APPENDIX: EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

APPENDIX: EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINESLetter from the ecclesiastical cabildo to Felipe III. Juan de Bivero, and others; July 12, 1601.The college of San José. In two parts. I—Francisco Colin, S.J.; 1663. II—Summary of history compiled from various sources.The college and university of Santo Tomás. In three parts. I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz, O.P.; 1693. II—Cárlos III, March 7, 1785. III—Evarista Fernandez Arias, O.P.; July 2, 1885.Royal college of San Felipe de Austria. In two parts. I—Casimiro Diaz, O.S.A.; Valladolid, 1890. II—Pastells’s notes in his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica; 1904.Secular priests in the Philippines. Felipe Pardo, O.P.; June 6, 1680.Royal decree concerning native schools. Cárlos II; June 20, 1686.College-seminary of San Felipe. In two parts. I—Felipe V; March 3, 1710. II—Juan de la Concepción; 1788–1792.College of San Juan de Letran. Vicente Salazar, O.P.; 1742.Law regulating marriages of students. Cárlos IV; June 11, 1792.Royal decree ordering the teaching of Spanish in native schools. Cárlos IV; December 22, 1792.Conciliar seminaries. In two parts. I—Governor Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de Leon; March 26, 1803. II—Excerpts from various sources.Nautical school. In two parts. I— —— Chacon; May 9, 1839. II—Compiled from various sources.Boys’ singing school. 1901.Public instruction. Sinibaldo de Mas; 1843.Educational institutions and conditions. J. Mallat; 1846.Privileges granted to students. —— Arrazola; December 2, 1847.Superior school of painting, sculpture, and engraving. Compiled from various sources.Ateneo municipal. Compiled from various sources.Educational suggestions. Vicente Barrantes; 1870.Public instruction. José Montero y Vidal; 1886.Girls’ schools in Manila and the provinces. Compiled from various sources.School of agriculture. Compiled from various sources.Government reorganization of education in the university of Santo Tomás. Dr. E. Montero Rios, and others; October 29, 1890.Sources: The material for this appendix is obtained as follows: I. MS. inArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla. II.I—Francisco Colin’sLabor evangelica(Madrid, 1663), book iii, part of chapter xviii, pp. 414–418, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—compiled from various sources, fully credited in footnotes. III.I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz’sHistoria(Zaragoza, 1693), book i, chapter xxxvi, pp. 168–172, from copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—Algunos documentos relativos á la universidad de Manila(Madrid, 1892), pp. 35–37;III—Census of the Philippines(Washington, 1905), iii, pp. 622–626. IV.I—Casimiro Diaz’sConquistas(Valladolid, 1890), book ii, part of chapter xxxv, pp. 446, 447;II—Pablo Pastells’s notes to his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica(Barcelona, 1904), ii, pp. pp. 261–268, 493, 494. V. Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), iii, pp. 9, 10. VI. Copy of decree published in Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria(Madrid, 1869), pp. 74–76, from copy belonging to the Library of Congress. VII.I—MS. inArchivo-historico Nacional, Madrid;II—Juan de la Concepción’sHistoria general(Sampaloc, 1788–1792), viii, parts of chapters xiii and xiv, pp. 315–338, from a copy in the possession of the Editors. VIII. Vicente Salazar’sHistoria(Manila, 1742), book i, chapter ii, pp. 7–12, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. IX.Colección de autos acordados(Manila, 1861–1866), i, pp. 149, 150, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. X. Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria, pp. 80–82. XI.I—Colección de autos acordados, v, pp. 15–17;II—Archipiélago filipino(Washington, 1900), i, pp. 343, 344,Census of Phil., iii, pp. 611, 612, andDoctrina y reglas constitucionales de la iglesia filipina independiente(Manila, 1904), pp. 14, 15, 42, 43, and 67, 68. XII.I—Colección de autos acordados, i, pp. 318, 319;II—Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 613. XIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, pp. 349, 350. XIV. Sinibaldo de Mas’sInforme(Madrid, 1843), ii, no. 12. XV. J. Mallat’sLes Philippines(Paris, 1846), ii, pp. 239–253, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. XVI.Colección de autos acordados, ii, pp. 128, 129. XVII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 614. XVIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 343, andCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 603, 604. XIX. Vicente Barrantes’sApuntes interesantes(Madrid, 1870), pp. 218–225, from a copy belonging to Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. XX. Montero y Vidal’sArchipiélago filipino(Madrid, 1886), pp. 187–193. XXI. Dominican report, 1887, fromCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 616–620. XXII.Reports of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, 1901, i, p. 145, 1900–1903, p. 601; andReports of Commissioner of Education, 1897–1898, i, p. 980, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1625, 1626, 1902, ii, pp. 2233, 2234. XXIII. MS. belonging to Edward E. Ayer.Translations and Compilations: These are all by James A. Robertson, except No. V, above, which is by Emma Helen Blair.LETTER FROM THE ECCLESIASTICAL CABILDO TO FELIPE IIISire:Considering that your Majesty’s great desire has always shown that these Filipinas Islands should increase in all things, and they may without doubt increase greatly for the service of God and that of your Majesty, if perchance your Majesty’s ministers aid them by observing the royal decrees (for no more would be