The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 2

first half of the year 1599. The alcaldes-mayor must, in

collecting the taxes, observe the royal tariffs. To remedy the exorbitant
charges for fees in the inferior courts, all suits appealed to the
Audiencia must be accompanied by a sworn statement of the fees thus
paid. The bonds accepted in law-suits must be more reliable. Auditors
are given special powers in expediting the cases of persons imprisoned.
Interpreters are not allowed to trade with the natives, except in the
presence of a magistrate. The accounts of guardians of minors shall be
examined by the probate judge. Attorneys are restricted in bringing new
suits between Indians. Goods sold at auction for the benefit of the royal
treasury must be knocked down to the highest bidder, and for cash only.
Lawyers are ordered to follow the customs of the natives, where these
are involved in lawsuits. Collection of tributes shall not be made by the
alcaldes-mayor; and appointments for the post of collector must be
approved by the Audiencia. Various acts prescribe the duties of
officials of the Audiencia, and its procedures in certain cases; also
limits of action by attorneys. The officials of the Audiencia shall give
bonds each year. Cases involving twenty pesos or less shall not be
brought to trial. Directions are given for the trial of suits between
Indians. The alguazils-mayor must make the rounds of the city at night.
All accounts due to or from the royal treasury shall be closed up and
balanced within the next four months. Officials of the Audiencia shall
not go outside of the city without permission. Certain punishments are
prescribed for the Chinese inhabitants--for vicious practices, for
making or clipping coin, and for buying stolen goods from Indians. All
natives residing in Manila who have not some employment are ordered
to leave the city at three days' notice. The duties of the late Alvaro
Çambrano, deceased, are to be assumed by others of the auditors.
Provision is made for due inspection, appraisal, and sale of
merchandise brought from China. All Indians belonging to the royal
encomiendas must pay their tributes, even when they reside in Manila.
The sum of three hundred pesos is appropriated to furnish and adorn
the chapel of the Audiencia. The Chinese are forbidden to have
godchildren, a practice which has led to many evils; and the Christians
are ordered to follow the occupations which they had exercised before
their conversion. Officials whose terms of office expire must furnish
residencia before receiving any further appointment.
On July 3, 1599, one of the Franciscans in charge of the hospital for the

Indians at Manila writes to the king, asking further grants of aid for its
work. The governor and bishop are directed by the king to advise him
as to the needs of the hospital. A letter from the royal fiscal to the king
(July 21) displays the needs of the royal exchequer in the islands, and
suggests means for supplying these. He complains of the burden
imposed on the colony by the support of an archbishop and three
bishops. Much is wasted in salaries, for useless or nominal services.
Salazar y Salzedo advises that the offices and their salaries be both
reduced. Especial loss and injury to the royal income arises from the
frauds and violations of law which are practiced in the Mexican trade.
The payment of tributes by the Indians in money is demoralizing them;
they no longer pursue their former usual labors, and their products are
now scarce and high-priced. They ought to be compelled to work, at
agriculture, stock-raising, and mining. The treasury needs more money,
and more Indians should be assigned to the crown. Encomiendas are
fraudulently assigned by the governors. The erection of wooden
churches in the encomiendas is another source of useless expense; these
should be built of stone or brick. Certain offices should be taken from
their present incumbents, and conferred on men of character and
standing. The fiscal complains of lax management of the treasury by its
officials, and calls for an investigation; and the same with the cabildo
of Manila. Other charges where public moneys are involved should be
inspected by the crown, and the waste of those funds should be checked.
Even all these reforms will not provide all the funds for necessary
expenses; the fiscal therefore proposes that the crown monopolize the
trade in spices and raw silk, which would bring immense profits to the
royal treasury. Another letter from the fiscal to the king, of the same
date, makes recommendations as to certain affairs of government. He
urges that the auditors should make regular official inspection of the
administration of justice throughout the islands. He complains that the
profits of trade are absorbed by the officials and their dependents,
leaving the citizens poor. Offices and other sources