PREFACE


The years 1621-24, although not marked by great battles, conquests,
or calamities, contain much that is of interest in the internal
development of the Philippine colony; and these documents vividly
illustrate the ceaseless play and interaction of human interests
and passions--especially in the romantic but tragic love-affair
of Fajardo's wife, in which is material for a brilliant novel. The
usual conflicts occur between the civil authorities and the friars,
and between the governor and the Audiencia; but the records of these
controversies furnish an unusual revelation of human nature and its
complicated phenomena. The alliance between the Dutch and the English
menaces this far Oriental Spanish colony with even more dangers than
it has already experienced; and its feeble defenses and insufficient
equipment of arms and men keep its people in constant dread and
anxiety. For defense against the expected attacks of the heretics
against Manila more ships and fortifications are constructed; but this
imposes additional burdens on the poor Indians, which the governor
tries to mitigate by endeavors to protect them from the oppression
that they endure from the Spaniards. Controversies arise between the
various orders, and within that of St Francis, which are settled by the
intervention of the bishop and governor. Reports made by the orders
show that over half a million of the natives are receiving religious
instruction; but the bishop deprecates the favorite missionary policy
of gathering the converts into "reductions," and advises that all the
missions should be placed under the supervision of the bishops. The
foreign population of Manila still increases beyond the safety-line,