CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.ANNO DOM. 1754.The Administration of Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia.Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia, a native of Ceuta, and a Biscayan by descent, took possession of his government in July, 1754, and as soon as he arrived at Manila, he lost no time in adopting the regulations observed in Spain for putting the military on a more respectable footing.The royal regiment, which consisted of two battalions, he formed into a corps of artillery, putting it into the state in which we now find it, and granted to the soldiers, as well as the officers, a pay sufficient to maintain themselves with decency, and perform their duty without the necessity ofhaving recourse to any other employment for their support. He took great pains, likewise, in improving the arsenal of Cavite, and the situation and consequence of the officers of that establishment; in doing which he incurred the disapprobation and ill-will of many, to whom such reform and zeal was highly injurious.In the commencement of his government, in the month of December, there happened a terrible shock of an earthquake, and the Taal, which is in the middle of the Lake Bombon, in the province of Batangas, threw out such an immense quantity of cinders, as completely to ruin four towns which were situated near the lake, and the inhabitants found it necessary to retire a league further into the interior. Many other severe shocks followed, accompanied by loud reports similar to those of contending squadrons, and the atmosphere was entirely obscured by the sand and ashes thrown up by the volcano, sothat at Manila, which is twenty leagues distant, it was scarcely possible to see even in the middle of day; and at Cavite, which is rather nearer, the obscurity resembled the darkness of midnight.I ascended, with the Señor Alava, to the summit of this volcano, but all that we could observe was a lake, about half a league in diameter, very deep, and containing water of a dark green colour.The fleet which Señor Obando had despatched against the Moors was so ill conducted, that it was found necessary to take the command from Don Miguel Valdos, who had been sent in that capacity, and give it to the Friar Ducos, a Jesuit, from whose conduct a more favourable result was expected. So effectually did that father conduct the expedition, and with such valour and prudence, that he took from the enemy more than one hundred and fifty sail of vessels, destroyed three towns, killed and made prisoners an immense numberof people, and completely checked the impetuous spirit of those barbarians.These happy tidings arrived at Manila in January, 1755. Señor Arandia gave orders thatTe Deumshould be sung as a thanksgiving, and confirmed the command of the squadron to the Friar Ducos, whom he very much esteemed, being the son of a colonel of his intimate acquaintance, and appearing to have inherited his father’s military talents.The King of Jolo experienced from the Governor the most kind and compassionate treatment, and he granted him his liberty, although he continued voluntarily to reside in the fort ofSaintJago. He settled a revenue on him of fifty dollars per month, besides six measures of rice for his maintenance, and persuaded the Archbishop to grant him permission to hear mass, and receive the sacrament, of which he had been deprived.The King was desirous of marrying awoman who had been his concubine, and had already become a Christian. The Archbishop was not inclined to consent; but Arandia not only removed every difficulty, but allowed him the use of his palace, in order that the marriage might be celebrated with more solemnity and grandeur.These arrangements were not made without some dispute with the Archbishop; and at the same time another circumstance, although of no great importance in itself, proved sufficient to occasion a great sensation in the islands.Arandia had complained to the Archbishop, that the bells were not rung when he entered or left the church as they ought to be, he being the representative of his Majesty. It was in reply, the Archbishop alleged, that no royal order existed to that effect; and these contests on points of etiquette, added to the indisposition under which this prelate laboured, whichproduced his death on the 29th of May, 1755.The Governor continued his kind attentions to the King of Jolo, as it appeared to him the best mode of putting an end to hostility with the Moors. He sent thither all the Princes and Princesses, and all the women which had been detained by them, the King only remaining at Manila, who presented repeated petitions for release, and engaged, in the most solemn manner, to conform to the decision of the court of Madrid respecting the cause of his detention.The Princes and Princesses arrived at Jolo the 5th of October of this year, and they were well received by Bantilan, who being highly pleased with the generosity of the Governor, promised faithfully to observe the treaties of peace which his brother and his Ambassador had signed at Manila. Entirely to put an end to hostilities, it was requisite to have an understandingwith the inhabitants of Mindanao. Ambassadors were accordingly sent over, but so numerous are the petty Kings in those islands, and so treacherous, that it was found impossible to establish a durable peace with them. Even admitting that all the chiefs were desirous of strictly observing pacific terms with the Spaniards, they have so little power over their vassals, that they have never been able to restrain them within due bounds. That kind of predatory life having become habitual to them, nothing but a spiritual conquest of their provinces will protect us from the persecuting spirit of these troublesome neighbours.The government now thought of establishing missionaries in the Batan islands, which lie to the north of Cagayan. Formerly there had been Dominican friars settled in the island of Babuyanes, who employed themselves in instructing the inhabitants in the Christian duties; but inthe year 1690 they returned to Cagayan, upon the order of the chief to quit the country. The father who conducted them immediately established a mission in the Batan islands, about thirty leagues from Cagayan, but after his death his companions retired, abandoning the mission until the year 1718, at which period another Dominican friar re-established it, fixing his residence in the island of Calayan, to which he endeavoured to induce the inhabitants of the adjoining islands to repair for instruction in our faith. But whatever might be the inclination of the Batanians to become converts, only one hundred and fifty persons found resolution to change their residence, and of these one half died in a very little time. That island, indeed, afforded but very few resources, in consequence of which the missionary friar fell sick, and although a successor was appointed, the mission was eventually abandoned.In the year 1754 the idea was resumed, and two friars were sent for the purpose, of which one died immediately, and the other retired to Cagayan very seriously indisposed, but returned again the succeeding year with a brother friar; and in order to guard against the miseries which they had suffered the preceding year, they determined to take with them a carpenter, who was a lay brother, for the erection of a house and accommodations immediately on their arrival, the materials for which they proposed to have ready prepared for the purpose. Their zeal, however, would not permit them to wait until the materials for the house could be finished, and fearful lest the monsoon should be lost, they embarked without them.They had scarcely arrived at Cagayan, when they both fell sick; two other friars went to their aid, and they also fell sick, as did all who followed, and it became absolutely necessary to abandon the attemptafter the Dominicans had incurred very heavy expenses to effect the object. In the year 1783, Señor Basco again undertook this conquest; and at length we have succeeded in establishing the Dominicans there, who employ themselves strenuously in the conversion of the inhabitants of these islands.A Governor was appointed with an assistant, and great expense was incurred in support of the establishment, as it was necessary to send almost every thing from the Philippines, all those islands producing little else than a species of potatoe, and some other objects of as little value.There is no doubt that other productions might be reared, but the rats are so numerous that they consume every thing, and very frequently the hurricanes destroy the seeds before they come to perfection. Every year a vessel was sent to carry the necessary supplies to the establishment, but as these hurricanes are very frequent,and many of the vessels were shipwrecked, it became fully ascertained that it would be impossible to maintain the station, and it was determined that only the Dominican friars should remain there, with a small escort, which was to be relieved from Cagayan as occasion might require. On Señor Basco the title of Conde de Conquista was bestowed, as a reward for his exertions in this undertaking; but it is very certain that if half the money which was thus expended in Batanes had been applied in the appointment and support of missionaries in Ylocos, Pangasinan, and Cagayan, his Majesty would have acquired many more subjects, and with much less risk.It is matter of astonishment that we should have quitted the old beaten track of employing precautionary and pacific measures for the conquest of the Indians, and have recourse to arms and expensive expeditions, merely because they make more noise, and appear more splendid: aproof of the insufficiency of these appeared on the following occasion in the mountains of the Igorrotes. In the year 1740, the Augustine friars had delivered over to the Dominicans the missions of Ytuy, or Ysinay, so that in conjunction with the missionaries of Panique, who had been established there the year before, the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan, by the south side, might be united. The Indians, Christians as well as Infidels, took umbrage at this alteration in the establishments, and a kind of civil war among them was the consequence, so that the Oidors Don Ignacio Azardun, and Señor Rebolledo, who were then inspecting the province of Pangasinan, deeming it necessary, sent troops to quell these disturbances. But a few years afterwards fresh discontents on the same account arose; and in the year 1756, many of the Christians became apostates, and, uniting with the Infidels, were guilty of the greatest excesses. They burnt severalchurches, murdered a great many of those who retained their attachment to Christianity, and losing all respect for the missionary fathers, they diligently sought their lives. This induced Señor Arandia to despatch an expedition in aid of the missionaries, to the mountains of the Igorrotes, which proved of very little effect; for the only purpose it answered was to drive the Indians to the recesses, from whence they again issued on the retreat of our forces. To attain the best mode of civilizing the Indians, it is necessary to know well their character and disposition: either from their turn of mind, which is naturally superstitious, or because Heaven wills it so, they are in general very much attached to the missionary fathers, and hold them in great respect; but notwithstanding this, as may be expected, there will be some bold enough to conceive enmity against them, and for this reason military stations, or escorts, become necessary for their protection. Occasionallya mutinous disposition will be shown, and a whole multitude will declare against the fathers, from which unhappy consequences might arise, did not the different military stations scattered through the country afford a check to such disposition. By means of such cautionary, rather than splendid establishments, these islands were originally subdued, and these in many parts still exist; but the missionaries being very few in number, it often becomes necessary to make a journey of a whole day, when confession or other ecclesiastical rites are to be administered. In