necessary); understanding also that some of those religious who come here would like to have your Majesty grant them favor by giving them a university in these islands,1and authority to confer the degrees of bachelor, licentiate, and other degrees: we have considered that, the case having been well examined, this is not fitting, either for the service of your Majesty, or for the welfare and increase of this land. We believe that we shall give very clear and very apparent reasons for this. For if a religious order has the said university, never will the children and those born in this country have any advantage, nor will they advance any in letters. For, since it is a fact that virtue increases with reward, which is the honor, if the religious hold all the professorships,the seculars will have no incentive which encourages them to rise and to study solidly. A professorship and the thought of being able to get one makes many study. Second, it would be a great pity and even a great cause of ruin for the country, if the children of its inhabitants did not have anything more to which to aspire than a benefice of Indians, or at most one single benefice which exists, of Spaniards, in all this archbishopric, namely, this curacy of Manila, and four or five others of Indians, which exist in all these islands. All of those benefices will be given by the bishops to their servants unless students are found here such that their conscience obliges them to favor such students. If the professorships should be given only to religious, no encouragement could be given to the children of the citizens here to study earnestly, at the most more than a little grammar. For that would be enough for them so that a benefice might be given them. Third, it is necessary for the religious orders themselves here, for the children of citizens to have the wherewithal with which to be encouraged to study, and to pretend to honorable and great things. For, by such people must the orders be fed and sustained. And it is fitting that those who should take the habit in them should have studied very well, and with honorable intention, and not that men of little mind and learning should enter the orders. Fourth, it is right that this metropolitan church of Manila and the other cathedrals of these islands should have men truly erudite who may enter them and hold their prebends. This is impossible to attain if all the seculars who enter them must be only students, and only scholars, and no one can be a master, or hold a professorship, and it is well known how unadvisablethat is. It is right and necessary for the mother churches to have in their own body very eminent men, and no one is eminent ordinarily but those who have taught and held professorships. Fifth, the religious will be well able to teach theology and the arts, but canons and laws, which, particularly the canons, are also necessary for churches and for the community, cannot be taught by religious. And, in fact, the custom of the Catholic church has always been to leave in the universities, especially in those which are located in the capitals of notable provinces, as is that of this country, the door open to seculars and to religious, and to all, in order that they may compete for the professorships. This custom has always been observed by the Catholic sovereigns of Castilla, not only in Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcalá, and in the other parts of España, but also in the Yndias. Considering these so forcible reasons, which are laid at your Majesty’s feet, we petition that your Majesty do not allow a university to be conceded to a religious order, although any ask it, and that the secular estate be not so abased in these islands that we should be excluded from a thing which has always been so common and so peculiar to the seculars in the Church. And if, for the present, your Majesty should be pleased to commission some religious to lecture in arts and theology, we know that there are religious in these islands who are friends of sane doctrines, and hostile to all innovation, and zealous for the honor of God, who will attend to this ministry without it being necessary for them (nor do they wish it) to meddle in giving degrees, but who only wish to be useful and to teach. If your Majesty would be so pleased, we believe that it would be very suitable forsuch persons to be appointed until there be more people to study, and that you be informed by the archbishop of this city, and should it appear fitting, by the governor together with him. Such appointees should not necessarily be of one order merely, but from those which the archbishop shall deem best, and your Majesty should order that very learned persons, and those inclined to simple doctrines be chosen. By so doing this will be fulfilled until such time that your Majesty shows us the grace of placing this in greater perfection and in such form that we seculars may have a place according to the merits of each one. May God preserve your Majesty many years, as is petitioned in this holy church ceaselessly. Manila, July twelve, one thousand six hundred and one. The vassals and chaplains of your Majesty.Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila.Archdeacon ArellanoSantiago de Castro, chanter of Manila.Juan de Paz, canon.Diego de Leon, canon.Juan Galindo de MesasCristoval Ramirez de CartagenaPaulo Ruiz de TalaveraCrisanto de TamayoLorenço Martinez PeñasFrancisco de Carrança[On envelope: “Manila, to his Majesty. 1601. The ecclesiastical cabildo. July 12.”][Endorsed: “Read, July 2. Have it filed with the other papers.”]1This letter appears to have been directed against the Jesuits, who founded their college of San José in 1601, through the efforts of Diego Garcia, their visitor. Seepost.↑

