Book: The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898

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





_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

[_Endorsed_: "1594. Copy of a letter to the king of Camboja from
Governor Gomez Perez."]




Documents of 1594



List of Philippine villages reduced by the Spaniards. [1594?]
Letter to king of Canboja. Luis Perez Dasmarinas; February 8.
Investigation of the hospital. Hernando de los Rios, and others;
February-April.
Report concerning the Filipinas Islands, and other
papers. Francisco de Ortega.
Decree for despatch of missionaries. Felipe II; April 27.
Reply to the Japanese emperor's letter. L.P. Dasmarinas, and
others; April 22--28.
Three letters to Felipe II. L.P. Dasmarinas; June 15--23.



_Sources_: The royal decree of April 27 is taken from Santa Ines's
_Cronica_, ii, p. 607; the remaining documents are obtained from
MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.

_Translations_: The sixth document is translated by Consuelo
A. Davidson; the first two letters in the seventh, by Jose M. and
Clara M. Asensio, and Arthur B. Myrick, respectively; all the remaining
matter, by James A. Robertson.




List of Philippine Villages Reduced by the Spaniards


List of the villages reduced to the service of his Majesty, and the
names of the chiefs who have made peace, since Captain Ffernando de
Berramontano went to those provinces as chief and leader of the troops,
at the order of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general
of these Philipinas Islands.


Potol and its allies--chiefs, Atano, Anguilo, and Ffucao.
Village of Cataguram--chief, Manipas.
Village and river of Tulaque--chief, Apavao.
Village and river of Massi--chief, Seriban.
Village of Gatara--chief, Lipagam.
Valley of Sinabanga--chief, Amangapa.
River of Bangal--chief, mother of Sseriban.
River of Pata--chiefs, Amanbacay and Manipaz.
River of Cabrasinga--chiefs, Lumboy and Ffucman.
River of Maguin--chief, Seriban.
Estuary of Bacto--chief, Sivican.
Bulay-chief, Macapito.
Village of Magamon--chiefs, Higoran and Maramossi.
Village of Higuy-chief, Hivigan.
Village of Carlanga--chiefs, Maguigal and Agarrao.
Village of Linga--chief, Palatao.
Village of Lobo--chief, Dalapiao.
Village of Arangay--chief, Abugam.
Village of Pras--chief, Agarrao.
Village of Gumay--chief, Saguin.
Village of Tarugo--chief, Valigot.
Village of Gadu--chief, Balagua.
Village of Taban--chief, Baloy.
Village of Catabagam--chief, Banagua.
Village of Tapayacan--chief, Vanga.
River and towns of Nabunga, belonging to his Majesty--chief, Tabuga.
Village of Calabatan--chief, Bacu.
Village of Maguin--chief, Baligot.
Village of Malapil--chief, the same.
Village of Tuao--chief, the same.
Village of Canoran--chief, the same.
Village of Agat--chief, Lahizio.
Estuary of Malaguit and village of Sinagan--chief, Calaz.
Village of Doga--chief, the same.
Village of Cabicumga--chief, the same.
Village of Gabutan--chief, the same.
Village of Taramin--chief, the same.
Village of Lines--chief, the same.
Village of Massi--chief, the above.
Village of Nagugan--chief, the above.
Village of Gumoy--chief, the same.
Village of Talapa--chief, Ciroy Babalino.
Village of Pelitan--chief, Sibay.
Village of Lubutan--chief, Magalate.
Village of Batagua--chief, Ladaran.
Village of Tubigarao and its allies--chief, Lahinaman Darrey.
Village of Maguila--chief, Batoninam.
Village of Calabatan--chief, Matalo.
Village of Care--chief, Alu.
Village of Duli--chief, Duli.
Village of Bolo--chiefs, Manoto and Sino.
Village of Masepni--chief, Seriban.
Village of Guinoya--chief, Sinanagua.
Village of Balissi--chief, Matalaguan.
Village of Purrao--chief, Zuaduban.
Village of Bual--chief, Mamagua.
Estuary of Nalaguan--chiefs, Tagabassi, Pasigan and Sima.
Village of Carrima--chief, Urragam.
Village of Taporagua--chief, Sidagay.
Village of Cacaguayan--chief, Zalope.
Village of Talamas--chief, Marratan.
Village of Alata--chief, Vaguigo.
Village of Tabagan--chief, Basugumi.
Village of Bugarro--chief, Pigol.
Estuary and villages of Dumon.
Durangua.
Tinapanga.
Gabemta.
Balogo--chief, Bengel.
Village of Camalayuga--chief, Litagua.
Village of Daludu--chief, Jseamalaza.
Village of Tocolana--chief, Mandarelac.
Province of Yugan, but lately conquered, with seven villages.
Villages of La Lamona and Mandaya, seven in all.
The chief river, named Tazo.


