_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary)
That which you, Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa shall observe
on the expedition which you are about to make, God our Lord helping,
is as follows:
From this city and island of Borney, God willing, you shall go to the
islands of Xolo, where you shall endeavor to reduce that chief and
his people to the obedience of his Majesty. You shall bargain with
them as to what tribute they shall pay, which shall be in pearls, as
they are wont to give to the king of Borney. You shall exercise great
care and, if possible, much mildness; for it is of importance that
those islands should not become depopulated; therefore, in case they
receive you peaceably, you shall treat them well. And, in addition to
the above, you must order that, besides the tribute that they are to
pay in pearls, they shall obtain as many of them as possible, so that
we, the Spaniards or Castilians, may buy them; that they must trade
with us from now on; that every year Castilians will go to their lands
with cloths and merchandise from China, of whatever they shall declare
that they may need. You shall inform yourself of their needs; and if
they wish to come to our settlements you shall give them permission
to go freely to Manila and to come to Borney, although not to steal.
_Item_: You shall find out from them the whereabouts of the artillery
and anchors of a ship lost there some three years ago; and you shall
seek it and see that it be brought you with all haste. You shall
keep close watch over the artillery, ammunition, vessels, sails,
and other like things pertaining to the armed fleet; and you shall
deprive them of those supplies, for it is notorious that those people
are common marauders.
And because of my information that the chief who calls himself lord
of Xolo is a Bornean, and owns houses in this city of Borney; that
he fought against us in the naval battle, and that he fled to Xolo,
where he is now; and since I am told that he took two galleys and
three small vessels, artillery, and ammunition--you shall exercise
the utmost despatch to obtain the said galleys, vessels, artillery,
and ammunition. If he acquiesce, you shall give him a passport. You
shall see whether he has any children; and, if so, you shall take one,
and tell him that he must come to see me in Borney in February.
And, as I have said, this must be done if possible gently, in order
that no people may be killed. You shall tell them that it will be
to their advantage to be vassals of his Majesty, and our allies. If
they do not act respectfully, and it shall be necessary to punish
them in another manner, you shall do so. And inasmuch as the Joloans,
as is well known, are open pirates, whose only ambition is to steal,
and to assault men in order to sell them elsewhere--especially as
they go annually for plunder among all the Pintados Islands, which
are under his Majesty's dominion--you shall try to ascertain the
Pintados slaves among them, in order to return such to their homes,
especially those who are Christians. And, as I have said, you shall
deprive them of such vessels as seem to be used for raids, leaving
them their fishing-vessels, so that if the said lord of Jolo so desire,
he can come to confer reasonably with me. Thus you shall ascertain who
has vessels, and who can inflict injuries; and you shall command them
expressly to settle down in their land, to cultivate, sow, and harvest,
develop the pearl industry, and cease to be pirates. You shall order
them to raise fowls and cattle. You shall try to ascertain their
number, and bring it to me in writing, in order that I may see it,
together with the distance from these islands to the Jolo Islands,
information regarding the food, water, and healthfulness of that land,
and other things that may occur to you. And you shall tell the people,
in my name, that they shall tame for me a couple of elephants; and
that I shall send for those animals and pay for them.
After having finished affairs in Xolo, if time permits you shall,
God willing, go to the island of Mindanao. There you shall try,
by the most convenient methods and with friendliness, to reduce the
chief of the river of Bindinao, and the other chiefs of that island,
and of those near by, to the obedience of his Majesty--giving him to
understand what they will gain in becoming his Majesty's vassals and
our allies, and in having trade with us.
And, in order that the tribute may not prevent them from making
peace with us, you shall not ask them for any tribute; but you shall
take what they give freely, and nothing more, and in such form as
they are willing to give. Thus you shall suit their convenience
in everything pertaining to them, and cause them to understand the
great expenses of his Majesty in this land. You shall also tell them
that the gain therefrom affects them chiefly, since we come to teach
them our civilization, and most of all the service of God, our Lord,
who created and redeemed them, and of whom they are ignorant; and how
to live in accord with natural law, as is their obligation. For this
purpose you shall tell them that you are going to their land for two
principal reasons.
