insurrection headed by Diego Silán or Silang. It was the most obstinate
of all the insurrections that broke out against the Spaniards during
the English occupation. Diego Silán was born December 16, 1730, in
Pangasinan province. As a lad he served the cura of Vigan, but being
sent down to Manila, the boat in which he took passage was wrecked on
the coast of Bolinao. All his companions were killed by the barbarous
inhabitants, but he was kept as a slave, being finally ransomed by a
Recollect friar. Later he became a messenger for the parish priest at
Vigan, and being found trustworthy was appointed to carry the letters
to Manila annually at the time the Manila boat was expected. In this
service, he acquired a wide acquaintance; and it was comparatively easy
for him after the assault of Manila to rouse the natives, under pretext
of protecting themselves from the British since the Spaniards were no
longer able to defend them. Demands formulated and presented by the
insurgents include the deposition of the alcalde-mayor, Antonio Zabala;
that office to be held by the provisor Tomás Millán; the election of
one of the four chiefs of Vigan as justice; the expulsion of all the
Spaniards and mestizos from the province; the appointment of Silán to
make head against the English. The insurrection makes great headway,
and is soon found to be an attempt to break with all Spanish authority,
and the insurgents are incited by the British, who appoint Silán
alcalde and governor of the province of Ilocos. Silán meddles with
ecclesiastical matters, opposing Bishop Ustariz, whereupon the latter
pronounces an interdict in Vigan. Augustinians seized by Silán are
imprisoned three separate times. Silán is finally killed by a Spanish
mestizo, Miguel Vicos, May 28, 1763. This insurrection was quickly
put down after the death of Silán, who was its life and exhibited a
certain amount of shrewdness and resource. But shortly after, another
insurrection was started under Silán's uncle, Nicolás Cariño, which
gained considerable headway, although it was finally stifled and quiet
restored. Anda took various measures against these insurrections,
but it was impossible for him to leave his post in Bulacan, where
English matters occupied his attention. These insurrections were
perhaps the most serious that the Spanish power in the Philippines had
yet suffered. For accounts of them, see Relación de los alzamientos
de la ciudad de Vigan, cabecera de la provincia de Ilocos, en los
años de 1762 y 1763, by Pedro de Vivar, O.S.A. (written in 1764; but
published in Manila, 1893, in vol. iv, Biblioteca historica filipina),
in which many documents are given; and Montero y Vidal's Historia, ii,
pp. 77-114. Isabelo de los Reyes, the Ilocano writer and demagogue,
praises Silán highly. See also post, pp. 298-306.
[105] Draper and Cornish sent an edict to the Filipinos on September
24, 1762, announcing that the Filipinos need have no fear of the
British fleet, provided that they do not join the Spaniards or assist
them in any way. They will be received under British protection; their
women and children will be free from outrages; full prices will be
paid them for food; they will be free to go and come as they please;
and freedom of worship will be conserved to them. If they do, on the
contrary, aid the Spanish, then they must fear the punishment that
will be inflicted. May 13, 1763, Silang writes the British assuring
them of obedience and non-aid to the Spaniards. In the same month,
the British write Silang promising to send him soon, troops, weapons,
and war supplies. The British successes in Manila, Pasig, and Maysilo,
are mentioned, while in the month just past, the fort of Batangas in
Bulacan has been captured. They are attracting all the natives of the
islands to their banners, and have treated them humanely, freeing them
from the tribute and the various ecclesiastical oppressions. The
Augustinians have been especially active against the British,
and against the vows of their profession have taken up arms, thus
occasioning the shedding of much blood. They have also treated Silang
cruelly. Therefore the British will esteem it if Silang will secure the
Augustinians, the alcalde, Antonio Zavala, and all other Spaniards,
and send the same to the English, taking possession besides of all
their property and estates. The lack of priests for the present may be
filled by seculars until the archbishop can appoint others. The British
wish to conserve the Catholic religion. No duties shall be charged
on their trading boats. The provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan will
also be admitted under the protection of the British, if they desire
it. Silang's aid is asked against Anda and his men. With the letter
are sent copies of a manifesto inviting trade. (All these documents
are contained in the manuscript entitled Ingleses en Filipinas.)