addition to this, they are but very poorly paid; for what is one hundred dollars, and two hundred measures of rice, for the maintenance of a Spaniard on these missions?This very small stipend is insufficient to cover their expenses, and they are exposed to every privation, without the enjoyment of any one comfort. Of all this our magistrates are the cause, many ofthem seeking various pretexts for withholding the stipends, and even obliging the fathers to go to the capital to receive them, as I have myself seen. Such is the misery these poor friars undergo, that at times they are compelled to subsist on what is allowed them for their escorts, and live without that protection, rather preferring to be exposed to the insults of those heathens, than to perish through hunger. The military stations are also very thinly scattered, and the loyal Indians very incapable of imposing any restraint on their countrymen.If what has been expended in vain and fruitless expeditions had been employed in these certain means of civilization, much more progress would have been made. It is true that we never can expect such rapid progress as our ancestors made in the conquest, because the Indians are more enlightened. Even the Christian converts persuade them not to be baptized, thatthey may avoid the payment of tribute or other imposts. The custom, too, of one tribe revenging the murder of an individual of that tribe upon the tribe of the murderer, very much impedes conversion, and consequently civilization, for from hence results the necessity of the weakest tribes changing their residence, or forming a confederacy with others. In such case Christianity must suffer, for the baptized Indians must always follow the Infidels of their tribe, and be alienated from the fathers, or be exposed to constant hostility. Nothing but the extension of protection, and the gradual dissemination of our religious tenets, will abolish this sanguinary custom. The Christian morality is so salutary in its effects, as to extract vice from every heart, in which it has not taken too deep a root.On the 15th of May, 1757, the Holy See passed a decree, which put an end to the controversies which existed in the kingdomof Tonquin, between the Dominicans, Augustines, and other followers of the cross, but it is unimportant to our purpose. Returning to the affairs of Manila. One of the good things which Señor Arandia effected during his administration, was the expulsion of the Chinese. He despatched all these heathens to their own country; and in order to prevent them in future from settling in the Philippines, he appropriated the quarter of St. Fernando for the reception of such Chinese as should come upon commercial pursuits, and who by the regulations established were to re-embark in due time, with the exception of such Christians as might be among their number, who were permitted to remain, and apply themselves to the cultivation of the land. The Spaniards who interested themselves in the residence of the Chinese in Manila, represented to the Governor that there would be a want of people to carry on the trade with the islands if theywere expelled; and to obviate this difficulty, he established a company of native Spaniards and Mestizoes for that purpose, which, however, was found very incompetent to the task. The Asiatics being naturally very slothful, and consequently very fond of that kind of employment which procures subsistence without much labour, attain their object by buying and selling such things as are raised here, or imported from the adjacent islands for the consumption of the capital; and as they are poor miserable creatures, each has a very narrow and limited traffic, but there is scarcely one of them who does not employ himself very diligently. This superabundance of petty merchants makes the goods come very dear, because they pass through many hands before they reach those of the consumer, and as they turn but a very small capital, it is necessary they should each make a profit adequate to their maintenance; from all which it may be inferred,that far from there being too few Chinese in this trade, their number ought to be considerably reduced.Notwithstanding the wisdom of this measure, Señor Arandia lost much of that esteem in which he had been held, and by this and other means drew on him the odium of the public. By virtue of the full powers with which he was invested by the court, he framed instructions for the chief magistrates in the government of the provinces, in which an open declaration was made against the regular clergy. In the commencement of his authority he had treated the religious orders with due attention, but hurt at the disrespect shewn to him by some individuals, he deprived them by these instructions of their kitchen boys, which the King had granted them ever since the conquest, and of the servants which had been allowed them as sacristans. Not satisfied with these injuries, he made manyrepresentationsagainst them to hisMajesty, in which he spoke of them with very little decorum, and in his despatches lost no opportunity of vilifying them even in matters not at all connected with their clerical duties. The instructions here alluded to the King had the goodness to disapprove of, as soon as he saw them. With the Royal Audience, likewise, he had a dispute, in consequence of his refusal to allow them military honours during their sittings, unless he himself presided. He imprisoned and commenced a process against the treasurer and comptroller of the royal revenue, and treated them with great severity, because they had communicated information to the court on some points very opposite to his communications on the same subjects. Indefatigable in the discharge of his duty, he formed many projects which he conceived to be of importance to the welfare of the settlement. It was his intention to remove the arsenal of Cavite to Port Lampon. Heordered a ship to be built in the kingdom of Siam; but, unfortunately, in conducting her to Manila, she put three times into China, and once into Batavia, incurring by this means an enormous expense on the treasury. He proposed to the King various plans for working the iron and gold mines. He abolished the office of Corregidor of Mariveles, uniting Marigondon and other small towns to the district of Cavite, and forming of the towns on the opposite coast, and of others belonging to Pampanga, the district which we call Batan. He introduced many regulations among the troops, and for the better management of the royal revenue and the affairs of the Acapulco ship, giving on all occasions many proofs of his zeal for his Majesty’s service, with which he appeared animated, perhaps, to a degree of enthusiasm; and which having been mismanaged by his favourite, Señor Orendain, had been the cause of his being universallydisliked. All these objects occasioned so much fatigue to Arandia that he became incapable of any kind of business, and such a rapid decline in his vital powers took place, that on the 31st of May, 1759, apprehending his approaching death, he took all the sacraments, and expired the following day at two o’clock in the morning. He left a property to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it was difficult to conceive how he had amassed so much money in the short period of five years, during which his government lasted; but at the hour of his death he distributed his property, like a pious man and a Christian.On the death of Arandia, Señor Espelata, Bishop of Zebu, entered,ad interim, upon the government; and shortly after there arrived at Manila the new Archbishop, Don Manuel Roxo, native of Tala, in the kingdom of New Spain. His Majesty had promoted him from the VicarGeneralship of Mexico to this See, ordering him to be consecrated in New Spain. He took possession of his charge on the 22d of July, 1759, and immediately preferred his claim to hold the military government of the islands, which he contended belonged to him by royal order. The four Oidors were divided in opinion; the Señores Calderon and Davila thinking the Archbishop in the right, and theSeñoresVillacorta and Galban being of a different way of thinking. While in the hall discussing this subject, Espelata entered, delivered his sentiments with firmness and resolution, and to intimidate them prepared the artillery, and put the troops under arms. This determined conduct induced the Oidors and the Archbishop to give up the point, and the Bishop of Zebu remained in quiet possession. The first thing he did was to revoke many orders of Señor Arandia, and to make some arrangements for checking the Moors, who, sincethe year 1754, had been ravaging our provinces with impunity. But what occupied the public attention most in his time was the cause of Doctor Orendain. The doctor was accused of being the cause of Arandia’s mismanagement of public affairs, and that the Royal Fiscal, Señor Viana, had been by his suggestion confined to his house. Orendain, either through remorse of conscience, or because he dreaded some attempt against his person, took refuge in the Augustine convent at Tondo. As the doctor was treasurer of the Cruzada, the Royal Fiscal took up the idea that his voluntary retreat into a sanctuary indicated his being in debt to the Royal revenue, and on this ground he was taken from his asylum, imprisoned in Fort Santiago, and Señor Villa Corta was ordered to proceed against him. It was found that he had secreted many valuable effects in the convents; but whilst they were employed in this scrutiny, he escaped fromthe fortress dressed in woman’s clothes, going out in a coach, without being recognized by the guard, and took refuge in the Franciscan convent. Villa Corta had recourse to the Vicar General for an order to take him out, which being refused on three different applications, a notary and some troops were sent to take him by force. The Vicar General declared Villa Corta excommunicated, and issued handbills to that effect. This gentleman had recourse to the Royal Audience, who ordered the Vicar General to absolve him, which he did by means of the Curate of the cathedral, but only in a temporary way, and for the space of thirty days; that is, that if in thirty days the defendant did not return within the pale of the church, the excommunication would again be in force. Señor Villa Corta protested against the conduct of the Vicar General, and so entangled was this cause, that the Judges opposed each other, and even Calderonand Davila were opposed by the King’s Solicitor, who had received briefs on the occasion, and the point remained undetermined, some being unwilling to undertake it, and others entertaining opposite opinions upon it. Such was the position of Orendain’s business when the royal despatches arrived, in which the Archbishop was appointed Governorad interim, in consequence of the death of Señor Arandia. He took the baton of government in the year 1761, and determined this famous cause, ordering Orendain to be set at liberty, all his property to be restored to him, and imposing on all perpetual silence on the subject. For this decision Orendain was indebted to his being treasurer of the Cruzada, and his Majesty was satisfied with the issue of the business. The Archbishop administered public affairs rather with the paternal solicitude of a father than the rigour of a Governor, composing all individual differences, and extendinghis friendly care even to the King of Jolo, who lived in the fortress under considerable privations. He removed him to a house in Manila, decently fitted up, and allowed him a carriage and a sufficiency of domestics for his service. In addition to this, he was desirous of re-establishing him on the throne; and having taken the opinion of the principal persons of Manila, it was determined that he should be re-conducted to Jolo, with his son Israel, and that he should have a Spanish guard with him, in order that the chiefs of his island might not oblige him to abjure the Catholic faith, which he had embraced under the name of Fernando. Just at the period of putting all this in execution the English appeared before the place, but the importance of this event renders it necessary to be treated of in distinct chapters.