The first is that they should cease to be pirates, who rob and harry
the weak, and enslave wherever and whomsoever they can--selling
their captives outside of their own island, and separating them from
their wives and children; and that they must cease to commit other
like cruelties and thefts, and must become good and virtuous men,
who shall grow to merit the second and principal reason for going to
their lands. You shall give them to understand that they are ignorant
of God, our Lord, who created and redeemed them, so that when they know
him they may serve him and become good. It is quite evident that they
will gain very much in these things, and therefore it is right that
they aid us and give us something. This shall be at their own will,
as above said.
_Item_: You shall order them not to admit any more preachers of
the doctrine of Mahoma, since it is evil and false, and that of the
Christians alone is good. And because we have been in these regions so
short a time, the lord of Bindanao has been deceived by the preachers
of Borney, and the people have become Moros. You shall tell him that
our object is that he be converted to Christianity; and that he must
allow us freely to preach the law of the Christians, and the natives
must be allowed to go to hear the preaching and to be converted,
without receiving any harm from the chiefs.
And you shall try to ascertain who are the preachers of the sect of
Mahoma, and shall seize and bring them before me. And you shall burn
or destroy the house where that accursed doctrine has been preached,
and you shall order that it be not rebuilt.
_Item_: You shall order that the Indians shall not go outside of
their island to trade; and you shall seize those vessels used for
plundering excursions, leaving them those which, in your judgment,
are used for trade and fishing. You shall take also what artillery
and ammunition they have.
You shall ascertain the harvest, seasons, and products of the land;
the gold mines, and the places where they wash gold; the number
of inhabitants, and their settlements; and their customs. You
must especially secure information regarding cinnamon, in order to
ascertain if it is found along the river, or if one must go to Cabite
for it, and why it is not as good as that which the Portuguese take to
Castilla. You shall ascertain how they cut and strip it from the tree,
and if it be of importance that it dry on the tree, or in what other
manner it should be treated; for I have been told that that obtained
from these districts in the past has not been good, and has not a
good sale in España.
And, since it might happen that the people will not make peace, and
may offer fight, and show disrespect, then you shall punish them as
you deem best, taking special care not to trust them for it is evident
that before all else they will, if possible, commit some treachery. You
must not await such an occasion, for we know already their treachery
against his Majesty's fleet commanded by Villalobos, certain of whose
men they killed under assurances of safety; and they seized a boat. In
that treachery all the inhabitants of the islands were participants;
for four or five thousand of the said natives attacked one small
boat, which contained four or five Spaniards. Likewise many people
took part in the killing of the said Villalobos's master-of-camp,
and other soldiers, in that same year. You shall remind them of these
things, and warn them; for, from now on, we shall destroy them and
their generation.
And since it might happen that, without any occasion of war or peace,
the said natives flee to the mountains, you shall order that certain
of the said natives summon them; and, when they have come, you shall
discuss the matter with them. If they refuse to come, you shall,
in conformity with your orders, remain there a given time. And if
they continue to refuse to come down, you shall leave them, and
shall return, without permitting their houses to be burned or their
palm-trees to be cut down. Neither shall anything be stolen from them;
but you shall take only what is absolutely necessary for food, and
the food and other things necessary to provision your vessels for
the return trip.
You shall try to secure information of the island of Linboton,
as well as of Batachina and Celebes, so as to advise me thereof;
and you shall do this in accord with the time-limit I have set for
you to make this exploration, and you shall observe the same rule as
in that of Mindanao.
In order that we may allot in encomiendas whatever people are found
in these districts, you shall bring me a signed notarial writ. Thus,
as those lands have no other owner, the natives thereof may be reduced
to the obedience of his Majesty, according to his will--and by war,
if the natives begin it, so that war on our part may be just, and that
the same justice may continue, so that we can compel them to obey,
and impose tributes upon them. You shall exercise much diligence
in this and see to it that these orders be carried out carefully
and intelligently.
God willing, I shall be in Borney by the end of the month of January
next--or, at the latest, by the eighth of February--with the fleet and
all the necessaries that must be brought from Manila, and that which
is here. And at that time your Grace shall come to Borney with the
fleet that you have, and with all the people that you have or shall
have in the Pintados, so that we may do here whatever is proper for
the service of his Majesty, to which we are bound. These instructions
must not be disregarded in any point, unless I advise you to the
contrary by letter. And to this end you shall see that all who live
and dwell there be commissioned for the above, in addition to their
other duties. Given at Borney, May twenty-three, one thousand five
hundred and seventy-eight.
