The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 18 of 55: 1617-1620; 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 18 of 55: 1617-1620; 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
Licentiate Don Juan de Albarado Bracamonte, fiscal of this Audiencia,
has served in it and in the office of protector-general of the natives
and Sangleys of these islands, for eleven years, and, as I have thus
far understood, with great satisfaction and ability. He has ever
attended with peculiar care to the advancement of the preparation of
the fleets that have been prepared during that time, and to all other
matters of war and administration that have arisen. And according to
my good opinion of him, I would entrust to him even many more things
in matters touching your Majesty's service, and also with my own
affairs. As certain reports were made to me upon my arrival at these
islands last year, that were opposed to his method of procedure,
I endeavored to investigate them secretly and cautiously, and to
ascertain the truth concerning them. And although his duties are so
fitting and proper for the breeding of ill-will in those querulous
persons against whom he has prosecuted cases, or in his subordinates,
I have not found anything of importance that contradicts his rectitude
and integrity. Those are the qualities most to be esteemed in the
ministers of the Yndias. Consequently in consideration of his good
qualities, capacity, and skill, I regard him as deserving the grace
that your Majesty may be pleased to show him outside this Audiencia
in that of Mexico or Lima, in which I think that your Majesty will
be very well served.
A few days ago while I was in Cavite attending to the fleet which
I prepared for the purpose that I have related to your Majesty, Don
Fray Pedro de Arce, bishop of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus,
and governor of this archbishopric, advised me that he heard that
certain persons were losing the respect due the college of Santa
Potenciana, of which your Majesty is patron. I replied to him that
I would immediately come to this city to procure the most suitable
remedy. Although I did so immediately without loss of time, I found
that Licentiate Legazpi, resolving quickly upon such notice as he
had, entered the said college and began to make investigations. He
examined witnesses on whom he used tortures. Upon seeing this case
already in this state, and considering the scandal and dishonor of
that royal house and of the guilty persons, it was judged necessary
for want of another remedy more honorable and private, to punish the
criminals as an example. Accordingly, by employing great diligence,
I had them arrested; and the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silba,
having judged one of them in the first instance, by name Captain
Juan Lemoedano, and sentenced him to the gallows, he appealed to me;
but I have not been able as yet to examine his case because of lack
of the time necessary for it. The case of another, namely, Captain
Don Fernando Becerra, against whom there is apparently less proof,
has not yet been sentenced by the said master-of-camp, for he is
yet hearing evidence in it. From the investigations of this, guilt
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