Book: The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898

E >> E. H. Blair >> The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898




_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_

[_Endorsed_: "Manila. To his Majesty, 1596; Don Luis Dasmarinas,
June 30." "Keep this letter until the report of the residencia which
is to be taken in his case and that of his father shall be received."]




Letter from Doctor Antonio de Morga to Felipe II


Sire:

At the close of the past year, ninety-five, I wrote to your Majesty
via Malaca, giving a full account of some affairs of this place. The
duplicate of that letter accompanies this, and I refer you to the same.

Every day the peace of this land is becoming more secure. Xapon is
kept quiet by the presence of the Franciscan religious whom we have
there. They have built churches and hospitals; and in March they
wrote to us again, telling how they preached publicly and have made
a large number of converts. They are fearful lest the fathers of the
Society of Jesus will insist that they leave that country. Such a
change would disturb everything, for the king loves them on account
of their poverty and charity. If they did so, we should return to
the former days of uneasiness.

Captain Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa set forth on the first of last
April on the expedition for the pacification of Mindanao, with about
fifty sail, large and small, two hundred and fourteen Spaniards, one
thousand five hundred armed Indians, and a good store of artillery,
ammunition, and supplies. In a week's time he came to the mouth of
the river of Mindanao. The king and his people had retired twenty-five
leguas up the river to a village named Buhayen, where they fortified
themselves. Governor Esteban Rodriguez followed them with the fleet,
and landed the majority of the troops, whereupon an engagement took
place there. The governor went with a few troops to arrange for an
agreement, and an armed Indian assailed him. The captain received so
severe a cut on the head with a carmpilan that he became unconscious
and died within thirty hours, without having declared a successor to
the government. The camp and fleet were fortified in a convenient
place and a city was founded, which was called Murcia. The cabildo
thereof elected as governor Captain Juan de Laxara, a captain of
infantry of this camp, who had accompanied Estevan Rodriguez and the
troops here assigned to the latter, and whom Estevan Rodriguez had
appointed submaster-of-camp. He is in the said city, fortifying it,
and claims to carry on the government thereof without being subject
to this or any other, for he is a bold man. He asks aid, and it will
be sent in due time. In the meanwhile steps are being taken to mollify
him so that he will come to reason and not become petulant, on account
of the inconveniences which might arise therefrom to the service of
your Majesty, and the peace and welfare of this state. Since there
is doubt as to what will happen, it will be even more desirable than
when Estevan Rodriguez was living that your Majesty now give definite
commands in respect to this matter. The said island of Mindanao is
very large and rich, and is inhabited by many people. There is a steady
increase in the number of those who submit to the sway of your Majesty,
in addition to those already pacified. It is the first of these islands
to recognize your Majesty, and is the most important for their security
and the conquest of Maluco and other countries. By the papers which
the governor sent in regard to the agreement that I had made with
the said Captain Estevan Rodriguez, your Majesty will find that he
is obliged to conclude the pacification and settlement, and maintain
everything for one year, at his own expense. Your Majesty gave him the
government and a certain repartimiento for two generations. He left
a very considerable estate with which to carry out the agreement,
and your Majesty will not go beyond your right in taking charge of
it. There are left here two daughters, his heirs, the elder being
four years old, by whom and their guardians efforts are being made
that the undertaking may be carried out and aided as far as possible,
until they become of age. To enjoy its control and favors, it would
be well for the estate to be administered from this city. Upon this
point your Majesty will provide according to the royal pleasure.

The governor persisted in his determination to carry out the expedition
to Camboja, and at the beginning of this year despatched one ship
and two junks, with men, artillery, and ammunition, under command
of Captain Juan Xuarez Gallinato. Thus far we have received no word
whatever from them. The governor is sending the document referring
thereto; and, although it is rumored that but few troops were taken by
them, in fact two hundred men left this city, and artifice was used,
in order that the real number should not appear at the departure. They
had, in truth, gone ahead some days earlier and awaited the vessels
outside.

At the same time, he sent another expedition to China; but as those
who set out returned here, it seems as if God had, for the present,
closed the door for that voyage; and so it stands.

This year so many Chinese have come under pretext of trading, that
we have been very cautious, and suspicious of an uprising. For by
these expeditions we have been left so greatly in need of troops,
that there was good cause to be fearful and on the watch. I undertook
to put the Chinese out of the country, and by this time more than
twelve thousand have embarked. About as many more remain, and much
diligence is being observed. They are a people with whom one must live
with much watchfulness and caution, of which but little has hitherto
been exercised. The city has been cut down in size, extending from
the border of the fort and royal house by the garrison, furnishing a
retreat in case of necessity for the few people here and the women and
children. In fact the whole change is only setting the city aright;
for the fortifications were wrongly planned from the beginning.

