The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XVIII, 1617 1620 by Various

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May God give your Majesty many most happy victories for His honor
and glory and the welfare of all Christianity. Such may be expected,
since in a land so destitute as this, and by means so weak as these
now, His Divine Majesty was pleased to destroy the greatest fleet
from Olanda ever seen in these districts; and at a juncture when, if
the fleet sent by your Majesty by way of the cape of Buena Esperanca
arrives safely, strong hopes may be entertained that it will drive
that enemy from sea and land, because he has lost many men and ships,
and more than ninety pieces of artillery. The best and largest of the
cannon were taken from his fortresses, and he will have difficulty
in replacing them. Although three pataches were prepared to take the
usual help to the forts of Terrenate, the enemy did not allow them to
sail from the port of Cavite. Considering the need and stress that
the forts were in, and that they had only sufficient food to last
until the end of September, as the castellan wrote, I ordered all the
champans possible to be collected and prepared with great haste in
Oton, eighty leguas from this city, and to be laden with rice, meat,
wine, and other supplies. As champans are but insecure craft, and badly
managed, inasmuch as they are manned by Sangleys, I sent some sailors
to serve as pilots. Eight champans were prepared, of which six reached
their destination, besides one despatched from Zebu. By all possible
means I managed to succor those forts. They were made very happy by
the help that reached them--for they were quite out of rice--and by
the hopes that I gave them of the speedy sailing of a ship laden with
food, clothing, and money. Thus the forts were provided sufficiently
to enable them to await the help that was to be sent in the ship.

The viceroy of Nueva Espana despatched two advice-boats which reached
these islands, early in February and in March. They brought your
Majesty's papers for Don Juan de Silva, which the royal Audiencia
received. They contained the title of master-of-camp for Don Geronimo
de Silva, knight of the Order of St. John, and castellan and governor
of the soldiers of Terrenate; an order to Don Juan de Silva that the
former be given the title of captain-general of artillery, and an
appointment [with instructions], so that, in case of the said Don
Juan de Silva's death, it might be opened. On opening it, we found
your Majesty's grant to Don Geronimo de Silva of an appointment as
captain-general, on sea and land, in these islands and in Terrenate. He
was at Terrenate engaged in his duties there, for Don Juan de Silva's
statement to your Majesty, saying that he was ordering Don Geronimo
to Manila to act as master-of-camp, and was sending Lucas de Bergara
Gabiria to Terrenate, had not been carried out. With all possible
haste I sent a galley to advise him of the grace bestowed upon him
by your Majesty. In the boat I sent ten thousand pesos in reals,
four thousand five hundred pieces of cloth, and what wine and rice
it could carry for their sustenance going and returning, besides a
quantity of jars of powder. Within twenty days I despatched the three
pataches that were at the port of Cavite, since the enemy had now
left the entrances to this bay; and with them I sent Don Gaviria to
serve in the offices held by Don Geronimo de Silva. They carried more
than three thousand baskets of rice, with wine, and meat; a quantity
of clothing; six thousand pesos in reals; four eighteen-pounders, and
a number of jars of powder; and balls, and many other things for the
sustenance of those forts. The occupants of the forts have reported
that that was the most substantial help that has been sent them for
many years. May God be praised that He provided help for the great
necessity of that presidio at a so needy time. Another royal decree
was also received, in which your Majesty orders that pilots be sent by
more than one way, so that they may go to await the royal fleet that
is to come by way of the cape of Buena Esperanza, and give the general
of it orders to go to Terrenate or to Manila--whichever place may be
more suitable for his effective despatch. Having called a council of
war, it was decided, the Audiencia concurring, that the fleet should
come to Manila--because it would thus find accommodation in ports that
furnish docking, shipyards, and materials--and join the galleons here;
and chiefly because there is the means here for their sustenance,
which cannot be had in Terrenate. Shortly after the twentieth of
March, a galliot and a patache were despatched in which two pilots
sailed, those most experienced in navigation. They came from Espana
with General Rrui Goncalez de Sequeira, and had gone to the strait
of Sincapura with Don Juan de Silva, one of them as his chief pilot.