APPENDIX: EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINESLetter from the ecclesiastical cabildo to Felipe III. Juan de Bivero, and others; July 12, 1601.The college of San José. In two parts. I—Francisco Colin, S.J.; 1663. II—Summary of history compiled from various sources.The college and university of Santo Tomás. In three parts. I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz, O.P.; 1693. II—Cárlos III, March 7, 1785. III—Evarista Fernandez Arias, O.P.; July 2, 1885.Royal college of San Felipe de Austria. In two parts. I—Casimiro Diaz, O.S.A.; Valladolid, 1890. II—Pastells’s notes in his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica; 1904.Secular priests in the Philippines. Felipe Pardo, O.P.; June 6, 1680.Royal decree concerning native schools. Cárlos II; June 20, 1686.College-seminary of San Felipe. In two parts. I—Felipe V; March 3, 1710. II—Juan de la Concepción; 1788–1792.College of San Juan de Letran. Vicente Salazar, O.P.; 1742.Law regulating marriages of students. Cárlos IV; June 11, 1792.Royal decree ordering the teaching of Spanish in native schools. Cárlos IV; December 22, 1792.Conciliar seminaries. In two parts. I—Governor Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de Leon; March 26, 1803. II—Excerpts from various sources.Nautical school. In two parts. I— —— Chacon; May 9, 1839. II—Compiled from various sources.Boys’ singing school. 1901.Public instruction. Sinibaldo de Mas; 1843.Educational institutions and conditions. J. Mallat; 1846.Privileges granted to students. —— Arrazola; December 2, 1847.Superior school of painting, sculpture, and engraving. Compiled from various sources.Ateneo municipal. Compiled from various sources.Educational suggestions. Vicente Barrantes; 1870.Public instruction. José Montero y Vidal; 1886.Girls’ schools in Manila and the provinces. Compiled from various sources.School of agriculture. Compiled from various sources.Government reorganization of education in the university of Santo Tomás. Dr. E. Montero Rios, and others; October 29, 1890.Sources: The material for this appendix is obtained as follows: I. MS. inArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla. II.I—Francisco Colin’sLabor evangelica(Madrid, 1663), book iii, part of chapter xviii, pp. 414–418, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—compiled from various sources, fully credited in footnotes. III.I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz’sHistoria(Zaragoza, 1693), book i, chapter xxxvi, pp. 168–172, from copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—Algunos documentos relativos á la universidad de Manila(Madrid, 1892), pp. 35–37;III—Census of the Philippines(Washington, 1905), iii, pp. 622–626. IV.I—Casimiro Diaz’sConquistas(Valladolid, 1890), book ii, part of chapter xxxv, pp. 446, 447;II—Pablo Pastells’s notes to his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica(Barcelona, 1904), ii, pp. pp. 261–268, 493, 494. V. Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), iii, pp. 9, 10. VI. Copy of decree published in Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria(Madrid, 1869), pp. 74–76, from copy belonging to the Library of Congress. VII.I—MS. inArchivo-historico Nacional, Madrid;II—Juan de la Concepción’sHistoria general(Sampaloc, 1788–1792), viii, parts of chapters xiii and xiv, pp. 315–338, from a copy in the possession of the Editors. VIII. Vicente Salazar’sHistoria(Manila, 1742), book i, chapter ii, pp. 7–12, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. IX.Colección de autos acordados(Manila, 1861–1866), i, pp. 149, 150, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. X. Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria, pp. 80–82. XI.I—Colección de autos acordados, v, pp. 15–17;II—Archipiélago filipino(Washington, 1900), i, pp. 343, 344,Census of Phil., iii, pp. 611, 612, andDoctrina y reglas constitucionales de la iglesia filipina independiente(Manila, 1904), pp. 14, 15, 42, 43, and 67, 68. XII.I—Colección de autos acordados, i, pp. 318, 319;II—Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 613. XIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, pp. 349, 350. XIV. Sinibaldo de Mas’sInforme(Madrid, 1843), ii, no. 12. XV. J. Mallat’sLes Philippines(Paris, 1846), ii, pp. 239–253, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. XVI.Colección de autos acordados, ii, pp. 128, 129. XVII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 614. XVIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 343, andCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 603, 604. XIX. Vicente Barrantes’sApuntes interesantes(Madrid, 1870), pp. 218–225, from a copy belonging to Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. XX. Montero y Vidal’sArchipiélago filipino(Madrid, 1886), pp. 187–193. XXI. Dominican report, 1887, fromCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 616–620. XXII.Reports of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, 1901, i, p. 145, 1900–1903, p. 601; andReports of Commissioner of Education, 1897–1898, i, p. 980, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1625, 1626, 1902, ii, pp. 2233, 2234. XXIII. MS. belonging to Edward E. Ayer.Translations and Compilations: These are all by James A. Robertson, except No. V, above, which is by Emma Helen Blair.

