in Japon on account of the tyrant Taicosama's persecution,
lived in disguise in the interior of the country among the
Christians. Consequently, although he was carefully sought, he could
not be found, until, after Taicosama's death and Daifu's seizure
of the government, he came to Miaco. He found means to reveal
himself to one of Dayfu's servants, to whom he told many things
about the Filipinas, the king of España, and the latter's kingdoms
and seigniories, especially those of Nueva España and Peru, of which
the Filipinas were a dependency and with whom they had communication,
and the importance to Daifu of gaining the friendship and commerce of
the Spaniards. The servant found an opportunity to relate all these
things to Daifu, who for some time had desired to have the trade and
commerce which the Portuguese had established in Nangasaqui in his
own kingdoms of Quanto, of which he was the natural lord, in order
to give it more importance. Thinking that this could be accomplished
through the means which Fray Geronymo had suggested, he had the latter
summoned. Having asked him his name, Fray Geronymo told the king that
after the martyrdom of his associates, he had remained in Japon,
that he was one of the religious whom the governor of Manila had
sent when Taicosama was alive, to treat of peace and friendship with
the Spaniards, and who had died as was well known, after having made
converts to Christianity and established several hospitals and houses
at the capital and other cities of Japon, where they healed the sick
and performed other works of piety, without asking any other reward or
advantage than to serve God, to teach the souls of that kingdom the
faith and path of salvation, and to serve their neighbors. In this
work, and in works of charity, especially to the poor, as he and his
fellow religious professed, they lived and maintained themselves,
without seeking or holding any goods or property upon the earth,
solely upon the alms which were given them therefor. After this, he
told him who the king of España was, that he was a Christian, and that
he possessed great kingdoms and territories in all parts of the world;
and that Nueva España, Piru, Filipinas, and India, belonged to him;
and that he governed and defended them all, attending above all else
to the growth and conservation of the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the true God, and Creator of the universe. The religious explained to
the king, as well as he could, other things concerning the Christian
religion, and said that if he wished friendship with his Majesty and
the latter's subjects of Manila, as well as with his viceroys of Nueva
España and Piru he [i.e., Fray Geronymo] would be able to compass
it, for it would be very useful and profitable to the king and to
all his Japanese kingdoms and provinces. This last motive, namely,
the profit and benefit to be derived from friendship and commerce
with the Spaniards, was more to the taste of Daifusama than what he
had heard concerning their religion. Although he did not reject the
latter or say anything about it, yet at this interview and at others
with Fray Geronymo--whom Daifu had given permission to appear in
public in his religious habit, and to whom he furnished the necessary
support--he treated only of friendship with the governor of Manila,
of the Spaniards' coming yearly with ships from Manila to trade at
Quanto, where the Japanese had a port, and an established commerce
with the Spaniards. Also his Japanese were to sail thence to Nueva
España, where they were to enjoy the same amity and trade. As he
understood the voyage to be long and Spanish ships necessary for
it, Daifu proposed that the governor of Manila send him masters and
workmen to build them. He also proposed that in the said kingdom and
principal port of Quanto, which, as above-said, lies in the north
of Japon, and is a mountainous country, abounding in silver mines,
which were not worked because no one knew how, Fray Geronymo and
whatever associates he might choose from among the Spaniards who
came there, should establish their house and dwelling, just as the
religious of the Society of Jesus had theirs with the Portuguese
in Nangasaqui. Fray Geronymo, who desired by any means to restore
the cause of his religious, and of the conversion of Japon through
their labor, as they had begun to do when the martyrs were alive--for
this aim alone moved him--did not doubt that he could once and many
times facilitate Daifusama's desires, and even assured him that they
would certainly be realized through his help, and that there would
be no difficulty whatever to prevent this. Thereupon Daifu appeared
favorable and more inclined to the affairs of Manila than Taico,
his predecessor, had been. He assured the religious that he would
give the Spaniards a good reception in Japon, and that the ships,
which should happen to put in there in distress or in any other way,
would be equipped and despatched with all necessities; and that he
would not allow any Japanese to go to plunder or commit any injury
on the coasts of the Filipinas. In fact, because he learned that
six ships of Japanese corsairs had sailed that year from the island
of Zazuma [Satsuma] and other ports of the lower kingdoms, and had
seized and plundered two Chinese merchantmen on the way to Manila, and
had done other mischief on its coast, he immediately had them sought
out in his kingdom. Having imprisoned more than four hundred men,
he had them all crucified. Likewise he ordered that, in the future,
the annual ships from Nangasaqui to Manila laden with flour and other
goods should not be so numerous, but only enough to supply Manila,
and that they should have the permission and sanction of its governor,
so that they might not be the cause of loss or injury to that place.
