The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 4

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related in detail; this leads to many conversions among the natives, but
some declare that "because there were Castilian soldiers in glory, they
did not care to go thither, because they did not wish the soldiers'
company." The products of the islands, and the articles imported from
China, are enumerated, with mention of some current prices for
produce.
A general junta, or assembly, of the estates of Manila--the church, the
religious orders, the army, the royal service, and the citizens--is held on
April 20, 1586; and a statement of their grievances and needs (signed
on July 26) is sent to the home government by the hands of Father
Alonso Sánchez, a Jesuit. They complain that the cathedral church has
no suitable building, equipment, or provision for its services; and there
is no means of support for the bishop and the clergy. They ask that
tithes shall be paid, or else that the prebends be replaced by a few
curates, who shall care for the souls of the Spaniards and their Indian
servants. The royal hospital and that for the Indians are both in great
destitution, and should be aided by royal bounty. More religious
instructors are needed; and, in order to support them, more tribute
should be required from the Indians, and the encomenderos should be
compelled to pay tithes. The city of Manila demands some public
property, with which to meet its necessary expenses; and the abolition
of the duties hitherto imposed on commerce. They ask that the
commutation of the royal fifth to one-tenth be made perpetual; and that
offices and encomiendas be bestowed only on actual residents, who
have rendered services in the islands. Workmen and mechanics in
Manila should be paid there, and not in Mexico; a special official
should be placed in charge of the ships; and there should be no
commissary of the Inquisition in the islands. Complaint is made that
too much money is sent thither from Mexico, apparently by speculators
interested in the Chinese trade; and request is made that the export
trade of the islands with Mexico be confined entirely to citizens of the
former. It is asked that all future cargoes of goods from China be
purchased at wholesale, by Spanish officers appointed for that purpose,
and "afterward apportioned to the Spanish citizens, the Chinese, and the
Indians, by a just and fair distribution," at cost price; that Chinese
hucksters in Manila be suppressed; and that no Chinese be allowed
even to remain outside of that city, save the Christian converts and

those who are farmers or artisans, or who trade in food supplies. The
Audiencia has become a burden; and it should be abolished, or its
expenses be paid by the Mexican treasury. As the country has no
agricultural industries, the king is asked to send farmers, with their
families, as colonists; to exempt these from taxes, for a time, and from
military or other personal service; and to forbid them to change their
occupation. The Indians should be taught European methods of
agriculture; cattle and horses should be imported into the islands and
the native buffalo be domesticated and bred. The cultivation of lands
granted to encomenderos should be enforced. Women should be
brought from Spain, and provided with dowries, in order to become the
wives of soldiers and workmen; and dowries should be provided for
some native women, that they may marry poor Spaniards. Offices
should not be sold; and encomiendas should be made large enough to
pay their necessary taxes and other expenses. The Indians should not be
obliged to pay the royal share of their gold; and their lawsuits should be
despatched in the courts with simplicity and promptness. Tribute
should not be collected from them by force, and without giving them
religious instruction; and the boundaries of some encomiendas should
be changed. A "protector of the Indians" should be appointed, who
should not be also the royal fiscal; he should, besides, have charge of
the Chinese. The soldiers are compelled to serve, yet are allowed no
pay, from which many evils ensue; the troops have become
demoralized; and the very existence of the colony is thus endangered.
A regular paid force, of about three hundred and fifty men, should
therefore be maintained; they should not engage in trade, or serve the
officials; the officers should be clothed with suitable authority; and
those sent from Nueva España should be soldiers, not boys and pages.
Urgent request is made that the city of Manila be strongly fortified; this
will inspire respect among their neighbors, and keep in awe the natives
and the Chinese, who are liable at any time to revolt. Luzón is menaced
with invasion by the Japanese, Malays, and English; and forts should
be erected at various points for its defense. The coasts should be