APPENDIX: EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINESLetter from the ecclesiastical cabildo to Felipe III. Juan de Bivero, and others; July 12, 1601.The college of San José. In two parts. I—Francisco Colin, S.J.; 1663. II—Summary of history compiled from various sources.The college and university of Santo Tomás. In three parts. I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz, O.P.; 1693. II—Cárlos III, March 7, 1785. III—Evarista Fernandez Arias, O.P.; July 2, 1885.Royal college of San Felipe de Austria. In two parts. I—Casimiro Diaz, O.S.A.; Valladolid, 1890. II—Pastells’s notes in his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica; 1904.Secular priests in the Philippines. Felipe Pardo, O.P.; June 6, 1680.Royal decree concerning native schools. Cárlos II; June 20, 1686.College-seminary of San Felipe. In two parts. I—Felipe V; March 3, 1710. II—Juan de la Concepción; 1788–1792.College of San Juan de Letran. Vicente Salazar, O.P.; 1742.Law regulating marriages of students. Cárlos IV; June 11, 1792.Royal decree ordering the teaching of Spanish in native schools. Cárlos IV; December 22, 1792.Conciliar seminaries. In two parts. I—Governor Rafael María de Aguilar y Ponce de Leon; March 26, 1803. II—Excerpts from various sources.Nautical school. In two parts. I— —— Chacon; May 9, 1839. II—Compiled from various sources.Boys’ singing school. 1901.Public instruction. Sinibaldo de Mas; 1843.Educational institutions and conditions. J. Mallat; 1846.Privileges granted to students. —— Arrazola; December 2, 1847.Superior school of painting, sculpture, and engraving. Compiled from various sources.Ateneo municipal. Compiled from various sources.Educational suggestions. Vicente Barrantes; 1870.Public instruction. José Montero y Vidal; 1886.Girls’ schools in Manila and the provinces. Compiled from various sources.School of agriculture. Compiled from various sources.Government reorganization of education in the university of Santo Tomás. Dr. E. Montero Rios, and others; October 29, 1890.

Sources: The material for this appendix is obtained as follows: I. MS. inArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla. II.I—Francisco Colin’sLabor evangelica(Madrid, 1663), book iii, part of chapter xviii, pp. 414–418, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—compiled from various sources, fully credited in footnotes. III.I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz’sHistoria(Zaragoza, 1693), book i, chapter xxxvi, pp. 168–172, from copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—Algunos documentos relativos á la universidad de Manila(Madrid, 1892), pp. 35–37;III—Census of the Philippines(Washington, 1905), iii, pp. 622–626. IV.I—Casimiro Diaz’sConquistas(Valladolid, 1890), book ii, part of chapter xxxv, pp. 446, 447;II—Pablo Pastells’s notes to his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica(Barcelona, 1904), ii, pp. pp. 261–268, 493, 494. V. Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), iii, pp. 9, 10. VI. Copy of decree published in Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria(Madrid, 1869), pp. 74–76, from copy belonging to the Library of Congress. VII.I—MS. inArchivo-historico Nacional, Madrid;II—Juan de la Concepción’sHistoria general(Sampaloc, 1788–1792), viii, parts of chapters xiii and xiv, pp. 315–338, from a copy in the possession of the Editors. VIII. Vicente Salazar’sHistoria(Manila, 1742), book i, chapter ii, pp. 7–12, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. IX.Colección de autos acordados(Manila, 1861–1866), i, pp. 149, 150, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. X. Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria, pp. 80–82. XI.I—Colección de autos acordados, v, pp. 15–17;II—Archipiélago filipino(Washington, 1900), i, pp. 343, 344,Census of Phil., iii, pp. 611, 612, andDoctrina y reglas constitucionales de la iglesia filipina independiente(Manila, 1904), pp. 14, 15, 42, 43, and 67, 68. XII.I—Colección de autos acordados, i, pp. 318, 319;II—Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 613. XIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, pp. 349, 350. XIV. Sinibaldo de Mas’sInforme(Madrid, 1843), ii, no. 12. XV. J. Mallat’sLes Philippines(Paris, 1846), ii, pp. 239–253, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. XVI.Colección de autos acordados, ii, pp. 128, 129. XVII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 614. XVIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 343, andCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 603, 604. XIX. Vicente Barrantes’sApuntes interesantes(Madrid, 1870), pp. 218–225, from a copy belonging to Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. XX. Montero y Vidal’sArchipiélago filipino(Madrid, 1886), pp. 187–193. XXI. Dominican report, 1887, fromCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 616–620. XXII.Reports of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, 1901, i, p. 145, 1900–1903, p. 601; andReports of Commissioner of Education, 1897–1898, i, p. 980, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1625, 1626, 1902, ii, pp. 2233, 2234. XXIII. MS. belonging to Edward E. Ayer.Translations and Compilations: These are all by James A. Robertson, except No. V, above, which is by Emma Helen Blair.