Since Daifu pressed Fray Geronymo more and more every day for the
fulfilment of what he had taken upon himself, the latter told him
that he had already written and would write again about those matters
to the governor and royal Audiencia of Manila. He requested Daifu to
send a servant of his household with these letters and the message,
in order that they might have more credit and authority. Daifu
approved of this and despatched them through Captain Chiquiro, a
pagan Japanese and a servant of his, who took a present of various
weapons to the governor and the letters of Fray Geronymo. There
was no special letter from Daifu, except that Fray Geronymo said
that he wrote and petitioned in the name of Daifu. He explained the
better condition of peace and friendship now existing between the
Filipinas and Japon, and what Daifu promised and assured. He wrote
that, in order to facilitate the above, Daifu had promised him that
the Spaniards could go with their ships to trade at Quanto, and that
the governor should send him masters and workmen to build ships for
the voyage from Japon to Nueva España. There was also to be commerce
and friendship with the viceroy of that country. He said that Daifu
had already given leave for religious to go to Japon, to christianize
and to found churches and monasteries, and had given him a good site
for a monastery in Miaco, where he was, and that the same would be
done in other parts and regions of Japon in which they might wish to
settle. Fray Geronymo insidiously and cunningly added this last to
Daifu's promise in order that he might incite the religious of the
Filipinas to push the matter more earnestly before the governor and
Audiencia, that they might agree to this more easily, in order not
to lose the great results that Fray Geronymo said were set afoot.
During the same administration of Don Francisco Tello, in the year
one thousand six hundred, toward the end of the month of October,
a ship came from the province of Camarines with news that two ships,
a flagship and its almiranta, well armed and with foreign crews,
had entered and anchored in one of its northern bays, twenty leguas
from the channel and cape of Espiritu Sancto. Under pretense of
being friends of the Spaniards they asked, and bartered with, the
natives for rice and other provisions that they needed. Then they
weighed anchor and went away, making for the channel through which
they entered, after having left certain feigned letters for Governor
Don Francisco Tello, in which they declared themselves friends,
and that they were coming to Manila to trade by permission of his
Majesty. From this, and from a negro who escaped from these ships
by swimming to the island of Capul, and also through an Englishman,
[129] seized by the natives while on shore, we learned that these
ships were from Holanda, whence they had sailed in a convoy of three
other armed vessels, with patents and documents from Count Mauricio de
Nasao who called himself Prince of Orange, in order to make prizes in
the Indias. [130] Having entered the South Sea through the strait of
Magallanes, three of the five ships had been lost, and these two, the
flagship and the almiranta coasted along Chile, where they captured
two vessels. Then, having turned away from the coast of Lima, they
put out to sea and pursued their voyage, without stopping anywhere,
in the direction of the Filipinas, among which they entered with the
intention of plundering whatever might come their way. Having learned
that a galleon, named "Santo Tomas" was expected from Nueva España with
the money derived from the merchandise of two years' cargoes which had
been sent there from Manila; that in a few days merchant ships would
begin to arrive from China, by which they could fill their hands;
and that there were no galleys or armed ships at that season which
could do them any harm: they determined to go as far as the mouth of
Manila Bay, and stay there, supplying themselves with the provisions
and refreshments which might enter the city; and accordingly, they
carried out this resolution. The flagship named "Mauricio," with one
hundred men and twenty-four pieces of bronze artillery with ladles
[131] was under the command of Oliber de Nort [i.e., Oliver van
Noordt] of Amstradam. This ship was one of those which the count of
Leste had several years before at the taking of the city of Cadiz.
[132] The almiranta named "Concordia," with forty men and ten pieces
of artillery, was under command of Captain Lamberto Viesman of
Roterdam. When these ships were seen on the coast of Chile, Viceroy
Don Luis de Velasco, who was governor in Piru, despatched a fleet
of vessels well equipped with artillery and brave soldiers to follow
and pursue them along the coast of Piru and Nueva España, as far as
California. The fleet left Callao de Lima, under command of Don Joan de
Velasco, but was unable to find the enemy, as they had left the coast,
put out to sea, and steered for the Filipinas. Moreover the Piru fleet,
having been overtaken by a storm on its way back from California,
lost its flagship with all hands aboard and was never seen again.
