The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 36]

1649-1666] RECOLLECT MISSIONS, 1646-60

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somewhat later than the notice which was received in
Manila of this entire affair.
239. The letter of the royal Audiencia runs as
follows - "Sire: Your Majesty was pleased, at the
instance of the discalced religious of St. Augustine,
to order this royal Audiencia to report on the justification for the continuation which they ask of the
alms of 250 pesos and 250 fanegas of rice for the
support of four religious who administer to the Indians in this convent of Manila. We know the excellent manner in which they attend to their ministry,
and their poverty - which obliges them to beg weekly
alms, for the incomes of some of the chaplaincies
were lost in the earthquake. They are very strictly
observed in their ministries and hasten to serve his
Majesty on occasions when we encounter enemies,
by sea and land, where some have been killed or captured. Consequently they are today very short of
laborers. These are causes which demand that your
Majesty, with your accustomed liberality, should be
pleased to continue the said alms and allow the
Recollects to bring religious hither. May God
preserve, etc. April 30, 1648."
240. I find the letter of the most illustrious
cabildo to be couched in these terms - "Sire: As this
see is vacant, it is incumbent upon us in obedience to
your royal decree to assure your Majesty that the
Augustinian Recollect religious attend to their ministry punctually. The poverty that they suffer is
great, for they are obliged to beg alms from door to
door as they lost the incomes of some of their chaplaincies in the earthquake and their convent was
ruined. They are very observant in their rules, and
in their administrations to the natives in the mis