The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 293 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 293 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55.
held them; and put his kinsmen, whom he brougnt with him from Espana, into the regimiento, so that information of his evil ways cannot be given to your Majesty in the name of the city; nor can they write to ask your Majesty that you should send a successor to him.  Likewise he asked his regimiento, and also me (but may God deliver me from such treason!), to write to your Majesty that it was expedient that he should remain in this country, on account of the experience which he has here.  Nevertheless, if such a letter should go, your Majesty would consider it suspicious; because it would be signed by some who would wish to see him undone, only because they do not dare to do otherwise; for he treats them like negro slaves when they swerve a point from his desires.  About eight days ago he had called to his house all the honorable people, even to the master-of-camp and all the captains; and when they were before him, standing bareheaded, he treated them worse than he would his cobbler, speaking in these terms:  “You don’t realize that I can have all your heads cut off, and you think that I don’t know that you have written to the king against me.”  And this language, with the “vosotros,” [13] he used for half an hour to the most respectable people in this country.  In short, all his conversation and words are those of a vicious and tyrannical Heliogabalus.  What I say now is nothing to what remains to be said, and which your Majesty can learn from those who are going there—­who, as good Christians, will relate the truth.  It would appear best that your Majesty should write to Nueba Espana, so that all the goods may be put on board there which are to be carried this year.  Your Majesty would then see the shameful results which he has caused in this country.  He sends therewith one of his servants even, who is called Juan de la Guardia, and also Diego de Montoro, a native of this country.  And if by chance your Majesty’s letter should arrive after the property had already been despatched, the said persons should be seized, and obliged to confess the truth.  It is possible that in this way, and with the cargo for next year (when he says that he must enrich himself), a large quantity may be taken, to supply the various matters for which your Majesty must provide.  Your Majesty may rest assured that during all the time that the governor may be in this post your Majesty’s conscience cannot be at ease, but that it must be heavily loaded to bear with him.  It would be very advisable to appoint a governor, not like the poor men who have been here thus far and who come to enrich themselves, but a man who will enrich the land with holiness and virtue.  It should be a man whom your Majesty would choose among thousands—­one of those who is not attempting to make your Majesty appoint him; but, on the contrary, one of those whom, so to speak, your Majesty asks.  Your Majesty should not consider whether or not he is a knight or a captain, as there are plenty of experienced captains
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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.