If the natives of Mindanao or of any other place shall give tribute
according to the above, you shall act according to the usual custom
in these islands--namely, you shall take one-half and place it to
the account of his Majesty, while the other half shall be distributed
among the soldiers. Given _ut supra_.
_Doctor Francisco de Sande_
Before me:
_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary
(I delivered a copy of these instructions to Captain Esteban Rodriguez
de Figueroa, so that he should observe and keep the orders therein
set forth. I certify thereto at this time. Father Fray Martin de Rada,
to whom his Lordship communicated it, said that it was well arranged.
_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary)
In the city of Manila, on the fifth day of the month of March,
one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine, the said governor,
in order to verify the above, summoned to his presence an Indian,
who through the interpreter Juan Vicente declared himself to be one
Matelin Magat Buxa Amat, a native of Bayan. Without taking the oath,
he promised to tell the truth as far as he knew it, and in what was
asked him. Being asked that he tell and declare who killed Martin,
an Indian who was taking some letters to the king of Borney the past
year, seventy-eight, and the reason therefor, he made the following
declaration and deposition. This witness has resided in the said
island of Borney from childhood, more than forty years. When the said
governor was near the port of the bay of Borney with a fleet, this
witness and many other Moros went, at command of the king of Borney,
to fight with the Spaniards. He noticed that the battle was waged
for some time, for this witness was one of those taken as captain
of a vessel, until he and the other Moros fled. But this witness
did not see the said Martin, who was carrying the said letters,
killed. He knows, however, that a Moro named Sidata killed him with a
dagger-thrust in the neck by order of the said king of Borney. The wife
of this witness buried the said Martin, for he was a relative of this
witness. She buried him in front of the house of this witness where
their relatives are buried. When this witness returned to Borney,
he learned of the said Martin's death, and that he was buried, and
who had killed him. Also this witness found in the prison of the king
of Borney, in the middle of the said river, the other Indian, Magat,
the companion of the said Martin, who had been entrusted with the
said letters. He was a prisoner in the said prison, and had a chain
about his neck, and his hands bound with reeds; and they had taken
from him the gold chains that he wore on his neck. This witness knows
that this said gold was taken by Panguilan Salalila, and afterward the
king took it. The said Panguilan Salalila is the uncle of the king of
Borney. The said Salalila and many other Moros fought in the fleet of
the said king of Borney, in defense of the said port--for instance,
Tumango, the said king's brother, Bandahala, the said king's nephew,
and each man in his own vessel. Being asked what was done to eight
[_sic_] Indians who accompanied the said Indians entrusted with
the said letters, this witness said that he did not know, for he
was always in the fleet, fighting with the Spaniards. Afterward,
inasmuch as the said Magat, who was imprisoned, was his relative,
he went to the said prison to free him, and gave his jailer, by name
Patimuhaurat, a large culverin weighing fifteen arrobas, and pledged
himself to give him four slaves and two taes of gold. Thereupon the
said jailer released the said Magat, and this witness accompanied
him to a Spanish vessel. The said jailer and the other Bornean Moros
fled. Afterward the said jailer returned to Borney, where this witness
saw him deliver the said culverin to the flagship of his Majesty,
by order of his Lordship. After a certain period this witness saw
that the said governor with his fleet went to Manila, whereupon, in
fear lest the said Moros should kill him, he came to this city. This
is what he knows, and his deposition, and contains true answers to
what he has been asked. He knows naught else, and has affirmed and
ratified the above. He appears to be some fifty or so years old. He
did not sign his name.
_Juan Vicente_
Before me:
_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary
[Likewise the deposition of one Amiguicon, a native of Luzon, was
taken. Its essential parts are as follows:]
Being asked how long he had lived in Borney and what he was doing
there, he said, as above, that he is a native of this island of
Lucon and that about fourteen years ago he went to trade in Borney
with property and merchandise. The king of Borney would not let him
come to this city, and refused him permission therefor. Thus he made
cloth for him and served him in war and did whatever offered until
his Lordship came to Borney.