[106] This edict is as follows: "Inasmuch as many malcontents of the
district of Señor Anda frequently come to the villages of Santa Cruz,
Binondoc, etc., for the purpose of killing the officers and soldiers
whom they meet; and since said malcontents flee precipitously as soon
as our troops go out in pursuit of them: therefore, notice is given
to all the Spaniards living in said villages, to come to live within
the city of Manila inside of one week, since we can protect them in
this way. If, perchance, they neglect to obey this order, they must
stand the consequences, for if many of said canaille gather together,
it is feasible that the governor will be necessarily obliged to order
the cannon fired among the houses, for the purpose of driving them
away." (Published in Malo de Luque, v, pp. 284-285; Mas, i, p. 183;
and Montero y Vidal, ii, pp. 602, 603). This edict Anda answered on the
nineteenth at Bacolor. In it the British are styled as dishonorable
men, for regarding as rebels those who are loyal to their king, and
for their offer of a reward for Anda alive or dead. The statements
in the edict of the seventeenth, namely, that the loyalist Spanish
troops are canaille and that they are on the lookout for opportunity to
murder British officers, are branded as utter falsehoods. In return,
the three men who have signed the above edict--Drake, Smith, and
Brook--are proscribed, and a price of ten thousand pesos offered for
each one, dead or alive. This edict further orders that the humane
treatment of the Spanish toward English captives or deserters be
continued as hitherto, to the extent possible. (The version from
which we condense is evidently an abridgment of the edict, which is
given entire by Malo de Luque, v, pp. 285-290; Mas, i, pp. 183-185;
Ferrando, iv, pp. 647, 648; and Montero y Vidal, ii, pp. 603-605.)
[107] January 28, 1763, the fiscal Viana fled the city, going to
Anda's camp, where he was gladly received, and where he became very
useful. Later Villacorta also escaped to Anda's camp. The latter and
Galbán, who had been very far from doing their duty in the time of
danger, conspired to wrest the command from Anda in case of Rojo's
death, on the grounds that most persons believed that the government
of the islands should be given to Bishop Ustáriz of Nueva Segovia. The
Franciscan and Recollect provincials, and the Jesuit superior declared
that the command belonged to Anda; while the other religious institutes
were neutral or sided with Bishop Ustáriz. The Augustinians pronounced
for Villacorta. See Montero y Vidal, ii, pp. 65, 66.
[108] The preliminary peace treaties were signed between Great Britain,
France, and Spain, November 3, 1762, and the treaty of peace at Paris,
February 10, 1763.
[109] A Manila paper published in 1904 tells of the finding near
the Pasig River, during a removal of a part of the old Manila wall
on that side, in order to increase the customs warehouse capacity,
of two old British cannons, probably six-inch mortars, with the royal
arms of England and an eighteenth-century date upon them, that were
turned up by the workmen. Evidently these cannons were brought by
the British at the time of the siege of Manila. (Letter from James
A. LeRoy, October 20, 1904.)
[110] This man commanded a British force sent out to invade the
provinces and cripple Anda. He was opposed chiefly by Busto who had
joined Anda some time before. The British force attacked the church and
convent of Marisanto, where they were opposed by the alcalde-mayor,
about seventy Spaniards, and about five thousand natives, as well
as by Busto. Finally, the English took the convent and killed the
alcalde-mayor, and some Recollects and other Spaniards. Some of the
wounded took refuge in a garret of the convent, but were captured and
handed over by Slay to the Sangleys, who killed them after inflicting
severe tortures. Only two escaped by swimming across the river. See
Sitio y conquista, pp. 95-98.
[111] Some of the religious quit their habits and became leaders of
bands of ladrones. Most of the religious, however, remained loyal. See
Sitio y conquista, pp. 79, 80.
[112] By the death of the archbishop, January 30, 1764, the British
changed their tactics and recognized Anda as legal governor and
captain-general. But even after this the British soldiers sacked the
churches and houses of Cavite. See Sitio y conquista, p. 126.
[113] This treaty is published in Scots Magazine for 1763, pp. 134-142.
[114] When the British forces left, about four hundred prostitutes,
who were abandoned by their departure, fled from Manila. See Sitio
y conquista, p. 130.
[115] The Spanish troops entered Manila May 31, 1764, possession of
the city being taken by Anda, accompanied by Busto, since the new
governor ad interim, Francisco de la Torre, was sick. That night a
banquet was given to the British commanders. June 4, Brereton tendered
a banquet to Anda and other officials on his ship, the English praising
Anda profusely. June 10 and 11, the British vessels left the bay for
India. See Sitio y conquista, pp. 129-131.
