The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 | Page 6

treasury is
burdened with debts; the shipyards are bare of supplies; and the
contraband trade with Mexico has attained large proportions. To check

this latter evil, the governor recommends that all money sent to Manila
be openly registered at Acapulco, imposing on it a duty of five per cent;
and a different system of inspecting the Philippine cargoes there be
adopted.
In compliance with royal command, the archbishop of Manila reports
(August 3, 1634) on the public bakery at Manila. He finds it well built
and managed, and recommends that all ovens in the city should be
merged in this bakery.
A Jesuit letter from Manila (August 20, 1634) gives interesting news
from Japan. The persecution there is still very cruel, and many
missionaries have been arrested lately; but the emperor is becoming for
the time more lenient, through the influence of certain omens and of his
cure from an illness through the prayers of the captive missionaries.
The writer hopes, therefore, that Iyemidzu "may be the Constantine of
the church" in Japan.
The annual report of Governor Cerezo for 1634 begins with affairs of
the revenue. The treasury officials refuse to obey the orders left for
them by Rojas; the governor therefore arrests them, which soon brings
them to terms. Nevertheless, he excuses their disobedience to some
extent, on account of the rigorous and difficult nature of Rojas's orders;
he instances some of these which embarrass both himself and the royal
officials. The king has ordered an additional duty to be levied on goods
exported to Nueva España; the citizens object to paying this, and finally
the matter is temporarily settled by a council of the authorities, both
civil and religious, until the home government can take action. The
governor reports that the royal visitor Rojas did not really accomplish
much for the treasury; but exaggerated his own services. He also
reminds the king of his former suggestion for checking the illegal
despatch of money to Filipinas.
As for affairs of government, there is the usual conflict between the
Audiencia and the governor, which hinders the latter in the discharge of
his duties. They interfere with his authority, try to secure the trial of the
Chinese lawsuits, acquit delinquents, and meddle in municipal affairs;
and he intimates his desire that they be despatched to other branches of

his Majesty's service. Cerezo asks for enlightenment in several difficult
matters connected with the respective jurisdictions of himself and the
Audiencia. This year the Portuguese of Macao have failed to trade at
Manila, and the Chinese, although they have brought considerable
merchandise, furnish but little cloth. The expedition sent to Formosa is
badly treated by the Portuguese at Macao, of which Cerezo complains
to the king. He describes the island of Formosa, the Spanish settlement
there, the nature of the people, and the reasons why a Spanish post was
established there; he regards this enterprise as useless and undesirable,
and states that the soldiers in that island are needed at Manila. The
persecution of Christians in Japan still continues; Cerezo doubts the
supposed improvement in the shôgun's attitude toward them, and
recommends that no more religious be allowed to go to that country.
He describes his method of procedure toward the Chinese, both resident
and non-resident; he endeavors to treat them with justice and kindness,
and recommends a suitable person for the post of their protector.
Liberal aid has been sent to the islands this year from Mexico.
In military affairs, Cerezo recommends the abandonment of Formosa
and other unnecessary forts, and the concentration of the Spanish forces
at Manila. The fort there is in fair state of defense, but the wall of the
city is in ruinous condition, and the governor is having it repaired and
strengthened. He recommends that some galleys be maintained at Otón
or Cebú, to keep the Moro pirates in awe: and that a new commandant
be sent to Ternate in place of Heredia, who has shown himself unfitted
to hold that office. A mutiny has occurred there, which he has cruelly
punished; and he is blamed for an insurrection in Tidore which has
replaced its king with another who is friendly to the Dutch. The port of
Cavite must be well maintained and provided with supplies. No ships
from India have arrived, probably because the Strait of Malacca and the
neighboring waters have been infested by the Dutch.
Little is said about ecclesiastical affairs. "The orders are conducting
themselves in an exemplary manner, except that they often usurp the
royal jurisdiction, under pretext of defending the natives, and take away
the authority from the alcaldes-mayor." The acting archbishop is
commended, and recent appointments are mentioned.

The Editors
March, 1905.

HISTORIA DE LA ORDEN DE S. AGUSTIN DE ESTAS ISLAS
FILIPINAS
(Concluded)
By Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A., Manila,