The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 4

by the cabildo of Manila,
making various complaints in regard to the conduct of Doctor de
Morga. The order given by him and Tello for the abandonment of
Mindanao has caused the natives of that region to commit piracies in
the islands under Spanish rule. Morga has obtained official positions
for his relatives and friends, contrary to the royal ordinances. One of
these men, being utterly incompetent, has failed to drive back the
Mindanao pirates, who have consequently inflicted much damage.
Through various machinations, Morga succeeded in depriving
Ronquillo of the command of the fleet, in the battle with Van Noordt;

but in the conflict he showed himself incompetent to command the
troops, and a coward at the approach of danger; and, in consequence,
his flagship was wrecked, with the loss of many Spaniards and of
valuable military supplies. Moreover, the enemy being allowed to
escape, the islands are more exposed to future attacks from them. The
writers of this letter are sending documents to prove their charges; they
also accuse Morga of writing anonymous letters. A letter from Morga
to the king (July 30) relates his services in the naval battle, and the
unfaithfulness of Joan de Alcega to his trust in that and other instances.
Morga asks to be relieved from his post in the Philippines, and sent to
some other country. On December 11, 1601, the Jesuit school at Cebu
is aided by a royal grant for the erection of buildings.
Governor Tello is superseded by Pedro de Acuña, and the latter is
provided with instructions (February 16, 1602) by the king. He must
consult with the viceroy of Nueva España regarding the measures to be
taken for the settlement of the islands; and the viceroy has been ordered
to aid the governor therein. Acuña is directed to look after the defense
of the coasts, and the maintenance of a garrison in Mindanao. He must
do what he can to dispense with offices and salaries which are
superfluous, for which the king makes various recommendations. The
frauds which have been committed in the shipment of goods to Nueva
España, and in the payment of duties thereon, must be stopped.
Irregularities and frauds in the assignment of encomiendas must also
cease. These and various other matters are discussed by the king, in
pursuance of the recommendations made by the royal fiscal in July,
1599. Official inspection of affairs in the islands must be made by the
auditors; and the royal officials must put a stop to the importation from
America of money for investment in the China trade. The cathedral at
Manila must be completed, and the hospitals aided; and nuns will be
sent for Santa Potenciana. The Jesuit seminary for Indian boys should
be cared for; and Acuña is to ascertain its condition and needs. He must
investigate the question of abolishing the Parian, and see that religious
teachers are provided for the natives of the Ladrones Islands.
Agriculture must be encouraged in the Philippines. Two royal decrees
(dated February 16) command the viceroy of Nueva España to send to
the Philippines more colonists, who shall be persons of good character;
and two nuns, to take charge of the seminary of Santa Potenciana at

Manila. Captain Gallinato sends to the governor at Manila (June 4,
1602) warning of a large plundering expedition which is about to sail
from Mindanao to ravage the Pintados Islands. The Joloans are also
hostile, and ready to attack the Spaniards; and the natives of Terrenate
are aiding the Mindanaos.
Luis de Dasmariñas writes to Felipe III (June 8, 1602), urging that the
Spaniards reconquer the fortress of Maluco, to protect the Philippines
from attack by "those demons of English and Dutch heretics." Doctor
de Morga again informs the king (June 30) of his services in the
conflict with Van Noordt, and in still another letter (July 8) of the
attacks which his enemies are making upon him in regard to that affair.
The Augustinian officials at Manila notify the king (July 4) of the
election of Pedro Arce as provincial of their order in the islands; and
explain their refusal to receive a visitor recently sent to the islands from
Nueva España. A letter from the fiscal details (July 10) the measures
taken to compel payment by Governor Tello of the debts owed by him
in Sevilla; he has property in Nueva España, but none in the islands.
The Editors December, 1903.

Documents of 1599

Ordinances enacted by the Audiencia of Manila (concluded.) Francisco
Tello, and others; January-July, 1599. The hospital for Indians at
Manila. Domingo de Santiago and Antonio Valerio; July 3. Letters
from the royal fiscal to the king. Hieronimo de Salazar y Salcedo; July
21. Letter from the king of Borneo to Governor Tello. Soltan Adil Sula;
[June?] translated