All this occurred in that night; at dawn_The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 35, 1640-1649 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

most of the people left the city and took shelter in the suburbs,

[even] in the humblest huts of the Indians, which are built of

bamboo and nipa. Others built huts in the plazas and on the beach,

to which they came as exiles from their own houses and native land,

yet in sight of it.

Surrounded, as we are, by so many thousands of infidels, the fact

that no lawless acts occurred was due to the foresight and care

of Don Diego Faxardo, governor of the islands. He ordered the

sargento-mayor and commander of the troops, Manuel Estacio Venegas

(who is at present the officer nearest to the government, and with

faithfulness and care puts into execution its official acts and those

belonging to the military department), to man the walls; and that

the cavaliers should be occupied by the infantry companies and the

inhabitants, which was done. Troops were also sent outside of the

city, and detachments were formed to protect those who had left it

and taken shelter in the suburbs.

Processions and public prayers then followed, and all were accompanied

with as many acts of penitence as in Holy Week; many confessed, and

few contented themselves with what had occurred since their last

confession, but confessed the sins of a lifetime. To this end the

religious hastened through the fields, the beach and the plazas,

and were untiring in the labors of their ministries; they preached

penitence to those who did not need many arguments to move them to

comply. The dead were buried by the dozen; every one prayed to God

for mercy, and entreated that He would withhold His scourge.

On the fifth of December, five days after the first shock of

earthquake, another one occurred as violent as the first, at eleven

o'clock at night, but no fatality occurred, as all were prepared;

the destruction of many other buildings was completed; and the city

was left in such condition that one could not walk through it. The

effects of these shocks were terrible, also, in other provinces

of these islands. Whole Indian villages were overthrown, as their

huts are built of so light materials, bamboos and palm-leaves; and

hills were leveled. Rivers were dried, which afterward flowed again;

others, leaving their beds, inundated the villages; great fissures,

and even chasms, appeared in the open fields. In the Manila River the

disturbance and commotion in its waves was so great that it seemed as

if they would flood all the country; for their fury urged the river

from its bed, and its waters flowed over the bridge. [59]

The anxiety and disquiet in the country continued throughout the year,

until the corresponding moon, [60] which was in December, 1646; in that

month, and in the forty days, succeeding, the shocks, disturbance,

and quaking were lessened, giving to philosophers abundant material

for discussing natural causes, and to theologians and preachers cause

for revering the divine judgments and exhorting sinners to contrition

and repentance. Great changes have taken place in lives and morals;

the important thing is, that these shall endure. [61]

7. Dutch fleet against Manila

In this unfortunate condition had God placed Manila, when the infernal

dragon again brought his power to bear against her from the direction

of the sea. The heretic Dutchman was piqued and even enraged that,

after so many years and so much expenditure, he had not secured

any of the relief ships from Nueva España. He was also angry at

the little reputation that he had gained in the battle between the

champans in the preceding year; and at the little advantage that he

had obtained from the attempt against the fort of Jolo, as will soon

be told. Accordingly, to obtain satisfaction for these debts, they

determined, in the great council of their Nueva Batavia (which we call

Jacatrâ) to make, this year, a last attack upon these islands. For

this purpose (according to advices from Macaçar) they equipped

eighteen vessels and divided them into several squadrons. The first,

of five ships, was for the coasts of Pangasinan and Ilocos, against

Chinese vessels; the second, of seven vessels (their most powerful

ships, the sinews of their [naval] power), went to the Embocadero, to

seize the money and supplies that were expected from Nueva España; the

other six were despatched to cut off our relief ships to Terrenate and

Macaçar, and finally they were to go, after the monsoon, to rejoin the

twelve ships in this bay of Manila, in an attack upon the city. This,

according to report, was their plan, and therein Manila has much for

which to thank God; for it was a scheme of Heaven for our benefit,

that these squadrons should come to us separately.

8. Our first squadron of defense

The news of the first squadron arrived on the first day of

February. The two galleons, "Encarnacion" and "Rosario," which had

brought the succor from Nueva España, were already at Cabite; for

with especial forethought and vigilance orders had been given them

to stop unlading the silver that they carried, and to come to that

port. Although it seemed an act of temerity for two ships to oppose

so many, his Lordship--urged on by his great valor and resolution

in these matters of war--after a conference and council which he

summoned for this purpose, decided that the two galleons should make

ready for battle. In the flagship (which was the "Encarnacion")

were mounted thirty-four pieces of artillery, all of bronze and

of the reënforced [62] class, which variously carried balls of

thirty, twenty-five, and eighteen pounds. The almiranta (which

was the "Rosario") was equipped with as many as thirty pieces, of

the same capacity--although, on account of the deficiency in this

sort of artillery, it was necessary to dismantle some posts in the

fortifications of this city and of Cavite. Munitions and supplies

of every kind with devices for carrying fire, and other necessary

articles, were furnished to them in abundance. These two ships were

supplied with men--in each, two companies of a hundred soldiers (all

picked men, of the nobility and youth of Manila), eighty mariners,

artillerists according to the number of cannon, and a suitable

number of deck-hands and other servants, making, in all, over four

hundred persons on each galleon. As commander-in-chief his Lordship

appointed General Lorenzo de Orella y Ugalde, a Biscayan, under whose

charge the vessels had sailed from Acapulco; this choice was made,

not only because of his proved bravery, his experience in the art

of war, and his services and commands in both the Northern and the

Southern Seas, as well as in these islands (particularly in Mindanao,

where he fought hand to hand with a gigantic Moro and killed him),

but because of his well-known Christian spirit and modesty--which,

for success, are no less important than valor. Captain Sebastian

Lopez, an Andalusian, was appointed admiral, with the right of

succession to the commander. This post was due him because he had

distinguished himself, the previous year, in the fight with champans,

against these same Dutch, of which I have already spoken. The post

of sargento-mayor was given to Don Agustin de Cepeda, a cavalier of

nobility and acknowledged courage--displayed in the most difficult and

honorable posts of these islands. The heads of the infantry companies

were: on the flagships, Captains Juan Henriquez de Miranda and Gaspar

Cordoso; on the almiranta, Captains Juan Martinez Capelo, and Don

Gabriel Miño de Guzman. The chief pilots were Captains Domingo Machado

and Estevan Ramos; their associates were Francisco Romero and Andres

Cordero--all persons of courage, bravery, experience in their craft,

and resolution, as the result will show.

For spiritual aid and ministry to all this armada--which, since the

galleons were named "Encarnacion" and "Rosario," went forth under the

protection of our Lady the Virgin Mary--his Lordship accepted on this

occasion the offer of chaplains and ministers which was made to him

by the order of the glorious patriarch St. Dominic. Accordingly four

religious (who were priests) were assigned to this post and embarked

on the ships, two in the flagship and two in the almiranta. As a

result of the excellent teaching and the fervor of these fathers,

arrangements were made that all the men should, in the first place,

purify their consciences with the holy sacraments of penance and

communion; that they should take as their special patron saint the

Virgin of the Rosary; that, in order to bind her further, they should

vow to her a feast-day in thanksgiving for the victories which they

expected to receive through her agency; and that every day all should

recite prayers aloud, on their knees, and in two choirs--the prayers

of the rosary before our Lady's image, the litanies of the most holy

name of Mary, and finally an act of contrition. All this was done,

accordingly, throughout the period of six months while this expedition

lasted--especially on the days and occasions when they had to fight.

Matters thus arranged, and all preparations made that were required

for both their spiritual and corporal needs, on the third of March

in the year 646, before the galleons raised the last anchor, the

governor, Don Diego Faxardo, came in a falua to the ships. He made a

set speech to the men, reminding them of their obligations and the

reputation of the Spanish arms; and he promised them, beforehand,

the reward of their deeds which in the name of his Majesty (whom

God protect) he had recently offered them. He expressed his regret

that he could not embark with them, and courteously took his leave;

and acknowledged the "Pleasant voyage!" with which he was saluted,

according to marine usage. Then the ships immediately weighed their

anchors and set sail. At the same time, by a special order which

his Lordship had left behind, the blessed sacrament was exposed in

the royal military chapel, and in other churches of this city--a

devotion which was continued during the entire period while the

galleons were out.

9. The first battle

On arriving at the entrances of Mariveles, the ships were placed

in battle array, the artillery loaded, the matches lighted and the

linstocks ready, the rigging free, and other preparations made. This

was done because the sentinels [on Mariveles Island] warned our men

that the enemy were, with their squadron, not far from that place,

in the port of Anus; and that they might expect at any moment to

encounter the Dutch--although in fact the latter were not descried

until the fifteenth of the said month of March. At nine o'clock in

the morning of that day, our almiranta--which had pushed ahead of

the flagship perhaps half a legua, and was sailing with a northwest

wind--fired two cannon-shots and lowered the maintop-sail as a signal

that it descried the enemy. The flagship put about, and followed

her, and from the maintop they soon saw a sail in the distance, but

it was impossible to overtake it; and it soon disappeared, because

it was favored by a fresher wind than our ships had. After that,

our galleons were left becalmed until one o'clock; and at that

hour were descried from the flagship four hostile sails, which

were sailing toward her aft, with an east wind. It was two hours

before they reached the flagship, and in that space of time the men

were stationed, the ships cleared, the posts reconnoitered, and all

other arrangements made, both spiritual and temporal, required by the

occasion. The almiranta fell two ship-lengths astern of the flagship,

and in this position the ships awaited the enemy, in order to fight

them. As soon as the enemy came near, they extended all their ships,

and, without attempting to give a broadside to our flagship, passed,

in line, to larboard, and the enemy's flagship began the battle by

firing a cannon. Our commander immediately commanded that response

be made with two shots--one with a thirty-pound ball and a cylinder

of the same weight, which tore open all their cutwater at the bow;

the enemy's ship went on in this condition, and the others continued

to exchange shots with our flagship. Recognizing their own strength,

the enemy tried to approach the almiranta, which they supposed was not

so well armed, being a smaller ship. But they were received with equal

valor and spirit on our side, our vessels firing so often and throwing

so many balls that they could not be counted. The fight lasted about

five hours, and the mortality and damage were so great that all the

anxiety that the heretics had felt to reach our ships when they thought

to conquer us was now directed to separating themselves from us. They

anxiously awaited the night, which was now approaching, to make

their cowardly escape, which they did with lights extinguished. But

the enemy's almiranta did not succeed in doing this in safety. It had

been the most persistent in the attack upon our flagship, and remained

to our leeward; it was so badly damaged that its cannon could not

be fired, and hardly could it flee. Our ship was so near it that our

commander had the men ready at the bow to board the Dutch ship; but

the darkness of night forced us to abandon the chase, on account of the

danger from the shoals which the pilots declared were in that place.

