Book: The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898

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




Will your Excellency be pleased to order that a reply be given to me
as soon as possible, that I may go away and take the other Xaponese
who are here, because it is time to do so, and because the Xaponese
who have come heretofore from Xapon are not of the higher classes,
but are very low. Your Excellency should decide whether you do not wish
them to go, as people of this sort are a shame to the kingdom of Xapon;
and, in case provisions or anything else are required from my country,
I will send them with merchants duly registered. For that purpose I ask
your Excellency to give me a seal, and I will leave here one of mine,
so that all our procedures may be uniform and harmonious; for it would
not be right to have the people from the kingdom of Xapon come here
to rob the land and occasion scandals, thus giving a bad name to our
country, and especially in a country with which we have established
close friendship and with whom we are at peace. I also ask that when
the emperor needs the Spaniards in the wars which he may wage, your
Excellency will bind yourself to send him reenforcements of men,
and he will do the same at any time when your Excellency shall see
fit to send to his kingdom of Xapon for soldiers.

Everything that I have asked from your Excellency herein is in the
name of my lord the emperor. Your Excellency has doubted my authority,
because I did not present letters from my lord the emperor. They
are in the possession of father Fray Juan Cobos and give me ample
authority to negotiate with your Excellency in regard to everything
required to establish peace and amity. I will wait until I reach my
emperor's presence and I will then send the agreements written by
his own hands, and signed with my name, as a proof of my veracity.


[_Authentication_]

We, the undersigned religious, state that the ambassador did sign
this memorial; and I, Fray Gonzalo Garcia, certify that everything
contained herein was dictated to me to be written for your Excellency
in the Spanish language by his order; and I as interpreter had it
written by one of the religious who here sign our names. Dated in
this city of Manila, the twenty-seventh of April, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-three.


_Fray Goncalo Garcia_
_Fray Geronimo Vazquez_
_Fray Andres del Spiritu Santo_


[_Statement by Faranda_]

Last year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-two, Conbacondon,
the emperor of the realm of Xapon, commanded me to come to these
islands to negotiate for peace and amity with your Excellency and
the Spaniards residing here, your Excellency having agreed to it as
the representative here of his Majesty King Don Philipe. In order
to carry out my emperor's orders I went as far as the province of
Sanchuma, [2] to a seaport, whence I was to sail; but while making
preparations for my departure, I was attacked by sickness. Then, in
order not to lose the opportunity or to disobey said orders on account
of my illness, I decided to send in my place my vassal Gaspar, whom I
greatly esteem, believing that he would execute the commission well,
as he is a man experienced in all matters pertaining to these Islands,
having been in them before; and in consequence I sent him, giving
him the letter from the emperor my lord. He came and delivered it;
but, as there was no interpreter, it was not understood, and he was
discredited because of the little authority he had, as he was not an
ambassador. For that reason your Excellency decided to send father Fray
Juan Cobos and Captain Lope de Llano, who were to visit the kingdom
of Xapon and ascertain the truth concerning the embassy which my said
subject brought. When Fray Juan Cobos arrived in Satisma he wrote two
letters, one to the emperor, my lord, and another to me as the person
to whom the embassy sent to these islands had been entrusted. The said
two letters were tied together, and I received them in the town of
Mengoya, where the court of my lord the emperor is established. [3]
For the sake of courtesy, I did not separate mine, but took both
and delivered them to the emperor my lord, who read his and gave me
mine--ordering a captain and myself, one by land and the other by sea,
to go to meet father Fray Juan Cobos. We departed at once, I going by
sea; and I met him at Geto, a place between Firando and Mangasatte,
[4] where I received him with great pleasure, and brought him to the
court where my lord the emperor then was. Upon being notified of his
arrival, the emperor ordered one of his nobles to give him hospitality
in his own home, so that Father Juan Cobos could rest there until
a house could be adorned with gold, to shelter him with more pomp,
because he was the envoy of so great a governor and because he is a
father, and known to be a learned man, and that all his royal city
might see how grand a reception was accorded to him. Twenty-five
days afterward, when everything was ready to receive him, I sent six
hundred of the principal men, nobles and gentry, to convey him to the
emperor's presence, sending a beautifully decorated litter, on which
the father was carried on their shoulders. Everyone was amazed to see
such a reception, the like of which had never before been accorded to
any other ambassador, although many had come to my lord the emperor,
some to offer obedience, others to negotiate peace treaties. It was
because the emperor knew that the Spaniards are a warlike nation,
valiant and honored above all other people, that he gave them such
a reception; and so it was known over all the court.