CHAPTER XII.ANNO DOM. 1754.The Administration of Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia.

The Administration of Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia.

Don Pedro Manuel de Arandia, a native of Ceuta, and a Biscayan by descent, took possession of his government in July, 1754, and as soon as he arrived at Manila, he lost no time in adopting the regulations observed in Spain for putting the military on a more respectable footing.The royal regiment, which consisted of two battalions, he formed into a corps of artillery, putting it into the state in which we now find it, and granted to the soldiers, as well as the officers, a pay sufficient to maintain themselves with decency, and perform their duty without the necessity ofhaving recourse to any other employment for their support. He took great pains, likewise, in improving the arsenal of Cavite, and the situation and consequence of the officers of that establishment; in doing which he incurred the disapprobation and ill-will of many, to whom such reform and zeal was highly injurious.In the commencement of his government, in the month of December, there happened a terrible shock of an earthquake, and the Taal, which is in the middle of the Lake Bombon, in the province of Batangas, threw out such an immense quantity of cinders, as completely to ruin four towns which were situated near the lake, and the inhabitants found it necessary to retire a league further into the interior. Many other severe shocks followed, accompanied by loud reports similar to those of contending squadrons, and the atmosphere was entirely obscured by the sand and ashes thrown up by the volcano, sothat at Manila, which is twenty leagues distant, it was scarcely possible to see even in the middle of day; and at Cavite, which is rather nearer, the obscurity resembled the darkness of midnight.I ascended, with the Señor Alava, to the summit of this volcano, but all that we could observe was a lake, about half a league in diameter, very deep, and containing water of a dark green colour.The fleet which Señor Obando had despatched against the Moors was so ill conducted, that it was found necessary to take the command from Don Miguel Valdos, who had been sent in that capacity, and give it to the Friar Ducos, a Jesuit, from whose conduct a more favourable result was expected. So effectually did that father conduct the expedition, and with such valour and prudence, that he took from the enemy more than one hundred and fifty sail of vessels, destroyed three towns, killed and made prisoners an immense numberof people, and completely checked the impetuous spirit of those barbarians.These happy tidings arrived at Manila in January, 1755. Señor Arandia gave orders thatTe Deumshould be sung as a thanksgiving, and confirmed the command of the squadron to the Friar Ducos, whom he very much esteemed, being the son of a colonel of his intimate acquaintance, and appearing to have inherited his father’s military talents.The King of Jolo experienced from the Governor the most kind and compassionate treatment, and he granted him his liberty, although he continued voluntarily to reside in the fort ofSaintJago. He settled a revenue on him of fifty dollars per month, besides six measures of rice for his maintenance, and persuaded the Archbishop to grant him permission to hear mass, and receive the sacrament, of which he had been deprived.The King was desirous of marrying awoman who had been his concubine, and had already become a Christian. The Archbishop was not inclined to consent; but Arandia not only removed every difficulty, but allowed him the use of his palace, in order that the marriage might be celebrated with more solemnity and grandeur.These arrangements were not made without some dispute with the Archbishop; and at the same time another circumstance, although of no great importance in itself, proved sufficient to occasion a great sensation in the islands.Arandia had complained to the Archbishop, that the bells were not rung when he entered or left the church as they ought to be, he being the representative of his Majesty. It was in reply, the Archbishop alleged, that no royal order existed to that effect; and these contests on points of etiquette, added to the indisposition under which this prelate laboured, whichproduced his death on the 29th of May, 1755.The Governor continued his kind attentions to the King of Jolo, as it appeared to him the best mode of putting an end to hostility with the Moors. He sent thither all the Princes and Princesses, and all the women which had been detained by them, the King only remaining at Manila, who presented repeated petitions for release, and engaged, in the most solemn manner, to conform to the decision of the court of Madrid respecting the cause of his detention.The Princes and Princesses arrived at Jolo the 5th of October of this year, and they were well received by Bantilan, who being highly pleased with the generosity of the Governor, promised faithfully to observe the treaties of peace which his brother and his Ambassador had signed at Manila. Entirely to put an end to hostilities, it was requisite to have an understandingwith the inhabitants of Mindanao. Ambassadors were accordingly sent over, but so numerous are the petty Kings in those islands, and so treacherous, that it was found impossible to establish a durable peace with them. Even admitting that all the chiefs were desirous of strictly observing pacific terms with the Spaniards, they have so little power over their vassals, that they have never been able to restrain them within due bounds. That kind of predatory life having become habitual to them, nothing but a spiritual conquest of their provinces will protect us from the persecuting spirit of these troublesome neighbours.The government now thought of establishing missionaries in the Batan islands, which lie to the north of Cagayan. Formerly there had been Dominican friars settled in the island of Babuyanes, who employed themselves in instructing the inhabitants in the Christian duties; but inthe year 1690 they returned to Cagayan, upon the order of the chief to quit the country. The father who conducted them immediately established a mission in the Batan islands, about thirty leagues from Cagayan, but after his death his companions retired, abandoning the mission until the year 1718, at which period another Dominican friar re-established it, fixing his residence in the island of Calayan, to which he endeavoured to induce the inhabitants of the adjoining islands to repair for instruction in our faith. But whatever might be the inclination of the Batanians to become converts, only one hundred and fifty persons found resolution to change their residence, and of these one half died in a very little time. That island, indeed, afforded but very few resources, in consequence of which the missionary friar fell sick, and although a successor was appointed, the mission was eventually abandoned.In the year 1754 the idea was resumed, and two friars were sent for the purpose, of which one died immediately, and the other retired to Cagayan very seriously indisposed, but returned again the succeeding year with a brother friar; and in order to guard against the miseries which they had suffered the preceding year, they determined to take with them a carpenter, who was a lay brother, for the erection of a house and accommodations immediately on their arrival, the materials for which they proposed to have ready prepared for the purpose. Their zeal, however, would not permit them to wait until the materials for the house could be finished, and fearful lest the monsoon should be lost, they embarked without them.They had scarcely arrived at Cagayan, when they both fell sick; two other friars went to their aid, and they also fell sick, as did all who followed, and it became absolutely necessary to abandon the attemptafter the Dominicans had incurred very heavy expenses to effect the object. In the year 1783, Señor Basco again undertook this conquest; and at length we have succeeded in establishing the Dominicans there, who employ themselves strenuously in the conversion