This agrees with the original, which remains in my office:
_Roque Loino de Caceres_
In the village of Lumban, province of La Laguna de Bay, on the
thirteenth day of the month of June of the year one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, by command of the alferez Gregorio Ponce
de Leon, deputy of the alcalde-mayor of the said provinces for the
king our lord, and father Fray Antonio de Nombela, definitor of the
Order of St. Francis in the said islands, and guardian of the said
convent and village--before me, notary-public of the said provinces
for his Majesty, were gathered all the governors, chiefs, headmen,
and lords of barangay, and most of the timaguas and common people of
all the villages of said provinces, whose names are as here follow.
Don Hernando Larogajon, governor; Don Francisco Volor, Don Phelipe
Paguilagan, Don Mateo Umanguil, Miguel Manaycon, Simon Paniça,
Phelipe Damian, Don Gaspar Culiao, Bartolome Maconan, Bartolome
Parahan, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay of the village of Bay,
and several of their timaguas. Governor Don Juan Halimao, Don Diego
Caya, Domingo Sati, chiefs and lords of barangay of the village of
Tableco, and several of their timaguas. Lieutenant-governor Domingo
Labaulon, Don Francisco Meglilo, Don Antonio Tobantahel, Don Joan
Lagban, Miguel Bati, headmen and lords of barangay of the village of
Pila la Grande, and other chiefs, with common people, and several of
their timaguas. The governor of the village of Nacarlandos, Marcos
Brigilon; his lieutenant, Lorenço Manile; Domingo Pasdeyaen, Lucas
Mandig, Don Pablo Caranblin, Joan Manglas, Domingo Malapas, Mateo
Madhanay, Nicolas Magpisie, Antonio Magsibo, Fruian Lionan, chiefs,
headmen, and lords of barangay of the said village, and many other
chiefs and timaguas. The governor of the village of Mehay, Don Joan
de Mendoça; Don Esteban Luvas, Don Pablo Magbres, Don Diego Magpalo,
Damian Paoaviandes, Laramas, Don Antonio Dato, Diego Malapeg, Don
Lucas Tunuguli, Jusepe Vale, chiefs, headmen and lords of barangay,
and other chiefs and timaguas of the said village. The governor of the
village of Saloanij Guilinguilin; Don Juan Puhaban; the lieutenant,
Don Francisco Caraguen; Don Francisco Bala, Don Pedro Banguig, Don
Diego Limetig, Don Alonso Goor, Don Joan Pile, Don Diego Bagnor,
Don Bentura Ulay, Don Christoval Rarac, Don Christoval Banguis,
Don Diego Daolor, Don Antonio Quilala, Don Joan Ligno, Don Pedro
Alimango, Don Francisco Dales, Don Francisco Danga, Don Luis Guinton,
Venito Laquer, Marcos Abal, chiefs, head men and lords of barangay, and
other chiefs, and timaguas and common people of the said village. The
lieutenant-governor of the village of Panguil, Don Miguel Boag; Don
Andres Talamindor, Francisco Valor, Don Juan Mabaylo, Don Agustin
Labrian, Don Francisco Laguin, Don Pedro Pazhan, Don Andres Guilla,
Don Andres Ama, Don Luis Lanvan, Don Lorenço Apon, Don Phelipe
Panindo, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay, and other chiefs and
timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of Paoil,
Don Joan Lagary; his lieutenant, Don Miguel Manduga; Domingo Pansas,
Sebastian Palangan, Don Joan Valoban, Don Alonso Bulanvel, chiefs,
lords, and heads of the said barangay, and other chiefs, common people,
and timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of
Sampablo, Don Lorenço Lansapao; Don Agustin Magapan, Joan Masquiles,
Don Antonio Calapar, Luis Lapipir, Pablo Mandol, Ventura Pilapan,
Pablo Casyl, Joan Moage, Francisco Mayas, Pablo Caylo, chiefs, lords,
heads of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of
the said village. The lieutenant-governor of the village of Santa
Cruz, Joan Abalasaval; Gaspar Tosol, Joan Bago, chiefs and lords,
heads of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of
the said village. The governor of the village of Pililla, Don Joan
Yavi, Don Luis Abalo, Don Phelipe Bognor, Don Agustin Magcanayon,
Don Pedro Canayon, Miguel Togui, Antonio Mabanta, Lorenço Lagasia,
Bernardo Sampaga, Diego Manira, Martin Cosso, Juan Tangui, Lucas
Ayog, Don Luys Calyas, Clemente Lagnig, chiefs and lords, heads of
barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and timaguas of the said
village. The governor of the village of Moran, Don Francisco Laquiao;
Don Luis Limetig, Don Pablo Sosil, Don Francisco Baro, chiefs and
head men, lords of barangay, and other chiefs, common people, and
timaguas of the said village. The governor of the village of Lunban,
Don Juan Burlon; his lieutenant, Don Joan Alaman; Don Agustin Mamija,
Don Marco Ral, Don Rodrigo Pananbo, Don Phelipe Tangui, Don Ventura
Marlangaley, Don Alonso Bineg, Don Alonso Posolan, Don Agustin Asum,
Don Alonso Tindig, Luis Aveij, Don Diego Laval, Don Diego Gaddola,
Gonçalo Lima, Don Francisco Pirangaran, Don Pablo Caliox, Alonso
Paraorao, Don Diego Lahacan, Don Gonçalo Magcoli, Antonio Puragti
Habanpoli, Don Juan Bambin, chiefs and lords, heads of barangay,
and other chiefs, common people, and all the timaguas of the said
village and government. Don Agustin Baticio, Don Marcos Manalo, Don
Agustin Sandi, Pedro Cabasao, Dionisio Magsubey, Don Tomas Bagsit,
Alonso Sancabo, chiefs of barangay of the said province.