Camalayuga, Segovia, Tocolana, Pantao, Camanao, Gotate, Tagay, River
of Maguin, Calimotan, Dumon, Durango, Tinaponga, Gabemta, Bolaryo,
Balobo, Galitan, Dulaga, village of Mapanga, Locon, Masepin, Estuary
of Arolo, Pagaman, Amoran, Agopan, Estuary of Bacto, Yamaguam, Mangua,
Bagan, Goran, Magano, Higuy, Batana, Cacomigan, Arrimanao, Cataessaman.

Catadar, Estuary of Maguila, Cacomigan, Cabugao, Mapapala, Boboo,
Estuary of Bagam, Tubigarao, Abas, Louba, Nota, Botoan, Lulu, Lapugan,
Vical, Estuary of Malagui, Nalaguam, Ungagui, Carrama, Ymaniz, Quinoyo,
Marranate, Batagua, Boluye, Lulutam, Estuary of Batagua, Amiguibay,
Bugarro, Bonoay, Bugao, Bungal, Alu, Alagua, Bolabic, Togote.

Cugan, Alate, Roge, Fugao, Inlet of Purrao, Bolo, Tingar, Pipin,
Purrao, Dala, Bicum, Malata, Duyusan, Bacuam, Baga, Upland of Lapazada,
Nabotas, River of Cimbuey, Pelitam, Alata, River Atam, Paguyamapi,
Luday, Lama, Babayugom, Malin, Casiyam, Agutane, Maguilo, Parbuam,
Tabussi, Capay, Minaga, Balaga, Malopi, Matudo, Loquillo, Beledeca,
Cagavian, Bagu, Guto, Labu, Tongolan, Talogua, Talaona.

Gumitan, Lubutan, Ligon, Baporago, River of Baporago, Cabalaratan,
Gamoy, Abazague, Passacoy, Biao, Malay, Bulagua, Plains of Llobo,
Madulango, Cari, Duli, Maranon, Tapie, Nabunge, Bangal, Ulagua,
Tarugo, Gadu, Ylagua, Pras, Tarro, Taban, Carlanga, Yagam, Ramoron,
Pagamal, Agunge, River of Llobo, Tabagam, Pipi, Gumabi, Capayam,
River of Palmarez ["palm-groves"], Malabit, Arangay, Lobor, Valley
of Palmarez, Estuary of Gacare, Jataro, Talapo, Talapanze, Mandayo.

La Lamona, Potol, Sinabange, Cabunuam, Jacatay, Tocol, Alibumga,
Maperi, Manaco, Paracam, Duludu, Ladugo, Minalam, Batal, Batatas,
Balissi, Estuary of Latupe, River of Lulaque, Simayo, Massin, River
Bangal, Bangal, Pata, Cabicumga.




Letter from Luis Perez Dasmarinas to the King of Canboja


To the king of Canboja:

Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Alcantara, governor
and captain-general of Luzon, for the king of Castilla, my sovereign,
wishes you health and prosperity.