It was noticed that the enemy did not use lanterns as they had formerly

done, seeking protection for their armada. Our commander ordered that

they be used in our ships, and that the lights be allowed to shine

very brightly, in order that the enemy might come to look for us. Our

people fully intended to renew the pursuit at daybreak, to finish their

defeat; but when day came our two galleons found themselves alone, and

did not know what course the enemy had taken. They followed the Dutch,

in the direction which they thought most probable, as far as Cape

Bojeador, which is at the farthest end of this island of Manila. From

there our ships returned, as the coasts were now secure, to the port

of Bolinao, in order to send to this city despatches announcing the

result of the battle. This was regarded as a brilliant victory, not

only because of the disparity in the number of ships, but because of

the little damage our side had sustained. In that battle not a man

was killed, and comparatively few were wounded. It was evident that

the enemy's loss was great, although we could not then ascertain it

correctly; but afterwards we learned that many had been killed and

wounded, and that two of their vessels were rendered useless.

10. Second and Third Battles

Our squadron took some rest at the port of Bolinao, and while there it

received orders to sail to the Embocadero and there await and escort

the galleon "San Luis," which was expected from Nueva España. Our

ships set sail, and, after encountering many calms and head-winds,

made port on the first of June, in the island of Ticao, [63] within

sight of the Embocadero.

About this time news came to this city from the forts at Samboanga,

that the enemy with ten vessels, was at that place, and it was known

that they came intending to attack again the fort at Jolò, which, the

previous year, they had attacked with three vessels, at the instigation

and with the aid of some native insurgents. It was gallantly defended

by its governor, Captain and Sargento-mayor Estevan de Ugalde y Orella

(a brother of our commander-in-chief), who with the aid and succor that

came to him from the forts of Samboanga under command of the governor

there, Don Francisco de Atienza y Ibañes, compelled the Dutch to raise

the siege, and to retreat as fugitives to their ships--our people

pursuing them until they drove out the Dutch from that country and

sea. For that reason the enemy returned this year with three times

as great a force; but their plans were frustrated, because at that

very time orders had been sent to withdraw honorably that garrison,

for pressing reasons of convenience which existed therefor, in regard

to his Majesty's service. Seeing, therefore, that they had nothing

to do in Jolo, and that in Samboanga our forces gave them as little

opportunity to accomplish anything of importance, they undertook to

push forward the completion of the other projects which they were

engaged in by orders from Jacatra. As the chief of these was the

one regarding the Embocadero, they made their appearance there on

the twenty-second of June, when one of our sentinels reported seven

ships, which were heading toward the port in which our two galleons

were anchored. With gallant resolution, our commander immediately

gave orders to weigh anchor and go out to meet them; but afterward,

when he complied with the obligation resting on the general commanders

of fleets and armies, which is on such occasions to hold a council,

it was decided therein that it would be more proper to let the enemy

waste [their powder], and not to engage in battle with them until the

galleon should arrive from Nueva España with succor, for which they

were waiting, or until it should make some other port in safety. The

port in which the ships were anchored lies open to the sea, in the

form of a semicircle, and is entered by a passage through which

vessels can go only one after another; and this entrance was guarded

by our two galleons, to prevent the heretics from entering. On the

twenty-third of the said month of June, the enemy descried us with

two of their ships, and fired a gun to summon the others. Our ships

returned the fire with two guns, to show that it was not cowardice,

but design and strategy, which made our galleons remain at anchor. On

the following day, the arrogance of the enemy brought them nearer,

and they very haughtily sailed in view of our two ships. The squadron

was composed of seven vessels, and sixteen lanchas with their crews;

they sailed down the coast of the Embocadero, and then, returning,

anchored at the very mouth of our port, blockading it with their ships,

stationed at convenient intervals along the entire bar, so that we

could not leave the harbor. On one side of it the land formed an

eminence, which, if seized by the enemy, might cause great damage

to our vessels. This fact was not overlooked by the attention and

vigilance of our commander; and he immediately sent ashore a hundred

and fifty infantrymen, under command of Sargento-mayor Don Agustin

de Zepeda, and Captain Gaspar Cardoso as his subordinate, to fortify

that point. This was done at once, and was a very important measure;

for at ten o'clock at night the enemy sent four armed lanchas to

that point to reconnoiter the port. Our soldiers, who were cautious,

but vigilant, allowed them to approach within gun-shot, until they

were embarrassed by [the approach to] land, and gave them a volley,

which caused them to retreat hurriedly, with the loss of several men

who were killed. Every day, not once but often, these lanchas sallied

out to reconnoiter us--their ten challenging our two vessels, which

always went out against them, and always remained victorious, because,

as soon as they saw our vessels approach, they always retreated toward

their own ships. If our vessels pursued them, one of their ships

would come forward to protect the lanchas. Thirty-one days passed in

these manoeuvers. One day, our lanchas having sailed out, as usual,

to reconnoiter, our people saw the heads of some men who were swimming

from the enemy's ships to ours. At first it was feared that they were

daring Dutchmen bent upon burning our galleons; but soon all doubt was

over, for it was found that they were a negro and four of our Indians

whom the enemy had captured and who were coming as fugitives to gain

their freedom. They were taken aboard the flagship, where the negro

was known; he gave a very clear account of the plans of Antonio Camb,

who, as he said, was the commander of the Dutch fleet. He also said

that other squadrons were coming to join this one in raids on these

islands; that this one had brought from Jacatrá eight hundred Dutch

soldiers; and that the said Dutch commander had promised to carry

back to his governor the relief ship which was coming from Nueva

España. He said that among the seven vessels two, which were the

smallest, were fireships; that the flagship was as large as ours,

or larger; that it carried forty-six pieces of excellent artillery;

and, as for the other vessels, the smallest carried thirty cannon,

and already they considered us as their booty.

This information was of no little importance, and threw light upon

what should be done. On the twenty-first of July our commander,

considering that it was now time for the ship "San Luis," which

was expected from Nueva España, to have made port in some one of

the many harbors that these islands contain, decided to set sail at

dawn on the twenty-fifth, the day of the glorious apostle Santiago

[i.e., St. James], to cannonade the enemy in the midst of his fleet,

and to challenge him to battle. In order to do this without the

enemy knowing his intention beforehand, he gave orders two days

previously that the anchors should be gradually raised, so that on

the eve of St. James's day each galleon should remain held by one

anchor only. These arrangements having been made, the enemy, who

also must have thought that it was getting late, fired a salute on

the same day of St. James's eve--the flagship firing five cannon,

and the almiranta, and the vice-admiral's ship, each two guns. The

squadron weighed anchor and took the route for Manila.

Our commander was much grieved that his plans should be frustrated by

the enemy, and gallantly set out in pursuit of them, determined to

force them to fight, wherever he might encounter them. He regarded

himself as fortunate when, on the twenty-eighth of July, he sighted

two of the seven [Dutch] vessels above mentioned. When they recognized

our galleons, like cowards they backed toward the land, in search of

the five ships which were out of sight. During the rest of the day,

and all night, our ships continued to approach them; and at daybreak

on the twenty-ninth we discovered all seven of their ships together,

who were coming from the windward side to look for us. At midday they

halted, and again they tacked in another direction, until five o'clock

in the afternoon--when our commander, unable to endure such delay,

challenged them to battle by firing a cannon.

Apparently they did not wish to fight by day, but thought the night

more suitable for their design, which was to send their two fireships

against our galleons. At that time, the nights were very clear and

calm, and the moon shone brightly. They waited, then, until sunset;

and about seven o'clock, between Banton and Marinduque, they came

down with an east wind ahead of our flagship, and surrounded it,

the fearful multitude of their artillery filling it [with balls]. Our

flagship also did its duty, responding to them as they deserved. Our

almiranta followed in its wake firing the artillery at its prow,

and inflicting much damage on the ships that were fighting astern of

our flagship. The enemy's flagship came up with ours, to the sound

of loud clarions and trumpets, and well garnished with lanterns of

various sizes, all lighted. Its sails were so trimmed as to let it

go no faster than our flagship, as arrogantly as if they had already

conquered us. It came so near that our men heard distinctly the noise

made when our ball hit the side of the enemy's ship. From both sides

there was an incessant fire of both artillery and musketry, from the

maintops, forecastles, and poops. In both the Dutch and the Spanish

ships were seen heaps of cannon-balls, cylinders, and palanquins,

[64] which caused great destruction of masts, yards, and rigging, and

even damaged the sides of the vessels. The battle went on, as keenly

and fiercely as might be expected from our persistent valor and the

great strength of the enemy. At the height of the battle our flagship,

undertaking to bear down upon two ships that were hard pressed, found

itself entangled with their almiranta, and this was the greatest danger

that had arisen, on account of the ease with which the enemy could

then work havoc among our men. The brave mariners came to the rescue,

cutting the ropes and separating the galleons, with great courage and

promptness. Meanwhile, our artillery and musketry kept up an incessant

fire on the enemy's sides, which were unprotected--displaying as much

dexterity and order in their firing as they could have done if the

galleons were apart. It pleased God, through the agency of His glorious

mother, that the ships should quickly separate. Then one of their

fireships approached our flagship; but our artillery checked this rash

boldness, hurling at the fireship terrible volleys on the starboard

quarter until it came under the stern-gallery of our flagship. Then

our commander gave orders to attack it with the stern-chasers, which

pierced the enemy from side to side, and with such volleys of musketry

that the heretics became demoralized and retired toward our almiranta,

which received the fireship with a volley from ten guns at once,

so opportunely that its destruction was completed; for its fireworks

being thus kindled, it was sent to the bottom. Soon came the lancha

from our flagship--which our commander, with military foresight,

had equipped with musketeers and seamen, to hinder the fireships--and

picked up a Dutchman, the only one left alive. This man informed us of

the enemy's plans, and of their signals, and said that they had another

fireship--his statements entirely agreeing with those of the captives

already mentioned. This fierce and stubborn battle lasted from seven

o'clock in the evening until daybreak, without the loss of a single

man on our flagship, and only two wounded; the almiranta did not lose

over five men killed. This must be one of the most unusual records

known in naval warfare; it was a favor, evident beyond doubt, from

God and His mother, who protect the Catholic power in these islands,

on account of its importance to the propagation of His holy faith. The

damage sustained by the heretics was well understood from the care

with which they began to retreat as soon as daylight came. The whole

day was spent by both sides in cleaning and repairing their vessels;