My lord the emperor was inside the fortress, and when father Fray Juan
Cobos reached the palace he was bidden to enter the audience-chamber
where the emperor was waiting for him, and where he received him with
the greatest honor and show of affection ever shown to any man, seating
him next to himself. Father Fray Juan Cobos presented him with the
letter, which upon being read, showed how doubts had arisen regarding
the embassy sent by the emperor the year before. My lord the emperor
called me, and asked me why I had not fulfilled his orders--to which
I replied that I had gone to do so, but that, while at the seaport,
I had been taken sick; and in order not to miss sending his embassy,
I had entrusted it to one of my vassals, a Christian. Then my lord
the emperor ordered me to go with father Fray Juan Cobos to visit your
Excellency in his name, and to deliver my letters and try to establish
lasting relations of friendship and amity; and finally sent me away,
after having given me full instructions as to what I was to say and
do. To father Fray Juan Cobos my lord the emperor gave a sword of great
worth and value, as a token of friendship, for your Excellency; and a
letter, wherein it was written that we were to be friends and brothers.

Father Fray Juan Cobos and I departed for the port, but on arriving
there he would not embark on my vessel. So we set sail, he on his
vessel and I on mine. Upon leaving I told father Fray Juan Cobos that
it would be better to wait for the tide, and until the moon came out;
but he answered: "Your people do not know or understand the sea." I
am a pilot, and, seeing that the high tide was against us, I waited
until the moon arose; but the father would not wait, and so left,
and I have never since seen him. The advice I gave him before leaving
was so that the emperor my lord might not ask me why I had not advised
him, and so that the father himself might not have reason to complain
against me. I gave him two of my kinsmen to accompany him, since he
would not sail on my vessel. Before he left, I asked the father to
give me a letter for your Excellency, because the ocean was not safe;
and I asked also for some one who would come with me to these islands,
and who could tell who I was, and state the reasons why I came. He
gave me Antonio, a Christian Sangley. The said Antonio asked the
father for a letter to your Excellency, and he gave it to him; and
so we separated, in the manner above described.

I, Faranda Quiemon, ambassador of the emperor of the realms of
Xapon, state that the people of the said realms are heathen, but have
already begun to accept the gospel law, and wish to become Christians;
and if this desire and belief has not spread more, it is because of
the lack of ministers and priests. I know that my emperor desires
me to bring back some fathers, provided they are of the order of
St. Francis, because this is an order and habit new to him; and our
Lord Jesus Christ and he will be well pleased that I should do them
this service. If your Excellency will order this to be done, you will
confer a favor upon the said emperor and myself.

I beg your Excellency to favor me by commanding that ten fathers of
the above-mentioned Franciscan order be sent to accompany me from this
city to Xapon for the said object--the said ten fathers to be Fray
Pedro Baptista, Fray Vicente Vermeo, Fray Blas de la Madre de Dios,
Fray Juan Pobre, Fray Diego Portero, Father Gonzalez, Fray Francisco
Parilla, Fray Joseph, Fray Francisco Ribero, and Fray Andres (an
unsettled priest). Besides the fact that we shall all take as a favor
the service done our lord, I promise in the name of the emperor and
on his royal word that they shall be well received and well treated,
and that no harm shall be done them; and if they become unwilling
to stay, and are disinclined to do the work for which they have been
taken thither, I promise to send them back to this city as they came.


[_Letters from Fray Juan Cobos_]

The bearer of this is Faranda Quiemo, a Xaponese, who goes in a
new vessel, which has some red pictures painted on the poop. She
is a staunch ship, carrying one hundred and twenty men, Chinese and
Xaponese. It carries as a signal a red pennant at the stern. Given
at Cuxi, a port of Xapon, on October 29, 1592.


_Fray Juan Cobos_


[_Addressed_: "To Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general
of the Filipinas Islands, at Manila."]

Because of the uncertainty of the ocean, I send this note by another
vessel which sails together with ours from this port, so that in
case it reaches your Excellency before us you will not be alarmed on
our account. Our trip has been very prosperous, and, should the Lord
preserve our health, we shall, as soon as we find ourselves in Manila,
report to your Excellency how well we were received by the emperor and
how well attended, thus honoring our lord the king, your Excellency,
and our nation. Nothing more at present, as I am writing these lines
only in case our ship should prove less speedy. From Xapon, province
of China, [5] port of Cuxi, November 4. Captain Lope Llanos kisses
your Excellency's hands; he is very ill with quartan ague.


