[1] This document is printed in both Spanish text and English
translation.
[2] Evidently meaning that the ship was proceeding to Spain, since
it carried a cargo of spices for the king.
[3] The words in brackets are conjectural readings, the MS. being
illegible in these places.
[4] Referring to Legazpi's official despatches, evidently sent to
Spain by the same vessel which carried these letters by Mirandaola
and Lavezaris. This document appears at the end of _Vol_. II, under
the title, "Negotiations between Legazpi and Perdra."
[5] A relation purporting to have been written by this officer will
appear later in this series.
[6] The _escudo_ was a Spanish silver coin worth about 50.1 cents of
United States money; it was equivalent to ten _reals_.
[7] These cities of China may be thus identified: Chincheo (also
written Chinchew) is the modern Chwan-Chow-Foo (variously written
Shen-tsheou, Tsiuen-Tchou, and Tsiuan-tchau), in the province of
Fo-Kien. Cantun (Canton; _Chin._ Kwang-Chow-Foo) is the metropolis
of the province of Kwang-Tung. Huechiu is Hu-Chau (Hou-Tchou),
Nimpou is Ning-Po, and Onchiu is Wan-Chau--all in the province
of Che-Kiang. Hinan may refer to one of the towns on the island of
Hainan, which lies south of Kwang-Tung. Conce (also, by early writers,
spelled Cansay) was later known as Khing-Sai (or Kingsze)--the modern
Hang-Chau (Hang-Chow-Foo) in the province of Che-Kiang. Onan is
probably Ho-Nan, in province of same name. Nanquin (Nanking) is the
capital of Kiang-Su province; and Paquin is the modern Peking, capital
(as then) of the Chinese Empire. Fuchu (Fu-Chau, or Foo-Choo) is in
the province of Fo-Kien. Cencay is probably the modern Shang-Hai,
in the province of Kiang-Su. Sisuan, Lintam, and Ucau cannot be
satisfactorily identified. The name Lequeios, which occurs elsewhere
in this volume, refers to the Luchu (Liu-Kiu, or Loo-Choo) group,
which lies between Japan and Formosa. For early accounts of China,
its people, and its commerce, see Henry Yule's _Cathay and the Way
Thither_ (Hakluyt Society, London, 1866). See pp. xli, xlii of that
work for interesting citation regarding the civilization and excellent
character and reputation of the Chinese people.
[8] Gaston de Peralta, Marquis de Falçes, was the third viceroy of
New Spain; he arrived at Mexico on October 16, 1566. Incurring the
hostility of the _Audiencia_, he was removed from his office, and
returned to Spain in March, 1569.
[9] The document here referred to will be found directly following
this letter of Legazpi.
[10] Diego de Herrera was born at Recas, Spain, and entered the
Augustinian order in 1545. He was in Mexico when Legazpi's expedition
was organized, and accompanied Urdaneta therein, as a missionary
to the heathen beyond the sea. When the latter returned to Mexico,
he left Herrera as prior of his brethren; and in 1569 Herrera became
superior of the mission, with the rank of provincial. He immediately
went to Mexico, and brought back reënforcements of friars to the
Philippines. For the same purpose, he went to Spain in 1573; returning
thence with missionaries, they were wrecked on the coast of Luzon,
where they all were slain by the natives (April 25, 1576).
[11] Martin de Rada (Herrada) also went with Legazpi to the
Philippines, from Mexico. He was born at Pamplona, July 20, 1533, and
at the age of twenty became an Augustinian friar; he was noted for his
mathematical and linguistic ability. In 1572, he was provincial of his
order in the Philippines, and was sent as ambassador twice to China
and once to Borneo. On his return voyage from this latter mission,
he died at sea, in the month of June, 1578.