of the inhabitants of these islands.A Governor was appointed with an assistant, and great expense was incurred in support of the establishment, as it was necessary to send almost every thing from the Philippines, all those islands producing little else than a species of potatoe, and some other objects of as little value.There is no doubt that other productions might be reared, but the rats are so numerous that they consume every thing, and very frequently the hurricanes destroy the seeds before they come to perfection. Every year a vessel was sent to carry the necessary supplies to the establishment, but as these hurricanes are very frequent,and many of the vessels were shipwrecked, it became fully ascertained that it would be impossible to maintain the station, and it was determined that only the Dominican friars should remain there, with a small escort, which was to be relieved from Cagayan as occasion might require. On Señor Basco the title of Conde de Conquista was bestowed, as a reward for his exertions in this undertaking; but it is very certain that if half the money which was thus expended in Batanes had been applied in the appointment and support of missionaries in Ylocos, Pangasinan, and Cagayan, his Majesty would have acquired many more subjects, and with much less risk.It is matter of astonishment that we should have quitted the old beaten track of employing precautionary and pacific measures for the conquest of the Indians, and have recourse to arms and expensive expeditions, merely because they make more noise, and appear more splendid: aproof of the insufficiency of these appeared on the following occasion in the mountains of the Igorrotes. In the year 1740, the Augustine friars had delivered over to the Dominicans the missions of Ytuy, or Ysinay, so that in conjunction with the missionaries of Panique, who had been established there the year before, the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan, by the south side, might be united. The Indians, Christians as well as Infidels, took umbrage at this alteration in the establishments, and a kind of civil war among them was the consequence, so that the Oidors Don Ignacio Azardun, and Señor Rebolledo, who were then inspecting the province of Pangasinan, deeming it necessary, sent troops to quell these disturbances. But a few years afterwards fresh discontents on the same account arose; and in the year 1756, many of the Christians became apostates, and, uniting with the Infidels, were guilty of the greatest excesses. They burnt severalchurches, murdered a great many of those who retained their attachment to Christianity, and losing all respect for the missionary fathers, they diligently sought their lives. This induced Señor Arandia to despatch an expedition in aid of the missionaries, to the mountains of the Igorrotes, which proved of very little effect; for the only purpose it answered was to drive the Indians to the recesses, from whence they again issued on the retreat of our forces. To attain the best mode of civilizing the Indians, it is necessary to know well their character and disposition: either from their turn of mind, which is naturally superstitious, or because Heaven wills it so, they are in general very much attached to the missionary fathers, and hold them in great respect; but notwithstanding this, as may be expected, there will be some bold enough to conceive enmity against them, and for this reason military stations, or escorts, become necessary for their protection. Occasionallya mutinous disposition will be shown, and a whole multitude will declare against the fathers, from which unhappy consequences might arise, did not the different military stations scattered through the country afford a check to such disposition. By means of such cautionary, rather than splendid establishments, these islands were originally subdued, and these in many parts still exist; but the missionaries being very few in number, it often becomes necessary to make a journey of a whole day, when confession or other ecclesiastical rites are to be administered. In addition to this, they are but very poorly paid; for what is one hundred dollars, and two hundred measures of rice, for the maintenance of a Spaniard on these missions?This very small stipend is insufficient to cover their expenses, and they are exposed to every privation, without the enjoyment of any one comfort. Of all this our magistrates are the cause, many ofthem seeking various pretexts for withholding the stipends, and even obliging the fathers to go to the capital to receive them, as I have myself seen. Such is the misery these poor friars undergo, that at times they are compelled to subsist on what is allowed them for their escorts, and live without that protection, rather preferring to be exposed to the insults of those heathens, than to perish through hunger. The military stations are also very thinly scattered, and the loyal Indians very incapable of imposing any restraint on their countrymen.If what has been expended in vain and fruitless expeditions had been employed in these certain means of civilization, much more progress would have been made. It is true that we never can expect such rapid progress as our ancestors made in the conquest, because the Indians are more enlightened. Even the Christian converts persuade them not to be baptized, thatthey may avoid the payment of tribute or other imposts. The custom, too, of one tribe revenging the murder of an individual of that tribe upon the tribe of the murderer, very much impedes conversion, and consequently civilization, for from hence results the necessity of the weakest tribes changing their residence, or forming a confederacy with others. In such case Christianity must suffer, for the baptized Indians must always follow the Infidels of their tribe, and be alienated from the fathers, or be exposed to constant hostility. Nothing but the extension of protection, and the gradual dissemination of our religious tenets, will abolish this sanguinary custom. The Christian morality is so salutary in its effects, as to extract vice from every heart, in which it has not taken too deep a root.On the 15th of May, 1757, the Holy See passed a decree, which put an end to the controversies which existed in the kingdomof Tonquin, between the Dominicans, Augustines, and other followers of the cross, but it is unimportant to our purpose. Returning to the affairs of Manila. One of the good things which Señor Arandia effected during his administration, was the expulsion of the Chinese. He despatched all these heathens to their own country; and in order to prevent them in future from settling in the Philippines, he appropriated the quarter of St. Fernando for the reception of such Chinese as should come upon commercial pursuits, and who by the regulations established were to re-embark in due time, with the exception of such Christians as might be among their number, who were permitted to remain, and apply themselves to the cultivation of the land. The Spaniards who interested themselves in the residence of the Chinese in Manila, represented to the Governor that there would be a want of people to carry on the trade with the islands if theywere expelled; and to obviate this difficulty, he established a company of native Spaniards and Mestizoes for that purpose, which, however, was found very incompetent to the task. The Asiatics being naturally very slothful, and consequently very fond of that kind of employment which procures subsistence without much labour, attain their object by buying and selling such things as are raised here, or imported from the adjacent islands for the consumption of the capital; and as they are poor miserable creatures, each has a very narrow and limited traffic, but there is scarcely one of them who does not employ himself very diligently. This superabundance of petty merchants makes the goods come very dear, because they pass through many hands before they reach those of the consumer, and as they turn but a very small capital, it is necessary they should each make a profit adequate to their maintenance; from all which it may be inferred,that