Book: The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898

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Furthermore I say that in the name of the king of Canvoja, as his
ambassador, I am prepared to draw up with your Lordship stipulations,
and I declare that what shall be agreed to in his name he will comply
with, without in any wise failing. For in this whole matter I hold
his authority to speak, which is the same as is in practice among
us, and which he gave me at my leave-taking, when he told me to use
every means to bring him help, and in his name to do and promise
everything which should appear best to me, for he should be pleased
to comply with all of them. He said that his final aim was to be
a Christian, and that this I should tell the governor; and further
that he wished to lend all his power to the Spaniards, so that they
could conquer the surrounding kingdoms and possess them. As for him
and his children, he wished no more than his own kingdom, converted
to the faith. Accordingly I am ready to make in his name whatever
stipulations may be just, and to bind him thereto as his ambassador,
since I am doing it for his sake. On account of this desire, I beg
your Lordship, in case this does not take place by reason of some
insurmountable difficulty, to order given to me a testimonial of all
these matters in such wise as will give them credit; for I intend to
go therewith and present myself before his Majesty, seeking justice.

_Diego Beloso_

In the city of Manila, on the first day of August of the year
one thousand five hundred and ninety-five, before Don Luis Perez
Dasmarinas: Have this petition and information presented, and let
Captain Diego Beloso present a memorial of the number of troops and
of other things which he desires and seeks as ambassador of the king
of Canvoja, so that, having been examined by his Lordship, he may make
the necessary provision. Likewise let him propose the stipulations to
be complied with by the king of Canvoja, and carried out, providing
the aid which he seeks is sent. Accordingly I have pronounced and
signed this.

Luis _Perez_

Before me:

_Estevan de Marquina_

_Brief memorial by the ambassadors of the king of Canvoja_

We, Captain Diego Beloso and Captain Gregorio de Vargas, declare
that for the better understanding of this petition of the king of
Canvoja for aid, there must be considered the matters which the said
king told me, Diego Beloso, for the governor of Manilla, and which
are now given in writing. And we beg that they be examined with the
rest in connection with this solicitation.

1. In the first place that the king's verbal instructions to Diego
Beloso be examined, as they contain the substance of the embassy.

2. In the second place the aid is sought to carry on offensive
operations against no neighboring country, but only through this means
to become Christian, and to defend himself, and keep the people in
subjection; for, if the king were baptized without having Spaniards
in the country, it would cause rebellion and desertion to Sian. If
he has Spaniards his own subjects will be obliged to join the faith,
and neighboring kingdoms will abandon Mahoma.

3. In the third place it must be considered that the said king is
powerful and independent; and when he sent for this aid he was in
all prosperity, and did not greatly fear the king of Sian, for he
had beaten him before. But he was merely sending for the Christians
to declare his faith, and the contents of the letter of embassy were
meant to satisfy his nobles. He will be content with his kingdom alone,
and will leave the Spaniards all that they may conquer, offering them
his power in the future.

4. [_Summarized_: Likewise should be considered the great faith which
he has so long maintained, having supported religious of two orders,
the Dominicans and Franciscans, in his country for thirty years with
necessaries and servants, and sending occasionally to Malaca and
Macan for Spanish messengers. He has always helped all the Spaniards
and other Christians who were in his country, and given the fathers
license to preach over all the land. He has exempted all converts
from tribute, and bidden them give recognition to the fathers. He
has always listened to the wishes of the fathers and has sought to
gather a number of Christians--ordering all vessels which leave his
country to try to bring Spaniards and other Christians back; and,
if they found them captives, to ransom them at any price. In this
way he got several together in his country, and favored them more
than his own subjects. The larger part of his guard of arquebusiers
were Christians, although not Spaniards; and he paid them well, and
favored them so much that they dared to kill his other subjects. He
gave money to the Spaniards and treated them much better than his
own nobles, who were accordingly aggrieved. In the year 93, I,
Gregorio de Vargas, and Blas Rruiz, my companion, arrived there,
as we had heard of him in Macan. We determined at the risk of our
lives and the cost of our goods to procure him a communication with
this city and make him an ally. We told him of ourselves, and as he
believed us, he sent this embassy, seeking aid. And this we seek that
such an important country be not lost for the lack of so little aid;
and because it is for the service of God our Lord, and of his Majesty,
and will add to the Spanish renown, and the faith of Jesus will be
established on the continent, where it may extend through all those
great and powerful heathen countries to His honor and glory.]