but the enemy continued to retreat. Although our commander gave orders

to summon them again to battle, by discharging a gun, and began to

bear down upon them, they made no reply.

Two days afterwards, on July 31--a day consecrated to the glorious

patriarch St. Ignatius de Loyala, founder of the Society of Jesus--our

commander trusting to the fact that the saint was his countryman

and patron, besought him, with ardent faith, to further, as a

matter of justice, the accomplishment of the hopes which we based

upon his patronage. Finding that he was sailing with a north wind,

to windward of the enemy, our commander, with eager courage, ordered

all sails to be spread, and started in pursuit of the enemy; he soon

overtook the Dutch ships between the island of Maesse de Campo [65]

and Mindoro, At two o'clock on the same day, he courageously forced

our two galleons among the six vessels of the enemy, and another

horrible battle was fought. The artillery was all fired as often and

as skilfully as musketry could have been used. The enemy attacked our

almiranta, but it defended itself and assailed the enemy so bravely

that it inspired fear and astonishment. Our flagship was so veritable

a volcano that no vessel dared to give her a broadside. The enemy's

flagship attempted to do so, but was so badly damaged that it had to

retreat, setting more than twenty men to work the pumps; but, finding

it impossible to keep afloat, they raised a piece of canvas in our

sight, a sign that she was in great danger of sinking. Throughout the

afternoon the fight continued with the same obstinacy and vigor, with

the determination on our part not to stop until we should reduce the

enemy's ships to splinters, or send them to the bottom. The heretics

made their last effort by attempting to send close to our flagship

their second fireship, which was large enough to carry thirty cannon;

it was escorted by two other ships and towed by some lanchas. Our

commander, as one so experienced in military affairs, ordered the

musketeers to fire on the men who were directing the lanchas, and at

the same time, the artillery on the starboard from which the fireship

was coming, to fire at its sides; the guns on the lookout and the poop

were fired with such effect that the vessel quickly sank in sight of

all, listing to port and going down bow first. The heretics were so

badly beaten and cowed that, spreading all their canvas, they basely

fled toward the land. Our squadron followed in pursuit, but as night

was approaching, and there was a squally wind from the northwest,

accompanied by thunder and lightning, the enemy escaped by spreading

their canvas aft and extinguishing their lights.

This signal and miraculous event was attributed by our commander

and by the entire armada to the special patronage of the blessed

Virgin of the Rosary and to the glorious Viscayan St. Ignatius,

in whose names the cannon-shots on our side piously succeeded one

another, that day. The disastrous rout of the enemy was publicly

known, and our victory was proclaimed all the more by their cowardly

flight. The losses on our side were as insignificant in this as in

the previous battle; and, in both, the courage, spirit, and skill

of our men--leaders, captains, pilots, and private persons--was very

great, as was evident in the result. By their ignominious flight the

insolent heretics left our coasts free, and departed from the islands

well sheared by the Embocadero, where they had come for wool, or for

the money brought from Nueva España for our relief.

The governor and captain-general, Don Diego Faxardo, was informed of

all this; and by his orders our armada retired to the port of Cabite

in the latter part of August, after a six months' voyage, in such

need of repairs as can well be imagined from the foregoing account of

the three battles. As soon as they landed, all our men marched with

their commander to the church of the glorious patriarch St. Dominic,

to return humble and tender thanks to the blessed Virgin of the Rosary

for victories so signal.

11. Second armada, and its battles

About this time the galleon "San Diego," recently built, sailed from

this port for Nueva España. Regarding it as certain that the coasts

were clear of enemies, the authorities did not carry out their

first intention of sending our armada to escort the "San Diego"

as far as the Embocadero. But, as the enemy had so many squadrons

(as I mentioned at the outset), it happened, a few days later, that

our galleon, having left the port, found itself, while still in sight

of Mariveles near an islet called Fortun, at nightfall near a Dutch

ship, one of three that were in that quarter; these were part of the

third squadron, which had come to join the twelve ships of the two

squadrons before mentioned. As the commanders of these ships did not

know what had happened to the others, they dared to await the fleet

thus near Manila. Our galleon carried her guns on the ballast and the

various decks were littered with boxes and utensils, as is usually

the case when one of those ships sails on so long a voyage. The enemy

recognized, at once, that our vessel was not a warship and attacked

it furiously. They approached so close that the conversation of

various persons could be heard, but they did not venture to board the

galleon; for General Christoval Marquez de Valençuela, commander of

the galleon, a brave and experienced soldier, hurriedly disencumbered

five iron cannon, and, bringing them to bear on the enemy, stood

on the defensive. That action was sufficient to secure his retreat

toward Mariveles; entering the bay, with the loss of a few killed,

he arrived at the port of Cavite and made a report of the occurrence.

This new accident did not depress the brave heart of his Lordship

[the governor]; he ordered that the two strong galleons should be

immediately prepared to go out again, in convoy of this third one. As

promptness was so important in this matter, his Lordship, recognizing

the energy and ability of his sargento-mayor and commander of infantry,

Manuel Estacio Venegas, ordered him to proceed in person to the port

of Cavite to despatch the galleons. This task he performed admirably,

for by his efforts there was accomplished in one week what by other

methods would have seemed much to do in a month.

His Lordship had previously rewarded General Lorenzo de Orella

y Ugalde with one of the best encomiendas in these islands and he

therefore, on this second occasion, appointed Admiral Sebastian Lopez

commander-in-chief of the armada, and Sargento-mayor Don Agustin de

Zepeda admiral--thus rewarding these officers for their achievements in

the first fight by giving them the highest rank in the second one. To

Captain Don Francisco Roxo was given the post of sargento-mayor, and

Captains Salvador Perez and Felipe Camino were placed in command of

the infantry companies on the flagship, and Juan de Mora and Francisco

Lopez Ynoso on the almiranta. An excellent galley was also equipped

with a cannon amidships, carrying a thirty-five pound ball, and small

culverins [moyanas] carrying fourteen-pound balls; it contained also

an infantry company of one hundred picked men. Admiral Francisco

de Esteyvar, commander of his Lordship's company of arquebusiers,

was made commander of this galley. He was a soldier of well known

bravery and experience, and as admiral, a post which he held in these

islands, he showed himself a match for the Dutch, in carrying the

relief to the forts of Terrenate. The galley was also accompanied by

four brigantines of good capacity, well equipped with musketry, and

each carrying a cannon at the prow; Captains Don Juan de Valderrama,

Juan Martinez Capelo, Don Gabriel Miño de Guzman, and Francisco de

Bargas Machuca were respectively in command of these vessels. The

chaplains of the fleet were: on the flagship, two friars of the Order

of St. Dominic; on the almiranta, two of the Order of St. Francis; and

on the galley, one of the order of the glorious St. Augustine. By order

of his Lordship the vow which had been made in the first expedition,

of a magnificent festival to the Virgin of the Rosary, was renewed;

and the devotion was continued of reciting aloud prayers every day,

in concert, all kneeling before the image of that sovereign lady.

On the fifteenth of September the three galleons, "Encarnacion,"

"Rosario," and "San Diego," sailed from the harbor of Cabite,

accompanied by the fleet of oared vessels formed by the galley and the

four brigantines aforesaid. Continuing their voyage, they arrived at

Fortun and saw, toward a point called Calavite, [66] on the island of

Mindoro, three of the enemy's ships under sail. Our brave commander was

glad of the opportunity and at once invited them to fight by firing

a few cannon. The heretics did not dare to measure their forces at

close range with ours; nor was the wind favorable for our galleons

to sail in among those of the enemy. This gallant war was therefore

waged with the artillery of longest range, the conflict lasting from

four o'clock in the afternoon until nine at night. At that hour our

almiranta--either because it was swifter, or because it was carried

on by some current--found itself in the midst of the enemy's three

ships, and fought with them a furious battle, lasting four long

hours--doing considerable damage to the enemy and being itself not a

little injured as to masts, rigging, and sails. Admiral Don Agustin

de Cepeda showed himself, on this occasion, as brave in sustaining

the combat as he was skilful in engaging the enemy. In the thick of

the fight he ordered the artillery to stop firing. The enemy taking

this for a sign of weakness, their vessels came very close to our ship

on both sides, in order to vanquish it; then our almiranta reopened

fire with her artillery on both sides, so vigorously that the enemy,

unable to endure it, basely retreated. As soon as the sun rose, our

flagship bore down upon the enemy and offered fight. But the foe,

who had more need for repairs than desire to fight again, put in at

a place near Calavite point whence he had sailed, among some shoals

where our galleys could not follow.