far from there being too few Chinese in this trade, their number ought to be considerably reduced.Notwithstanding the wisdom of this measure, Señor Arandia lost much of that esteem in which he had been held, and by this and other means drew on him the odium of the public. By virtue of the full powers with which he was invested by the court, he framed instructions for the chief magistrates in the government of the provinces, in which an open declaration was made against the regular clergy. In the commencement of his authority he had treated the religious orders with due attention, but hurt at the disrespect shewn to him by some individuals, he deprived them by these instructions of their kitchen boys, which the King had granted them ever since the conquest, and of the servants which had been allowed them as sacristans. Not satisfied with these injuries, he made manyrepresentationsagainst them to hisMajesty, in which he spoke of them with very little decorum, and in his despatches lost no opportunity of vilifying them even in matters not at all connected with their clerical duties. The instructions here alluded to the King had the goodness to disapprove of, as soon as he saw them. With the Royal Audience, likewise, he had a dispute, in consequence of his refusal to allow them military honours during their sittings, unless he himself presided. He imprisoned and commenced a process against the treasurer and comptroller of the royal revenue, and treated them with great severity, because they had communicated information to the court on some points very opposite to his communications on the same subjects. Indefatigable in the discharge of his duty, he formed many projects which he conceived to be of importance to the welfare of the settlement. It was his intention to remove the arsenal of Cavite to Port Lampon. Heordered a ship to be built in the kingdom of Siam; but, unfortunately, in conducting her to Manila, she put three times into China, and once into Batavia, incurring by this means an enormous expense on the treasury. He proposed to the King various plans for working the iron and gold mines. He abolished the office of Corregidor of Mariveles, uniting Marigondon and other small towns to the district of Cavite, and forming of the towns on the opposite coast, and of others belonging to Pampanga, the district which we call Batan. He introduced many regulations among the troops, and for the better management of the royal revenue and the affairs of the Acapulco ship, giving on all occasions many proofs of his zeal for his Majesty’s service, with which he appeared animated, perhaps, to a degree of enthusiasm; and which having been mismanaged by his favourite, Señor Orendain, had been the cause of his being universallydisliked. All these objects occasioned so much fatigue to Arandia that he became incapable of any kind of business, and such a rapid decline in his vital powers took place, that on the 31st of May, 1759, apprehending his approaching death, he took all the sacraments, and expired the following day at two o’clock in the morning. He left a property to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it was difficult to conceive how he had amassed so much money in the short period of five years, during which his government lasted; but at the hour of his death he distributed his property, like a pious man and a Christian.On the death of Arandia, Señor Espelata, Bishop of Zebu, entered,ad interim, upon the government; and shortly after there arrived at Manila the new Archbishop, Don Manuel Roxo, native of Tala, in the kingdom of New Spain. His Majesty had promoted him from the VicarGeneralship of Mexico to this See, ordering him to be consecrated in New Spain. He took possession of his charge on the 22d of July, 1759, and immediately preferred his claim to hold the military government of the islands, which he contended belonged to him by royal order. The four Oidors were divided in opinion; the Señores Calderon and Davila thinking the Archbishop in the right, and theSeñoresVillacorta and Galban being of a different way of thinking. While in the hall discussing this subject, Espelata entered, delivered his sentiments with firmness and resolution, and to intimidate them prepared the artillery, and put the troops under arms. This determined conduct induced the Oidors and the Archbishop to give up the point, and the Bishop of Zebu remained in quiet possession. The first thing he did was to revoke many orders of Señor Arandia, and to make some arrangements for checking the Moors, who, sincethe year 1754, had been ravaging our provinces with impunity. But what occupied the public attention most in his time was the cause of Doctor Orendain. The doctor was accused of being the cause of Arandia’s mismanagement of public affairs, and that the Royal Fiscal, Señor Viana, had been by his suggestion confined to his house. Orendain, either through remorse of conscience, or because he dreaded some attempt against his person, took refuge in the Augustine convent at Tondo. As the doctor was treasurer of the Cruzada, the Royal Fiscal took up the idea that his voluntary retreat into a sanctuary indicated his being in debt to the Royal revenue, and on this ground he was taken from his asylum, imprisoned in Fort Santiago, and Señor Villa Corta was ordered to proceed against him. It was found that he had secreted many valuable effects in the convents; but whilst they were employed in this scrutiny, he escaped fromthe fortress dressed in woman’s clothes, going out in a coach, without being recognized by the guard, and took refuge in the Franciscan convent. Villa Corta had recourse to the Vicar General for an order to take him out, which being refused on three different applications, a notary and some troops were sent to take him by force. The Vicar General declared Villa Corta excommunicated, and issued handbills to that effect. This gentleman had recourse to the Royal Audience, who ordered the Vicar General to absolve him, which he did by means of the Curate of the cathedral, but only in a temporary way, and for the space of thirty days; that is, that if in thirty days the defendant did not return within the pale of the church, the excommunication would again be in force. Señor Villa Corta protested against the conduct of the Vicar General, and so entangled was this cause, that the Judges opposed each other, and even Calderonand Davila were opposed by the King’s Solicitor, who had received briefs on the occasion, and the point remained undetermined, some being unwilling to undertake it, and others entertaining opposite opinions upon it. Such was the position of Orendain’s business when the royal despatches arrived, in which the Archbishop was appointed Governorad interim, in consequence of the death of Señor Arandia. He took the baton of government in the year 1761, and determined this famous cause, ordering Orendain to be set at liberty, all his property to be restored to him, and imposing on all perpetual silence on the subject. For this decision Orendain was indebted to his being treasurer of the Cruzada, and his Majesty was satisfied with the issue of the business. The Archbishop administered public affairs rather with the paternal solicitude of a father than the rigour of a Governor, composing all individual differences, and extendinghis friendly care even to the King of Jolo, who lived in the fortress under considerable privations. He removed him to a house in Manila, decently fitted up, and allowed him a carriage and a sufficiency of domestics for his service. In addition to this, he was desirous of re-establishing him on the throne; and having taken the opinion of the principal persons of Manila, it was determined that he should be re-conducted to Jolo, with his son Israel, and that he should have a Spanish guard with him, in order that the chiefs of his island might not oblige him to abjure the Catholic faith, which he had embraced under the name of Fernando. Just at the period of putting all this in execution the English appeared before the place, but the importance of this event renders it necessary to be treated of in distinct chapters.

