appointed definitor of the general chapter and commissary-procurator. He wrote some moral sermons in the Pampanga dialect, while exercising the care of missions in that province. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 90.

[30] Fray Alonso Ruiz was a native of Coimbra, Portugal, and professed in the Salamanca convent in 1574. He was minister of the village of Aclan in 1602, and of San Nicolas de Cebu in 1607, sub-prior of the convent of Manila and master of novitiates in 1611, definitor and prior of Guadalupe in 1617, and prior of Taal in 1620. He afterward served in a number of Pampanga villages, and died in that of Minalin in 1640. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 70.

[31] Possibly an error for Jeronimo Cavero, who ministered in certain Luzon villages from 1596 to 1611, and attained great fluency in the Ilocan language. He became definitor, and examiner and president of the provincial chapter of 1617. He died in 1622. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 51.

[32] Guimaras, opposite Iloilo.—Coco.

[33] Fray Juan de Lecea was a native of Mondragon in the province of Vizcaya, and took his vows in the convent of Burgos. Arriving at the Philippines he was destined for the Bisayas, laboring in various missions in that district from 1600 to 1618, during which time he filled several ecclesiastical offices. He died in 1618 at Oton. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 56.

[34] Fray Silvestre Torres, a native of Cordoba, was missionary in Japan in 1616, subprior of the convent of San Pablo in Manila in 1617, minister of Malate in 1618, and prior of Ternate 1620-1623. On returning to Manila he had charge of the convent of Batangas, and died in the Manila convent in 1626. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 86.

[35] Fray Diego Oseguera was a choir student in 1607, minister of Mambusao in 1611 and of Baong in 1614. He was especially useful in quieting the Indians who were in rebellion in the Bisayas. He died in 1615. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 187, 188.

[36] Francisco Encinas, S.J., was born at Avila in 1570, and took his vows in 1596. After going to the Philippines, he taught grammar for some time, and then spent more than thirty years in the Bisayas. Having been sent to Rome as procurator for his order, in 1626, he was captured by the Dutch; but, after ransom, returned to the Philippines in 1632, and died at Manila, January 11, 1633. He was equally versed in Tagal and the Bisayan speech. See Sommervogel's Bibliotheque.

[37] Fray Juan de Montemayor was confessor to Governor Juan de Silva and a prominent orator. He was stationed at Malate 1614-1620, being appointed provincial secretary in the latter year. He was procurator-general in 1621, prior of Santo Nino de Cebu in 1623, missionary at Pasig, 1625-1629, of Paranaque in 1626, provincial chronicler in 1630, and prior of Guadalupe in 1635. He died at Manila in 1638. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 88.

[38] Fray Agustin Mejia was a Mexican missionary, and after going to the Philippines served in mission work in Mexico in 1608, in Bacolor in 1611, in Guagua in 1614, and in Mexico in 1617. He was prior of Manila in 1615, definitor, visitor, and vicar-provincial; and died in 1630, leaving a volume of Ilocan verses, the "Life of San Barlam y Josaphat," which remained many years in the convent of Bantay. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 79.

[39] Fray Pedro Lasarte (not Lesarte) professed in the convent of Toledo in 1572. He was missionary in Purao in 1600, in Bacarra in 1602, in Bauang in 1605, 1611, 1614, and 1620, and in Bantay in 1608 and 1611. He was definitor in 1617, prior of Manila in 1626, and again missionary of Bantay in 1629, dying in that place in 1636. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 50.

[40] For sketches of these Augustinians, see Perez's Catalogo.

[41] Perez mentions no missionary by this name.

[42] Evidently an error for Fray Miguel de Suarez. He was from the branch of the order in India. In the Philippines, he served as a Tagal and Visayan missionary, laboring in Batan in 1605, in Masbate in 1607, in Ibahay in 1611, in Aclan in 1614, in Panay in 1617, in Batangas in 1621 and 1633, in Tanauan in 1623, in Tambobong in 1626, in Taal in 1629, in Bugason in Bisayas in 1630, in Guiguinto in 1632 and 1639, in San Pablo de los Montes in 1636, and in Caruyan in 1641. He was also procurator-general in 1620, and prior of the convent of Cebu in 1638, dying in 1642. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 186.

