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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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

In regard to the second point, what occurs to me to say is that, if we
are to understand that we must wait for sudden emergencies, and until
the enemy is at our gates, in order that we may make any expenses
in defense of it; I, Sire, as a soldier (which is my profession),
declare that in the Filipinas Islands there is a continual invasion
of enemies. Accordingly, since we are confronting so many, it is
necessary that we be always in a state of defense. Consequently,
we must not wait until they arrive before we make the expenses for
the necessary precautions--especially since Manila is surrounded by
Chinese and Japanese, and full of slaves, all of whom need no more
than to see us without preparation, in order to revolt. All these
are so cogent reasons, in my poor judgment, that I consider it beyond
doubt that it will be for your Majesty's service to have a new order
issued giving your governor and captain-general authority. In order
that he may fill those offices effectively in your Majesty's service,
it is necessary for him to have that authority in the royal treasury,
for extraordinary expenses which result from government and war--as
your captains-general have in Flandes, in Milan, in Napoles, and in
Sicilia, where there is war, and state affairs arise which render
that necessary. It is the same in the Filipinas, because of so many
enemies who are within its gates, and so many negroes roundabout,
with whom it is necessary to have intercourse and against whom it is
necessary to be on our guard. I do not say that there should not be
a council in the form ordered by your Majesty, but after the council
the governor should have the power to take such measures as he deems
best. I do not petition this for myself; for, when a reply to this
shall come, already the term of my government will be finished. Your
Majesty's service moved me, through my zeal for it. I shall exercise
the opposition to the visitor which seems advisable in this matter
of the treasury tribunal, your Majesty always retaining the right to
order what shall be your pleasure. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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

In regard to the second point, what occurs to me to say is that, if we
are to understand that we must wait for sudden emergencies, and until
the enemy is at our gates, in order that we may make any expenses
in defense of it; I, Sire, as a soldier (which is my profession),
declare that in the Filipinas Islands there is a continual invasion
of enemies. Accordingly, since we are confronting so many, it is
necessary that we be always in a state of defense. Consequently,
we must not wait until they arrive before we make the expenses for
the necessary precautions--especially since Manila is surrounded by
Chinese and Japanese, and full of slaves, all of whom need no more
than to see us without preparation, in order to revolt. All these
are so cogent reasons, in my poor judgment, that I consider it beyond
doubt that it will be for your Majesty's service to have a new order
issued giving your governor and captain-general authority. In order
that he may fill those offices effectively in your Majesty's service,
it is necessary for him to have that authority in the royal treasury,
for extraordinary expenses which result from government and war--as
your captains-general have in Flandes, in Milan, in Napoles, and in
Sicilia, where there is war, and state affairs arise which render
that necessary. It is the same in the Filipinas, because of so many
enemies who are within its gates, and so many negroes roundabout,
with whom it is necessary to have intercourse and against whom it is
necessary to be on our guard. I do not say that there should not be
a council in the form ordered by your Majesty, but after the council
the governor should have the power to take such measures as he deems
best. I do not petition this for myself; for, when a reply to this
shall come, already the term of my government will be finished. Your
Majesty's service moved me, through my zeal for it. I shall exercise
the opposition to the visitor which seems advisable in this matter
of the treasury tribunal, your Majesty always retaining the right to
order what shall be your pleasure. [_In the margin:_ "Seen."]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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