Your Majesty's exchequer has suffered so much damage and loss
by the mismanagement of the officials, that, although various
gentle means were taken to relieve and repair it, they were of no
effect. Consequently, when the governor saw himself so hard pressed, he
commenced to investigate the accounts; and the officers are suspended
from the exercise of their duties until the state of their offices
shall be ascertained. They are alike in their bitter enmities and
difficulties with one another, making the despatch of the matter
impossible. The papers are sent in order that your Majesty may see
what has been done, and the condition of affairs here at present,
which if investigated thoroughly will be found to contain other things
of much moment in the matter. Your Majesty will decree in everything
what will be most expedient for your service. I assure your Majesty
that had any other means been found of dealing with the said officials
besides the one used, until your Majesty should be advised thereof,
this final measure would not have been taken--which was necessary,
since no other effectual means were at hand.

Your Majesty has yet in this kingdom a revenue amply sufficient for
all the expenses thereof, if it be administered with fidelity and care,
and if many present superfluous expenses be suppressed. There are not
more than a hundred paid soldiers in camp, and six captains of infantry
and their officers draw salaries. The forts are without garrisons;
but for more than a year the wardens thereof have been improperly
drawing salaries. Your Majesty has no galleys whatever, and there
is one commander, who, though unemployed, draws a yearly salary of
eight hundred pesos; and there are many officers who get a salary
in the same manner. There are many garrisons of soldiers, sailors,
artillerymen, and others in various capacities who draw pay from
your Majesty's exchequer; and they are of no service, nor will they
ever in their lives be of any use, except as servants and attendants
upon the officers and other persons, who pay them from your Majesty's
revenues. In this way much of your Majesty's revenue is being spent
and wasted. It would be necessary to institute a reform, and to make
many investigations of the accounts of your Majesty's debtors and the
collectors of your Majesty's revenue, in order to regain much property
which is lost. Every day more will be wasted unless your Majesty orders
a speedy remedy, with punishment of the guilty, which shall serve as a
warning for the future. In the meanwhile much suffering will be felt
here, as at present; and even a large part of your Majesty's estate
in Nueva Espana will not suffice to meet the needs here.

There are very few in these islands capable of handling the arquebus,
although they used to be the best and most skilful soldiers in the
Yndias. The cause of this is that they have so devoted themselves
to trade that they have no desire for anything else. Nevertheless,
your Majesty ordered, in the instructions given to Gomez Perez, when
he came here to govern, that those who drew pay from your Majesty as
fighting men should not be allowed to trade. Afterward in a clause of
the letter of January, 1593, replying to another of his, your Majesty
ordered the same thing. This has not been complied with, however,
and as the captains and higher officers are rich and rewarded by
their salaries and grants, it is not just that they be merchants,
as is the case. They are so diverted from military exercise that they
are as useless as if they were in Toledo; and elsewhere they engross,
by their large shipments, the space required for the merchandise and
freight of the citizens. Your Majesty therefore spends the revenue on
them and their soldiers uselessly; and it is necessary that this be
corrected, in order that affairs may return to their normal condition.

The city was sufficiently supplied with public endowments, because
in addition to what the governor held, he made a grant to it, in
the name of your Majesty, of the shops and rents of a new parian,
which had been built after my arrival for the Chinese, outside the
walls, on the border of Sant Gabriel. Consequently there comes in
from the property more than four thousand pesos annually, which is
fully sufficient for necessary expenses, and in the future should be
used for public buildings, which are needed. None such have ever been
attempted, except the wall and fortifications which were built by the
governor Gomez Perez. In respect to the traffic of the citizens of
these islands and the administration of their commerce, your Majesty
made suitable provisions by a decree of the same month of January,
ninety-three. This is as is necessary; and since the returns from
all the merchandise from Nueva Spana come to them without limitation,
there is left them no just ground for complaint. When I came here I
found that, although the said decree is so precise, the execution of it
was so far forgotten here that, when I took steps for its observance,
it was ill received, as will appear by the accompanying reports
thereof. Nevertheless, the execution of the decree will be attended
to on my part, until your Majesty may decree otherwise. There is no
doubt that by this is decreed what is expedient for this kingdom; and
if the officials took proper care to execute your Majesty's orders,
these difficulties would be obviated. But, as I have before written,
it is not done with due exactness.

