The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 9

which all of us, not
only ecclesiastics but laymen, are so distressed that there is no way of
expressing it to your Majesty. We believe that if it were possible for
you in España to see how we suffer here, your Majesty would
immediately remedy it; for we are led to think that you do not realize
the trouble which this matter is causing, or else that it is one which is
not to be discussed as it should be, on account of the archbishop's many
scruples. As a result, the condition of affairs is intolerable, which is a
most unfortunate thing and one of great importance. Accordingly, as he
is a prelate and we are religious, we are writing to your Majesty's
Grandeur; and we make these statements with great circumspection,
that it may not seem as if passion were carrying us away.
Coming, then, to what concerns us, not even the least important
incident has occurred in which he has not shown himself opposed to an
order such as ours, causing us infinite annoyance--as if it were not we

who discovered these regions for your Majesty, and founded with
infinite toil this new church, and by whose industry your Majesty has
innumerable vassals. Every day, too, we are expecting to open up a
greater conversion [of the heathen]; and we continue what was begun
by those first fathers who trained us here. We desire not only that the
number of the faithful be multiplied, but that the royal crown of your
Majesty be increased. To this end, there has been no expedition in
which we did not send religious for the consolation and encouragement
of the troops. And on the so sudden and dangerous occurrence of the
rising of the Chinese, we doubt not that the governor has given your
Majesty an account of our proceedings; for in public and aloud he
thanked us in your Majesty's name for our humble services, though our
desire was great for the service of our king and lord. Not a fortification
has been made upon land, nor a ship or galley built, where we have not
rendered service; and in ministries to the Indians and Spaniards, we
believe that no religious order has surpassed us. In spite of all this, the
opposition which the said archbishop displays toward us in everything
is well known. Thus we find ourselves without protection and in a very
wretched state, whence we hope to extricate ourselves with the aid and
powerful protection of your Majesty, who will consider himself pleased
with these his household, and will command that we be treated in all
matters as is right. If it were not for the president and royal Audiencia,
who restrain these acts of violence, this poor commonwealth would be
separated by five thousand leguas from its real deliverance and father,
who is your Majesty--whom may our Lord prosper, and increase his
realm, according to the desire of us his faithful vassals. Dated in this
your city of Manila; [undated].
Fray Lorenzo de Leon, provincial of the Augustinians. Fray Jhoan
Baptista de Montoya Fray Estevan Carrillo, definitor. Fray Pedro de
Aguirre, definitor. Fray Roque de Varrio, new definitor.
[_Endorsed_: "No. 6. Manila; to his Majesty. No date; the religious of
the Order of St. Augustine."]
Sire:
Considering its importance to the service of your Majesty, it has

seemed best to this Audiencia to give an account of the manner in
which the archbishop of these islands proceeds; for he is harsh of
temper and resents the acts of the Audiencia which declare that he has
committed fuerza. [2] He has often said, for this reason, that they treat
him very ill, and put him in such a position that he must retire to his
cell and give up his office altogether; for they do not esteem him nor
allow him to administer justice. The Audiencia having declared him
guilty of fuerza in having imposed excommunication on those who
without his permission entered the house of retirement of Santa
Potenciana--which was established by your Majesty's order and at the
expense of your royal exchequer, that orphan girls and poor maidens
might be sheltered there, and instructed and taught, and remain there
until they should be married--he would not obey the act of the
Audiencia, thus imposing on them the responsibility of employing the
correction and severe measures which your Majesty commands by his
royal laws; but if these were executed in a land so new as this it would
cause a scandal, which would result in much harm that could not be
remedied. To avoid this, it was agreed to send the record of their
proceedings and to make a report to your Majesty, so that you might
command what should be most expedient for your royal service.
[_In the