PREFACE

The present volume (1638-40) is largely occupied with the annals

of those years, and the hostilities of the Moro pirates. This

period is a troublous one; "wars and rumors of wars," conspiracies

(among both Chinese and natives), storms, shipwrecks, and disease,

disquiet the colony. The Chinese revolt of 1639 is described at

length. Corcuera administers the government with a high hand, and

arouses many enmities. Two interesting descriptions of the islands

are furnished, by a Spanish officer and by a Jesuit.

The Jesuit annalist at Manila contributes (1638) the news of the past

year--apparently the contents of his note-book or diary, as written

therein at each occurrence or arrival, and free from the "improvements"

of any official editor, in which fact lies its especial value. This

document strongly resembles in this respect, and in its scope, the

famous Journal des Jesuites of Quebec. To some extent, the same remarks

are true of all the annals written, actually or presumably, by Juan

Lopez; but the present document is unusually fresh and primitive in

style. He relates the depredations committed by the Dutch on Spanish

and Portuguese commerce, especially about the strait of Malaca. The

Dominican faction of "Barbones" has been suppressed. The Chinese

at Manila present a large sum of money to Corcuera, with which

a gift for the king is purchased. Information is given regarding

several priests and other persons. The settlement at Formosa is

being abandoned, and the missionaries there are going to China. The

Camucones have attempted to raid the Visayas, but are repulsed by

the Indians and Spaniards. The Jesuit Mastrilli has been martyred in

Japan, and funeral honors are paid to him in Manila. Corcuera has

gone to punish the Joloans. The Jesuit church at Cavite, and that

of the Dominicans at Manila, have been entered by thieves. There

are a few slight encounters with the Dutch. In China, persecutions

of the Christians have begun, due largely to the imprudence of the

friars. The missions in Siam and adjoining countries are endangered

by the machinations of the Dutch. The Joloan stronghold is captured

by Corcuera; two of his best officers are sent home to regain their

health, but are slain by their Chinese crew. Jesuits are conducting a

successful mission in the island of Hainan. The Japanese are growing

weary of their persecutions against the Christians; only three

Jesuits are left there of all the missionaries and nothing certain

is known of these. Corcuera arrives at Manila on May 23; he brings

back many captives, of whom a considerable number died en route, but

"it is a cause of great consolation that no Moro has died without

baptism." A triumphant entry is made into Manila by the victorious

army. In Mindanao Moncay is killed, and Corralat is no longer aided

by the Ternatans; the Moros generally are in wholesome fear of the

Spanish power. The missions in China are doing well, and are aided

by the emperor. Lopez notes many little items of news, of all sorts,

about matters civil, ecclesiastical, and foreign, with various gossip,

some of the cloister, some of his seaport.

A short letter from Corcuera to the king (August 21, 1638) states that

he has appointed Luis Arias de Mora "protector of the Sangleys;"

this man (a lawyer) also acts as counselor for the archbishop,

exercising a wholesome restraint upon that prelate.

A letter from the royal treasurer at Manila to the king (August 31,

1638) laments the injuries and losses caused to the royal estate

by Corcuera's reckless and extravagant management. He is blamed for

refusing to send the trading ships to Mexico, for establishing a force

for the nightly patrol of the city, for forming several companies of

Indian soldiers, for paying certain salaries which are claimed to be

needless, and for building a church for the soldiers. Escalona declares

that the trade of the islands with Mexico is neglected and unregulated,

and thus the colonists are being financially ruined. He asserts that

the expeditions against Mindanao and Jolo had cost much unnecessary

expenditure of both money and lives; and that Corcuera has attempted

to cover up these expenses under specious pretexts. The treasurer

complains that the governor has spent too much on the royal hospital,

and has interfered with the duties and rights of the royal officials;

and entreats the king to see that he is restrained within due bounds.

