Opening the text

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

32. As I have been informed, there is but little instruction in the
said islands, and much difficulty in providing it, which is greatly
increased by the natural conditions of the country, since it all
consists of islands. Most of them, too, are so small that they do
not have a population of more than three to five hundred Indians,
and some even of less than one or two hundred. It is also prevented
by the long and dangerous navigation, the heat, the rains, and the
poor roads of the country. It is not right that even all of these,
or the many other greater hindrances and difficulties should turn
aside the accomplishment of what is so important. Therefore I order
and charge you straitly that, immediately upon your arrival in the
said islands, you shall note very particularly how this instruction
can be furnished. After ascertaining the opinion of the bishop, with
whom you shall meet and whom you shall charge, in my name, to aid in
this matter with his person, as I expect from him--since, in truth,
this matter is one for him to procure and bring about, by reason of
his office--you shall enact what you consider advisable, so that all
parts of the islands may have sufficient instruction. This shall be
done with kind and gentle methods, in accordance with the will of the
chiefs; and all the Indians who are dispersed shall be established
in settlements, in order that account of them can be taken. You shall
have the greatest care possible in procuring the accomplishment of what
is ordained and enacted, since without that all the work will be lost.

33. Since I desire the welfare and conservation of the said Indians,
and their protection and defense, and as I think that the said bishop
can procure this better than anyone else, I am writing to him, and
charging him with their protection. I am quite sure that he will be
very glad to undertake this, inasmuch as it pertains to the service of
our Lord and the relief of his conscience. And in order that everything
may be done better and more smoothly, you shall maintain the best of
relations throughout with the said bishop; and on your part, you shall
have the greatest care to protect the said Indians and to aid them.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

32. As I have been informed, there is but little instruction in the
said islands, and much difficulty in providing it, which is greatly
increased by the natural conditions of the country, since it all
consists of islands. Most of them, too, are so small that they do
not have a population of more than three to five hundred Indians,
and some even of less than one or two hundred. It is also prevented
by the long and dangerous navigation, the heat, the rains, and the
poor roads of the country. It is not right that even all of these,
or the many other greater hindrances and difficulties should turn
aside the accomplishment of what is so important. Therefore I order
and charge you straitly that, immediately upon your arrival in the
said islands, you shall note very particularly how this instruction
can be furnished. After ascertaining the opinion of the bishop, with
whom you shall meet and whom you shall charge, in my name, to aid in
this matter with his person, as I expect from him--since, in truth,
this matter is one for him to procure and bring about, by reason of
his office--you shall enact what you consider advisable, so that all
parts of the islands may have sufficient instruction. This shall be
done with kind and gentle methods, in accordance with the will of the
chiefs; and all the Indians who are dispersed shall be established
in settlements, in order that account of them can be taken. You shall
have the greatest care possible in procuring the accomplishment of what
is ordained and enacted, since without that all the work will be lost.

33. Since I desire the welfare and conservation of the said Indians,
and their protection and defense, and as I think that the said bishop
can procure this better than anyone else, I am writing to him, and
charging him with their protection. I am quite sure that he will be
very glad to undertake this, inasmuch as it pertains to the service of
our Lord and the relief of his conscience. And in order that everything
may be done better and more smoothly, you shall maintain the best of
relations throughout with the said bishop; and on your part, you shall
have the greatest care to protect the said Indians and to aid them.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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