_Instructions for this expedition given by Gomez Perez Dasmariñas to
his son._
Granting that one of the reasons for the hatred and hostility of the
Indians toward us is the collection of tributes, especially when it is
not accomplished with suitable mildness and moderation, this question
shall by no means be discussed with them in the beginning. Rather,
if the Indians should be fearful of what should be collected from
them, and should place obstacles in the way of their reduction and our
principal end, that of their conversion, good hopes shall be offered
them that all satisfaction shall be accorded them in this matter,
and that the tribute shall be only what they choose to give.
2. You shall under no consideration allow any soldier to seize any
gold or any other article of value from any Indian, in case that any
of the said Indians should flee through fear or any other reason, and
abandon their gold or other property to the power of the soldiers. It
shall immediately be sent to its owner, to show them, as above stated,
that the expedition is not being made there for their gold. On the
contrary, you shall endeavor, before the Indians, to attach very
slight importance to gold, alleging that it has but little value and
esteem among us. In all the above, and in whatever else may come to
your notice, you shall always govern yourself by, and conform as far
as possible to, the opinion of the undersigned members of the council
of war. You shall endeavor to direct everything that you do with the
great energy and resolution that can and should be expected from your
wisdom and prudence. In all things you shall regard the service of
God and that of the king our sovereign.
3. Rivers, so far as possible, shall be crossed only on well-made
rafts, and without any danger to the soldiers or overturning them in
the water.
4. On entering the country, possession of it shall be taken by notarial
attestation in his Majesty's name. The summons and protests made
shall be made through an interpreter, and by the religious fathers,
and by those others whom you deem most moderate.
5. As soon as you shall have come in sight of the district that you
are to seek, you shall send your message and protests, with show of
great love and moderation, so that the natives will admit our trade and
friendship, as above stated. You shall under no consideration permit
any soldier to violate any woman, or to offer to either mother or
daughter any uncivil or rough treatment. Rather you shall see that no
ill-treatment, or offenses to God, occur. You shall give the natives
some silks or gifts of slight value, which will be highly esteemed
among the Indians, and which will be a partial way of making them
understand that we do not go there only for their property, but in
order to give them ours, so that they will admit our friendship and
trade, which is beneficial to them.
6. You shall appoint what governor and other officials you deem
necessary in that district that shall render homage to his Majesty. You
may leave there some Spaniards, if you think that they will remain
with safety. This is left to your judgment.
7 If the natives will give the tribute peacefully, and without trouble
and willingly, you shall assign them the usual tribute ordered to
be collected by his Majesty, namely, ten reals. You shall send a
census of the people, and a description and plan of their location,
and a relation of the special features of the district, together with
the nature of ports, rivers, grain-fields, and any products that may
be mentioned.
_Title of lieutenant of the captain-general of Don [Luis] of the camp
of the Philipinas._
From the same document it appears that Gomez Perez Dasmariñas appointed
his son, Don Luis, as his lieutenant of the captain-general, two
days before, in order to send him with authority on this expedition,
as appears from the title itself, dated July first, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-one, and which was drawn before Juan de Cuellar,
government notary. The writ for it does not accompany the present,
because of its prolixity.
_The villages reporting gold from the Ygolotes_
Although not stated in the relation, for the sake of brevity, the
natives were asked from how many villages they obtained the gold
that they paid as a recognition, and deposited. They replied that
it was obtained from one village in the mountains of the Ygolotes,
where gold was bartered; and that there were thirteen villages. This
is to be noted so that one may understand how widespread everywhere,
and among people that we do not know, is the knowledge of gold mines
among the Ygolotes.
_Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega_
_Additional conditions and stipulations in regard to the conquest and
pacification of the province of Tuy, and the discovery of the mines
of the Ygolotes._
Most potent Sir:
Inasmuch as the conditions contained in the present paper, additional
to those which were given over our signatures in a former paper, seem
to us advisable and necessary, in order that the end desired in the
conquest and pacification of the province of Tuy and the mountains
of Ygolotes may be better attained, and his Majesty better served,
we add these others.