An interesting description of the Philippine Islands is furnished

(Mexico, 1638) by a Spanish admiral, Hieronimo de Banuelos y Carrillo;

it is addressed to the president of the Council of the Indias; the

original is, so far as known, no longer extant, and it is found only

in the French version by Thevenot. Banuelos finds life in Manila

"altogether delightful," as it has abundance of all supplies and

comforts. He describes the Parian, and praises the ability of the

Chinese; but he asserts that they are injuring the islands by their

illicit connection with the Mexican trade. The condition and character

of that trade are here presented, in a description very different

from that furnished by Grau y Monfalcon. This writer objects to the

silk trade between Filipinas and Nueva Espana, which only benefits

the Chinese, the Portuguese of Macao, and the Mexicans. Moreover,

"the encomiendas are ruined," while the natives are not instructed in

religion, and are hostile to the Spaniards. The Malays of Ternate and

other outlying islands are in league with the Dutch, and the trade

with them is going to ruin. Banuelos proposes a new plan for the

Filipinas commerce; he would (still limiting its amount) restrict

it mainly to raw silk and cotton, which could be manufactured in

Mexico; he enumerates the advantages that would result from this

course. The Japanese trade need not be considered in this question,

as it is closed to the Spaniards on account of religious persecution;

of this last and its effects Banuelos gives some account. He again

urges that the trade in Chinese stuffs be suppressed; and makes

recommendations as to the manner in which it should be conducted,

describing various abuses and scandals which he has discovered therein.

The Jesuit Bobadilla published (Mexico, 1638) a "Relation of the

glorious victories ... against the Mahometan Moros;" it contains

Mastrilli's letter of June 2, 1637 (published in VOL. XXVII of this

series), and other matter obtained from letters which the editor had

received from Manila; we present here such part as is new. Bobadilla

prefaced this compilation by a short address to Governor Corcuera's

brother Inigo (a military officer in Mexico), in which he takes

occasion to eulogize the virtues of both in glowing terms. The first

section of the book is occupied by a relation (here only briefly

outlined) of the miraculous cure wrought upon Father Mastrilli, and his

entrance into missionary work; then follows "an account of the great

island of Mindanao," partly descriptive and partly historical. The

piratical raids of the Mindanaos upon the Spanish settlements and the

Visayan coasts are briefly recounted, with mention of the establishment

of Spanish missions and forts in Mindanao; also the raids made by the

Camucones, Joloans, and Borneans. Then follow a description of the

naval battle at Punta de Flechas, Mastrilli's letter describing the

Mindanao campaign, and Lopez's account of Corcuera's triumph--all of

which we have previously published.

Various royal orders and decrees issued in 1638 are here

presented. Corcuera is warned (March 15) to proceed cautiously in

regard to the free negroes whom he has removed from the city, and to

obtain royal permission henceforth for any important measures that

he may contemplate. A decree of September 2 imposes restrictions

on the religious orders in the islands, and permits the governor to

use secular priests as missionaries. The king orders him (October 2)

to appoint to new missions native secular priests instead of friars;

also to treat the nuns of St. Clare with more consideration, and

to pay them for certain inconveniences that he has caused them. He

is authorized (November 8) to take such measures as are necessary to

maintain the seclusion of the inmates of Santa Potenciana. The viceroy

and Audiencia of Mexico are ordered (December 8) to report whether it

will be best to increase the amount of trade allowed to the citizens

of Filipinas with Nueva Espana; and other decrees of the same date

give the officers of the galleons authority to punish any infractions

of law committed by their men while in port, and require stricter

enforcement of the regulations in regard to lading those vessels.

A printed pamphlet, "Fortunate successes in Filipinas and Terrenate"

(Madrid, 1639), gives a brief outline of the Moro raids into the

Philippines during several years, and Corcuera's successful campaign

against those pirates; it is evidently written by a Jesuit, or largely

compiled from Mastrilli's letter. At the end is a description of the

encounter between Spanish and English ships at Malayo. We append a

short document enumerating the spoils seized in the Jolo campaign by

the Spanish forces, with the value assigned to each item; the expenses

of the expedition are covered thereby mainly by the proceeds from

the sale of Moro captives.

