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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55: 1591-1593; 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 — John Shaqi

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55: 1591-1593; 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

Another Letter to Felipe (June 20, 1592) recounts the difficulties
which Dasmariñas had to encounter upon arriving in the Philippines. He
is disgusted with the exorbitant claims made by the soldiers
for rewards due them for their services. He finds no ships or
supplies, and no place where the latter could be kept. He is building
storehouses, and collecting what supplies he can find. He has built
such fortifications as his means permitted; for this he has levied
various duties and contributions. He has incurred the enmity of the
bishop and friars. The royal exchequer is empty, but heavily loaded
with debts--a legacy from the Audiencia. The governor objects to the
Chinese trade, and thinks that the natives of the islands should be
induced to raise and weave their own cotton. He has issued a decree
forbidding the Chinese traders to remain in the islands; this is
violently opposed by the clergy and friars. Dasmariñas warns the king
that this measure will decrease the royal income. The bishop intends to
go to Spain, and is trying to make trouble for the governor. Another
letter of the same date is devoted to an account of his difficulties
with the ecclesiastics. He complains of their arbitrary and tyrannical
conduct, and of the bishop's headstrong and obstinate disposition,
and his interference with the conduct of secular affairs. Both he
and the friars have so used their power over the Indians that the
latter "recognize no other king or superior than the father of the
doctrina, and are more attentive to his commands than to those of
the governor." Dasmariñas accuses them of practically enslaving the
natives for their own service and benefit; and the bishop of taking
for his personal use the money entrusted to him for restitutions to
the Indians. The clergy "are all better merchants than students of
Latin." The governor thinks that it will be best to send the bishop to
Spain. In another letter (July 9), he complains of the evils arising
from the unregulated marriages of the widows and minor heirs who have
inherited encomiendas, and suggests that he be empowered to control
such marriages.

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

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