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<div>
(Antonio de Morga Sánchez Garay)
</div>
</div>
<p>
Morga arrived in Manila on  June 11, 1595 as Lieutenant-Governor to Luis Perez Dasmariñas who was Governor-General ad interim by virtue of the appointment of his father Gomez Perez Dasmariñas. 
</p>

<p>
What is to be said of the condition of affairs in these Philipinas Islands is as follows:
</p>

<h3 class="wrap-text">
Instruction and instructors of the Indians
</h3>
<ul class="k-list">
<li>
The evil example set by the religious through their vices, indecent behavior, gambling, banquets, and festivities.
</li>
<li>
They trade and make a profit in their districts, from rice, wax, wine, gold, boats, fowls, cloth, and deerskins, to the great 

detriment of the Indians, as well as that of the entire country.
</li>
<li>
They deal openly in merchandise of the above-mentioned articles, as well as in those of China, in the trade with Nueva España.
</li>
<li>
They usurp the royal jurisdiction, hearing, according to the due forms of law, suits among the Indians. They have stocks, 

prisons, and place of detention, where they vex, whip, and otherwise afflict the Indians, compelling these to obey the laws they 

themselves make, rather than those of the king's magistrates.
</li>
<li>
They distress the Indians by demanding their services as rowers; and contributions of rice, wine, fowls, and other things, with 

but slight payment, or even none.
</li>
<li>
They employ many more Indians than are necessary, who serve in many capacities without pay.
</li>
<li>
They levy many excessive fees for baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and then neglect to reserve the episcopal tax.
</li>
<li>
They erect large churches, houses, and monasteries for only one friar, or at the most for two. They often remodel and rebuild 

these edifices at a great expense to the royal treasury, encomenderos, and Indians.
</li>
<li>
They put forth strenuous efforts to oblige the Indians to bequeath at least a third of their gold and wealth to the monasteries, 

for which gifts they receive more honor at their death, so that others may be roused to do likewise. Those who do not thus give 

are buried like beasts.
</li>
<li>
In the churches alms-boxes and chests are placed, in which they compel both men and women alike to drop their offering each one 

singly, diminishing their property.
</li>
<li>
They insist on the continual formation of brotherhoods and erection of shrines, so that these may be endowed and adorned and may 

receive new alms - the Indians understanding no more of the matter than the display and ostentation of the offering.
</li>
<li>
Every monastery has, usually, a great many festivities, which are all attended by the friars throughout the whole province. These 

are accompanied by many Indians, for the purpose of bearing their hammocks, rowing for them, and acting in other capacities. 

Thus, year after year, the friars go from one village to another, dragging the Indians after them, and causing great expense.
</li>
<li>
The religious levy many contributions on the Indians for the expense of their festivities, for triumphal arches, castles, and 

dances. These entertainments are receptions which they compel the Indians to tender, as a welcome, to their provincials and 

priors, to whom breakfasts and dinners are given also. These festivities occur frequently, and are conducted with much worldly 

show and expense.
</li>
<li>
They are very careful to exact that all the Indian girls, especially the young and most beautiful, appear at the gates of the 

monastery every day. They converse with them, showing partiality to the handsomest among them. When a new prior arrives or any 

other person for whom the religious wish to make a special display, these Indian girls dress themselves carefully and call to see 

them. Besides this, there are other things which it would be offensive to tell.
</li>
<li>
The superiors commonly send young friars of but little education and no very good example to these curacies. Their conduct is 

such that the Indians hate them as enemies. Thus the Indians profit but little by the instruction, and acquire a distaste for the 

law of God and His gospel.
</li>
<li>
They generally spend their time disputing with the alcaldes-mayor. Especially if the latter do not coincide in all their 

opinions, they persecute and harass them, until they even compel them to leave the country.
</li>
<li>
They accept and encourage complaints and tales by private persons, even though they may be false and unjust; for this enables 

them to preach to and reprove the people and also the ministers of justice, so that they themselves may be feared and respected. 