After the governor, my father, had despatched Captain Diego Belosso,
your ambassador, and had given him the enclosed letter, God our Lord,
in whose hand and divine providence are life and death, was pleased
to take my father to himself. [16] I succeeded him in his duties,
and in the good-will and friendship with which he was ready to aid,
in every way, the desire and service of the king of Canboja. I shall
continue the same in all sincerity, as the bearer of this will inform
you. And as proof of this, in order that Diego Belosso [17] may not go
unaccompanied, I am sending Diego de Villanueva with this reply. He
is an honored nobleman, of excellent qualities; and he might be of
some service and use to you there in mining matters, for he has much
knowledge thereof, as well as in the working of metals. You may discuss
with him what you wish, and anything pertaining to the good of your
kingdom. You may credit anything that he may say and represent in my
name. I shall be very glad to establish intercourse and communication
between us; for the people of Canboja will ever meet, when they
come here, hospitable reception and fatherly love from me. Truly I
wish that I had here some Spanish curiosities to send to the king of
Canboja, in token of love and friendship; but on a second journey,
God pleasing, I shall be better prepared. In the meanwhile I shall
inform the said king, my sovereign, of this new friendship, and of
the pathway opened for trade and communication between us, which is so
useful and agreeable to all, and from which I hope will result glory
for our great God, and many beneficial results. The king, my sovereign,
will heartily commend and favor this, and will rejoice exceedingly
that it shall result in every way to your satisfaction and approval,
an object which I shall forward whenever opportunity presents. May
our Lord God preserve and prosper you. Manila, February 8, 1594.

Considering that the king of Canboja wishes to advance Diego de
Belosso, and that he is a deserving man, I have given special orders
that he should go, as he does, free from restrictions, and with
satisfactory equipment.

[_Endorsed_: "+1594+. Copy of the letter to the king of Canboja from
Governor Don Luis Perez."]




Investigation of the Hospital


I, Hernando de los Rios, administrator of the royal hospital of
this city, declare that, because of the small amount of income and
alms received by the said hospital, the needs of the sick are not
provided for. It is impossible to give them everything requisite
for their health, inasmuch as there are many sick there, both of
the ordinary troops and the mercenary soldiers, to whom his Majesty
gives medicines, and for whom he supplies a physician, as he is
bound to do. The same provision is made for the other poor and needy
inhabitants and citizens to whom his Majesty is under obligations,
as they are old soldiers and settlers who have served for many years
in this country without any pay. Many of them fall sick from the great
sufferings that they undergo, because of the unhealthfulness of this
country, both in food and climate, and from other causes. However,
these would be much more numerous, if there were no place in which to
succor their necessities. As is well known, not one of the sick has
(and there is not in this city) any other place where they can go
except to this hospital. It is well known how much more it costs his
Majesty to transport a man from Nueva Espana than to sustain him after
having brought him here; and for the common welfare of this community
and its conservation, it is necessary to have men here. Hence, and
since charity to the sick is so great a service to God our Lord,
I beg and entreat your Lordship to be pleased to assign to the said
hospital from the royal exchequer what is necessary for its efficient
administration and maintenance, in consideration of the fact that
the income apportioned to it is inadequate, because of its heavy
expenses. If necessary, I am ready to undergo investigation, and I
take oath in due form that this petition is made with no ill intent,
and I beg justice.


_Hernando de Los Rios_


February 16, 1594: Investigation shall be made in regard to the
contents of this petition. The witnesses whom the administrator of
the hospital shall present in the course of the legal verification
which he has been ordered to make shall be examined in accordance
with the following interrogatory.

1. First: Whether they are acquainted with the said hospital.

2. _Item_: Whether they know that there is no other hospital in
these islands and city where the Spanish, especially the soldiers,
can be treated.

3. _Item_: Whether they know that the majority of the soldiers
serve for pay, and that there are, as a rule, fifty or sixty sick,
or even more.

4. For the fourth question: Let them state whether they know that,
by failing to give them the necessary attention, his Majesty would
be put to greater expense and cost, and this community would suffer
great harm and loss, because of the death of many, and because of the
much greater expense to the king, our sovereign, in transporting one
soldier here than in supporting two.