_Fray Juan Cobos_


[_Addressed_: "To Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the Order of
Santiago, governor and captain-general of the Felipinas Islands."]

The bearer is Antonio Lopez, a Chinese, who sails on the vessel of
the Japanese Faranda as a token of peace, and to protect the vessel,
so that no harm may be done to it.


_Fray Juan Cobo_


May Jesus be always with your Excellency. It was found necessary that
Antonio Lopez, the Chinese, depart in the vessel of Faranda Quiemo,
who is the master of the Faranda who carries these letters and was
the source of all these messages. Although I leave the port in Xapon
before him, the fortunes of the ocean are various, and he may arrive
there first. Glory be to God that our voyage has been very prosperous,
as your Excellency will learn. As this letter is only intended as a
safe-conduct for its bearers (for which we are hostages), and as a
permit to Antonio Lopez, I say nothing more except that I recommend
your Excellency, in case he shall arrive before I do, to give them a
kind reception, because we were well received by the emperor. It is
worth while for your Excellency to send here for copper and hemp, on
the king's account, as I shall report to you at my arrival. Captain
Lope de Llanos kisses your Lordship's hands; he is very ill with
quartan ague. He is not writing, because this letter is intended only
for the purpose above mentioned. From the realm of Xapon, province
of Chaxuma, at the port of Cuxi, November 4, 1592.

_Fray Juan Cobo_


Addressed to Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Santiago,
and governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands.

_Decree_

In the city of Manila, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of May,
one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, I, Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,
knight of the Order of Santiago, and captain-general of these islands,
declare in the name of the king, our lord, that whereas last year
some letters and an ambassador claiming to come from the king of
Xapon were received here, and, moved by suspicion and fearing war,
I sent the father Fray Juan Cobos with letters for the emperor;
and whereas it is over a year since the said father left here, and,
notwithstanding I have received letters from him meanwhile, making
known his safe arrival and the prompt execution of his mission, I
am anxious because he does not return; three Xaponese vessels having
arrived, and in one of them a man by the name of Faranda, a Xaponese
who claims to be the ambassador; and as I wish to be informed what
sort of a man this Faranda is, and to learn whether Father Cobos
arrived there and how he was received and sent away, and the purpose
that Faranda has in coming, and what are the intentions and objects of
the said emperor, and whatever else it is expedient to ask in order to
disperse and clear away the prevalent uncertainties, and know whether
we are to have safety and peace with that king: I hereby order that
the following investigation be made, the proceedings of which shall
be attached to the original letters sent by father Fray Juan Cobo
and to the memorial submitted by Faranda; and I sign it with my name.

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

Before me: _Juan de Cuellar_


[_Testimony_]

