The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 8

the unhealthful climate. In view of the recent
destruction of the city of Manila by fire, Vera has forbidden the people
to build any more houses of wood, obliging them to use stone for that
purpose. Finding the city practically defenseless, Vera has begun to
build near it a fort and other means of defense; and he asks for a small
number of paid soldiers as a garrison for the city. He has assessed on
the encomenderos and other citizens and on the Indians the expenses of
these works. Another fort is needed at Cavite. The king is asked to
grant money and workmen for completing these fortifications. Copper
has been discovered in adjoining islands, also sulphur. The trade with
China is important and flourishing; and the products of that country are
offered at Manila at very low prices. The Chinese ask that the
Spaniards will establish a trading-post in their country. Friendly
intercourse with Japan is commencing, and the Jesuit missionaries there
are freely allowed to preach the Christian faith. Vera has remitted the

duties on goods brought to Manila from Japan and Macao. A
controversy has arisen between him and the bishop, the latter having
ordered that the Chinese converts to the Christian faith should cut off
their long hair, which causes many to avoid baptism: the king is asked
to settle this question. Vera has sent to Macao for the recalcitrant
Mexican officer who was mentioned in a previous document. A
Japanese prince, a Christian, offers to aid the Spanish with troops in
any warlike enterprise that they wish to undertake.
A letter from the Audiencia to Felipe (June 25, 1588) reports the
capture of the treasure-ship "Santa Ana" off the California coast, by the
English adventurer Thomas Candish, which has caused much loss and
hardship to the Spaniards in the Philippines. Complaint is made of
vexatious imposts levied on the Philippine trade by the viceroy of
Mexico; the Audiencia ask that he be ordered to cease these measures,
also that he shall not meddle with letters sent from Spain to the islands,
or with the personal affairs of officials there. The existence of the
Philippine colony is endangered by the trade which is beginning
between Mexico and China; and, having lost its best ships, colonists are
no longer sent to augment its population. Gratuities from the royal
treasury have been bestowed upon the various religious communities.
The Audiencia commends the labors of the Jesuits, but advises that a
college be not established for them, as they request, since "there are in
all this country no students to attend their teachings." The hospitals
should receive more aid from the crown. The difficulties between the
bishop and the Audiencia are explained; but they are now adjusted, and
peace prevails. It will be well to send many religious to the islands,
provided they belong to the orders already there.
The Editors
August, 1903.

Documents of 1583-85
Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila (concluded). Felipe II; Aranjuez,
May 5, 1583. Two decrees regarding the religious. Felipe II; San
Lorenzo, June 21, 1583, and Aranjuez, April 24, 1584. Annual income
of the royal exchequer in the Philippines. Andres Cauchela, and others;
Manila, June 15-30, 1584. Letter to Felipe II. Melchor Davalos; Manila,
July 3, 1584. Letter to the archbishop of Mexico. Santiago de Vera;

Manila, June 20, 1585. Two letters to Felipe II. Fray Geronimo de
Guzman [Madrid? 1585]; and Fray Jhoan de Vascones [1585?]
Sources: These documents are obtained from the original MSS. in the
Archivo de Indias, Sevilla--excepting the royal decrees, which are
found in the _Crónica_ of Santa Inés and in the "Cedulario Indico" of
the Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid, respectively.
Translations: The first document is translated by Henry B. Lathrop, of
the University of Wisconsin; the second and fourth, by Alfonso de
Salvio, of Harvard University; the third, by Arthur B. Myrick, of
Harvard University; the fifth, by José and Clara M. Asensio; the sixth,
by Herbert E. Bolton, of the University of Texas.

Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila (_concluded_)
Commissioners
251. [Examinations not to be repeated.]
252. _Item_: We command that the said commissioners of examination
[_receptores_], and special clerks who go on inquiries, shall not play
games of chance, except for articles of food ready to be eaten, on pain
of removal from office.
253-259. [Form of entry of witness's oath; fees charged must be
endorsed; cases must be accepted promptly, in due order; absence and
accounting for writs; fees received must be recorded; commissions may
not be begged for; reports of investigations made out in public form
must be given to the parties.]
260-264. [Taxing of charges; discharge of commissioners on
completion of commission; commissioners may not be employed if
they are relatives of clerks, attorneys, or advocates, or if they have
boarded