The said Don Geronimo de Silva reached the port of Cavite May seven,
after I had had charge of the office of captain-general for fifteen
months. These islands enjoyed during that time the greatest peace and
quiet for many years, except for the war of the enemy--as disinterested
persons will relate, to whom credit must be given. I hope that they
will continue in that condition, and improve with the coming of that
cavalier. I find certain objections [to him] in accounts, emanating
from Terrenate, of the trouble experienced by the infantry because
of the harshness of his temper and the ill-treatment that they have
received in word and deed. During the first week after his arrival in
this city he has manifested the same disposition toward several persons
who made the expedition, in depriving them of certain military posts
in order to bestow them upon his followers and relatives, who say
that they are to be preferred to others. They feel so exalted over
this office [of Don Geronimo], with which he is willing to provide
them government posts, that they desire all persons to call him
"your Lordship." And because the first day of his arrival, Licentiate
Madrid y Luna, auditor of this royal Audiencia, did not call him so,
Don Geronimo sent him a message saying that since the auditor was
his friend he should honor him by calling him "your Lordship." He has
not broached this subject to me, for he knows that I do not consider
it fitting to occupy myself with these matters, which are immaterial
and confer no authority; and that the office itself possesses enough
dignity without trying to give it that which is not needful to it
in order that your Majesty may be well served. He ordered an edict
to be published that all the captains, army officers, and soldiers
whose places have been abolished during the last ten years, should
appear at the office of the royal accountant within a fortnight, under
penalty of six years' service in the galleys. That caused a great
uproar throughout the city; for they declared that they were not his
subjects. The captains--feeling angered because they were under no such
obligation, but employing the mild and expedient measures of courtesy,
so that there might be peace and the people become quieted--as soon
as the session began sent the governor a message by the clerk of
the Audiencia, petitioning that he consider the edict and correct the
commotion caused by it. They requested that he would check future evils
by suspending the effect of the edict, for those included in it were
in the jurisdiction of the government; and it concerned the Audiencia
not to allow injury to be inflicted on anyone, especially since this
act was opposed to its authority. He replied that he was acting within
his powers, and consequently he had ordered that measure. And although
certain religious have, by virtue of their office, represented to
him the difficulties that must result from the edict, as yet he has
given no signs of regarding it with the consideration and reflection
advisable to the service of your Majesty, and the peace and quiet of
this community. He thinks that it is to be governed according to his
will, and places no check on his own inclinations. If this is to be
done, these islands will suffer until your Majesty shall provide such
remedy as is advisable for your royal service. This royal Audiencia,
performing its duty with what authority it possesses, will do its
utmost; and it will not consent that he meddle in matters outside his
jurisdiction. But all this must be with grievances to the community,
and the people will live in disquiet and anxiety.

By one of the said pataches, I received three decrees from your
Majesty. In one of them you were pleased to grant me acceptance of
my resignation as auditor of this royal Audiencia, and permission
to go to Espana. In another decree your Majesty orders the governor
of these islands to give me accommodations in the vessels about to
sail to Nueva Espana, in accordance with the quality of my person,
and the offices that I have held. In the last decree your Majesty
concedes me one year's salary as a gratification for the many expenses
that I shall incur in so long a voyage. Immediately upon receiving
these royal decrees, I could have bid farewell to the Audiencia;
but, considering that it was then in the midst of preparing the
fleet, and since I had been employed in and had arranged what was
advisable to your Majesty's service, I thought that it would be very
wrong to retire on such an occasion and flee the danger, and lift
my hand from a matter of so great importance. After the expedition,
I would have vacated my office and would have prepared to go to give
your Majesty an account of many things of importance to your royal
service, but I have neglected to do so, because there are no judges
in the Audiencia. Licentiate Madrid y Luna is ready to go in one of
the trading ships to serve in his position as alcalde of the court of
Mexico. Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega has been sick for four months,
and small hopes are had of his recovery. Two new auditors are expected
(who are known to be in Nueva Espana) on the ships of this year. When
they shall have arrived, it will necessarily take some days for them
to understand the affairs of government and the form of procedure of
the Audiencia. Since I think that I shall serve your Majesty in this,
I shall delay here no longer than is absolutely necessary for the
Audiencia to fulfil its obligations, and so that your Majesty may be
better served.

