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
In the first place, there could be established straightway
archbishoprics and bishoprics (as many as in all the former Christian
world, over there), with a patriarch.
Second: There might be founded new military orders with larger
revenues than those of the old country; or the old ones of Santiago,
Calatrava, Alcantara, and San Juan may be extended, and it will even
be a great advantage if these and other new ones should be used during
the conquest.
Third: A number of titled lords can be created, such as counts, dukes,
and marquesses, just as, at present, encomenderos are appointed--for
the encomiendas must be much larger there; and with such prospects
the entry will be much more certain, and the land much more secure
afterward, since there are so many lords.
Fourth: His Majesty may appoint four or six viceroys, as there are
now fifteen in the fifteen provinces, who have as much power and
state as kings have elsewhere.
Fifth: After all these things have been seen to, and the land is in
a settled condition, his Majesty may levy from it a great income and
much merchandise for his realms, as has already been said.
Sixth: Peace can be made and an understanding reached with the Tartar
and other tribes that lie in the region from China to the land of the
Turk; and we can better know his condition and strength, and find a
way to harass him from here in the East.
Seventh: Couriers and relay postmen can be sent to Spain by land;
for, although some have already come by land, they are all the time
finding shorter and better routes.
Eighth: The former peace and amity with the Sofi and the Armenians,
[47] and any other people that may be discovered or treated with,
or become known, in all Asia, will be greatly strengthened.
Ninth: When his Majesty is lord of China, he immediately becomes lord
of all the neighboring states of this coast, including Cochinchina,
Canboxa, Sian, Patan, and even as far as Malaca; and it would be very
easy to subject the islands of Samatra, Javas, Burney, Maluco, &c.
Tenth: Therewith can be secured the states of Yndia, and the returns
from the merchandise coming from China--without whose commerce
they could not be maintained; and which is now not secure, but very
doubtful, unless it be conquered.
Eleventh: The reason for establishing these possessions in some
kingdoms, and alliances and commerce in others, will be cogent--the
opportunity for the conversion of souls; by this means the knowledge
of the name of Christ may be brought into all these regions, and in
all of them souls may continually be converted.
Twelfth: The Chinese will navigate the seas to the Yndias of Peru
and Nueva España; and their relations with us will be more settled
and confirmed.
Thirteenth: The population of that country is so great and so dense
that many of the Chinese can be brought to these islands as colonists,
and thus enrich themselves and this land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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