The Philippine Islands, 1493 to 1898 by Various

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At present nothing else occurs of which your Majesty should be advised
in matters concerning the government. I shall continually look out for
what is most expedient for it, and will advise you of what should be
done. May God protect your Majesty, according to His power, with a
larger increase of kingdoms and seigniories, according to the needs
of Christendom. Manila, July 21, 1599.

The licentiate _Hieronimo de Salazar y Salzedo_

[_Endorsed:_ "Examined and answered."]

Letter from the King of Borneo to Governor Tello

The contents of this letter, written this year, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, by the king of Burney to his Highness
Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and
captain-general of the Philipinas Islands for the king our sovereign,
and president of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria resident therein,
and translated by a good and exact interpreter, are as follows.

Soltan Adil Lula:

Letter of friendship sent by the king of Burney to Don Francisco Tello,
captain-general of the fortress of the city of Manila, because of the
information I have received that he governs that city exceedingly well,
not only for the service of God, but furnishing justice to the regions
about, with protection to the poor--whereat I have rejoiced greatly,
and all the nobles and natives of my kingdom have done the same.

I received the letter that your Lordship sent me through Hernando,
Don Francisco Tael, and Don Joan Solit. It gave me much happiness,
for I understood thoroughly the message conveyed by it to me from
your Lordship. I am exceedingly rejoiced in heart and mind, for I
desire fast friendship with the captain-general of Manila. Therefore,
I request that, when my vassals go to Manila, you will give them
kind treatment; and I shall do the same when men from Manila come
to my country. This is in token of friendship, and if this is always
observed, I shall be very glad, and likewise if you will have pity on
the Burneys. I received two Burneys, whom the Spaniards had captured;
they arrived at my court. And, inasmuch as your Lordship orders me,
in your letter that I receive, to send any Sangleys that I might
have here to Manila, I am now sending two who were captured by the
Camutones; one is named Bonzhuan and the other Adali. I am sending
them to your Lordship as a token of lasting friendship with the
Burneys. Furthermore, I am sending five taes of camphor, of Burney
weight, and three large Burney mats. And that your Highness may not
jest at my present, know that I am sending you a [_word uncertain
in MS_.]

The above translation was made by Constantino Xuarez and Miguel Yaat, a
native of Burney. They declared it to have been thoroughly and exactly
made, without any change of sense. They signed the same before me,
Estevan de Marquina, alcalde-mayor of Tondo and its district, for the
king our sovereign. July twenty-seven of the said year, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine. [7]

_Estevan de Marquina_

+

_Constantyno Xuarez_
[_Miguel Yaat_]

[_Endorsed_: "Original letter written by the king of Burney to Don
Francisco Tello, governor of the Phelippinas, translated from the
Burney tongue into Castilian."]

Letters from Francisco Tello to the King

Sire:

I have striven for your Majesty's service in this government to the
extent of my ability, and I have done my duty with much care and
diligence. I have punished certain individuals, as it seemed proper
to do; and hence it has resulted that I have rivals--as have all of
us who have governed, and are engaged in your Majesty's service in the
Indias. Although in all things I have always been favorable to Doctor
Morga--who was my lieutenant-general, and who is now auditor of this
royal Audiencia--I have been informed by many persons that he has
spoken ill of my proceedings, and has even opened the way for others
to write evil of me to your Majesty. I have never paid any attention
to this, since I felt that my actions proved my innocence; nor have I
ever thought it necessary to write to your Majesty about this matter,
although some things seemed to affect my honor; for, having been bred
in honor, I thought that in the end the truth must come to light,
and could not be obscured, [_MS. worn_] the royal service could not
be hindered here. [But now I feel] [8] myself compelled to speak of
this, because a letter was written [to] the auditor, Tellez Almacan,
in September of last year, which was a slanderous libel, without
signature; and I have another which was written this year, at the port,
to the auditor Don Antonio Maldonado, in the name of a friar. The
handwriting of it must be Doctor Morga's, although it is disguised,
[for so it was considered] by the auditor Almacan, who is writing to
your Majesty about this, as also is the fiscal of this Audiencia. I
beg your Majesty to commission whomsoever your Majesty deems best,
to investigate this matter, for it is not just that this evil act be
passed by in silence. I assure your Majesty that I have seriously
tried, and am still trying, not to be offended by their insults in
this land; and that in the Audiencia, not only have I kept, and still
maintain, great harmony, but I am also trying to harmonize the auditors
and the fiscal; for now they are not in accord, and many [of them]
have disputes and all [come to me,] and I reconcile them. In order
that your Majesty may know the manner in which I have served you, and
my method of procedure in this government, and in order that it may
be seen that [_MS. worn_] whatever may have been reported, or shall
be reported, to your Majesty in another way, I have wished to make,
before this same Doctor Morga, the report that I am sending to your
Majesty, from the most honorable people of this land, in order that
you may understand better my zeal for your Majesty's royal service,
and the good of this realm. May our Lord preserve the Catholic person
of your Majesty, as is befitting. Manila, July 14, 99.