With the grace shown me by your Majesty in permitting me to go to
Espana, I shall not enjoy my salary as auditor from the day that I
shall cease to serve in this post. Consequently I shall not be able
to live in accordance with the quality of my person and the posts
that I have held. In remuneration of twenty-nine years of service
(twenty-four of them in the Indias)--and no favors have been granted
me for the offices of president and captain-general, and the successful
outcome of the difficulties that I experienced therein--I petition your
Majesty to grant me the reward of certain pensions equivalent to the
salary taken from me, or what reward your Majesty may be pleased to
order given me, which will be in excess of what my services can merit.

The persons who have served best on this occasion, and who merit
rewards from your Majesty, are: first, the general Don Juan Rronquillo
del Castillo, who assisted at Cavite, from the first of November of
last year, in the repair and preparation of this fleet, until he
sailed from the port with it and fought the flagship of the enemy
and defeated and sank it--and, according to what the prisoners say,
it will be incredible in Olanda that there is sufficient force in the
Philipinas to have defeated this galleon; next, Captain Don Diego de
Quinones, for the service rendered to your Majesty by him in resisting
the enemy--first, at his entrance to the town of Oton (where the Dutch
disembarked with six hundred men); then, after killing and wounding
many men with less than one hundred soldiers, and causing the enemy
to retreat ignominiously after a stay of not more than twenty-four
hours in front of the said town, Don Diego came at my orders to serve
on this occasion, leaning on a crutch--for he was not yet recovered
from a musket-ball that had passed through one thigh--and served as
commander of a galley. He found himself near the galleon "Nuestra
Senora de Guadalupe," which was grappled to another of the enemy;
and, with his aid, the latter was defeated.

Admiral Rodrigo de Guillestigui, commander of the galleon "San Miguel,"
grappled with another of the enemy; and although another ship attacked
him, and he received great damage from the artillery discharged upon
him, he refused to leave his prize until, after fighting with great
courage and valor, the galleon to which he was grappled took fire,
whereupon with great haste he ungrappled so that the fire should not
do him harm. The vessel that was burning was deserted by its men very
hastily, some of whom embarked in the lancha, while others jumped
into the water; and, the fire reaching the powder, the ship went down.

Captain Juan Bauptista de Molina, commander of the galleon "Nuestra
Senora de Guadalupe," was the first to grapple with a ship which,
according to the prisoners who were in the battle, was in Piru, where
it and another vessel sunk our almiranta. He fought as a good soldier
until the enemy surrendered after a hard fight. While a captain
and soldiers from our side were in the said vessel, that ship of
the enemy's that was coming down upon it afire, as the executor of
divine justice, set fire to this one, and it was burned. That ship
was burned because His [Divine] Majesty did not choose that there
should be more spoils from that victory than the memory of the just
punishment that He gave by His powerful hand.

Admiral Pedro de Heredia, commander of the galley "San Juan Baptista,"
grappled with the hostile almiranta; and after fighting valorously,
and having almost defeated it, because it was no longer serving its
artillery or musketry, the burning boat charged down upon the two
galleons and forced them to ungrapple for fear of the fire. Thereupon
their almiranta got away with some difficulty, because it had so
few men left to handle the sails. The men who escaped from the small
boat of the burning ship were taken aboard that vessel, so that they
had sufficient men to retreat; and our galleon could not return to
attack the said almiranta, which left so badly dismantled that it is
thought that it must have sunk. The facts will be learned with the
first advice that comes from Terrenate.

