conditions of pardon for the Sangleys of Guagua concerned in the
conspiracy of the day before. [93] These are as follows: 1. Surrender
of all their arms, and examination of their houses, without any
resistance. 2. Married Sangleys in the villages of the province to be
restored to their houses, if not in too great number. 3. Both married
and single Sangleys of Guagua to move with families and possessions
to places indicated by government. 4. Must not keep arms henceforth,
nor go the villages of Lubao, Guagua, Sesmoan, [94] and Mecabebe,
as those places are the keys of the province. 5. Must take out
necessary and usual licenses. Certain captains are ordered to inform
the Sangleys of these conditions, and to examine the houses in search
of hidden arms which are to be confiscated. A classified register of
all Chinese by villages is to be made; and for the present soldiers
are to be quartered on them. On the twenty-second, the governor of
the village of Apalit is ordered to go immediately in pursuit of the
Sangleys who fled from Guagua, and in case of resistance and refusal
to surrender to kill them all. If they surrender, they are to be taken
to Bacolor. The same order is given to the governors of Calumpit,
Hagonoy, and Malolos. On the same date, the governor of Guagua is
ordered to forbid the sale of nipa wine and destroy all found in the
taverns, in order to avoid the possibility of drunkenness and offenses
against God, especially now "when it is feared that the Sangleys are
coming from Manila with the English, according to the treaty which
the latter have made with the Sangleys of this province."
[A series of documents dated December 22, 23, 27, 30, and 31, 1762, and
February 4, 1763, treat of the Sangley conspiracy in the province in
conjunction with the English and the Sangleys of the Parián of Manila
and the terrible vengeance taken. Anda informs all the officials and
people of the province of Pampanga of the discovery of the conspiracy a
few days before it was to be sprung. This was to have been on Christmas
eve, when many people would be engaged in their devotions and others
would be celebrating by becoming intoxicated. The Chinese of the
province, together with about one thousand others from the Parián,
were to kill right and left and thus prepare the way for the entrance
of the English. On being discovered, the Chinese make a stand on the
twentieth of December, but are forced to flee refusing the promises
of safety if they laid down their arms. The officials are ordered to
watch carefully and kill all the Chinese they can find; and not allow
the sale of wine. The ecclesiastics are also warned to keep a strict
watch and not to open their churches on Christmas eve, without placing
guards. The vengeance taken on the Chinese captured is terrible, for
one hundred and eighty-one of them are killed or commit suicide, as
is testified by Captain Balthasar Casal. For the future most strict
measures are to be taken in regard to the Chinese in the province,
and many restrictions are imposed upon them, in order that they may
constantly be kept under the close surveillance of the authorities.]
[An edict, signed by Drake, Brook, and others, of the British
government, on January 23, 1763, offers a reward of five thousand
pesos for the capture of Anda, inasmuch as, assisted by various
ecclesiastics, he continues hostile to the British government, and
is inciting the natives of Bulacan and Pampanga provinces against it,
stipulation being made that Anda is not to be killed. Those natives who
leave Anda's faction will be allowed freedom of worship, and exemption
from the tribute and from personal services. The ecclesiastics, all
of whom are considered as vassals of Great Britain, will be punished,
severely if they refuse to cease their disturbances. [95]]
[Anda writes (probably in January or the early part of February,
1763) to the Manila cabildo and merchants, stating that he has
just heard that the archbishop is discussing with the British the
sending of a trading ship to Nueva Espana. Since this is not a proper
procedure, Anda considers it his duty to require a stop put to it,
and orders it to be strictly forbidden for the following reasons:
1. The ship cannot be sent with a legitimate register, by the
English, as a state of war exists with them, nor by the archbishop,
as he is not governor. 2. Trade between England and the Philippines
is forbidden even in times of peace, as is also trade by way of the
South Sea. 3. What merchandise is taken will be that of the enemy,
as the Spanish merchants of the Philippines are in no condition
to send goods, and it is not proper to send the goods of an enemy
under pretext that they are those legitimately belonging to the
city. 4. The privilege of trade granted to Manila has ceased since
Manila has passed to another government, and cannot be regained until
regulations are passed in favor of the rest of the islands which
are still loyal. 5. The word of honor given to the British was only
not to take up arms against them, and they owe nothing else to them,
and hence, can and should remain loyal to Spain. Consequently, this
effort should be resisted as strongly as possible.]