_Don Francisco Tello_

[_Endorsed:_ "Governor Don Francisco Tello, July 14. Let this be
kept until that which is mentioned here arrives, and then let it
be presented."]

Sire:

I wrote your Majesty by the ships sailing from here to Nueva
Espana this year, about the news I had from Malaca concerning the
English ships which had come to Sunda, and had made a settlement and
fortification there; and that I was awaiting a more detailed account
of the enemy's designs from the commandant of Malaca, and everything
else relating to the subject. [9] Advices have now come from the
commandant of Maluco that two English ships had arrived there, and had
formed an alliance with Terrenate, as your Majesty will be informed
in greater detail by the copies of his letters which I enclose, and
also those of the king of Tidore and the people of that stronghold,
requesting in strong terms that I send them aid. [10]

I then called a council of war to consider the disposition of the
affairs of these islands, and what was to be done therefor--since
affairs are in the condition which I have described to your Majesty
in other letters. As there are but few and badly-armed troops, and so
few supplies with which we could send help, it was unanimously agreed
to give no aid whatever to Maluco, but to undertake the no small task
of preserving this land. Notwithstanding, I am thinking of sending
reenforcements of supplies, powder, ammunition, and other military
supplies such as can be given, also a dozen musketeers. As that land
belongs to your Majesty, it is but just that your Majesty's servants
and vassals should make all possible efforts to aid it. I assure
your Majesty that if you are not pleased to provide this realm with a
goodly number of well-armed troops and with money from Nueva Espana,
according to the demands made by him who shall be governor--who, since
this fort is placed in his keeping, can well be entrusted with twenty
thousand pesos more, in control of the officials of your Majesty's
royal exchequer--we may find ourselves hard pressed. I fulfil my
duty by giving account thereof to your Majesty, and by defending
this land as occasion may arise therefor. In whatever I find to do,
here or elsewhere, I shall strive to serve your Majesty well; but
if on account of my little strength, I should be somewhat remiss,
I beg your Majesty to understand that I could do no more.

At the news of the English, it was urgently necessary to aid Cebu. But
as we did not have it to send, and the presidio of La Caldera,
[11] with its eighty Spanish soldiers (who go more than a legua by
water), [12] was in danger; and since the English and Terrenatans are
confederated, they may attack the fort, and if the water is cut off
from them the Spaniards are lost--I have resolved, with the approval
of the council of war, immediately to withdraw those troops with
their artillery; and that they, after burning their fort, shall go to
Cebu. When it shall appear to me that a favorable opportunity occurs,
they can return to La Caldera, from which, according to orders, it
is necessary that punishment be inflicted on the king of Jolo for
the crimes, and the murders of Spaniards committed in this land.

I am writing to the viceroy of Nueva Espana the information I have
received of the hostile ships; I am asking for reenforcements, [13]
and that the ships which return next year must sail very cautiously,
as perchance the enemy might be awaiting them at the mouth of the
channel, or outside of it. Moreover, he should send the duties
and freight-charges that are paid at Acapulco from the Chinese
merchandise. Your Majesty has ordered that this money be returned to
us, but it has never been done. If it were sent to this royal treasury,
this kingdom would not suffer its present necessity and danger.

For some time past I have exercised great care and diligence in the
founding of artillery, [14] and it is being more carefully done. Four
out of five medium-sized pieces, which were being founded, have
resulted well, and I am very well pleased. The said founding is being
continued by native Indians, and I have a quantity of metals for said
work in the royal warehouses of your Majesty. May God our Lord preserve
the royal Catholic person of your Majesty. Manila, August 7, 1599.