General Francisco Bravo de la Serna, who came aboard the flagship that
put in at Japon, gained the good will of the ruler where he put in,
by his diligence, discretion, and sensible procedure, aided by the
munificent presents that he gave to the king. Consequently the king
received him as hospitably as if he were in your Majesty's lands,
giving him whatever he needed at moderate prices. When the general
wished to leave, the king gave him permission, without his having
received any ill treatment. That was considered a good outcome,
and was all the more so because, when he reached these islands and
learned that the enemy had taken the passage in order to enter the
port of Cavite, he took the flagship to the most hidden place that
he could find. Having made port in haste, he unloaded the silver and
stored it inland; then, while anchored, he took ashore all the rest
of the cargo. That was the compensation of these islands and the fund
with which the fleet was prepared; and without it the galleons could
not have been equipped. Therein is made evident the good service that
Francisco Bravo rendered your Majesty. He also rendered service on
this expedition; for he embarked on the flagship, and took with him
twelve men at his own cost. His presence proved of great importance,
for he attended to his orders with great energy, exactness, and labor,
while his advice and counsel were among the best that the general
had. The latter declared the same to me, and that Bravo should be
highly esteemed for the manner in which he distinguished himself in
your Majesty's service on this occasion.

Licentiate Manuel de Madrid y Luna, auditor of this royal Audiencia,
has aided me in this campaign, accomplishing those things with which
I charged him. Last year, when that enemy came to this bay, he helped
to cast the artillery; and he worked at it day and night, until they
had cast so many pieces that they sufficed to put the fort of Cavite
in a state of defense. Two of his brothers and one cousin have died in
this land in your Majesty's service--one in the Sangley insurrection,
and two on this noble occasion. One brother was commander of the
galleon "San Phelipe." As soon as the battle began, he was wounded by
a musket-shot and lived little more than one hour. It is considered
certain that more would have been accomplished with this galleon;
had not the said commander been killed. On that account, and for the
good accomplished by his services in this royal Audiencia, the said
Licentiate Madrid claims that your Majesty should grant him as a reward
permission to marry some of his seven daughters and three sons in
Mexico. That is the greatest wealth that he takes from these islands.

Captain Andrea Coello came from India in a patache in July last
year with despatches from the viceroy. That enemy having come and
taken position in the entrances of this bay, he offered to serve
as ordered, whether on land or on sea, with his person, patache,
sailors, and soldiers; for his profession was to serve your Majesty
in war. He remained until the royal fleet was ready to sail in search
of the enemy; and the said captain supported the sailors and soldiers
with his patache and with the moderate aid given him. He took part
on that occasion, and acted as an honorable and valiant soldier,
attending with exactness to all his orders.

The viceroy of Nueva Espana sent a ship from the port of Acapulco,
which reached the port of Cavite on June twenty-six. Aboard it were the
bishop of Nueva Segovia [6] and twenty-eight Augustinian friars; one
hundred and forty soldiers and twenty convicts; one hundred quintals
of powder, one hundred muskets, and one hundred arquebuses. Since
the country was at peace, that proved a tolerable reenforcement. No
money came for the royal treasury, which does not contain one single
peso. From the money that is expected from Nueva Espana must be paid
the twenty-six thousand seven hundred pesos lent by the citizens
and the probate court account; besides other twenty-three thousand
pesos due to the captains and the Japanese and Chinese merchants,
for cloth and war supplies which they have delivered to the royal
magazines. There is no royal revenue from which to satisfy those
debts. The only revenue that can be collected now will be the proceeds
of the Sangley licenses, and that will scarcely suffice for the
very ordinary expenses. There will be no money with which to pay
the salaries of the Audiencia, royal officials, and other persons;
the stipends of the bishops and prebends of the church, and those
given to the religious; the wages of the infantry of this camp and
that of Terrenate; and the aid that must be sent to those forts for
their ordinary sustenance. And then this is increased by the delay of
the fleet which your Majesty has ordered to come by way of the cape
of Buena Esperanca because of the great expenses that will be thus
incurred, and by the repair of the galleons in Cavite. The latter must
not be abandoned, and are without masts, for only their futtock-timbers
can be of use. It is all very difficult when so many things come at
the same time, and there is no money with which to repair them. May
God in His mercy provide a remedy for so many necessities. I shall do
the utmost that in me lies. Although there is considerable to provide,
I shall attend to the most needful, so that things may be maintained
until the viceroy of Nueva Espana, upon learning of the wretched
condition of these islands and those of Terrenate, may provide the
aid that is necessary for their conservation. Accordingly I humbly
beg your Majesty to send the viceroy orders that the succor asked
from him be sent promptly. And should a case happen like the present,
of no vessels going to Nueva Espana because they have to return in
distress to these islands, [I beg you to order] that the viceroy do
not neglect to send the money which is usually asked from him for the
payment of the expenses incurred in these islands. Those expenses,
like those of the war which are of so great moment, cannot be supplied
if there is a lack of money, and it will not be well to fall again
into such straits as those that we suffer at present.