[12] At this point may be presented some additional matter, obtained
from a document (also in the Sevilla Archivo general) which purports
to be a letter from Mirandaola to the king, but dated June 8, 1574. He
has apparently incorporated therein the greater part of the Legazpi
relation of 1569 which is presented in our text--adding thereto some
interesting details. At this point, he enumerates the kinds of food
used by the natives--"namely rice, millet, borona [a grain, also
called _mijo_, resembling Indian corn], Castilian fowls, buffaloes,
swine, and goats. They have wines of many kinds: brandy, made from
palm-wine (which is obtained from the cocoa-nut palm, and from the
wild nipa palm); _pitarrillos_, which are the wines made from rice,
millet, and borona; and other wines, made from sugar-cane. There are
fragrant fruits--large and small bananas, and _nancas_. These _nancas_
are as large as a winter melon, and contain a yellow fruit of the size
of a friar's plum, within which is a kernel that, when roasted, has
the flavor of a chestnut. It has a delicious taste, and there is no
fruit in Spain that will compare with it. There is abundance of fish,
and much game--deer, mountain boars, and excellent waterfowl." For
enumeration and brief description of the leading vegetable products
of the archipelago, see _Philippine Gazetteer,_ pp. 70-95. Fuller
descriptions are given in various documents which will be reproduced
in the present series.
We may add here that, "on the death of Legazpi, which occurred in
August, 1572, so many unauthorized and irregular acts were committed
by Andrés de Mirandaola that the governor, Guido de Lavezares, was
compelled to ship him to New Spain, with other persons whose presence
in the archipelago cast odium on the Spanish name" (_Cartas de Indias_,
p. 804).
[13] The Mirandaola MS. already mentioned enumerates the articles
exported from the Philippines--"wax, cotton, cotton-seed, tortoise
shells, and buffalo horns;" also the imports, "provisions, buffaloes,
live hogs, and wine;" also "silks, porcelains, benzoin, and musk."
[14] "Because they say that their god orders them not to take out
the gold, except on the arrival of foreign vessels." (Mirandaola MS.)
[15] Cabit, in the Mirandaola MS.; now Cáuit, a point in N.E. Mindanao.
[16] For account of the forest wealth of the archipelago, see the
recently-issued _Gazetteer of the Philippine Islands_, published
by the United States Bureau of Insular Affairs (Washington, 1902),
pp. 85-93; it contains a list of nearly two hundred kinds of trees
whose wood has economic value.
[17] "All the natives of Cubu have been converted, both chiefs and
followers, except two chiefs, Sumaquio and Batungay. These men have
not been converted, because they are not willing to leave their wives;
Sumaquio has two wives, and Batungay three." (Mirandaola MS.)
[18] "In Panae, and in Luzon and Vindanao." (Mirandaola MS.)
[19] This word may be "your;" it is uncertain whether the Spanish
word is _nra_ or _vra_.
[20] Evidently referring to the account of these proceeding which
Legazpi sent to the viceroy, Marqués de Falçes (See p. 44 ff., _ante_).
[21] The _almude_ is one-twelfth of a _fanega_, or about 4 1/4 United
States quarts.
[22] Juan de Salcedo (Salzedo, Sauzedo) was born in Mexico about
1549; his mother was Teresa Legazpi, daughter of the governor. He
came to Cebú in 1567, and, despite his youth, displayed from the
first such courage, gallantry, and ability that he soon won great
renown--especially in the conquest of Luzón; he has been called "the
Hernan Cortés of the Philippines." These qualities brought him rapid
military promotion; but his career was brief, for he died at the early
age of twenty-seven (March 11, 1576), from drinking too much water
while overheated by a hard march. He died a poor man; but his will
provided that what remained from his estate, after paying his debts,
should be given to certain natives belonging to his encomienda.
[23] _Sangleyes_: derived from _hiang_ (or _xiang_) and _ley_,
meaning "a traveling merchant;" appellation of Chinese traders in
the Philippines.
[24] The _prau_ or _parao_ (a name of Malay origin) was a large, flat
boat with two masts, and lateen sails; used for carrying freight,
and employed in the rivers and bays.