The royal regiment, which consisted of two battalions, he formed into a corps of artillery, putting it into the state in which we now find it, and granted to the soldiers, as well as the officers, a pay sufficient to maintain themselves with decency, and perform their duty without the necessity ofhaving recourse to any other employment for their support. He took great pains, likewise, in improving the arsenal of Cavite, and the situation and consequence of the officers of that establishment; in doing which he incurred the disapprobation and ill-will of many, to whom such reform and zeal was highly injurious.

In the commencement of his government, in the month of December, there happened a terrible shock of an earthquake, and the Taal, which is in the middle of the Lake Bombon, in the province of Batangas, threw out such an immense quantity of cinders, as completely to ruin four towns which were situated near the lake, and the inhabitants found it necessary to retire a league further into the interior. Many other severe shocks followed, accompanied by loud reports similar to those of contending squadrons, and the atmosphere was entirely obscured by the sand and ashes thrown up by the volcano, sothat at Manila, which is twenty leagues distant, it was scarcely possible to see even in the middle of day; and at Cavite, which is rather nearer, the obscurity resembled the darkness of midnight.

I ascended, with the Señor Alava, to the summit of this volcano, but all that we could observe was a lake, about half a league in diameter, very deep, and containing water of a dark green colour.

The fleet which Señor Obando had despatched against the Moors was so ill conducted, that it was found necessary to take the command from Don Miguel Valdos, who had been sent in that capacity, and give it to the Friar Ducos, a Jesuit, from whose conduct a more favourable result was expected. So effectually did that father conduct the expedition, and with such valour and prudence, that he took from the enemy more than one hundred and fifty sail of vessels, destroyed three towns, killed and made prisoners an immense numberof people, and completely checked the impetuous spirit of those barbarians.

These happy tidings arrived at Manila in January, 1755. Señor Arandia gave orders thatTe Deumshould be sung as a thanksgiving, and confirmed the command of the squadron to the Friar Ducos, whom he very much esteemed, being the son of a colonel of his intimate acquaintance, and appearing to have inherited his father’s military talents.

The King of Jolo experienced from the Governor the most kind and compassionate treatment, and he granted him his liberty, although he continued voluntarily to reside in the fort ofSaintJago. He settled a revenue on him of fifty dollars per month, besides six measures of rice for his maintenance, and persuaded the Archbishop to grant him permission to hear mass, and receive the sacrament, of which he had been deprived.

The King was desirous of marrying awoman who had been his concubine, and had already become a Christian. The Archbishop was not inclined to consent; but Arandia not only removed every difficulty, but allowed him the use of his palace, in order that the marriage might be celebrated with more solemnity and grandeur.

These arrangements were not made without some dispute with the Archbishop; and at the same time another circumstance, although of no great importance in itself, proved sufficient to occasion a great sensation in the islands.

Arandia had complained to the Archbishop, that the bells were not rung when he entered or left the church as they ought to be, he being the representative of his Majesty. It was in reply, the Archbishop alleged, that no royal order existed to that effect; and these contests on points of etiquette, added to the indisposition under which this prelate laboured, whichproduced his death on the 29th of May, 1755.

The Governor continued his kind attentions to the King of Jolo, as it appeared to him the best mode of putting an end to hostility with the Moors. He sent thither all the Princes and Princesses, and all the women which had been detained by them, the King only remaining at Manila, who presented repeated petitions for release, and engaged, in the most solemn manner, to conform to the decision of the court of Madrid respecting the cause of his detention.

The Princes and Princesses arrived at Jolo the 5th of October of this year, and they were well received by Bantilan, who being highly pleased with the generosity of the Governor, promised faithfully to observe the treaties of peace which his brother and his Ambassador had signed at Manila. Entirely to put an end to hostilities, it was requisite to have an understandingwith the inhabitants of Mindanao. Ambassadors were accordingly sent over, but so numerous are the petty Kings in those islands, and so treacherous, that it was found impossible to establish a durable peace with them. Even admitting that all the chiefs were desirous of strictly observing pacific terms with the Spaniards, they have so little power over their vassals, that they have never been able to restrain them within due bounds. That kind of predatory life having become habitual to them, nothing but a spiritual conquest of their provinces will protect us from the persecuting spirit of these troublesome neighbours.

