Cedulas reales dirigidas á estas Yslas Filipinas: copiadas fielmente de las originales, o authenticas que se guardan en el Archivo de la Real Audiencia de Manila

Summary Description: Eighteenth-century copies of cédulas issued by Kings Philip II and Philip III between 1569 and 1603, pertaining to the exploration, settlement, and government of the Philippines. The cédulas, copied from originals in the archives of the Manila Audiencia, are arranged chronologically, beginning with the king's instructions of 28 Aug 1569 to Miguel López Legaspi, concerning the conquest, exploration, and settlement of the islands. Other cédulas, addressed to governors such as Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalossa, Santiago de Vera, Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, and Pedro de Acuña, Audiencia judges, bishops, and treasury officials in Mexico and the Philippines, authorize the designation of Manila as "siempre leal ciudad;" reaffirm the king's right of "patronazgo" to fill ecclesiastical offices; require encomenderos to pay the salary of the alcalde who hears cases brought by the natives of their respective encomiendas; allocate funds to assist the Jesuits in establishing a colegio; and prohibit priests from inheriting property of Indians. Additional topics covered by the materials include defense and fortification of the islands; trade and commerce, especially between the Indies and China; pacification, evangelization, and treatment of the natives; and duties and powers of the monastic orders. There is also a copy of the king's instructions to Francisco de Tello, dated May 25, 1595, describing measures he must take as governor of the Philippines; and a cédula of the same date, establishing the Audiencia of Manila, and outlining the jurisdiction and powers of the President, judges ("oidores"), and fiscal (state's attorney); provisions for cases involving the church or the royal treasury; regulations governing the collection of fines; and duties of Audiencia clerks ("escribanos") and other officers of the court.
General noteAMDigital Reference: VAULT Ayer MS 1438.
Original versionReproduction of: Cedulas reales dirigidas á estas Yslas Filipinas: copiadas fielmente de las originales, o authenticas que se guardan en el Archivo de la Real Audiencia de Manila c.1700-1799.
Location of originalThe Newberry Library
Copyright noteThe Newberry Library
Source of descriptionDescription based on online resource (viewed on May 28, 2018).

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