It has also been understood that the religious orders resident in
those islands live and comport themselves with more freedom and liberty
than is proper, conformably to their profession and regulations, and
particularly so the Augustinians. It is also stated that occasional
fees and dues that they levy for masses, burials, and suffrages
[for departed souls] are excessive; and likewise that they erect
buildings and church edifices and their own houses, although they
have no authority to do so except with my express permission, or by
asking it from the governor of those islands, and then only in case of
urgent necessity. Under this pretense and others, they make allotments
[of service] and new imposts, on merely their own authority, upon the
Indians, who are distressed and overburdened. For the remedy of this,
it has seemed best to charge you to maintain all the authority that
you can, to prevent this from being done. For this purpose you will
join with the archbishop, and both will summon the provincials; and,
telling them the information that I have of this matter, you will
charge them to make the reformation which is in every way obligatory
upon them, since it is so greatly to the service of God our Lord and
the public good, as may be seen. Madrid, December 19, 1618.
_I The King_
By the command of the king our lord:
_Juan Ruiz De Contreras_
Signed by the members of the Council.
The King: To Don Alonso Faxardo de Tenza, my governor and
captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal
Audiencia there.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157