I have always given advices of affairs hereabout, and therefore do so
at the present, referring to some things which have happened since
I last wrote--a letter sent by the last ships which arrived in that
kingdom in the year 1570. I will mention the most notable events,
leaving other and unimportant matters for other writers who may be
less occupied than I; and I refer you to the captains, passengers,
and other persons who go in these ships.
On the seventeenth of November of the year 1570, the governor Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi left the river of Panai for Cubie. [80] According
to the orders given him by his Majesty, he established a town of
fifty inhabitants, to whom he allotted repartimientos of Indians,
[81] with the approbation of the provincial, Fray Martin de Herrada,
and of the master-of-camp and the captains.
After establishing this town [82] he returned to Panae, where, after
his arrival, he remained until he prepared for the expedition to
Manila--a city in the island of Luzon, and at present the principal
settlement and camp of his Majesty. He set out on the sixteenth
of April of the year one thousand five hundred and seventy-one,
on Easter Monday. They embarked on the galley called "La Leona de
España," completed in that season. On the way, they were detained
thirty-two days before arriving at the said town of Manila. Before
arriving there, and at about four leagues' distance, there came a
spy sent by the chiefs to ascertain the purpose of the Spaniards in
going thither. He was told by the governor that his purpose was one
wholly of peace and friendship; and that, in order to confer about
this more conveniently, and further to please the chiefs and natives,
he was coming in person. The spy appeared greatly pleased at this, and
then it was explained how the governor happened to go there, as has
been said. He was well satisfied thereat, and, having received some
presents from his Lordship, he returned to his people. The governor
continued his voyage toward the port, with a mild and favoring wind. As
the spy had not yet returned, the people of the town, as soon as they
perceived us, commenced to set the houses on fire. As soon as the spy
came, he made them put out the fire, explaining that our purpose was
peaceful. They were thus reassured, and the chiefs--the aged Rraxa
[Raja], Aljandora, Maguno, Marlanavay, and Salelaxa, the principal men
of that land--prepared to come to receive us on the way. Raxa Soliman,
through fear on account of what he did last year, did not accompany
the others. When the governor learned that he did not come because of
fear, he sent him by these chiefs assurance of safety. On the following
day he came, but displayed continual fear. He excused himself for the
past with fluency and adroitness; and, according to the reasons which
he gave, there was no guilt in his actions. "As you already know,
there is no king and no sole authority in this land; but everyone
holds his own view and opinion, and does as he prefers. There were
some persons more powerful than I, for, without license from me, they
violated the peace and friendship, thus obliging me to be guilty of a
lapse of duty. But if it had not been done in this wise, and they had
done it with my approbation and advice, I would merit punishment. If
I were king of this land, instead of being only the master of my own
estate, the word I had given would not have been broken. But as this
depended on the many, I could not, nor can I henceforth, do more than
personally endeavor that my subjects and friends keep the peace and
friendship that was established." When the governor understood the
cause, he granted general pardon for the past, charging that now
and in the future the promises made must be fulfilled. Therefore,
in the name of his Majesty, he granted full grace. Because of these
and other reasons, and by means of many presents, this Raja and all
the other chiefs were satisfied, and peace was well established. A
camp was formed in the land, and we have established a settlement,
as well as we could; and every day more is being accomplished.
On the day of Pentecost there came to the shore of this settlement
certain Moros of the region hereabout, some seventy in number, and
with as many boats; they sent word to the governor that they came
to fight with his troops. He replied that they must consider well
what they were doing, as he was not willing to command that they
be killed, or to inflict any harm upon them. On the contrary, he
offered asylum and right of residence, that they might freely carry
on their traffic. Many other arguments, promises, and presents were
given them, and Christian exhortations made; but to no effect, for
they stubbornly grew more boisterous. At this, the governor commanded
that the master-of-camp, Martin de Goyti, should attack them. This the
latter did with exceeding promptness, taking with him such troops as
he chose. They embarked on several of the ships which had been made
ready, leaving orders that the soldiers whom he had designated should
follow him. They proceeded to a place marked by certain estuaries,
to engage the enemy in naval battle. This was done, and the enemy
were completely defeated; and they surrendered after inflicting but
little injury upon the Spaniards, notwithstanding the great force of
the enemy, and their many pieces of artillery. When they saw that they
were conquered by so few Christians, they were astonished; and fear was
inspired in all the natives of the country, who hold the Moros in high
estimation. By this success, the country remained quiet for some time.
After this earnest efforts were made to come to friendly terms with the
natives, and they were told of the treatment which had been accorded
to the first ones. Several of those who had not been in this group
declared that they desired no peace or friendship with the governor,
or with his people; nor did they wish even to see or hear them, as
no profit resulted to them thereby. On this account arguments were
given pro and con; and in view of their obstinacy it was necessary to
undertake to subdue them. This was done in many places, especially
in a well-populated province named Panpagan [Pampanga], near this
city of Manila. Demands and admonitions were given to all that they
should render obedience to his Majesty. Those who refused to do so,
it was necessary to fight and subdue, which was accomplished without
much damage.