And they do this with great indecorum and license.
</li>
<li>
By means of special study and persistent effort, they strive to participate in government affairs. They desire to have a hand in 

everything, and to take part in all matters, through the medium of conscience and theology, by means of which they interpret and 

pick flaws in his Majesty's ordinances. But rarely do they allow his orders to be executed, unless quite to their taste and 

liking.
</li>
<li>
Many of them undeniably have contracts with the factors, encomenderos, and known capitalists in the trade with España.
</li>
<li>
They are attended by a great following of Indian boys, who serve as pages and servants. These are well dressed, wearing liveries 

and gold chains. They carry their hats for them in the streets, while in the monastery they assist them in the cells. Each one, 

however, has his own special servant.
</li>
<li>
These servants, together with other Indians whom they have with them, who are taught to play on the guitar and other instruments, 

are made to dance, execute lively songs and dances, and to sing profane and immodest tunes. Thus they entertain their guests, 

setting a bad example to the Indians, without profiting anyone.
</li>
<li>
When they find themselves gainers in wealth, their principal thought is to try to return to España with their profits. This 

disturbs many here, for by divers ways and means they endeavor to obtain permission to carry out their design.
</li>
<li>
The orders send many each year, under the pretext that they are going on business for the order. They do not take into 

consideration that they are needed here, nor the expense to his Majesty in sending them.
</li>
<li>
The more spiritual among them try to go to China, Xapon, Camboxa, and other kingdoms, in order to preach the gospel, unmindful of 

their duties here, for which they were brought. This anxiety makes them restless, and they invent journeys and conquests which 

disturb the rulers and the Spaniards. All this gives rise to other objectionable things.
</li>
<li>
They will accept no curacy in any province, unless rich enough to suit them. They abandon the rest, so that there are many 

islands and provinces whose people ask for baptism but are unable to obtain it, for the lack of persons to administer it as well 

as to impart instruction and to live with the Indians to see that they do not apostatize.
</li>
<li>
Many of the religious treat the Indians very cruelly, just as if they were slaves or dogs. On failure to please, they are beaten, 

or subjected to any penalty that presents itself, on the pretext that they were remiss in attention to religious instruction.
</li>
</ul>
</div>

<h3>
Ecclesiastical judges and prelates
</h3>
<ul  class="k-list">
<li>
They meddle with the royal jurisdiction. Hitherto they have not been restrained, for they would immediately pronounce 

excommunication and offer other insults.
</li>
<li>
In the cases tried by them, they practice notorious coercion, insulting the parties to the case, executing all that they decide 

and determine, whether right or wrong - and all this without having any education, or having any person to guide them. 
</li>
<li>
The religious have attorneys who speak both languages, and interpreters, whom they invest with authority, and from whom the 

Indians suffer innumerable offenses and many grievances.
</li>
<li>
Their officials and clerks collect excessive fees and do not keep to the fixed rate.
</li>
<li>
Although his Majesty had ordered no pecuniary fines to be imposed on the Indians for any cause or pretext whatsoever, they are 

compelled to pay fines of gold and reals, which decrease their property and estate.
</li>
<li>
Some of the judges are quite at variance with others, especially in regard to conservators; and they excommunicate one another 

and the town, with considerable offense and scandal. Bulls and briefs have been published, unknown to, and not passed or received 

by, the council.
</li>
<li>
When complaint is made of the excesses and crimes of any ecclesiastic or religious, their superiors do not punish them. On the 

contrary, saying that it does not befit the dignity of religion to say that they have committed crimes and that they have 

received punishment, they let the matter drop.
</li>
<li>
The ecclesiastics and religious quietly take away from and add to the instruction at will, and without the supervision of the 

governor and the ecclesiastical superior, contrary to his Majesty's orders. This occasions many difficulties. They do not allow 

the bishop to visit their curacies, for fear that the injustice of their action will be discovered.
</li>
</ul>



<h3>
Secular government
</h3>
<ul  class="k-list">
<li>
Negligence and carelessness exist in making the laws, and more in enforcing them, in regard to matters pertaining to the care and 

advancement of this kingdom, and its good governmen - and especially to the royal decrees sent by his Majesty, most of which are 

suspended or not effectively observed.
</li>
<li>
Concerning provisions and all other necessities for human existence, each one is a law unto himself, does what he pleases, and 

sells as he wishes, without any fixed price, measure, or system. Hence provisions are growing steadily worse and dearer. The 

natives and Chinese trade, bartering and retailing, which, as above stated, results in the injury and high price of provisions, 

while the merchandise is adulterated or counterfeited.
</li>
<li>
The thorough efforts which are needed are not made to prevent the natives from becoming vagabonds and idlers; and to make them 

cease to be peddlers and traders for gain. They must be induced to cultivate the soil, make their cloth, and occupy themselves 

with their different kinds of work, as they did formerly. Then the land was more productive and they were better off.
</li>
<li>
It is necessary rigorously to restrict the Chinese from going about as they now do among these islands for trade and profit, 

without any system, robbing the country, enhancing the value of articles, and imparting many bad habits and sins to the natives. 