5. _Item_: Let them state whether they know that, because of the
small pay and the dearness of food, and because of their discomfort
and their heavy toil in mounting guard and in sentinel duty, many
fall sick daily and die; and that for this reason, the said hospital
always contains more sick men than it can take care of.

6. _Item_: Let them state whether they know that many of the old
sailors and soldiers, who have served his Majesty here, are poor and
needy; that these men are useful in this country, because they are,
like the others, ready for whatever occasions arise; that they have
no other place to go to except the said hospital, when they become
sick; and that his Majesty is under obligations to provide them with
a hospital, as he has not rewarded their services.

7. For the seventh question: Whether they know that the hospital
possesses an income of but little more than one thousand five hundred
pesos, and that the gifts to it are very few.

8. For the eighth question: Whether they know that the said hospital
needs more than six thousand pesos for its maintenance, since its
expenses are high, and since there is no other food in this country
that can be provided for the sick than fowls, which are valued at
excessive rates--as, for instance, two reals, or two and one-half or
three reals.

9. The ninth: Let them state whether they know that the said hospital
uses many drugs from Castilla and other regions, which are very
dear, because they are brought from so great a distance as those who
know say.

10. For the tenth question: Let them state whether they know that
the said hospital is in great need of buildings for the service of
the poor, and the accommodation of the others who work in the said
hospital; since it has but one corridor, where the said sick are poorly
accommodated and crowded; and that therefore the said hospital needs
four more buildings.

11. For the eleventh question: Let them state whether they know that,
in addition to the things enumerated above, the said hospital has
need of a very large force of attendants, as brethren and slaves,
and of other services from Indian men and women, upon whom a great
sum of money is necessarily spent, both in wages and food; and that
they are badly accommodated, because they have no adequate house.

12. For question twelve: Whether they know that all the aforesaid is
public and well known.


_Hernando de Los Rios_


_Evidence on the part of the hospital_

In the city of Manila, on the fifteenth day of the month of April, one
thousand five hundred and ninety-four, Colonel Hernando de los Rios,
steward of the Spanish hospital of this city, in answer to the contents
of the petition and interrogatory above set forth, presented as witness
Fray Diego Munoz, prior of the convent of Sant Pablo de San Agustin
of Manila, and commissary of the Holy Office. Oath was taken from
him _in verbum sacerdotis_, and he promised to tell the truth. Being
interrogated in accordance with the inquiry, he deposed as follows:

1. To the first question he answered that he knew of the royal hospital
of this city of Manila from the time of its establishment by Doctor
Santiago de Vera. This was his answer.

Being asked the usual questions prescribed by law, he said that he
was thirty-four years old and competent to be a witness.

2. To the second question, he answered that he knew there is no other
hospital for treating Spaniards throughout these islands except
that of the said city of Manila. Therefore Spaniards from all the
islands, especially ordinary soldiers and mercenaries, go there for
treatment. This was his answer.

3. To the third question he answered that he knew the number of
patients in the said hospital, as he had been in it many times. He
thought it contained ordinarily fifty or sixty sick soldiers. This
was his answer.

4. To the fourth question he answered that he knew that by not giving
proper attention to the sick, his Majesty would suffer greater expense
and cost in being compelled to send other men in their place to this
country. This will be a great expense to his Majesty, because of the
high cost of transporting each of those who go to the said islands;
besides, on account of the great distance of the country, and the
difference of its climate from that of our Espana, many men die. This
was his answer.

5. To the fifth question he answered that his reply was the same as
to the preceding question.

6. To the sixth question he answered that besides the mercenaries and
ordinary soldiers who are treated in the said royal hospital, many
others are also treated--namely, sailors, and old and poor Spanish
soldiers, who because they have not the means to be treated, have
recourse to the said hospital. These his Majesty is under obligation
to assist, because of their services. This was his answer.

