Sire:
Last year, as soon as I arrived in these islands, I wrote to your
Majesty what had taken place, taking into account the short time that I
had spent here. I was afterward told that the people of Terrenate were
coming to these your Majesty's islands to inflict injuries upon your
subjects and vassals, and that the natives of Mindanao were helping
them in this. The conquest of Mindanao being in charge of the heirs
of the late Esteban Rrodriguez de Figueroa, who was killed there,
I insisted on their continuing that pacification, giving them men at
your cost, and appointing, as general and leader, Don Juan Ronquillo,
supplying them with what they needed from your Majesty's storehouses,
the supply being ample. All was charged to the estate of Esteban
Rrodriguez and is now being collected.
I sent to Mindanao Captain Toribio de Miranda, so that, until
the arrival of the troops, he might encourage and look after the
Spaniards, who had fortified themselves there after the death of
Esteban Rrodriguez. Captain Toribio de Miranda, setting out with
this order of mine, met the soldiery who had deserted that position,
on account of the coming of Captain Juan de Lajara. The latter I
hold under arrest. He is to be tried for having abandoned his post
without orders from the governor of these islands. Toribio de Miranda
having met these men, showed them my orders which he was carrying,
and made them return. Then of the men whom I had sent from here, some
arrived with Captain Diego de Chabez, with assistance in the shape
of supplies. Encouraged by this, many returned to Mindanao with the
others and fortified themselves again, although in a better position
than before. After this, General Don Juan Ronquillo left Oton with
the rest of his force, which numbered perhaps one hundred and fifty
men in all. At the present moment I am quite satisfied that, after
his arrival, a large part of that land will be peacefully opened
up. I have no good reports from that land in regard to abundance of
provisions or gold (which is the only thing to encourage those who
make these conquests), nor as large a tribute as there was said to
be. In the prosecution of this business the necessary demands of your
Majesty's service will be considered.
When I came to the government I found that the Sangleys had been
given a free hand, and jurisdiction in the administration and
cabildo. Considering the troubles that might result, and the large
numbers of Sangleys here (somewhat over ten thousand), I took away
and withdrew their power in the administration--leaving, however, a
governor among them, as was formerly the custom. I have expelled from
this land a large number of the Sangleys who were here, and I shall
soon order many others to go, leaving only three or four thousand men,
who are necessary for the service of the land.
About two months ago the Parian of the Sangleys was burned, together
with a large amount of property. I assisted that night in taking care
of the property of a few, which was saved. The fire did not touch this
city, although the Parian is contiguous to it. All this was well done,
and I permitted them to rebuild their Parian, but one hundred paces
farther from the city than it was before.
We are having a good deal of trouble from the license taken by some
religious in this land. They have a practice of excommunicating the
governor by virtue of the apostolic briefs in their possession. Having
no authority here to annul their unlawful acts, we can have no liberty
to carry on your Majesty's service as it should be done. Therefore I
humbly beg your Majesty to consider and order what is most necessary
for your Majesty's service.
Many events have taken place in these days. One of them was the rising
of the Zambales natives, and the murder of two alcaldes-mayor--one a
short time before I came, and the other after my arrival. Therefore I
appointed Captain Julian de Cuenca alcalde-mayor of Panpanga, to go
to punish them--which is a difficult matter, because these Zambales
are in hiding in rugged mountain ranges. However, he wrote me that he
had beheaded twenty of them, and that he continues to hunt them down;
so that after such a punishment they will be sufficiently frightened
for him to make the effort to induce them to leave the sierra for a
settlement where they may be instructed.
Although I commenced to govern with mildness, because it seemed
to me the best way to get along with the Spaniards here, yet when
I came to know them and see the license that they take, I found it
necessary to punish several captains and regidors. On New Year's day,
I had the entire city council arrested for an act of disobedience to
me, which occurred during the election of alcaldes. In all that has
been done I have followed judicial forms and taken records, so that,
whenever it is necessary, your Majesty may order their examination.