1. First, inasmuch as many clauses of the first conditions entreat
his Majesty to order the governor and captain-general, the Audiencia,
and the royal officials, to observe, and that exactly, the requirements
therein set forth; and inasmuch as by not doing so, the pacification
and exploration will not be obtained without the imposition of a
larger fine; and inasmuch as it is advisable to prevent mischief,
when the remedy is so remote: in order that no occasion may be taken
from this, as some ill-intentioned persons desire, to discontinue the
pacification and exploration, it is advisable to impose a large fine
on each and all who do not observe it, with the injunction that his
Majesty will also consider such conduct as displeasing to himself.
2. _Item_: That all the officers and soldiers engaged in this conquest,
either on pay or as volunteers, who had while in Manila any right to
receive a share in the lading, [56] shall retain and preserve that
right while engaged in the said conquest. To the volunteers--whether
married or single, without distinction--shall be given [space therein]
to him who has no capital, at least one _pieza_; and to him who has
capital, in proportion to that capital, and to his length of residence
here. Thus many may be induced by this _pieza_ to take service,
who otherwise would not serve, but would be wandering about idly,
and gambling, to the corruption of the community.
3. _Item_: Inasmuch as the envy of two or three men, who try, by means
of trickery, to prevent and thwart any affair or action of another, is
very usual and well known in this country; and it is to be presumed of
these men that they will not, even if they can, pardon this conquest;
and as they say slyly that the share of the citizens in the cargo
may be so large that there is no one who can buy any of the tonnage,
or use other artful means, or say that at least the tonnage must be
sold cheaply, at less than fifty pesos a share--in order that, as the
proceeds therefrom will be slight, the conquest and exploration might
not be made: to correct the above, it is necessary to ordain that no
one, under heavy penalties, can sell the piezas granted to him until
the eighty toneladas are sold--which are given them, in accordance
with the royal decrees, not to be sold, but for export purposes. We
might make public by proclamations, public criers, or edicts, the
provisions regarding this matter, and order the officials who regulate
the cargo not to lade any pieza without certification by the receiver
of the freight, of what one shall have sold, given, or transferred
to another in any way, under penalty of losing his office as manager
of the cargo, and one hundred pesos' fine for each pieza thus laded.
4. _Item_: In order that volunteers may be induced to serve on this
occasion, a moderate ration of rice and wine shall be given them
from that bought with the money received for the tonnage. This is
a matter of slight importance, since in a whole year, even if there
be a hundred and fifty volunteers [_aventureros_], the sum does not
amount to one thousand five hundred pesos.
5. _Item_: That we may build the forts and fortresses of stone, or
wood, as was determined by the council of war, or sun-dried mud bricks,
for the preservation and defense of what is obtained from the price
of the tonnage, or from the tributarios that shall have been pacified
in the said province and mountains of Ygolotes, measures for this
purpose being taken by three councils of war on different days. That
we be authorized to appoint wardens, their deputies, and the other
necessary officers in order to govern, defend, and faithfully guard
the said forts and fortresses in the name of his Majesty, together
with what garrison soldiers are necessary--to whom we may assign pay
in proportion to the importance of the stronghold, after consultation
with the council of war. The pay of these shall be a charge on the
royal treasury, and be paid on their presentation of their title and
appointment as wardens, assistants, and other officers and soldiers.
6. _Item_: That if, in the opinion of the council of war, it should
be necessary for the service of the camp to appoint other needful
officers, besides those specified in the other conditions, we be
authorized to do so, assigning to them the adequate pay from the money
received for the tonnage; and, if there is no money in that fund,
from the royal tributes of the conquered country.
