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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 42, 1670-1700: 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 — John Shaqi

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 42, 1670-1700: 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 royal military chapel; this and other troubles, with his old age,
cause the death of the archbishop (April, 1674).

The chapter-session of 1674 marks the cessation of various troubles
within the order, occurring within the provincialate of Fray Jerónimo
de Leon, and the beginning of a great increase in the observance
of the rules of the order. José Duque is elected provincial at this
time; he sends a procurator to Europe for more missionaries, a band of
whom arrive in 1679. Diaz enlarges on the prosperity of Manila during
this period; caused by its foreign trade, especially that with China
and India; pleasure and luxury prevail in that city, and fortunes are
spent therein. He describes the people and industries of the Coromandel
coast and the Madras settlements of the English and the Portuguese;
in the former, entire religious toleration prevails, and Christians,
Jews, Mahometans and heathens live together in entire harmony. In 1676
occurs the death of Governor Manuel de León, from excessive obesity;
he leaves all his property for charitable purposes. The election
of provincial in 1677 falls on Fray Juan de Jeréz; in that year
also the Dominican Fray Felipe Pardo becomes archbishop of Manila,
and Auditor Coloma, the acting governor, dies; he is succeeded by
Auditor Mansilla. The majority of Carlos II of Spain is celebrated
at Manila with magnificent fiestas, December 4-7, 1677. At the close
of these gayeties occurs a severe earthquake, which inflicts much
damage--fortunately, with very little loss of life. In 1678 comes
the new governor, Juan de Vargas Hurtado. His government begins well,
but after a time he tires of its burdens, and falls under the sway of
a relative, Francisco Guerrero, who is crafty and selfish, and gains
an influence over the governor which enables him to turn everything to
his own advantage, and to be "the power behind the throne;" afterward,
in time of need, he escapes to Nueva España, and leaves Vargas to
bear the penalties for both of them. During Vargas's term of office
the rich trade with India and other foreign lands is well maintained,
and the prosperity and wealth of Manila are greatly increased. In 1679
arrive two bands of new missionaries, who are Jesuits and Augustinians;
they come (especially the latter) in good time, since the members of
the order are so few that they cannot fill the ministries allotted
to them--which is the condition of the other orders, and even of
the secular clergy. In this galleon comes a political prisoner,
Fernando de Valenzuela, the disgraced favorite of Queen Mariana of
Spain, who is exiled to the Philippines for ten years. The government
of Vargas is successful, and the prosperity of Manila continues. An
embassy comes from the ruler of Borneo to ask for the establishment of
commerce between that island and Manila, and to adjust some disputes
over the relations between the Spaniards and Borneans.

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