The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 303 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 303 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55.

[Salazar protests against the notion entertained by the encomenderos that “all their festivities and superfluous expenses should be at the expense of the wretched Indians, when they themselves do not fulfil their obligations toward the latter.”  Other persons can support themselves without an encomienda; so those who possess such aid can certainly do something outside of it to meet their expenses.  The method of collecting the tributes hitherto has been little more than slavery for the natives; the bishop pleads in eloquent terms that the governor will reform this abuse, and consider the subject from the standpoint of the Indians as well as from that of the Spaniards.] In order that they may endure their hardships cheerfully, it is well that they should understand the change among the Spaniards which has occurred since the coming of your Lordship; for their burdens have been lightened by the reduction of the tributes from the former amount; and the Spaniards have done what they did not previously—­that is, to treat the natives well, and to converse with them in a friendly manner.  This, without doubt, will greatly incline them toward our holy Christian religion; and then the Indians cannot make this a matter of complaint against the Spaniards, but will keep silence and yield to whatever commands are given them. [The Spaniards have might on their side, and terrorize the weaker natives; but the right only should be considered, and is mainly on the side of the Indians.  The conquerors have brought forward many specious arguments to justify their oppression, which for a time deceived even the bishop, who expresses his regret and remorse for his own mistakes; but his long experience has opened his eyes, and he espouses the cause of the oppressed Indians, urging the governor to consider their needs, without allowing the Spaniards to influence him in favor of their selfish and unjust practices.  Salazar complains that the orders of both the king and the governors have been systematically violated or ignored; that no one has been punished for infractions of law save the poor Indians, who often have been justified in these actions.] But even this has not availed them to escape punishment in their persons and property.  Yet thus far there is no instance known when an encontendero or collector has been punished for even the grossest acts of injustice and injury which they have inflicted upon the Indians.  And this is the Christian spirit and the justice with which we have thus far treated this unfortunate people—­we, who came hither to bestow upon them a knowledge of God!  Notwithstanding all that, we demand that they shall not dare to move, or to open their lips in complaint.  But we have a righteous God, who hears them, and in His own time will bestow upon each man according to his deserts.

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.