Governor Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas was daily expecting a change in
this government and his removal, and owing to this and his mildness
of disposition, affairs in general suffer. Although he is a man of
good intentions and of much virtue, he is governed in everything
by the friars, and particularly by the Dominicans, who are enjoying
this favorable opportunity and make use of it to advance their own
interests and those of their friends. The youth and inexperience
of the governor does not permit of anything else. Now with the news
that your Majesty is to send Don Francisco Tello to this government,
it seems as if everything would take on new life; for, if there is
more delay, it would be at the cost of the service of your Majesty,
and the welfare of these islands. Everything has declined greatly from
the condition in which matters were left by his father; and although
I have done what I could it is but little, on account of my slight
and inadequate authority. Nevertheless, some of the most important
things have been looked after with more spirit than at first. The
people of this land cannot be pleased with everything, for they are
fond of liberty; and for this reason there are some complaints. But
I endeavor only to further the service of God and of your Majesty,
not to consult their tastes or to manage affairs so that they may
write to your Majesty in approbation of me. As things have happened,
there may be a lack of persons to approve my proceedings; but this
does not vex me, because I expect that, with God's help, time will
show the truth; and no other reward is needed than to satisfy your
Majesty, as is my earnest desire.

The jurisdiction of your Majesty in this kingdom is so hampered by that
of the ecclesiastics that on no occasion can we have our own way. As
there is no one to withstand them much damage is experienced; and we
see ourselves in great troubles and hardships, tied hand and foot,
because the ecclesiastics and religious interfere in everything. They
rebel against and hinder the accomplishment of your Majesty's
commands; and even among themselves they have many dissensions and
disagreements. It is a pitiable state of affairs, and even if it were
for no other purpose than to moderate these excesses and licenses of
powerful persons, it would be best to have here the royal Audiencia,
which your Majesty ordered to be suppressed. I beseech your Majesty,
as I likewise urged from Nueva Spana, in the report which your Majesty
already has, that in case the royal Audiencia is not reestablished, a
remedy be provided. There should be someone to oppose the ecclesiastics
in a land so far away from the Audiencia of Mexico; for, no matter
what question is sent there for decision, at least two years must
elapse before despatches can be returned.

The bishop is very much missed in this land by all the ecclesiastics;
and it would be very beneficial for the future if he should come
this year with the arms sent from Nueva Spana. May God bring them,
although they are already late in arriving. If they should fail to
come, great need would be felt everywhere. All these islands are
now pacified, and the only need is for ministers of the gospel,
on account of the many heathen who are without instruction. Many
of the Spaniards who people the land and come here for its defense,
die here. Thus we are in need, as I have said.

The college [36] founded by the fathers of the Society for the
education of Spaniards in this city, at the expense of your Majesty's
exchequer, is now closed, by the new contract which was made with
Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa regarding the patronage which
was given him from this house and college. According to the wish of
your Majesty, this work was changed into a college for natives which
they wished to found. The same income of one thousand pesos a year has
been assigned them, in addition to the fourth of the tribute paid where
there is no instruction, and other sums from similar sources. I think
it would be well to further this work; for besides the receiving of
a good education by the sons of natives, which would strengthen them
greatly in the things of the Christian religion and right living, it
would be a hidden blessing to have the sons of the principal natives
in this college, for our safety is thereby assured on any occasion
whatever. The papers in this matter are sent, in order that your
Majesty may have provision made according to your pleasure.

At the beginning of this year, a galleon arrived at these islands from
Piru, and later a small fragata in its convoy, wherein it appears
that Adelantado Alvaro de Mendana had set out from Piru in April of
last year to discover the western islands in the Southern Sea. This he
did not succeed in doing, and lost his flagship and afterward another
fragata. He formed a settlement on another island near Nueva Guinea,
where the men quarreled among themselves, and the said adelantado
died with many of his people. [37] His wife inherited that settlement,
and arrived at these islands in great need and after many hardships,
where she married Don Fernando de Castro, cousin of the governor,
and returned to Piru with her ship. I am sending your Majesty the
report of the matter which has been received, and an account of their
voyage and adventures, which are therein stated at greater length.