Governor Don Francisco Tello, seeing that this corsair was making
incursions among the islands, according to the information given
him by certain captains and soldiers whom he had sent by land along
the coasts of the island of Luzon, in order to prevent the enemy
from landing men and from injuring the settlements, and from the
information given by certain small single boats which had kept in
sight of the enemy, discussed plans for meeting this necessity. This
it appeared very difficult to do on that occasion, not only because
the governor found himself without any kind of rowing vessels or ships
with high freeboard, with which to put to sea, but also because he had
few soldiers in the camp, for the majority of them were with Captain
and Sargento-mayor Joan Xuarez Gallinato in the Pintados provinces,
together with galleys, galliots, and other craft, for the purpose of
defending the natives against the ships of the Mindanaos and Joloans,
who were continually making plundering expeditions against them, and
of preparing for the expedition which it was thought would be made from
Jolo at the first monsoon, and which could no longer be deferred. When
the governor saw himself hard pressed by this difficulty, and that the
Dutch enemy could cause so much harm, take so many prizes, and then
depart with them, leaving the country ruined, he summoned the Audiencia
and communicated the state of affairs to them, requesting the auditors
to assist him in person in any advisable course. They discussed what
should be done, namely, to put the port of Cabit, which is inside
the bay, into a state of defense, in order to prevent the enemy from
seizing it, together with the magazines, artillery, and shipyard; then
to endeavor to equip several ships with which to put to sea and offer
some resistance to the enemy--even if no more could be done--so that
he might not firmly establish himself in the land, and that he might
be induced to leave the islands. For, if the enemy found everything
so defenseless and if no resistance were offered him, he would remain
there until he attained his designs. The execution of these measures
was entrusted to Doctor Antonio de Morga. Licentiate Telles de Almaçan
was ordered to remain in the city with the governor and president for
its defense, and to supply thence the port of Cabit and Doctor Antonio
de Morga with what was necessary for the latter's commission. On the
same day, the last of October of the year six hundred, Doctor Antonio
de Morga left Manila with some soldiers and ammunition and went to the
port of Cabit, which he put in a state of defense with one hundred and
fifty men, both arquebusiers and musketeers, who kept continual watch
day and night over the port, by means of sentinels and outposts at
the necessary points. He collected at the settlement all the vessels
in port, and stationed them as near as possible to the shipyards,
where a galizabra was being built, and where lay a ship of Sebu with
a small Portuguese patache, the latter of which had come from Malaca
laden with merchandise. For the defense of these he placed and planted
on shore twelve pieces of moderate-sized bronze cannon with ladles,
besides two of greater range, which were placed on a point at the
entrance of the port. These altogether commanded the port and the
vessels in it. Farther on along the beach, a rampart was made with
stakes and planks, filled in with earth, behind which, in case the
enemy should enter, the soldiery could cover and defend themselves
with their artillery. After the auditor had thus put the said port
in a state of defense, he planned to complete the galizabra, although
much work was still needed, to launch it, and fit it with sails, and
at the same time to refit the Sebu ship. He attended to these works
with so great haste that within thirty days he hoisted the yards on
the galizabra and on the Sebu ship, and furnished each of the two with
eleven pieces of artillery, both of large and moderate size, which
had been sent from Manila, in addition to the artillery in the port.
The corsair reached the mouth of the bay, eight leguas from the
port of Cabit, but did not dare to make a dash into the port, as he
had planned, for he learned from some Sangleys who were going out
to sea with their champans, that it was already defended. However,
he was not informed that the Spaniards were arming to attack him,
or that there was any preparation or forces at that season for
that purpose. Accordingly he contented himself with remaining at
the mouth of the bay, moving about with both ships and their boats,
and going from one side to another on various days, in order to seize
the vessels coming to the city with provisions, and not allowing one
to escape him. At night he anchored under shelter of the land. All
this took place four leguas from the mouth of the bay, and he went
no farther from it, in order to be ready for any occasion that might
present itself.
