The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XVII, 1609 1616 by Various

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5th. _Item_: That the said auditors in this country can rather be
called honorable traders and merchants than ministers of justice, since
they trade and engage in commerce quite openly. Under their protection
their sons, relatives, and connections trade very extensively. This is
a cause of very great injury to the poor, and to the inhabitants of
this city; and they are defrauded in the division of the cargo, for
the auditors' freight is better looked after. Hence it follows that
the auditors possess very large estates. They build elegant houses,
at a cost of twelve or fourteen thousand pesos. They generally keep
embroiderers at work in their houses publicly, just as any merchant
keeps them.

6th. Lastly, after the arrival of the governor last year with the
decrees that he brought from his Majesty, if the royal Audiencia was
before a harm or of little use, it is now useless; because then its
possible service was to oppose the said governor and to undo any injury
or violence committed by the governor, but now that is prohibited by
the said decrees of his Majesty. In them his Majesty orders the royal
Audiencia not to contradict their president and captain-general in
whatever the latter wishes to do, but to advise him of the governor's
actions, without opposing the latter, in order to avoid scandals. In
order to give information of the governor's want of prudence, no
Audiencia is needed, for there are enough people here to advise you.

During former years this city petitioned his Majesty that he would be
pleased to order the establishment of an Audiencia, because it was
believed that it would be a check on the governor's actions, which
were not so well considered. Now this ceases with the said precautions
brought by the governor, in which his Majesty orders that the auditors
shall not oppose the governor, but that they only advise his Majesty
of everything. As to the said Audiencia, their hands have not been
tied by these new precautions, nor do the auditors pay any attention
to them, for they have so ingratiated themselves with the governor,
because he has advantaged them and their relatives and followers,
and his Majesty is so far away.

RELATION OF 1609-1610

_Extract from the Relation of Events in the Filipinas During the
Years 1609 and 1610, By Father Gregorio Lopez_ [21]

This country heard last year, by way of Jolo and Mindanao, that the
Dutch were going to come in the year 1609, to harass it with a strong
force. Consequently Governor Juan de Silva entered upon his government
with the intention of fortifying the port of Cavite, where our ships
anchor, distant about three leguas from the city. For as Cavite was
unprotected, not having even a cavalier or rampart mounting a couple
of pieces with which to head off the Dutch ships, which might attempt
to anchor in its harbor, the Dutchman could enter with all safety
to himself, and be quite secure. [If he should do so] it would be
a great impediment to all the islands, and a very great nuisance,
both for the despatch of the merchandise--which is the vineyards and
olive-orchards of these regions--and for the easy preparation of some
boats with which to drive the Dutch out of these regions. While the
people remained in this dread, the news was confirmed by another
message, that came on November 3 from the town of Arevalo, eighty
leguas from Manila. By this news it was learned that three Dutch
ships and one patache were near that island of Oton, [22] where they
had seized some boats full of provisions, that were intended for the
relief of Maluco; and that they were making for the port of Yloilo. A
large amount of provisions was gathered in that place; and although
the Dutch did not attack it, all was lost. For our Spaniards, in
order not to let it fall into the hands of the enemy, broke the jars
of wine, and set fire to the rice. As soon as the governor received
this news, he sent the sargento-mayor of troops here, Cristobal de
Azcueta Menchaca (master-of-camp elect of Terrenate), to Oton, in
order that he might attend to what seemed necessary for the defense
of that region, with the men under his command and those who were
there. Among the boats accompanying him was a champan, a Chinese craft;
it contained a considerable number of soldiers. They encountered the
Dutch vessels, which were approaching this city. In the endeavor to
defend themselves, if the enemy, who had perceived them, should try
to attack them the Spaniards began to take the cargo of the champan
ashore by means of lanchas, and with it to fortify themselves for
their protection in a sort of bastion. Among the other things, they
took some barrels of powder ashore; while in others, which were left
aboard, fire was carelessly set, with very great injury to those who
were near it. Many were burned, but at the time only two or three
died there. The rest threw themselves into the water and gained the
shore. One man only was left in the champan which was burning; for he
had been jammed among the beams. Although he cried out loudly for aid,
he could not be helped, and was accordingly burned to ashes. Those who
escaped alive began to march overland toward this city, some leguas
distant from the place where the misfortune occurred. On the way,
some persons died, and the others arrived in such condition that
all who saw them bemoaned their sad lot. Scarce did they seem men,
but swollen cinders, full of maggots. Some even had maggots in the
very palms of their hands. They were treated with much care in the
hospital here. Most of them recovered; but six or seven of them died
in the hospital. The Dutch did not try to harm them, which was a great
mercy of God, because of the facts above stated. On the contrary, the
Dutch continued their route until they reached the mouth of this bay,
in sight of Manila.

