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
suppresses by this method and plan is only sins, offenses against the
service of God and of your Majesty, and great wrongs inflicted on
these natives. This is the most Christian and royal design of your
Majesty. Whichever is most advisable should be enacted now; namely,
that there be or be not rewards, at your Majesty's pleasure.
_That there should be a city storehouse and granary_
That there should be a city storehouse and granary, wherein should be
stored annually thirty or forty thousand fanegas of rice in the hull,
so that it may keep longer--which cleaned would amount to half as
much--besides a quantity of wine, vinegar, and oil. At the very least,
it is advisable to store the rice in this way, in preparation for a
siege or the coming of an enemy, or for any expedition that should be
undertaken. If these supplies are thus kept in store, the harassing of
the natives on such occasions to obtain a supply of provisions will be
unnecessary and will be prevented. Without this store, the demand might
come at a time when the natives might suffer great wrongs and injuries,
because such events are irregular, and might occur at a season when the
natives have not enough for their own sustenance and for seed. This
would cause great wretchedness, and would be the occasion of famine,
disease, slavery, or mortality among the natives. Besides, the prices
are not as a general thing so regulated, upon such an opportunity
and occasion, as to do the natives no wrong in that matter also.
This provision will be of great advantage, convenience, and saving of
time in making expeditions, besides serving generally as a source of
food-supply for this community, in any necessity or famine that may
arise, and as an aid to the Indians, when they are in need. This will
be of great aid to them, and they will be profited and edified to find
themselves aided and helped in their necessities and famines. This
rice must be gathered at harvest time, as it is cheaper at that time,
and can be obtained more easily and with less hardship to the natives,
if sent in sacks from the districts having the best crops and where
it is easiest to obtain it. And every year the rice in storage can
be renewed with ease and profit, by selling it and buying other new
rice at the season for it. On account of the little public property of
the community, and the need in which it was, it has been impossible
to do this; but now it has a great deal of public property that has
been granted it, and an income with which to do this. The money will
be better and more wisely spent on this than on other things not so
necessary and advantageous to the common welfare, and to the service
of God and of your Majesty.
_Concerning collectors, and a protector of the Indians_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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