Sources: The material for this appendix is obtained as follows: I. MS. inArchivo general de Indias, Sevilla. II.I—Francisco Colin’sLabor evangelica(Madrid, 1663), book iii, part of chapter xviii, pp. 414–418, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—compiled from various sources, fully credited in footnotes. III.I—Baltasar de Santa Cruz’sHistoria(Zaragoza, 1693), book i, chapter xxxvi, pp. 168–172, from copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer;II—Algunos documentos relativos á la universidad de Manila(Madrid, 1892), pp. 35–37;III—Census of the Philippines(Washington, 1905), iii, pp. 622–626. IV.I—Casimiro Diaz’sConquistas(Valladolid, 1890), book ii, part of chapter xxxv, pp. 446, 447;II—Pablo Pastells’s notes to his edition of Colin’sLabor evangélica(Barcelona, 1904), ii, pp. pp. 261–268, 493, 494. V. Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), iii, pp. 9, 10. VI. Copy of decree published in Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria(Madrid, 1869), pp. 74–76, from copy belonging to the Library of Congress. VII.I—MS. inArchivo-historico Nacional, Madrid;II—Juan de la Concepción’sHistoria general(Sampaloc, 1788–1792), viii, parts of chapters xiii and xiv, pp. 315–338, from a copy in the possession of the Editors. VIII. Vicente Salazar’sHistoria(Manila, 1742), book i, chapter ii, pp. 7–12, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. IX.Colección de autos acordados(Manila, 1861–1866), i, pp. 149, 150, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. X. Barrantes’sInstrucción primaria, pp. 80–82. XI.I—Colección de autos acordados, v, pp. 15–17;II—Archipiélago filipino(Washington, 1900), i, pp. 343, 344,Census of Phil., iii, pp. 611, 612, andDoctrina y reglas constitucionales de la iglesia filipina independiente(Manila, 1904), pp. 14, 15, 42, 43, and 67, 68. XII.I—Colección de autos acordados, i, pp. 318, 319;II—Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 613. XIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, pp. 349, 350. XIV. Sinibaldo de Mas’sInforme(Madrid, 1843), ii, no. 12. XV. J. Mallat’sLes Philippines(Paris, 1846), ii, pp. 239–253, from a copy belonging to Edward E. Ayer. XVI.Colección de autos acordados, ii, pp. 128, 129. XVII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 349, andCensus of Phil., iii, p. 614. XVIII.Archipiélago filipino, i, p. 343, andCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 603, 604. XIX. Vicente Barrantes’sApuntes interesantes(Madrid, 1870), pp. 218–225, from a copy belonging to Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. XX. Montero y Vidal’sArchipiélago filipino(Madrid, 1886), pp. 187–193. XXI. Dominican report, 1887, fromCensus of Phil., iii, pp. 616–620. XXII.Reports of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, 1901, i, p. 145, 1900–1903, p. 601; andReports of Commissioner of Education, 1897–1898, i, p. 980, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1625, 1626, 1902, ii, pp. 2233, 2234. XXIII. MS. belonging to Edward E. Ayer.

Translations and Compilations: These are all by James A. Robertson, except No. V, above, which is by Emma Helen Blair.