[116] Montero y Vidal (ii, pp. 66, 67) says of the archbishop:
"The unfortunate archbishop Rojo died January 30, 1764. The
English gave him a solemn funeral, their troops granting him all the
military honors. This prelate was more imbecile than traitor.... His
obstinacy in submitting the islands to the dominion of the English;
his struggles against Anda, ... the absolute ignorance as to his
powers, and his mission and obligations; his pardonable ignorance of
whatever concerned the military defense of the archipelago; ... his
calm submission to whatever the English advised, even in matters
which were clearly opposed to the integrity and interests of Spain;
and other inexplicable acts: ... give an exact idea of the capacity and
character of the unfortunate one who had the misfortune to exercise a
command in such anxious times, for which he lacked the intelligence,
valor, and the conditions necessary for its proper performance." See
also ante, pp. 129-131, note 73.
[117] See document by this man in VOL. XLVII, pp. 251-284.
[118] At the death of Governor Arandía, June 1759, the government
ad interim was assumed by Miguel Lino de Espeleta, bishop of
Cebú. When Rojo took possession of the archiepiscopal see, July 22,
1759, he claimed that the government belonged to him. The auditors
Villacorta and Galbán voted for Espeleta, and Calderon and Dávila for
Rojo. Espeleta, however, was backed by the troops, and the matter was
accordingly decided in his favor. His first measure was the repeal of
the celebrated ordinances of good government compiled by Arandía. His
next step was the prosecution of Santiago Orendaín, the favorite of
Arandía, as he believed him to be the originator of the regulations
contrary to the religious, charge of the prosecution being given to
Auditor Villacorta. Orendaín took refuge in the Augustinian convent at
Tondo, but was given up and lodged in the fort of Santiago. Escaping
thence, he was received into the Recollect convent, whence he was
taken by soldiers. The matter stirred up the opposing forces, and
excommunications followed in rapid succession on both sides, the two
auditors, Calderon and Dávila being among those excommunicated. The
matter was quashed by the archbishop upon the arrival of a royal
decree appointing him governor ad interim (July, 1761). Orendaín was
liberated and the records of the case sent to Madrid. See Montero y
Vidal, ii. pp. 7-9.
[119] See account of this revolt in VOL. XLVIII.
[120] See Anda's letter to the archbishop, ante, pp. 156-158.
[121] See VOLS. XLIII and XLIII; appendices in vol. ii of Montero y
Vidal's Piratería; Barrantes's Guerras piraticas, appendix: for the
negotiations between the king of Joló, and his brother Bantilan,
and the Spaniards and English respectively. The king Ali-Mudin
and his son were taken to Joló by Brereton when the British forces
evacuated Manila in 1764. The king abdicated in favor of his son
Israel. Thereupon, the Joloans divided into two factions, one in
favor of the English and the other, headed by Israel, against them
(Montero y Vidal's Piratería, i, p. 338).
[122] "The most singular of these imposts, however, is the Crusade. It
was born in the ages of folly and fanaticism during which millions of
Europeans set forth to wear themselves out in the East for the recovery
of Palestine. The court of Rome revived it in favor of Ferdinand,
who in 1509 undertook to wage war against the Moors of Africa. It
still exists in Spain, where it is never less than 12 sols 6 deniers,
or more than 4 livres. One pays more dearly for it in the New World,
where it is collected only once in two years, and where it rises
from 35 sols to 13 livres, according to the rank and fortune of the
citizens. For this sum, people obtained the liberty of being absolved
by their confessors from crimes reserved to [the cognizance of the]
pope and the bishops; the right to use on days of abstinence certain
forbidden articles of food; and a multitude of indulgences for sins
already committed or which might be committed. The government did
not strictly oblige its subjects to take this bull, but the priests
refused the consolations of religion to those who neglected or
disdained it; and perhaps there is not in all Spanish America a man
sufficiently courageous or enlightened to brave this ecclesiastical
censure." (Raynal, Etablissemens et commerce des Européens, ii,
pp. 310, 311.)
[123] Orendain was a mestizo (a lawyer by profession) and
maintained cordial relations with Diego Silán, the insurgent; and
the communication of the latter may easily have taken place under his
auspices. He bought the Augustinian convent and its library which were
sold by the English with the understanding that if the latter abandoned
the country, the religious could not claim their property. Embarking
with the English after the peace, he was killed in Cochinchina by
order of the king of that country. Vivar's Relación, p. 299, note.