"Events in the Philipinas during the year 1638-39" are recorded, as

before, by a Jesuit, presumably Juan Lopez. The news from Mindanao

and Jolo is not encouraging; the Moros are revolting, and in Jolo a

plague and epidemic is feared; besides, the commandant there has proved

unfit. A letter from the Jesuit Gutierrez relates events in Mindanao;

these relate mainly to the measures taken by the Spanish commandant

to control and pacify the disaffected Moros. Spanish friars exiled

from China have arrived in Formosa, but hope to reenter China. The

Jesuits of Macao also indulge the hope of gaining foothold anew in

Japan. The writer gives various interesting news items about the

arrival and departure of the ships at the port of Cavite; and the

escape, on several occasions, of Moro captives held at Manila, and

the recapture of many of them. A letter from Father Alejandro Lopez

describes the attempt of the men of Jolo to recapture by treachery

their stronghold from the Spaniards, and the severe punishment

inflicted by Pedro de Almonte upon the rebels. Chinese pirates commit

depredations on the Luzon coasts; and plots of the resident Chinese

against the Spaniards are discovered and punished. A revolt by the

Indians of Nueva Segovia is also quelled. Recent news from Mindanao

and Jolo tells of increasing Spanish ascendency, but at a fearful

cost to the Moro natives--slaughtered people, devastated lands, and

consequent deaths by famine. One of the trading ships to Mexico has

been wrecked, which is a great blow to the colony. A fierce hurricane

causes great damage at Cavite and in its vicinity; and there have been

epidemics of disease in Luzon, in which many persons have died. It

is feared that both of the Acapulco galleons have been lost at sea;

and all these things fill the people with sadness. The small remnant

of the crew of a Spanish galleon wrecked the preceding year among

the Ladrones Islands arrive at Manila.

Letters from Corcuera to the confraternity of Santa Misericordia

ask (December 4, 1637) their prayers for the success of his Jolo

expedition; and (October 26, 1639) that they will take into their house

two Moro hostages, to train them in the Christian doctrine. Letters

from Felipe IV to Rome (November 9, 1639) ask that the college of

Santo Tomas at Manila be erected into a university.

A group of royal decrees issued during 1639 is presented. The

governor's action in stationing religious ministers in Mindanao

is approved. The municipal authorities of Manila are ordered to

retain Grau y Monfalcon as their agent at the royal court. The

newly-appointed governor of the islands, Diego Fajardo, is ordered to

correct (but with mildness and prudence) the Augustinians in trading

and in oppressing the Indians; and to restore to the secular priests

Quiapo and other districts assigned to the Jesuits by Corcuera. The

bishop of Camarines is ordered to return to his diocese, and the royal

officials to withhold his salary until he shall do so. Directions

are given to the viceroy of Nueva Espana regarding the inspection

of Philippine vessels at Acapulco, and the necessity of sending more

colonists to the islands. Answer is made to various points in a former

letter from the archbishop; and the Audiencia are commanded to treat

the Indians more justly.

