be considered.
When I came to the government I found that the Sangleys had been
given a free hand, and jurisdiction in the administration and
cabildo. Considering the troubles that might result, and the large
numbers of Sangleys here (somewhat over ten thousand), I took away
and withdrew their power in the administration--leaving, however, a
governor among them, as was formerly the custom. I have expelled from
this land a large number of the Sangleys who were here, and I shall
soon order many others to go, leaving only three or four thousand men,
who are necessary for the service of the land.
About two months ago the Parian of the Sangleys was burned, together
with a large amount of property. I assisted that night in taking care
of the property of a few, which was saved. The fire did not touch this
city, although the Parian is contiguous to it. All this was well done,
and I permitted them to rebuild their Parian, but one hundred paces
farther from the city than it was before.
We are having a good deal of trouble from the license taken by some
religious in this land. They have a practice of excommunicating the
governor by virtue of the apostolic briefs in their possession. Having
no authority here to annul their unlawful acts, we can have no liberty
to carry on your Majesty's service as it should be done. Therefore I
humbly beg your Majesty to consider and order what is most necessary
for your Majesty's service.
Many events have taken place in these days. One of them was the rising
of the Zambales natives, and the murder of two alcaldes-mayor--one a
short time before I came, and the other after my arrival. Therefore I
appointed Captain Julian de Cuenca alcalde-mayor of Panpanga, to go
to punish them--which is a difficult matter, because these Zambales
are in hiding in rugged mountain ranges. However, he wrote me that he
had beheaded twenty of them, and that he continues to hunt them down;
so that after such a punishment they will be sufficiently frightened
for him to make the effort to induce them to leave the sierra for a
settlement where they may be instructed.
Although I commenced to govern with mildness, because it seemed
to me the best way to get along with the Spaniards here, yet when
I came to know them and see the license that they take, I found it
necessary to punish several captains and regidors. On New Year's day,
I had the entire city council arrested for an act of disobedience to
me, which occurre
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