Our commander then decided to continue the voyage, to furnish an

escort for the galleon "San Diego." But, as it was a recently-built

vessel, and had not yet been tested, it was soon discovered that

it did not answer its helm, or carry its sails well. As, too, the

vendabals had now ended, and the north winds prevailed, which are

unfavorable for a voyage to Nueva España, General Sebastian Lopez,

in accordance with the opinion of a council called for this purpose,

decided that the galleon "San Diego" should put in at Mariveles,

and remain until his Lordship could be informed of the matter and

despatch new orders. The "San Diego," then, anchored off Mariveles,

and our flagship remained outside, held by one anchor, since the

almiranta was carried far to leeward by the currents; and its efforts

to join the flagship were unavailing, for in those places the force

of the currents is irresistible.

The enemy, being on the alert, knew that our vessels were far from

one another; and at daybreak on October 4, the day of the seraphic

patriarch [i.e., St. Francis of Assisi], they bore down on our flagship

with their three ships. The commander gallantly decided not to leave

his station, for, if he did so, the currents would carry him too far

to leeward, as they had the almiranta, and would leave the passage

open for the enemy to attack the galleon "San Diego" (which was

still in sight), and thus deprive us of the glory and satisfaction

of all the previous victories. For this reason he decided to await,

still anchored, the three ships of the enemy, until, coming up with

him, they should begin to attack us; and then, slackening the cable

with a buoy, and unfurling the sails, he began at the same time to

discharge his artillery. Finding himself master of the situation, in

the midst of the three vessels, he fought a hot battle, which lasted

during four long hours--with little damage on our side, since only

four men were killed; while the enemy's loss was so great that, as on

previous occasions, they were obliged to make a dishonorable retreat.

The wind then subsided, and Admiral Francisco de Esteyvar availed

himself of the opportunity to approach the enemy with his galley;

and, pointing his prow against the enemy's stern, opened fire against

them with cannon and culverins, and raked the vessels so furiously

that the enemy regarded themselves as lost and the men attempted

to throw themselves overboard. But soon the sea-breeze arose, and

the enemy lost their fears; and our hope of securing so valuable a

prize vanished. Notwithstanding, the result might be considered very

fortunate, and the exploit so daring that it bordered on rashness--for

it is well known from experience that galleys are in such encounters

exposed to great risk. On this occasion, although the enemy's flagship

was supported by a ship on each side, and all of them were firing

terrible volleys at once, not a single person was killed on our galley,

which seems miraculous. Our commander, seeing that the enemy were

retreating, followed them all that night, with lighted lanterns; but,

as usual, they fled with their lights put out. In this sixth fight, our

arms came out with the same reputation and splendor as in the others.

All these exploits are worthy of great praise, this last one no less

than those preceding, considering the circumstances; and in all these

shines brightly the favor of Heaven toward our people. According to

the estimate made by well informed persons, although we fired, in

these battles, over two thousand cannon-shots, and the enemy over five

thousand, we had only fourteen killed, and comparatively few wounded;

while the enemy, besides the vessels which we sank, arrived at their

forts so damaged, and had lost so many men, that for many a year they

will remember the two stout galleons of Manila. Nor will they forget

the gallantry, courage, and experience, and the excellent arrangements

of their generals, captains, officers and other men who took part

in this fight under orders of the governor and captain-general Don

Diego Faxardo y Chacon, whom God protect.

Thanksgiving [for this victory] was celebrated by a solemn fiesta--a

procession, divine worship, and [a parade of] the squadron, with

other demonstrations--in fulfilment of the vow made to the Virgin of

the Rosary, the city making a new vow to continue this anniversary

every year.

These exploits are all successful, and with them we might have

congratulated ourselves on having maintained our good fortune on

the sea, if our success against the enemy's guns had also marked

our conflict with the elements. The galleon "San Luis," commanded by

General Fernando Lopez Perona, left Acapulco late in the season and

encountered the vendavals so prevalent in these islands that before

land was sighted it passed through fierce tempests, lost its masts,

and finally made the unlucky port of Cagayan. There, driven by the

currents, it struck on the rocks and was torn open at the keel--not

before, however, the commander had placed in safety the men, and the

registered silver (which is the most essential part of the succor

sent), and afterward removed the artillery. Nevertheless, the loss

is great, owing to the lack of vessels on these islands at present,

the many failures [which it occasioned] to business men, and the

lawsuits to which such disasters give rise. It cost no less than

the life of the commander, who died in that same city of Cagayan a

few days after his arrival--giving up his life, as a proof of his

honorable devotion and of his zeal in fulfilling his duties in the

service of the king and the welfare of the colony.

After this event, and after the aforesaid battles and victories,

our armada retired to the port of Cavite for necessary repairs. The

galleons were already in the shipyard when the heretical Corsairs

again appeared on the coast with three ships. They had captured a rich

Chinese vessel of large size; and they thought best not to destroy it,

but to send it to Jacatra intact. Twenty soldiers were placed aboard

it, in charge of an officer, and fifty of the Chinese traders and

mariners who came in it were left to work the ship; while the rest

of the Chinese, with some Indians whom they held as captives, were

set free and put ashore. The Chinese traders who were left on board

managed so well that before they cleared the coast, they seized a

suitable opportunity to turn against the Dutch, and killed them all;

and they brought the vessel to this city, where they were received

with great applause and general satisfaction. And, to crown our joy

more fully, it pleased God that the pirates should depart--either

driven by unfavorable winds or constrained by some other accident--and

leave free passage to the Chinese. They, since December, when this

occurred, until May of 647, the time of this writing, have continued

their voyages to Manila as usual--although with fewer vessels and less

merchandise than formerly, on account of the wars of invasion in that

great monarchy, which has been almost conquered and subdued by the

Eastern Tartars. According to information in letters of February and

March of this year, received in this city from trustworthy persons,

and the statements of the Chinese themselves, who arrive here with

their hair cut in the fashion of the Tartars, the natives offer but

little resistance. [67]

Lavs Deo

By permission: at Manila, in the printing-house of the Society of

Jesus. In the year 1647.

SECOND RELATION

Here is written what occurred at the port of Cabite, and in the

province of Panpanga and other districts on the bay of Manila, with

the Dutch heretics in June and July of this present year, 1647.

By the same author, the presentado father Fray Joseph Fayol,

of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the redemption of captives,

chief chaplain of the royal chapel of the Incarnation and a tertiary

of Manila.

Neither will the reader be satisfied, nor the author fulfil his pledge,

if to the relation of past events be not added the present condition

of affairs. It is an inviolable law for this sort of writings (so says

their rigorous censor Aristarchus the Greek) to follow the thread of

the narrative from one end to the other, from the beginning to the

end. The reader neither will be careful to inquire into the past,

nor to ascertain what is in the present. The earlier relation, then,

was necessarily an obligation to write this second one. In it are

included--but briefly, on account of the necessity of haste in doing

it--the aforesaid occurrences, leaving a more extensive and detailed

account for some one else who shall, on another occasion, after having

seen the end of these naval combats, take the pains to commit these

events to writing, for the information of those who are absent.

Manila and Cavite are prepared, and the Dutch arrive

As the haughty heretic had not shown himself on these coasts during

the months of April and May of this year, some believed that he was so

severely punished, and even weakened, by the encounters and battles of

the previous year, that they declared he would not dare return this

year to molest these islands. But although it may be the fixed rule

of the good soldier always to suppose the worst, Don Diego Faxardo,

governor and captain-general of these islands, with his caution and

long experience, determined that all precautions should be taken as

if it were certain that the enemy would come to Manila this year, and

with a greater force than before. To this end, in the council which

was called for the despatch of the relief ships from Nueva España,

opinions agreed that, for this year, only one vessel should sail; and

order was given that the building of another ship should be completed

as speedily as possible in the shipyard in the islands of Leyte; and

that in the port of Cabite the galleons, galleys, and other vessels

there should be repaired. He ordered his sargento-mayor and commander

of the garrison in Manila, who has in charge the fortifications, to

exert every effort and spare no expense in making the walls of the

city impregnable. The royal cavalier of San Diego, which commands

the bay and that part of the shore which would be most dangerous

[in case of attack], has been finished; it is truly a regal work,

and the largest of its kind that has been seen in these parts. In like

manner the ramparts are going up on both sides [i.e., sea and land],

causing general surprise and admiration that so great a work can be

carried on, without special cost or oppression to the colony, and with

economy of the royal funds. The artillery was brought from Cagayan and

other places, and provisions and ammunition were continually collected

and stored; and finally his Lordship appointed a general, admiral,

and other officers, that he might in any emergency have ready for

immediate use as large a naval force as possible, in order to go out

with it against the enemy. The condition of affairs, limited means,

and lack of supplies, and above all the destitution of the natives in

such calamitous times, prevented his Lordship, as regards the Armada,

from giving to it his close attention. It therefore resulted that

at the beginning of June, although men were at work on all of the

vessels, only one galleon and two galleys were ready. On the ninth

of the said month, the feast of the Holy Spirit [i.e., Pentecost],

the commander of a champan which had gone with an armed guard, to

carry twelve thousand pesos from the royal treasury to the presidio

of Oton for the relief of Terrenate, came to port, and said that he

was fleeing from three vessels of high freeboard which he had sighted

near Luban, and he had fought with their lanches. On the afternoon

of the same day this information was verified, for several vessels

were seen to enter through the channels of Mariveles. His Lordship

ordered that despatches be instantly sent to the alcaldes-mayor and

military officers along the coast, so that they could be on their

guard, and, besides, warn those who were sailing [in those waters],

especially the galleon "Nuestra Señora de Guia," which was on her way

from the Leyte shipyard; and so diligently was this latter commission

executed that the warning thus given enabled that galleon to elude

the enemy. So important is it to have an officer who is faithful and

diligent in carrying out the orders of his commander-in-chief. Two

hundred Spanish infantry belonging to the garrison of this city

marched to the port of Cabite well supplied with gunpowder and other

munitions. With them was General Don Pedro de Almonte Verastegui,

who had been selected for commander of the Armada on account of his

high standing and distinguished services in the highest positions

in these islands; Admiral Don Andres Axcueta, heir to the valor and

services of his father, Master-of-camp Christoval de Axcueta Menchaca,

who went as commander of the troops who were to aid the naval force;

Captain Don Lope de Colindres, commander of the galleon "San Andres;"

Don Pedro de Figueroa, sargento-mayor of the armada; and others,

gentlemen and half-pay officers, who arrived at the port at dawn on

the second day of the festival.