The governor was not careless at this time, especially in the
fortification of Cavite. He sent thither the regular infantry of this
camp, with 10,000 musket-balls, 30,000 arquebus-balls, 6,000 brazas
of musket-fuses, 14,000 brazas of arquebus-fuses, and 40 barrels of
powder. He also sent engineers and workmen with material for building
a fort, wherein to mount artillery. To make the work move faster, he
went thither himself to take part in it. From Cavite he sent a summons
to some inhabitants, so that the Spaniards in Cavite numbered more than
six hundred. In this city, the citizens stood guard, and endured many
hardships in it. All lived with great vigilance, born of a fear of the
Sangleys--of whom rumors were circulating that they were restless and
intended to revolt, because they imagined that the Spaniards, through
lack of confidence in them, were about to kill them. But the king's
fiscal, as their protector, went to their parian; and, calling a large
meeting, talked to them with manifestations of great affection. He
promised them all kind treatment, in his Majesty's name. Accordingly,
laying aside all their fear, the Sangleys became quiet. Assuredly,
had they revolted at this time, they would have placed the country in
great straits, for there is a considerable number of them. Besides,
the Dutch were near by with their well-equipped and strong vessels;
and the Spaniards are few. For the greater security and some relief
of the citizens, several companies of Pampangos were summoned. Among
all these islanders they have proved themselves most loyal to the
Spaniards, and most fit for soldiers.

In Cavite the care and diligence expended in fortifying it, were
of great importance; for the Dutch commander, one Francisco Witer,
[23] although he had once before been in these islands as secretary
to Oliverio del Nort--the commander of the two vessels that anchored
near the city in the year 1600, and had returned defeated and disabled
[_con las manos en la cabeza_; literally, "with his hands to his
head"]--yet he was determined to come to try his luck a second time. He
was incited to this by certain traitors to his Majesty. These having
gone over to his side in Maluco, to the disservice of God and the king,
recounted to him all the affairs of the Filipinas. They represented to
him the little resistance that he would encounter from large vessels;
the weakness of the port of Cavite, which he could easily overpower,
and burn whatever it contained; and the immense wealth that he could
seize, of silk, silver, and other merchandise, which come to Manila
from Mejico, Macao, China, and Japon. Especially did one Francisco
Aguirre inform him of the above, in detail. He brought this man with
him, promising him one thousand pesos to induce him to accompany
the Dutch, and to guide him faithfully on this expedition that he
was undertaking. Accordingly, as was reported, the Dutch commander
set sail in the afternoon of St. Martin's day, November 11, three
or four days after he had been seen from this city. With two ships
and his patache (for his flagship was left in the same location),
he approached Cavite. However he was forced to retire because of the
innumerable cannon fired at him. Although these did him no damage,
he did none, either, with the artillery that he fired. But he
noted how slight were their forces for injuring him, for they had
no more than three very small vessels, which could scarcely carry
any artillery; one old, dilapidated ship, called "Espiritu Santo,"
which was already almost useless and broken-up from its voyages
to Nueva Espana, and was mastless and without rigging; and one
galley of twenty benches. Therefore not anticipating any trouble
with Cavite, where he found the resistance that he did not expect,
and preferring to effect his purpose bloodlessly, and quite safely
to himself, he returned to his post. Not long afterward, he had all
four of his vessels weigh anchor; and going out of sight of the
city, went to anchor at the port called El Fraile ["the Friar"],
at a short distance from his former anchorage. There he began to rob
whatever he could, and prevented the ingress of provisions brought
from all the islands to this city. Alferez Aldana was aboard one of
the boats that he seized coming from a corregidor's district. He,
thinking the Dutch to be Castilian vessels, went to them with great
joy; but his joy was shortly changed into sad captivity, for he was
pillaged and imprisoned. Shortly after this event, four Dutchmen
fled from the Dutch fleet. Their arrival was singularly consoling
for full information was obtained from them of the Dutch force and
object. Not more than three slaves deserted from us to the Dutch;
and, being slaves, they could give but little information regarding
our affairs. Almost the same thing happened to captain Castillo as
to Alferez Aldano; for having come from Japon, whither he had gone
with a fragata, he was sent, as one experienced in these coasts, to
a certain place, to warn the ships from China and Japon of the Dutch,
and that they commanded the sea. One day the [Dutch] patache went so
far in search of ships that Captain Castillo could not be persuaded
that it was not a friendly vessel; consequently he went to give it
information, according to his orders. Although he was afterwards
undeceived, and tried to escape from the Dutch, who pursued him, he
was unable to do so. Their commander tried to learn from him whether
Cavite had greater force than he had seen; but he always answered that
he knew of nothing else, and excused himself by saying that he had but
recently come from Japon. On the contrary, he belittled our affairs,
in order to assure them the more. He managed to write a letter thence
and send it by a Sangley, in which he gave an account of the vessels,
artillery, and men, thus making the battle easier.

