By Antonio de Morga

What is to be said of the condition of affairs in these Philipinas
Islands is as follows: 

Instruction and instructors of the Indians

1.  The evil example set by the religious through their vices, indecent behavior, gambling, banquets, and festivities.

2.  They trade and make a profit in their districts, from rice, wax, wine, gold, boats, fowls, cloth, and deerskins, to the great detriment of the Indians, as well as that of the entire country.

3.  They deal openly in merchandise of the above-mentioned articles, as well as in those of China, in the trade with Nueva Espana.

4.  They usurp the royal jurisdiction, hearing, according to the due forms of law, suits among the Indians.  They have stocks, prisons, and place of detention, where they vex, whip, and otherwise afflict the Indians, compelling these to obey the laws they themselves make, rather than those of the king’s magistrates.

5.  They distress the Indians by demanding their services as rowers; and contributions of rice, wine, fowls, and other things, with but slight payment, or even none.

6.  They employ many more Indians than are necessary, who serve in many capacities without pay.

7.  They levy many excessive fees for baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and then neglect to reserve the episcopal tax.

8.  They erect large churches, houses, and monasteries for only one friar, or at the most for two.  They often remodel and rebuild these edifices at a great expense to the royal treasury, encomenderos, and Indians.

9.  They put forth strenuous efforts to oblige the Indians to bequeath at least a third of their gold and wealth to the monasteries, for which gifts they receive more honor at their death, so that others may be roused to do likewise.  Those who do not thus give are buried like beasts.

10.  In the churches alms-boxes and chests are placed, in which they compel both men and women alike to drop their offering each one singly, diminishing their property.

11.  They insist on the continual formation of brotherhoods and erection of shrines, so that these may be endowed and adorned and may receive new alms—­the Indians understanding no more of the matter than the display and ostentation of the offering.

12.  Every monastery has, usually, a great many festivities, which are all attended by the friars throughout the whole province.  These are accompanied by many Indians, for the purpose of bearing their hammocks, rowing for them, and acting in other capacities.  Thus, year after year, the friars go from one village to another, dragging the Indians after them, and causing great expense.

13.  The religious levy many contributions on the Indians for the expense of their festivities, for triumphal arches, castles, and dances.  These entertainments are receptions which they compel the Indians to tender, as a welcome, to their provincials and priors, to whom breakfasts and dinners are given also.  These festivities occur frequently, and are conducted with much worldly show and expense.