When I arrived, I found your Majesty's royal affairs in confusion,
owing to the carelessness and neglect of former governors. I have
ordered that, in building, stone shall be substituted for wood which
has hitherto been used. Fines and the expenses of justice will be
attended to. I also ordered the construction of cabildo buildings
in stone, where there had been none before. The whole city has been
enriched by stone buildings, and since my arrival more than one
hundred and fifty houses have been erected. I am trying to have water
conducted into the city, as it is needed by the citizens and by the
troops stationed here by your Majesty. Many have died on account of
the poor water.
Don Luys Dasmariñas, when he was governor here, appointed Captain Juan
Xuarez Gallinato sargento-mayor of the force to go to the assistance
of the king of Canboja, who they said was besieged by his enemy the
king of Çian. When they arrived there they met a rough reception
from a part of the people of Canboja, and from some Sangleys who are
settled there and engage in trade. The Spanish came to blows with some
of these Sangleys and killed some of them. There was lost, according
to their story, a large amount of property belonging to the Sangleys,
which they had placed aboard sampans at the time of the fight. I am
examining the papers which Captain Juan Xuarez Gallinato brought. He
has already returned from his expedition, and justice will be meted
out in the case. May our Lord preserve your Majesty for many years
for the need of Christendom, etc. Manila, April twenty-nine, 1597.
_Don Francisco Tello_
Sire:
From the vessel "San Phelipe," lost in the sea of Japan, some letters
addressed to your Majesty reached my hands, which I enclose herewith.
I have imprisoned Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas, because he failed to fit
out and repair thoroughly the said vessel; and, for the same reasons,
I have imprisoned also General Matias Delandecho. An investigation of
this matter is being made in the case of each, and justice shall be
done. Copies of all proceedings in connection with this investigation
will be sent to your Majesty.
I beg to thank your Majesty for your kindness to this kingdom and
especially to myself, in creating here a royal Audiencia, a tribunal
very much needed by this government; and although so far I have not
received from your Majesty any letter or decree to that effect, I
have heard the news through the auditor Don Antonio Maldonado and
others, who have communicated it to me. Doctor Antonio de Morga,
lieutenant-general of this kingdom, serves your Majesty here with
zeal and assiduity; and because he enforces the law, he has made
enemies--since, as I have previously written to your Majesty, there
are honest people here willing to serve your Majesty; but there
exist others unruly and ill disposed, who are exceedingly dangerous
to the country. I am punishing a few of these, and am investigating
the previous records of others; it shall be done throughout. May
our Lord preserve your Majesty as is needful for the good of
Christendom. Manila, June 15, 1597.
_Don Francisco Tello_
Sire:
Every day events are taking place of which I shall advise your
Majesty. A grave Dominican friar [3] lately arrived here from Japon,
who went on the ship "San Felipe" which was lost there. He acquainted
me with the affairs of that kingdom, and gave me a memorandum which
will accompany this. I asked him to sign it, and I now send it to
your Majesty, so that you may order to be considered and decreed in
this matter whatever you think best for your Majesty's royal service.
Later advices have arrived from Japon to the effect that the Japanese
are considering the occupation of the island of Hermosa [Formosa]
which lies near these islands, and serves as a connecting point between
China and these islands. I am considering what is best to do in this
case, because, although I am of the opinion that we should seize it
first, the council of war opposed me; urging that we have few men
for such an enterprise. I have appointed, as general of the coast,
Captain Don Juan Çamudio, a trusty and serviceable person. I am also
fitting out ships with which to navigate among all these islands,
wherever it is necessary.
I have sent money and men to Cagayan to fortify your Majesty's fort
there. If the men and assistance which I have asked from Nueva Spaña
are sent to me, I shall not fear all the power of Japon; because,
although there are few troops here, they are all excellent and
well-drilled. Your Majesty may be certain that your vassals here
will maintain what we hold, even to the death, with sword in hand,
doing our duty in your Majesty's service. May our Lord preserve your
royal person, as Christendom has need and your vassals desire. Manila,
June 19, 1597.