This is the truth of what we know and think in this matter, according
to our best knowledge, through God and on our conscience; and we
swear it by God and upon the cross, and sign it with our names.

_Gregorio de Vargas_
_Diego Velosso_

I, Captain Diego de Veloso, ambassador of the king of Canvoja, declare
that in a petition which I gave in the name of the said king, your
Lordship, decreeing thereon, ordered me to give a memorial concerning
the articles necessary for the help which I seek; and in compliance
with the command of your Lordship I would say that for the said aid
to be effective, and in order that the said king shall be able to
defend his kingdom therewith, and win back that of the tyrant, from
which it is to be taken, the following things are necessary:

In the first place, the largest possible number of Spaniards that
your Lordship can send with the said aid, including arquebusiers and
musketeers, being veteran and well armed and disciplined soldiers--of
whom there should be no less than three hundred.

_Item._ As many as possible of native Indians who have gone on
expeditions with the said Spaniards, and are well drilled, so that
being mixed with the said Spaniards, and as far as possible being
arquebusiers, they will be effective on the field.

_Item._ A galley without slaves, with full sail, oars, and artillery.

_Item._ The vessel "Nuestra Senora del Rosario," and the little vessel
which went to China, called "Santiago," and the necessary fragatas
for the troops, with all the artillery which can be spared.

_Item._ Eight caracoas and virreys, without crews.

All of which, as I have said to your Lordship, is the least which
can be sent for the said help, whereby the said king would receive
a gracious favor.

_Diego Veloso_

At Manilla, on the third of the month of August in the year one
thousand five hundred and ninety-five, before the governor and
captain-general of these islands, Don Luis Perez das Marinas, was
presented this petition, and having examined it he spoke. Having
examined it, his Lordship commanded that it be placed with the other
papers, and that Diego Veloso appear before his Lordship, to come
to an agreement over the conditions which are to be agreed upon and
concluded by the king of Canvoja and the undersigned, in case the
aid which he seeks should be granted.

_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_

Before me: _Estevan de Marquina_

In the city of Manila, on the third of August, in the year one thousand
five hundred and ninety-five, Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the
order of Alcantara, governor and captain-general in this country, did
graciously cause to appear Captain Diego Beloso and Gregorio de Vargas
Machuca, residents in this city, who said that they, as ambassadors
of the king of Canvoja, had come before his Lordship to examine the
stipulations which he proposed as the effect and object of his embassy,
and contingent upon the aid which they had come to seek--so that,
having seen and copied them, a resolution might be reached.

Having been examined by his Lordship, he proposed to them that, in
case the aid which they sought were accorded, the king of Canvoja
must swear and promise to keep and comply with the stipulations, and
that at no time shall he or his successors break them or violate them.

_Stipulations_

1. In the first place the king of Canvoja, his wife and children,
and his household must be baptized, and must receive the faith and
gospel of Jesus Christ our very God and Lord; and he must allow it
freely to be preached in his country and realm, and lend all his
favor and help to it and to the building of churches, protecting and
favoring the said fathers, and ministers.

2. So soon as the Spaniards have arrived in his country he must give
them for their accommodation a port, and a good site for settlement
and fortification, which settlement and fortification he must aid
to construct with his men, with all haste, and at his own expense
for the first time, since it is for his defense, protection, and
greater safety.

3. He must pay the troops and camp people, soldiers, captains,
commander, and other officers of war, so long as, and during the time
while they shall not have any repartimientos or other certain sources
of income whereby to maintain themselves; this pay must be punctual,
and fully paid by thirds of a year, and likewise he must supply the
camp with provisions, in such wise that they shall not suffer need
or lack the necessary supplies.