And all having assembled and come together thus, both the chiefs and
the timaguas, with the said Franciscan father guardian, Fray Antonio
de Nombela, as interpreter, they were given to understand why they
had been called together and were assembled. They were told how God
our Lord had granted them great kindness and grace in keeping them
under the evangelical faith, which remains in His holy church, in the
apostle St. Peter and his successors, who are the pontiffs, bishops,
and confessors who in His name administer instruction and point out
the way to heaven. Our Lord had liberated them from the blindness
and tyranny in which they were as subjects of the devil--who not only
caused the damnation of their immortal souls, which are to be cared
for, but likewise harassed their bodies and consumed their lives.
What is still more weighty, the most cursed and perverse sect of
Mahoma had begun, through its followers and disciples, to spread and
scatter through some of the islands of this archipelago its pestilent
and abominable creed; but the true God was pleased at that time to
bring the Spanish people into these islands, which was a cure and
remedy for the mortal sickness which the said Mahometan sect has
already commenced to cause in them. Besides this, the Spaniards had
freed them from the tyranny with which their kings and lords were
possessing themselves of their wives and goods, which was the greatest
injury which could be inflicted upon them. They were also reminded
of the great favor that God our Lord had granted them in giving
them for their king and natural lord the Catholic king Don Phelipe,
our sovereign, to maintain them and keep them in peace and justice,
with much gentleness and love. Our lord might have deferred the
conquest of these islands, and it would have been made by other kings
who are not so Catholic, as a punishment for the idolatry which they
practiced; then they would have fallen into greater blindness and sin
than before, and they would not have been so rich and well-provided
as they are, nor would their property have been so safe. All this
is greater advantage than they had in olden days, while they were
infidels. All this was declared to the above-named persons, so that,
in conformity with his will and pleasure they might render submission
to his Majesty, and acknowledge him as such king and natural lord; and
this, notwithstanding what they may have given by word or deed, for
the greater justification of the tributes enjoyed and being enjoyed,
which they have given and paid, and henceforth may give and pay, both
to his Majesty and to his vassals. And this writing is evidence in
all times that of their own will and pleasure they have rendered the
said submission and acknowledgment to their said king and lord. All
the said governors and chiefs, lords of barangay, and their timaguas
who are present, having understood through the interpreter the address
which has been made to them in the name of his Majesty, said together
and unanimously--and not only for themselves but for their subjects,
descendants, and successors in the dominion and lordship of their
barangays--that they recognized and held themselves fortunate in
having recognized our lord; and this because he has granted them the
favors mentioned, and greater ones, since the king our lord is more
Catholic and Christian than other kings of the world, and under his
temporal laws they have lived and are living in great security of
life and property, comfort, and peace, and with more liberty than
they ever thought to have, since they are free at present from all
the tyrannies to which they were subject in the time when they were
infidels. Therefore, in answer to what was asked them, as it was of
so great importance they sought for a delay, as the time is so short,
and they had not conferred and communicated with all the chiefs,
nor informed those of their villages of the resolution; and so they
separated, saying that there would be enough time from now until the
departure of the ships in the coming year, one thousand six hundred,
and that information about this negotiation could be sent then to his
Majesty. This they declared, and those who could do so signed their
names, also the said father definitor and guardian, and the said
lieutenant, as I certify. The witnesses were father Fray de Ponto,
guardian of the convent of Mahayhay; father Fray Tomas de Miranda,
father Fray Bartolome Ruiz, father Fray Alonso de Santana, Fray
Bernardo de Asincion, Don Francisco Bagua, Don Heronimo Aroppora,
Francisco de Nombela, Gregorio Ponce de Leon.
Before me:
_Joan de Ribera_, notary-public
_Copy of the letter from the king of Camboxa to the governor of
Manila. Cited in clause 27 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_.
_Copy of a letter from the king of Sian_.--I received the embassy of
your Lordship with the greatest pleasure, and for a long time past
I have desired to have a firm and true friendship between us. From
now on I beg that your Lordship will keep this, and this kingdom of
mine shall stand by it. And your kingdom and this kingdom shall be
friends, and particularly your city of Manilha. This shall be my duty
and yours for I have always looked to and upon you to keep the firm
friendship. The king of Portugal alone will take arms in his hands,
for in these times there are some troubles arising from the captain of
Malaca, Daroca Fiaon. For this I have pledged my word to the renewed
friendship, as before. As for the Portuguese, whatever your Lordship
asks or orders shall be done in this country. I am very fond of you,
and this leads me to keep for you all those who may wish to live
in this my kingdom; I shall permit it, for I shall receive all as
I have been seen to receive these, and as Captain Juan Tello said
that ... I have received what your Lordship sent me; and by the same
person I will send a ring to your Lordship ... which your Lordship
will value. At Acibi Pacos, outside of my city. May 5, 1598.
