The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 320 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 320 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34.

Neither have the men come who are needed; for the past year came eighty-odd soldiers, and this year ninety.  That is but a scant number for the many men who die here, for our forces are steadily diminishing.  I can do no more, for money has not been coined here, nor do the people multiply.  I ask, Sire, for what is needed to fulfil my obligations.  The viceroy does not send the orders which are given him from there; they can not be so illiberal.  As this is a case of need, I give notice of it, in order that blame may not be cast on me at any time. [In the margin: “Have letters to the viceroy written, charging him with this.”  “The viceroy has been charged with this by a decree which was despatched at the petition of the city.”]

The visitor, Don Francisco de Rojas, is proceeding with his visit with excellent judgment, and with his personal efforts and close occupation.  This community grieves over the results, for they are many.  I trust that he may administer justice so fully in all things that only the liquidations and the balances should be those which are collected.  He has attempted (as he thinks that he bears authority for it) to make the final decision of what may be spent by councils of the treasury, and in fact has begun it with this royal Audiencia and with me.  That has appeared a strong course to us, for his commission does not extend to that.  Neither would it be right for only one judge to declare as improper any expense which the governor, auditors, and royal officials had approved by their opinions.  The councils of the treasury were established for expenses of government and war.  If there were no authority for those expenses, it would be an evil, and nothing could be accomplished.  That will be the case on the day when we shall be subject to have one accountant proceed, in the visitation, against those who gave their opinion as to the expenses which may have been incurred.  Who would dare give his opinion freely, if he had to fear that it might be amplified or not?  Your Majesty already does not trust your governor alone for this responsibility, and orders him to meet in council with the Audiencia and the royal officials, and that the majority of votes shall rule.  That has so many inconveniences that the service of your Majesty comes to suffer greatly from them.  If the more important things are entrusted to your governor, why not the lesser?  When the archbishop died here, as your Majesty was advised, the bishop of Zibu, who entered into his place, petitioned that he be given some gratuity from the salary enjoyed by the archbishop, because of the many expenses of living in this city—­taking a precedent from the vacant see of the other archbishop, in which the treasury council assigned him one thousand two hundred pesos.  On this occasion it seemed necessary, so that the bishop might be able to support himself, to assign him one thousand pesos annually; and it was ordered that your Majesty be advised thereof,

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.