After the sun rose, eleven of the enemy's vessels were seen

half-way up the bay. General Andres Lopez de Azaldiqui was castellan

and chief magistrate of that military post, as also of the royal

galleys. During the past year, when the general public was feeling

least anxiety about enemies his solicitude and care had led him

to construct several defenses which were very important. There

was a palisade of heavy timbers, and a parapet, with earthworks

and gabions, with their platforms, on the side next the bay, which

was the most exposed and defenseless position. Other palisades and

fortifications were constructed in the village of the Indians, and in

other places. Additional sentinels and guards were stationed along the

beach and in the open country. His great prudence was made evident

when, on the said day of the feast, the news arrived, and the ships

of the enemy's fleet began to come in sight. The call to arms was

immediately sounded in the port; the posts and vessels were manned

by Spanish infantry, and the shore, from San Roque to what is called

Estançuela, by Japanese and Indians, as assistants to the Spaniards;

and a patrol was formed of horsemen who were hastily summoned from

the neighboring ranches.

Battle of Cabite, and other events up to the time when the armada

was divided

Between nine and ten o'clock in the morning the heretics, leaving

two ships to guard the entrances of Mariveles, proceeded with the

nine others to the port of Cabite. Between ten and eleven o'clock

they arrived within a gunshot of the land, the drums beating on the

flagship, and the entire squadron making a fine display. Seeing the

enemy within range, it was thought best to favor him with some shots,

which were fired from the towers and platforms near by. The shots

must have taken effect, for the flagship turned away, and directed

its course seaward; and it fired a single cannon-shot--apparently to

summon a patache which, going somewhat ahead, approached the shore,

sounding the port and reconnoitering the vessels. The enemy went on

to Pampanga, where they amused themselves until the following day,

the last of the festival; then they returned to Cabite with ten

ships. At nine o'clock in the evening, they anchored off the point

called Punta del Sangley, at a legua from shore. When the moon had

almost set an attempt was made by the enemy to reconnoiter the coast

in that quarter with three lanchas; but the sentinels and patrols, who

were forewarned, did not permit this. That night the fortifications

were strengthened, two platforms were added, and other desirable

precautionary and defensive measures were taken.

On Wednesday morning, June 12, the ten vessels and a champan were

anchored in the same place; and at eight o'clock, two others appeared,

coming under full sail from Mariveles. As soon as these were close to

the enemy, the flagship weighed anchor, and the entire squadron sailed

after it in line, making a beautiful sight, until they came within

gunshot of the port, and abreast of the tower on the new gate, where

a white flag with the royal arms was displayed; the flagship lowered

its flag and maintopsail to half mast, and hoisted it again to the

sound of drums and fifes. The fight at once began with the discharge

of artillery from this tower, which was in charge of Sargento-mayor

Don Pedro de Figueroa. The enemy responded with a furious volley,

and boldly venturing into the harbor, anchored their six largest

vessels at a suitable distance for bombarding our vessels, forts,

and settlement; the other six vessels, with their sails trimmed to

the wind, sailed to and fro, briskly skirmishing. Both sides fought

sharply and incessantly, for eight hours, from eleven o'clock until

almost seven in the evening. According to the count of our captain of

artillery, one thousand eight hundred cannon-shots were fired by our

side, and by the enemy over three thousand. Our fire was effective,

for two Dutch prisoners, who were on the enemy's flagship during the

battle, deposed that the ship was struck by over one hundred and

twenty balls, some of them piercing the hull through and through;

others struck at the water-line, making so large a hole that it was

necessary to get assistance from the other vessels to repair the

damage. It is considered certain that if the flagship had not been

anchored--and even run aground, as many say--she would have gone to the

bottom. As many as thirty men were killed on that ship. If this vessel,

which is the strongest in the whole squadron, and best equipped with

guns--carrying twenty-four cannon, in two tiers, on each side--was

so badly damaged, from this it may be inferred the loss to the other

ships, as compared with this one. The champan which accompanied the

enemy's ships was a fireship, intended to set fire to our squadron. It

approached very near ours, so that we heard their talk; and we noticed

some unbecoming actions, with which they enraged us. But soon their

insolence was repaid, one of the cannon-balls hitting their ship and

kindling the fire-devices that it contained, which consumed it without

doing any harm to our vessels. The balls discharged by the enemy were

so numerous, that they fell like hailstones; they weighed thirty or

thirty-five libras, and from that down--some were of forty libras,

but the greater number of ten or twelve, besides bar-shot, cylinders,

and lanternas [fireballs?]; and it seems a miracle that they caused

us so little damage.

Our galleon "San Diego," which carried the colors as flagship, and

faced the enemy, received over two hundred cannon-balls, but not one

penetrated her hull, and only two men were killed--one a Spaniard, on

the poop; and the other an Indian, in the ship's waist. The commodore's

galley was hit more than thirty times, but only one Spanish soldier

and seven galley-slaves were killed; the second galley lost two men,

and the other vessel at a similar rate. Almost every roof on house

and church, in the Spanish town, was damaged, and many shots took

effect on the cathedral. One, an eighteen-libra ball, went through

the main entrance, and hit a pillar of the large chapel, passing

over the head of a child, who fortunately remained uninjured. In

the convent of St. Francis over thirty balls were picked up; in

that of St. Dominic, six; in the residence of the Society of Jesus,

nine; in the government storehouses, seventy-four. Notwithstanding,

there was not in any house, convent, or church a single person killed

or wounded; and the entire number of killed and injured in all the

vessels and military posts during this engagement, did not exceed

five Spaniards and four Indians killed, and eight Spaniards and one

Indian wounded, who all together did not equal the number of killed

on the enemy's flagship alone. [68] This good fortune was due, in the

first place, to the mercy and protection of heaven, besought by the

prayers and supplications offered in all of the churches--in Cabite,

the city of Manila, and other places all along this bay from which

the battle could be seen and heard--while the blessed sacrament was

exposed. In the second place, to the promptness and speed with which,

by the orders of his Lordship and the energy of the sargento-mayor

and garrison commander, Manuel Estacio Vanegas, reënforcements [and

supplies] were sent from Manila. Much also was due to the excellent

arrangements, the courage, and personal supervision of everything by

the governor of the military post, General Andres Lopez de Azaldigui;

also to the bravery, spirit, gallantry, and military experience of

the chiefs and captains in charge of the different posts: General Don

Pedro de Almonte, as commander of the armada--the vessels on sea,

and the Arsenal on shore; Admiral Don Andres Axcueta, in command

of the galleon "San Diego," which displayed the colors as flagship;

Sargento-mayor Don Pedro de Figueroa, Captain Don Lope de Colindres,

and other captains and officers in charge of the ramparts, towers, and

bastions. Especially [praise is due] to the commander of the principal

fortress, San Felipe, over which floated the royal standard of red

damask; this was the target for innumerable shots, and, although

some perforated it, none were able to tear it down--a sign that

the victory was to remain with us. The result was, that the enemy,

who about noon had entered the harbor so daringly, were constrained

to retire at midnight. The next day was begun, on our side, with six

cannon-shots, but the enemy did not accept our challenge, and sailed

out of the range of our forts--many lanchas carrying succor to the

flagship, from which may be inferred the great injury that it had

sustained. It is considered certain that the enemy would have retired

within a few hours after the commencement of the battle, had the

tide been favorable to the three largest vessels. During the battle,

a reënforcement of one hundred and fifty infantry, a few pieces of

artillery, and a large supply of powder were despatched from Manila;

and with these went several prominent persons who asked that they

might be present at the scene of battle.

It was considered a special favor from heaven that at the height of

the conflict, when all the enemy's ships were off Cabite, one of

our pataches, in command of Admiral Luis Alonso de Roa, which was

coming from the kingdom of Camboja--whither Don Luis had gone as an

envoy, in regard to establishing there a plant for building ships, and

conveying to it provisions and other supplies--entered the bay through

the smaller channel of Mariveles, and reached a place of safety.

On the day after the battle, which was Thursday, June 13, the

enemy was still in the bay of Maribeles and Batan; and in the

afternoon they approached the island, and landed their men. They

burned the sentry-post, which is situated on the highest point, and

established themselves in the corregidor's house and in the huts of

the Indians. Then, with the aid of the vendaval, they [brought up and]

repaired two of their vessels which had come with most damage out of

the fight.

On Friday morning three of the vessels set sail, and, landing at

a place called Rio de Cañas, sent a crowd of people ashore. These

proceeded to the huts of some Sangleys who were making salt, intending

to seize some fresh food, and especially some of the cattle which

wander about those shores. But the chief commander at Cabite,

being informed of what the enemy were doing, quickly despatched

a hundred Spanish infantry, in command of Don Marcos de Zapalá,

alcalde-in-ordinary of this city, and seventy horsemen with Captain

Christoval Velazquez y Lorenzana--who, although they were not so

fortunate as to encounter the enemy, compelled them to embark in

haste. This they did in seven lanchas and two long-boats abandoning

on the shore one of the cattle which they had killed (which were

only two).