4. In the matters in which he seeks our favor and help we shall only be
bound to give them when those matters are justified and right, and as
such permitted by our holy faith, and of no other kind. Consequently,
for this favor and help which is accorded to him he must swear to
be a perpetual and faithful friend of our king and lord Don Felipe
II, and of the prince our lord, his son, Don Felipe III, and of his
other successors in the kingdom; and as such, whenever occasion shall
arise which makes it necessary for defense or offense, and to carry
expeditions into other neighboring kingdoms and lands, he will aid
with his troops, elephants, and vessels, in so great number as he
conveniently can without embarrassment, conformably to the power and
forces which he shall have at that time available therefor, without
binding or obliging himself in case of evident lack or need therefor.

5. In the expeditions which the king of Canvoja shall with justice
undertake against other kingdoms and lands in which the Spaniards may
help him, if they are victorious, he must share with his Majesty what
may be won of such lands and kingdoms, that it may be placed under
his royal ownership, and that he may do with them as with his own,
whatever he may please. Furthermore, of the spoils and gains from
the sacking of such lands, cities, and kingdoms he must give to the
soldiers who shall go to aid him in such expedition, if he does not
pay any other salary or wages, a third thereof; and, if he does pay
other wages, a fourth.

6. _Item_. The Spaniards who go must be subject to their superior
commander, who takes them in his charge, and who shall be appointed
by me. They are to be punished by him for any wrong-doing which they
commit, and the same must hold true in the expeditions which they
make; and the colors must not be lowered to any other persons except
those customary among ourselves, nor to any other ensign, standard,
or person; but, in whatever place and occasion they may be, they must
keep their due and just place.

7. The king and his sons, or he who shall succeed him in the kingdom,
must swear that never, after the Spaniards shall be in their country
and kingdom, and shall preach the gospel of Jesus Christ our God and
Lord, will they receive therein or consent to any false doctrine,
or allow any other faith to be obeyed or publicly preached, or that
there shall be set apart for it houses, persons, or public places.

8. In case that he shall lack children or legitimate successors, and
must name a successor in the kingdom, it should be with the advice
of persons deputized and commanded by the Spaniards, and with that
of the superior or superiors of the religious and the orders which
may be in his country. He must not appoint or leave as successor in
the kingdom any one who is not a Christian, or who will not swear to
keep and comply with these stipulations as he does. In case that he
should lack relatives or other persons to whom rightly and justly the
succession of the kingdom should fall, and he has to name some outside
person, it must be our king and lord Don Felipe, or the legitimate
successor who may be reigning at that time.

These said eight stipulations just given were proposed by his Lordship
to the said Diego Beloso and Gregorio de Vargas, ambassadors of the
said king of Canvoja, that they might examine them and confer together,
and promise in the name of the said king that if the said aid were sent
he would formally and duly swear to keep, accept, and comply with them,
according as their tenor demanded, without breaking or violating them,
or any part thereof at any time--neither he, nor his successors and
heirs, under penalty that if they should break or violate them, or
any part of them, from that time on the Spaniards remained freed and
no longer bound to the aid and help which they are to give if these
stipulations are complied with; and they may freely do what seems
best to them.

