The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - Volume 14 | Page 4

king
the condition of affairs in the islands. He complains that the Sangreys
are allowed to remain in Manila, and that this is done by the Audiencia
without heeding the remonstrances of the city officials and himself.
Many Chinese also come without registry, evading even the slight
restrictions heretofore imposed. Their number is steadily increasing,
and the Parian is now as large as it was when the revolt occurred. He
advises further and more severe restrictions on the Chinese
immigration. Guiral also notifies the king that the laws regarding the
succession to encomiendas are being constantly violated; and
recommends that all which are wrongly held shall be declared vacant
and be reassigned. The encomenderos resent his enforcement of the
royal decree that they should furnish to the priests who instruct their
Indians wine for celebrating mass. He recommends that the matter of

granting offices to small encomenderos be further examined. The
increase in extent and number of the cattle-farms near Manila causes
much damage to the Indians and Guiral recommends that these farms
be abandoned within a certain distance of all towns. The peaceful
Pampango Indians are frequently harassed by the head-hunting
Zambales; the only way to stop this is to allow the latter to be enslaved
by anyone who will capture them. Certain questions regarding the
status of children of slaves should now be settled. Guiral makes various
recommendations as to the sale of offices and the use of certain funds.
The seminary of Santa Potenciana recently lost its house by fire, which
has since been rebuilt; the king is asked to aid it. A public-spirited
citizen of Manila has established a hospital for Spanish women, and
royal aid is asked for this also. The hospital for Spaniards is not
properly cared for, and the king is asked to send over hospital brethren
of the Order of St. John of God. The guardians of minors often prove
unfit for such trust, and they should be called to account by the
Audiencia. Disputes having arisen over the rights and prerogatives of
the Audiencia in case of their succession ad interim to the government
of the islands, Guiral asks for the royal decision of such questions. The
fiscal complains of the tyrannical conduct of many friars, especially
among the Augustinians, toward the Indians; he has opposed this as
much as possible, but asks further redress from the king. The coming of
the discalced Augustinians (Recollects) has been a useful check on the
other branch of that order, especially on its arrogant provincial,
Lorenzo de León--of whose unlawful acts Guiral complains, and
demands an investigation. He has obliged the stray Indians about
Manila to return to their native places; and he asks that those who are
retained for the service of the religious orders shall be kept within the
allotted number, and that the friars be compelled to pay these servants
fairly. The Audiencia has allowed Gabriel de Ribera to resume his
encomiendas, vacated by his illegal absence from the islands; and the
fiscal asks for correction of this procedure. He advises the king to
refuse the claims made by Figueroa's heirs for release from the debts
incurred by the conquest of Mindanao; and states that Tello and Morga
are the ones responsible for part of these expenses, and for others which
were paid from the royal treasury by the Audiencia. Guiral ends by
requesting permission to leave the islands as soon as a permanent

appointment to his office of fiscal can be made.
Proceedings in the Council of the Indias (August 5 and 15, 1606) deal
with Acuña's effort to recover the Maluco Islands, from, the Dutch,
summarizing his letters of July 1-7, 1605, and recommending the
measures to be taken by the Spanish government in regard to it. Later
advices emphasize Acuña's statements as to the gravity of the situation
in the Spice Islands. The Council commend Acuña's action, and advise
the king to further his efforts and supply him (from Mexico) with
troops and money. The Council of State act thereon, seconding these
recommendations, and advising that the archbishop and the Audiencia
of Manila be warned not to meddle with affairs of war.
Of special interest to American readers is a royal decree (August 19,
1606) addressed to Governor Acuña, establishing "a way station for
Philippine vessels on the Californian coast". The king recounts the
results of Vizcaino's exploration on that coast in 1602, and the
advantages of Monterey as such station. It is believed that gold abounds
in that region, and that many other advantages would accrue from a
settlement there. The king appoints Monterey as a way-station for the
Philippine vessels, and Vizcaino as the commander of the expedition to
establish it; and directs Acuña to send with him two men from the
Philippines to learn all that is