[25] Cf. Friar Odoric's description of the green pepper found
in Malabar (called by the Arabs Balad-ul-Falfal, "the Pepper
Country")--growing on vines which the natives plant against tall
trees for support, and bearing fruit "just like bunches of grapes;"
see Yule's _Cathay_, vol. i, pp. clxxvii, 77.
[26] The tael is a Chinese money of account, worth formerly about
$1.50; now $1.68, "Tael" is the trade name in China for the ounce of
silver; it also designates a weight, of 1 1/3 oz. avoirdupois.
[27] This lake, about seventeen miles long, is the second largest
lake in Luzón. It is also named Taal, after the celebrated volcano
in its midst. Its outlet is the river Pansipit.
[28] Spanish _pildoras_ ("pills"); a jocular allusion to the leaden
bullets from the muskets.
[29] The Malay appellation _rajá_ or _raxa_, meaning "a sovereign,"
is used of rulers in Manila or Tondo. See Retana's note on Zúñiga's
_Estadismo_, vol. ii, pp. 521*, 522*.
[30] Cafre (or Kafir): a term applied by Mahometans to the heathen
natives of conquered countries; it means "infidels." From this
originated the name Kafiristan ("country of infidels"), applied to
the region north of the Punjaub of India and south of the Hindu-Kush
Mountains; its people are called Kafirs. See Yule's _Cathay_, vol. ii,
p. 554.
[31] _Vara_: a measure of length, equivalent to a little more or
a little less (in different Spanish countries) than thirty-three
English inches.
[32] In the Spanish text, _se acordo dar sanctiago en los
moros_,--literally, "it was decided to give the 'Santiago' among
the Moros,"--the _Santiago_ ("St. James") being the war-cry of the
Spaniards when engaging with Moors and other "infidels."
[33] Bound up with the MS. of this document, in the archives at
Sevilla, are similar official acts for "the islands of Luban, Similara,
Baluyan, Helin, and Vindoro."
[34] The palace of the Escorial was built in the town of that name,
twenty-four miles from Madrid, by Felipe II; it was begun in 1563,
and completed in 1584, except that the pantheons were added by Felipe
IV. The total cost is estimated at £660,000 sterling; it is one of the
largest buildings in the world, being a rectangle of six hundred and
eighty by five hundred and thirty feet. It is a palace and monastery
combined, the latter being in charge of the Augustinian order.
[35] The matter in parentheses is side notes in the original.
[36] _Tierra firme_: this term means simply "the continent," and
was at that time applied to the northern mainland of South America,
as distinguished from the adjacent islands.
[37] Internal evidence indicates that this list was prepared in New
Spain. In the MS., in the right-hand column are enumerated the articles
demanded for the Philippines; on the left is a statement of articles
sent--various memoranda being made on each side. As here presented,
the items in the left-hand column follow (within parentheses) the
corresponding items on the right hand.
[38] The Spanish _quintal_ (100 _libras_), varied in different
provinces; that of Castilla was equivalent to 101.6097 United States
pounds. Other denominations: 25 libras = 1 arroba; 4 arrobas =
1 quintal; 20 quintals = 1 tonelada.
[39] Of these measures of capacity, the first set are for liquid
measure: 4 copas = 1 cuartillo; 4 cuartillos = 1 azumbre; 8 azumbres =
1 arroba _mayor_ or _cantara_. This _arroba_ equals 4.26304 gallons,
and is supposed to contain the weight of 35 _libras_ of pure (_i.e.,_
distilled) water. The _arroba_ for oil, however, is only 3.31853
gallons.
The other measures are for dry substances. _Hanega_ is only another
form of _fanega_ (= 1.599 bushels), which is described in _Vol_. II,
note 72; the _celemín_ is the same as the _almude_ (note 20,
_ante_). Table: 4 ochavillos = 1 racion; 4 raciones = 1 cuartillo;
2 cuartillos = 1 medio; 2 medios = 1 almude; 12 almudes = 1 fanega;
12 fanegas = 1 cahíz.