On Saturday, the boatmen on the Cabite ferry brought in a Dutch lancha

of large size, and with a mast, which was dragging its anchor about

the bay. On Tuesday, the eighteenth, two ships appeared at Punta del

Sangley at daylight, I know not with what design; but at eight o'clock

in the morning they proceeded to Bantan. On Wednesday, the nineteenth,

at four o'clock in the afternoon, the entire squadron assembled at

the small channel of Maribeles, and after firing a cannon at seven

o'clock in the evening, when the moon rose, all the twelve vessels,

four of them with lighted lanterns, weighed anchor, and sailed away

through the large channel. Then they separated, six taking their

course toward the shipyard of Mindoro, and the other six, returning

on the very morning of Corpus Christi, entered the bay, and dropped

anchor in the same place from which they had sailed.

Events which took place in Abucay and Samal, province of Pampanga

On Saturday, the twenty-second, at daybreak, the enemy appeared

close in shore off Abucay, the principal village in the province

of Pampanga. This village has a very costly substantial church and

convent, built of stone, in sight of the sea, belonging to the fathers

of St. Dominic. His Lordship the governor and captain-general, being

informed of this, and foreseeing the damage which might result if the

enemy should land there, ordered the alcalde-mayor of the province

to fortify the church and thwart the designs of the enemy, with the

assistance of the resident Spaniards and natives of Pampanga, who had

proved their bravery so well on all occasions. He also sent an adjutant

and other men from this city to aid them, and directed that the money,

which had been removed from a champan belonging to Chinese traders

and placed in the church to prevent it from falling in the hands of

the enemy, should be put in a safe place or be forwarded to this city.

Although the alcalde-mayor [69] had come to these islands as a

captain of infantry, he could not have been so good a soldier as he

was a trader, nor so brave in spirit as great in stature. He replied

that the place was better fortified than La Rochelle, and that if the

heretics landed there none would be left to carry the tidings back to

the vessels. He left that place on Friday, the twenty-first, leaving

there one hundred and fifty Pampango soldiers and five Spaniards,

all in command of Don Pedro Gamboa, a retired master-of-camp of the

Pampanga nation. The following day, Saturday, the six Dutch ships

came in sight off Abucay, with as many more lanchas, and sent ashore

an officer with as many as one hundred and thirty men. They entered

the village boldly, by the bridge from the landing-place, and,

firing their guns, approached the gates of the church and convent;

but they were repulsed by our men so successfully that they took to

flight. They left in the court three men dead, with some firearms;

and they retreated so hastily that they jumped into the water with

their clothes and shoes on. At the same time when this was occurring

in Abucay, they also attacked Samal, the second village of the same

province, with three other lanchas, but with no better fortune; for,

when they reached the village, hardly had they set fire to the huts

in the outskirts when they were repulsed, with the same courage as at

Abucay. As soon as the enemy had gone, the master-of-camp destroyed the

bridge across a small river, over which it is necessary to cross from

the beach to the convent. He then sent a despatch to the alcalde-mayor

of the province telling what had occurred, and that it was presumed

that the pirates would return to the attack with a larger force. The

alcalde-mayor was in another village, collecting soldiers to send to

the relief of Manila; but he reached Abucay that very night, with

the recruits whom he already had and some whom he had secured from

other places. He held a consultation with the Pampango commanders

as to the measures to be taken in case the enemy should return. All

were of opinion that the convent should be fortified, and a sufficient

number of men stationed therein to defend it, and that the body of the

troops should await the Dutch in the field; and that at the landing,

at the ford of the stream, and in other places suitable for ambuscades,

they should inflict all the damage possible on the enemy. But the

alcalde thought that they should avoid shutting up themselves in the

convent so that they might be able to flee to the woods if pressed

by the enemy; accordingly, he did not submit to their opinion, and

the only defense that he made was to lock the gates of the buildings.

The Dutch commander piqued at the retreat, and the loss of his men,

and, it is supposed, having received information through a negro and

some Sangley fishermen that the money belonging to the traders of

the Chinese vessel which had escaped him, was concealed in the said

church, would not entrust the exploit [of seizing the money] to any

one but himself. On the following day, Sunday, he appeared at dawn

on the beach, with all of his lanchas and in view of all our men who

were inside the convent; and landed with as many as four hundred men,

and two pieces of field artillery, displaying seven ensigns. Without

meeting any opposition they marched, in order, to the stream and the

little bridge which had been destroyed by the Pampangos. The water was

deep; so, seizing some small boats belonging to the natives, which they

easily found, they coolly transported their men and guns. Our Pampangos

were burning to go forth to attack them, and were so impatient that,

had they not been restrained by their innate loyalty, they would have

turned against the alcalde.

After crossing the river, the general marched his troop in regular

files until he came near the court [patio] of the church, which

was of stone, and very suitable for defensive and even offensive

warfare. Here he halted; but quickly observing how feeble was its

defense, he entered the court, halted in front of the main entrance

of the church, and fired his artillery against it. But as his guns

were small, and the gates very strong, he could accomplish no more

than to splinter off a piece, making a hole through which one could

hardly thrust a hand. Meanwhile, there were volleys on both sides from

the muskets and arquebuses. The alcalde remained in the highest part

of the convent; a Pampango fell dead near him, and when he saw the

latter's blood, his own immediately ran cold. When he was told that

the powder would soon give out--which was quite true, for he had not

brought for this occasion all that had been sent from Manila--he left

his post, under pretext of going to consult two religious of that

convent (who were in retreat in the farthest cell, praying to God

for our success), and never returned to see what was going on; but

he discussed with the religious the desirability of displaying a flag

of truce, in order to negotiate [with the enemy] for saving our lives.

Among those in the convent were the principal men of all Pampanga,

many of them veteran soldiers of long experience in Terrenate. They

told the alcalde that our forces were superior in number to those of

the enemy; that on various occasions they had shown themselves equal

to the foe, and did not acknowledge him as their superior on land;

and that when their ammunition and weapons were exhausted they would

hurl themselves against him tooth and nail, and die like good soldiers,

fighting in the service of God and the king. They declared that they

would not consider a flag of peace, which would serve to encourage

the enemy and deliver them all into his hands.

The religious (who could have prevented what was done) supported

the opinion of the alcalde, and even tried to use their authority as

ministers to compel the Pampangos to agree with it; and, in spite of

the objections made by the Indians, they finally hung out a peace-flag

from one of the windows. The Dutch general was greatly delighted, and

promised favorable terms. One of the religious, accompanied by the

Spanish adjutant who was there, descended, and conversed for a long

time with the general. While this parley was going on, the Dutchmen

did not cease to try the other doors and windows of the convent, in

order to effect an entrance; nor did the Pampangos discontinue their

resistance, wounding and killing many of the enemy. The general,

irritated at this, and noticing that one of his men had scaled the

convent wall by means of a workmen's scaffolding, and entering,

had rung the bells as a signal of victory, said that this was no

time for treating of peace; and seizing in the crowd the negotiators

as prisoners, he commanded a renewal of hostilities, and ordered his

men to enter the church and convent on all sides. The bravest and most

prominent Pampangos defended themselves gallantly, refusing to hear any

talk of surrender to a heretical prince, although the Dutch promised

to spare their lives if they would do so. But as their weapons were

inferior [to the enemy's] and their powder had been exhausted, the

Pampangos were finally defeated; nearly two hundred were barbarously

put to death, and forty others together with the alcalde and the

other religious [70] who was in the convent, were taken prisoners.

To make matters worse for us and fortunate for the heretics, there

was not lacking an informer, who disclosed to the enemy the silver

from the Sangley ship, which had been hidden in a deep hole; the

Dutch carried it away, to the amount of twenty thousand pesos. They

burned the convent, and the woodwork of the church, but the fire did

not extend to the altar; and they retreated to their lanchas on the

same day, without sacking the village.

At the same time, another but smaller body of their troops attacked

the village of Samal; but the Pampangos who were in garrison there,

under command of Sargento-mayor Don Alexo Aguas, went out against

them and compelled them to retreat, as those in Abucay would have

done if the religious and the alcalde had allowed them to fight.

When the news of this affair reached Manila, it aroused unspeakable

resentment; and prompt measures were taken to avenge it. Large

reënforcements of men and ammunition were despatched under General

Juan de Chavez, a soldier of the courage and ability which the

occasion demanded.

The Order of St. Augustine--which maintains all the religious

ministries of Pampanga except the two at Abucay and Samal, which,

however, belong to the actual ministers of the province--was charged

to send thither other religious, of unexceptionable character. As

such, went the father master Fray Alonso de Caravajal (who was

formerly provincial), and the present prior of the Manila convent,

the father preacher Fray Diego de Tamayo. These with their discretion

and zeal, and the long experience and general popularity which they

had in that province, undertook to give it consolation. As a result,

in less than four days six hundred soldiers had been recruited to

oppose the enemy if they should return to make another attack--which,

in fact, was made on Thursday, July 11. The enemy placed in the field

two hundred and fifty men, in command of the fiscal, who in rank is

third in the armada, to pillage the village of Abucay, and kill the

cattle and swine which are usually kept there.

General Juan de Chavez, who was fortified in Samal, was informed

of the attack, and despatched ahead a troop under Captain Francisco

Gomez Pulido, while he followed with the remainder of his men. They

found the enemy in the village, pillaging the houses and killing the

cattle. Our General opened fire, and made the enemy retreat toward

the church; Captain Francisco Gomez Pulido, with the force under his

command, went across the fields by another road, and the heretics

were so taken by surprise that they turned their backs and fled to

their lanchas. At the same time Adjutant Francisco Palmares arrived

on the beach with another detachment of troops from another post,

and attacked the enemy, compelling them to return to their boats

through water that reached their mouths; they left fourteen dead and

two prisoners on shore. The number of killed and wounded by the time

they reached their vessels is unknown, but it was doubtless great.