After such long voyages I am left in very poor health, and with
little hope of recovery, on account of the climate of this country. I
am very poor and spent, with fewer children than those I brought
with me, for they have died on the way. Therefore I strongly desire
that your Majesty grant me grace if it be possible, and permit me
to go to Espana, and be pleased to provide for this garrison. With
this I should feel well paid and satisfied after all my hardships
and wanderings. Even though I do not deserve the rewards of my
predecessors, I shall live content in returning to my home and
fireside, God willing, to give your Majesty a true account of the
many things I have seen, and of what would be best for the better
service of your Majesty. I humbly beseech your Majesty to grant me
this favor as soon as possible. May our Lord preserve for many years
the royal person of your Majesty, as is necessary to Christendom and
your Majesty's servants. Manila, July 6, 1596.

_Dr. Antonio de Morga_




Letter from Francisco Tello to Felipe II


Sire:

Through God's help, I entered the channel of these islands on the
third of June of this present year, 1596. As the weather was bad,
it was was necessary for me to make port at Ybalon, where I was
forced to remain several days, because of contrary winds. Considering
that this condition of affairs might endure longer, I determined
to go overland to Manila; and did so, although with considerable
hardship, as the country was completely overflowed on account
of the heavy rains. However, I derived some advantage from this,
for I thus saw a portion of the country and its products. It was
of advantage in enabling me to master the affairs of the country,
and to know what things it is advisable to provide to put it in good
condition. I entered Manila on the fourteenth of July. As this letter
is being written only three days after my arrival in this city,
I cannot inform your Majesty thoroughly of the condition of this
community. But my first sight of it has honestly pleased me very
much. God and your Majesty must be thanked fervently, that in lands
so remote and obscure the name and religion of God exists, and the
authority and power of your Majesty; and this with so great hopes
and disposition of being able to work great things, worthy the royal
soul and heart of your Majesty. For this object I think we shall need
troops, arms, and money, which is the common strength. Also I found
the colony somewhat weak both in its forces and in the faulty system
and arrangement of its fortifications. I found also great need of
royal buildings, and buildings for the cabildo, a slaughter-house,
a prison, clean streets, and other public works. This may be because
of the smallness of means. I shall remedy what I can, and give your
Majesty a more detailed account of it later.

I find this kingdom safe from all fears of the Japanese at present,
although not from the swarms of Chinese who resort hither in a
haphazard and disorderly manner, unless we maintain the caution and
foresight demanded by the little trust that we can place in their
companionship and fidelity.

In respect to the person of Don Luys Perez Dasmarinas, whom I found
acting as governor, I assure your Majesty that all his thought and
life is dedicated to God and virtue. However, in matters of government
I do not know what will be the outcome of some things, which I find
very confused and remiss. I shall give you a more detailed account
of them in a later letter, for now this vessel is on the point of
sailing, and is outside the port.

The archbishop of this country remained in Mexico. This does not fail
to cause a want, because of the great scarcity of prelates here.

I hear that the trade of this country, upon which its perpetuation
chiefly depends, has greatly decreased, not only on account of the
low prices of merchandise in Mexico, and the unprofitable exchanges
and other misfortunes suffered by commerce, but also because of the
numerous impositions and duties levied; so that I find this community
much discouraged and disheartened. I shall try to repair this as well
as possible, and will give your Majesty a more detailed account,
both in this matter and in what concerns the two communities of
Indians and Chinese, and whatever else there is to relate.

A founder of artillery is very much needed here. I entreat your Majesty
to have one provided, as well as the fifty farmers mentioned in your
Majesty's instructions. Above all, I entreat your Majesty, since this
new plant and undertaking depends so much upon your Majesty in person,
that you will have the kindness to consent to have soldiers sent
to us annually; for, Sire, the hospital (where many die) takes its
share every year, and another part is taken by certain expeditions
and reenforcements that are sent out. As for those who are left,
your Majesty should consider, if the ship from Mexico fails to come
for even one year, how surrounded by so many fears of enemies is this
country. Therefore I beseech your Majesty to order that the viceroy
of Mexico shall be careful to provide troops each year, and that they
be sent armed, of which there is little care.

As Captain Esteban Rrodriguez died while pacifying Mindanao, and left
it almost reduced, and settled with about two hundred Spaniards, and
as the country was being brought to your Majesty's obedience, it will
be desirable for your royal service to continue the work. From what
I have learned in these few days, I believe that your Majesty will be
served by ordering that this pacification be continued at the expense
of the heir of Esteban Rrodriguez, and with the latter's possessions,
as they are sufficient, until the agreement be completely fulfilled. By
so doing your Majesty's treasury will be eased, and I think the reward
of this work will be obtained by him who most deserves it--namely,
the successor of the man who perished in it, since he left it to him,
although he did not name him. It only remains for your Majesty to
be pleased to declare, in favor of this kingdom, the subordination
of that pacification to this one, since the latter proceeds from the
former, and is, as it were, filial to it. There are other conveniences
and arguments that favor this plan; and in the contrary plan there
are many inconveniences, of which I understand that your Majesty is
advised by these vessels. Now in the meantime, I am considering what
it will be best to provide in the service of God, and of your Majesty,
whom may our Lord preserve, etc. Manila, July 17, 1596.