[40] References to the shares, in goods discovered or produced,
which were to be set aside for the king and the church.
[41] _Elem:_ in Retana's text, "el _M_." In some old documents appears
the name Elen (or Helin); it apparently refers to the islet off the
southwest point of Mindoro which is now called Ylín.
[42] _Pintados_ ("painted"): a term applied to the inhabitants
of the Visayas (and afterward extended to those islands), because
they painted their bodies with red clay--or, as some writers say,
on account of their being tattooed.
[43] The name Manila is derived from a Tagal word, _manilad,_ meaning
"a place overgrown with _nilad_"--which is the name of a small tree,
bearing white flowers _(Ixora manila)._
Some writers claim that the name is a corruption of _Maydila,_
from the Tagal words _may_ and _dila_, meaning "the place that has
a tongue"--alluding to a tongue-shaped island formerly at the mouth
of Pasig River.--_Rev. T. C. Middleton_, O.S.A.
[44] Gold and other minerals are still obtained from the mines of
Paracale (in the province of Ambos, Camarines), Luzón.
[45] Blumentritt says (_Dic. mitológico de Filipinas_, pp. 34, 35),
of the appellation Bathala: "This name, of Sanscrit origin, is or was
given to various gods of the Malay Filipinos. The ancient Tagalos
called their principal god _Badhala_, or _Bathala mey-kapal_ ["God
the creator"], and gave the same name to the bird _Tigmamanukin_,
... and sometimes to the comets or other heavenly bodies, which,
in their opinion, predicted future events." This is analogous to
the manner in which the North American Indians apply such terms as
"Manitou," "wakan," or "medicine," not only to their divinities,
but to any phenomenon that is mysterious or incomprehensible to them.
The term _Dîwata_ (_devata, diobata_), also of Sanscrit origin, is
applied variously by different races in the archipelago--sometimes to
the souls of ancestors (whom they invoke); sometimes to any inferior
spirits, whether good or bad (_ut supra_ pp. 45, 46).
[46] A reference to the island of Basilan, off the southwest point
of Mindanao; it was formerly called Taguima. The route for ships here
mentioned was through the strait of Basilan.
[47] Yvalón (or Ibalón) was the ancient name of Albay; it was sometimes
applied to the entire island of Luzon.
[48] The Bícol river, which crosses the province of Ambos Camarines
(Sur), while Paracale is in the same province (Norte); both are on
the opposite coast from Albay. Yloquio is probably Ilocos; but that
province is north, not south, of Manila.
[49] This municipal organization may be thus defined: The _cabildo_ was
the municipal official corporation--nearly the same as the American
city council; the _regidores_ were members of it. The _alguazil_
was an official who executed the orders given by the _cabildo_, or
by the _alcaldes_ (judges). Regarding this subject, see Historical
Introduction, _Vol_. I, p. 56; also _Dic.-Encicl. Hisp.-Amer, art_:
Cabildo, Alcalde, etc.
[50] The _peso_ was a money of account, commonly supposed to be worth
fifteen _reals vellón_. There was also a silver coin called a _peso_,
which was valued at eight _reals_ of silver, and weighed one _onza_
(a trifle more than the English ounce). The _real_ (=34 _maravedis_)
is equivalent to nearly five cents of United States money; it is no
longer coined, but is still a unit of value throughout Spain. The
_tomin_ for gold was equivalent to 8.883 grains (United States
weight), and for silver to 9.254 grains. From a document published
in _Doc. inéd. Ultramar_, vol. ii, pp. 461-463, it appears that seven
_tomines_ of gold were equivalent to one _peso_ of gold.
[51] The table of weights to which the _marco_ belongs is as follows:
12 granos = 1 tomin; 3 tomines = 1 adarme; 2 adarmes = 1 ochava or
dracma; 8 ochavas = 1 onza; 8 onzas = 1 marco; 2 marcos = 1 libra (=
1.016097 United States pounds).
[52] _Encomenderos_: persons to whom _repartimientos_ or _encomiendas_
were granted (see _Vol_. II, note 18).
