The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XII, 1601 1604 by Edited by Blair and Robertson

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I would again remind your Majesty of this matter of Maluco and the
punishment of the people there, and its importance--as well as of
what I wrote concerning the matter from Mexico, and how much evil
may result from attending to the matter from India; for that ends
in nothing but expenditure of money, waste of men, and the loss of
prestige, and results in giving more strength to the enemy. This
affair urgently demands promptness, and a person who will give it
careful attention. I make offer of myself again, and am right willing
to sacrifice myself in the service of your Majesty on this occasion;
and I believe that my desire to be of use will cause me to succeed
in the fulfilment of my obligations.

With this goes a memorandum of matters which occur to me as necessary,
and which, after due examination and consideration, with much thought
and reflection, it has seemed best to me to send to your Majesty. The
most important thing in these matters is promptness and secrecy, and
the latter is most necessary in Hespana, since there watch can be kept
upon the Dutch, so that seasonable preparations can be made in Spain,
and they be prevented from becoming masters of Maluco, before we can
do so--which would be a very great loss, and one very difficult to
repair. May God grant success as He may, and protect the Catholic
person of your Majesty, according to the needs of Christendom. Port
of Cavite, July 20, 1603.

_Don Pedro de Acuna_

[_Endorsed_: "Draw up immediately a succinct relation of what resulted
from this fleet that went from Yndia, to deliver to----." "Examined
June 14, 1604; no answer to be given."]

_Jesus_

Sire:

The universal need of these Philipinas has influenced not only the
governor and captain-general, the royal Audiencia, and the city
government of Manila, but the religious orders as well, to call upon
your Majesty, as rightful lord and king of all, seeking humbly the
remedy which must come to us from the royal hands of your Majesty.

As for the uprising of the Chinese, I will only say that it might have
been averted, if the decrees of your Majesty had been obeyed that
prohibit so excessive a number of infidels, accustomed to treachery
and perverse habits, from remaining here; and if they were plotting
another conspiracy with those that ordinarily come from China, they
have been blinded through the great mercy of the Lord, who by their
downfall leaves us wiser and with fewer enemies.

The damage and robbery inflicted by the people of Mindanao in these
islands could have been prevented if the garrison of Spaniards in that
island, which held the pirates in check, had not been recalled. At
present the need is all the greater, as they are encouraged by their
victories, and our Bisayans are dispirited. In the islands where our
humble Society of Jesus teaches, they caused great loss; and during the
past month they attacked Leyte, and captured two of our religious, and
more than eight hundred natives besides. This was at their first entry,
and gave them courage to continue ravaging other neighboring islands,
where the members of our Society are also in danger. This was written
me from Zebu, by our provincial who is visiting those islands and
missions, where there are many good Christians--and this at great risk
to himself. It is a great pity that so new a Christian people should
be molested by those from Mindanao, who are infected by the doctrine
of Mahoma. It would be easy for your Majesty to give us remedy in
this by ordering troops and aid sent from Nueva Espana, wherewith
Don Pedro de Acuna may show his valor and accomplish his wishes;
for his services are of great Importance here, as your Majesty knows.

Captain and Sargento-mayor Christobal Azuleta [_sic; sc_. Azcueta]
Menchaca, who always has been an excellent soldier, likewise
distinguished himself greatly in this affair of the Chinese Sangleys,
achieving two noteworthy victories, wherein were killed more than
five thousand of the enemy without the loss of a single Spaniard--of
whom he took great care, as they are so few and precious here.

A complete relation of all matters will be given to your Majesty by
Fray Diego Guevara [27] prior of the Augustinians of this city, who,
as a person of so much religion, experience, integrity, and veracity,
is going on this mission on behalf of these islands--where we are all
beseeching God our Lord to protect us, and to prosper your Majesty
for many years, with good measure of his choicest gifts, for the
greater glory of His Divine Majesty, etc. From this college of the
Society of Jesus, Manila, December 10, 1603.