See also ante, p. 121, note 64.
[124] The laws above mentioned are as follows:
Law lxii: "We declare that the appointment of those who are to be
judges of the causes and suits, which are handled in our royal
Audiencias, belongs to the viceroys and presidents of them, in
those cases, which by virtue of our cedulas, or in any other cases
shall arise; and this must be observed in accordance with what is
the practice in our councils and Audiencias of these kingdoms of
Castilla." [Felipe III, Madrid, March 28, 1620.]
Law lxiii: "The appointment of the judge who is to supply the absence
of auditors because of their death or inability, for the determination
of matters with the auditor remaining in the Audiencia, belongs to the
president of the Audiencia. This is to be the rule on all the occasions
that arise, any ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding." [Felipe
IV, Madrid, September 30, 1634.]
Law lxxxviii: "We declare and order that, in our Audiencias of
the Indias, the least sum for the examination and determination of
suits shall be and shall be considered to be three hundred thousand
maravedis; and that if the sum does not exceed that amount, suits
may be examined and determined by two auditors whose votes must be in
harmony in every respect. Two auditors may also try and sentence, in
all instances, suits representing a greater sum, in the same manner,
except the Audiencias of Mejico and Lima. In those Audiencias it
is our will that three votes be unanimous in every particular in
order to try and sentence suits representing a greater sum, as is
prescribed by the laws of these our kingdoms of Castilla." [Cárlos I,
in the new laws of 1542; Felipe II, Aranjuez, September 24, 1568;
Felipe IV, Madrid, September 22, 1626.]
Law cvi: "We order and command that when the auditors agree upon the
sentence, they summon the clerk of the cause, and secretly order him
to write before them the points and the effect of the sentence which
they are to give. It shall be set down there and written neatly, and
shall be signed before it is pronounced; or at least when it shall be
pronounced, it shall be brought in written neatly and be signed by
all who were in the assembly, although the vote or votes of one or
some may not conform to the contents of the sentence. Consequently,
at least in ordinary matters, the sentence shall not be pronounced
until it is agreed upon and written neatly and signed. After it
shall be published, it cannot be changed in any wise. The clerk shall
immediately give in the court a copy of it to the party if he asks
it, under penalty of a fine of two pesos for the courts." [Cárlos I,
and the queen regent, Madrid, July 12, 1550, ordinance 14, concerning
Audiencias; Felipe II, in said ordinances, no. 144.]
Law cxi: "The auditors of our Audiencias where there are no alcaldes
of crime, shall try criminal causes in the first instance in the city
where the Audiencia resides, and five leguas about it, provided that
the prison orders are assigned by at least two auditors." [Cárlos I
and the queen regent, 1530.]
Laws cvii-cxix refer to the manner of signing sentences; law cx
relates to the action of the Audiencia outside the five-legua district.
[125] A village on the west coast of Panay.
[126] See Anson's description of the voyage of the Acapulco galleon,
Kerr's Hist. and coll. of voyages (Edinburg and London, 1824), xi,
pp. 406-411.
[127] This vessel made three efforts to make the voyage. In the
second it lost its topmasts. Having refitted with spare masts, it
sailed again on October 2. Struck by a severe storm, the vessel lost
its masts again near the Ladrones, thus necessitating its return to
the Philippines. See Le Gentil, ii, pp. 224, 225.
[128] Point Cabcabe, located on the southeast coast of Bataan.
[129] Bantay is the Tagalog word for sentinel, and in the text is
given a Spanish plural. See Noceda and Sanlucar's Vocabulario.
[130] A minute of the council of war held September 25, 1762, signed
by Ramon de Orendaín, with names of those attending and the decision
pronounced by the archbishop is contained in a MS. owned by Edward
E. Ayer.
[131] In our original the word is pasionero, which is "one who sings
the passion during holy week." It seems probable that it is an error
of the amanuensis for prisionero, "prisoner."