The said stipulations having been examined by the said Diego Beloso
and Gregorio de Vargas, and having discussed and conferred in regard
to them as to what was expedient, they said that the king of Canvoja
would accept them all and comply with them; for they have learned from
him that very willingly will he receive them, and swear to carry them
out for himself and for his successors. This they have understood and
regard as the truth, considering the eagerness with which they have
seen him seek for and desire the friendship of the Spaniards, and
their presence in his land, beside the matters which he has mentioned
and communicated to them very particularly. They consider it certain
that at present his desires will be the stronger on account of what
has happened to him; they except in all the above only two things,
one of which is that he should not be obliged in any way to force his
wife and children immediately to become Christians, but that he without
doubt would do so. The other is that he also should not bind himself to
pay and maintain the troops of war who go there to aid him; since for
this the said king will give one of the best provinces of his kingdom,
so that out of the tributes and profits thereof the said troops may
be maintained and paid. With these two exceptions and declarations,
in all the rest they promise and bind themselves, as ambassadors of
the said king of Canvoja, so far as they can and ought to be bound;
and as further evidence thereof they give their word and bond for him
that he will do and fulfil what they therein agree upon and promise in
his name, that he will accept, comply with, and keep, and swear to keep
and comply with the said stipulations, and that at no time shall he or
his successors break them or violate them, or any part thereof, under
the penalties provided for and incurred by those who shall violate
the faith and loyalty which they promise in so great and important
matters. Accordingly, if the aid which is sought be furnished them,
he on his part will comply with that which is asked from him, without
in any manner failing. They as his ambassadors, with all the power
which they hold and as best they can and should, bind the said king
and swear in his name to its fulfilment, through God our Lord, with
the sign of the cross and upon the holy gospels, in legal form. They
signed it with their names, to which the undersigned notary attests;
and likewise they promised under the said oath that, in the effecting
and execution of the aforesaid, they will act as they ought and are
bound to do, as faithful and loyal vassals of the king our lord.

_Diego Beloso_
_Gregorio de Vargas Machuca_

Before me:

_Estevan de Marquina_




Instructions to Figueroa


In the city of Manila, on the thirteenth day of November, one
thousand five hundred and ninety-five, Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas,
knight of the order of Alcantara, governor and captain-general of
these Filipinas Islands for our lord the king, declares that he
has considered the documents and official acts hitherto made and
issued in regard to the settlement and pacification of the island of
Mindanao by Captain Rodriguez de Figueroa, as stated in the report
and account sent by the alcalde-mayor of Oton concerning the present
invasion of the province of Pintados by hostile caracoas. The said
governor has also considered the pleas offered in the same matter
by Don Francisco de Poca y Guevara y Concortes for himself and the
other encomenderos of the said island of Mindanao; and also the recent
discussion, consultation, and conference upon the said expedition and
the results thereof. I declare that I ought to direct, and do direct,
that Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa shall be notified to make
the said expedition, pacification, and settlement of the said island
of Mindanao after the following manner.

First: He shall observe and comply with the commands of our lord the
king as laid down in two sections of a royal letter dated at Madrid
June 11, one thousand five hundred and ninety-four, the tenor of
which is as follows:

"I have considered the directions given by you to Captain Estevan
Rodriguez de Figueroa as to the pacification of Mindanao, and approve
thereof. I sanction the carrying of these provisions into effect,
provided that the third part which he is directed to set off by itself,
to be distributed in encomiendas, shall not in income exceed fifteen
thousand pesos of eight reals. It is understood that this is allowed
for the pacification of the entire island, and that a proportionate
allowance is made for a partial pacification. You are also empowered
to offer him that the title of mariscal of the said island will be
given him as soon as he shall report that the said island is pacified,
and that he has complied with the agreement, and has imposed laws;
and to bid him to observe the ordinances and instructions made for
the said pacification, without exceeding them.

"I take advantage of this opportunity to charge you anew that in this
exploration and in all the others that shall be made you shall see to
it that the aforesaid instructions and ordinances for new explorations,
entrances, and collections of tribute, and the other laws governing
these matters be observed, taking care that they are not transgressed
in any particular."

These two articles are to be held to be included in the regulations
laid down by the late governor and captain-general of these islands,
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, for the government of the said Captain
Estevan Rodriguez, in the city of Manila, May 12, 1591, before Juan
de Cuellar, his notary; and by virtue of the said letter of the king
our lord I offered the said Captain Estevan Rodriguez to give and
transmit to him in his royal name the title of mariscal of the said
island of Mindanao as soon as he should report that he had pacified
it and complied with the stipulations agreed upon; and I also charged
and I charge him to fulfil the other matters contained in the said
articles, and I acquaint him with their contents, all with a view to
his observing and complying with the contents thereof.