[43] In the unfortunate event which Father Medina mentions with as much minuteness as candor, two important points must not be overlooked by the judicious reader, which were the cause of this unfortunate deed. One was the extreme harshness of the provincial in his government, which must have been very excessive.... The imposition of new commands must have been very heavy for the religious, since even laymen intervened with the provincial, either for him to moderate unnecessary harshness or to renounce the provincialate. The second fact which also enters strongly into this case, is human passion exasperated even to obscuring the intelligence, and personified in Father Juan de Ocadiz, ... a man peevish and melancholy.... Hard beyond measure must he have thought the measures taken against him. He saw in the distance his perpetual dishonor, yet did not have the virtue sufficient to resign himself; and, instigated by the spirit of evil, perpetrated the crime which he expiated with his own life.—Coco.

[44] Literally, a sack containing one thousand pesos in silver.

[45] There were eleven Augustinians martyred, and they received beatification from Pius X in 1867.—Coco.

[46] Equivalent to the English proverb, "Misfortunes never come singly."

[47] Fray Antonio Ocampo was of the province of Castilla, and was a religious of great activity. He was missionary to Bulacan in 1618, to Tondo and Hagonoy in 1626, and definitor in 1620. He was sent to Spain as procurator in 1632, but died at Acapulco on the way thither. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 91.

[48] Fray Juan Ennao took his vows in the Toledo convent, and became an excellent preacher. He was stationed at San Pablo de los Montes in 1609; at Bulacan in 1611 and 1613; at Bay in 1613 and 1617; and at Taal in 1614. He was provincial in 1615, and prior of Guadalupe the same year, definitor in 1620, visitor and provincial in 1629, returning for the third time after his provincialate to the village of Bulacan (1635), where he died in 1636. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 77.

[49] Fray Lucas de la Pena was very fluent in the Bisayan language, and labored in the missions of the Bisayan group from 1600 to 1630, probably dying soon after the last named year. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 184, 185.

[50] Spanish, del tropel de los caballos—literally, "from the trampling of the horses."

[51] "He said that those were true monks who, stifling their own wills, wished or refused nothing, but desired only to obey the commands of the abbot."

[52] Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, x, 30.—Coco.

[53] Psalms civ, 15.—Coco.

[54] Fray Alonso Rincon professed in the convent of San Felipe el Real, and after going to the Philippines became preacher at Arevalo in 1607, and was minister in Betis in 1609 and 1626. After administering the villages of Porac in 1611, Macabebe in 1614, and Guagua in 1615, he was appointed definitor, visitor, and prior of the convent of Manila in 1617. He was commissary-procurator to Spain and Rome in 1618, and returned to Manila in 1622. He was elected definitor for the second time in 1629, and died at Manila in 1631. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 77.

[55] The native dish of rice.

[56] See Perez's Catalogo for sketches of these friars.

[57] Spanish, Rutenos—a now obsolete name for Ruso ("Russians"). The term Ruthenians is applied to the people of Little Russia (also known as Ukrania and Ruthenia), dwelling in the steppes of Southern Russia, mainly in the valley of the Dnieper River; they have also extended into Hungary and Galicia. The reference in the text to "Russians" probably indicates only somewhat vague or erroneous notions as to the geography and political condition of Western Asia at that time: for it was not until 1722 that the Russians advanced beyond the Black Sea into Asia, conquering the province of Caucasus. Medina's "Diego Rodrigo" apparently means Fray Rodrigo de San Miguel (Vol. XXI, p. 116), who spent some time in Persia and Chaldea, and converted many "schismatic Christians" there to the Roman Catholic Church. On his return to Rome, he carried a letter addressed to the pope, from "the Chaldean Christians of Bassora." See Vol. XXI, note 62.