[53] The name first given to the present city of Cebú, on the island
of that name. Another early name was San Miguel, given because the
settlement was founded on St. Michael's day.
[54] Bound with this MS. is an abstract of the same, evidently made
for the royal council by some secretary. In the margin are noted,
opposite the various points, instructions for the governor of the
islands. In reply to this letter Lavezaris is to be thanked for his
care, and exhorted to continue it. The licentiate Francisco de Sande
is about to go from New Spain to the Philippines, to take account of
Legazpi's administration and to act as governor. The king is advised
to reward Lavezaris, and suitable rewards should be given to Martin
de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo. Sande is to be instructed to accord
good treatment to the Chinese, in order to invite their trade and
win them to the faith. Peace and friendship must be maintained with
the Portuguese. The lists of _encomiendas_ granted by Legazpi and
Lavezaris, with full information regarding them, must be sent to the
government. Sande should be instructed to do what he considers best,
in regard to the appointment of _regidores_.
[55] Regarding the authorship of this document, see Bibliographical
Data. In its presentation here, we have interpolated in brackets the
additional matter found in the Sevilla copy; and likewise words which
alter the sense, prefixing to these "S:", to indicate the different
reading of the Sevilla document. Matter in the Madrid copy which
would give a different meaning from that at Sevilla is indicated by
"M:". The title of the latter is: "Relation of the Western Islands,
and the route thither from Nueva España."
[56] The _brisa_ is the north, northeast, or east wind, the _vendavál_
the south or southwest wind. The observations made for a considerable
period at the Jesuit observatory in Manila indicate the main prevalence
of winds as follows: north and northeast, November to January,
inclusive; east, February to April; south and southwest, May to
October. See Algué's account of these winds, in his _Archipiélago
Filipino_, vol. ii, ch. iv; also (with additional observations,
and citations from other authorities) in _Report of the Philippine
Commission_, 1900, vol. iv, pp. 227-256. In these is discussed the
question whether these prevalent winds can be properly termed monsoons.
[57] Probably some of the Marshall Islands.
[58] The Chinese _tael_ (weight) is equivalent to 1 1-3 United States
ounces avoirdupois. The _mace_ (_masse_) is one-tenth of the _tael_,
and equals 60.42 grains. These terms are also applied to moneys of
account in Chinese trade.
[59] The words "one thousand" do not appear in the Madrid copy,
having probably, in the course of time, been worn off (as have other
words or letters) from the edges of the paper.
[60] Now Panaón; separated from Leyte (here called Baybay) by Panaón
Strait. Tandaya was the early name of Samar Island, which is separated
from Leyte by San Juanico Strait. Mazoga is the same as Massava of
other early writers; it is now Limasaua Island.
[61] The _estado_ was equivalent to 1.85472 English yards, having
nearly the same value as the _braza_.
[62] Probably the _sibucao (Cæsalpina sapan_); its wood produces a red
coloring-matter which is highly valued, especially by the Chinese. Some
varieties of it are more highly esteemed than are those produced in
Brazil. These "Brazil" Islands are apparently the small groups north
of Luzón, now known as Batanes and Babuyanes.
[63] An archivist's marginal note on the Sevilla MS. reads: "Doubtless
this should be Bassilani"--which is the modern Basilan, an island
southwest of Mindanao.
[64] Regarding piracy in the Philippines, see Barrantes's _Guerras
piraticas de Filipinas_ (Madrid, 1878); and Montero y Vidal's _Historia
de la piratería en Mindanao, Jolo y Borneo_ (Madrid, 1888).
[65] A term (imported from America, and from the Nahuatl language)
applied to several species of _Calamus_: the rattan--a plant of great
use to the natives for many purposes.
