The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 2

government are nearly double the amount of the revenues. The
province of Cagayán is explored by certain private adventurers,
attracted by the prospect of gold-mines.
In July, 1605, several letters of complaint against the archbishop of
Manila are sent to the king, Acuña writes that Benavides is arrogant
and self-willed, and quarrels with everyone; and suggests that hereafter
bishops for the islands be selected more carefully. The provincial and
other high officials of the Augustinian order state that the archbishop's
rash utterances had much to do with precipitating the Chinese
insurrection, and that his quarrels with the governor are unnecessary
and notorious--moreover, he opposes their order in every way; and they
ask the king to interpose his authority and restrain Benavides. At the
same time the Audiencia complain that he interferes with their
proceedings, treats them with little respect, and assumes precedence of
them to which he is not entitled.
Interesting documents of similar date touch on the relations of the
colony with the Chinese. The archbishop appeals to the Audiencia, in
memorials presented June 10 and 13, to accede to the demands of the
Chinese emperor by making restitution to the Chinese merchants for
property of theirs left in Manila at the time of the insurrection and sold
by the Spaniards; and by sending back to their own country those
Chinese survivors of the revolt who were sentenced to the galleys. The
letter sent to Acuña in March, 1605, by a Chinese official is now
answered by the governor (apparently at the beginning of July). He
blames the Portuguese of Macao for not having delivered the letters to
Chinese officials which he wrote after the Sangley insurrection of 1603;
and claims that the Chinese slain therein were themselves to blame for
their deaths. To maintain this position, he cites the kindness with which
the Chinese in the islands were treated by the Spaniards; and declares
that they revolted without provocation, and killed or abused many
Spaniards and Indians, and that the survivors were punished with great
leniency. He sends a part of the money due to Chinese merchants who

owned property in the islands, and promises to send the rest next year.
A letter from one of the auditors at Manila informs the king that the
number of Chinese allowed to remain there is now (1605) restricted to
one thousand five hundred.
Letters from Acuña (July 1-15) to the king give his usual yearly report
of affairs. Reënforcements of troops have arrived from Mexico, very
opportunely for the expedition which Acuña is preparing for the
recovery of Ternate. He details these preparations, and the condition of
his troops and ships. He complains of the opposition which he has
encountered from the archbishop and the auditor Maldonado. Various
private persons have volunteered to go with him, carrying their own
provisions. He plans to leave Panay in February, 1606; and has been
informed that the Dutch are preparing a large fleet to drive the
Spaniards from the Maluco Islands, and to establish themselves more
firmly there than before. Acuña needs more money, to pay his troops in
the Maluco campaign; he asks for further supplies, urges the
desirability of cutting off the Dutch from their treasury of the Spice
Islands, and recommends a vigorous prosecution of hostilities against
them. He recommends better adjustment of the soldiers' pay. In another
letter Acuña reports the failure of this year's trading voyage to Mexico,
one of the ships being compelled to return to port and the other being
probably lost--which causes the utmost distress and poverty in the
islands. Acuña relates the non-residence in the islands of Gabriel de
Ribera, in consequence of which his encomiendas have been taken
from him and given to others. The Moro pirates are apparently disposed
to make peace, so Acuña is discussing this with them; but he has little
confidence in their promises, except as he can inspire them with fear.
The difficulties arising from the slaughter of the Chinese in their revolt
of 1603 have been a source of much anxiety to the Spaniards; but these
are in a fair way to be settled. The fiscal, Salazar y Salcedo, has died;
and the Audiencia has appointed temporarily to that post Rodrigo Diaz
Guiral, whom Acuña highly commends. The governor complains that
the archbishop has been meddling with his appointments of chaplains
for the galleys. He also asks for money to maintain galleys for the
defence of the islands. In a third letter Acuña complains of the unjust
and tyrannical conduct of the auditor Maldonado, and asks for redress
from the king. This evil conduct has been especially noticeable in

Maldonado's efforts to secure the hand and property of a wealthy minor
heiress.
A group of documents relating to the Dominican mission which
reached the islands in 1606 depict the