In [6] the city of Manila, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of
May, one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, the said governor
and captain-general, Gomez Perez Das Marinas, summoned Captain
Joan de Solis to his presence, in order to make the above-mentioned
investigation. He took the oath before God and on the sign of the
cross, in due form, and promised to answer truthfully the questions
asked him. The tenor of the questions having been read to him, he said
that, as one who had just come from the kingdoms of Xapon, and reached
this port and bay but yesterday, and who was in Xapon when father Fray
Joan Cobos arrived there--where this witness was building a ship (the
one in which he came hither), and work on which he left and abandoned,
in order to go to see, protect, and serve the said father Fray Joan
Cobo, and to instruct him in the customs and usages of the country,
as the father came in behalf of his Majesty--he will relate here what
he knows. While this witness was in the kingdoms of Xapon last year,
the emperor resolved to send an embassy here. This he entrusted
to Faranda Queymon, but as the latter fell sick at the time of his
intended departure from that country, he sent in his stead a Christian
Xaponese, named Gaspar, otherwise called Faranda. This witness says
that what he heard and was told regarding that matter--not only by
the emperor himself, with whom he conversed several times, but by
other personages and nobles of the emperor's court--was always that
the intention of the king of Xapon was only to ascertain, by means
of this embassy, whether these Philippines Islands were friendly or
hostile to him; for if they were friendly, then he wished friendship
and alliance with the governor and the Spaniards, and trade and
intercourse. If they were not friendly, then he would consider them
as enemies, and would attack them. This was the object of the embassy,
and the emperor's intention, as he himself declared three or four times
in the presence of this deponent, in the following formal language:
"It is true that I sent Quiemon on that embassy, for, as a man who
knows that land, he gave me an account of it. But what I wished was
friendship, and trade and intercourse with the Castilians, as I have
been informed of the good treatment given to my Xaponese there. I do
not want silver, gold, soldiers, or anything else, but only to keep
them as friends." This witness, as he knew the emperor's nature, and
his veracity, and the punctiliousness with which he keeps his word,
thinks that he does not claim vassalage, tribute, or any recognition
from this community and kingdom, nor does he intend to commit any wrong
toward this kingdom; but rather this witness believes and knows that
the emperor will aid this kingdom with soldiers, and whatever else
might be asked from him. Therefore he thinks that he who interpreted
the letter could not read or interpret it, if he asserted that the
emperor demanded vassalage; for the characters used in their writing
are difficult to understand. Likewise this witness declared, in regard
to the arrival of father Fray Joan Cobo in the kingdoms of Xapon, that
he saw that Father Cobo went from the port of Chandomar to Nangoya,
where the emperor was residing, and that this witness accompanied
and entertained him through the entire journey--about one hundred
leguas. This witness saw with his own eyes that the city of Nangoya
is a city of one hundred thousand or more inhabitants. This city was
built and settled in five months. It is three leguas long, and nine
leguas in circumference. It was built by order of Quambaco, by which
his power was manifest. As soon as Father Cobo had arrived and was
about to disembark in the port of the said city of Nangoya, a nobleman
of the court came to receive him, bearing three letters--one for the
said father, another for Captain Lope de Llano, and the third for the
present witness. They [the father and the two captains] were borne
on the shoulders of men to the house of the man who came to receive
them. There lodging had been prepared by order of Cuambac. Within
a week, Cuambac had the father summoned; as soon as the latter had
entered the palace, the emperor bade him be seated, and received the
messages that he bore. Then he made the above assertion to him with
indications of great pleasure. After that he ordered a collation spread
for the father, and asked him if he would like some tea to drink. The
father replied that he kissed his Highness's hands. As he rose to go,
the emperor ordered him to be taken to the Chanayu--a small house
where the most privileged go for recreation and to drink tea [7]
with the emperor. This house is well provided with gilded tables,
vessels, sideboards, and braziers; and the cups and basins, and the
rest of the service, are all of gold. There the emperor ordered a very
fine banquet to be spread for him, and had wine carried to him. He
again repeated the words above mentioned, two or three times, and
then sat down. After a moment's conversation, he took leave of the
father. Thirteen days after that, he sent the father a _catana_ or
sword, which is held in high estimation there in his kingdom, because
of its fineness and adornments; and a letter for the governor. This
letter was written on a large sheet of gilt paper resembling damask,
in letters of gold. This witness saw it, and took it in his hand,
and had it read many times. In brief, it contained these words:
"I sent Quiemon, as he is a man of intelligence, and as he had given
me a relation of that country, and the good treatment shown to my
vassals there; but I do not desire silver, gold, or soldiers, or
anything else, but only fast friendship with your nation, for I hold
everything under my sway. In Coray [Corea] my captains have already
taken the king prisoner, and are now near Lanquin, and about to seize
China. I am sending you a sword now, in order that you may have some
remembrance from me in that country. You shall have this written to
your king, and shall send me his reply. To the lioccata of Manila,
Huye Cama," (that is to say, "the great captain") The honor shown
to father Fray Joan Cobo was never shown to any foreigner or native,
according to the assertion of this witness, as one who has a thorough
understanding of the customs and laws of that country. From all of
the above it can be understood that the said father was received and
his business despatched with great honor. And, as to the father not
having come to this country, this witness declares that be knows that
the father embarked, after receiving many presents and supplies. The
vessel on which he embarked was in poor repair, and the season the
very depth of winter. The sea was in great turmoil, and the winds
contrary. On this account he thinks that the father perished at
sea. As to the person of the ambassador Faranda, he knows him to
be a man of influence in Xapon, who was recently created a lord by
the emperor of that country. The emperor ordered him to come here
in attendance on father Fray Joan Cobo, as one who was held in high
estimation. For this reason, this witness thinks that his coming is
without any duplicity, or cause for suspicion--beyond a little vanity,
to show that he is a lord, and one whom the emperor chooses for things
as important as this. Therefore this community has no grounds for fear
of any wrong being done by that country; but should, on the contrary,
esteem highly the friendship made with the said emperor; and as the
latter is a friend so powerful and important, his ambassador should
be served and entertained in the manner that seems most desirable to
the governor. This witness asserts the above, by the oath he took,
to be what he knows and what he has heard. He is thirty-eight years
old. He affixed his signature to the above.