[66] Compare the custom among the Norse vikings--a warrior, at the
approach of death from natural causes, embarking alone in his vessel,
floating out to sea, and setting it afire, that he might perish
with it.
[67] The table for Spanish measures of length: 12 puntos = 1 linea; 12
lineas = 1 pulgada; 6 pulgadas = 1 sesma; 2 sesmas = 1 piè (the foot,
= 11.128 U. S. inches); 3 piès = 1 vara; 4 varas = 1 estadal. Also,
9 lineas = 1 dedo; 12 dedos = 1 palma. The _legua_ of 8,000 _varas_
equals 4.2151 United States miles.
[68] _Camote:_ the sweet potato (_Ipomoea batatas_.)
[69] An interesting reference to one of the earliest and most
characteristic industries among the natives of the Philippines. The
"wild banana" is the _abacá_ (_Musa textilis_); its product (made
from the fibers of the leaves) is commonly known as "Manila hemp,"
and is one of the chief exports from the islands. Two kinds of cloth
are now made by the natives from the _abacá_, called _sinamay_ and
_tinampipi_; in making them, they use only primitive handlooms. See
Zúñiga's description of this manufacture, in _Estadismo_ (Retana's
edition), vol. ii, pp. 41, 42: cf. pp. 94, 95, where he praises the
cotton cloths made in the Philippines.
[70] The Spanish word is _moldes_; this sentence regarding the art of
printing in China is not in the Sevilla MS. Gonzalez de Mendoza gives
an interesting account in his _Hist. gran China_ (Madrigal edition,
Madrid, 1586), part i, book iii, ch. xvi, fol. 87-87b; he says that
the Chinese understood and used the art of printing more than five
hundred years before Gutenberg. He supposes that this invention was
carried to Germany via Russia and Muscovy, or by way of the Red Sea
and Arabia. The Augustinian Herrada and his associates took to the
Philippines a great many books, "printed in various parts of that
kingdom [China], but mostly in the province of Ochian [the former
province of Hu-Kwang, now forming the two provinces of Hou-Nan and
Hou-Pe] ... for therein were bookshops of the largest size," where
books were sold at low prices. In ch. xvii (fol. 89-91), Mendoza
enumerates the subjects treated in the books procured by Herrada;
they included history, statistics, geography, law, medicine, religion,
etc. See also Park's translation of Mendoza (Hakluyt Society, London,
1853), vol. i, pp. 131-137, and editorial note thereon regarding
antiquity of printing in China.
[71] See the Treaty of Zaragoza, _Vol_. I, pp. 222-239.
[72] The term Moros ("Moors") was applied by the Spaniards and
Portuguese to these Malayans, simply because they were, at least
nominally, Mahometans. Their residence was mainly in the islands of
Mindanao, Jolo, Paragua, and Balábac. Most of them were pirates,
who for centuries harassed not only the Spanish settlements, but
those of the Filipinos.
[73] A note by the editor of _Cartas de Indias_ says: "The documents
here named do not accompany this letter."
[74] This document is presented in both Spanish text and English
translation.
[75] The latter part only of this document is here presented; for
somewhat more than half of it is practically a duplicate of Legazpi's
_Relation_ of 1570--which see (_ante_, pp. 108-112), with footnotes
indicating all important variations therefrom found in the first half
of the Mirandaola letter. The part appearing here is matter additional
to the Legazpi _Relation_.
[76] For localities in which gold is found in the Philippines,
see _Philippine Gazetteer_, pp. 83, 84. See also Combés's _Hist. de
Mindanao_, lib. 1, cap. iv, with Retana's note thereon, col. 787;
in the note is information apparently obtained from this document of
our text.