The government now thought of establishing missionaries in the Batan islands, which lie to the north of Cagayan. Formerly there had been Dominican friars settled in the island of Babuyanes, who employed themselves in instructing the inhabitants in the Christian duties; but inthe year 1690 they returned to Cagayan, upon the order of the chief to quit the country. The father who conducted them immediately established a mission in the Batan islands, about thirty leagues from Cagayan, but after his death his companions retired, abandoning the mission until the year 1718, at which period another Dominican friar re-established it, fixing his residence in the island of Calayan, to which he endeavoured to induce the inhabitants of the adjoining islands to repair for instruction in our faith. But whatever might be the inclination of the Batanians to become converts, only one hundred and fifty persons found resolution to change their residence, and of these one half died in a very little time. That island, indeed, afforded but very few resources, in consequence of which the missionary friar fell sick, and although a successor was appointed, the mission was eventually abandoned.

In the year 1754 the idea was resumed, and two friars were sent for the purpose, of which one died immediately, and the other retired to Cagayan very seriously indisposed, but returned again the succeeding year with a brother friar; and in order to guard against the miseries which they had suffered the preceding year, they determined to take with them a carpenter, who was a lay brother, for the erection of a house and accommodations immediately on their arrival, the materials for which they proposed to have ready prepared for the purpose. Their zeal, however, would not permit them to wait until the materials for the house could be finished, and fearful lest the monsoon should be lost, they embarked without them.

They had scarcely arrived at Cagayan, when they both fell sick; two other friars went to their aid, and they also fell sick, as did all who followed, and it became absolutely necessary to abandon the attemptafter the Dominicans had incurred very heavy expenses to effect the object. In the year 1783, Señor Basco again undertook this conquest; and at length we have succeeded in establishing the Dominicans there, who employ themselves strenuously in the conversion of the inhabitants of these islands.

A Governor was appointed with an assistant, and great expense was incurred in support of the establishment, as it was necessary to send almost every thing from the Philippines, all those islands producing little else than a species of potatoe, and some other objects of as little value.

There is no doubt that other productions might be reared, but the rats are so numerous that they consume every thing, and very frequently the hurricanes destroy the seeds before they come to perfection. Every year a vessel was sent to carry the necessary supplies to the establishment, but as these hurricanes are very frequent,and many of the vessels were shipwrecked, it became fully ascertained that it would be impossible to maintain the station, and it was determined that only the Dominican friars should remain there, with a small escort, which was to be relieved from Cagayan as occasion might require. On Señor Basco the title of Conde de Conquista was bestowed, as a reward for his exertions in this undertaking; but it is very certain that if half the money which was thus expended in Batanes had been applied in the appointment and support of missionaries in Ylocos, Pangasinan, and Cagayan, his Majesty would have acquired many more subjects, and with much less risk.

It is matter of astonishment that we should have quitted the old beaten track of employing precautionary and pacific measures for the conquest of the Indians, and have recourse to arms and expensive expeditions, merely because they make more noise, and appear more splendid: aproof of the insufficiency of these appeared on the following occasion in the mountains of the Igorrotes. In the year 1740, the Augustine friars had delivered over to the Dominicans the missions of Ytuy, or Ysinay, so that in conjunction with the missionaries of Panique, who had been established there the year before, the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan, by the south side, might be united. The Indians, Christians as well as Infidels, took umbrage at this alteration in the establishments, and a kind of civil war among them was the consequence, so that the Oidors Don Ignacio Azardun, and Señor Rebolledo, who were then inspecting the province of Pangasinan, deeming it necessary, sent troops to quell these disturbances. But a few years afterwards fresh discontents on the same account arose; and in the year 1756, many of the Christians became apostates, and, uniting with the Infidels, were guilty of the greatest excesses. They burnt severalchurches, murdered a great many of those who retained their attachment to Christianity, and losing all respect for the missionary fathers, they diligently sought their lives. This induced Señor Arandia to despatch an expedition in aid of the missionaries, to the mountains of the Igorrotes, which proved of very little effect; for the only purpose it answered was to drive the Indians to the recesses, from whence they again issued on the retreat of our forces. To attain the best mode of civilizing the Indians, it is necessary to know well their character and disposition: either from their turn of mind, which is naturally superstitious, or because Heaven wills it so, they are in general very much attached to the missionary fathers, and hold them in great respect; but notwithstanding this, as may be expected, there will be some bold enough to conceive enmity against them, and for this reason military stations, or escorts, become necessary for their protection. Occasionallya mutinous disposition will be shown, and a whole multitude will declare against the fathers, from which unhappy consequences might arise, did not the different military stations scattered through the country afford a check to such disposition. By means of such cautionary, rather than splendid establishments, these islands were originally subdued, and these in many parts still exist; but the missionaries being very few in number, it often becomes necessary to make a journey of a whole day, when confession or other ecclesiastical rites are to be administered. In addition to this, they are but very poorly paid; for what is one hundred dollars, and two hundred measures of rice, for the maintenance of a Spaniard on these missions?

This very small stipend is insufficient to cover their expenses, and they are exposed to every privation, without the enjoyment of any one comfort. Of all this our magistrates are the cause, many ofthem seeking various pretexts for withholding the stipends, and even obliging the fathers to go to the capital to receive them, as I have myself seen. Such is the misery these poor friars undergo, that at times they are compelled to subsist on what is allowed them for their escorts, and live without that protection, rather preferring to be exposed to the insults of those heathens, than to perish through hunger. The military stations are also very thinly scattered, and the loyal Indians very incapable of imposing any restraint on their countrymen.

If what has been expended in vain and fruitless expeditions had been employed in these certain means of civilization, much more progress would have been made. It is true that we never can expect such rapid progress as our ancestors made in the conquest, because the Indians are more enlightened. Even the Christian converts persuade them not to be baptized, thatthey may avoid the payment of tribute or other imposts. The custom, too, of one tribe revenging the murder of an individual of that tribe upon the tribe of the murderer, very much impedes conversion, and consequently civilization, for from hence results the necessity of the weakest tribes changing their residence, or forming a confederacy with others. In such case Christianity must suffer, for the baptized Indians must always follow the Infidels of their tribe, and be alienated from the fathers, or be exposed to constant hostility. Nothing but the extension of protection, and the gradual dissemination of our religious tenets, will abolish this sanguinary custom. The Christian morality is so salutary in its effects, as to extract vice from every heart, in which it has not taken too deep a root.

On the 15th of May, 1757, the Holy See passed a decree, which put an end to the controversies which existed in the kingdomof Tonquin, between the Dominicans, Augustines, and other followers of the cross, but it is unimportant to our purpose. Returning to the affairs of Manila. One of the good things which Señor Arandia effected during his administration, was the expulsion of the Chinese. He despatched all these heathens to their own country; and in order to prevent them in future from settling in the Philippines, he appropriated the quarter of St. Fernando for the reception of such Chinese as should come upon commercial pursuits, and who by the regulations established were to re-embark in due time, with the exception of such Christians as might be among their number, who were permitted to remain, and apply themselves to the cultivation of the land. The Spaniards who interested themselves in the residence of the Chinese in Manila, represented to the Governor that there would be a want of people to carry on the trade with the islands if theywere expelled; and to obviate this difficulty, he established a company of native Spaniards and Mestizoes for that purpose, which, however, was found very incompetent to the task. The Asiatics being naturally very slothful, and consequently very fond of that kind of employment which procures subsistence without much labour, attain their object by buying and selling such things as are raised here, or imported from the adjacent islands for the consumption of the capital; and as they are poor miserable creatures, each has a very narrow and limited traffic, but there is scarcely one of them who does not employ himself very diligently. This superabundance of petty merchants makes the goods come very dear, because they pass through many hands before they reach those of the consumer, and as they turn but a very small capital, it is necessary they should each make a profit adequate to their maintenance; from all which it may be inferred,that far from there being too few Chinese in this trade, their number ought to be considerably reduced.

