Sire:
A detailed relation of the condition and affairs of these islands
having been sent to your Majesty in the vessels despatched to Nueva
España in August of last year, God was pleased that, after some
months of navigation, the almiranta should put back in distress on the
thirteenth of November, mastless and badly racked, because of the many
hurricanes and the bad weather that it met on the high seas. That was
a most severe loss for this city, since the chief sinew of its support
at present is nothing but the trade of those two ships; for as the
times go, there is now no other recourse. It is considered as certain
that the flagship made the voyage, although there is no more certainty
than trust that God has taken it to safety; for since it was already
so late, and the monsoon of the vendavals had set in, it has not as
yet returned from Nueva España, nor has any other advice come. That is
no little cause for anxiety to this wretched city, in addition to the
ravages of enemies and other disasters that ordinarily afflict it. May
God in His mercy ordain what is most advisable for His holy service.
Governor Don Alonsso Fajardo, having despatched the vessels of
Castilla, began to undertake the aid for Terrenate; and attempted
to send it earlier than formerly, in order to guard against the
enemy, who continually await the ship at the entrance of those
forts. Notwithstanding the small amount of money and other supplies
that could be taken hence, because the misery here had become as
extreme as one can imagine, yet what was sent in men, food, and
war-supplies, was the most abundant that has entered those forts for a
considerable number of years--as the governor, being the one in charge
of all those matters, will fully inform your Majesty. With that relief
a present was also sent to the king of Macazar in your Majesty's
name, in recognition of the friendly reception and entertainment
found in his country by your Majesty's [_word illegible in MS._]
vassals, and for the great importance of preserving his friendship,
as I have stated in other letters.
Governor Don Alonso Fajardo heard by way of Japon--through an entirely
trustworthy person, who is accustomed always to give information of
very important matters--that the Dutch enemy had allied themselves
with the English, and that both nations had made an alliance to come
to pillage these coasts, and that they had prepared and well equipped
for that purpose a squadron of twelve large ships belonging to both
nations. That news caused keen anxiety in this city, inasmuch as two
so powerful nations were seen to be allied for its destruction and
ruin. The most anxious was the governor, not so much because the remedy
depended upon him, as because he found himself with so few forces,
and it was impossible to be able to prevent so serious injury as was
expected. Before anything else he tried to inform your Majesty of that
alliance, sending a despatch for that purpose by way of Portuguese
India, so that it might reach your Majesty's royal hands with the
promptness that so important a matter demanded.
Notwithstanding that there were not wanting some here who doubted
the truth of those despatches from Japon, yet the governor, being so
anxious for your Majesty's service, began to prepare and furnish all
that was necessary for the repair of the vessels stationed in the
port of Cavite, and many other things that had need of repair. At
that time, on the second of February, he heard that the enemy were
on the coast. In a very few days they entered by the mouth of this
bay with nine vessels, seven of them of great burden, and the other
two of medium size. As commander of that squadron came the Englishman
with four well-equipped vessels of his nation; and, as admiral, the
Dutchman with five vessels, no less adequately equipped and armed than
the English. They sighted the port of Cavite in order to reconnoiter
the strength of the fleet stationed there. Everything was placed in
the best state of defense that time allowed, so that any attack of the
enemy could be repulsed. But the enemy took a better resolve, namely,
to anchor in the mouths of this bay and await there the Chinese ships,
while they sent two vessels to run along the coast, in order that
those vessels that should anchor along it might not escape them.
At this juncture a vessel arrived at this city with a special embassy
from Macan to beg the governor to aid them with some large pieces
of artillery; for, as they were advised from Japon, they were hourly
awaiting that same squadron--for, as the rumor ran, they were about
to attack that city. Notwithstanding that the necessity here was more
urgent, yet it was resolved, after having called a special council of
the treasury and war, to send six large pieces of the best casting
for the defense of that city--as the governor, to whom I refer,
will inform your Majesty more minutely.
The depredations and prizes made by the enemy in all that time have
not been of great importance, since as yet it is not known that they
have captured more than five Chinese vessels, which according to the
report of the Sangleys in them were not those of the wealthy men (who
are here called Anayes). [12] Consequently, with the pillage of this
year, they will not be able to meet their obligations in Japon, for
which thanks are due our Lord. What I can affirm to your Majesty is
that all possible efforts were made, both in sending advices to China
and in carefully watching through outposts this entire coast, which
was partly the reason why the enemy failed to cause greater damage.
The founding of the artillery made here hitherto cost so much labor,
and it resulted so unsatisfactorily, that we were all in the greatest
perplexity because we could not determine where the defect lay. But,
after many different experiments in alloying the metals, it has been
God's pleasure that we hit upon it. I can also assure your Majesty that
the artillery that is cast now is as good and safe as that of Pirú,
and costs much less in metal and labor than the pieces formerly cast.
One cannot help reflecting how great and distressing would be the
anxiety and uneasiness of the governor if the enemy should attack him
and he were without possibility of collecting the forces with which to
drive him from these islands. But for all that might happen, and in
case the enemy should divide his fleet, in order to be able to make
use of any good opportunity, the governor placed in order two good
galleons--a flagship and an almiranta--two other quite small ships,
and two galleys. That represents the total strength of your Majesty's
fleet in this port and all the islands. In order to equip them with
men, the governor withdrew as many men as possible from the presidios
of Oton, Cibu, and Nueva Segovia. He sent edicts to all the provinces
to assemble the wandering Indians therein. Although the greatest rigor
was employed for this purpose, those collected amounted to so few,
that their number did not reach seventy persons. It is a pitiful thing
to see how few men your Majesty has for service in these islands, as
I can certify, since the army is in my charge. For the paid infantry
does not exceed four hundred in actual service, outside of the crippled
and sick in the hospital, where they are continually dying. Many of
those who are not on pay escape to India and other regions, without
any possibility of avoiding it. Consequently, Sire, this matter remains
in the above condition, and demands very speedy betterment, which your
Majesty should furnish by sending a number of men and the other things
needed for the conservation of all this land. For by doing otherwise,
a well-known danger is invited, as your Majesty will learn more fully
from the relation that the governor will send, to which I refer.