This good fortune, and the grants and favors conferred by the governor,

in the name of his Majesty, on the widows and orphans of the Pampango

chiefs, who had lost their lives, have somewhat mitigated the sorrow

and suffering caused by the late disaster. In order that pious feeling

should find an opportunity for expression, solemn funeral rites were

celebrated in the royal chapel, by his Lordship's orders, for the dead

Pampangos, at which all the Spanish and Pampango troops were present,

under command of their master-of-camp, Don Sebastian de Guzman. The

Order of St. Augustine, as the [religious] mother of that people,

performed the same rites in the convent at Manila, and in all of the

others throughout their province.

Information and statements made by the prisoners of the enemy's fleet

Through the said two Dutch prisoners was obtained all information

that we desired of the enemy's fleet. These men declared that they

had sailed from Jacatra in Batabia, early in March, having been

despatched by Cornelio Fandelin, [71] governor of that place, under

command of General Martin Gercen [Gertzen?] a Frisian by birth; and

that the fleet consisted of thirteen vessels, one of which was lost

on the voyage. The voyage lasted three months, and they halted only at

Pulolaor for provisions. As for the size of the ships, the flagship is

a vessel of seven hundred toneladas; the ships of the admiral, fiscal,

and sub-fiscal, of eight hundred; and the others from three hundred to

four hundred; and the pataches from sixty to one hundred toneladas. The

flagship carries forty-eight guns: eighteen of these are of bronze,

carrying balls of eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty-six libras;

the others are of iron, with balls of nine to fifteen libras. The

almiranta, and the ships of the fiscal and sub-fiscal carried forty,

thirty-eight, and thirty-six guns respectively, some of bronze, with

balls of twenty-four libras or less. The four other ships carried

thirty-libra cannon. The guns on the pataches, some of bronze,

carried balls of eighteen to twenty libras. The flagship was also

supplied with many devices for using fire, with a German inventor

who manufactures them, so that on occasion these could be placed in

some one of their smaller vessels, in order to burn our fleet. The

flagship left Batabia with two hundred and twenty men, all white, of

various European nations, unmixed with men from any of the peoples

in these regions; the almiranta and the fiscal's ship carried each

two hundred and ten, and the sub-fiscal's two hundred; the other

vessels seventy or eighty each. The flagship had already lost from

its quota seventy men, and the other vessels proportionately, many

having been killed in the fight at Cabite and in other engagements;

moreover, there is a disease, known as Verber [i.e., beri-beri],

which is now prevalent throughout the fleet, by which most of the

men have been attacked. The orders carried by the Dutch ships are, to

capture the vessels coming from Nueva España and prevent the voyage

of those that must go to that kingdom for aid. They were also to

ascertain, at the same time, the condition in which these fortified

posts are, so that they can prepare for a larger fleet to follow in

the succeeding year. It was said that he who will come in that fleet

as commander is Antonio Can [i.e., Caan], former governor of Malayo,

who had come last year from Olanda, and now is in Jacatra as second

in command at that place. The season here will be favorable to them,

as the monsoon will give them time [enough], and their provisions

will hold out; and within a month four of the said ships will set out

for the kingdom of Japon, with merchandise which they are carrying,

and will go with the proceeds to the kingdom of Siam. Such is the

information which the prisoners have thus far given us regarding the

Dutch armada; and it is confirmed from other sources. [72]

Our armada at present is composed of three large galleons and one of

medium size, two pataches, and two galleys, with other oared vessels

of less size. All hands are at work on it, without any cessation--with

eager desires and no less assured hopes, under God's favor, whose cause

this is, of gaining success and good fortune against the heretical

and rebel squadron.

Nor can my unskilful pen rightly deny the glory of such a victory, as

of all the rest that has been thus far accomplished and is mentioned

above, to the prime mover of all the influences and actions of this

government--the sargento-mayor and governor of this garrison, Manuel

Estacio Venegas, one of the old and prominent citizens of this city,

and a brave son of the royal army at Granada. He was chosen by Don

Diego Faxardo for these and greater undertakings on account of his

honorable, successful, and extraordinary services of thirty-four

years in this region in the royal armadas of galleons and galleys,

on the Northern Sea and in these islands. In military service, he

was sargento, alférez, and captain of infantry; and in political

affairs he served as regidor of this city, and as chancellor and

registrar of the royal Audiencia--in which latter post his Lordship

found him, filling it with approval and distinction, as is well known

to all this kingdom. The victories and successes described in these

relations are due to his unwearied personal efforts in sending out

troops and supplies, and to his thorough understanding and excellent

arrangements of all matters. His courage and dexterity in difficulties

and hindrances, his subordination and military obedience, and execution

of orders given by his superiors, [are all worthy of praise]; for ever

since his Lordship placed in his charge the office of sargento-mayor,

there have been few nights which he has not passed in the guardroom,

or making the round of the city and its walls.

It fell to his lot to destroy such parts of the fortifications as

appeared inadequate for the defense of this post and he strengthened

the walls with new ones which, it has been said, are without doubt

impregnable. I know not which to admire most, the strength of the

fortification, or the rapidity with which the work was performed,

without any burden or injury [to the people].

The thorough knowledge which he had of all his officers was doubtless

the reason for the wise and fortunate selection that he made in naming

to his Lordship, the year before, the leaders who were best qualified

for positions of authority in the armadas--through which he obtained

the so glorious results which we have described, providing the fleets

with all that was necessary to gain success. The rapidity with which

he carried on the work was sufficient to make ready [for battle]

anew the two galleons "Encarnacion" and "Rosario" in one single week,

in order that they might convoy the galleon "San Diego;" they gained

the third victory, which was the complement of the others that were

gained the year before.

All this being known to his Lordship, as soon as the news came this

year of the enemy's armada he gave the sargento-mayor full and adequate

commission to arrange and order everything as should appear best to

him, in order not to delay sending aid, as occasion might demand,

not only at the storehouses but in the provinces--to which he sent

supplies with the promptness which the case required. Thus the islands

have been freed, on land and sea, from the attacks of the enemy, and

the vessels which have come to us from other lands have made port in

safety--thoroughly frustrating the designs of the heretics. This was

especially the case in the attack on Abucay, where the sargento-mayor

sent very opportune aid of men and ammunition--so greatly to the

satisfaction of the alcalde-mayor, Diego Antonio, that he wrote to

him that all was done very promptly, and he was expecting to achieve

some great exploit. If the alcalde had carried out this promise,

as he could have done, or at least had allowed the brave Pampangos

to fight, neither would the above-related defeat have occurred,

nor would the enemy have obtained any results from their attack.

However, by promptly despatching General Juan de Chaves, his vigilance

and skill were able to harass the heretics--much to their own cost,

as it was not lack of foresight, but the little military exercise in

the commander of that province, which occasioned that defeat. Finally,

through the sargento-mayor's vigilance and care, and the valor of the

generals and chiefs, much has been, and we hope will be, accomplished

in these islands for the success of our arms and the reputation of

this military post--which is so destitute of aid, as being remote

from his Majesty, whom may God protect.

Printed with permission, at Manila, in the printing-house of the

Society of Jesus, in the year 1647.

DECREE REGARDING MISSIONARIES

The King. To Don Diego Fajardo, knight of the Order of Santiago,

member of my Council of War, and my governor and captain-general of

the Filipinas Islands: In a clause of the letter which you wrote to

me on the fifteenth of August in the past year of six hundred and

forty-five, you say that the bishop-elect of Caceres is bringing

suit against the religious of St. Francis in regard to some mission

stations which those religious have held for the past thirty years

and more; that he has asked you to aid him in taking possession of

them; and that you have delayed doing so until you could report

to me that in those islands the Indian natives are much better

instructed by the religious than by the secular priests--considering

that the latter are born in the islands, and are but few in number;

and that many of them are by their habit of life not fitted to set an

example for others, or [to carry out] what is decreed for the other

parts of the Yndias. In regard to the missions, there are in those

islands especial reasons why I should order this matter to be again

considered, on account of not having secular priests of more approved

life for the new conversions and doctrines; for since the natives of

those islands have been instructed from the beginning by religious,

they are more obedient to these. This matter having been examined

in my royal Council of the Yndias, together with the opinion thereon

of my fiscal of the Council, I have deemed it best to tell you that,

in regard to the point of furnishing aid [to the bishop], it is your

duty to consider what course you ought to pursue conformably to [the

requirements of] justice, and whether it would be just to grant him

aid according to law. You shall act accordingly in this, and in other

matters that may arise in which it may be expedient to grant aid. In

what concerns those missions which the religious may hold, you shall

observe what has been ordained by the decrees and orders that have been

issued on account of this, in all cases giving careful attention to

[the requirements] of my royal patronage, without making any change in

what has been commanded and decided in the matter. Dated at Madrid,

on the seventeenth of September in the year one thousand six hundred

and forty-seven.

I the King

By command of the king our sovereign: Juan Bauptista Saenz Navarrete

Signed by the members of the Council.

EARLY FRANCISCAN MISSIONS

Entrance of the seraphic order of our father St. Francis into

the Philipinas Islands

His sacred Majesty our king and sovereign Philipo Second was pleased,

through his most Christian and Catholic zeal, to establish this kingdom

of Philipinas and plant herein the evangelical doctrine by means of

the religious of our seraphic father St. Francis. For this purpose his

Majesty sent father Fray Pedro de Alfaro with seventeen religious, sons

of the province of San Joseph, of the discalced religious. Thirteen

of them were priests, two were choristers and two lay-brothers. Six

religious died on the voyage, but they were joined by six more in

México, and they entered Manila August 2, 1577. They were lodged in a

bamboo house, where the marshal Gabriel de Ribera built a church of

planks. Father Fray Pedro de Alfaro began his ministry immediately

by assigning his associates to all the provinces of this kingdom;

and they, inducing the Indians to come from the rugged mountains and

reducing them to settlements, baptized them and instructed them in

the mysteries of our holy faith, and erected churches and laid out

villages. At present the province has charge of fifty-two villages

in these islands, as follows.