LETTER FROM THE ECCLESIASTICAL CABILDO TO FELIPE IIISire:Considering that your Majesty’s great desire has always shown that these Filipinas Islands should increase in all things, and they may without doubt increase greatly for the service of God and that of your Majesty, if perchance your Majesty’s ministers aid them by observing the royal decrees (for no more would be necessary); understanding also that some of those religious who come here would like to have your Majesty grant them favor by giving them a university in these islands,1and authority to confer the degrees of bachelor, licentiate, and other degrees: we have considered that, the case having been well examined, this is not fitting, either for the service of your Majesty, or for the welfare and increase of this land. We believe that we shall give very clear and very apparent reasons for this. For if a religious order has the said university, never will the children and those born in this country have any advantage, nor will they advance any in letters. For, since it is a fact that virtue increases with reward, which is the honor, if the religious hold all the professorships,the seculars will have no incentive which encourages them to rise and to study solidly. A professorship and the thought of being able to get one makes many study. Second, it would be a great pity and even a great cause of ruin for the country, if the children of its inhabitants did not have anything more to which to aspire than a benefice of Indians, or at most one single benefice which exists, of Spaniards, in all this archbishopric, namely, this curacy of Manila, and four or five others of Indians, which exist in all these islands. All of those benefices will be given by the bishops to their servants unless students are found here such that their conscience obliges them to favor such students. If the professorships should be given only to religious, no encouragement could be given to the children of the citizens here to study earnestly, at the most more than a little grammar. For that would be enough for them so that a benefice might be given them. Third, it is necessary for the religious orders themselves here, for the children of citizens to have the wherewithal with which to be encouraged to study, and to pretend to honorable and great things. For, by such people must the orders be fed and sustained. And it is fitting that those who should take the habit in them should have studied very well, and with honorable intention, and not that men of little mind and learning should enter the orders. Fourth, it is right that this metropolitan church of Manila and the other cathedrals of these islands should have men truly erudite who may enter them and hold their prebends. This is impossible to attain if all the seculars who enter them must be only students, and only scholars, and no one can be a master, or hold a professorship, and it is well known how unadvisablethat is. It is right and necessary for the mother churches to have in their own body very eminent men, and no one is eminent ordinarily but those who have taught and held professorships. Fifth, the religious will be well able to teach theology and the arts, but canons and laws, which, particularly the canons, are also necessary for churches and for the community, cannot be taught by religious. And, in fact, the custom of the Catholic church has always been to leave in the universities, especially in those which are located in the capitals of notable provinces, as is that of this country, the door open to seculars and to religious, and to all, in order that they may compete for the professorships. This custom has always been observed by the Catholic sovereigns of Castilla, not only in Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcalá, and in the other parts of España, but also in the Yndias. Considering these so forcible reasons, which are laid at your Majesty’s feet, we petition that your Majesty do not allow a university to be conceded to a religious order, although any ask it, and that the secular estate be not so abased in these islands that we should be excluded from a thing which has always been so common and so peculiar to the seculars in the Church. And if, for the present, your Majesty should be pleased to commission some religious to lecture in arts and theology, we know that there are religious in these islands who are friends of sane doctrines, and hostile to all innovation, and zealous for the honor of God, who will attend to this ministry without it being necessary for them (nor do they wish it) to meddle in giving degrees, but who only wish to be useful and to teach. If your Majesty would be so pleased, we believe that it would be very suitable forsuch persons to be appointed until there be more people to study, and that you be informed by the archbishop of this city, and should it appear fitting, by the governor together with him. Such appointees should not necessarily be of one order merely, but from those which the archbishop shall deem best, and your Majesty should order that very learned persons, and those inclined to simple doctrines be chosen. By so doing this will be fulfilled until such time that your Majesty shows us the grace of placing this in greater perfection and in such form that we seculars may have a place according to the merits of each one. May God preserve your Majesty many years, as is petitioned in this holy church ceaselessly. Manila, July twelve, one thousand six hundred and one. The vassals and chaplains of your Majesty.Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila.Archdeacon ArellanoSantiago de Castro, chanter of Manila.Juan de Paz, canon.Diego de Leon, canon.Juan Galindo de MesasCristoval Ramirez de CartagenaPaulo Ruiz de TalaveraCrisanto de TamayoLorenço Martinez PeñasFrancisco de Carrança[On envelope: “Manila, to his Majesty. 1601. The ecclesiastical cabildo. July 12.”][Endorsed: “Read, July 2. Have it filed with the other papers.”]1This letter appears to have been directed against the Jesuits, who founded their college of San José in 1601, through the efforts of Diego Garcia, their visitor. Seepost.↑