A fire broke out in Cavite at this juncture, and almost all the
Spanish houses were burned. The fire nearly caught in the house where
the powder was stored, a circumstance that placed the people in the
utmost danger. Not one was bold enough to try to remedy matters, for
they all feared lest they be burned, until the governor personally
set to work. Then, incited by his example, a considerable number of
people began to drag the barrels to the seashore in order to throw
them into the sea, if the fire came near it. By this means the powder
was preserved, the loss of which would have been felt keenly, besides
the damage that would have resulted from its explosion.

Maluco was also in need of help, and could get it nowhere else
except from this country. Accordingly the master-of-camp, Azcueta, was
ordered to enroll some men in Oton; and two galleys and several smaller
vessels, carrying money and other supplies important for the succor
of that stronghold, went from Manila. All this, although necessary,
meant a decrease of these islands' resources. The two galleys, both
of which were new, returned from Oton. One had been launched shortly
before the arrival of the Dutch, and the other not long after. On this
return voyage, the flagship was in great danger of being lost, because
the crew of rowers attempted to mutiny. This would have been done, had
not a Japanese revealed the plot which they were conspiring. Thereupon
the guilty were punished, and suitable precautions taken. The consort
was more unfortunate. The Chinese and Japanese convicts conspired
to mutiny; and although those nations are like cats and dogs, they
were very much in concord on this occasion. They selected as the
most appropriate time for their treason the hour for the siesta,
when, as it was daytime, the Spaniards slept with less caution. They
first aimed at the head, by striking Captain Cardoso (who was resting
soundly and carelessly) with an ax, which made him awake in the other
life. The blow was given by a Chinaman whom he had favored. After
him some fifty convicts, who were freed from prison, began to work
destruction among the other Spaniards with whatever they could seize,
and set out to kill them all--that is, all who were not of the above
nationalities. The Spaniards were unarmed, all except the sergeant
of the company, who had a sword and executed considerable damage
with it, killing many. He was accompanied and encouraged by another
Spaniard who wielded with both hands the ladle belonging to a piece
of artillery. Finally, the sergeant having impaled a furious Sangley,
or Chinaman, on his sword, the latter was so cramped by the wound that,
not having time to withdraw the weapon the sergeant was compelled to
leave it sticking in the body, and jump into the water, where he saved
himself by swimming. Some others availed themselves of the same plan,
while some took the galley's small boat. Thus some few escaped, to
bear the unfortunate news. It caused universal and great sorrow, as
happening at a time of such need. Many Spaniards had been killed. The
mutineers killed also the convicts themselves--from whom no harm
could be feared--who were not Chinese or Japanese; and although the
poor wretches tried to throw themselves into the sea, when the sudden
assault came, their efforts were useless, for they were shackled,
and hung by their chains [over the side of the galley]. There,
with great cruelty, the mutineers cut off their legs and threw them
overboard, where they helplessly perished. It was feared and suspected
that the galley would go over to the Dutch, but it did not. On the
contrary, it fled from them, so that, although the patache pursued
the mutineers, it could not overtake them. It is yet unknown where
the galley has stopped. Such was the unfortunate death of Captain
Cardoso, whose brother, Alferez Cardoso, had died a few days before,
among those burned on the champan, as related above. It seems that
they have inherited such disasters, for their father--a Portuguese
gentleman, and a gallant soldier--after serving his Majesty in Africa,
had to flee to Ytalia, because of committing an atrocious crime,
which was as follows. Another gentleman insulted a relative of this
gentleman. The insulted man, either for lack of ability to do more,
or because he was a good Christian, did not take vengeance for the
insult. The father of these Cardosos was very angry, and, with the
intention of avenging the injury, left his home. First going to his
relative's house, he abused the latter with words, and even stabbed
him, because he had not taken vengeance. Then he went to the house of
the insulter, and seizing him, thrust him forcibly into a bread-oven,
under which a fire was lighted. Gagging the man, he left him there
until he was dead. After having fled to Ytalia, this gentleman had
charge of a castle, in which was stored a quantity of powder. One day
fire caught in the powder, and a great portion of the castle was blown
up. The Castellan Cardoso was killed, and buried in the ruins. One
of his wife's legs was torn off at the thigh. Although these two boys
(who were quite small then) received no hurt, they ended their lives
in the so disastrous ways that I have related.

