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COMPLAINTS AGAINST PENALOSA
Most powerful lord:[1]
Captain Gabriel de Rivera[2] beseeches your Highness on behalf of the Filipinas islands, kindly to see that due attention and consideration be given to the advancement and preservation of those islands, upon which his Majesty has set his eyes so fixedly, and which have cost so many thousands of ducats and Spanish lives. May what has been asked be provided, according to the memorials which I have
- ↑ The original MS. is endorsed by some archivist: "Letter of Captain Gabriel de Rivera to his Majesty, upon Philippine affairs;" but the letter is evidently addressed to some official—perhaps the viceroy of New Spain, or the president of the royal council.
- ↑ In a letter dated Manila, July 20, 1581, and signed by Amador de Arriaran, Andres Cabchela, Salvador de Aldave, Luis de Vivanco, Joan Manuel Pimentel, Juan Maldonado, Gabriel de Ribera, and Juan Pacheco Amado, it is stated that Ribera is sent as procurador [attorney]-general to the king to give account of the "affairs and condition of this land." He is recommended to the king's consideration as "one of the first who came to this exploration and pacification" with Legazpi, and "has been able to give a good account of himself in everything." The pressmark of this document, which exists in Archivo General de Indias at Sevilla, is: "Simancas—Filipinas: Descubrimientos, etc., años 1566 á 1586; Est. 1, caj. 1, leg. 2|24." Morga says that Ribera was created Mariscal of Bonbon while in Spain. The effect of his mission was the establishment of the Audiencia of Manila, whose president was to fill the offices of governor and captain-general of the islands. This was attained after the death of Ronquillo, although that event was unknown in court at the time.
