The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 3

difficulties, besides the long and
toilsome voyages, which the missionaries encountered on their journey
to the other side of the world. Diego Aduarte, one of the most noted of
the Dominican missionaries in the Far East, is in charge of a
reënforcement to go to the Philippines, and applies (at some time in
1604) to the officials of the treasury in Spain for the money necessary
for their expenses in this journey; a grant for this is made. He furnishes
a list of the friars who are to go with him, with the names of the
convents that send them. In a document written by Aduarte (January 20,
1605) he relates at length "the difficulties of conducting religious to the
Philippine Islands." The hardships and perils of the long voyage daunt
many at the start, and he who is in charge of them must use great
discretion in managing them. At the court, he cannot get his documents
without much importunity, locomotion, and red tape, and long and
tedious delays. The sum of money allowed for the travelling expenses
of the missionaries to Sevilla is far too small; and, arriving there, they
encounter more red tape and delays. Besides, the amount granted for
provisions on the voyage is utterly insufficient, as is also the allowance
for the friars' support while waiting for the departure of the fleet. The
royal council requires that the list of missionaries be submitted to it for
approval which cannot well be done in the short time which they spend
at Sevilla; besides, they are unnecessarily annoyed by the examination
to which the council subjects them. Those who finally reach the port of
departure are confronted by extortionate demands for fees, which are
renewed in mid-ocean, and again on landing in Nueva España, at
Mexico, and at Acapulco; and at all these places, the missionaries
encounter afresh the annoyances and hindrances which had beset them
in Spain. Aduarte makes vigorous complaint about these difficulties,
and requests the government to make less rigorous rules and more
liberal allowances for the missionaries; this petition is partially granted
by the authorities.
While the Spanish expedition to the Moluccas is at Tidore, one of the
Dutch prisoners is interrogated (March 16, 1606), and his deposition
gives various interesting particulars as to the plans and actions of the

Dutch in the Spice Islands. He explains the treaty made by them with
the ruler of Tidore, the goods brought by the Dutch for this trade, and
their intention of establishing a colony in those islands. Another
account of the Chinese insurrection of 1603 is here presented (at this
point, because printed in 1606), written by a soldier in the Philippines,
but edited by one Maldonado. He describes, in a plain and simple
narrative, the circumstances of that revolt; and many of these are not
found in the official reports (see Vol. XII). For instance, he relates that
a great many religious took part in the defence of Manila; he gives
details of each battle with the Chinese, and tells of their attacking the
city with machines which overtopped the walls; and describes the sack
of the Parian, the slaughter of the Chinese in the villages beyond, and
the execution of the ring-leaders. At the end of the narrative of the
insurrection some additional information is given. The governor sends
an envoy to China with the news of this tragic affair. The writer relates
bits of news which have come from China to Manila--of ravages
occasioned therein by floods, earthquakes, and a war with the Japanese.
In a letter dated July 6, 1606, the Audiencia informs Felipe III of the
death of Governor Acuña. New regulations for the commerce of the
islands have been received from Spain, of which complaints are made.
The amount of the Mexican trade has been limited to two hundred and
fifty thousand pesos, and the returns therefor to five hundred thousand
pesos; the citizens of the islands claim that this restricts their profits too
much, and that they should be permitted to invest a larger sum. This
liberty will tend to increase not only their prosperity, but the number of
new settlers in the islands. The proposal to send on each ship from the
islands fifty soldiers is quite impracticable, as the ships are too small
and crowded. Instead of paying to the men and subordinate officers the
salaries and wages proposed by the government, it is better to continue
the present system of allowing each to do a little trading for himself.
The auditors recommend that some changes be made in the duties
levied on goods, which are onerous on the merchants.
By the same mail goes a letter from the new fiscal, reporting to the king
the condition of affairs in the islands. He complains that the