Sacred Catholic Majesty:
We wrote your Majesty a report of occurrences in these regions by the
ships that left these islands in the month of July of last year.
Inasmuch as we have heard from the viceroy and officials of Mexico that
the letters have been received, as well as the other things sent to
your Majesty, we shall repeat nothing of that letter in this except to
say that the ship “San Juan,” one of the three that set out last
year, returned to port again, although we thought here at the time of
its return that it was already in Nueva Spaña. Consequently, it was
necessary to allow it to remain, and again careen and scrape it since
there was time for it. Therefore the deck was again entirely replanked
and the keel releaded, and it is as good as if just from the shipyard.
It will sail somewhat short of rigging, for we have not been able to
get any, try as we would; and although we have written to Mexico asking
them to supply it thence, we have not been supplied because of what
will be related below in the present letter. However, it is ready to
sail at the first opportunity with that defect remedied as well as
possible. Consequently, we are writing this letter in order to advise
your Majesty of the other things that have occurred hereabouts.
We are again sending in the ship “San Juan” certain cases of
earthenware, boxes, and gold jewels which were sent your Majesty in the
same ship last year; and in addition, one crown, two chains, and two
daggers for the prince Don Ffernando our sovereign (whom may God
preserve for many years). At the news of his birth we thanked our Lord
heartily for having given your Majesty an heir, [60] as well as for the
good news and the victory of his most serene [Don Juan] of Austria,
[61] against the Turks, which came together with the news of your heir.
May our Lord preserve your Majesty and give you life to enjoy such
victories for many years and other greater ones for the exaltation of
His holy Catholic faith.
A ship from Nueva Spaña arrived here on the sixth of the present
month, which was despatched by the viceroy and royal officials. One
night before these islands were sighted, the other ship separated [from
it], not because of bad weather but because the flagship struck its
sails while the almiranta passed on ahead though somewhat senselessly.
It is thought to be among these islands taking on fresh supplies, for
the ships sailed somewhat short. Consequently, we are looking for it
daily, and we have sent a searching party for it, in case that it needs
anything. If it arrives ere the departure of this ship, we shall inform
your Majesty of it. We have already said that we have informed your
Majesty of all the discoveries made here [as yet]. Later occurrences
are that the province of Ylocos which is located in the northern part
of this island of Luçon has been allotted in repartimientos, and we
have sent men to colonize it. Another province located in the eastern
part of this same island, called Camarines, has also been explored and
pacified. The men are warlike and well armed for Indians; for they have
corselets of buffalo hide, iron greaves, and helmets set with fishbones
and stout shells, which no weapon except the arquebus can damage. Those
people told us that they would be our friends, and they are so,
according to the advices that we have received. We are awaiting a
captain who is there with some soldiers, in order to see the result of
what has happened, and in order that we may assign the land, and reward
in your Majesty’s name those who have served and are serving you in
these regions.
The king of Burney was expected here last year, for we heard that he
was going to attack us with more than three hundred sail. In reality we
have learned that he had tried to do it, as he has two young warlike
sons who intended to come for that purpose; but some chiefs of this
island advised them not to do it. On the contrary we have heard from
some men who have come from that island that the king desires our
friendship and to become your Majesty’s vassal. Upon that the
governor sent a Moro messenger, a native of this island, to the king
with letters advising him to become our friend and your Majesty’s
vassal. The letters said that all those who wished should come to these
islands to trade as formerly, and the governor offered them all peace
and love. We are daily expecting the return of those who went thither.
When they have come, we shall also advise your Majesty of it. It will
be a great benefit for us who live here to have that king as our
friend.
The chief and ruler of the river of Mindanao has also written a letter
to us in which he says that he wishes our friendship and to become your
Majesty’s vassal. He has put his desire into works, for while the
Spaniards were at the point of Cabit bartering for cinnamon (for it is
obtained in quantity there in that same island called Bindanao) that
king came personally with five ships laden with food and other things
for the Spaniards. The Spaniards had already left when he arrived, and,
upon discovering that, the king determined to send some Moros of this
island of Luçon with a letter, in which he offered himself as a
friend. They also sent us an oral message by those who came, to the
effect that the chief would aid and protect us in all our necessities.
Since these two chiefs have become our friends this whole land is very
quiet. This will be of great service to your Majesty.
The Chinese come hither annually with their merchandise, although they
do not bring anything valuable. Six ships came this year—three here
and three to Bindoro. They have been told to bring good and rare
articles, and they have promised to do so next year. They were very
well satisfied with the good treatment that has always been and is
shown them, because of the profit that they make in trade with us. If
they bring rare articles, we shall serve your Majesty with what shall
be brought. This archipelago of islands is large and the islands many.
This island of Luçon is the best and largest of all because it has a
numerous population. It is rich in gold, and has mines. So long as the
mines are unworked, your Majesty cannot fail to incur great expense in
these parts; and since ships have to be sent annually, as is ordinarily
done, by granting permission for this to merchants, your Majesty could
send what people had to come here and the reënforcements; and from the
cargoes that they carried to these parts, you could impose such and
such a per cent; whence you could meet the expenses [incurred here].