7. _Item_: That, if there be any good result, such that it is worth
while to advise his Majesty of it, we be authorized to send it by
way of the sea of the said provinces--that is, the sea by which
the voyage is made to Nueva España--without being obliged to have
recourse to the governor and Audiencia. This is to be done at the
cost of the royal treasury, taken from what is conquered, or from the
money received for the tonnage; because, as that region is more than
one hundred leguas distant from Manila by land, and it is necessary
to guard against the tardy despatch that is usually made, and the
later necessity of sailing among islands for another hundred leguas,
which is the most dangerous navigation between these islands and
Nueva España. In that course the ship "Santiago," and another vessel
that came with advices from Nueva España, were wrecked last year. On
the other hand, the coasts of Tuy and Ygolotes are the most advanced
points toward España, so that he who sails thence will be halfway on
his journey before he who sails from Manila has reached the open sea.
8. _Item_: That, if, by our care and diligence, we allure the chiefs
of the Yogolotes together with the other chiefs by means of presents,
kind words, and mild treatment, to descend to the plain, or to live
quietly in settlements in their natural habitat, submissive to his
Majesty, paying their tribute, and abandoning the barbarities that
they have been wont to practice on their own children and those
of the lowlands; and if they accept the faith and are quiet and
pacified: we receive permission to distribute and apportion them in
encomiendas--assigning one-third to the royal treasury, and another
third to the soldiers engaged in the conquest, while we be awarded
the remaining third as our exclusive property; for the Indians will
be few, and reduced after many days and great toil.
9. _Item_: That we beseech his Majesty to concede this favor to
us, that we pay the tenth of the gold obtained from the mines to
be worked by our order, instead of the fifth. The same is to be
understood in regard to the mines of silver, quicksilver, and lead
that shall be discovered and worked by our order; and that in all
mines we be excused from clause 31, law 5, title 13, book 6, of the
_Recopilacion_, [57] so that we may have more than two mines in one
vein, if there is only a slight space between the different mines,
in order to keep the measure of one mine.
_Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega_
_Additional conditions and notifications in regard to the conquest,
pacification, and exploration of the province of Tuy and Ygolotes._
In the last or next to last of the former conditions we make two
statements: one, that it is unnecessary to wait for advice or
investigations from here, for the reasons and causes assigned in
the condition; the second, that an answer must be given us as to
the acceptance of our offer, in the same year when our despatches
are received, and by the first advice-boat; and if this shall not
be done immediately, then we shall be free from all obligations. It
remains to answer the silent criticism that may be opposed to each
statement: to the first, that it seems a senseless thing for us to
proceed according to our own judgment, without ascertaining whether it
is advisable or not and that there are others who may make a better
contract; and to the second, that our offer may be solely to fulfil
appearances and not real.
1. In regard to the first, we reply that it has already been determined
to be advantageous to make the said conquest, pacification, and
exploration, by what each of the governors, as declared in the
relation, tried to do during his administration, and what was
lastly and courageously determined by the great governor, Gomez
Perez Dasmariñas, to whom the Spaniards now living in these islands
owe their lives. He undertook the exploration of the province of
Tuy, and held the same in great esteem, since he entrusted it to
no less than the person and valor of his only son, Don Luis Perez
Dasmariñas, sending with him the best captains of this camp and
Sargento-mayor Juan Xuares Gallinato. He was moved by the reasons
given in the first chapter of the relation of this conquest,
the literal copy of which accompanies these conditions, as it is
believed that no advice can be given his Majesty or your Highness
that will be as forcible as this. The importance of the matter is
superlative; and it is all the more advisable to undertake it, as
that was done by a most truthful knight and one most zealous for
the service of God and of his Majesty. And it is quite well known,
as is said unanimously by all this community, that it was seen and
could well be believed that, had not death taken him so suddenly, he
would have finished the conquest. Lastly, Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas,
who became governor at his father's death, followed in his footsteps;
and desiring to enjoy and attain what his father had himself begun to
discover, sent Captain Miranda. Although the latter exerted himself,
yet he did it without any system. If he had had the discernment and
sound judgment necessary for the permanent pacification of the lands
explored, he would have remained there with the soldiers working thus
night and day and through rain and wind; but at the very best time,
he had to abandon all. Then, touching the mines of the Ygolotes,
this serves also as a good relation, for the news of them that both
Don Gonzalo Ronquillo and Don Luis Dasmariñas had received obliged
each one to make his greatest efforts; and the knowledge of those
mines was widespread, both among barbarians and Spaniards.
