The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 45, 1736 / 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, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

ROYAL DECREE CONCERNING NATIVE SCHOOLS

The King. Inasmuch as it is ordered by law v, tÍtulo 13, book i,1 of the Nueva RecopilaciÓn de las Indias that all the archbishops and bishops of the Indias give order in their dioceses to the curas and missionaries to the effect that by using the most mild means, they order and direct all the Indians to be taught the Spanish language, and the Christian doctrine in that language, so that they may become more proficient in the mysteries of our holy Catholic faith, gain profit for their salvation, and attain other advantages in their government and mode of living; and inasmuch as it is ordered by another law, namely, law xviii, tÍtulo i, of book vi, that schools be founded for the Indians and teachers appointed to teach the Castilian language to those who wish of their own free will to learn it, in the manner that may be of least trouble to them and without cost to them; and since it appears that the sacristans of the churches can do this well, just as in the villages of these kingdoms they teach reading, writing, and the Christian doctrine:2 therefore, considering, in my royal Council of the Indias, the great advisability of observing this in the future strictly and inviolably, as it is inferred to be the most efficient means for banishing idolatries, to which the Indians are for the greater part addicted at present, as they were in the beginning of their conversion, from this means also it follows that the vexations which are practiced on them will cease in whole or in great part, and the Indians will be able to make their complaints directly to the superiors without making use of interpreters, who being bribed change the translation, I have resolved to order and command, as I do by this present, my viceroys, presidents, governors, corregidors, and alcaldes-mayor, who hold office at present or shall hold office in the future, of all the provinces of Nueva EspaÑa, Guatemala, Filipinas Islands, and Barlovento, and I ask and request the archbishops and bishops of the metropolitan churches and cathedrals of those countries, each one, so far as it concerns him, to watch carefully and strictly over the observance of the laws above cited. They shall cause them to be carried out strictly, without any opposition or interpretation, so that the Indians may study the Castilian language and begin immediately to learn it. I charge all to have especial care in this, and I warn (as I do by this present) the viceroys, presidents, governors, corregidors, and alcaldes-mayor of all the provinces and islands above mentioned, that the non-observance of this shall be charged against them in their residencias.3 I also order and command generally all the ecclesiastical and secular ministers mentioned in this despatch, to report to me on all occasions when a fleet sails, and on all other occasions that offer, that they have placed in practice what is expressed and mentioned by the above-mentioned laws, and of what they shall continue to do in their observance and punctual performance, and the result thereof; for it is so important for the end which is proposed and so to the service of God and myself, to be informed of the results which I hope will follow from the observance and fulfilment of the abovesaid laws. Given in Madrid, June 20, 1686.

I the King

By order of the king our sovereign:

Antonio Ortiz de Otalora

1 This law, given by Felipe IV at Madrid, March 2, 1634, and again, November 4, 1636, is as follows: “We ask and request the archbishops and bishops to take measures and give orders in their dioceses for the curas and missionaries of the Indians by the use of the mildest means, to order and direct all the Indians to be taught the Spanish language, and to learn in it the Christian doctrine, so that they may become more capable of the mysteries of our holy Catholic faith, may profit for their salvation, and obtain other advantages in their government and mode of living.”?

2 This law was given by “Carlos I and the sovereigns of Bohemia, governors in Valladolid,” June 7, and July 17, 1550; and is as follows: “Having made special investigation as to whether the mysteries of our holy Catholic faith can be thoroughly and properly explained even in the most perfect language of the Indians, it has been seen that it is impossible without committing great discords and imperfections; and although chairs are founded, where the priests, who should have to instruct the Indians, may be taught, it is not a sufficient remedy, as the diversity of the language is great. Having resolved that it will be advisable to introduce the Castilian, we ordain that teachers be assigned to the Indians, who may teach them what they wish to learn of their own accord, in the manner that will be of least trouble to them and without expense. We have considered that this might be well done by the sacristans, just as they teach reading, writing, and the Christian doctrine in the villages of these kingdoms.”?

3 Barrantes (InstrucciÓn primaria) remarks that this penalty was always a dead letter, whenever such a charge was made, it being only formal.?

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