The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 48, 1751-1765: 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 48, 1751-1765: 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
30. These and other objections I will answer briefly, by saying that
the presumption of the law by which it is believed of all public
officials that they conduct themselves conformably to justice,
so long as quite the opposite is not evident, is stronger and more
effective in favor of kings and their wise prime ministers--who,
with more enlightenment, a profounder knowledge of the [affairs of]
state, well-known zeal for the welfare of the monarchy, and the proper
maintenance of their lofty honor and character, have decided and will
decide these matters, in which we who are inferior and of more limited
abilities ought to render subordinate our own opinions, and honor
with the utmost respect their wise decisions, persuading ourselves,
as is just, that in their councils they have borne in mind all the
considerations which can produce the most advantageous judgment,
before it is made known to the public. For however satisfied one
may be with their reasoning, he would admit that he was convinced
if it were possible for him to hear the substantial arguments which
influence the royal proceedings of our sovereign--on account of which
I, more than any other person, submit these productions of my dull
intellect to the superior comprehension of his Majesty and his zealous
ministers, protesting that I do not presume to furnish enlightenment
on these subjects because I might think that they do not possess it,
but in order to manifest my intense desire that what is understood
to be beneficial to the state, to the glory of the nation, and to
the welfare of all the vassals, may be carried into execution.
31. It will be necessary to assume that the increase of tributes in
these islands will be resented in the greater part of them, and that,
in order to obtain it, the precaution of stationing fifty or sixty
soldiers in each province will be necessary; in view of this, the
Indians will not cause the least trouble, while if they see us without
military forces the aforesaid increase will be entirely impracticable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account