They also explore the ports and harbor entrances, and reconnoiter the country, that they may be able to work some injury when 

occasion offers.
</li>
<li>
It would be very advantageous forcibly to eject all the Sangleys who are scattered throughout the islands - namely, those who are 

protected by the alcaldes-mayor and the religious - because of the money that they take out of the country, and the injury they 

cause to it.
</li>
<li>
These Sangleys should not be allowed to have parians in certain towns of the islands, where there are but few Spaniards. The 

justices harbor them there for their own profit, and the harvests that they gather from them and their ships, as in Manila. This 

might prove very harmful and injurious, and renders it necessary that, at the very least, the ship coming to trade shall dispose 

of its cargo as quickly as possible, and return to China with all those who came in it.
</li>
<li>
It is only just that, when the Sangleys arrive with their ships, they should observe the proclamations issued which prohibit them 

from bringing many people. Penalties should be exacted, and when the Sangleys return they should take as many people as they can, 

thus relieving the country from the many here who are an injury to it.
</li>
<li>
We must endeavor to have them sell the merchandise brought by them from China freely to any person who wishes to buy; and we must 

see that no advantage is taken of anyone, either in their ships or on land, under severe penalties intended to prevent such acts - from which arise obvious injustice, and the increase of the price of their wares.
</li>
<li>
An order must be given to the Chinese to sail early for these islands, so that, during the month of May, their goods shall be 

sold, and their ships go on the return voyage. This is the best thing, both for the safety of their voyage, and the prevention of 

so excessive prices on their goods.
</li>
<li>
We must endeavor to have them bring good merchandise, not defective or spurious. As they are an unscrupulous race, they 

adulterate the goods, which they would not do if they saw that notice was taken of their action, and that the goods that were not 

up to the standard were burned.
</li>
<li>
All possible care must be taken to prevent their trusting their goods to Spaniards, for without knowing them, the Sangleys let 

them have the goods at an enhanced price, without personal security; and afterward the Sangleys tire themselves and us in trying 

to collect the money, so that credit is lost.
</li>
<li>
Action should be taken, so that these Sangleys should not be afflicted as at present by any judges, constables, and interpreters - who, by various pretexts and calumnies, cheat and rob them, and perpetrate much fraud, coercion, and bribery.
</li>
<li>
The great number of Sangley interpreters must be decreased. These serve for no other purpose than to commit innumerable acts of 

bribery, corruption, and fraud with the Chinese.
</li>
<li>
It would be much better for the Chinese who become Christians not to dress like Spaniards. The latter should resume their 

accustomed labors so that it might not be necessary for many Sangleys to remain in the country to perform the needful service. 

They should cultivate and till the soil, which they do not do at present, because of which arise many bad results.
</li>
<li>
Measures must be taken to enforce his Majesty's decree, under severe penalties, so that the royal officials, clerks, and guards 

who register and appraise the merchandise of the Sangleys in their vessels, shall not take the goods for themselves, or pick out 

the best, or give promissory notes. This is very unjust and oppressive. 
</li>
<li>
The Chinese captains and merchants should be ordered, under penalty of being imprisoned and fined, to bring saltpeter, iron, and 

other metals, which they have refused to bring of later years, and of which there is great need.
</li>
<li>
When the Sangley ships are about to depart, they are ballasted and loaded with lumber. This should be prohibited, for they fell 

the trees for this, and in a short time there will be a lack of wood here.
</li>
<li>
All the Japanese coming hither in their vessels would better be sent back to Xapon. Not one should be allowed to settle in this 

kingdom.
</li>
<li>
Those already here should be banished to their own country, for they are of no benefit or utility; but, on the contrary, very 