Likewise in the interim before our lord the king is advised of that
which is done and happens on the said expedition and pacification, and
until he replies transmitting a statement as to what must be observed
and performed, in order that some inconveniences which may arise in
the said interim may be brought to an end, the said Captain Estevan
Rodriguez is required to promise and to offer his person and goods
as security that, in so far as concerns the persons whom he shall
judge proper to receive encomiendas in the said island of Mindanao,
and who may receive damage if the said encomiendas are taken from
them, or others assigned to them, they shall keep and maintain the
same status in such encomiendas. The encomiendas which are to be
assigned and those which have been assigned and allotted with the
bulk of Indians who are not pacified, and from whom no tribute has
been collected, shall be assigned by the said captain, conformably
to the provision. As for the encomiendas which have revolted after
tributes have been collected from them, whose encomenderos are on
the way or have been sent to that country (they having been women
and minors at the time of this pacification), when they have taken
citizenship and complied with the other commands of his Majesty,
the said Captain Estevan Rrodriguez shall give them over as soon
as pacified to the said encomenderos. When such encomiendas have
a certain number of Indians, that number must be furnished. But if
located in valleys, provinces, or rivers, without a settled number
of Indians, they must be allotted in an equitable number according
to the character and services of the encomenderos, so that there
may be enough for all. The encomiendas which are peaceful and where
tributes are collected, such as those of Butuan, and others similar,
shall remain entirely in the possession of those who hold them; and
they shall not be obliged to aid in the pacification or in any other
matter, and shall enjoy their possession. As for the actual number of
tributes, it appears best at present that the patrons should collect
and hold them only from the pacified Indians, and no others. If they
should wish to go or send, as has been said, to this pacification,
the said Captain Estevan Rrodriguez must assign and give to them
shares in the same pacified encomiendas, beside what they possess and
collect at present, and as many Indians as shall appear most just,
according to their rank and services, and the number which they have
on their encomiendas. This must be expedited and executed by the said
Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa, who will keep this matter in
mind, and comply and follow it in this wise for the present until his
Majesty shall provide and command otherwise (when he will immediately
be informed), without prejudice to the service of the parties to the
said encomiendas; and, in case they should feel aggrieved, they shall
appeal to his Majesty in their own behalf, if they so desire.

2. Likewise he shall neither receive nor welcome any outlawed
delinquent, or any other person, who shall go without license from
the governor to the island of Mindanao; and those who shall so go,
he shall deliver over or send back, as this is necessary for the
safety and quiet of this commonwealth, and in order to avoid great
inconveniences, evils, and injuries which might occur, and would
work ill to the service of God and his Majesty, and injury to this
commonwealth.

3. _Item_. He shall allow no intercourse whatsoever with Nueva Espana,
nor send any boat or vessel thither, without communicating and
informing us in this city and commonwealth, in order that the trade
and intercourse shall be on the terms and in the manner which it is
most fitting that it should be, so that there may result therefrom
no injury, damage, or loss to this commonwealth; and no such thing
should be done without its consent, unless by the commission and
express order of his Majesty.

4. _Item_. In case this colony should be surrounded and beset with
any enemy, or should be in any need or conflict, so that aid should
be necessary, when the said Captain Estevan Rrodriguez learns and is
aware thereof, or is informed of it, he shall come with the greatest
haste and the largest force possible to its aid, without attempting
to exempt or excuse himself, or neglecting to do this in any way,
for any reason, nor in any manner. And likewise when there is any
necessity of the forces at Maluco and Anbueno being reenforced, he
shall aid them in the best manner possible. He shall be intent upon
the interests of his Majesty, and other just and pious causes and
interests pertaining to the service of God and of his Majesty which
should influence him; and because he is so near and accessible he
can render aid with the utmost convenience.

5. _Item_. He shall not engage in, commence, or carry out any other
expedition or entry into any realm or island, far or near, without the
special commission and order to be secured therefor from his Majesty.

6. _Item_. He shall keep and comply with the said ordinances and
commands, which his Majesty directs the said governor to impose upon
him and cause him to comply with, in this and other discoveries,
without exceeding, changing, or violating them, or neglecting to
comply with and keep each and every one of them. And if he shall
execute any sentence in any cause or suit to anyone's prejudice,
damage, or grievance, he shall pay, as damage for the party, the
losses which were undergone and suffered by the parties through him.

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