The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55: 1588-1591; 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 07 of 55: 1588-1591; 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
According to what is set forth in this relation, it is therefore
evident that there are one hundred and forty-six thousand, seven
hundred pacified tributarios in this island of Luzon and the other
islands of this government. Of this number his Majesty has twenty-eight
thousand seven hundred. The religious number fifty-four Augustinian
priests, and thirty-eight descalced Franciscan friars--all these
for this city and the instruction of the natives--with an additional
number of some ten ecclesiastics, in curacies and vicariates outside
of this city, as has been related. One hundred and ninety more priests
are necessary for the instruction of the said natives, which number
will furnish sufficient instruction, counting for each thousand
tributarios two religious--priests, friars, or ecclesiastics. These
thousand tributarios amount to somewhat less than four thousand
people. It is quite certain that with adequate instruction, such
as is indicated in the foregoing, many people, not yet pacified,
will become so, and the number of tributarios in the above-named
provinces would be increased to two hundred thousand. For we have
heard that in the province of Cagayan there are many more people
besides those apportioned in encomiendas, as also in the islands of
[Ca]lamianes, Mindoro, Luban, and Elin, as well as in many other
islands included in the colonies of Oton and Çebu. In all of these
the Christian instruction and conversion would be extended through
the territories and provinces adjoining them, and the inhabitants
would be rendered obedient to his Majesty without the necessity of
arms and war; whereby God, our Lord, would be much pleased and these
kingdoms greatly extended. The fathers of the Society, comprising
but three priests and two brothers, reside in this city, where by
means of their teaching they produce the greatest results. They are
studying and learning the language of the natives and of the Chinese,
in order to work among them when more of their Society come hither--a
pressing necessity, for which your Majesty should provide.
(This relation, in its present sum and substance, was made by the
cabildo of this city, in order that it might be sent to Father
Alonso Sanchez, general agent for this city and these islands at
his Majesty's court. Made on the last of December, one thousand five
hundred and eighty-six.
This copy was made and transcribed, corrected, and collated with
another copy in my possession, among the papers of the cabildo in
Manila, on the twenty-first day of the month of June, one thousand five
hundred and eighty-eight, Francisco de Zarate and Alonso Maldonado
being witnesses. Therefore, in testimony of the above, I, Simon
Lopez, notary of the king, our master, and of the cabildo of this
distinguished and ever loyal city of Manila, do affix hereunto my seal.
In testimony of the truth:
_Simon Lopez_, notary of the cabildo)
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