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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 - 1591-1593 by Unknown
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other orders and makes various explanations regarding his attitude
toward the orders. He then urges the bishop to follow his suggestions,
and thus to fulfil his obvious and pressing duties--advising Salazar
not to meddle with the encomenderos, and other matters which do not
concern his office. Dasmariñas also complains that the bishop does
not provide laymen to instruct the natives; that he allows the Indians
to come to Manila too often with their complaints, and that there are
irregularities in the appointment of clergymen to benefices. Salazar
replies (March 21) to this epistle, manifesting little confidence
in the promises made by the secular authorities, and calling for
their fulfilment. The bishop complains of the wrongs that are being
perpetrated, and of the curtailment of his own authority. He claims
that he has the right to decide whether a religious order may take
possession of a new field. He discusses the governor's suggestions
regarding the provision of clergymen for various districts, and
explains what he is willing to do. He objects to placing one friar
alone in a village, and desires to leave the assignment of the friars'
charge to their superiors--citing for this the arrangements already
adopted in Mexico regarding this matter; he also objects to any
interference with his priests by the governor, rebukes the latter for
assuming to instruct his bishop in the episcopal duties, and asserts
his own rights and privileges. Salazar declares that he cannot find
suitable laymen to instruct the Indians, and that they come to him for
help and counsel because the governor treats them so ungraciously. He
no longer fills the office of "protector of the Indians," for it has
brought him only sorrow, and he cannot do for them what he desires.

A decree of Gregory XIV (dated April 18, 1591) requires restitution
to the Indians for the losses caused to them in the conquest of the
Philippines, according to the ability of the individual conquerors;
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