[58] Fray Diego del Aguila, a master of the number in the ecclesiastical province of Andalucia, was, in spite of his protests, elected superior of the province of Mechoacan in Mexico while en route for the Philippines; but he finally followed his first determination, and sailed for the islands in 1618. He there became visitor, definitor (1623), vicar-provincial, prior of Guadalupe (1620), and president of the provincial chapter in 1626. He died at Manila in 1628. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 98. Perez has evidently confused Diego del Aguila with Lucas de Aguilar, who was definitor in 1650. See Diaz's Conquistas (Valladolid, 1890), p. 516.

[59] Fray Hernando Cabrero professed at the Cordoba convent in 1601. He became sub-prior of Manila in 1609, and of San Pablo de los Montes in 1618, 1626, and 1629. He also acted as definitor, examiner, and definitor-general, and died at sea while en route to Nueva Espana. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 78, 79.

[60] Fray Francisco Coronel was a native of Torija in the province of Guadalajara, and took the habit in Mexico. He went to the Philippines in 1606 as deacon. He had charge of the parish mission of Mexico in 1611, and officiated later in Lubao (1613), Bacolor (1617, 1629), and Macabebe (1620, 1626). He was definitor twice, and also visitor and prior of the convent of Guadalupe in 1619. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 80.

[61] For sketches of these friars, see Perez's Catalogo.

[62] Fray Francisco Villalon was minister at Tondo in 1630, and labored later in the villages of Tambolong, Tanauan, Caruyan, Bay, Hagonoy, and Guiguinto, until 1653. He was twice definitor (1638, 1653), and prior of the convent of Santo Nino (1645). He died in Guiguinto in 1655. He was well versed in the Tagal language. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 104.

[63] Fray Esteban Peralta held various charges in the province of Castilla before going to the Philippines. He was stationed in the islands at the mission in Cebu, being proposed several times as provincial. In 1623 he was procurator-general, in 1626 definitor, and was at the missions at Tondo (1629) and Hagonoy (1632), where he died. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 98.

[64] Fray Jeronimo Medrano was a native of Estella, and took his vows at the convent of Soria in 1604. He labored in the missions of Caruyan (1615), Quingua (1617), Malolos (1620), Taal (1621), Hagonoy (1623), Paranaque (1629), and Tondo (1638 and 1647). He was definitor and visitor, and three times provincial (1632, 1641, and 1650). His death occurred in 1656. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 88.

[65] Fray Alonso Carbajal was a native of Salamanca, and professed in the province of Castilla, where he read sacred theology and obtained the degree of master. Dates regarding his life are meager. He was prior of Manila in 1623 and 1653; of Guadalupe, 1638; definitor, 1626 and 1653; visitor and provincial, 1644; while he renounced several bishoprics. Besides this he had charge of mission work in Guagua in 1620, Macabebe in 1632, and Bacolor in 1650, after which he served in the Bisayas until his death. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 96, 97.

[66] Kings III [i.e., Kings I of the Protestant version], v, 4.—Coco.

[67] Fray Pedro de Torres was born in Andalucia. He ministered in the Philippines in Mambusao in 1629, and at Oton in 1632, dying in Manila about 1633. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 100.

[68] Fray Juan Gallegos was a native of Mancha, and took his vows in the convent at Burgos. He was Ilocan minister at the town of Narvacan (1620) and Laoag (1623). He refused an appointment (1625) as procurator to Spain and Rome, preferring to devote himself to his ministry. He was at Bantay in 1626 and 1630; at the villages of Candon in 1629, 1635, and 1644; and Bauang in 1633. He was subprior in 1617, and twice definitor and visitor, dying in 1648 at Candon. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 94. He is to be distinguished from the other Augustinian religious of the same name who died while definitor in 1581.

[69] Fray Francisco del Portillo was one of the best orators of his time. He died in 1628 after exercising the care of souls in Purao in 1626, and taking possession of the land necessary to found a convent in Formosa. See Perez's Catalogo, pp. 103, 104.

