The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIII, 1629-30 | Page 2

Manila, which can be done
on highly profitable terms. Tavora minimizes the possible danger to
these cargoes from the Dutch enemy at Singapore, and asks that he be
allowed to send cloves thus to India, at such times as he can collect a
sufficient quantity for this purpose; and that in this matter the treasury
officials be not allowed to interfere. He also proposes that the rations of
rice allotted by the government to its workmen be provided by letting
Chinese farmers cultivate certain unused crown lands; he has even
begun to plan for this undertaking. Tavora recounts certain difficulties
that he has experienced in dealing with the treasury officials at Manila,
and asks for the royal decision. In this connection, he remarks: "The
offices in the Yndias are not worth anything unless one steals." To this
letter are appended the decisions made by the royal fiscal in Spain. He
refers to the royal councils the proposal to trade cloves in India;
approves the farming of crown lands, but is uncertain whether the
Mexican treasury can provide the additional contribution thus made
necessary; advises thorough inspection of the accounts of the probate
treasury, and strict prohibition of the use of those funds by the
governors; objects to accepting pay-warrants in place of cash; and
states that the removal of minor officials in the treasury, and the fees
paid to them, are matters which should be investigated. A later opinion
by the fiscal is to the effect that those minor officials be removed and
appointed, as hitherto, by the treasury officials, not by the governor.
Another letter from Tavora, of the same date, deals with various
matters of administration, relations with other nations, etc. He again
deplores the late arrival of the ships from Nueva España, and urges that
they he sent thence earlier in the season. He has not waited for them in

sending the vessels to Acapulco; and the latter carry but small cargoes,
owing to the unusual lack of Chinese goods in Manila this year. The
citizens desire to send a committee of their number to Mexico to
conduct their trade, in order to thwart the supposed unfriendly schemes
of the Mexican merchants; but the governor deprecates this proceeding,
as dangerous to the best interests of the islands. It is favored by an old
royal decree, which he is putting into execution; but he considers this
so inexpedient that he asks the royal Council to decide the case. He
deprecates the forced loans that the governors make from the
inhabitants, and urges that this be prevented by having more aid sent
from Nueva España. The governor is endeavoring to have ships built in
India, Camboja, and Cochinchina, to relieve the islands from this
burden; he has a prospect of success in these efforts. The king of Siam
who withheld the property of Spaniards is dead; and his son, in fear of
Spanish arms, seeks friendly relations with Manila. Tavora has
endeavored to restore trade with Japan, and has sent an embassy thither
to make amends for burning the Japanese junk off Siam. Regarding that
affair, a sharp controversy has arisen between Manila and Macan,
which is referred to the home government. Don Fernando de Silva has
left the islands, not without certain difficulties concerning bonds for his
residencia, involving the governor's right of jurisdiction--which Tavora
settles by the decision of common sense. The bridge across the Pasig is
nearly completed, and the cost of it has been met from the general fund
of the Chinese residents, as has also the support of the hospital for their
use. On the arrival of the ships from Nueva España, the governor is
disappointed at receiving so little from the viceroy, and implores the
king for more reliable and permanent aid for the islands. He is sending
artillery to Mexico. To this letter are appended a report of proceedings
in the council convened to discuss relations with Japan, and various
official acts regarding Fernando de Silva's departure from the islands.
The Jesuit annalist for 1629-30 relates various affairs of war. An
expedition is sent against Jolo; but, their commander being wounded in
an attack, the Spaniards are seized with a panic, and retreat without
accomplishing much. The Malays of Achen attack Malacca, and
besiege it during four months; then help arrives opportunely, in an
expedition headed by the viceroy of India. The enemy are finally

defeated, with loss of all their ships and artillery, and practically all
their men killed or captured. Soon afterward the viceroy is accidentally
drowned, which puts an end to his plans of conquest. The missionaries
in Cochinchina are persecuted by superstitious natives.
The more important events in the colony's affairs for 1630 are related in
Tavora's letters (July 30 and August 4). The Japanese are still angry at
the