_Don Francisco Tello_
As matters of importance arise in this government, it becomes necessary
to give your Majesty an account of such affairs. Yesterday we held
a council of war to consider a petition presented to us by Don Luys
Perez Dasmariñas, relative to an expedition to the island of Hermosa,
and we passed resolutions which your Majesty may examine, if you
be pleased to do so, by means of the report which will accompany
this. Although I ordered with resolution what was to be done, I shall
keep the sounding-lead in my hand until reënforcements and money
arrive from Mexico; for without men nothing can be done. I have sent
to the viceroy for five hundred men.
While the detachment of thirty soldiers under an ensign, ordered
to the assistance of Mindanao, was on its way thither, aboard a
Sangley ship, the Sangleys (who numbered more than forty) mutinied,
and killed twenty-five soldiers and some women, and the rest jumped
overboard. Captain Gregorio de Bargas, who was sailing in that region
with my orders, upon hearing of the matter, attacked and captured the
ship, and killed forty soldiers. Nine who were left alive were brought
to me two days ago. Today they were executed, with great publicity,
before the eyes of their nation and others who are in this city.
Yesterday there arrived from Malaca some of the soldiers who were
with Sargento-mayor Gallinato on the expedition to Canboja. They say
that they had the news there that Malucos and Terrenatans had banded
together, captured your Majesty's fort and annihilated the Portuguese
detachment stationed there. I am making an investigation to see what
foundation this report has. The result I shall try to send on these
ships. These soldiers also say that they were told that there were four
English ships off Maluco; and that it was thought that they had joined
Terrenate and Maluco to undertake this enterprise. I am guarding the
frontiers, because as there are few men here and the fort is in Manila,
they were in need of reënforcements. In everything I shall continue
to do all that is necessary for your Majesty's royal service, and I
shall inform you of everything that happens, after the departure of
these vessels, by the despatch-boat, which will be in readiness to
be sent out if necessary.
They say that the news from Mindanao is quite plainly for your
Majesty's advantage. Although I have heard nothing by letter from the
governor there, several Indians who have come from there one by one
corroborate this news. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic
person to the benefit of Christendom. Manila, June 22, 1597.
_Don Francisco Tello_
Sire:
This ship of discovery under Joan Batista Justiniano, which is about to
go to Nueva Spaña, has just returned, on account of lack of cables, and
will sail again in the morning. Some further details concerning what
I have already written to your Majesty are as follows. We have just
heard from Mindanao that the war has been renewed with the Indians,
because they have failed to observe the stipulations of the treaty. So
we have again sent assistance in men, munitions, supplies, and other
things. I have ordered General Don Joan Ronquillo to prosecute the war,
and, after having demolished the enemy's fort, to build a good one
in its place, leaving it well supplied with artillery, and fortified;
and to leave a captain with one hundred arquebusiers, and mobilize the
remainder of the troops, amounting to about two hundred men. If the
Japanese should come, as is thought probable, he will take position
on one of the frontiers, especially that of Cagayan. In other places,
I have appointed, as justices, captains who were old soldiers, and I
have given them soldiery. What little sail-cloth is to be had here,
is all well prepared for any occasion. I am having artillery cast,
and powder and other necessary things provided, in all haste. Although
I am almost out of lead and iron, I shall try to have one of your
Majesty's small vessels, which now lie here, go to China, where there
is a great abundance of such things, in order to buy some, and return
so quickly that we shall not be embarrassed by the scarcity.
I am having some galliots and light vessels built to patrol all these
coasts, because their defense is quite important if we are attacked
by the Japanese.
When I became governor of these islands, I found them full of
Sangleys. I have expelled more than eight thousand of them, and I am
gathering the others, who are scattered, into Manila, in order that
those who are not needed may return to their own country, for they
teach the natives very evil customs. In everything I shall always
try to further the service of God and your Majesty, as I was ordered
to do, and is my duty. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic
person as is needful. Manila, August twelve, 1597.
_Don Francisco Tello_