The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 6

will ensure to Spain success in such expansion.
They have thus far failed therein in the Philippines, scorning the natives
as inferior beings, who are fit only to be their slaves. The Spaniards
care only for their own enrichment, and treat the natives cruelly;
consequently the latter are steadily diminishing, and the condition of
the islands is deteriorating. But in China all will be different, in both
temporal and spiritual matters; and both Spaniards and Chinese will be
greatly benefited, enriched, and increased. Certain minor advantages to

arise from the conquest of China are enumerated--the establishment of
numerous episcopal sees; the foundation of new military orders, and
the extension of the old ones; the creation of many titled lords, and
appointment of viceroys for the conquered provinces. China, thus
subdued, will be a vantage-ground from which Spain can control all
Asia and a land-route to Europe. Chinese colonists can be imported into
the Philippines, "and thus enrich themselves and this land." And, finally,
the immediate occupation of China will forestall any advance into the
far Orient by the French, or the English, or any other heretical nation.
This scheme--which as it proceeds acquires, like a soap-bubble, great
size and brilliant coloring, and proves equally unsubstantial and
transient--is signed by the governor, bishop, superiors of the religious
houses, and a long array of other notables in the islands.
By the mail which carries the "Memorial" are sent various letters
supplementing the information contained in that document, or
commending the envoy, Father Sánchez. The military officials write to
the king (June 24), reminding him that the foothold gained in the
islands by the Christian faith can be maintained only by the presence of
troops there. The soldiers (whose courage and loyalty in the past are
praised) are discouraged, because they have not received the rewards
which they expected; they are lawless and demoralized, and their
officers cannot control them. The defense of Manila is thus imperiled,
and the natives are led to despise the Spaniards. The officers who write
this letter complain because they have been unjustly treated in their
efforts to improve this condition of affairs; they ask for redress, and for
the abolition of the royal Audiencia. A letter from the cabildo
(municipal council) of Manila commends Sánchez as their envoy to the
king. They complain that the Audiencia "cannot be maintained here
without the total destruction of the state," which cannot bear the burden
of this expense; and ask that it be abolished. They ask for a garrison of
three hundred paid troops, and the grant of an encomienda to the city of
Manila. They complain of the losses inflicted not only upon the
merchants of that city, but upon the colonial government, by the trade
which Mexican merchants carry on through the port of Manila with the
Chinese; and demand that this traffic be restricted to the citizens of the
islands. They ask the king to see that more friars be sent out, both
Augustinians and Franciscans. The cabildo recommend that the

archdeacon Juan de Bivero receive from the king some reward for his
hitherto unrecompensed services in the Philippines. On the same day
Antonio Sedeño, rector of the Jesuits at Manila, writes a letter
commending Sánchez for this present embassy, and recounting his past
services to the Philippine colony. On June 26 Bishop Salazar writes a
short letter, regarding some points outside of Sanchez's commission.
One of these concerns the respective precedence of the bishop and the
Audiencia on public occasions. The bishop also describes the quarrels
between the president and auditors of the Audiencia, and his success in
reconciling these differences. He has delivered, although against his
better judgment, certain prisoners to the Inquisition, in obedience to a
royal decree. A letter from the Audiencia of the Philippines to the king
(dated June 26), recommends an increase in the rate of tribute paid by
the Indians; the money thus obtained could be used to pay the soldiers,
which would greatly improve the standard of military service in the
islands. The colonial treasury is greatly embarrassed by heavy expenses,
and the salaries of the Audiencia would better be paid from Mexico;
then the encomiendas of Indians now taxed for that expense could be
assigned to the soldiers who have so long been serving in the
Philippines without pay. The king is asked to make an annual
appropriation for the military and marine expenses of the islands.
Father Sánchez is recommended by the Audiencia also, as their envoy
to the home government. Their dissensions are now all settled, and
some matters which caused these disagreements are referred to the king
for his decision. They notify him of certain changes which they have
made in the customs tariff of the islands, especially on the Chinese
trade; it appears therefrom that the