_Gregorio Lopez_

Sire:

During the month of June just past, in this year, we, of this
metropolitan church of Manila, the vassals and chaplains of your
Majesty, advised you by the ships which left these islands for Nueva
Espana of the matters that seemed best for your royal service, and for
the welfare and usefulness of both this church and this commonwealth,
at that time; and to that we at present refer you. As new occasions
have come to light, we inform your Majesty, in accordance with our
bounden duty, that on the eve of St. Francis' day last past the Chinese
Sangleys, who live in the outskirts of this city, rose against it,
to the number of twenty thousand, setting fire to the houses, and
killing several Spaniards and Indians who lived without the wall. They
fought with some of our men, killing one hundred and thirty Spaniards,
including many of the most prominent men. They attacked the city,
stationing themselves in a large stone church building, which was
being completed by the friars of St. Francis, standing three hundred
paces from the wall--a very bad situation for it. The city was in
great danger from their attack, for there were hardly a thousand
Spaniards in it. Our men set fire to the alcayceria of these same
Sangleys, which stood about twenty paces from the wall. Our Lord was
pleased to deliver us from the many and great dangers in which this,
your Majesty's city, found itself; for its loss would have destroyed
the Filipinas, and the Christian community and faith of Jesus Christ
our Lord in them, if He had not miraculously delivered us. The enemy
abandoned the situation that they had seized, on account of the damage
that the artillery did them, and retired to the country inland,
where our men pursued them, cutting off and killing them in a very
short time. Thus did our Lord remove the danger in which this city
and these islands of your Majesty have been so many years, because
the governors preceding the one we now have would not comply with
and observe the royal decrees and mandates of your Majesty, although
they were urged and advised to do so, both in private and from the
pulpit. For the good government of this country it would be well for
your Majesty to be pleased to provide some efficacious means for the
observance and execution of your royal decrees and mandates; since
from the failure to do this has resulted the loss we have mentioned,
and perhaps still greater is yet to come. We also dread a very large
fleet which is expected to come from the kingdom of China against this
city. May our Lord, in His mercy, defend and protect this, His cause,
and not permit this new plant to be killed.

Toward the end of the past month this city took fire; and, as the wind
was strong, half of its houses were burned, including those of the
richest citizens and merchants, and the royal warehouses. Through this
loss and that of the ships this whole community, both ecclesiastical
and secular, is in great straits, hard pressed and very needy. On
this account your Majesty will favor it by your royal power, that
it may not be ruined altogether. We are confident in the Lord, that
if this letter reaches your Majesty's royal hands, with information
in the other matters above mentioned, our Lord will be served, and
this commonwealth and the Filipinas Islands aided and favored by your
Majesty--whom may our Lord protect during many long and happy years,
for the welfare and increase of His dominions. Manila, December
11, 1603.

The chaplains and vassals of your Majesty:
_Don Juan de Bivero_, dean of Manila.
_Sanctiago de Castro_, precentor of Manila.
The canon _Diego de Leon_
The licentiate _Marcos Maldonado_, canon.
The canon _Ranullo de Cartagena_
The canon _Pablo Ruiz de Talavera_
_Francisco de Cavranca_

Sire:

This order has thought best to send to Espana, to negotiate its
affairs, father Fray Diego de Guevara, prior of this house at Manila,
as your Majesty will be informed. This has pleased me much, for,
besides that business, I have communicated to him things which
intimately concern the service of God and your Majesty, which he
will explain to you--particularly the need for reformation in this
province. I beseech your Majesty, if such be your pleasure, to give
him audience, and to remedy without delay the matters concerned. In
my opinion, the most important thing is to have some person come
here from Hespana, who is zealous for both services--a man of great
energy and integrity, and sufficient power so that, with another
of the same qualifications, to be chosen here, as the former there,
they can settle this matter aright, for it is very necessary. I refer
you to the said father procurator, who will make a complete report
concerning this and other matters here. I will say no more than that
I am taking this measure because it touches my obligations, and my
bounden duty to your Majesty's service. If this be done, I am certain
that all will be in fitting order. May our Lord protect the Catholic
person of your Majesty, according to the needs of Christendom. From
your Majesty's convent of San Pablo, at Manila, December 17, 1603.

_Fray Pedro Arce_, provincial.