The two auditors who were to come to this Audiencia, remained in
Mexico, as there was no accommodation in the ship to enable them to
sail. Their absence causes a conspicuous deficiency; for I am the only
judge in the Audiencia, because the sickness of Doctor Juan Manuel
de la Vega is of long duration, and few hopes are sustained of his
recovery, according to the physicians' reports. Licentiate Manuel
de Madrid y Luna has determined to go to serve in the position of
alcalde of the court in Mexico (which your Majesty has bestowed upon
him as a reward), notwithstanding that I did not allow him to quit
that of auditor of this Audiencia on account of the just reasons
for serving therein--through the many affairs concurrent in it of
justice and government, and through the great lack that all these
would experience if they were in charge of only one person. Should it
happen that I were to die, there would be no Audiencia nor any one to
govern these islands--irreparable injuries, for which it is advisable
to prepare the remedy beforehand. And although, besides these things, I
presented to him many considerations that should oblige him to postpone
his departure; and notwithstanding the requests and protests that I
have made to him regarding the present injuries and those that might
happen on his account; all this has not sufficed to move him from his
purpose. He has answered me with the arguments which if your Majesty
pleases may be seen in the accompanying testimony. Manila. August
10, 1617.

_Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz_

[_Marginal note_: "Take particular account of what is stated about
his services, in order to reward him as may be fitting, especially
for what he did on the occasions that he mentions which have been so
advantageous to the royal service and to the conservation of those
islands, which results from achievements as great as were the defeat
and punishment of the enemy. In what concerns the persons of whose
services he gives information, let attention be given to them in the
Audiencia; and have them summoned so that they may know what knowledge
his Majesty has of them, and what he has entrusted to their persons."]

TRADE BETWEEN NUEVA ESPANA AND THE FAR EAST

_Of the Trade of Eastern India, Nueva Espana, and Filipinas with
Macao and Japon_

Beyond a doubt Christian interests in Japon and China are sustained
and prospered, after the grace of God, through the trade which your
Majesty's vassals carry on with those kingdoms; for the heathen there,
being avaricious, are much pleased with the gain they derive from
the goods carried to them, and from those which they sell to the
Christians. Therefore, they allow the religious of Europe in their
countries, because they know that, if they do not admit them, they
will not enjoy this trade; for they see that principally on account
of religion your Majesty's vassals come to them with their ships and
goods. This is shown by the experience of many years.

Although this trade may be profitable to your Majesty's subjects and to
your royal exchequer, it ought to be so carried on that not only may
these interests be advanced, but also in such a way that Christianity
shall not be injured. When any one of these interests is in danger, it
is plain that it would be a less evil to lose something of the temporal
[advantage from trade] than of the spiritual advantage resulting from
the conversion of souls there. There is no doubt that your Majesty
wishes it thus, as do all of your ministers, who are so anxious for
the honor of God and for the progress of His holy Catholic faith.

Trade with China and Japon is carried on as follows: from Eastern India
[to both countries] by way of the city of Macao, and entirely in the
hands of the Portuguese; from Felipinas and Nueva Espana to China, by
way of the same city of Macao; and [from Felipinas and Nueva Espana]
to Japon by way of the various Japonese cities, principally Nangasaqui.

From Eastern India eight-real pieces and other things in which there
is considerable profit are carried to China. From Macao, which is
a Chinese city, silks and gold, upon which profits are large, are
taken to Japon; while silver, which also yields profit, is taken
to China. From China, copper, silks, gold, and other articles are
transported to India. This trade is also remunerative. Since upon all
these things import and export duties are paid to your Majesty, this
trade is undoubtedly the means by which Eastern India is maintained;
for through it are made possible the large expenditures for the
fleets which the viceroys send each year against your Majesty's
enemies. Indeed, without this trade little could be done, because the
[_a word lacking; MS. worn_] customs would yield little.

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