The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 37, 1669-1676: 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 37, 1669-1676: 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
The usurper became tired of the said letters from the fiscal
of his Majesty, who, sick as he was and is, in order not to fail
in the obligations of his office, was continually at work at the
evident risk of his health in requiring the information that was
due him--although without any result; for, as I said, they now did
not answer his letters, and their only care was to find some way of
exiling him, declaring that he was a disturber of the peace. Indeed,
I think that no long time will elapse without his being suspended from
the exercise of the office that was conferred upon him by his Majesty;
and the cause of that will be [the usurper's] wicked intentions.
The tyrant knew well that among so many there could not fail to be
some loyal hearts who, as they could not for lack of power check his
insolent acts, did not openly express their desire to avail themselves
of whatever opportunity time might present to distinguish themselves
in the service of both Majesties; and even if they could not do so
with deeds, at least they would write to his Majesty giving him an
account of all that had happened, so that the prompt remedy that so
difficult affairs as these require might be applied, and the islands
not be exposed to destruction. Although these islands are in the
view of so many nations, nothing of what I have related leaked out,
so deep was his mistrust; for he took precautions by detaining here
the ships from all the neighboring kingdoms without permitting one
of them to depart until the middle of January--at which time no
one could reach the English and Dutch ships, which sail every year
from Batavia and Ba[n]tan for Europa in the middle of December--in
order to hold this government for a longer time (of which we who are
loyal desire [to give] information) instructed by his confidant, the
traitor General Figueroa. The losses and expenses which he caused
to the ambassadors of kings, the owners of private ships, by this
detention cannot be estimated; nor can I relate the complaints which
all uttered regarding this unexpected action.
For the greater suffering and punishment of the community, the demon
kept the usurper so blind that he concluded that he could with money
perpetuate himself in the government. Accordingly he opened the door
for greed by means of his chaplain, who is an outcast Carmelite from
Mexico. This man, on account of serious disturbances which he caused
in his province and the murder of their provincial by some of his
associates, with another man of his faction was, with them, banished
to these regions, their sacred habits being taken from them. As soon
as this man arrived at these islands, the tyrant, who was then an
auditor, sheltered him in his house; his name is Don Gabriel Coronel;
and the agreements in lawsuits and the gifts of all the traders are
settled with him.
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