_The Spaniards are visited by the principals of
Chincheo; the gouernor did send for Pedro de Sarmiento
and Myguel de Coarcha, and giueth them particular
audience, and doth wel informe himselfe of all things
touching Limahon the rouer._
[Sidenote: He offered 500 shippes of warre.]
[Sidenote: Note the Spaniards insolencie.]
The next day following, which was Sunday the twelfth of July, many of
the gentlemen of the cittie did go vnto the Spaniards to visite them,
vsing many ceremonies according to their custome with fauorable words,
promising to performe it in deeds, when and as neede did so require; and
such as could not go themselues did send their seruants, bidding them
welcome and to knowe of their good healthes, and howe they did like of
their citties and country. The Spaniards did make answere, and gratified
them all, as well those that came in person as the other that sent their
seruants; in the which visitation they spent all the whole day, hauing
great admyration to see the good behauiour, nurture, and gallant
demeanure of those gentlemen, and the great discreation they had in the
demanding of anie thing they would knowe, as also in their answers made
to our requests. The next day the Insuanto sent a commandement wherein
he willed two fathers to remaine in their lodgings and take their ease,
but the two souldiers, Pedro Sarmiento and Miguel de Loarcha, should
come and speake with him, and that they should bring with them their
interpreter, for that hee had one there with him who was a Chino, and
vnderstood the language of the Philippinas, but so badly that they
coulde not by his interpretation talke of any matter of importance. So
when they came thither, they were brought whereas hee was, but with
lesse ceremony then on the first day, but yet they found him with the
like maiestie as before. He asked of them how the fathers did, and they
themselues, and if they were refreshed of the travell in the iourney,
and howe they did like of the countrie, and other things which did
demonstrate great affabilitie. Being by them satisfied of his demands,
he requested them to declare vnto him the whole circumstance of the
comming of Limahon the rouer vnto the ilands, and how the Spaniards
dealt with him; that although hee had beene informed particularly in all
thinges by the captaine Omoncon and Sinsay, yet he was in a ielousie
that they tolde him not the trueth. Hee was nothing deceiued in that hee
suspected, for after that our souldiers had made a true relation of the
comming of the rouer vnto Manilla, and of all the rest as you have heard
in the discourse thereof in this booke, he found that they differed very
much the one from the other, for that they did attribute it wholly vnto
themselves to get honor and benefite: but the Insuanto, like a wise man,
straightwayes vnderstood their pretence. But when that he perceiued that
Limahon was neither dead nor prisoner, but only besieged, he offered
vnto them that if they would returne againe vnto Pagansinan vpon him
whereas he was, hee would giue vnto them fiue hundred ships of warre,
with people sufficient to serue both by sea and lande, and more if they
would request. They answered him, that all such cost and labour were but
in vaine, for that the generall of the fielde who hath him in siege,
with the people and ships that he hath, are sufficient to ende that
enterprise, and to send him hither alive or deade, and that long before
that their fleete should come thither. And besides this, their ilands
were poore of victuals, and could not sustaine so great an armie many
dayes. Being satisfied with these reasons, he gaue place that the
interpreter which they brought should come in where as they were, for
hee remained at the doore without, for that he would be fully certified
to auoid the suspitious doubt he had before he come in presence, yet he
did help them very much. So when their interpreter was come in, the
Spaniards seeing good occasion and opportunitie for to declare that
which passed the day before betwixt them and the fathers, touching the
speaking vnto him on their knees: and seeing as it seemed vnto them that
he was at that time in a good mind for to heare them, they did vtter
vnto him all the whole contention; after that they had declared many
reasons of great consideration, to giue them to vnderstand that it was
not conuenient to do it, but especially to religious men, who were there
as principals ouer the rest, vnto whom the king of Spaine (their lord)
himselfe both stand on foote, when as they do intreat of any matter,
although it be but of small importance; for that they are priests and
ministers of God, whom he doth worship and reuerence.
The Insuanto with a merry countenance did answere them, that vnto that
time he vnderstood no more of them then in that he was informed by the
captaine Omoncon, and did not acknowledge them to be any other but
Castillas; without knowing wherefore they came, nor from whom, for lacke
of the letters sent from their gouernor and generall of the fielde the
first time that he spake with them; neither had he any knowledge of the
custome of their countrie, yet, notwithstanding that which hath passed
heere, without any exception of person, if they would take it in good
part, in that which is to come shall be amended: and from that day
forwards, at al times whensoeuer it were their pleasure to come of
themselues, or at such time as they were sent for, for to talke with him
as they doo vse in Castilla or Spaine, vnto such of their dignitie and
vocation, the which he granted with a very good will; although hee [did]
not grant vnto any that preheminence, no not vnto a vizroy, except he
were an ambassador sent from some king. With this resolution, and with
many other good wordes they tooke their leaue of him, and went ioyfull
and content vnto their lodgings, wheras they found the friers wearie
with entertaining of such as did visite them, and with great desire to
see them, to knowe wherefore the Insuanto did send for them, with whome
they had beene so long time. But after that they vnderstoode the effect
of the whole, and how that the gouernor did permit that they should
talke with him after their owne fashion, they were maruellously glad
thereof, and had a very good hope to conclude their pretence, wherefore
they went, and praised God for the good successe of that which they
pretended.