Doctor Antonio de Morga kept several very small and swift vessels
within sight of the enemy, under shelter of the land, which informed
him daily of the enemy's position and doings. They reported that
he had quietly stationed himself, and that every evening he placed
his guard on deck with drums and flags, and firing of musketry. The
corsair's forces could be estimated from that and it could be seen
that the larger and better contingent was aboard the flagship, which
was a good and swift ship. The auditor also took the precaution
not to let any champan or ship leave the bay, in order not to give
the corsair an opportunity to learn what was going on. When affairs
reached this point, he informed the governor of what had been done,
and suggested that, if the latter thought it advisable, the Portuguese
vessel might also be equipped, in order to sally out with the two
ships--the galizabra and the "Sant Antonio" of Sebu--for he had laid
an embargo on it, and had fitted it for that purpose. Ammunition
and some provisions of rice and fish were providedfor the two ships,
and it remained only to man them with sailors and soldiers who were
to go out in them. Of such there was little supply; the sailors were
hiding and feigning sickness, and one and all showed little desire
to undertake an affair of more risk and peril than of personal
profit. The captains and private soldiers of the city, who were
receiving neither pay nor rations from the king, but who could go
on the expedition, did not offer their services to the governor;
and if anyone were ready to do so, he dissembled until knowing who
was to be commander of the fleet. For, although some land captains
might fill the place, the governor was not inclined to appoint any
of them, nor were the others willing to go under their command. Each
one claimed and boasted himself capable of being the leader, and
none other of his neighbors was to have command. The governor was
prevented from going out in person, and learned that all the people
of the city were willing to go with Doctor Antonio de Morga if he
had command of the fleet, and would not mind any dangers that might
present themselves. When the governor learned the desire of those who
were able to embark, and understood that there was no other means
by which to realize the aim in view, and that each day's delay was
of very great detriment, he summoned the auditor to the city and set
the matter before him. In order that the latter might not refuse, the
governor issued an act and had the auditor immediately notified by the
secretary of the government and ordered, on behalf of his Majesty,
to embark as general and commander of the fleet and to follow and
pursue the corsair, because, as matters stood, the suitable result
could not be attained otherwise. The auditor, thinking that, if he
failed to take up the matter, he would receive the blame of losing so
pressing an occasion for the service of God and his Majesty, and for
the welfare of the whole country; and, since war affairs both of sea
and of land had been under his charge and management, that it might
be reckoned ill against him if he turned his back at this juncture,
when he had been sought for it and served especially with papers from
the governor, appointing him to the charge: obeyed for the discharge
of his conscience the orders set forth in the governor's act, which
together with his answer reads word for word as follows.
Edict of Governor Don Francisco Tello, and reply of Doctor Antonio
de Morga
In the city of Manila, on the first of December, one thousand six
hundred, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor
and captain-general of these Filipinas Islands, and president of the
royal Audiencia resident therein, declared: That, whereas, because
of the coming to these islands of two hostile English [sic] ships,
the preparation of a fleet to attack them was immediately discussed
with the resolution and advice of the royal Audiencia, and for this
effect it was resolved that Antonio de Morga should go to the port of
Cabit to attend to the fitting and despatch of the said war-vessels
and the defense of that port, as appears, by the act and resolution
made thereon, in the book of the government matters pertaining to
this said Audiencia, on the last day of the month of October, of this
present year, and to which we refer; and whereas, in execution of the
said resolution, he has attended until now, to the defense of the said
port, and the fitting and equipping of the said fleet, consisting of
the vessel "San Diego," [133] of Sebu, the galleon "San Bartolome,"
which he caused to be finished in the shipyard and launched, an English
[134] patache from the city of Malaca, a galliot which was fitted up,
and other smaller craft; and whereas, the said fleet, because of his
diligence and care, is in so good condition that it can shortly sail,
and the said enemy is still near this city, on the coast of the island
of Miraveles [i.e., Corregidor]; and whereas, many captains, knights,
and chief men of this community have heard that the said auditor was
to make the said expedition, they have offered to go with him to serve
the king, our sovereign, in it at their own expense; and whereas,
a great preparation of men and provisions has been made with this
intent, which would fail and be of no effect did the said auditor not
sail with the said fleet in pursuit of the said enemy, and would not
have the result aimed at--a matter so greatly to the service of God
our Lord, and the welfare of this country--and whereas, moreover, the
said auditor is (as is a fact) experienced in matters of war, and has
been general of his Majesty's fleets by the latter's own appointment
at other times, and lieutenant of the captain-general in this kingdom
for several years, in which he has fulfilled his duties well; and
whereas he is highly esteemed and liked by the soldiers; and whereas
he is the most suitable man, according to the condition of affairs;
and for other just considerations that move the governor thereto,
so that the said expedition may be effected and not fall through,
or at least, so that it may not be delayed with loss and trouble:
therefore he ordered--and he did so order--the said auditor, since
he has fostered this affair, and has personally put it in its present
good shape, and since all the men--and they are many--who receive no
pay, have prepared in consideration of him, to prepare himself to go
as general and commander of the said fleet in pursuit of the enemy,
with all possible haste. For this the governor said that he would
give him the necessary messages and instructions, for thus is it
advantageous to the service of the king our sovereign. In the name of
the latter, the governor orders him to do and accomplish the above. He
[i.e., the governor] as president of the said royal Audiencia,
grants him leave and absence for the above during the time that he
shall occupy himself therein, from attendance on his duties in the
said royal Audiencia. He gave him the commission in due legal form,
and authority for the said absence. Thus he provided and ordered,
and affixed his signature thereto.