Sire:

The Order of the illustrious St. Augustine which resides in these
islands, has need of austere [28] friars from Castilla to carry on the
conversion which they have wrought in this land, and have commenced
in Japon. Some friars of ability will be necessary to help them,
considering that those who become friars in Mexico are not esteemed
in this country. For this reason the said order is sending father
Fray Diego de Guevara, hitherto prior of the convent in this city,
to bring religious here. He is a thorough religious himself, and
zealous for the good of his order. This convent of your Majesty,
and of the minor friars of our father St. Francis, deprives itself of
him for the greater good. I humbly beg your Majesty to be pleased to
command that the said father be sent back, without delay, so that he
may continue to carry out his earnest desires; for in this he does
great service to God and to your Majesty, whom may our Lord protect
for the welfare and growth of Christendom. Manila, from this convent
of Nuestra Senora de los Angeles; December 19, 1603.

_Fray Joan de Garrovillas_, definitor and guardian.

THE SANGLEY INSURRECTION

Letter from the Audiencia

Sire:

By way of Nueva Espana this Audiencia has informed your Majesty of
occurrences up to that time; and although this letter will be very
uncertain, as it must go by way of Portuguese India, it has seemed
best to write it, giving an account of what has happened since,
as it is so important.

By the last letter of this Audiencia, dated on the fifth of July of
this year, we gave your Majesty an account of three mandarins from
the kingdom of China who had come to this city, and the innovation
which they had instituted, on account of which the governor and
captain-general considered the plan of fortifying this city, and
providing, in case anything should happen, the supplies necessary
and suitable for its defense and safety. This caused some disturbance
among the Chinese, who began to confer among themselves, in secret,
concerning the means of insurrection. Although great care was taken by
this Audiencia and the governor to keep them quiet, and to relieve them
of the fear which they were said to have on account of the aforesaid
precautions, it was not sufficient, and following their resolve,
on the night of the last St. Francis' day, at about eleven o'clock,
they revolted. They chose for their leader a Christian Sangley named
Joan Untae, who, according to the investigations made in regard to him
by this Audiencia, appears to have revolted in the name of one Joan
Baptista, governor of the Chinese. On him and the others exemplary
justice has been rigorously visited. The Chinese gathered on the other
side of the river of this city to the number of ten or twelve thousand,
many other people remaining in their Parian and fortifying themselves
as well as they could. On this night they burned several houses,
and the orchard of a citizen of this city named Captain Estevan de
Marquina, with whom they commenced, killing him and his wife and four
children and several servants. From here they went to a village called
Quiapo, on the other side of the river, which they burned, killing
several Indian children and women. The governor and captain-general
noticing this, and knowing what had happened on the preceding days
when there had been considerable disturbances, notified Don Luis
Dasmarinas, formerly governor of these islands, who lived in a place
called Minondog, sending him some troops so that he might keep watch of
the enemy. On the next morning Don Luis was reenforced by a number of
people picked from the citizens of this city, and with these he went
to meet the enemy in the place where they were located, which was
very near the village of Tondo. The Spaniards went out from there,
and having fought with them, as it was a country where there were
many thickets and heavy woods, and which was mountainous, the enemy
surrounded them with such a number of men that they could not retreat;
and at last Don Luis was killed, with more than a hundred Spaniards.

