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
160. Usually those who come in those positions are relatives and
servants of the viceroy of Nueva España. They are mere youths and
have no experience in their duties. Innumerable frauds and injuries
are perpetrated in the despatch of the vessels at Acapulco, of which
I shall not speak in detail, for that one point alone would require
a great deal of paper. Manila, June 8, 1598.
_Don Antonio de Morga_
Recommendations as to Reforms Needed in the Islands
_The inspection, as will be related_
It is very necessary and important, Sire, that your Majesty be
pleased not to entrust the inspection of encomenderos, magistrates,
and collectors in this country to persons who, after the completion of
their commission, must remain and live in the country as subjects--who,
on that account, would be forced to proceed timidly and with a
view to what might be done by persons who have been punished and
feel resentment. Nor, after the inspection is finished, should the
inspector remain among friends or enemies who have much or little
property. Neither should he remain with those of whom there is any
doubt. They are fortunate if they are such men as are suitable for
this task, and if they proceed with rectitude, rigor, and example,
and with zeal for the glory of God, the service of your Majesty,
the welfare of this country, with a Christian and disinterested
heart. Since the above qualities are clearly in accordance with the
necessity and condition of affairs, Sire, it is very necessary that he
who makes the inspection for reform should possess them. On the other
hand, since it is very difficult to find such a man among the laymen
in this country and region--where the majority of those who live or
come here care only for their own plans and individual interests,
the increase of their possessions, and other things of much harm
(so that many suffer themselves to be led by others), and from which
it is advisable that those who exercise so necessary and important
a duty be free--I do not know, Sire, what remedy can be expected;
because the governor is called upon to select fit inspectors from
this country. This is something that never will be achieved; and this
condition of affairs will be perhaps a cause of greater loss, ruin,
and offense, unless your Majesty, with your most Christian and royal
heart, shall be pleased to render this matter safe, and entrust the
inspection to the prelates themselves, so that each one will make
it every two or three years in his bishopric and district. In fine,
Sire, considering the pain and grief that they suffer at seeing the
great loss and ruin of things, and the wrongs inflicted upon this
wretched people; and, on the other hand, their obligation to endeavor
to set things right, in case there should be added the authority
therefor, should your Majesty be pleased to grant the inspection to
them--considering all these things, and also their experience of the
conditions of the country (which is very important, since they are
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