[77] The viceroy of New Spain, Martin Enriquez, makes the following
interesting comments on the Chinese trade with the Philippines, in
a letter to the king dated January 9, 1574: "Since I wrote to your
Majesty by the despatch ship, I have seen some of the articles which
have been received in barter from the Chinese; and I consider the whole
thing as a waste of effort, and a losing rather than a profitable
business. For all they bring are a few silks of very poor quality
(most of which are very coarsely woven), some imitation brocades,
fans, porcelain, writing desks, and decorated boxes; indeed, did
I not have respect for more than the good government of this land,
I would not permit a single one of these things to be brought into
this kingdom. To pay for these they carry away gold and silver, and
they are so keen that they will accept nothing else. I am told that
they took away more than forty thousand ducats in gold and silver
from the islands; and if this were not regulated, they would always
have the best of it--although, if the Spaniards who traffic there
with them were business men, they themselves would reject the goods
carried to them, and would try to ascertain what goods the Chinese
have and their value, and arrange so that the exchange should be
profitable. I tell your Majesty of this because I shall write the
general no more than that he must not permit Spaniards to carry on
barter with gold that has not paid the tax."
[78] In 1560 the Portuguese obtained the loan of a spot near the
mouth of the Canton estuary, where they were permitted to establish
a trading-post, which was named Macao. Before many years elapsed,
more than five hundred Portuguese merchants resorted thither annually
to trade. "By the regular payment of their rent (five hundred taels
a year), as well as by a judicious system of bribing, the Portuguese
long enjoyed the practical monopoly of the external trade of the great
mart of Canton with the West." See D. C. Boulger's _History of China_,
ii, pp. 146, 169.
[79] The Chinese rulers here referred to are known in history by
different names from those here given, even after making allowance for
their pronunciation by Spaniards. Moutsong, twelfth emperor of the
Ming dynasty, died in 1572, and was succeeded by his son Chintsong,
better known under the name Wanleh. As this prince was then but six
years old, his mother acted as regent during his minority.
[80] The Ultramar MS. (see Bibliographical Data at end of this volume)
reads, "the river of Panaca to Cubo."
[81] From this point this paragraph in the Ultramar MS. reads as
follows: "As justly as possible. But although it was done thus,
complaints were heard, because not so many natives were found as
the list made by the person who had visited this district gave us to
understand. This list was so summary that it could not be true. The
encomenderos urged that the governor should make the number of each
repartimiento equal to the list. Therefore each encomendero received
the number for which he petitioned."
[82] The Ultramar MS. reads here: "named Cebu, he set out for Prognal."
[83] Martin Enriquez writes to the king (January 9, 1574), urging that
a new governor for the Philippines be appointed: "I beg your Majesty
to appoint, within a very short time, some person who shall have
the necessary qualifications for governing that land; for otherwise
neither Christianity nor the royal estate will be able to make much
progress there. Even since I wrote to your Majesty, I have heard
fuller details of certain things from among the many which are bound
to occur, and all through lack of justice. I had charged Don Pedro
de Luna to bring me a detailed relation of everything that he should
hear concerning matters there, and, as he died at sea, I sent word to
the Alcalde Mayor of Acapulco to look through his coffers for all his
papers, and send them to me, suspecting that I would not like to trust
everything to his memory. In this way I have ascertained from them
that there is beyond question need that your Majesty should endeavor
to secure better administration of justice there, and provide some
one to take greater care of your Majesty's finances."
[84] The Muñoz letter (see Bibliographical Data at end of this volume)
says, "four varas." The reading of our text is uncertain, as the
number is not written in full, but is designated by a contraction
difficult to read.
[85] The Ultramar MS. has the following: "It is enough to say, and
I swear it on my oath as a Christian, that there is said to be more
gold in this one island than iron in Vizcaya." This is very similar
to the reading in the MS. copied by Muñoz.
[86] The red sulphuret of arsenic.
[87] This and what follows was apparently added by the officials
in Mexico.
[88] _Corredor de Lonja_ (_Lonxa_) is undoubtedly a commission
merchant: apparently the decree confers upon the city the right to
appoint brokers of this class.--_A.P. Cushing_.
[89] This document is evidently addressed to the governor, then Guido
de Lavezaris.
[90] The ganta = 8 chupas = 3 liters.