[70] "They hanged them on gibbets in the sight of the sun."

[71] Fray Francisco de Santa Maria Oliva took his vows in the Toledo convent in 1581. He was minister of Dumaguete in 1599, and later of Potol, Ibabay, Mambusao, and Jaro, until 1628, when he died. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 38.

[72] In the text, actuanse, which is apparently a misprint for actuante.

[73] Perez (Catalogo, p. 107) says that this friar, whom he calls Bartolome Blas Esterlich, was from Flanders. He was a confessor and preacher in Manila, and ministered in the Ilocan villages of Bangui (1633) and Agoo (1635), dying in 1640.

[74] For sketches of these friars, see Perez's Catalogo.

[75] Fray Nicolas de Herrera was a missionary in Sesmoan (1618), Lubao (1623 and 1626), and Bacolor (1632). He was definitor in 1629, prior of Manila in 1635, and president of the provincial chapter in 1638, dying in 1647. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 89.

[76] Fray Martin de Errasti was a native of Vizcaya, and professed in the convent of Burgos. After going to the Philippines, he became missionary in Porac, Apalit, and Bacolor (1635). He acted as definitor and prior of Manila. He was elected provincial in 1638, but died in 1639. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 93.

[77] Cristobal de Miranda was a missionary in the villages of Mexico in 1614, and of Apalit, Betis, Sesmoan, Guagua, Minalin, Candaba, Macabebe, and Bacolor until 1641. He was definitor in 1632 and died in 1646. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 88.

[78] Fray Lorenzo (not Alonso) Figueroa labored in the villages of Caruyan, Paranaque (1620), Santa Cruz (1626), and Agoo (1626). He was elected prior of the convent of Santo Nino de Cebu in 1629, after which he was sent to the villages of Lipa, Bigaa, Malate, Sala, Malalos, and San Pablo de los Montes (1653). His death is not recorded. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 96.

[79] Doubtless masses for the deaths of Father Pedro Garcia and Father Cabrera.

[80] Fray Pedro de la Pena was born in Burgos, and professed in the convent of Badaya in 1599. He worked in the Ilocan villages of Bantay, and Narvacan (1617). After laboring also in the villages of Apalit and Macabebe (1626), he was chosen commissary-procurator to Madrid (1630), dying in the following year, aboard ship. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 86.

[81] St. Luke, i, 37.—Coco.

[82] Fray Pedro de Quesada, a native of Jaen, took his vows in the province of Castilla. He was appointed preacher-general and reader of theology in 1630, and labored afterward in the villages of Malolos (1632), Lipa (1636), and Bulacan (1638). In 1639 he went to Spain as procurator-commissary of Madrid and definitor-general; but the intermediary chapter having annulled his appointment, he set out again for the islands as president of a mission of religious, dying in Mexico in 1645. See Perez's Catalogo, p. 107.

[83] Paul's Epistle to the Romans, viii, 37.—Coco.

[84] Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, vi, 14.—Coco.

[85] Blumentritt in his List of Native Tribes of the Philippines (Mason's translation, Washington, 1901), says of the people of this name: "In a chart of the Philippines for 1744, by P. Murillo Velarde, S. J., this name is to be seen west of Caraga and Bislig (Mindanao). English authors speak of the Tagaboloyes, Waitz mentions their clear color, and Mas calls them Igorrotes. Others add that they were Mestizos of Indians, and more fables to the same effect. Their region has been well explored, but only Manabos and Mandayas have been found there. The last named are clear colored, so Tagaboloyes seems to be another name for Mandayas. The name sounds temptingly like Tagabalies."

[86] This was Balthasar Carlos, born in 1630; he died in 1646. He was betrothed to Mariana of Austria, but his father, Felipe IV, married her in 1649.

[87] In 1552 Felipe II ordered a royal monopoly on playing-cards to be established throughout his western dominions. All cards were to be stamped with the royal arms. The manufacture and sale of them was sold in 1578 to Hernando de Caseres, who paid a royalty of one real for each pack. The value of the privilege gradually increased as well as the price of cards paid by the public. (Bancroft's History of Mexico, iii, pp. 663, 664.)

