The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.
all drugs, spices, and some other articles are the king’s alone, and no one may trade for them without his express permission.  Careful entries of all trading must be made, and the king shall receive one-twentieth of all the return cargo of individuals in the fleet.  Any merchandise belonging to private individuals who do not embark in the fleet shall be traded last, and seven per cent of its returns shall be paid to the king.  Slaves may be bought, for use as interpreters, but good treatment is to be accorded them.  No Indian shall be captured, nor shall any soldier buy any slave during the time of the voyage; but when a settlement is made they may do so, unless the king order the contrary.  Several of them shall be sent to New Spain, however, that “they may be seen here, and from them may be ascertained the products of their lands.”  In the fortress of any settlement made, two houses shall be constructed, one for Legazpi, and the other for the safe keeping of the artillery and stores; and a ditch and drawbridge are to be made at the entrance to it.  The people of the settlement shall live outside the fortress, but in one place.  Careful watch must be kept; and the soldiers must take good care of their weapons, having them always in readiness.  The soldiers and others are to be prohibited from “going to the villages of the natives of those regions without leave, from entering their houses, from seizing by force anything in the camp or in their village, or contrary to their will, and from leaving their [the soldiers’] quarters.  Especially shall you prohibit them and order them that they have no communication with the women of those regions.”  Legazpi is to remain aboard his vessel until the fortress is completed.  After its completion some small boats shall be made.  A church shall be built near the fort, as well as a house for the religious, in order that the latter may minister to the colonists and the natives.  “And you shall have especial care that, in all your negotiations with the natives of those regions, some of the religious accompanying you be present, both in order to avail yourself of their good counsel and advice, and so that the natives may see and understand your high estimation of them; for seeing this, and the great reverence of the soldiers toward them, they themselves will hold the religious in great respect.  This will be of great moment, so that, when the religious shall understand their language, or have interpreters through whom they may make them understand our holy Catholic faith, the Indians shall put entire faith in them; since you are aware that the chief thing sought after by his majesty is the increase of our holy Catholic faith, and the salvation of the souls of those infidels.”  To this end all help must be given to these ministers of God.  The Indian interpreters carried in the fleet must be well treated.  In case it shall be necessary, changes may be made in these instructions, but with the advice of the other officers; but it
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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.