n
possible, the men needed for public works shall be hired from among
the Chinese and Japanese; and the Filipino natives shall be expected
to work voluntarily. If these measures shall not provide sufficient
laborers, the natives may be forced to work, but only under certain
conditions. Such work must be of absolute necessity; no one shall be
forced when there are enough voluntary laborers; the conscription must
be made as considerate and equitable as possible; the governor shall
assign their hours of labor, and their wages shall be paid fairly
and promptly. Such requisitions shall be made at seasons when they
do not interfere with the agricultural labors of the natives. The
vessels shall be provided with shelter for the rowers against rain and
storm. Any ill-treatment received by the Indians shall be vigorously
punished, especially when the offender is a royal official.

The Augustinian Recollects write to the king (June 30, 1610) asking to
be released from the restrictions imposed upon them by the visitor of
that order, claiming that otherwise their work will be ruined. They
also ask for royal bounty in its aid. The Dominicans at Manila, on
the same day, memorialize the home government for the suppression
of the Audiencia in the islands. They claim that the royal decrees
are not obeyed as they should be. The royal fiscal is accused of
illegal traffic, and the opportunities and means of profit are given
to relatives or friends of the auditors. The Dominicans suggest that
the archbishop and the religious orders be authorized to serve as a
check on the governors, the only real use of the Audiencia. They ask
the king to increase the income of the archbishop, and take occasion to
commend the honor and integrity of the royal officials at Manila. Their
letter is accompanied by a list of the reasons why the Audiencia
should be suppressed in the islands. The number of lawsuits is much
greater since the reestablishment of that court, and the prisons are
crowded; while many persons are neglected and languish in prison for
many years. Justice is not done in the Indian lawsuits, the Spanish
procedure being entirely unsuitable for these cases; and the innocent
suffer the penalties, while the guilty escape. Dignities and offices
are given to the unworthy and incompetent, and to relatives of the
auditors. Criminals connected with the auditors go unpunished. The
auditors engage openly in trade, by which they have gained enormous
wealt