The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 47, 1728-1759

Volume 47 — LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE INDIA COUNCIL

Reading edition

I wrote last year to your most illustrious Lordship, by way of Nueva España and Portugal, mentioning the pleasure which I felt at the news that your most illustrious Lordship held the presidency of the Council of the Indias; for besides the affection which I profess to your most illustrious Lordship, ever since I experienced your kindness in Balladolid, I have looked for the like success in the management of the important affairs which are entrusted to the Council, and I hope that these unfortunate and remote regions may have a share in the good results which their government needs.

Pedro Calderon y Henriquez (with rubric)

[Addressed: “To the most illustrious Señor Don Joseph de Carbajal y Lancaster, of the Council and cabinet of the Indias, and president of the Council.”]

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · War had been declared by England against Spain in October, 1739, in consequence of injuries inflicted on British commerce in the West Indies Note 2 · Pardao (or pardo): a coin used in Portuguese India, worth 3 tostoons 3 vintens (Michaelis). This is equivalent to 360 reis, or to very nearl Note 3 · After Governor Torre’s death (September 21, 1745), the government of the islands ad interim was assumed by Fray Juan de Arrechedera, bishop-Note 4 · It is clear that the name China (which the French and Italians pronounce Cina) is not the original name of that kingdom, but is one imposed Note 5 · See Raynal’s account of “the settlements, wars, policy, and commerce of the Dutch in the East Indies,” in his Établissemens et commerce des Note 6 · Apparently a member of the royal Council; he sent orders that during the war with Great Britain no galleon should sail from Manila for Acapu Note 7 · Concepción says (Hist. de Philipinas, xi, p. 237) that this was “a little vessel, which was in the service of the missions and presidios in Note 8 · Raynal devotes book iv of his Établissemens et commerce des Europées (t. i, pp. 400–548) to the “voyages, settlements, wars, and commerce of Note 9 · “[Lower] California serves as a way-station for the vessels which sail from the Philippines to Mexico; Cape St. Lucas, situated at the south Note 10 · The writer of this letter was one of the auditors of the royal Audiencia at Manila (Concepción, Hist. de Philipinas, xi, p. 295). ↑Note 11 · In regard to the troubles which have afflicted this commonwealth: The Dutch, keen to avail themselves of opportunities to extend their comme Note 12 · The Dutch, not discomfited by this repulse, or by the loss of 50,000 pardaos2 (which are 37,500 pesos)—which as they write from Batavia, the Note 13 · On account of all these advices, and those which we had previously received by way of China making the same statement about the English, it Note 14 · The damage, most illustrious Sir, is already done, but it calls to heaven for a remedy for the future. That which I propose is, that, since Note 15 · Observing the aforesaid freedom, the Dutch have ventured to come [against us] with the ease which the Swiss heretic had represented to them;Note 16 · I hope that your most illustrious Lordship will pardon the annoyance of this, as springing from my zeal10 for the service of the king and th Note 17 · As the ships which in the years 47 and 48 sailed from here to Acapulco were driven back to these islands, the letters which in those years I