Asked what he was doing in Borney when the said governor went there,
this witness said that, when the said governor arrived at the bay
of Borney, he went out by command of the king of Borney in a galley
with artillery, to fight with his Lordship's vessels. Other galleys
and many soldiers went also. In the galley in charge of this witness
were fifty-four fighting men, and more than thirty rowers. There were
six pieces of artillery, two large ones at the bow and four culverins
at the sides. In the vessel commanded by the son of the old king who
reigns in Borney, by name Soltan Lijar, were twenty pieces, three
large ones in the bow, and the others at the sides. All the said
galleys and other vessels were about fifty in number, and all went
out to fight with the fleet of the said governor. These fifty-four
vessels consisted of galleys and large ships, besides many other
small boats that sailed--sail-boats, _bancas_, and _barangayes_
[27]--all of which fleet was seen by this witness as he set out
for the port where the battle was fought. The said king of Borney
remained in his galley at the mouth of the river, anchored at an islet
called Polocharami. After the Borneans were conquered, they all fled,
as did this witness. After two or three days, this witness and other
Bornean Moros came to the said governor, and begged him to pardon them;
accordingly the said governor granted them pardon.
When this witness was asked whether he had seen an Indian, named
Martin, and another, Magat, a chief of this island, and some six
or seven other Indians who served them as oarsmen, whom the said
governor was sending to the said king of Borney with letters of peace,
and what the said king did, he responded that he did not see the
said messengers, but that he knew that they had gone with letters
from the said governor for the king. This witness knew one of them,
namely, Magat. Because this witness was with the said fleet at the
entrance of the said port, he did not see what passed with the king,
but it is well known that the said king had the said Martin killed,
and the said Magat imprisoned, as well as the other Indians who served
as oarsmen. They brought one of the said Indians, who served as oarsman
(who were from the port of this city [Manila]) to this witness, to be
cured of a wound in the arm that had been inflicted upon him. This
Indian is a slave of Don Agustín, chief of Tondo. The slayer of the
said chief Martin was a Bornean Moro, named Siparardal. The said
Magat was imprisoned, and his gold taken from him, and they wished
to kill him. This witness knows that the said Borneans commenced
the fight first with the Spaniards, firing many artillery-shots at
them. They refused any alliance with the Spaniards; on the contrary,
he saw that they mocked the Spaniards, and told them that they would
all be killed and their fleet seized. Thus this witness saw that they
set about the execution of this; for he was ordered by the said king
of Borney to go out in the said galley to fight with the Spaniards. As
soon as the said Moros were defeated they broke and fled.
_Instructions as to what Captain Don Juan Arce de Sadornil is to
observe in this present expedition to the island and city of Borney,
which belongs to his Majesty_:
The route and navigation, both going and coming, are known, and you
have a pilot. Therefore I shall say nothing more than to warn you not
to disembark on any of the islands, unless forced to by necessity, and
then with a force of men, so that the natives may commit no treason.
When you reach the island of Borney in the district of [illegible
words in MS.]--the place to which Captain Esteban Rodriguez went
for _contrayerva,_ [28] and the people engaged in trade and gave
information as to the condition of Borney--where, they tell me, is
the _panguilan_ [29] Maraxa de Raxa, you shall halt at that coast to
see if he is there, which you will ascertain from such Moro vessels
as you will meet before reaching that place. And finding him there,
you will give him my letter. You will ascertain from him the condition
of affairs in Borney; the whereabouts of Soltan Lijar, and what he
intends to do; whether Portuguese have gone thither, and if they are
still there; and other things which may seem proper to you.
You are already aware that I left as commander in Borney the
panguilan Maraxa de Raxa, and that I gave him a letter of assurance
and friendship, and another to the panguilan Salalila; you must
observe all friendship toward them.
As soon as you have arrived, you must confer with the panguinals
[_sc._ panguilans]; you shall ascertain from some Indians whether
the king of Borney has returned, and his condition, and that of the
settlement. If these panguilans tell your Grace that you should not
go to [the port of] Borney, but should remain where you are, and
that they are going to talk to the king--or whatever other reasons
they may adduce, your Grace will tell them that you are ordered to
anchor at the island of Mohala, where the battle occurred, and that
your Grace will await them there for conference; and your Grace will
tell them that they should read my letters to the king. And, if it
seems advisable to your Grace, you shall write to the king, briefly,
telling him of the firm friendship that he will receive from me, and
the great advantage that will undoubtedly accrue to him in becoming
a vassal of his Majesty, the king, our sovereign.