DON FRANCISCO TELLO
Before me:
GASPAR DE AZEBO
In the city of Manila, on the first of December, of the year one
thousand six hundred, I, the government notary, served the above act
upon Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of the royal Audiencia. He
declared that, from the first day of the month of November just
expired, by commission of the royal Audiencia of these islands, he
has busied himself in everything mentioned in the said act, and has
done his utmost toward its execution; that the expedition is on the
good footing and in the condition that is known; that if, for its good
result and for what is expected from it, his person and property are
suitable and fitting for the service of the king our sovereign, he
is ready to employ everything in it and to do what has been ordered
and commanded him by the said president; and that consequently he
has no other wish or desire than for what might be to the service of
God and of his Majesty. Thereupon may your Lordship order and provide
what may be found most expedient, and as such he will fulfil it. He
affixed his signature to this writ.
DOCTOR ANTONIO DE MORGA
GASPAR DE AZEBO
Doctor Antonio de Morga provided himself with all that was requisite
for the expedition without asking or taking anything from the
king's exchequer. He aided several needy soldiers who came to offer
their services, and many other persons of importance who had done
the same, so that, within one week, there were already enough men
for the expedition, and an abundance of provisions, ship's stores,
and arms; whereupon all embarked. With the volunteers and regulars
whom the governor had in camp under Captain Augustin de Urdiales, and
whom he gave to the auditor, there were men enough to man both ships
each with about one hundred soldiers in addition to gunners, sailors,
and common seamen, of the last mentioned of whom there was a smaller
supply than was needed. As admiral of this fleet the governor appointed
Captain Joan de Alcega, an old soldier, and one well acquainted with
the islands; as captain of the paid soldiers who were to sail in the
almiranta, Joan Tello y Aguirre; as sargento-mayor of the fleet, Don
Pedro Tello, his kinsman; the necessary other offices and positions;
and the nomination and title of general of the fleet to Doctor Antonio
de Morga. He gave the latter closed and sealed instructions concerning
what he was to do in the course of the voyage and expedition, with
orders not to open them until he had put to sea, outside of the bay
of Manila. The instructions read as follows.
* * * * *
Instructions given by the governor to Doctor Antonio de Morga
What Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of the royal Audiencia of these
Filipinas Islands, and captain-general of the fleet which is about
to pursue the English [sic] enemy, has to do, is as follows.
First, inasmuch as we have been informed that the English [sic] enemy,
against whom this fleet has been prepared, lies in the bay of Maryuma,
[135] it is ordered that, lest perchance the enemy hearing of our
fleet should try to escape without receiving any injury, the fleet
sail as quickly as possible in his pursuit, in order to engage and
fight him until, through the grace of our Lord, he be taken or sunk.
Item: If, in fighting the said enemy both with artillery and in
grappling--and this shall be attempted with all the diligence and
care possible--whichever the weather may better and more conveniently
permit, the latter should take to flight at sight of the fleet,
he shall be pursued until the desired result is attained.
Item: If, at the time that the fleet sails to attack the said enemy he
shall have left this coast and news is received that he has coasted
to any other of these islands, the fleet shall follow and pursue
him until he is taken or sunk. If the enemy has left these islands,
the fleet shall pursue him as far as possible; but this is left to
your own discretion so long as the object be attained.
Item: Inasmuch as the opinion was expressed in a council of war held
on the second day of the present month and year, by the master-of-camp
and the captains who were present, that, if there were no certain
information of the course and direction taken by the enemy, the said
fleet should follow the coast of Ilocos, and make for the strait
of Sincapura, through which it is presumed that the enemy will pass
in order to pursue his voyage: notwithstanding the said council of
war, if the said general should not receive any information as to
the course taken by the enemy, then he shall do what he thinks most
expedient, as the one in charge of the affair, and as the enemy and
the occasion allow, endeavoring to obtain the desired object, namely,
the overtaking and destruction of the enemy.