The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 20 of 55: 1621-1624; 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 20 of 55: 1621-1624; 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
On the thirteenth of the month of last June, a ship from Malaca
anchored in this port, bearing news of the advices that your Majesty
ordered to be sent to Portuguese Yndia, in regard to the alliance
between the states of Olanda and Ynglaterra, and their purpose to
attack these regions with the huge fleet that was thought to have
come for that purpose. It also brought news that sixteen Dutch
ships had already arrived at La Sunda, and that the rest of the
fleet was on the way. May God, in His infinite goodness, bring their
evil plans to naught, since we here are so in need of human forces
to frustrate them. I can assure your Majesty that we will always
exercise the requisite care and vigilance here, if your Majesty
will send and provide the most important and necessary things;
this the governor has begun to do, especially in his cleansing the
country of so many people that occupy it, with whom there is very
little security. Especially is that true of the Japanese, who are
seditious and arrogant, with whom the enemy hold so intimate trade
and intercourse in their own country. For these reasons we keep
strict and careful watch over them, since the suspicions conceived
of them have been often verified. The number of Sangleys whom it is
advisable to allow to remain in this city is also being lessened,
and only those sufficient for its service are left. By that means,
I trust in our Lord that we can withstand our enemies' designs. Those
designs, as we have heard, are to besiege this city, or the forts of
Terrenate, or to establish themselves in Otton in your Majesty's fort
on the point of Ylo Ylo. I trust in His Divine Majesty that they will
not succeed in their attempt, for, although we have so few forces,
we will resist to the utmost until your Majesty shall furnish those
forces advisable for greater results in your royal service.
All of these things, although so considerable, could be endured, if
the royal treasury had the sum requisite for affairs so difficult. But
I can assure your Majesty with entire truth that the need of your
treasury is so pressing now that it is incomparable. Not less so is
the barrenness of this country, which was formerly and usually the
last resource. Consequently there is so universal misery that no
words could exaggerate it to your Majesty.
During the month of last April occurred a somewhat sharp encounter
between Governor Don Alonso Fajardo and Auditor Don Alvaro de Mesa y
Lugo, on going into the assembly hall--in which, according to report,
the auditor was somewhat lavish of words. For that reason the governor
had him arrested and imprisoned in the cabildo's halls, where he was
kept a few days, until he left his prison and retired into the convent
of St. Dominic of this city, where he still is--as your Majesty will
learn more fully by the judicial reports that were sent you in regard
to this matter, and to which I refer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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