The governor upon learning of the loss of this galley, had another put
on the stocks, which was finished in two months. Seeing how leisurely
the Dutch were remaining in this country, he began to prepare a fleet
to attack them. For that purpose great haste was given to finishing
a vessel called "San Juan Baptista," which had been commenced in
the island of Marinduque. Although the enemy heard of this, their
information was very confused, for they did not know to what place
the ship "Espiritu Santo"--which was so disabled, as I have depicted
above--had retreated. They were commencing to repair that vessel, and
it cost even more trouble than if it had been built new. The Spaniards
also equipped the two small vessels as well as they could. For lack
of iron for nails, they removed the gratings of the windows, [24]
While Manila was laboring under this anxiety, the strength of the
enemy was increased by a good ship. That vessel came with food, and
thus caused this community much distress. But greater suffering would
have been caused had the Dutch commander's resolution, made in Maluco,
been carried out--namely, that a fortnight after his departure this
ship and one other should follow him hither; and, besides these, a very
large and well-equipped galleon named "The Devil from Holland" built
on purpose to fight with the galleons of Eastern Yndia. The Dutch at
Maluco considered it inexpedient to send more than the said vessel, and
especially so to send the galleon. They considered it very unadvisable
to send it among islands where, if it were wrecked, its loss would
be great and irreparable. It was all the miraculous disposition of
Heaven, as will be seen later. With this new accession, the Dutch
commander determined to come again in sight of Manila. Accordingly he
entered the bay on January 19, and without doing more than to gather
new information concerning our scarcity of vessels, he remained there
until the twenty-seventh of the said month. Then he again left the
bay, and commenced to capture the Chinese vessels that were already
coming with the accustomed merchandise and food. The Dutch seized from
the Chinese their hams and capons, and the choice wine. [25] And even
before the eyes of the Chinese themselves, they gave themselves up to
the wine to such an extent, that the Chinese observed it, and made
jests at, and ridiculed them, talking of them and comparing them to
the most degraded Indians who were wont to become intoxicated. The
Dutch usually threw all other articles of food into the sea, saying
that the Spaniards had no need of them. They seized so many fowls that
even the lowest common seaman was given rations of them. And because
of the number of fowls they established a poultry-yard on an islet,
where they kept two or three thousand capons. They chose what silk
was most to their liking. In the matter of pay there was variety, for
the sailors and almost all the soldiers paid immediately for what they
bought; but the commander and a few others gave the Chinese promises
to pay when they should capture the king's ship from Japon which they
had been awaiting some days, and which was bringing a great amount of
wealth. Certain of these vessels from China escaped; and one, while
fleeing, was wrecked, and lost nearly all its cargo. Some Sangleys,
fleeing overland from the Dutch, fell into the hands of Zambal Indians,
expert archers and bowmen. The latter killed many of them, to our great
sorrow, although, as the said Indians were his Majesty's vassals, this
proceeding was checked as soon as possible. The Zambals also killed six
Dutchmen, who had landed to get water; and brought their heads, with,
great rejoicing, to show to the governor. Because of the misfortunes
recounted daily by the Chinese who came in plundered, and because of
the fear lest the ship from Japon, that from Macao, that from Castilla,
and some of the largest Sangley merchantmen which bring goods for
the Spaniards from China, should fall into the enemy's hands, great
efforts were made in preparing the supplies necessary for the war. The
well-inclined Sangleys offered themselves for any toil, because of
their rage against the Dutch. Public prayers were said throughout the
islands, beseeching and importuning God for a successful outcome. The
governor built a new foundry, where he cast seven large and reenforced
cannon, which were of very great importance. A considerable quantity
of powder was refined which was almost lost. A great number of balls
were cast. In short, the greatest care was exercised in everything
and great haste displayed; and they were able, as a consequence, to
launch the finished and equipped vessel "San Juan Baptista" in the
bay on March 22. That gave extraordinary consolation to the entire
city. It mounted several pieces, and carried some picked soldiers,
who had been assigned for its defense in case the enemy tried to burn
it on the stocks, or to come to meet it in order to seize it. But the
enemy attached so little importance to this vessel, and to the forces
of this land, that they acted with as great security as if anchored
in Holanda. They reproached the Indians that they captured for their
subjection to a people who did not dare to attack them [_i.e._, the
Dutch], and who had no forces for that purpose. Freeing those Indians,
the Dutch told them to sow a quantity of rice, and to rear many fowls
and swine, for they said that the following year they intended to
come with a greater force to make themselves absolute masters of these
islands, and it was necessary that they have plenty of food prepared.