[91] An ancient province of Luzon, so called from the name given in
Manila to the many porticos constructed out of the nipa palm. It was
erected into a province during the governorship of Guido de Lavezaris,
and was conquered by Salcedo. It is mountainous, and contains rich
mines of various metals, and a fertile soil. It is now (since April 27,
1901), under American government, known by the name of Ambos Camarines.
[92] The early name of the islands now known as Visayas (or
Bisayas)--the group lying between Luzón, Mindanao, and Mindoro;
so named from their inhabitants, known as Pintados ("painted men")
from their tattooed bodies.
[93] Referring to the abacá, or wild plantain (note 68).
[94] Referring to the birth of a son to Felipe II and Anna of
Austria--probably that of Jacobo (or Jaime), born in 1572 or 1573,
who died in 1582.
[95] The name and title of this commander are, by some _lapsus
calami_, omitted in the MS. The reference, however, is obvious,
to Don Juan of Austria, illegitimate son of Cárlos I (but finally
publicly acknowledged by him); this prince gained signal renown in
wars against the Mahometans.
[96] The Rio Grande of Mindanao.
[97] The first-born son of Felipe was Fernando, born in 1571; he died
at the age of four years. The town named for him is now called Vigan;
it is located on Abra River, and is capital of the province of Ilocos
Sur, Luzón.
[98] Of the decrees here referred to, two may be found in _Recopilación
de leyes de las Indias_ (5th ed., Madrid, 1841), lib. viii. One
(tit. iv, ley xxiv) provides that vacancies in crown offices shall be
filled by the viceroy, or by the president of the Audiencia; the other
(tit. x, ley xviii), that gold and silver found in seaports, which
has not been duly taxed and stamped, shall, if there be no smelting
establishment in such place, be forfeited to the royal treasury.
[99] See _post_, p. 286.
[100] Apparently a reference to the custom of _taboo_ (or _tabu_),
of which traces exist among primitive peoples throughout the world,
but most of all in Polynesia. The word means "sacred"--that is, set
aside or appropriated to persons or things regarded as sacred; but
the custom, although doubtless originating in religious observances,
gradually extended as a social usage. It is among many peoples
connected with totemism, and is considered by many writers as the
gradual outgrowth of animistic beliefs.
[101] This was Doctor Francisco de Sande, who entered upon his duties
as governor of the Philippines in August, 1575. He had previously been
a member of the Audiencia of Mexico. While governor, he desired to
undertake the conquest of China; but Felipe II ordered him to confine
his activities to the preservation of what Spain had already gained
in the islands. Sande was recalled in 1580.
[102] Thus in the original (_setenta y cinco_); but it must be a slip
of the writer, since Legazpi removed to Manila in May, 1571, which
was organized as a city a year later--as is shown by the "Documents
of 1571-72," _ante_.
[103] The _marco_ was the unit of weight used in weighing gold and
silver in the different Latin countries. In Spain it was equivalent
to O.507641 lb.
[104] "Most authors use this nomenclature: 'Moros' are Mahometans,
of more or less pure Malay race, in whose civilization are the
remains of Oriental barbarism; 'infidels' or 'pagans,' [gentiles],
Filipinos whose only religion is one of the idolatrous rites, more
or less absurd, which are natural to savages: and 'Christians,' the
Indians whom our meritorious religious have converted to the faith
of Jesus Christ."--_Retana_ (_Zúñiga,_ ii. p. 9*).
[105] Referring to the Tartar chief Yenta, who harassed the Chinese
empire from 1529 until 1570--raiding the frontiers, carrying away
rich plunder and many captives (in one campaign, it is said, 200,000
persons), and even threatening Pekin itself. Finally (1570) peace was
restored, Yenta acknowledging the sovereignty of the Chinese emperor,
and receiving in return the title of prince of Chuny. Yenta died in
1583. See Boulger's _Hist. China_, ii, pp. 141-144, 150, 154.