Events in the Filipinas Islands from August to November, 1639, are

recorded by the Jesuit annalist of former years (presumably Juan

Lopez). The arrivals and departures of ships form the chief of these

events, and the writer furnishes much interesting news in connection

with them. A fierce storm delays the galleon to Nueva Espana, and

wrecks two Chinese junks, drowning many of their men. The two Acapulco

galleons arrive, about this time, at Nueva Segovia, and are wrecked in

that port, with much loss of life. The recent conquest of Jolo is being

completed. The king of Macasar is friendly, and has sent provisions

to the Portuguese colony at Malaca. A Dutch squadron sent against

the city of Goa has been almost destroyed by the Portuguese. The

people of Tidore and Ternate are leagued together, which causes the

Spaniards to fear a revolt against their control. The Moro chiefs

in Mindanao are plotting together against the Spaniards. Nearly

half of this document is occupied with an account of the Chinese

insurrection late in November, 1639; it is soon quelled, with the

slaughter of many Sangleys. A detailed account of this episode,

presumably the one mentioned in the last note on Lopez's record, is

here presented; it is a valuable if not altogether edifying document,

especially for its revelations of human nature. Lopez's statement that

the revolt was soon over was premature; it lasted nearly four months,

and caused great loss of property to the Spaniards, and of lives to the

insurgents. Most of the Chinese population in Luzon was exterminated,

thanks to their lack of cannon and firearms and "the special protection

of our Lord over our army," which lost not even fifty men. It is a

sickening record of slaughter--not only in so-called battle, but in

the cold-blooded, deliberate, and systematic butchery of unarmed men,

taken by surprise or lured by treacherous promises. The most striking

instance of this is the cruel slaughter, caused by a blind and panic

fear, of the house-servants and other Chinese in Manila; another is the

burning of the Parian, with all the rich merchandise stored therein;

while in Cavite several hundred Chinese are deliberately taken out

by tens and beheaded. In both cases, however, opportunity is kindly

provided for the wretched victims to receive baptisms, if they were

infidels, or to make their confessions, if Christians. Peace is finally

made with the small remnant of the insurgent force, who are taken to

Manila and carefully guarded within a stockade. The writer describes

their method of warfare; and enumerates the villages burned by them,

and other damages committed, during the revolt.

The history of the Augustinian order in the Philippines, presented in

VOLS. XXIII and XXIV of this series from Medina's Historia, is here

continued for the decade 1630-40 by an extract from Diaz's Conquistas

(written about 1718), partly in synopsis and partly in translation. He

relates the contest over the vacant see of Manila, finally settled

(1630) in favor of Fray Pedro de Arce; the election of Geronimo de

Medrano as provincial in 1632; the persecutions in Japan, the lives

of martyrs there, the controversy between Corcuera and the bishop,

biographies of noted Augustinians, and various secular matters (all

of which we omit). There is an interesting relation of the life and

labors of a useful missionary, Alonso de Mentrida, among the Indians

in Panay Island; he wages unceasing war against the devil and his

agents, the native priests of idols--the former often appearing in

visible and hideous form. A similar account is given of the life

of Juan de Medina (above cited). In 1638 Fray Martin Errasti is

elected provincial. The Visayas Islands have been, of late years,

harassed by the Moro pirates; but a notable expedition is undertaken

(1639) against those of the Lake Lanao region, in which the Recollect

missionary known as "Padre Capitan" is a prominent figure. For the

time, those Moros are awed and warned. Diaz recounts the main events

of that time--Corcuera's expedition to Jolo and the insurrection of

the Chinese. Errasti dies in 1639, and his vacant office is assumed

by Fray Juan Ramirez, the past provincial.

In 1640 the Jesuit Bobadilla writes a description of the Philippines

and their people. The former is but a brief outline; most of the

document is devoted to the Indian natives, and the natural products of

the islands. The father writes of the custom of slavery among them;

their religious beliefs, customs, and superstitions; the practices

of their priests; their physical appearance, and dress; their customs

of tattooing, filing the teeth, and bathing; their language, writing,

and music. He describes their marriages, houses, occupations, boats,

and weapons; and their medical practice and mortuary customs. Then he

considers the climate of the islands, the culture and uses of rice,

and the natural products--animals, minerals, and fruits, especially

the palm and bamboo. He describes the buyo, so commonly used there;

also various peculiar animals. Bobadilla then mentions the manner in

which the Spanish colony is governed; their garrisons in the islands;

and the bishoprics therein. He describes briefly the city of Manila,

the trade of Filipinas, the relations of the Spaniards with the

Chinese and other peoples, and the voyage between Manila and Acapulco.

The Editors

July, 1905.