If the said panguilans do not appear, then your Grace will continue
your voyage and anchor at the above-named place. You shall send
my letters to Borney, with the following order. If either one of
the panguilans is dead or absent, the letters shall be given to the
other. If neither is found there, the letters shall be given to the
king; if he is not there, then to the most influential man; and your
Grace shall write him that he advise you speedily, and assign him
a certain limit of time for the answer. Should you be informed that
Raxayro, king of Xolo, is there, you shall write him also, observing
the same order as the above.
You shall request from the king of Borney that he render obedience
to his Majesty, King Don Ffelipe, our sovereign, king of Castilla
and Leon; that he promise to observe it faithfully, as his vassal,
and that he serve him in peace and in war in this land wherever his
Majesty commands. If he does this, then I shall pardon him for his want
of respect and his crime of last year, when he killed my ambassador,
and commenced to wage war upon us, although we offered him good terms
of peace.
_Item_: In acknowledgment of this subjection, he shall pay tribute
to his Majesty, to consist of camphor, galleys, or other products
of that land, and in the quantity not agreed upon with him, but
to his pleasure--until his Majesty and I, in his royal name, order
the contrary.
He shall promise not to receive pirates in that land, and that he will
not despatch plundering expeditions anywhere, nor permit any slaves to
be taken from among the natives to China, or to the Portuguese, or to
any other place, telling him that that island is depopulated thereby.
_Item_: That each year the king of Borney and his successors send
one or two vessels to this city to bring the tribute and to trade.
_Item_: That when I agree to settle in that island, he shall go to
the place selected, with his people, or send there, and build houses
and whatever else is necessary for the settlement, those who work at
this to receive pay. In exchange for this, you will tell him the great
advantages that will accrue to him from our alliance: that his Majesty
will show him favor; and that, if he has any enemy who undertakes to
war upon him, I shall defend him, and shall send thither the fleet
of his Majesty, if he advise me of such need.
_Item_. If the said king declares that he will flee to the mountains,
and refuses to come to confer with you, and shall not render obedience,
then you shall try to remove his fear. If he shall persist in this,
then you shall leave him without doing him any harm, telling him to
send to me here, with letters, a Moro chief for conference with me.
If the king do not appear, and the city is inhabited, you shall treat
concerning these matters with the most influential person there,
in accordance with the above.
In order to send this message, you are taking Bornean Moros, to
despatch them two by two. Everything that passes must be in writing
and attested by a notary. You likewise have a letter from the daughter
of the panguilan Salalila, telling the Borneans what good treatment
I have accorded to the captives here, and how happy she is.
After having despatched what pertains to the above, you shall
investigate the river of Tamaran. Without doing them any hurt, you
shall summon that people, and examine the location of their land, and
ascertain whether we can settle there; also the depth of the river,
and the number of inhabitants. You shall decide with them about the
tribute they are to pay; and, even if they do not pay any, or pay but
little, you shall do them no harm. After examining the river of Baran,
you shall return to this city as soon as possible.
If there are any Portuguese in Borney, or any should come while your
Grace is there, your Grace shall give them a hospitable reception. You
shall ascertain from them both the condition of their affairs and as
much else as you are able. If they commence to show any disrespect
or hostility, then your Grace will try with the utmost diligence to
secure the victory. In no other circumstances shall you wage war with
them. And should you come to hostilities with them, your Grace shall
bring what they have to this city.
Even if the king of Borney should be fortified and have repaired
his forts in Polocharami and Panigaran, your Grace will take
no notice of that, but transact your business in accordance with
your orders. Therefore your Grace shall in no wise fight, unless he
commences it, as upon the other occasion. Then your Grace shall take
what steps are necessary, since the thing is forced on you.
Your Grace shall see to it that your fleet of vessels remain together;
and if any of them become separated in crossing the wide expanses of
water in your course, you shall give orders where it shall meet you,
so that all may be kept in order. In case you have to fight, you shall
put the ship from Castilla in the front, and the others shall aid it,
and, being lighter, can be used better for pursuit.