On the thirteenth of the month of last June, a ship from Malaca
anchored in this port, bearing news of the advices that your Majesty
ordered to be sent to Portuguese Yndia, in regard to the alliance
between the states of Olanda and Ynglaterra, and their purpose to
attack these regions with the huge fleet that was thought to have
come for that purpose. It also brought news that sixteen Dutch
ships had already arrived at La Sunda, and that the rest of the
fleet was on the way. May God, in His infinite goodness, bring their
evil plans to naught, since we here are so in need of human forces
to frustrate them. I can assure your Majesty that we will always
exercise the requisite care and vigilance here, if your Majesty
will send and provide the most important and necessary things;
this the governor has begun to do, especially in his cleansing the
country of so many people that occupy it, with whom there is very
little security. Especially is that true of the Japanese, who are
seditious and arrogant, with whom the enemy hold so intimate trade
and intercourse in their own country. For these reasons we keep
strict and careful watch over them, since the suspicions conceived
of them have been often verified. The number of Sangleys whom it is
advisable to allow to remain in this city is also being lessened,
and only those sufficient for its service are left. By that means,
I trust in our Lord that we can withstand our enemies' designs. Those
designs, as we have heard, are to besiege this city, or the forts of
Terrenate, or to establish themselves in Otton in your Majesty's fort
on the point of Ylo Ylo. I trust in His Divine Majesty that they will
not succeed in their attempt, for, although we have so few forces,
we will resist to the utmost until your Majesty shall furnish those
forces advisable for greater results in your royal service.
All of these things, although so considerable, could be endured, if
the royal treasury had the sum requisite for affairs so difficult. But
I can assure your Majesty with entire truth that the need of your
treasury is so pressing now that it is incomparable. Not less so is
the barrenness of this country, which was formerly and usually the
last resource. Consequently there is so universal misery that no
words could exaggerate it to your Majesty.
During the month of last April occurred a somewhat sharp encounter
between Governor Don Alonso Fajardo and Auditor Don Alvaro de Mesa y
Lugo, on going into the assembly hall--in which, according to report,
the auditor was somewhat lavish of words. For that reason the governor
had him arrested and imprisoned in the cabildo's halls, where he was
kept a few days, until he left his prison and retired into the convent
of St. Dominic of this city, where he still is--as your Majesty will
learn more fully by the judicial reports that were sent you in regard
to this matter, and to which I refer.
All these exhibitions of temper and anger result from what I have
pointed out to your Majesty in many other letters. They will exist
as long as there is an Audiencia and auditors in this city. I base
this assertion on the arguments and reasons that my experience
during the time of my residence in these islands has shown me. Again
referring to several of those reasons, I shall mention here only
three to your Majesty: first, that the auditors have so few causes
to judge that there are no more than those of four Indians in regard
to their houseplots and lands--in which they finally spend more in
costs than the principal over which they are litigating; the second
because the auditors are stubbornly opposed to the governors, for
which reason the latter cannot attain success in many things, and
your Majesty's service suffers. The aim of the auditors is naught
else than to get all the posts for their relatives, intimates, and
comrades; but with these many retired captains can be recompensed,
who have served and serve your Majesty here whenever necessary,
without return or pay. When their requests are not granted, these men
withdraw to their homes, which causes the country to be divided into
factions and parties. The third reason is the number of pesos that
your Majesty would save from the salaries of the auditors and other
officials of the Audiencia. With that sum, twice as much infantry
could be maintained as that which your Majesty has here. That, in
the light of present conditions, is the most important thing for the
necessary maintenance and defense of these islands. I have dared to
relate this to your Majesty because of my zeal as a loyal vassal,
and as one who looks at things dispassionately. Will your Majesty
decide as is most advisable to your royal service.
In all the letters that I have written to your Majesty in the past,
I have made a full report of the services that I have tried to
perform for your Majesty in more than forty consecutive years, not
only in these regions, but in the States of Flandes, and in Ytalia,
and in other lands, of which your Majesty already has information. At
present I only beg your Majesty to be pleased to consider that my age
is over sixty, and, although I might thereby be somewhat hindered,
still I will appreciate it more than I can express, to finish the
remainder of my life in the service of your Majesty, employed in the
post and grant that your Majesty may be pleased to confer upon me,
according to the capacity and talent found in me, as I hope from the
royal hand of your Majesty.
When I was about to seal this packet, news reached this city of the
happy arrival at these islands of the ship "San Andres," which was
expected from Nueva España. That news has caused a quite universal
happiness to this wretched community. The ship has anchored in the
province of Ylocos, eighty leguas from here, as the weather does not
permit it to come to this port. Your Majesty's letters have not yet
reached this port, and, as the vessels which are being despatched are
on the point of sailing, it will not be possible to answer them, as
the governor will more fully inform your Majesty--whose Catholic and
royal person may our Lord preserve for many years, as is necessary
to Christendom, etc. Manila, August first, 1621. Your Majesty's
humble servant,
_Don Hieronimo de Silva_