LETTER FROM THE ECCLESIASTICAL CABILDO TO FELIPE III

Sire:Considering that your Majesty’s great desire has always shown that these Filipinas Islands should increase in all things, and they may without doubt increase greatly for the service of God and that of your Majesty, if perchance your Majesty’s ministers aid them by observing the royal decrees (for no more would be necessary); understanding also that some of those religious who come here would like to have your Majesty grant them favor by giving them a university in these islands,1and authority to confer the degrees of bachelor, licentiate, and other degrees: we have considered that, the case having been well examined, this is not fitting, either for the service of your Majesty, or for the welfare and increase of this land. We believe that we shall give very clear and very apparent reasons for this. For if a religious order has the said university, never will the children and those born in this country have any advantage, nor will they advance any in letters. For, since it is a fact that virtue increases with reward, which is the honor, if the religious hold all the professorships,the seculars will have no incentive which encourages them to rise and to study solidly. A professorship and the thought of being able to get one makes many study. Second, it would be a great pity and even a great cause of ruin for the country, if the children of its inhabitants did not have anything more to which to aspire than a benefice of Indians, or at most one single benefice which exists, of Spaniards, in all this archbishopric, namely, this curacy of Manila, and four or five others of Indians, which exist in all these islands. All of those benefices will be given by the bishops to their servants unless students are found here such that their conscience obliges them to favor such students. If the professorships should be given only to religious, no encouragement could be given to the children of the citizens here to study earnestly, at the most more than a little grammar. For that would be enough for them so that a benefice might be given them. Third, it is necessary for the religious orders themselves here, for the children of citizens to have the wherewithal with which to be encouraged to study, and to pretend to honorable and great things. For, by such people must the orders be fed and sustained. And it is fitting that those who should take the habit in them should have studied very well, and with honorable intention, and not that men of little mind and learning should enter the orders. Fourth, it is right that this metropolitan church of Manila and the other cathedrals of these islands should have men truly erudite who may enter them and hold their prebends. This is impossible to attain if all the seculars who enter them must be only students, and only scholars, and no one can be a master, or hold a professorship, and it is well known how unadvisablethat is. It is right and necessary for the mother churches to have in their own body very eminent men, and no one is eminent ordinarily but those who have taught and held professorships. Fifth, the religious will be well able to teach theology and the arts, but canons and laws, which, particularly the canons, are also necessary for churches and for the community, cannot be taught by religious. And, in fact, the custom of the Catholic church has always been to leave in the universities, especially in those which are located in the capitals of notable provinces, as is that of this country, the door open to seculars and to religious, and to all, in order that they may compete for the professorships. This custom has always been observed by the Catholic sovereigns of Castilla, not only in Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcalá, and in the other parts of España, but also in the Yndias. Considering these so forcible reasons, which are laid at your Majesty’s feet, we petition that your Majesty do not allow a university to be conceded to a religious order, although any ask it, and that the secular estate be not so abased in these islands that we should be excluded from a thing which has always been so common and so peculiar to the seculars in the Church. And if, for the present, your Majesty should be pleased to commission some religious to lecture in arts and theology, we know that there are religious in these islands who are friends of sane doctrines, and hostile to all innovation, and zealous for the honor of God, who will attend to this ministry without it being necessary for them (nor do they wish it) to meddle in giving degrees, but who only wish to be useful and to teach. If your Majesty would be so pleased, we believe that it would be very suitable forsuch persons to be appointed until there be more people to study, and that you be informed by the archbishop of this city, and should it appear fitting, by the governor together with him. Such appointees should not necessarily be of one order merely, but from those which the archbishop shall deem best, and your Majesty should order that very learned persons, and those inclined to simple doctrines be chosen. By so doing this will be fulfilled until such time that your Majesty shows us the grace of placing this in greater perfection and in such form that we seculars may have a place according to the merits of each one. May God preserve your Majesty many years, as is petitioned in this holy church ceaselessly. Manila, July twelve, one thousand six hundred and one. The vassals and chaplains of your Majesty.Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila.Archdeacon ArellanoSantiago de Castro, chanter of Manila.Juan de Paz, canon.Diego de Leon, canon.Juan Galindo de MesasCristoval Ramirez de CartagenaPaulo Ruiz de TalaveraCrisanto de TamayoLorenço Martinez PeñasFrancisco de Carrança[On envelope: “Manila, to his Majesty. 1601. The ecclesiastical cabildo. July 12.”][Endorsed: “Read, July 2. Have it filed with the other papers.”]

