The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 - 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, Showi by Various
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page 10 of 305 (03%)
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in kind; and that the salaries of the auditors be more promptly
paid. Command is given that war-ships in the islands be no longer built so large as hitherto, as they are expensive, unwieldy, and in some circumstances useless. A letter to the auditors gives directions for the method of procedure in trying certain cases of appeal; and answers some questions which the auditors had asked. Bishop Arce, of Cebú, writes to the king (July 31, 1631). He congratulates Felipe on the birth of a son; comments on some royal decrees just received; recommends a person as schoolmaster in the Manila church; and advises the appointment of the royal fiscal as protector of the Sangleys. Early in 1632 several royal orders are despatched to the colony. In a letter of January 27, the king writes to Tavora on several matters: the monopoly of the sale of playing-cards, the sale of offices, and the salary of the acting archbishop. A decree of March 25, addressed to the municipal authorities of Manila, warns them to enforce the royal decrees as to the proper consignment and registration of goods sent to Mexico; and another, issued on the following day, orders that secular priests from India be not allowed to go to the Philippines. The usual report of Governor Tavora (July 8, 1632) is in three sections, the first devoted to general affairs of government. He complains that the remittances from Nueva España are painfully inadequate for the needs of the colony and its troops; and that he needs more soldiers than are sent to the islands. The royal visitor, Rojas, is doing very careful and thorough work in inspecting the administration of the colony, but is arrogating to himself too much authority in regard to the expenditure of public moneys; accordingly, Tavora appeals to the king against some of Rojas's decisions, and argues for allowing a reasonable amount of liberty in this matter |
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