The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 | Page 5

letter from a Jesuit in that country,
Father Christoval Ferreira, to the Manila provincial. This relates the
tortures inflicted on five priests and two women, but without avail, to
induce them to give up the Christian faith; also the martyrdoms of
many others. This account is of peculiar and pathetic interest because
its writer, Ferreira, was the only one of the Jesuits arrested in Japan
who became, under the strain of torture, an apostate; this occurred a
year after he wrote the letter.
The ecclesiastical cabildo of Manila write to the king (1632), urging

that royal aid be given to the cathedral, in consideration of its poverty
and needs. They complain that the highest positions in the diocese are
filled by friars, to the neglect and discouragement of the native-born
seculars who are being educated in the two universities at Manila. The
cathedral needs a permanent subsidy for its current provision of wine,
etc., and a special grant to finish its sacristy. Its service is painfully
inadequate; to save the expense of salaries for additional canons, the
cabildo recommend that some of the missions and benefices now held
by the religious orders be turned over to the cathedral. They
recommend royal favor for certain priests in Manila, and especially
praise the labors of the Augustinian order in the islands; more
missionaries are needed there, especially for the Augustinian Recollects.
The writers commend also certain military officials; but they denounce
the treasury officials for having permitted contraband trade of
enormous extent with Mexico. They remonstrate against the
appointment of Fray Guerrero to the archbishopric; and highly
commend the character, abilities, and work of the royal visitor Rojas.
A papal bull concerning missions is issued (June 28, 1633) by
Urban VIII. After citing previous decrees of the Holy See respecting
the despatch of missionaries to Japan and the Philippines, and their
journeys between those countries, Urban grants permission to the heads
of religious orders to send missionaries to the countries and islands of
Eastern India by other routes than that of Portugal. He also warns the
religious thus sent to observe uniformity of instructions to the
newly-converted heathen, "especially in matters relating to morals,"
and "to restrict their teaching to general principles." They must base
their instruction on the Roman Catechism and Bellarmino's "Christian
Doctrine." They are empowered to administer the sacraments to the
Christians in Japan; and are strictly forbidden to engage in any form of
trade, directly or indirectly. The superiors of orders are directed to
enforce the penalties herein imposed on religious who may violate this
prohibition; and disputes arising between orders are to be settled by the
bishops of the respective countries, who are also directed to enforce the
observance of these decrees.
A Dominican at Manila, Juan García, sends (1632) to Sevilla such

news as he can gather soon after his arrival in the islands. In Japan, it is
said, the emperor has imprisoned many Dutchmen; and, with the
decline of their influence, he has become more lenient to the Christians,
sending them into exile instead of putting them to death. But any friars
or preachers captured there are horribly tortured. The Dominican
mission to Camboja has been unsuccessful. Formosa is being
conquered by soldiers, and Dominican friars are making some
conversions there. Some of these preachers have gone to China, where
the field is enormous, but full of promise.
Juan Cerezo de Salamanca, governor ad interim between Tavora and
Corcuera, sends a report to the king (August 14, 1633). The first
section relates to military affairs. The forts and troops in the islands are
enumerated. It is somewhat doubtful whether the occupation of
Formosa should be maintained. More care should be taken in sending
reënforcements to Ternate, and Heredia should be superseded as
governor. The galleys belonging to the government are useless, and
Cerezo will dispense with all save that at Ternate. There is quarreling
over the legal status of the army men in the courts, which should be
defined.
Another section relates to general affairs of government. Cerezo again
points out the importance of the trade with China and Japan. The
relations of Manila, however, with Japan are no longer friendly--a
condition of affairs for which the governor blames the "zeal without
discretion" of certain religious who, disobeying the royal decrees, go to
Japan as preachers. He asks the king to command the religious orders to
send no more friars to that country. The trade with China is falling off,
mainly because the Portuguese of Macao have absorbed much of it.
Cerezo recommends that their trade with Manila be prohibited. He
comments on the scantiness of the male population; commends the
administration of Rojas, the royal inspector; and makes some minor
recommendations to the king.
In regard to the public revenues, Cerezo states that the