[On February 12, Anda addresses a long and most bitter and denunciatory
letter to the archbishop, accusing him of connivance with the British,
and the utter disregard of Spanish interests. He reminds the archbishop
again that he has assumed the office of governor in accordance with
certain laws in the Recopilación. The archbishop must cease his
disloyal practices, which are prejudicial to the rights of those
domains and the irreparable loss of the inhabitants. Through his
folly, Manila was taken by assault, and then the fort of Santiago
surrendered without a blow. To this is added the disastrous sack
which lasted longer than the time allowed by the rules of war; with
its accompanying evils of bloodshed, violations of the women, and
profanation of the churches. All this instead of causing the sentiment
of pity in the breast of the archbishop, has caused him to rejoice in
the success of the British. He has ceded the islands as if they were
his own property, or as if he had authority to do so, thus failing in
his oath to defend the government. The four million pesos which he has
promised, has also been in contravention of right. Both the cession
and the promise of the indemnity are null and void. The British threat
to take vengeance on the Spaniards if their demands were not met, was
a boast that would not have been carried out. The fort of Cavite could
have been defended for it was in good condition, but it was handed over
without any attempt at defense. This would have saved great trouble,
and consultation between the two crowns would have been unnecessary
had it not been done. The British now demand the cession of all the
islands, but that could have been avoided, as Anda is governor, not
he. The archbishop has been guilty of usurping a title and office
that do not belong to him, but to Anda, in view of developments at
Manila. He has endeavored to cause Anda to retire to Manila, and
abandon the defense, even sending him a passport for that purpose--a
most base attempt. He has sent orders to the alcaldes-mayor to have
the Spaniards, who have withdrawn from Manila, return thither, his
object being to have them give their word of honor to the British,
a course that will necessarily weaken the Spanish defense of the
provinces. He has secured food and supplies for the British, and
has induced certain Chinese from a trading champan to settle in the
Parián, in order that the British may have greater strength. He has
endeavored to dislodge the Augustinians, who side with Anda, [96]
from their villages and supply their place with seculars. He has done
these things to curry favor with the British and through his vanity
and love of figuring. Lastly, he is attempting to have a ship sent to
Nueva Espana to trade at Acapulco. But this is clearly against all
right, for the only goods that would be sent would be English, and
besides, since Manila and Cavite are now virtually British colonies,
all commerce between them and the Spanish-American possessions is
forbidden, a fact still further enforced by the condition of war now
prevailing. The poverty of the Spaniards, with the assault and sack,
does not allow them to ship any goods at present. Anda earnestly urges
the archbishop to cease all his disloyal practices else he threatens
to cry him as a traitor to the king and an ally of the English.]
[The Jesuit provincial Bernardo Pazuengos, [97] who claims to be sent
by the English governor of Manila, asks for secret audience with Anda
at Apalit, February 26. This being granted on the afternoon of that
day, no results are obtained for the provincial can show no written
credentials authorizing him as envoy, claiming that he has been
appointed and empowered only verbally, and ordered to treat secretly
with Anda. He claims not to know in what light Anda is regarded by the
British governor--whether as the legitimate governor or as an usurper.]
