The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55.
there shall be no lack in this.  Accordingly, we shall have recourse in other districts to the clergy whom I mentioned above as being at leisure, who will be occupied with their own support.  The plans for this, as I say—­taking away here, and replacing there, and distributing and selecting them in order that each one may receive a little—­this is all matter for your Lordship and for the obligations of your office.  It is much more your Lordship’s duty that you should attend to this business than it is to prevent the king and his encomenderos from enjoying what in justice they ought to, because they do not give you ministers or because they have not them.  Your Lordship can remedy and provide for this only in one of three ways—­either as a protector of the Indians, or as bishop, or as one who has a special commission for it from his Majesty.  As protector, what your Lordship can do is to bring suits in the courts (and, even then, not in all cases), and be satisfied with the decision; or else perform your own duties in the matter.  As bishop, your Lordship is concerned with the collections of tribute, in that in confession you should deny absolution to anyone who confesses that he has not fulfilled well the charge of an estate.  I do not know whether you, as bishop, can command the confessors that they all should refuse absolution in this or that case, provided the said confessors and your Lordship be of the same opinion and doctrine.  As for special commission, I do not know if your Lordship have one, unless it be in the unruly and unpacified encomiendas.  With this supposition there remains to your Lordship no other foundation on which to act.  Neither does his Majesty commit it to you, nor do I find how your Lordship can be occupied in dealing with [illegible in MS.] more than to give your opinion on it; and here ends the prerogative which your Lordship can claim in this matter.  You make strenuous efforts in what does not properly concern you, and fail to remedy what is most necessary and close to your office, which is what I mentioned above about religious instruction.  I beg of your Lordship that, putting aside human considerations, you order that this be attended to, which the good of these souls demands with [illegible in MS.] necessity.  Since in this way there are needs now, there will be at least many more.  Meanwhile, until ministers are provided more liberally from Spain, let them all get along as best they can, and accommodate themselves, establishing houses wherever they wish to, and where no better opportunity is to be expected.  God knows that this does not [illegible in MS.] your Lordship, because you interfere with my office.  As far as this is concerned, if I could [illegible in MS.] with it and my commission, or even give it all to your Lordship, and perform my duty, [I would ask (?) _—­illegible in MS._] your Lordship to do it, if it were not for the obstacle which that would put in the way of the careful guidance and [illegible in MS.] who manage affairs.

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.