You could send only one large ship of five hundred tons or more, in
which the cinnamon and other spices and drugs which are being found
could be carried, while another consignment could be carried in each
merchantman. This ship which is about to sail now is small and will not
carry more than eighty quintals or so of cinnamon. A huge quantity of
cinnamon is gathered here and will be gathered for next year. We shall
continue yearly to send to Mexico what can be carried there, whence
advice will be given to your Majesty of what will be sent as well as of
what shall have been done in regard to that which has been sent during
former years.
We have written to Nueva Spaña to the viceroy and officials of your
Majesty, notwithstanding that no treasures have been sent them since we
have not had them hitherto in so great quantity, in order that they
might send us in your Majesty’s name, the necessities that are needed
daily in these regions. The officials reply to us that they have no
commission from your Majesty for it. We beseech your Majesty to
exercise your magnanimity and please have your officials of Mexico
ordered to supply us with the things for which we send to ask them for
the service of your Majesty and the sustenance of this camp. At the
least, we generally need powder, arquebuses, and the other ammunition
that is generally used, besides the other things that must necessarily
be had, in consideration of the fact that your Majesty’s ships must
come to these districts. For the most abundant thing that we have for
this ship “San Juan” which is now about to depart, is the poor
rigging that it carries, for there is no other, although it is taken
from three ships which are here. The ship which arrived lately carried
nothing of consideration except that which it needed for itself.
Therefore, there is great need of rigging also. The memorandum which
was sent to them [i.e., the viceroy and the royal officials of Mexico]
in the other ships is herewith enclosed for your Majesty, so that you
may please have rigging provided although it arrive late. The viceroy
and officials write us that they have given your Majesty a report of it
in the advice ships which they despatched from Nueva España to your
Majesty.
We have heard that your Majesty sent us certain decrees in the time of
the adelantado [Miguel Lopez de Legazpi] which we have not as yet seen;
but the governors retain them without giving us any knowledge of them.
We petition your Majesty that the decrees and provisions be sent to us
henceforth and enclosed in the letters that your Majesty may be pleased
to write us, so that your Majesty’s orders to us may be carried out
with all diligence; and that you will have the governors of these
districts ordered not to meddle in what concerns the royal treasury and
estate, in accordance with the concession that your Majesty has granted
to the officials of Mexico, and that we be neither more nor less than
they, judges and officials of your Majesty’s royal estate; for so is
it advisable for your royal service.
The Augustinian religious who are in these districts have endeavored to
appraise the tributes of this land, both those of the villages assigned
to your Majesty and the others which are held by the encomenderos.
However, no more is collected than that assigned and imposed by the
adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. That consists of one manta two
brazas long and one wide, and two fanegas of rice, and if they do not
possess that, three maes of gold. Each maes is equivalent to two and
one-half reals, which is its value in this land. The Augustinians
declare on their consciences that it is enough for each Indian to pay a
tribute of one maes or two and one-half reals. We have daily disputes
on this score and the Augustinians even went so far during the Lent
just past as refusing to confess us. They have declared that your
Majesty does not own or possess this land with good title, and say that
the order requisite in the conquest and pacification of it has not been
observed. Will your Majesty order what must be done in this matter and
whether we are here in this land under a just title or not. The
governor is sending a detailed relation and report to your Majesty
regarding all the above, so that after you have seen it you may enact
what must be done regarding it and in the other matters, so that the
encomenderos and people in this country may be rewarded for their
labors and may not go to hell as the friars say. Until this matter is
determined, we shall collect the amount imposed by the said adelantado,
for most of the encomenderos have less than one thousand Indians. [62]
We are advising the viceroy so that he can write to your Majesty,
representing the slight benefit that we have received as yet, and after
so long a time, although we were among the first to come for the
discovery of this land, in order that we may enjoy some repartimientos
as conquistadors, explorers, and colonists—at least I the accountant,
Andres Cauchela. For your Majesty’s treasury has not contained the
wherewithal from which we may be paid our salaries because of assisting
with its receipts in the affairs of this camp—a matter for the good
of all—and in aiding the carpenters and the other men who are wage
earners. Therefore, we petition your Majesty to please remunerate us in
this by exercising your so magnanimous power as king and sovereign.
Inasmuch as the governor is writing to your Majesty at length and is
giving you advice of all the events of these districts, we refer you to
him in this regard.
When Governor Miguel Lopez de Legaspi died, Guido de Labaçaris was
treasurer of your Majesty’s royal estate. He succeeded Legaspi and is
now the governor of these districts.
Inasmuch as that office [of treasurer] became vacant, and the factor
Andres de Mirandaola was sent a prisoner to Nueva Spaña, and hence
only the accountant was left to look after the royal estate, the
governor appointed me, Salvador de Aldave, to the office of treasurer
until your Majesty should provide otherwise. I petition your Majesty to
please concur in this and confirm it, in consideration of the fact that
I have served your Majesty well and faithfully in these parts for more
than seven years in the discovery, conquest, and pacification of these
islands. May our Lord preserve your royal Majesty’s sacred Catholic
person with an increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories as we your
Majesty’s servants desire. Manila, July 17, 1574. Sacred Catholic
Majesty, your Majesty’s faithful servants who humbly kiss your royal
feet.
Andres Cabchela
Salvador de Aldave