[The archbishop writes to Anda, under date of March 21, informing him
of the arrest of Villacorta on account of his communication with Anda
(his letters having been seized), and that the sentence of death has
been passed upon him, because he has broken his word of honor. Other
Spaniards, some of them religious, have also been arrested. He asks
that the disturbances among the natives cease, and that they be
instructed in their religious duties and in loyalty, and resume their
work. [98] He writes this letter in his ecclesiastical character in
his solicitude for the souls of his flock. The archbishop is doing
his best in behalf of Villacorta. [99]]
[In answer to this letter Anda writes a long and bitter reply. Although
he says that the archbishop's letter merits no answer for its lack
of courtesy, yet he answers it in hopes that the archbishop may see
the error of his ways. He recalls to the latter's memory that he
was appointed visitor general of the islands, with the real mission
of protecting them if the English captured Manila, and in case such
happened, he was to write to the bishops, prelates of the religious
orders, and the alcaldes-mayor, urging and ordering them to defend
the islands and the Catholic religion. Accordingly, he did so on the
fall of Manila, and received enthusiastic support from ecclesiastics,
officials, and natives. [100] The archbishop has, on the contrary,
endeavored to influence the prelates, religious, and natives to submit
to the British, so that one might imagine that he has lost his wits. He
has written Anda to retire to Manila and leave the government of
the provinces to the enemy, but the English will be entirely wiped
out if they do not relinquish their ideas, for they cannot settle
themselves firmly in the islands. Santiago Orendain [101] as well
as the archbishop has played into the hands of the British; and
because Anda has not fallen in with their ideas he has been branded
as a traitor and rebel. The archbishop has influenced the British
against Anda, and they recognizing the opportunity to create civil
war in the islands have proceeded against the latter. The British
have also made an offensive and defensive alliance with the king of
Joló, [102] but the archbishop has offered no serious objection to
such a procedure, which is to make war upon the Catholic religion,
for it will inundate the islands with Mahometans, in addition to
the English Protestants. This is opposed to the treaty between the
Joloans and Spaniards, as well as to the agreements made between the
English and Spaniards. The English answer the archbishop's letter of
protest of such an alliance by saying that the Spaniards have failed
to keep their promise; whereat the archbishop, instead of declaring
a holy war, and calling on the people to defend their religion with
their lives, accepts the situation. The English have profaned the
churches, but the archbishop has done nothing. The manner in which the
archbishop protected the notorious criminal Orendain in the meeting of
the Audiencia, when his violent language attracted the attention of
citizens, left much room for doubt as to his sanity. Anda continues
as follows with a harsh attack on the archbishop, which although
possibly too violent, throws much light on the life of the times:]
The memory of that letter, which your Excellency wrote to the bishop
of Zebù, when the latter was president, governor, and captain-general
of these islands, does not fail to corroborate this idea [i.e.,
of the archbishop's sanity]. In that letter you advised him that
in order that you might undertake to consecrate him, he must first
assure your Excellency, among other things, that he would not hold
dances of women and men in the palace, as that was entirely opposed
to modesty, prudence, and a delicate conscience of bishops, as well as
outside the object of the consecration. That advice was very worthy of
praise, although it would appear that it was idle and could have been
excused because of the solid virtue and religious conduct of Señor
Espeleta. But (oh human misery and weakness!) your Excellency did not
practice that healthful counsel in the celebration of the patronage of
our Lady of Guadalupe. For, to the universal confusion and laughter
of all your flock, and of the respect due to your exalted dignity,
your Excellency invited to your palace, all the ladies of distinction
and the women of the lower class, in order that they might celebrate
said festivity with contradances, fandangos, and other dances, which
lasted on different nights from six in the evening until one or two in
the morning; and those ladies made use of your Excellency's privy and
bedroom for that indecent although natural easing of the body. Neither
was your Excellency dissuaded by the consideration that during the
carnival days of the year 1762, you preached, as a good shepherd and
vigilant prelate, against dancing, portraying with just arguments the