Notwithstanding the wisdom of this measure, Señor Arandia lost much of that esteem in which he had been held, and by this and other means drew on him the odium of the public. By virtue of the full powers with which he was invested by the court, he framed instructions for the chief magistrates in the government of the provinces, in which an open declaration was made against the regular clergy. In the commencement of his authority he had treated the religious orders with due attention, but hurt at the disrespect shewn to him by some individuals, he deprived them by these instructions of their kitchen boys, which the King had granted them ever since the conquest, and of the servants which had been allowed them as sacristans. Not satisfied with these injuries, he made manyrepresentationsagainst them to hisMajesty, in which he spoke of them with very little decorum, and in his despatches lost no opportunity of vilifying them even in matters not at all connected with their clerical duties. The instructions here alluded to the King had the goodness to disapprove of, as soon as he saw them. With the Royal Audience, likewise, he had a dispute, in consequence of his refusal to allow them military honours during their sittings, unless he himself presided. He imprisoned and commenced a process against the treasurer and comptroller of the royal revenue, and treated them with great severity, because they had communicated information to the court on some points very opposite to his communications on the same subjects. Indefatigable in the discharge of his duty, he formed many projects which he conceived to be of importance to the welfare of the settlement. It was his intention to remove the arsenal of Cavite to Port Lampon. Heordered a ship to be built in the kingdom of Siam; but, unfortunately, in conducting her to Manila, she put three times into China, and once into Batavia, incurring by this means an enormous expense on the treasury. He proposed to the King various plans for working the iron and gold mines. He abolished the office of Corregidor of Mariveles, uniting Marigondon and other small towns to the district of Cavite, and forming of the towns on the opposite coast, and of others belonging to Pampanga, the district which we call Batan. He introduced many regulations among the troops, and for the better management of the royal revenue and the affairs of the Acapulco ship, giving on all occasions many proofs of his zeal for his Majesty’s service, with which he appeared animated, perhaps, to a degree of enthusiasm; and which having been mismanaged by his favourite, Señor Orendain, had been the cause of his being universallydisliked. All these objects occasioned so much fatigue to Arandia that he became incapable of any kind of business, and such a rapid decline in his vital powers took place, that on the 31st of May, 1759, apprehending his approaching death, he took all the sacraments, and expired the following day at two o’clock in the morning. He left a property to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it was difficult to conceive how he had amassed so much money in the short period of five years, during which his government lasted; but at the hour of his death he distributed his property, like a pious man and a Christian.

On the death of Arandia, Señor Espelata, Bishop of Zebu, entered,ad interim, upon the government; and shortly after there arrived at Manila the new Archbishop, Don Manuel Roxo, native of Tala, in the kingdom of New Spain. His Majesty had promoted him from the VicarGeneralship of Mexico to this See, ordering him to be consecrated in New Spain. He took possession of his charge on the 22d of July, 1759, and immediately preferred his claim to hold the military government of the islands, which he contended belonged to him by royal order. The four Oidors were divided in opinion; the Señores Calderon and Davila thinking the Archbishop in the right, and theSeñoresVillacorta and Galban being of a different way of thinking. While in the hall discussing this subject, Espelata entered, delivered his sentiments with firmness and resolution, and to intimidate them prepared the artillery, and put the troops under arms. This determined conduct induced the Oidors and the Archbishop to give up the point, and the Bishop of Zebu remained in quiet possession. The first thing he did was to revoke many orders of Señor Arandia, and to make some arrangements for checking the Moors, who, sincethe year 1754, had been ravaging our provinces with impunity. But what occupied the public attention most in his time was the cause of Doctor Orendain. The doctor was accused of being the cause of Arandia’s mismanagement of public affairs, and that the Royal Fiscal, Señor Viana, had been by his suggestion confined to his house. Orendain, either through remorse of conscience, or because he dreaded some attempt against his person, took refuge in the Augustine convent at Tondo. As the doctor was treasurer of the Cruzada, the Royal Fiscal took up the idea that his voluntary retreat into a sanctuary indicated his being in debt to the Royal revenue, and on this ground he was taken from his asylum, imprisoned in Fort Santiago, and Señor Villa Corta was ordered to proceed against him. It was found that he had secreted many valuable effects in the convents; but whilst they were employed in this scrutiny, he escaped fromthe fortress dressed in woman’s clothes, going out in a coach, without being recognized by the guard, and took refuge in the Franciscan convent. Villa Corta had recourse to the Vicar General for an order to take him out, which being refused on three different applications, a notary and some troops were sent to take him by force. The Vicar General declared Villa Corta excommunicated, and issued handbills to that effect. This gentleman had recourse to the Royal Audience, who ordered the Vicar General to absolve him, which he did by means of the Curate of the cathedral, but only in a temporary way, and for the space of thirty days; that is, that if in thirty days the defendant did not return within the pale of the church, the excommunication would again be in force. Señor Villa Corta protested against the conduct of the Vicar General, and so entangled was this cause, that the Judges opposed each other, and even Calderonand Davila were opposed by the King’s Solicitor, who had received briefs on the occasion, and the point remained undetermined, some being unwilling to undertake it, and others entertaining opposite opinions upon it. Such was the position of Orendain’s business when the royal despatches arrived, in which the Archbishop was appointed Governorad interim, in consequence of the death of Señor Arandia. He took the baton of government in the year 1761, and determined this famous cause, ordering Orendain to be set at liberty, all his property to be restored to him, and imposing on all perpetual silence on the subject. For this decision Orendain was indebted to his being treasurer of the Cruzada, and his Majesty was satisfied with the issue of the business. The Archbishop administered public affairs rather with the paternal solicitude of a father than the rigour of a Governor, composing all individual differences, and extendinghis friendly care even to the King of Jolo, who lived in the fortress under considerable privations. He removed him to a house in Manila, decently fitted up, and allowed him a carriage and a sufficiency of domestics for his service. In addition to this, he was desirous of re-establishing him on the throne; and having taken the opinion of the principal persons of Manila, it was determined that he should be re-conducted to Jolo, with his son Israel, and that he should have a Spanish guard with him, in order that the chiefs of his island might not oblige him to abjure the Catholic faith, which he had embraced under the name of Fernando. Just at the period of putting all this in execution the English appeared before the place, but the importance of this event renders it necessary to be treated of in distinct chapters.

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