governor.”  Dasmarinas accuses them of practically enslaving the natives for their own service and benefit; and the bishop of taking for his personal use the money entrusted to him for restitutions to the Indians.  The clergy “are all better merchants than students of Latin.”  The governor thinks that it will be best to send the bishop to Spain.  In another letter (July 9), he complains of the evils arising from the unregulated marriages of the widows and minor heirs who have inherited encomiendas, and suggests that he be empowered to control such marriages.

Two papers unsigned and undated, but evidently emanating from the governor, contain suggestions for precautions to be taken by the Spaniards in view of the threatened hostilities by the Japanese.  These suggestions are submitted to a council of war and to the religious houses, respectively.  Among the former are the expulsion of Japanese and Chinese traders from Manila; the accumulation of provisions; agreement that no one will, if captured, accept ransom; and establishment of a refuge in the hills near Manila for the women, children, and sick.  The religious are asked to give their opinion on certain points:  whether it would not be well to take from the Indians their gold, as a pledge for their good behavior in the event of hostilities; to induce the Christianized natives to remove inland to more secure locations, there to produce rice and other supplies; to seize the property of the Chinese and place it in the warehouses of the city, and break up the Parian; and to oblige the encomenderos to store in the city the provisions which they collect as tributes.  Another communication from the governor is addressed to the ecclesiastics.  He reminds them of their persistent opposition to his measures, but urges them, in view of the common danger that threatens the colony, to unite with him in efforts to repel it and to save the country.

A letter from Felipe to Dasmarinas (January 17, 1593) commends the governor’s faithfulness and care in his office, and replies to various suggestions made in his dispatches.  Dasmarinas is to take possession of the hospitals for the king, restrain the assumption of authority by the bishop, and not allow him to meddle with the payment of salaries to the priests.  The religious orders are not to interfere with civil affairs.  Dasmarinas shall appoint, in place of the bishop, a protector of the Indians.  All the tributes are to be increased by two reals; and the royal fifth shall be exacted as soon as practicable.  The soldiers are not to be allowed to trade, beyond the amount of a few hundred pesos; the governor may, at his discretion, permit some to return to Nueva Espana.  The removal of the Chinese traders from Manila is left to the governor’s judgment.  Workmen in the islands are to be paid there, from the royal treasury.  The duties levied by Dasmarinas are approved and continued.  With this letter go two decrees; one (dated on the same day) ordains that suits involving one thousand ducados or less may be concluded in the court of the islands, and those for larger sums may be appealed to the Audiencia of Mexico.  The other (dated February 11) restricts the trade with China to the inhabitants of the Philippines, and forbids those of the American colonies (except those of Nueva Espana) to trade, not only with China, but even with the Philippines.