7. To the seventh question he answered that he referred to the
attestation and certifications given by the officials of the royal
exchequer of these islands, and that he knew that the income is
insufficient for the heavy expense incurred by the said royal
hospital--as this witness and the other superiors of the religious
orders of this city have written to his Majesty, begging him to assist
the said royal hospital by increasing its income, since it is not
sufficient. This was his answer.

8. To the eighth question he answered that his reply was the same as
to the preceding question.

9. In answer to the ninth question he declared that he believed that,
since so many sick persons are treated in the said hospital, many
drugs must necessarily be used which are not products of this country,
and which must be brought from Nueva Espana and other regions. This
was his answer.

10. In answer to the tenth question he declared that he knew that the
hospital needs more buildings than it has, for the sick are many and
crowded. This was his answer.

11. In answer to the eleventh question he declared that he did not
know; but that he thought that for so many people as are there usually,
many servants are necessary. This was his answer.

12. In answer to the twelfth question, he declared, on his oath,
that the aforesaid is the truth and is public and well known; and he
affixed his signature to it.


_Fray Diego Munoz_


Before me:


_Martin Sanchez de Leyba_, royal notary.


[In like manner, depositions were taken from Fray Alonso Jimenez,
provincial of the Order of St. Dominic; Father Antonio Sedeno, superior
of the Society of Jesus; Captain Pedro de Chaves, master-of-camp;
Diego Velazquez de Mercado, dean of the cathedral of San Pedro de
Manila; and Gaspar de Ysla, former steward of the hospital. Their
testimony is much the same as the one given above, nothing new being
brought out. The document ends as follows:]

In regard to this work I certify, in so far as I may, as to its
necessity and justice, for the welfare and amendment of all this
country and community; and that it is a work worthy the royal heart of
his Majesty, that it needs his royal and generous protection and favor,
and that God our Lord through His poor, will be greatly served in it.


_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_


Therefore I affixed my seal in testimony of accuracy.


_Gaspar de Azebo_


[_Endorsed_: "Inquiry in regard to the great advantage derived from
the royal hospital of Manila, and in regard to the affirmation that
the poor cannot be supported with its income."]




Report Concerning the Filipinas Islands, and other Papers



A Report Concerning the Filipinas Islands, which it is Advisable to
Settle and Pacify; and other Matters


Most potent Sire:

Fray Francisco de Ortega [18] of the order of St. Augustine,
visitor-general of the province of the Philipinas, and prior of the
convent of the city of Manila, with desire and zeal for the service of
God our Lord, and of your Highness, in order to inform you concerning
the nature of the Philipinas Islands, which have rendered obedience
to your Highness, and of what is advisable for their welfare and
increase, and for the relief of your Highness's royal conscience,
makes the following declaration.

1. That it will be of much import for your Highness to order the island
of Mindanao, which is four hundred leguas in circuit, to be pacified
and settled. It is said that there are many people there who, when
pacified, will need, according to the report made, at least eighty
ministers for the conversion of those natives. This said island lies
to the south. It produces a great quantity of cinnamon, which, if
cultivated, will prove a source of great profit to the royal exchequer
of your Highness. This island is quite near those of Maluco, and the
occupation of it will be very advantageous, because of what is said
of the trade and commerce of the said Malucas Islands, of which we
would thus gain practical knowledge.

2. The island of Leyte lies in the same southern region. It is sixty
leguas in circumference. It is apportioned to eight encomenderos,
who have about five thousand Indians as tributarios. The latter have
up to this day never seen ministers of the gospel, and they have been
paying tribute for over twenty years. It is advisable, for the relief
of the conscience of those encomenderos and the royal conscience of
your Highness, that ministers be furnished. For the conversion of those
natives, ten ministers will be needed, counting one minister to each
five hundred tributarios. These latter will amount to ten thousand
souls, but more rather than less, counting the women and children.

3. The island called Negros, which has been so called by the Spaniards
because in this island there are more than the usual proportion of
a race called Negrillos; they are not, however, as black as those of
Guinea. They live separate from the natives of the island, which is
something like one hundred leguas in circumference. Four thousand
five hundred Indians pay tribute in this island, which is allotted
to eight encomenderos. These, as well as the encomenderos of Leyte,
above mentioned, have repartimientos of Indians in other places. For
the conversion of these natives, nine or ten more ministers of the
gospel will be needed. According to the above report, there are some
twenty thousand souls there.

4. The island of Panay has twenty-five thousand Indians as tributarios,
or about one hundred thousand souls, rather more than less. It is one
hundred leguas in circumference, and has sixteen encomenderos, and
fourteen religious of the order of St. Augustine, in six monasteries
founded there--one on the river of Panay, which is in the royal crown
lands of your Highness, and the other five monasteries in villages of
the encomenderos. All the other villages of this island, which is the
best in that land, after Luzon, are without ministers. To comply with
the obligation and relief [of the conscience] of the encomenderos,
thirty-six ministers are needed, in addition to the aforesaid; for the
island, as I have said, contains about one hundred thousand people,
great and small, requiring the ministry of instruction.

5. The island of Cubu, which was the first in this archipelago to
render obedience to your Highness, and where the first settlement of
Spaniards was established, is one hundred leguas in circumference,
or thereabouts. The number of Indians in the southern part, is not
known with accuracy, because it has not been visited. Four thousand
Indians pay tribute to eight encomenderos. It has no ministers of
the gospel, but there is a monastery of the order of St. Augustine,
established in the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, and they have
in charge a village of the natives near by, with about one thousand
two hundred inhabitants. All the rest are without instruction. Six
ministers, besides the three in the said monastery, are needed for
the conversion of those natives.

6. The island of Bool is twenty-four leguas in circuit, with one
thousand Indian tributarios, or about four thousand souls. They
have never had, nor have they now, any instruction, and they have
paid tribute for eighteen years. They need two ministers for their
conversion.

7. The island of Cuyo is twelve leguas in circumference. It has one
thousand Indians paying tribute, but, for want of ministers, none
of it is christianized; for they have never had them and have not
now. They have been paying tribute as long as those of the island of
Bool. Two ministers are needed for the instruction of these natives.

8. The island of Mindoro is eighty leguas or so in circuit, and lies
to the south. It is but scantily populated; although much of it has
not been visited, in the known parts there are about two thousand
Indian tributarios. The chief village of this island, which belongs
to your Highness, has one minister. There is need of six ministers
of the gospel, counting the one priest that it has.

9. And further, the said father Fray Francisco de Ortega says that,
in addition to the islands named above, are other small islands,
whose names follow. Ybabao is twelve leguas in circuit, has eight
hundred tributarios, and is an encomienda. Samal has three thousand
Indian tributarios, or something above ten thousand souls, and a
circuit of about fifteen leguas. Capul is ten leguas in circuit, and
has three hundred and fifty tributarios. The island of Maripipe has
a like number, and is fifteen leguas in circumference. Camanguian,
ten leguas in circuit, and one hundred and fifty tributarios;
Cubuyan, eighteen leguas in circuit, and two hundred and fifty
tributarios; the island of Cabras, a like number, and is eight
leguas in circuit. Vanton is about ten leguas in circumference,
and has about three hundred tributarios. That of Marinducq is thirty
leguas in circuit, and has eight hundred Indian tributarios; Romblon,
eight leguas in circuit, and one hundred and fifty Indian tributarios;
Tablas, eighteen leguas and two hundred and fifty tributarios. The
island of Ambil is five leguas in circuit, and has one hundred and
fifty Indian tributarios; Buracay, six leguas, and two hundred and
fifty tributarios. That of Helin is about eight leguas in circuit,
and has three hundred Indian tributarios; Calamianes, sixty leguas
in circuit, or thereabout, and thus far is known to have six hundred
tributarios; Caguayanes, eighteen leguas in circumference, and about
five hundred Indians; Mazbate, twenty-five leguas and five hundred
and fifty tributarios. The island of Fuegos is nine leguas in circuit,
and has two hundred tributarios; Ymaras, fourteen leguas in circuit,
and three hundred and fifty tributarios.

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