spiritual risks and ruin which followed from it and especially from
those dances in which the dancers hold one anothers' hands and clasp
arms, as well as from those which caused some immodest movements;
and yet, it was public and notorious that on the night preceding said
sermon and on the following night, your Excellency had in your palace
the greatest concourse of men and women of all classes ever seen in
Manila, and the same women whom your Excellency chid in the pulpit, and
[whose procedure you] considered as an action very near to spiritual
ruin, were incessantly engaged in dancing. It is worth noting that
some ladies excused themselves from attending said party, and you
expressed your indignation, saying that you would compel them to
attend such functions. Equally, or much more, is this idea confirmed
by the reflection of what happened in Cavite, on the occasion of
your Excellency having gone to inspect the keel of a ship which was
to be constructed; for under this pretext, your Excellency invited
and even compelled many ladies of Manila to go to said port, where,
and on distinct nights, your Excellency made the round of the village
amid fine music and ladies, inciting the latter to sing the Chairo,
the Forito, and other profane songs, interpolating them with the most
holy rosary which was recited in the church, and after the round,
the abovesaid dances were held at your Excellency's lodging, and you
presided at all parts of it, inciting them like the worst pander and
dancing director. Thus, your Excellency, not only were some of the
ladies ashamed of your excesses, but it is also apparent to me that the
ecclesiastics--seculars and regulars--of said port were scandalized,
and entirely trustworthy and prudent persons assert that the repair
of the spiritual damage which you caused by your bad example would
cost great labor; and if the mention of it to you by your subjects
can avail for your conversion and repentance, I am ready to do it,
for the sake of your soul. What shall I say, then, of what happened in
your Excellency's apartments in the hamlet of Nagtaja, where for the
space of all one summer, of last year, there was no let up of music
and dancing until daybreak, and banquets of men and women, that in
order that the latter might take their siestas, they made use of your
Excellency's apartments, obliging you to leave them, although not to
so great a distance that they did not discommode you? And it is quite
worth noting that at the same time that your Excellency was occupied
and dazzled in these festivities, so opposed to your character [of
your office], the English were planning the conquest of Manila, and
with it the ruin of all the islands. Consider, now, your Excellency,
in view of the above, whether such procedures and conduct in a prelate,
of the truth of which there cannot be the slightest doubt, are those
of one who is in the possession of his right senses.
[The archbishop's letters have no effect and fail of their purpose
when events prove that he does quite the contrary to what he writes
and preaches and counsels. Experience shows that he is making use of
apparently virtuous means to deliver the islands over to Calvinism
and Lutheranism; and that would inevitably have happened had not Anda
instituted a vigorous defense, aided by the bishops and other pious
and loyal Spaniards and natives, all of whom recognize the legitimacy
of his government and deny all the authority of the archbishop and
Orendain. Anda is sorry for the plight in which Villacorta is, and
would aid him if he could, but if such aid must be at the expense of
the islands, then he will not move in his defense--which he would
not do for anyone, not even his own parents. He will take full
vengeance for it later. However, he believes that the English are
but making use of the archbishop in order to secure a suspension of
hostilities. Besides, he can do nothing toward bringing about peace
if he is a declared traitor and rebel, and even if the enemy recognize
him as true governor, he cannot have anything to do with such proposals
unless they are made to him in writing and in due form. This matter of
Villacorta is only a pretext to make Anda hated by the people, and a
scheme by which the English can gain possession of the provinces. In
all their machinations they have made use of the archbishop to aid
them to gain their ends. When the fort of Santiago was surrendered
to the British, a verbal agreement was made with General Draper by
the archbishop "that the persons, wealth, and possessions of all the
persons in said fort were to be free, as were also the wealth and
possessions of those in the city, with the sole difference that the
latter were to be prisoners; that the practice of religion and the
exercise of its tribunals were also to continue in the same manner as
before the capture of the city, commerce also being free, etc." The
British have, however, not kept this agreement, and the archbishop