_Joan de Solis_


Before me:


_Joan De Cuellar_


In the city of Manila, on the first of June, one thousand five hundred
and ninety-three, for the investigation of the aforesaid matter, an
oath was received in due form of law, before God and on the sign of the
cross, from Antonio Lopez, a Chinese Christian, an interpreter. He took
the oath, and promised, under charge thereof, to tell the truth. Being
questioned regarding the matter, this witness declared that he went
to the kingdoms of Xapon last year with Father Cobo. He saw that the
father was very courteously received by the emperor upon his arrival
there; for he saw Father Cobo enter [the palace] and go to meet the
emperor. He saw that Father Cobo appeared very happy and cheerful,
and heard him say that after a few days he was to go back with his
business well despatched. He saw the father embark well and happy,
with a present from the emperor of a very fine _catana_, or sword,
for the governor of the Philippinas. Father Cobo gave this witness
a letter, which he brought to the governor, for he sailed in the
ambassador's ship, by order of Father Cobo. This witness knows
that the emperor was very friendly to the Spaniards, and that the
ambassador Faranda Queimon came to make a treaty of peace. The latter
is the same man whom they saw enter and go with Father Cobo to meet
the emperor. Queimon is not hostile, but friendly. This is the truth
and nothing else, on his oath. He is about forty years old. He signed
the above, according to his custom.

Before me:

_Joan de Cuellar_

Collated with the original:

_Juan de Cuellar_

[_Endorsed_: "Matters discussed with the governor by Faranda,
ambassador from Japon."]

Antonio said that he heard that the emperor of Japon gave the conquest
of these islands to Kunquyn. He also heard the soldiers of the house
of Kunquyn say that they would like to come to these islands; and
they asked him if the people of Cagayan were subdued. Upon Antonio
replying "yes," they said "no," and that they knew it. He has heard
that the king of Japon gave the conquest of the island of Ermosa to
a Japanese; and that, when this man shall come to these islands, he
will come through them, island by island, and that they had already
set out. The greatest distance between any of these islands is about
two days' sail by sea, and one or two nights. The Xaponese laughed
when they heard Antonio say that these islands contained four or five
thousand Spaniards. They said that the defense of these islands was
merely a matter for jest, for one hundred of the Japanese were worth
two or three hundred of us; and that, therefore, the conquest of these
islands presented no difficulty. They declared that the natives of
Cagayan were ill-disposed toward us; and that the Japanese would no
sooner land in Cagayan, than the natives would deliver the Spaniards
to them. Antonio declared further that three large ships were being
built in Japon; and he could not understand why, unless for these
islands, as they had no need of them for other purposes.

Antonio Lopez declares further that he heard in Japon that the king
ordered this ambassador to return with the news, if the people of
Lucon should submit. But if they did not submit, then he should order
none of the Japanese here to return to Japon; as he would kill those
who did return, for he wished them to live here. Antonio thinks that
caution regarding the Japanese here should still be maintained--for,
as I understand, there are three hundred or more Japanese here,
and one hundred and fifty came in the ambassador's ship. According
to Antonio's opinion, no confidence should be placed in the infidel
Sangleys; for many of them have been in Japon, and those most evil and
most opposed to the Chinese are those very Chinese. He declares that
a Japanese, named Don Baltasar, conspired with Don Agustin at the time
of the revolt. This was told to Antonio Lopez by a Christian Sangley in
Firando. He declares that there are many of the Japanese here who came
to Cagayan seven years ago, and that the pilot who has just arrived in
this ship also went to Cagayan, to plunder. He has many times heard
the Japanese say that they would go to Ciuteui, thence to Cagayan;
and that the king of Japon ordered the inhabitants of Liutai not to
render homage any longer to China. They recognized that country to
the extent that, when the reigning king died, his successor had to be
approved by China. All the trees in Japon are assigned to the king;
and no one may cut them without his permission. Antonio declares
that little confidence can be placed in the Sangleys, in the Parian;
for many of them, having been promised some vassals by the Japanese,
are in rebellion. In Japon there is universal talk of the abundance
of gold in this land. On this account, the soldiers are anxious to
come here; and are coming, as they do not care to go to Core, which
is a poor country. Those who come from Core say: "Formerly when we
were going to plunder their country, the Chinese immediately united
with us; but now there is no one in Core who cares for our friendship,
but all love the Chinese even unto death."

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