The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 25 of 55, 1635-36

Volume 25 — Letter Written by a Citizen of Manila to an Absent Friend (continued 2)

Reading edition

Don Diego de Herrera”

The said prebendaries consoled the archbishop, whom they found repentant over his disobedience of the royal decrees. Accordingly, he granted them authority to present themselves in the royal Audiencia, to make in his name declaration to the effect that he would obey the royal decrees, and to ask that they should not proceed farther in exiling him from these kingdoms. The prebendaries came to Manila, and petitioned in the royal Audiencia in the said archbishop’s name, he offering to obey the royal decrees. A copy of the petition was given to his Majesty’s fiscal, and his answer was that the archbishop could be brought back to the kingdoms by the one who had exiled him from them.

Wednesday, May 21, the governor called a meeting of lawyers; and, according to what I have been told, most of them delivered as their opinion that the archbishop, although exiled, could still remain governor of the archbishopric, but no mendicant religious could act thus, as they were prohibited by law. And since there was no one left but religious, it was as if he had not left them; and the cabildo and the bishop of Camarines, to whom the cabildo gave their votes, were governing legally. Other matters were discussed in that meeting, of which I shall take no notice.

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Lorenzo Goreto was born at Ferrara, November 1, 1592, and entered his novitiate at Rome, December 8, 1608. He went to the Philippines (1622)Note 2 · Maestro de prima: prima was the name applied to the first three hours of the day, the term being extended to universities and studies, indic Note 3 · i.e., “as a precautionary measure.”Note 4 · Lucas García, who belonged to the mission of 1615, performed missionary duties in Cagayan, and was also vicar of Fotol, of Maquilá, and join Note 5 · The ringing of bells at a certain hour (usually sunset), which admonishes the faithful to pray for the souls in purgatory. The alabado meant Note 6 · The only Burguillos mentioned by Huerta is Pedro, a lay brother connected with the Japanese missions, who died at Manila in 1615—apparently Note 7 · The Cistercian Order was founded by St. Robert, the son of a gentleman of Champagne, who had taken the Benedictine habit, at Cistercium (the Note 8 · An ambassador (generally a cardinal or bishop) sent by the pope to a foreign prince, with full powers.Note 9 · The following royal decree on this subject was issued in 1637: “Inasmuch as I have been informed that many soldiers and sailors who are in m Note 10 · Dominicans.—Domingo Gonzalez came to the islands in 1602; for several years he was an instructor in theology in the cathedral of Manila, and Note 11 · Another copy of this episcopal decree (found in one of Corcuera’s letters dated June 30, 1636) gives the name as here, but adds, “(I mean Sa Note 12 · These last two names, with Fray Gaspar de Santa Maria and Fray Alonso de San Joan above, are apparently those of Recollect priests; but ther Note 13 · i.e., “by the very act, immediately incurring canonical censure, already imposed.”Note 14 · A reference to the canons of Clement V, which are contained in the collection called Clementinas, published by John XXII.Note 15 · Reference is here made to a long and vexatious controversy over the spiritual jurisdiction of Santa Cruz and Quiapo, between the Jesuits and Note 16 · Diego de Bobadilla was born at Madrid, September 19, 1590; and at the age of sixteen entered the Jesuit order. He came to the Philippines in Note 17 · Francisco Pinelo, who had been prior of the Dominican convent at Tabora, Portugal, came to the Philippines in 1632, where for some time he w Note 18 · There is an evident play on words in this passage. The original reads: “Que le auian hecho papa ó papilla y que con el les auian querido dar Note 19 · Referring to Juan de Zumárraga, guardian of the Franciscan convent at Abrojo, Mexico; who was appointed (December 12, 1527) the first bishop Note 20 · Apparently alluding to the penitent thief who was crucified with Christ.Note 21 · Secuestrarle, in MS.; but compare the same letter in Diaz’s narration, ante, where the word is secuestrarme (“sequester my” property).Note 22 · A line is omitted here by transcriber; see Diaz’s copy, as above.Note 23 · Francisco de Paula, a native of Segovia, arrived at Manila in 1618, where he ministered to the Chinese, and afterward gave instruction in th Note 24 · The only friar of this name who is mentioned in Reseña biográfica came to the islands with the mission of 1635; “he returned at once to Espa Note 25 · Antonio Gomez de Espejo was born in Manila, in 1604; and made his profession in the Dominican order, at the age of twenty-one. He ministered Note 26 · Pedro Fernandez de Ledo, a native of Mexico, made his profession as a Dominican friar in 1625, at the age of seventeen. He was one of the fa Note 27 · Applied to a crime that may be tried either in ecclesiastical or secular courts.Note 28 · Dispensation for receiving orders outside the time specified by the church.Note 29 · Perhaps some allusion to a well-known proverb or saying.Note 30 · There is no direct clue to the authorship of this document; but it was evidently written by a lawyer, and one who sided with the Jesuits and Note 31 · Monday, the twenty-fifth of the same month of May, the archbishop’s agents brought forward another petition, urging his restoration more for