The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55: 1597-1599; 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
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55: 1597-1599; 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 10 of 55: 1597-1599; 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
22. When they find themselves gainers in wealth, their principal
thought is to try to return to España with their profits. This
disturbs many here, for by divers ways and means they endeavor to
obtain permission to carry out their design.
23. The orders send many each year, under the pretext that they are
going on business for the order. They do not take into consideration
that they are needed here, nor the expense to his Majesty in sending
them.
24. The more spiritual among them try to go to China, Xapon, Camboxa,
and other kingdoms, in order to preach the gospel, unmindful of their
duties here, for which they were brought. This anxiety makes them
restless, and they invent journeys and conquests which disturb the
rulers and the Spaniards. All this gives rise to other objectionable
things.
25. They will accept no curacy in any province, unless rich enough to
suit them. They abandon the rest, so that there are many islands and
provinces whose people ask for baptism but are unable to obtain it, for
the lack of persons to administer it as well as to impart instruction
and to live with the Indians to see that they do not apostatize.
26. Many of the religious treat the Indians very cruelly, just as
if they were slaves or dogs. On failure to please, they are beaten,
or subjected to any penalty that presents itself, on the pretext that
they were remiss in attention to religious instruction.
_Ecclesiastical judges and prelates_
27. They meddle with the royal jurisdiction. Hitherto they have not
been restrained, for they would immediately pronounce excommunication
and offer other insults.
28. In the cases tried by them, they practice notorious coercion,
insulting the parties to the case, executing all that they decide
and determine, whether right or wrong--and all this without having
any education, or having any person to guide them.
29. The religious have attorneys who speak both languages, and
interpreters, whom they invest with authority, and from whom the
Indians suffer innumerable offenses and many grievances.
30. Their officials and clerks collect excessive fees and do not keep
to the fixed rate.
31. Although his Majesty had ordered no pecuniary fines to be
imposed on the Indians for any cause or pretext whatsoever, they
are compelled to pay fines of gold and reals, which decrease their
property and estate.
32. Some of the judges are quite at variance with others, especially
in regard to conservators; and they excommunicate one another and the
town, with considerable offense and scandal. Bulls and briefs have
been published, unknown to, and not passed or received by, the council.
33. When complaint is made of the excesses and crimes of any
ecclesiastic or religious, their superiors do not punish them. On
the contrary, saying that it does not befit the dignity of religion
to say that they have committed crimes and that they have received
punishment, they let the matter drop.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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