an
(June 25, 1582), relates the encounter of the Spaniards with some
Japanese pirates who have raided the province of Cagayan in Luzon,
and implores speedy aid from Mexico against this enemy. A letter
evidently written by Penalosa, although unsigned (July 1, 1582),
mentions the fight with the Japanese, and asks for reenforcements
of troops. More funds are also needed for extra expenses incurred,
and especially for emergencies which often arise in the islands.

Two papal decrees (September 15 and October 20, 1582) found the
Philippine province of the Dominican order, and grant indulgences
to those who go thither as missionaries. An unsigned document
(1582?) enumerates the "offices saleable" in the Philippine Islands;
and recommends some changes in the methods of filling them, in view of
the prevalent abuses. Captain Gabriel de Ribera addresses (1583?) to
some high official a letter complaining that Penalosa's administration
is a bad one, and injurious to the welfare of the islands.

In the same year Bishop Salazar writes a memorial regarding affairs
in the islands, for the information of the king and his royal Council
of the Indias. He begins by describing the present scarcity of food
supplies in Luzon. This is the result of sending to work in the mines
the Indians of Pampanga, which province has hitherto been the granary
of the island. The Spaniards also compel the natives to work in the
galleys, and at many other tasks, so that they have no opportunity to
cultivate their fields, and are even deprived of suitable religious
instruction. Greedy Spanish officials have monopolized all local
traffic, and have set their own price on all provisions, from which
some have made great profits. Salazar--who has with good reason been
styled "the Las Casas of the Philippines"--enumerates a melancholy
list of injuries and opressions inflicted upon the hapless natives
by their conquerors, and urges in most forcible and eloquent language
that they be protected from injustice and treated as human beings. He
cites from the royal decrees the clauses which make such provisions in
behalf of the Indians, and claims that most of these are continually
disobeyed. The Indians held by the royal crown suffer even greater
oppression than do those in private encomiendas. As a result of all
these evil deeds on the part of the Spaniards, the Indians have come
to abhor the Christian faith, and many remain pagans; while those who
are nominally Christia