_Statement regarding the fulfilment of the decree of his Majesty. Cited
in clause 31 of the governor's letter of July 12, 1599_.
I, Gaspar de Acebo, notary-public of the government of these
Filipinas Islands for the king our lord, certify to those who may
see these presents that the governor and captain-general of these
islands, Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago, in
fulfilment of the decrees and instructions of the king our lord,
which the aforesaid Don Francisco holds for the good government of
these islands, has been fulfilling and executing them in so far as
was expedient and for the service of the king our lord. The decree
which arrived here relating to the pancada [_i.e._, purchase in gross]
of the merchandise and cloth which come from China, directing that
it should be bought by one person, and that six persons should go
with it and dispose of the goods in Nueva España for the citizens
of these islands--being put into execution by the said governor, was
carried to the royal Audiencia of these islands in course of appeal
by the citizens thereof, in which court the suit is in progress.
Likewise the said governor, by virtue of his instruction, inspected
the cathedral church of this city, conjointly with the archbishop Don
Fray Ygnacio (whom may God keep); and in the presence of me, the said
secretary, inspected the ornaments of the said church, the plate,
and other articles of the service of divine worship. They ordered
the treasurer of the said church and the former stewards of the said
cathedral to render accounts, so that the property and income of the
said church might be known.
_Item_: By virtue of a royal decree, obtained by the petition of
the late bishop of these islands, Don Fray Domingo de Salazar, when
any canonry or prebend in these islands was vacated, the governor
might, as these islands are so remote from the kingdom of España,
present the person who should to him appear fitting for such canonry
or prebend. This has been carried out and executed thus far by the
said governor.
_Item_: The royal decree is being carried out and put into operation
which directs the establishment of schools in which to teach the
natives the Spanish language. The said schools are in charge of the
fathers of the Society of Jesus.
_Item_: By virtue of a decree of the king our lord, dated in Madrid
the eighth of February of the past year of ninety-seven, in which is
directed the order to be followed in bringing the natives of these
islands to render submission to the royal crown, and in publishing
the ordinances for newly-discovered countries, these were published
in this city; and the order to be observed in bringing the natives
to render submission was provided for by the archbishop (whom may
God keep), Don Fray Ygnacio de Santibañez, and the other bishops and
provincials of these islands, conjointly with the said governor. They
have begun to carry this out in several provinces of these islands.
_Item_: The said governor has ordered to be fulfilled and executed the
clause of the instruction which directs that duties shall not be levied
upon the Chinese or other nations in the neighborhood of these islands,
as they bring provisions and military stores to provide this camp.
Likewise, in fulfilment of another clause of the instruction, the
said governor took possession, in the name of and for the lord our
king, of the hospital for natives which is situated in this city,
and ordered accounts to be rendered of the property and income of
the said hospital.
_Item_: In accordance with a royal decree which deals with the fact
that the chiefs of these islands are being employed in governorships,
and directs that they be honored and favored by the magistrates,
this has been done and is being done by the said governor, Don
Francisco Tello.
_Item_: In regard to clause twenty-seven of his instructions,
by which the said governor is ordered and commanded to reduce the
number of encomiendas and villages, and ordains that they be in
places convenient for the administration of the holy sacraments to
the natives, this is being carried out without harshness, in those
regions which are at present prepared for it.
_Item_: Likewise some of the royal decrees and clauses of instruction
which were given to the said governor Don Francisco Tello have not
been carried out. In these it is ordered and commanded that certain
things are to be done for the good government of these islands,
conjointly with the archbishop thereof. As the latter died soon after
his arrival in this city, they were suspended, without any action
or consideration being taken of them, because the said governor was
commanded to communicate and act with the said archbishop.
In proof of the truth of what is here related, by the request and
command of Don Francisco Tello, knight of the habit of Santiago,
governor and captain-general of these islands, I have given the
present, dated in the city of Manila, on the fourteenth day of the
month of July of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine. I
have therefore set my seal hereto in witness of the truth.
_Gaspar de Acebo_
We, the notaries-public and royal who sign here, certify and bear
witness that Gaspar de Acebo, by whom this instrument is signed and
sealed, is secretary of the government of these islands; and to the
instruments and documents which are drawn before him entire faith and
credit is given, in and out of court. That this may appear we have
given the present in the city of Manila, in the Filipinas Islands,
on the fourteenth day of the month of July, of the year one thousand
five hundred and ninety-nine.
_Francisco de Valencia_, notary-public.
_Joan Paez de Sotomayor_, notary royal.
_Juan Estebes_, notary for his Majesty.