_Don Francisco Tello_

Letters from Felipe III to Tello

The King: To Don Francisco Tello, my governor and captain-general of
the Filipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia therein
established. Your letter of June 23 of last year, 98, has been
received. I understand by it that quiet and peace has been restored
in Mindanao, and that you were examining the papers brought by the
master-of-camp, to see whether any of the subdued people were to be
punished or not. Keep me informed of what you shall do in that respect.

You speak also of other insurrections among the Canbales Indians in
Panpanga, who were already pacified; and of your intention of taking to
that city [Manila] an Indian who has been the chief of those people,
in order to remove him to a location where his presence would be less
dangerous. This is well; do what is needed and keep me informed of
the proceedings.

We have considered what you say of your caution and forethought
concerning the fears which Japan is wont to cause; also your behavior,
friendship, and correspondence with certain chiefs of that country,
whom you have entertained. It is well to continue these efforts,
and to give us notice of what takes place.

What you say about retiring two companies is commendable; nevertheless,
if you think best in the future to increase one of them, do so, and
make the necessary provisions. Keep me informed of the measures that
you shall take.

I am writing to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, that I have assisted you
with what is necessary, and shall ask him to see that the people whom
he sends to those islands be useful and carry weapons. He shall take
care to punish the captains for their excesses. You shall do the same
in what concerns you.

In regard to the needs of the soldiers, which you attribute to their
not having, and the impossibility of providing them with, encomiendas
for a long time; and as it concerns the temporary employments which
you give them instead of the servants, and even these employments
are not sufficient for all--you shall observe the instructions, laws,
and ordinances which you possess. You shall see that the distribution
of what is available be made among worthy men who have served in
that land.

As to the remedy which you propose in the marriage of elderly women,
and encomenderas of the land, you shall introduce no innovation. But
you shall enable marriages freely to take their proper course. At
Denia, August 16, 1599.

_I The King_

By order of the king our sovereign:

_Juan de Ybarra_

The King: To my governor and captain-general of the Philippinas
Islands, and the president and auditors of my royal Audiencia
thereof. I have understood that the Chinese Indians who trade in that
country bring thither each year eight hundred thousand pesos' worth
of merchandise, and often more than a million; and that in the ten
days which they spend in that country they make more than a hundred
per cent, and that in the last year, ninety-eight, it was said that
they secured two hundred per cent. Since in their own country they
pay increased duties, and since so great profit comes to them from
the merchandise which they bring to those islands, while they pay me
no more than three per cent in duties, which is the amount formerly
imposed by Governor Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, it would be just that
they should pay the said duties proportionately to the profits;
and accordingly these might be increased by at least another three
per cent. As I wish to be informed more minutely concerning what is
expedient in this matter, and whether an increase of the said duties
would or could result in any inconvenience whatsoever, and for what
reason; and, in case that there is no objection, to what extent the
duty can be increased--I command you to send a report thereof, with
your opinion. Done at Denia, on the sixteenth of August, of the year
one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine.

_I The King_

Countersigned by _Juan de Ybarra_.

Signed by the Council.

I [the King:] to the archbishop of Manila.

[_Endorsed:_ "To the governor and Audiencia of the Philippinas; let
them give information concerning the report that the duties can be
raised on the merchandise from China."]

Documents of 1600

The pacification of Mindanao. [Unsigned and undated; 1600?]
Oliver van Noordt's attack on Luzon. Francisco Tello, and
others; October-December.

_Source_: These documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo
general de Indias, Sevilla.

_Translations_: The first document is translated by Robert W. Haight;
in the second, the commission to Morga is translated by James
A. Robertson; the instructions to him and to Alcega, by Jose M. and
Clara M. Asensio; the account of the battle, by Arthur B. Myrick,
of Harvard University, and James A. Robertson.