Since the above was written, news has come of the expedition [to
Camboja] which was made here. It is not such as we wished to hear,
for of the three vessels that were taking part in it, one [_illegible
in MS._] a storm, and fell into the hands of the king of Cian. No
news has been heard of the two others, although it is believed that
Captain Gallinato still remains [_illegible in MS._].

According to my understanding, it is very desirable that there
always be galleys in this land for defense from its ills, and the
conservation of its reputation from so many enemies by whom we are
surrounded. Inasmuch as those here are found to be quite dilapidated
and useless, I have deemed it fitting to your Majesty's service to
build three or four.

_Don Francisco Tello_




Documents of 1597



Pacification of Mindanao. Juan de Ronquillo; May 10.
Memorial on navigation and conquest. Hernando de los Rios; June 27.
Letter to Felipe II. L.P. Dasmarinas; June 28.



_Sources_: All these documents are obtained from original MSS. in
the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.

_Translations_: The first document is translated by James A. Robertson;
the second, by Robert W. Haight; the third, by Jose M. and Clara
M. Asensio.




The Pacification of Mindanao


_Letter from Juan de Ronquillo Governor Tello_

[This report of Ronquillo's is in places abridged, as he repeats
many of his statements. He set sail (from Oton) on February 8, 1597,
the earliest date possible after the receipt of supplies. Two virreys
had been sent ahead under Francisco de Torres, with orders to coast
from island to island, in order to avoid the dangers of the open sea;
they had not yet been heard from. At the port of La Canela (_i.e._,
"cinnamon;" modern Cauit) Ronquillo found Captain Juan Pacho, who had
gone for fish and salt for his command; and, as the men were scattered
in Zamboanga and Taguima, there was a delay of three days in getting
them together. Pilots from these forces were placed in each vessel to
guide the ships to the river. Ronquillo then embarked on his fragata
and ordered the Sangley vessel and those of the Indian chiefs from
Danganlibor to follow. The brisas or northeasters were dead ahead,
and to avoid the force of the winds he took his course inside of
some islets. The Sangley vessel did not enter, as its draught was
so great that the navigators feared to make the attempt. Since the
Sangley vessel seemed to be in difficulties, he sent a captain to it;
but he came back with the report that all was well. Ronquillo then
sent directions as to their course. He had been informed by the
sailor whom he sent as pilot in the Sangley vessel that there was
water enough in the strait of Mangayao; but, if this should not be so,
they were to keep outside. They remained outside, and the rest of the
fleet sailed safely on to the point of Las Flechas ("the Arrows"),
twelve leguas from the river (Rio Grande, in Mindanao, where the
letter was written). The wind being heavy and the vessels old and
deep in the water, he anchored in a river never before entered, so
far as was known, cutting away trees and branches to do so. When the
fragata was safe, he sent the master-of-camp for the galleys, which
were sinking because of their rottenness. At the same time a virrey
was sent to look for the Sangley vessel. The virrey returned without
news; and though Ronquillo was very anxious he kept on to the river
toward which he was sailing, all assuring him that he would find the
Sangley ship here. A fire was seen at night, apparently a signal that
the vessel would go to La Canela for water, being unable to make the
river because of the winds. After taking in water they left port, and
the next night the Chinese crew mutinied, and killed the Spaniards. The
Chinese had been disarmed, and committed the deed with clubs and
wooden hatchets. Ronquillo asserts that all possible care had been
taken. The vessel carried the bulk of their provisions, clothing,
tow, and some ammunition. In spite of this loss the expedition had
been very successful. Upon reaching the river whence he writes, he
spent five days in repairs upon the fleet; and then, after completing
the fort of Tampaca (modern Tabaca) and storing the ammunition and
food in it, he ascended the river, leaving a guard of thirty-four
men under Sargento-mayor Diego de Chaves, one of whose legs had been
cut off. The force which went up the river numbered two hundred and
thirty, including sailors and gunners. The enemy retired behind some
parapets as soon as the artillery opened upon them, and brought some
artillery to bear on the flagship (one of the galleys), but could
not retard the Spanish advance. Continuing, Ronquillo writes:]

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