When the affairs of this country were in this condition, the
governor heard of the arrival of two ships, the "Santiago" and the
"San Juan." This caused universal satisfaction; and although the
ships arrived in a bad condition, they were repaired as well as they
could be, in order to make the return voyage to that Nueva Spaña. The
same pleasure was experienced at the coming of Don Pedro de Luna [83]
in the ship "Spiritu Santo." Of the three ships, two were despatched
last year; but on account of their late departure they experienced
stormy weather on the sea, and were compelled to put into port
again. Accordingly, God willing, they will sail at the beginning of
the month of July of this year, 1573.
On the twentieth of August of the past year, 1572, our Lord was
pleased to call to Himself the governor, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. He
died suddenly, having that day arisen in good health. In his cabinet
a provision of his Majesty was found, issued by that royal Audiencia
during his administration, on account of the death of the viceroy,
Don Luis de Velasco. Therein were designated the successors of Miguel
Lopez; and the office at this time fell to the treasurer, Guido
de Labasaris. The authority was therefore delivered to him by the
master-of-camp, his Majesty's officers, the cabildo of the city, and
other officials. Everything is at peace and at his Majesty's service.
At present we reside in this city of Manila, in this island of
Luzon, which is the most important of these districts. Both the
former and the present governor apportioned the land, and the
inhabitants thereof who were pacified. Thus as the land is subdued,
it will be divided. Taxation is imposed in such a manner that every
tributario must pay annually a piece of cotton cloth, which is very
abundant in these islands. It must be ten [?] varas [84] in length
and two varas wide. It is a thin cloth used by the natives for their
clothing. Moreover, there must also be given two arrobas of rice,
and one hen. It must be understood that this can be levied without
difficulty, as there is an abundance thereof, and everyone possesses
these articles. There are many people, so it is evident that there
will be some very important repartimientos, yielding good profit.
In this island, there are many gold mines, some of which have been
inspected by the Spaniards, who say that the natives work them as is
done in Nueva Spaña with the mines of silver; and, as in those mines,
the vein of ore here is continuous. Assays have been made, yielding
so great wealth, that I shall not endeavor to describe them, lest I
be suspected of lying. [85] Time will prove the truth.
The natives use this gold and mix it with copper, so cleverly as to
deceive the best artisans of España.
Many traders have been encountered in this land; so, it is plain,
the country will have them and the best trade which has been or may
be discovered in all the Yndias.
A year ago there came to the port of this city three ships from
China, and to the neighboring islands five more. Those which came
here brought merchandise such as is used among the Chinese, and such
as they bring here ordinarily. The distance from this island to the
mainland is not great, the voyage lasting about eight days.
When those ships came in sight of the port, they sent from the sea to
ask for assurance of safety. The governor granted it, and they were
treated very well. They brought some trifles, although but a small
quantity, as the natives, with whom they come principally to trade,
commonly use, and for them are brought only large earthern jars, common
crockery, iron, copper, tin, and other things of that kind. For the
chiefs, they brought a few pieces of silks and fine porcelain; but
these goods are not especially out of the common. For the Spaniards
they brought some fine ware and other articles, which they readily
sold, since we who are here have plenty of money, and the Chinese need
it. They are so delighted that they will surely return in six or seven
months, and will bring a great abundance of many very rare articles.
They brought specimens of many kinds of goods peculiar to their
country, in order to arrange the price at which they can be sold--such
as quicksilver, powder, pepper, fine cinnamon, cloves, sugar, iron,
copper, tin, brass, silks in textiles of many kinds and in skeins,
realgar, [86] camphor, various kinds of crockery, luscious and sweet
oranges; and a thousand other goods and trifles quite as many as the
Flemings bring. Moreover, they brought images of crucifixes and very
curious seals, made like ours. The cause of this unusual visit is
that freedom, and passage to their own country, were given to some
Chinese who were slaves among us; those people spread the news of
this settlement, where they could come with safety and trade freely;
accordingly they came, with the ships and goods to which we have
already referred.
It must be understood that those people are very peculiar in their
traffic, costume, and customs; every day this is more evident, since
some of the inhabitants of this city are natives of China. From them
it is learned that the land is very rich and thickly populated. The
king is well prepared for war and the frontiers are well fortified
with many forts with artillery and garrisons wherein strict watch
is kept. They say that from the city of Canton, one of the strongest
towns on the coast of the mainland, there is a distance of one year's
travel before arriving at Paquin [Pekin], the residence of the king;
this means from coast to coast of the land. There are many very
populous cities on the way, but if his Majesty would be pleased So
to command, they could be subdued and conquered with less than sixty
good Spanish soldiers.
There are a few other small matters to be mentioned concerning Xolo,
which will be made clear by what is sent in these ships. The matter
most essential to this country is what I have already referred to
today, regarding trade. May the good prospect of riches and traffic
be all to the service of our Lord.
_Relation of what was brought by the two ships which came from the
islands of the West, and other things referring thereto given that
the resources of those provinces may be better understood._ [87]