Sire:

Considering that your Majesty’s great desire has always shown that these Filipinas Islands should increase in all things, and they may without doubt increase greatly for the service of God and that of your Majesty, if perchance your Majesty’s ministers aid them by observing the royal decrees (for no more would be necessary); understanding also that some of those religious who come here would like to have your Majesty grant them favor by giving them a university in these islands,1and authority to confer the degrees of bachelor, licentiate, and other degrees: we have considered that, the case having been well examined, this is not fitting, either for the service of your Majesty, or for the welfare and increase of this land. We believe that we shall give very clear and very apparent reasons for this. For if a religious order has the said university, never will the children and those born in this country have any advantage, nor will they advance any in letters. For, since it is a fact that virtue increases with reward, which is the honor, if the religious hold all the professorships,the seculars will have no incentive which encourages them to rise and to study solidly. A professorship and the thought of being able to get one makes many study. Second, it would be a great pity and even a great cause of ruin for the country, if the children of its inhabitants did not have anything more to which to aspire than a benefice of Indians, or at most one single benefice which exists, of Spaniards, in all this archbishopric, namely, this curacy of Manila, and four or five others of Indians, which exist in all these islands. All of those benefices will be given by the bishops to their servants unless students are found here such that their conscience obliges them to favor such students. If the professorships should be given only to religious, no encouragement could be given to the children of the citizens here to study earnestly, at the most more than a little grammar. For that would be enough for them so that a benefice might be given them. Third, it is necessary for the religious orders themselves here, for the children of citizens to have the wherewithal with which to be encouraged to study, and to pretend to honorable and great things. For, by such people must the orders be fed and sustained. And it is fitting that those who should take the habit in them should have studied very well, and with honorable intention, and not that men of little mind and learning should enter the orders. Fourth, it is right that this metropolitan church of Manila and the other cathedrals of these islands should have men truly erudite who may enter them and hold their prebends. This is impossible to attain if all the seculars who enter them must be only students, and only scholars, and no one can be a master, or hold a professorship, and it is well known how unadvisablethat is. It is right and necessary for the mother churches to have in their own body very eminent men, and no one is eminent ordinarily but those who have taught and held professorships. Fifth, the religious will be well able to teach theology and the arts, but canons and laws, which, particularly the canons, are also necessary for churches and for the community, cannot be taught by religious. And, in fact, the custom of the Catholic church has always been to leave in the universities, especially in those which are located in the capitals of notable provinces, as is that of this country, the door open to seculars and to religious, and to all, in order that they may compete for the professorships. This custom has always been observed by the Catholic sovereigns of Castilla, not only in Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcalá, and in the other parts of España, but also in the Yndias. Considering these so forcible reasons, which are laid at your Majesty’s feet, we petition that your Majesty do not allow a university to be conceded to a religious order, although any ask it, and that the secular estate be not so abased in these islands that we should be excluded from a thing which has always been so common and so peculiar to the seculars in the Church. And if, for the present, your Majesty should be pleased to commission some religious to lecture in arts and theology, we know that there are religious in these islands who are friends of sane doctrines, and hostile to all innovation, and zealous for the honor of God, who will attend to this ministry without it being necessary for them (nor do they wish it) to meddle in giving degrees, but who only wish to be useful and to teach. If your Majesty would be so pleased, we believe that it would be very suitable forsuch persons to be appointed until there be more people to study, and that you be informed by the archbishop of this city, and should it appear fitting, by the governor together with him. Such appointees should not necessarily be of one order merely, but from those which the archbishop shall deem best, and your Majesty should order that very learned persons, and those inclined to simple doctrines be chosen. By so doing this will be fulfilled until such time that your Majesty shows us the grace of placing this in greater perfection and in such form that we seculars may have a place according to the merits of each one. May God preserve your Majesty many years, as is petitioned in this holy church ceaselessly. Manila, July twelve, one thousand six hundred and one. The vassals and chaplains of your Majesty.

Don Juan de Bivero, dean of Manila.Archdeacon ArellanoSantiago de Castro, chanter of Manila.Juan de Paz, canon.Diego de Leon, canon.Juan Galindo de MesasCristoval Ramirez de CartagenaPaulo Ruiz de TalaveraCrisanto de TamayoLorenço Martinez PeñasFrancisco de Carrança

[On envelope: “Manila, to his Majesty. 1601. The ecclesiastical cabildo. July 12.”]

[Endorsed: “Read, July 2. Have it filed with the other papers.”]

1This letter appears to have been directed against the Jesuits, who founded their college of San José in 1601, through the efforts of Diego Garcia, their visitor. Seepost.↑

1This letter appears to have been directed against the Jesuits, who founded their college of San José in 1601, through the efforts of Diego Garcia, their visitor. Seepost.↑


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