The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 06 of 55: 1583-1588; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 06 of 55: 1583-1588; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
Twelfth: All this has arisen from two sources. The first is, as has
been already said, that the people are so low, barbarous, poor,
ill-favored, rude, ignorant, and unworthy of being mingled with
Spanish nobility and valor. The second is, that the country is so
poor, and what wealth it has is so unsubstantial; it has no roots,
or anything in which it could take root and become established. For
almost the only wealth of these people has been in the mines and
metals, and in their personal belongings, which are not permanent
or fixed. There are no hereditaments or cultivated farms, or crops,
or regular supplies; no products of the industry of workmen, and no
machinery; no general provision for ordinary use. But all is a desert,
and destitute, and at a standstill, and unsettled--as they say,
belonging to the east wind. And therefore the Spaniards also have
been and are as unsettled as if they were stopping at an inn. Such
are the lands that they have won.
Thirteenth: In China, conditions are altogether different, since its
people are, as has been said, qualified for marriage, friendship, and
union and equality; and they are fitted for offices and dignities and
authority, both spiritual and temporal. And, further, the richness
of the country is so great and of such sort--being realty, crops,
and necessaries of life; provisions of rice, wheat, and barley;
all manner of fruits, and many varieties of wine; domestic fowl,
ducks, and many other kinds of poultry; many cattle, horses, cows,
goats, sheep, and buffaloes; abundant hides, endless store of silk,
and considerable cotton; musk, honey and wax; numerous varieties of
valuable woods, many kinds of perfume, and other things produced by
the soil; besides an abundance of mines and metals, as has already
been stated. To all this is added the results of the industry of
so many people, so apt, thrifty, industrious, and well governed. It
is incredible how great is the number and abundance of the crafts,
arts, inventions, industries, and manufactures of everything that
could be asked for human use--of necessaries, ornaments, dainties,
jewels--and all the shops and articles of merchandise, both for the
use of the country and for the trade with foreigners. All this,
together with what has already been said of the people, should,
God willing, be cause enough to give us an entry into those realms,
so that, in short, they may become pacified, intermixed and united,
hispanized and christianized. So that one cannot mention all the great
benefits arising from this, both spiritual and temporal--a new light
of the faith, good modes of life, salvation for the Chinese and many
souls, and glory to God; wealth, honor, and eternal fame for our king;
great renown, prosperity, and multiplication for the Spanish nation,
and through it, for all Christianity. Besides, there will be all
these that follow.
Other benefits besides those already mentioned
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