You shall exercise great care in regard to the musketeers, and put
them in charge of an experienced man, and let opportunity be given
them to advance.
_Item_: You shall exercise care, so that, if the Bornean galleys take
the lead, they shall not separate from the Castilian galley and the
Neapolitan fragata; likewise that the latter does not separate from
the Castilian galley.
_Item_: You shall see to it that the Spaniards do not kill or steal
any cow (for there are but few), so that the king of Borney make
no complaint.
There are cows in Borney and in Mohala, in the island of
Bencoraco. Notice shall be given among your people, so that these
beasts may be preserved; in the river of Tabaron, where I have said
that you must go, the men may kill swine and deer, if necessity arise,
for there are many of these animals there.
_Item_: You shall not allow any slave, male or female, to be taken. You
shall exercise great care in this, imposing the penalty of death
on whomsoever shall steal them; and even should the natives wish
to sell slaves [30] the Spaniards shall not buy them, if they are
natives of the same island. Given at Manila, February twenty-eight,
one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine.
_Doctor Francisco de Sande_
By order of his Lordship:
_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary
In the flagship "Espíritu Santo," on the fourth day of the month of
March, one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine, the illustrious
Captain Don Juan Arce de Sadornil said that, inasmuch as he is not
taking a notary of his Majesty or a notary-public for the negotiations
and legal proceedings that may arise in this voyage in the said galley
and the other vessels of the said fleet despatched this year to the
kingdom of Borney, before whom the said proceedings and negotiations
may be executed, in order that they may attest what happens; and
inasmuch as it is necessary for his Majesty's service to appoint a
skilful person to the said office: therefore, with entire confidence in
the character and capability of Manuel de Caceres, and feeling certain
that he will therefore fill the said office faithfully, in that manner
and form most suitable to the requirements of the law, he appointed,
and he did appoint, as notary of this said fleet the said Manuel de
Caceres before whom shall pass the legal proceedings, suits, and other
negotiations that shall occur, and he shall attest them as notary. I,
the said Manuel de Caceres, being present, accept it, and swear before
God, our Lord, and on the sign of the cross--which I do with my right
hand--to exercise precisely, faithfully, and legally, the said office
of notary in the negotiations and proceedings which shall take place
before me, and to keep secret whatever is necessary, under penalty
of falling into the lowest infamy and perjury, and of being punished
according to law. Witnesses are Andres de la Tubilla, Juan de Yepes,
Sergeant Cristoval de Arqueta, and Don Juan Arce. Before me:
_Manuel Caceres_, notary-elect
In the galley "Espiritu Santo," belonging to his Majesty, while it
was anchored at the port of Mohala, in the island and kingdom of
Borney, on the twentieth of March, one thousand five hundred and
seventy-nine, in the presence of me, the notary, and the undersigned
witnesses, the illustrious captain Juan de Arce Sadornil declared that,
inasmuch as his Grace came by order of the very illustrious Doctor
Francisco de Sande, governor and captain-general for his Majesty in
these Western Islands, to this said river, to see whether the said
natives of the said river and city of Borney were settled, as they
were when subdued by force of arms by the said governor, and when he
left them for the city of Manila; and to see whether Soltan Lixar,
king of Borneo, had returned to his former village, and what was
become of him, and what persons might be present in his stead; and
that by all good methods he [Sadornil] should calm and pacify them,
and give them the governor's letters; and do other things set down
clearly and ordered by the instructions given by his Lordship; and,
inasmuch as the said captain had come to this said port of Mohala, but
has been unable to have any intercourse in regard to the above matters,
as the said governor orders, although he has tried and done his utmost,
and in the manner which his Lordship orders by his instruction;
and inasmuch as, having arrived at this said port on this said day,
and having seen many vessels leave the said port of Borney--which,
although he awaited them and cast anchor for this purpose, never came
to him so that he could hold communication with them, in order that the
said Bornean Moros might become quiet and learn his Majesty's purpose,
and that of his Lordship and of his captain in his royal name--to wit,
that I am not to do them harm or annoy them, but on the contrary to
protect and defend them; and that they might know the true God and the
true pathway of salvation: therefore the said captain summoned to his
presence Sipopat and Esin, Bornean Moros, whom his Lordship took to
Manila last year. The said captain has brought them for this purpose,
and given them to understand the above through the said Francisco
Magat; and he delivered to them two letters from the said governor,
written in our language and translated into the Bornean language, and
signed with his name--one for the panguilan Marraxa de Raxa, and the
other for the panguilan Salalila. He also gave them two other letters
in the Bornean tongue for the said Salalila, which were written by
his daughter and son-in-law in the city of Manila. The said Sipopat
and Esin went to the said captain to take the said letters and to
hear the message imparted to them by the said captain. They were
to return with the answer that would be given them in the river of
Borney. All of which, I, the said notary, attest, together with the
witnesses present, to wit, Father Baltasar de Miranda, ecclesiastical
presbyter, Ensign Salvador de Sequera, Sergeant Cristoval de Arqueta,
Luis Briceño, Bartolome de Tapia. And the said captain signed it.