As to the opinion that this should not be done at the cost of the
royal treasury, as the former expeditions were made, we believe
that it cannot be done more mildly and without prejudice to a third
party, and it is better to do it at the expense of this commonwealth;
for this year the community has allowed, without any remonstrance,
the owner of a small vessel to lade, for the freight-charges, eighty
toneladas for whomsoever he wished, besides the tonnage allotted to
the citizens. Consequently it may be believed that the community will
not object to applying the freight money to this conquest; but rather
that it will be done to the great satisfaction of all the public,
if no other burden is imposed, as in the past.
Then in regard to there being some person who would accomplish this
enterprise more advantageously by loading upon his own shoulders a
so heavy burden, there is the risk of his having to keep it for these
four or five years without any greater profit than the ordinary pay.
The emoluments, gains, and advantages to be derived from the enterprise
are very large. It seems very probable if it be not done in any
other way, or through us, it can be done only by those occupying the
positions that we now fill. For as regards the position of auditor,
the person appointed to the charge of the mountains [_montaraz_]
could serve in that capacity [_i.e._, as auditor], (although with
great inconvenience), in the labors of both peace and war, and can
remain quietly at home. But he cannot do that, except with great zeal
for the service of both majesties. As for the position of captain
of this camp, it can serve on this occasion, thus relieving the
royal treasury of his pay and of that of all the company--which,
agreeably to the stipulations, has to be paid from money received
for the eighty toneladas. In regard to our persons we shall be ready
for it, and trust that the divine Majesty, who placed this thought
in our hearts, will give us the needful ability--to one to counsel,
aid, and govern, since the pen never blunts the spear; and to the
other to execute with valor and courage what is most fit for these
states. And it is to be expected of him that he will do it well,
since, before he was twenty years of age, God made him once alferez
and twice captain, more by reason of his ability than of his being the
son of his father. From the age of twenty-three he must have been very
capable for any occasion. Hence, we believe, after considering these
reasons thoroughly, that no further reports or relations are needed,
and that we are not unreasonable in asking that answer be made to
us without awaiting them--especially since they are so dangerous in
this country, where the zeal for God's service and that of his Majesty
and the public welfare is so lukewarm, and self-interest so strong. A
further consideration is, that serious harm to the conversion of those
people may result from delay; for those people are very indifferent,
and the accursed sect of Mahoma is gaining a foothold among them. This
sect is spreading throughout this archipelago like a pest, and once
established, as it is so contagious, it will be, in order to eradicate
it, more difficult to convert ten Moros than to reduce a thousand
pagans. Likewise touching the service to be performed by Doctor de
la Vega, ordering him to do it would result in loss, because from
sixty years on, every man weighs more than he did before that age;
and it is not good for him to ascend and descend mountains, even with
the aid of another's feet.
2. Touching the second point, that reply must be made to us whether or
not our offer be accepted, in the same year when the despatches are
received, where we are not free. Replying to that, we may contradict
the opinion that in requesting an answer to so serious a matter in
so short a time, our offer is more apparent than real. We declare,
Sir, that we are going on the supposition that the relations which
were sent to his Majesty and to your Highness are truth itself,
and were made by persons who have seen what they relate, according
to the papers which have been found, the summary of which composes
the relation which is being sent there. I believe that those of
Gomez Perez and his son, and common tradition must be as fresh in
the minds of people as if their expeditions were taking place, and
that these were true reports of those former governors; and that
they proceeded with so great zeal, that their zeal served to make
us determine to thank them by responding. But this, forsooth, must
furnish opportunity for entertaining so sinister a suspicion, that
we are offering what we do not intend to fulfil in one, two, or three
years, and what would be of most service to his Majesty--although it
is of great importance to consider that any delay in the conversion
of those souls means great loss, especially if meanwhile one should
succeed in binding them more closely together.