Later, the next Monday, the enemy met, and after their custom drew
lots, as usual in war; and finding these in their favor and learning
from them, as they say, that they would take this city, they decided
to go on to the Parian, and united with the people who remained
there. With great force and impetuosity they attacked this city, in
several parts of the wall, with many contrivances which they brought
along to assault it. Those inside defended themselves well, killing
many of the Chinese and doing all they could in our defense. The
Spaniards succeeded in setting fire to the Parian, obliging them to
retreat to a stone chapel, the erection of which had been begun,
twenty paces from the wall, named Avocacion de Nuestra Senora de
la Candelaria, where our men made a sortie to meet them and caused
them great loss. When the Chinese saw that they could not maintain
themselves there, they divided into three bands and went inland,
doing much damage. An attempt was made to reach them still, for
which purpose one of the old captains of this city, called Don Luis
de Velasco, was sent with a good force Of soldiers. He attacked them
one morning at dawn and killed more than three hundred. On the same
day, when he returned with the intention of doing them more damage,
he went so far into the enemy's country that they killed him there
with four or five other soldiers and two Franciscan friars. The
enemy placed and fortified themselves in a very strong place called
San Pablo de los Montes, about fifteen leguas from this city, more
or less. They sent to meet him there the captain and sargento-mayor
of this camp, Christoval de Axqueta. He, with a hundred Spaniards,
a number of native Indians, and some Japanese whom he took with him,
having located them and had a few engagements with them, invested and
took their fort, killing many of them. Those who could escape fled,
and all those who had remained were overcome and killed. Thence he went
on to the other army which was situated in a place called Vatangas,
about six leguas from the first. There our men used their utmost
efforts to overcome them. Finally, both on account of the laudable
efforts of the captain, as he is one of the best soldiers of this camp,
being a veteran and a good warrior, and likewise by the good behavior
of the soldiers and the help of the natives, they killed all the enemy
without losing a man, which was a very fortunate ending. This was the
end of this incident, but it has caused much anxiety as to what may
be expected from China. On this account provision is being made and
everything necessary is being put to rights and the fortifications
are being repaired. The governor and captain-general is aiding with
great pains and diligence, and he will give a longer account to your
Majesty of this incident, to which account we refer you.

The citizens of these islands have been very ready on this occasion
in lending aid, as have likewise the natives of this district,
particularly those of the provinces of Panpanga, Laguna, and Bulacan.

Father Fray Diego Guebara, prior of the Augustinian convent of this
city, is going [to Spain] on the affairs of his province, by which he
was chosen and elected for that purpose, as he is a religious of much
virtue, learning, and most Christian life, for which reason he was sent
to establish the order in Xapon. He did so very satisfactorily. From
him your Majesty, if you be so pleased, may order information on the
affairs of this country, of which he will give a full account, as he
is well informed in all things. There is nothing else which we can
report to your Majesty. May our Lord protect your very Catholic person
according to the needs of Christendom. Manila, December 12, 1603.

_Don Pedro de Acuna_

The licentiate _Don Antonio de Ribera Maldonado_

The licentiate _Tellez Almacan_

The licentiate _Andres de Alcaraz_

The licentiate _Manuel de Madrid y Luna_

[_Endorsed_: "Manila; to his Majesty; 1603. The governor and Audiencia;
December 12. September 26, 1606. Examined, and to be joined with the
other papers which treat of this matter."]

TWO LETTERS FROM ECCLESIASTICS

Sire:

This country is greatly in need of relief, for it is rapidly going to
destruction. All its injury and loss is due to this, that the decrees
and orders of your Majesty, sent for the good government of these
islands, are not complied with. If these were observed, there would
be no more prosperous city in all your Majesty's dominions. Situated
here in sight of so many heathen, it would seem that the Lord had
set it here to be a new Rome, whence the gospel would go out through
all these kingdoms. The worst of the matter is that there are not
lacking persons here who maintain that the decrees of your Majesty
are not binding on the conscience, which gives opportunity for some
to violate them without any fear. It is nearly seventeen years since
the Order of St. Dominic was founded here; and in all this time they
have always preached the importance of obeying the royal decrees,
and that, if they were disregarded, the country must be ruined. The
truth of this has been seen this year, for our sins; for this country
was on the verge of ruin through the uprising of the Sangleys, who
attempted to make themselves masters of the city. They were emboldened
to this by seeing themselves so numerous, for they were more than
sixteen thousand; and these, added to those in the fleet when it
came from China, amounted to twenty thousand. The city was very hard
pressed, and in danger of being lost, together with the faith here
(which has been established at such a cost to the royal exchequer),
and the hopes for the increase of the church and its extension through
our new worlds. It could be clearly seen that the Lord alone led the
war for the destruction of this enemy--so pernicious for the spread of
the gospel, and averse to natural law, for they were a very Sodom; and
with their intercourse with the natives, this cancer was spreading. It
is certain that if the Sangleys had had a concerted leadership, they
would have been masters of the city with little enough opposition;
for they could have entered as they usually did on their business,
and taken possession of the weapons of the citizens, which were all
left in the houses without being guarded, as the people lived without
fear or apprehension. The Sangleys are clever at all things, but the
Lord blinded them so that this might not come about. If your Majesty
should ask who is to blame in this so serious matter, we should say
that it is they that have not kept the decrees of your Majesty; for
your Majesty commanded years ago that no Sangleys should be left here
except those strictly necessary for the service of the city, [29]
and its cabildo has repeatedly petitioned that only three thousand
be allowed. This has not been complied with; but, on the contrary,
each year more and more have been allowed to stay, until the said
sixteen thousand have gathered here. Finding themselves so numerous,
they plotted the said treason. Your Majesty's decree providing
reformation for the future was the occasion for so many remaining;
for, as licenses in writing were given to those who remained and
paid the said license fees, this vicious profit was the cause for
this evil. In one of the past years I heard that these licenses had
cost sixty thousand pesos, which seemed to me almost incredible. This
year its possibility was demonstrated by an incident that happened to
me. There came to me several Sangleys recently arrived from China, and
besought me to procure licenses for them to remain in the country. I
told them that I would not do so; but within a few days they returned
and showed me the licenses that had been given them, for which five
tostons each had been exacted. When I recounted this occurrence to a
God-fearing person, he told me that there were licenses that cost as
high as seven and eight pesos, and others sold at five or six. For
the punishment of past acts, and in provision for the future, your
Majesty must send a rigorous inspection, in order that those who have
put the country and the faith in such danger may be punished. Your
Majesty should not trust the various papers that come from here,
for it is evident that those who feel themselves in the wrong, will
attempt to clear themselves of the blame. Some person should come to
make the investigation who is zealous for the honor of God and the
service of your Majesty, that he may punish the guilty and provide
better things for the future. We, the servants of your Majesty,
pray to the Lord of light and to your Majesty to send such a person;
but we believe that if he be not an ecclesiastic, all will remain in
darkness; for, as your Majesty is so far away, there is not here due
fear of punishment. One of the auditors of these islands told me years
ago that the judges in Castilla ordinarily performed their duties
well because they were seeking honor, and this they could not gain
except by such behavior; but that in the Yndias it was the reverse,
and that what the judges seek is to enrich themselves. If this be
their aim, they must needs fail in their obligations. Your Majesty,
for the love of God, must have compassion on this land, and send
someone to remedy it. Your Majesty has holy prelates here who could
assist in this. May our Lord protect your Majesty for the good of
His church for many years. Manila, December 15, 1603.

_Fray Bernardo de Santa Catalina_, vicar, and provincial of the Order
of St. Dominic, and commissary of the Holy Office.

Sire: The infidel Chinese, whom your Majesty's ministers have
allowed in these islands, had come to be so numerous that in their
alcaiceria alone, and in the suburbs adjoining Manila, there were
about fifteen thousand of them without counting those in other
parts of the islands. There were among these a certain number of
worthless persons, vicious and criminal, who on that account did
not dare to return to China. As the multitude of Chinese was so
great, and this low and vicious element was among them, they were
emboldened; and, excited by a rumor (which was false, although by no
means absurd to them) that the Spaniards intended to kill them, they
revolted, on the night of the eve of St. Francis' day of this year,
six hundred and three. With clubs for weapons, they killed on that
same day many Spaniards, who were marching against them. These were
of the most noble and valiant men in the islands, and in the prime
of life, under the command of that most Christian and valiant man,
Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas. On the third day, with their clubs only,
and the few weapons secured from our men whom they had killed, they
sallied out and forced us close to this city. God fought with us,
and delivered us, for the good of this Christian community, which is
steadily growing in this region. There is no doubt that if God had
not blinded them, so that they should not succeed in their mode of
warfare, it would not have taken them two hours to kill us all in
Manila, and make themselves masters of all this country without the
least risk to themselves. This did not come about through any neglect
on your Majesty's part to command the Audiencia of these islands
to drive out these infidels, nor through lack of advice from here,
but it was due to the fault of your Majesty's chief officers here,
in not complying with what your Majesty has ordered them; so they
have put this country in the greatest danger, and perchance will
cause its entire and irremediable ruin in the near future.

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