harmful.
</li>
<li>
On departing, the Japanese are wont to take cargoes of silk and gold, which are merchandise intended for Xapon. This should not 

be allowed until the Spaniards have made their purchases, for it increases the price of silk.
</li>
<li>
The Japanese and Chinese strive to take many deerskins as merchandise from these islands to Xapon. They hunt for these, and buy 

them from the Indians and even the religious, who give and sell them. This traffic must be stopped, for it is very injurious to 

the country, as the animals are killed solely for their skins, and thus the supply of game will become exhausted.
</li>
<li>
The flour, biscuits, and wax brought from Xapon are suitable commodities for this country. Some persons have already become so 

keen in their plans to dispose of these goods that they buy them by wholesale, store them, and retail them. This must be 

prohibited, and an order issued to the effect that this state shall be provided and supplied with them at moderate rates.
</li>
<li>
It does not appear that the alcaldes and regidors of Manila use their offices to the good of the state, but each for his own 

private interests. They must be instructed in their duties, and punished for any negligence.
</li>
<li>
There is no system in regard to the provision of beef, for there is no one who is compelled to provide it. What there is, is not 

properly cleaned. It is not cut, divided, or weighed with equality and fairness. As the regidors and people in authority are the 

owners of the cattle, they weigh and sell them as they please, without observing any system.
</li>
<li>
There is likely to be a scarcity of rice, for the city does not make the necessary provision for it. Those who have this grain - the encomenderos - hoard it and make a profit from it, selling it to the Sangleys at high rates; and thus it becomes dear. The same 

thing is true of fowls. The rate fixed is not observed, and no one takes any pains to enforce it.
</li>
<li>
Fish is the most abundant and most general food supply. The Indians do not occupy themselves, as formerly, in fishing, but leave 

this work to the Chinese. These avaricious and interested people have raised the prices, an evil that must be restrained and 

checked.
</li>
<li>
The fishing is done with salambaos<span style="vertical-align:super;color:blue;">1</span> and with fine-meshed nets; with which 

they block up the bay and kill the small fish. These nets ought not be employed, and the size of the mesh should be regulated so 

that the supply of fish will not be exhausted; for already experience has demonstrated that they are not so abundant as formerly.
</li>
<li>
We have gardeners and kitchen-gardens now. Although there were none before, yet the price of vegetables has increased beyond any 

former price. This occurs because of the lack of fixed rates, and because a man is kept on guard in the market-place to prevent 

robbery by the soldiers and other people. Now this man allows whatever price the Sangleys may name, which results to his profit; 

for they pay him for it, while he strives only to keep them satisfied.
</li>
<li>
Considerable trouble exists here in regard to the current silver money, because the Sangleys generally cut and clip it, and 

because they cut into many pieces the single reals for the trade in small articles, for which formerly they bartered with rice. 

This truly serious abuse must be corrected by an ordinance.
</li>
<li>
In both the conduct and dress of men and women, unwarrantable extravagance and license exist. Rich and poor, and chiefs and 

common people alike, all wish to dress in fine garments, have their wives carried in chairs attended by pages, have carpets in 

the churches, and many other unwarrantable luxuries, from which arise many difficulties. As far as possible this condition of 

affairs must be remedied.
</li>
<li>
In Manila the men are accustomed to gamble for enormous and excessive stakes; whatever of this sort is especially objectionable 

should be corrected. During the visits and intercourse of the women, their chief diversion is to play cards, and more commonly 

than is becoming to their station. Men are admitted to these games, from which might arise greater evils. This matter requires 

attention.
</li>
<li>
For very just and necessary considerations, the Sangleys have not been allowed to sleep in the city. This measure should still be 

enforced rigorously.
</li>
<li>
There are a great number of Indians, both men and women, in the city of Manila, who are vagabonds of evil life, living in the 

houses of the Spaniards. Their own houses they use for receiving the goods stolen by their slaves, and for their revelries. The 

Spaniards aid them, and thus waste the provisions. They are retailers and secretly buy up the provisions at wholesale. They 

commit other sins and do much harm, as is notorious. Therefore it is necessary that they be expelled from the city and sent to 

their villages and parishes, and made to work.
</li>
<li>
The country is becoming filled with black slaves and Cafres<span style="vertical-align:super;color:blue;">2</span> brought by the 