[132] According to manuscript maps in the archives of the Indies,
at Seville, by the engineer Feliciano Márquez, dated September 30,
1767; and the pilot Francisco Xavier Estorgo, of 1770, the bastion
of Carranza is another name for the bastion of San Andrés. An Irish
pilot named Raymond Kelly was killed by the British while defending
this bastion (see Sitio y conquista, p. 61)
[133] At the council held on the third of October, it was proposed
that the women, children, and aged be sent out of Manila. It was also
proposed that the governor, courts, and most of the citizens withdraw,
leaving the city in charge of a leader with instructions for its
defense or surrender. The fiscal recommended system and order in the
matter of provisions and supplies, and the advisability of assigning
pay to the Indians. But no decided action was taken as many disputes
marked the council. The religious were, however, urged to look after
the Indians, and aid in the defense of the walls, being permitted in
case the city was indefensible, to capitulate, as well as to spike
the cannon. Reports of this council, and the ones held on October 26
and 27, and the reply of the officials to the archbishop on October
23, are to be found in an original MS. owned by Edward E. Ayer. An
extract from the council of the third is given by Montero y Vidal,
ii, pp. 24, 25, note; and one from the council of the twenty-sixth,
appendix, pp. 584-587. See also Sitio y conquista, pp. 56, 57.
[134] The fiscal Viana, in a deposition made July 6, 1764, attests
his losses by the sack of Manila in 1762. He lost his silver service,
best clothing, and other things, all amounting to a value of about
4,000 pesos. In the "Santisima Trinidad" he lost 600 pesos. From the
beaterio of Santisima Trinidad was also taken a trunk full of silver
plate and money belonging to Viana. (From an original MS. belonging
to Edward E. Ayer.)
[135] Draper sent forty Frenchmen ahead the morning of the assault to
fill up the ditch with the ruins of the bastion; to examine whether
there was any ditch which impeded their passage; and communicate
everything by signs. This duty was accomplished satisfactorily,
for they met no obstacle. See Mas, i, p. 131.
[136] The column that occupied the wall by the left of the foundry
took possession of everything as far as the bastion of the gate of
Santa Lucía. The greater part of the people were killed, and the gate
of Santiago alone was left free. See Sitio y conquista, p. 61.
[137] Ferrando gives this name as Nicolás de Ruiz (Historia, iv,
p. 627), but all other accounts give it as Echauz.
[138] Anda was sixty-two years of age when he left Manila to undertake
the defense of the provinces. See Mas, i, p. 138.
[139] "Since the natives of these islands, who were living at present,
had never seen war like this, and now saw with their own eyes the
effects of it, namely, the change of government, the cowardice of the
Castilians, and the complete upheaval of order, they were caused great
surprise, and thought that the end of the world was come. Consequently,
most of them, that is, the herd, not all, began to commit thefts and
to commit assaults on the highway, committing many murders, rapes, and
other outrages, as is usual on these occasions; especially those who
had been imprisoned in the jails for crime, to whom liberty was given
in order that they might be of service in this war. Notwithstanding
that the English hanged very many without trial or examination, as I
saw several times in this place after it was lost, where I stayed for
some months. They needed no gallows, for the criminals were hanged
from any window grating like bananas." From History of the siege of
Manila, by Father Agustín de Santa María, whose MS. is conserved in
the Augustinian archives of Madrid. See Mas, i, p. 135, note.
[140] The castellan of Cavite at first refused to surrender the fort,
and prepared to defend it. But the soldiers deserted and the natives
began to loot the arsenal, whereupon the castellan also fled. See Mas,
i, p. 136.
[141] The Augustinian fathers were imprisoned in their convent,
although they were permitted to leave it at times provided it should
be within the city. Suddenly a counter order was given and they
were deprived of that permission. It was believed that the English
were making such demonstrations in order that the Augustinians
might surrender to them the silver that they had hidden. But since
the procurator was firm in not revealing it, they were treated as
traitors because their brothers favored the side of Anda. The English
collected religious to the number of twelve, and embarked them to
take them to Europa. One of them was released at the request of the
archbishop. After the fathers had embarked, the English entered their
convent and sacked it, so that nothing was left in it. They found six
thousand pesos of coined silver which had been hidden in a garden,
and the wrought silver which had been concealed when the question
of paying the million was discussed. They did not pardon the relics
of the saints, which they threw on the ground, in order to take
the reliquaries in which they were kept. See Martinez de Zúñiga,
pp. 641, 642.
[142] In the convent of the Augustinians in Manila, the British seized
8,000 pesos in money, and 20,000 in goods. The archbishop under threats
of the conquerors ordered the heads of the Augustinian order to submit
to the British authorities. See Sitio y conquista, pp. 73, 76.
[143] Probably Juan Manuel Maldonado de Puga, author of Religiosa
hospitalidad, which has appeared in our VOL. XLVII.