justly treated them at that time as robbers and pirates. But if that
was so in October how can the archbishop now aid or abet them in
the ruin of the islands, and draining the treasury, city, churches,
and pious funds, besides giving warrants for two million pesos on
the king--and all this without any opposition. With the sack and
the capture of the "Santisima Trinidad," a sum greater than the four
million pesos unjustly demanded has been raised. How can they expect
Villacorta to keep his word of honor, which it was unnecessary for
him to give as he was in the fort? If he gave such word it was under
compulsion. All this should be represented by the archbishop to the
judges who condemned Villacorta. Anda earnestly entreats the latter
to reform in his manner of living, and to cease his excesses. [103]]
Letter from the castellan of Cavite, Monsieur Brerreton, to the
insurgent of Ylocos, Diego Silang. [104]
My Dear Sir:
Yesterday the governor handed me the letter which your Grace was
pleased to send him, in which your Grace promises to be loyal to his
sacred Majesty, the king of Gran Bretaña, my master. You may believe,
Don Diego, that your letter gave me especial pleasure and great joy--so
much so that I resolved to send you one of his Majesty's ships under
my command, in order to assure your Grace of my protection, and aid in
the name of my master, against the common enemy, España. I have been
very sensible of the many injuries which your Grace has suffered under
the tyrannical government of the Spaniards; but 1 am very pleased to
know that your Grace has opened your eyes, and that your Grace will
strengthen and encourage your people to humiliate the sovereignty of
so cruel a nation. For motives of this nature, the king my master drew
his sword in defense of his vassals, and of other nations, his allies,
who suffered the lash of the Spanish tyranny in different parts of the
world. Your Grace can rest assured of the consideration of the king
my master, when he learns of your Grace's loyalty and the injuries
which your Grace and good compatriots have suffered from the hand of
the one by whom you ought to have been protected and aided, from the
general whom his Majesty despatched, together with the admiral. On
the general's return he will give information of the conquest of
these islands, and is well instructed to represent to his Majesty
the completely favorable attitude of the natives of them.
The admiral went with the greater part of the squadron to protect
the dominions along the coast and Yndia. He has left me particular
instructions to cultivate harmonious relations and friendship with
the province of Ylocos and the other nations of the north. I am sorry
that I have not paid your Grace a visit, but important business has
prevented me. However, your Grace can rest assured that I shall be
most vigilant in extending help to you.
In a short time, your Grace will have troops and war supplies. This
despatch is to assure your Grace of our friendship and my satisfaction
at receiving your letter, and because of your loyalty. In order that
your Grace may communicate it to all the people, especially to those
under your command, I am sending your Grace a small bronze cannon in
token of affection.
I hope that the provinces of Pangazinan and Cagayan will soon follow
your worthy example and tear off the chains of Spanish slavery.
I am also sending your Grace the edict published by the two leaders
of sea and land, when we conquered our enemy. For my part I assure
you that I shall religiously observe it, and I invite you when time
permits, to despatch your boats to this capital, where they will be
welcomed for their trade. The bearer of this letter is a captain in
his Britannic Majesty's service, and he will inform your Grace of
particulars. Hence, I shall not go to great length to repeat, with
my accustomed sincerity, that I shall employ all my strength in your
defense, in order that your Grace may free yourself from the Spanish
yoke. I shall not cease to beseech God, our Lord, to preserve your
Grace for many years. Manila, May 6, 1763. [105]
B. Brerreton
[Addressed: "To Don Diego Silang, alcalde-mayor and war-captain for
his Majesty in the province of Ylocos."]
[Under date of March (sic in original; May?) 15, the British commander
of the forces in Manila, Roberto Eduardo Fell, writes Anda, asking
him to see to it that acts of barbarism and cruelty such as have been
practiced by Anda's troops against the British, on many occasions,
be discontinued. He denies that the British soldiers have broken the
laws of warfare, and during the sack, many officers tried to restrain
them at the risk of their own lives, while the Spanish troops have
on the contrary fired more than once at the white flag, thus not
adhering to the honorable conduct of Spaniards in Europe. He does not
ask for discontinuance of the war, but only observance of the common
humanities of war.]