The preparation of the fleet in Cavite was finished, so that it was
ready to sail by April 21. In the midst of the greatest efforts that
were being made to furnish its rigging, news was received that the
Dutch had returned laden with wealth. This filled the whole city
with sadness, on seeing that the Dutch were continuing their ravages
without any chastisement or punishment. But soon it was learned
for certain that it was not so, whereupon the Spaniards were very
joyous and happy. Such was the courage and spirit of our Spaniards,
that they burned with desire to begin the fray. Finding that it could
not be done so quickly, they manifested their anger, and raged like
caged and angry lions or tigers which cannot avenge an insult. A day
or so before our fleet sailed, a Japanese ship arrived at Cavite. The
disastrous loss of the ship "San Francisco," the flagship of three
vessels that sailed hence for Nueva Espana, was learned from that
vessel. This was the most unfortunate thing that had yet happened;
for by that blow this country was almost ruined, and the death of one
man was hastened, a few days after, by his sorrow. Many Spaniards
of those who escaped the wreck were aboard the said Japanese boat,
and one Augustinian religious. The latter was seized by the Dutch,
together with some of the wrecked Spaniards; but the Dutch did not
harm the Japanese, in order to establish friendly intercourse with
them. Under shelter of the latter, others of the Spaniards were saved,
and a considerable quantity of goods, although the Dutch stole some
anchors and cables of the king's that were aboard the vessel, and
some two hundred sacks of flour from private persons, but nothing
else. At last, after diligent search for Castilian or Portuguese
silver, the Dutch allowed the vessel to continue its voyage, because
of a present of three hundred pesos, given them by the Japanese. In
the beginning of April an edict was issued for the men of the fleet to
make ready. As many as one thousand sailors and soldiers were enlisted,
and many Indians for service and as common seamen. Besides these men,
the governor intended to take two hundred other soldiers of great
courage and valor; on those soldiers he placed great reliance. These
are about two hundred martyrs, whose relics repose in the [church of
the] Society of Jesus in a side chapel. The governor had the reliquary
newly fitted up, with great care; and placed himself with courage under
the care and protection of those martyrs, considering the victory
as his, with such volunteers. The fleet left Cavite on Wednesday,
April 21, between ten and eleven, in search of the enemy, who were at
Playahonda, twenty leguas from Manila. The governor embarked in person
in the fleet, as its commander. His presence inspired the soldiers not
a little, and incited many volunteers to accompany him. On this and
other accounts, which are deeply felt, they regarded his going as very
important, and almost absolutely necessary. His lieutenant was Juan
Juarez Gallinato, who has come this year as master of this camp. His
admiral was Don Fernando de Silva, a courageous and spirited youth,
nephew of the governor. As the admiral's lieutenant and captain of
the almiranta went the sargento-mayor of Maluco, Pedro de Heredia,
who last year overcame the galliot in which the Dutch commander, Pablo
Blancard, [26] was sailing, with seventy of his men. The captains
of the small vessels were: of the "San Yldefonso" (the largest),
Juan Tello de Aguirre, regidor of this city; of the "San Pedro,"
Captain Guillestigui--both of these men Biscayans; of the "San Pedro y
San Pablo," Juan Pardos [27] de Losada, a Galician gentleman; of the
"Santiago," Moreno Donoso. Of the two galleys, Captain Romanico was
lieutenant; and Captain Juan Rodriguez commanded the consort.

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