This monopoly was established in the Philippines in 1591, by Gomez Perez Dasmarinas; see Vol. VIII, pp. 169, 271; and IX, p. 62.

[88] Apparently a reference to the capture of the Japanese junk by Spaniards, frequently referred to in previous documents.

[89] The Oriental commerce of Denmark began with the despatch of an expedition in 1618 to open trade with Ceylon. Being unfavorably received there, the Danes went to the Coromandel coast of India, and founded a trading-post at Tranquebar, one hundred and forty miles southwest of Madras, defended by the fortress of Dansbourg. For some time this post and its trade had considerable prosperity, but European wars prevented its fitting support and the commercial company was unable to maintain it. In 1670 a new company resumed this enterprise, but was even more unfortunate than the other, and finally expired in 1730. Two years later a third company was formed, which was liberally endowed with privileges and subsidies, and was highly successful. Tranquebar remained in possession of Denmark until 1846, when it was purchased by England.

See account of this colony and the Danish trade in the East, in Establecimientos ultramarinos de las naciones Europeas, by Malo de Luque (Madrid, 1784-90), iv, pp. 9-31. See map of "District of Tranquebar," in Bellin's Atlas maritime, iii, fol. 36.

[90] This was Father Jeronimo Medrano; he was again elected to the dignity of provincial in 1641 and in 1650.

[91] Christoval Ferreira was born in Portugal, in 1580. At the age of sixteen he entered the Jesuit order, and in 1609 was sent to the Japan mission; he remained there through many years of persecution, and was long the provincial of his order in Japan. In 1633 he was seized and imprisoned, and finally, under the strain of cruel tortures, recanted his faith—being, it is claimed, the only Jesuit who in all those fierce persecutions, became an apostate. His life was spared, but he was compelled by the Japanese to witness the martyrdom of his brethren, and even to decree their fate. At last Ferreira, tormented by remorse and shame, surrendered himself to the authorities as being still a Christian, and died (1652) as a martyr, suffering long and extreme torments. See Cretineau-Joly's account of his career, in Hist. Comp. de Jesus, iii, pp. 161-164.

Murdoch and Yamagata say of this Jesuit (Hist. Japan, p. 633): "As to the story that Ferreyra repented and was fossed at Nagasaki in 1653 (at the age of seventy-four), there seems to be no foundation for it."

[92] Apparently a corrupt Spanish pronunciation of the Japanese Jodo (also written Jiodo, and Jodo), the name of one of the Buddhist sects which flourish in Japan. It was founded in 1174 A.D.—by one Honen, according to Griffis; by Genku, according to Rein. Iyeyasu and his successors were adherents and benefactors of this sect. "Its priests strictly insisted upon celibacy, and abhorred the eating of flesh. They taught that the health of the soul depends less upon virtue and moral perfection than upon the strict observance of pious practices" (Rein). See Griffis's account of Buddhism in Japan, in his Mikado's Empire, pp. 158-175; and the chapter on religious systems in Rein's Japan, pp. 442-464.

[93] This is the volcanic mountain called Onzenga-take, situated in the northern part of Shimabara peninsula—noted for the terrible massacre of Christians, in 1637, at Arima, a town in the south of the peninsula—and east of Nagasaki. The last great eruption of this volcano took place in 1791-93, in which, it is said, fifty-three thousand people lost their lives. Its height is estimated at one thousand meters, and at its base are numerous hot springs. See Rein's Japan, pp. 17, 43, 54, 86.

[94] Regarding this letter, see note in brackets at end of this document.

[95] Probably Sendai, in the province of Satsuma.

[96] This would seem to be Otsu, the chief town of the province of Omi; it lies northeast of Ozaka (the Ojaca of the text).