The Pacification of Mindanao

_Concerning the pacification of the island of Mindanao; in the
year 1600_

In the relation of the last year you will have learned how occurred
the death, in the pacification of the island of Mindanao, of Estevan
Rodriguez de Figueroa, who offered to carry out this pacification
under the conditions which he stipulated with Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,
formerly governor of these islands--copies of which were sent to
his Majesty, and to master-of-camp Juan de Lajara, formerly of
the said expedition, who succeeded to his place when the camp was
abandoned, and came to Manila. Don Francisco Tello, governor and
captain-general of the said Philipinas Islands, who at that time
had taken possession of the government was considering how to aid
and stimulate the said pacification at the expense of the heirs
of Estevan Rodriguez, and with the agreement of the captains and
persons who were long resident and experienced in war in the said
islands. Don Juan Ronquillo was appointed commander of the galleys,
to prosecute the said pacification; and in the meantime, in order to
be present and continue the expedition, Captain Torivio de Miranda
was sent forward to encourage and animate the troops, under orders
to keep them in his charge; and in case the post should be abandoned,
and a retreat made to Manila, he should detain the troops and return
to Mindanao. The said Captain Toribio de Miranda having arrived at
the island of La Caldera, which lies forty leagues from the river of
Mindanao, there found the whole camp, which was returning from the said
islands. Conformably to the orders which he had, he turned back and
fortified the site where they had first been, which was on the river,
four leagues from the forts of the enemy. Juan Ronquillo, having been
despatched to Mindanao, had taken the camp in his charge, and begun
to achieve some success. He achieved a victory in the battle which
he fought with the Terrenatans, who had entered with eight hundred
men to give aid to the people of Mindanao. Before these successes,
he had written a letter in disparagement of that country (a copy of
which was sent to his Majesty)--on account of which, in a council
of war which had been held, the general Don Juan Ronquillo had been
ordered to make a last effort against the Mindanaos, doing them all
possible damage. He was then to come to the island of La Caldera, and
there build a fort, to be garrisoned with a hundred Spanish soldiers,
with artillery, arms, and munitions; and leave them there as a check
upon Terrenate and Mindanao, in charge of a good soldier, one of the
captains of the camp, and with the rest return to Manila. Although
Don Juan Ronquillo received this order, after having won considerable
victories, he again wrote that he would not abandon that place, even if
such were the order, because it would not be expedient to retire from
the camp and comply with what had been ordered, when he was leaving
the island of Mindanao already pacified--the chiefs, with whom he
had used gentle means, that they might all be more contented, having
again rendered submission to his Majesty; and likewise as the king
of Jolo again rendered obedience and submission. Confiding in this,
Captain Cristoval Villagra, whom Don Juan Ronquillo had appointed
commander of the garrison of La Caldera, had sent thirty soldiers to
the island of Jolo for supplies. They found at this time in Jolo a
Mindanao chief--an uncle of the king of Mindanao, and a brother-in-law
of the king of Jolo--who had been driven out of Mindanao because he was
rebellious. He treacherously killed thirteen Spanish soldiers. When
news of this was brought, Juan Pacho was sent to take the troops of
La Caldera in charge; and, when it should seem best to him, to try to
inflict punishment on the king of Jolo. Having gone out to inflict the
said punishment with six hundred Spaniards, the enemy unfortunately
killed the said Juan Pacho and twenty-nine Spaniards, the rest of them
retiring without any success. This news having come to the governor,
he sent in place of Juan Pacho Captain Toribio de Miranda, a person
in whom he had entire confidence, with an order not to attempt any
punishment until he had force enough for it. After this Captain Toribio
de Miranda arrived at La Caldera on the twenty-sixth of August in
ninety-nine. When the garrison was given into his charge he put the
defensive works in order; and with the arms which he brought, and
those which he found in the fort, he armed all the troops, amounting
to a hundred and fourteen soldiers. As directed by an order of the
governor, he sent a chief of the Pintados to Mindanao with letters to
the chiefs of the island, in which he informed them that they would be
protected, favored, and upheld in justice, as vassals of his Majesty,
and that with this object a garrison had been placed in La Caldera;
and that to aid in maintaining it, and in covering the expenses
which they had caused in the war by their disobedience, the largest
possible quantity of tributes would be collected for his Majesty, and
that he would send for them shortly--which had not been done earlier
because the Mindanaos had been so spent and afflicted. Having arrived
on the second of September at the river of Mindanao, and delivered
his despatch, this chief was well received, and found the people
in the settled state in which General Don Juan Ronquillo had left
them. Adiamora, the main chief of Mindanao, in the name of them all,
sent him back on the fifteenth of the said month, offering to give
to his Majesty all the tribute which they could collect.