Portuguese, and these are the worst that the Portuguese have. They do a great deal of damage, transgress the law, and will cause 

the ruin of this city and country; for they rebel at least every year, seize vessels, and take flight, committing many outrages 

and thefts. It is contrary to the law to bring these slaves, unless very young, but this law is poorly observed. It is advisable 

to take the measures necessary in this matter.
</li>
<li>
Large fires have occurred in the city of Manila, and are constantly occurring. Although many of the buildings and houses are of 

stone, still many are made of wood, or of bamboo thatched with leaves of the nipa palm. It was decreed that all be covered with 

roof tiles, but this law is not rigorously enforced. It is advisable to have this law observed, both to diminish the danger, and 

for the well-being of the city.
</li>
<li>
The streets of the city are in poor condition, and are very uneven. During the rainy season, they are almost impassable, and 

should be repaired.
</li>
<li>
In regard to the public works of the city - the cabildo's hall, the prison, and the slaughter-house - they should be constructed as 

soon as possible, for their absence causes great hardship.
</li>
<li>
The Sangleys are buying gardens, estates, and other country property, which may prove harmful. They are also establishing 

themselves in these lands, and in the houses of some of the orders, contrary to his Majesty's ordinance. The small size of this 

country may render this more harmful than in other countries.
</li>
<li>
Monasteries have occupied several of the streets of the city, and a portion of the space between the fortifications and the 

houses. This needs investigation.
</li>
<li>
In the offices and places of gain belonging to the country, the men employed should be selected with regard to merit and skill, 

and for no other reason. Especially if they are incapable, or excluded by royal decrees, should they be refused employment.
</li>
<li>
The same with regard to the provision for repartimientos and encomiendas of the Indians.
</li>
<li>
The people of the country wish to be maintained in peace and justice. They desire the punishment of all crimes, but object, on 

account of the newness of the country, to penalties which affect property, in the case of insignificant offenses.
</li>
<li>
It is requisite that, in the treatment of their persons, and especially of those who merit consideration, those who are in 

authority show the people respect, courtesy, and affability.
</li>
<li>
Those in authority must avoid having a great following of servants and retainers; and those that they do have they must pay and 

recompense from their own pockets, and must not bestow on them the offices or profits of the country. This is a very unjust 

proceeding, as there is not sufficient even for those who serve, because of the small extent of this country.
</li>
<li>
Those in authority must refuse to allow such servants and friends to trade and make contracts, and to buy goods at wholesale and 

to embark in commercial enterprises; because they exercise much coercion and inflict many wrongs - spreading the report that it is 

on behalf of those in authority. No one, therefore, dares to institute a suit against them.
</li>
<li>
The said relations, servants, and friends of those in authority ought not to be permitted to become regidors or city officials; 

for besides being incapable of filling such positions, and having no experience in the ways of this country, they only serve to 

deprive the others who fill these offices of freedom of action, so that no necessary measures can be enacted in their cabildos, 

if it is at all against the will of those in authority.
</li>
<li>
His Majesty's orders, contained in many decrees, to the effect that none but inhabitants of these islands should engage in trade 

here, must be put into rigid execution, as well as all else in them concerning the inhabitants, for this is the only salvation 

for the country.
</li>
<li>
In regard to the weight and cargo in the vessels sailing to Nueva España, it is essential that those in authority protect the 

citizens, since there is but one August and one harvest. They should strive to allow the citizens to pursue their occupations 

freely and leisurely, and to have the cargo loaded by those only who can justly do so.
</li>
<li>
Just as it is requisite to use restraint sometimes, in order to prevent the troops in this land from going on some enterprises, 

so likewise expeditions and pacifications must be arranged as a means of employing them; for as idlers they gain nothing, nor 

does the country receive any profit. At other times it is necessary to allow some to return to España, for thus others will lose 

their fear of coming to this country.
</li>
<li>
The hospitals, especially that for the Spaniards, ought to be greatly favored, as they are the asylums for all the needy. The 

same is true of the house of Santa Potenciana.
</li>
</ul>

Antonio de Morga's Report of Conditions in the Philippines on June 8, 1598