Province of Tagalos

1. The convent of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria of Dilao, which

the dean, Don Francisco de Arellano, founded at his own cost, with a

church and house of stone. It is located outside the walls of the city

of Manila. It has 300 tributes, which makes a total of 1,200 persons

of all ages. Japanese Christians are ministered to in that convent,

and have their own Japanese minister who has charge of them. Four

religious live in that convent constantly.

2. Three quarters of a legua up the river from Manila is the convent of

Nuestra Señora de Loreto of San Páloc [i.e., Sampaloc], with a stone

church and house. It was founded at his own cost by Master-of-camp

Pedro de Gómez. It has a visita located one-half legua distant from

it. Two hundred tributes are administered there, who amount in all

to 800 persons of all ages. One father lives there.

3. One legua up stream from that convent is the convent of Santa Ana

of Sapa, with a stone church and house, which was built by Admiral

Juan Pardo de Losada at his own cost. It has 200 tributes, or 800

souls of all ages, and one religious lives there.

4. In the jurisdiction of Bulacán, the convent of San Diego of Polo,

with a stone church and house. It has 300 tributes, or 1,200 persons

of all ages. Some Christian Sangley farmers are ministered to there,

and two religious live in that convent all the time.

5. One legua farther on is the convent of San Francisco of Micauayan,

which has a visita in the mountains. It has 130 tributes or 600

persons of all ages, and one religious lives there.

6. Two leguas farther on is the convent of San Martín of Bocaui,

with a stone church and a wooden house. It has two visitas, and has

150 tributes or 700 persons. One religious lives there.

7. At the entrance of the lake of Bay is located the convent of

Santa Ursula of Binangonan, which has 80 tributes or 150 persons. One

religious lives there, and its church and house are of stone, which

were built from various alms.

8. Three leguas farther on is the convent of San Gerónimo of Moron. It

has 122 tributes, or 400 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and it has one religious.

9. One legua farther on is the convent of San Ildefonso of Tanay,

with 100 tributes, or 340 persons. Its church and house are bamboo,

and one religious lives there.

10. One-half legua farther on is the convent of Santa María Magdalena

of Pililla, which has 300 tributes, or 1,200 persons. Its church and

house are built of planks, and one religious lives there.

11. In the district of the lake is located the convent of San

Antonio de Pila, with 200 tributes, or about 800 persons. Its church

is of stone, and its house of wood. It has two religious, and one

lay-religious who acts as a nurse; for that is the place where the

sick religious of the district are treated.

12. Two leguas thence by water is the convent of Santa Cruz, with

150 tributes, or 600 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and one religious lives there.

13. One legua thence by water is the convent of our father San

Francisco of Luonbang. It has 500 tributes, or 2,000 persons. Its

church and house are of stone, and it has three visitas. Two religious

live there all the time.

14. One and one-half leguas thence is the convent of Sanctiago of

Payte, with three visitas. It has 448 tributes, or 1,600 persons. The

church and house which are being built are of stone. Two religious

live there.

15. One legua thence by sea is the convent of La Natividad of Pangil,

with 460 tributes, or 1,800 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and two religious live there.

16. One legua thence by sea is the convent of San Pedro of Siniloan,

with 130 tributes, or 450 persons. Its church and house are of bamboo,

and one religious lives there.

17. One and one-half leguas thence is the convent of Santa María of

Mabitac, with 200 tributes, or 800 persons. Its church and house are

of stone, and one religious lives there.

18. Two leguas thence is the convent of Santa María of Cabooan,

with 120 tributes; or 450 persons. One religious lives there.

19. Ascending to the mountains through the district of Pila, is

found the convent of San Bartolomé of Nacarlán, with 700 tributes, or

2,800 persons. The convent and house are of stone, and two religious

live there.

20. One legua thence is the convent of San Juan Bautista of Lillo,

with 300 tributes, or 1,200 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and it has two religious.

21. Two leguas thence is the convent of San Gregorio of Mahayhay,

with 1,000 tributes, or 4,000 persons. Its church and house are of

stone, and two religious and a few convalescents live there.

22. Four leguas up in the mountains is the convent of San Salvador

of Cavinte, with 120 tributes, or 450 persons. Its church and house

are of planks, and two religious live there.

23. Three leguas east is the convent of San Luis of Luchán, with

400 tributes, or 1,600 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and it has two religious.

24. Four leguas thence is the convent of San Miguel of Tayabas, with

500 tributes, or 2,000 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and two religious live there.

25. One legua thence is the convent of Santa Clara of Sadyaya, with

100 tributes, or 380 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and it has one religious.

26. Along the seacoast is the convent of Santa Buenabéntura of Mahubán,

with 200 tributes, or 800 persons. Its church and house are built of

bamboo, because the former ones were burned by the Dutch enemy. It

has two religious.

27. Ten leguas thence by sea is the convent of San Marcos of

Binangonan, with 120 tributes, or 400 persons. It has one visita, at a

distance of 8 leguas by the sea and ten by land. It has one religious.

28. Thirty leguas by sea is the convent of San Luis of Baler, with

300 tributes, or 1,200 persons. Its church and house are of wood,

and two religious live there.

29. Twenty-four leguas by sea is the convent of Casiguran, of San

Antonio, with 320 tributes, or 1,200 persons. Its church and house

are of bamboo, and one religious lives there; for his associate lives

at a visita called Palanan, which has 250 tributes, or 700 persons.

30. On the other side of Maubán, toward the province of Camarines, and

six leguas by sea, is the convent of Antimonan, with 250 tributes, or

1,000 persons. Its church and house are of bamboo, for the former ones

were twice burned by the Dutch enemy. One religious lives there. [The

following seems to have been added later:] Now it is all stone,

and the best in the province.

31. Eight leguas by sea is the convent of San Diego of Gumaca, with

200 tributes, or 800 persons. Its church and house are of bamboo as

the former ones were burned by the Dutch enemy. It has one religious.

32. Ten leguas by sea is the convent of Santa Lucía of Capalongan,

with 100 tributes or 400 persons. Its church and house are of bamboo,

as the former ones were burned by the Dutch. One religious lives there.

33. Twelve leguas thence is the convent of La Purificación, of

Paracali, with 200 tributes, or 800 persons. Its church and house

are of bamboo, as the former ones were burned by the Dutch enemy.

34. The chief convent of Manila, of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles,

has twenty-five religious continually--ten of whom are priests, and

the others choristers and lay-brothers--for the proper administration

of the convent. They are supported by alms from the city, except as

regards the vestments, medicine, fowls, clothing for the sick, wine

for the mass, and oil for the lamps, which is the alms given by his

Majesty (may God preserve him).

35. The convent of San Diego of Cavite (a communal convent) has

four religious, and one nurse who attends through charity to the

sailors and natives who work at shipbuilding. It has no ministry,

and is supported by alms.

Province of Camarines

1. In the city of [Nueva] Cáçeres is the convent of Nuestro Padre

San Francisco, which is communal and administers the part of the city

called Naga. It has 150 tributes, or 600 persons. It also administers

the village of Canaman and that of Milanix. The village of Canaman

has 400 tributes, or 1,500 Christians. One religious lives there who

is subject to Naga. The village of Milanix is two leguas thence, and

has 303 tributes, or 1,200 persons. There are generally four priests

and two religious lay-brothers for the hospital in the convent of Naga.

2. The convent of Indar, which is six leguas by sea from Paracali,

has 400 tributes or 1,800 persons. It has a visita up stream. Its

church and house are of plank, and two religious live there.

3. Two leguas [thence] by land is the convent of San Juan Bautista

of Dait, which, together with a visita that it possesses, has 300

tributes, or 1,200 persons. It has a church and house of plank,

and one religious lives there.

4. Eight leguas [thence] by sea is the convent of Santiago of Ligmanan,

with 200 tributes, or 800 persons. It has a stone church and house,

and one religious lives there.

5. Four leguas [thence] by sea and land is the convent of Nuestra

Señora of Quipayo, which, with three visitas, has 600 tributes, or

2,400 persons. Its church and house are built of brick, and it is

administered by two religious.

6. On the other side of [Nueva] Cáçeres (or Naga), toward the main

part of the province and three leguas up the river, is the convent of

Minalana, with 360 tributes, or 1,300 persons. Its church and house

are of plank, and it is administered by one religious.

7. Six leguas [thence] is the convent of Santa María Magdalena of Bula,

which, with one visita, has 250 tributes, or 900 persons. Its church

and house are of plank, and it is administered by one religious.

8. Three leguas [thence] is the convent of Santa Cruz of Nabua,

with 600 tributes, besides some Negrillos who come down from the

mountains. The tributes of the mission alone amount to more than 2,400

persons. The church and house are of wood, and it is administered by

two religious.

9. One legua [thence] is the convent of San Antonio of Iraga, with

460 tributes, or 1,600 persons. Its church and house are of wood,

and it is administered by one religious.

10. Three leguas [thence] is the convent of Nuestro Padre San Francisco

of Buy, with 200 tributes, or 800 persons. Its church and house are

of wood, and it is administered by one religious.

11. Six leguas [thence] is the convent of Santiago of Libón, with

300 tributes, or 1,200 persons. Its church and house are of brick,

and it is administered by one religious.

12. One legua [thence] is the convent of San Pedro of Polangui, with

300 tributes, or 1,400 persons. Its church and house are of stone,

and it is administered by one religious.

13. One legua [thence] is the convent of San Miguel of Oasque, with

one visita. It has 600 tributes, or 2,500 persons. Its church and

house are of stone, and it is administered by one religious.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 35, 1640-1649 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century · 第 7 / 8 章

All this occurred in that night; at dawn on the following morning,