_Don Juan de Arce_
Before me:
_Manuel de Caceres_, notary
In the port of Mohala, in the kingdom of Borney, on the twenty-first
day of the month of March, one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine,
the illustrious Don Juan de Arce summoned to his presence the captain
and pilot of a Chinese ship, which was anchored in the said port, each
one of them alone; and before me, the said notary, through the Moro
Simagat, an interpreter of the Sangley [_i.e._, Chinese] and Spanish
tongues, questioned them on the condition of affairs in the land, and
whether the king Soltan Lixar had returned to his former settlement;
and in regard to the panguilans Maraxa de Raxa and Salalila, and other
matters pertaining to the service of his Majesty. They answered that
they had entered the said port three days ago; that upon this said
day the king and his people had received news of the coming of the
Spaniards; and that the king of Borney had ordered them to enter the
said river with another Chinese vessel there. But they refused because
they did not know what would happen to them. From that time, when night
came they began to annoy them with their small boats and conpites. They
said that the king Soltan Lijar was in Borney, and that the panguilan
Salalila had died by some disease. They had heard, from the fishermen
who came to their boat to sell fish, that the king had a fort up the
river where he had placed the women and the food-supplies of the city
when he heard of our coming. The said fishermen told them that the
king had ordered a quantity of poison to be thrown into the water,
in order to kill the people. They had heard even that the death of the
said Salalila happened thus. They knew naught else, for they were come
hither but recently. This is the truth, and they know naught else. I,
the present notary, attest the same; and the said interpreter Simagat,
as well as the said captain, signed it.
_Don Juan de Arce_
Before me:
_Manuel de Caceres_, notary
And after the above events, on the twenty-second day of the month
of March, of the said year, in the presence of me, the said notary,
and the witnesses who here signed, appeared the said Moros Sipopat
and Esin, whom his Grace had sent to the said city of Borney. They
brought a paper written in Bornean, which they said was given them
by the king, Soltan Lijar. They declared that the said king had
received the letters addressed to the said panguilans Maraxa de Raxa
and Salalila, as the said Salalila was dead, and Maraxa de Raxa had
gone to the river of Saragua. The king said that he wished alliance
with the said captain, and therefore sent that written letter,
in which he says the same thing. He wrote it so that the Spaniards
might believe it. Likewise he had sent two caracoas, which came in
care of the above-named envoys. And I, the said notary, and many
others saw these boats. They came flying white flags, and anchored
near our fleet. From there they sent the said Moros, our messengers,
in a _baroto_. [31] All of the above was interpreted by Simaguat, Moro
interpreter of the said language. The said captain having seen this,
and because he had no one who could read the letter, gave a verbal
response to the said Moros, through Simagat, ordering them to tell
the king that he had no one who knew how to read and write the said
Bornean language, and for this reason he did not write to him. He said
that the wish of the said governor, and his own through the former's
order, was that the king should become our ally, and recognize as
seignior the king of Castilla, our sovereign; and that he should come
to treat with the said captain, or send one of his chiefs, so that the
latter might discuss the matter, since this was so desirable for his
tranquillity and his honor. Thereupon he ordered the messengers to be
despatched. The witnesses present were Luis Briseño, Alonso Locano,
Bartolome de Tapia, and many other persons.
_Don Juan Arce_