At this time--news from the chief captain of Malaca having reached
the governor, to the effect that in the Sunda, [15] a hundred and
fifty leagues from that port, there had been seen a number of English
ships, whose designs were not known; and, a little later, word from
the commander of the fort of Maluco that there were at Terrenate,
within the port, two English ships with four hundred men and fifty
pieces of artillery--a council of war was held as to what was best to
do. The said council decided to withdraw the garrison from La Caldera
to Zibu, so that the enemy should not take that place; and, if they
should attempt to do damage to that province, they would find it in a
state of defense. Accordingly an order was sent to Captain Toribio de
Miranda to withdraw with the troops, arms, artillery, and munitions,
dismantling the fort; he was also told that he could return shortly
to the island with more troops and arms, in order to assist in its
defense. On the ninth of September Captain Toribio de Miranda arrived
at Zibu, with all the troops, artillery, arms, and munitions; and at
the same time General Don Juan Tello arrived at Zibu with a hundred
men, who came as reenforcement from the city of Manila. Having spent
six months there and commenced to build a fort of stone, the governor,
as they had no more news of the English referred to, sent an order to
the said Don Juan to come to the city of Manila--which he did with the
hundred men, leaving the province of Zibu in a prosperous condition,
with the troops which are usually kept there, and those of the garrison
of La Caldera, which in all amount to two hundred and fifty Spaniards.

After all this, in June of 1600 the governor received news, by way
of Malaca, that the ships which had passed to the South Sea belonged
to Dutch merchants, who had come to load with spices in the Maluco
Islands. Having transacted their business, they had returned to their
own country by way of Yndia, without doing any damage to the islands
of the west; it therefore seems that we are safe, notwithstanding
the news received of those enemies.

Oliver van Noordt's Attack on Luzon

_Commission to Antonio de Morga_

In the city of Manila, on the thirty-first of October of the year
one thousand six hundred, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas Islands having assembled,
the president announced to the said auditors that news had been
received that, on the sixteenth of the current month and year, two
foreign ships had anchored in the bay of Albay, outside the mouth
of the channel of these islands; whereupon he sent by land Captains
Pedro de Arceo, Cobarrubias, and Christoval de Axqueta with seventy
soldiers--arquebusiers and musketeers--to the place where said ships
were stationed, in order to make the defense and resistance that
occasion and opportunity might offer. He also ordered several ships
to be equipped and prepared at the port of Cavite, so that they could
attack the said vessels. At this juncture of affairs, it was now
reported that, on the twenty-fourth of the current month and year,
the said ships had weighed anchor, left the said bay of Albay, entered
the channel of Capul, and anchored at the island of Capul, where
they still were. The enemy's intention, according to the president,
is to advance upon this city. Accordingly, whatever may happen,
both in order to resist him, and to prevent among these islands the
possible effects to them and the vessels about to come from Castilla,
it is very advisable and necessary to go, with all haste, in pursuit
of said enemy, and to assure the safety of the vessels and the port
of Cavite. As has been gathered from recent discussions held in the
presence of the said president and auditors, with certain captains and
men of experience, it is necessary to equip the deep-draught vessels
quickly, and what light vessels can be prepared, so that they may
attack the enemy. Now in order that the aforesaid preparations may
be effected and executed with all diligence and precision by all, it
is advisable for the said president and auditors--the latter acting
jointly with the said president--to attend personally to this matter,
on account of its importance; for thus will the despatch be effected
more quickly, and with the necessary equipment. The president requested
that, attentive to the aforesaid, they decide and determine the
course advisable to pursue in this matter. After having considered
the above proposition, the said president and auditors resolved
that Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of this Audiencia, should go
immediately to the port of Cavite and take charge of the despatch
and preparation of the vessels about to go to attack the said enemy,
and to place the said port in a state of defense. For this purpose
he shall request the necessary means, which shall be given him as
may be provided and ordained. The licentiate Tellez Almazan, also
an auditor of this Audiencia, shall remain in this city to attend to
what is necessary for its defense, and for the provision of the said
port of Cavite. The president declares that the commandant at either
place shall also assist and aid in such work as may be necessary, and
as occasion may demand, so that by this means all possible diligence,
together with the requisite haste, may be observed.

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