[97] This must have been some gossip or canard cited by the writer; for Iyemidzu (grandson of Iyeyasu), who was then shogun, reigned from 1623 to 1651. The death of the "King" (i.e., tono or daimio) of Arima is also related, in more detail, by La Concepcion (Hist. de Philipinas, v, pp. 160, 161); he says that a multitude of foxes surrounded Bugandono on the road from Nangasaqui, accompanying him, leaping and barking about his litter "until he reached Ximabara, where they suddenly disappeared. Immediately that wretched man was overpowered by a fury against himself, so great that, sword in hand, he compelled his servants to beat him soundly with bamboos. They dealt him so many blows that they inflicted upon him a wretched death"—a punishment for his cruelties against the Christians.

"The great Shinto temple of Inari [the goddess of rice] at Kyoto is the model of all other shrines dedicated to this popular divinity, for on this lonely hillside twelve hundred years ago Inari was supposed to manifest herself to mortals. A colossal red gateway and a flight of moss-grown steps lead to the main entrance flanked by the great stone foxes which guard every temple of Inari, and symbolize the goddess worshipped under their form. Japanese superstition regards the fox with abject terror; his craft and cunning are celebrated in legendary ballads; and a condition of mental disorder, known as 'possession by the fox,' is a common belief, bringing crowds of devotees to Inari's temples, either to pray for the exorcism of the demoniac influence, or to avert the danger of falling under the dreadful spell." (Macmillan's Magazine, December, 1904, p. 117.)

[98] Thus in the transcript, but evidently should be 1633; for the reference to the ad interim government of Lorenzo de Olasso, past the middle of this document, shows that it was written in 1632.

[99] From this point to nearly the end of the bull, I have found it necessary to simplify the phraseology considerably, while carefully preserving the sense. The passage in question, while not hard to understand in Latin, would be, if translated literally, almost unintelligible in English—a long, wordy repetition of revocatory and annulling clauses, for many of which there is no precise and brief equivalent in English. Nor is the Latin itself elegant; and a few words and phrases can only be guessed at—these, however, not affecting the real sense, or involving any matter of importance.—Rev. T. C. Middleton, translator.

[100] Juan Garcia (afterward named "de la Cruz") came to the Philippines in 1632; he must therefore have sent to Sevilla almost immediately after his arrival in the islands the letter from which this document was printed. He spent four years laboring in the Formosa mission; and in 1636 went to China, where he spent most of his remaining years. Persecuted in that country as a Christian preacher, he finally was seized by Chinese soldiers, and so maltreated that his injuries caused his death December 8, 1665, at Fogan; he was then sixty years of age. See Resena biog. Sant. Rosario, i, pp. 411-414, for sketch of his life.

[101] Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera. See vol. xvii, p. 291.

[102] See account of the founding of the Jesuit missions in China, vol. vi, p. 208. The work begun by Ricci (see vol. xv, p. 178) was continued by Johann Adam Schall von Bell, a German Jesuit, who entered China in 1622, remaining there until his death in 1669. He was a noted astronomer and mathematician, and for his learning and talents was greatly esteemed by the Chinese, especially at the imperial court; the reformation of the Chinese calendar was entrusted to him, and rank and emoluments were conferred upon him. The missions in China were not molested by the authorities after 1622; but the conflicts between the Chinese and Tartars, which ended in the overthrow of the Ming dynasty, greatly injured the work of the missionaries from 1630 to 1660. At the time of our text, the Jesuits were on friendly terms with the authorities, and their work prospered especially in Peking. See account of Catholic missions in China, in Williams's Middle Kingdom, ii, pp. 290-325; and in Cretineau-Joly's Hist. Comp. de Jesus, iii, pp. 165-184.

[103] 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 Recopilacion leyes de Indias, lib. viii, tit. xix.

[104] 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 Fluegel, of Leland Stanford Junior University—an abstract of which is printed in Transactions of American Philological Association, 1902, pp. ci, cii.

[105] Thus in our transcript; but in the king's answer to this letter (post) the name appears as Rivero.

[106] 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.

[107] 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."

THE END