3. Inasmuch as there might occur some uncertainty and strife among
those encomenderos possessing encomiendas within the boundaries of
La Pampanga, Canbales, Pangasinan, Ylocos, and Cagayan, in order to
avoid these it is advisable to state definitely the points where the
province of Tui begins and ends, in every direction, that a specific
declaration may be made of the boundaries; and in case that anyone
should have been entered on the list without any warrant, or with a
greater number of natives than had been assigned to him, or should
he not have pacified or instructed the greater number of the natives
that belong to him by his title, a statement of what he ought to do
shall be made.
In respect to the first the province of Tuy commences, as the
documents state, and as Gomez Perez Dasmariñas declares, as one goes
from La Pampanga to the said province from the end of the Çanbales
to the beginning of the Tui River; thence following its course to the
villages of Datan, Lamot, and Duli to the end of the province of Tui,
and the commencement of that of Cagayan; and, cutting this line, by
a cross-line from the end of the province of Pangasinan to the sea,
on the coast opposite Manila.
As to the second, the encomiendas which shall be within the confines of
the said province and shall have any part in the province of Tuy--that
the encomenderos retain what they have thus far held and collected
by the register, quietly and peacefully, without exceeding the number
of natives assigned to them; and in such case they may remain in the
province of Tuy and be distributed according to the conditions and
agreements. In case that any one's concession and title indicate a
greater number of natives than he possesses, he must keep only those
whom he himself has conquered, pacified, and had instructed, and no
more; for it is not right that he enjoy those who were hostile when
the concession was given him, those conquered or instructed here
later, if others have shed their blood in the conquest of these,
and they have been won at his Majesty's expense.
4. _Item_: We believe that the condition stated in the first clause of
the first [agreement] can be emended, granting that authority is to be
given to Doctor de la Vega to be able to appoint the alcaldes-mayor
of the provinces of Cagayan, Ylocos, and Pangasinan, and take their
residencias. This gave opportunity to the governor to complain that,
inasmuch as none of this pertained to Doctor de la Vega, a part of his
[the governor's] office was being taken from him. This was necessary
for the proper accomplishment of his Majesty's service; but in order
not to give any occasion for ill-feeling in the other affairs that will
arise daily with the governor, it seems a sufficient remedy to give
the said Doctor de la Vega commission, so that these alcaldes-mayor
be subordinate to him, as all the justices in the adelantamientos
[58] of Castilla [are subordinate]. Also the said Doctor de la Vega
and his deputies should be authorized to try the causes, as stated in
the first clause herein cited of the first conditions, leaving their
appointment and the taking of their residencias to the governor,
or to whom that may pertain; and the said Doctor de la Vega should
have full power, in case that they do not exactly fulfil any orders
sent them, to punish them, and to execute upon them the penalties
to which he shall condemn them, even to suspension or exile. For
if they know that that can be done, they will act more carefully,
in order to give no occasion for such action.
By decree of his Majesty, it is ordained that the inhabitants of this
city may export the products of the country without formal allotment
in the lading. We beseech his Majesty to be pleased to allow the
cakes of wax possessed by the volunteer soldiers who shall go to
serve and who actually do serve in this expedition, to be exported;
and that our certification and that of each one be sufficient for
the official laders to stow it in the vessels as soon as they, or
anyone in their name, may arrive, under severe penalties. The same
we beseech for the piezas of the cargo which should be given to them,
when it shall likewise appear, by certification, that they are engaged
in this expedition.
_Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega_