In the city of Manila, on the twenty-second day of April, one
thousand five hundred and ninety-four, Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas,
knight of the order of Alcantara, governor and captain-general
of the Philipinas Islands, ordered a council of war, held in his
presence in the royal houses and attended by Licentiate Pedro de
Rojas, lieutenant-governor; the Master-of-camp Diego Ronquillo;
Captain Gomez de Machuca, factor and treasurer; Captain Don Juan
Ronquillo; Captain Pedro de Chaves; Captain and Sargento-mayor Juan
Xuares Gallinato; Captain Joan de Villegas; Captain Pedro de Arceo
Cuevasruvias; Captain Jhoan de Laxara; Captain Francisco de Mercado
Andrade; Captain Juan Esquerra; Captain Christoval de Axqueta; Captain
Hernando Muñoz de Poyatos; Captain Pedro Sarmiento; Captain Diego de
Castillo; Captain Antonio de Canedo; Captain Augustin de Urdiales;
Captain Antonio Rodriguez Chacon; Captain Don Francisco de Mendoza;
and Captain Gaspar Perez. The said governor communicated to them that
Governor Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, his late father (who is in heaven),
sent to Japon father Fray Pedro Bauptista and other Franciscan fathers,
together with Pedro Gonçalez. The latter returned from that kingdom
of Xapon a few days ago, and brought for the said governor a letter
from the king, which was shown to them, and its contents read, after
it was translated into the Spanish language. It was as follows:
_Letter from the Emperor of Xapon_
Father Pedro brought me letters from which I learned the customs of
your country, as also from what Father Pedro told me particularly,
and from what Father Cobo had stated before. When I was born, the sun
shone on my breast; and this is a miracle, and portends that I was
destined from the beginning to be lord of all between the rising and
the setting sun, and that all kingdoms must render me vassalage and bow
down before my door; and unless they do it, I will destroy them with
war. I have conquered all the kingdom of Xapon, and that of Coria,
and many of my commanders have asked my permission to go and capture
Manila. Learning this, Faranda and Funguen told me that ships went
there from here, and came back, and so the people there appeared not to
be enemies, for which reason I did not send troops. I made war against
the Koreans and conquered as far as Meaco, because they failed to keep
their word. Afterward my soldiers killed many Chinese and many nobles
who came to help the Koreans. In view of this they humbled themselves,
and sent an ambassador who asked that we send some of our people to
Coria, and said that the Chinese desired eternal friendship with the
kingdom of Xapon. I have sent many of our people to Coria to occupy the
fortresses and await the embassy. Should they break their word again,
I will go in person to make war upon them; and after going to China,
Luzon will be within my reach. Let us be friends forever, and write
to that effect to the king of Castilla. Do not, because he is far
away, let him slight my words. I have never seen those far lands, but
from the accounts given I know what is there. You were very discreet
in coming immediately, and this pleased me greatly. I received your
present. I will never fail in my friendship. Those who come from your
country may come safely over land and sea without any wrong being done
them, or their property being stolen. You may believe everything that
the man who came with the father says, because he has seen my country
and the hospitality which I tendered. Write to the king of Castilla
that he is waiting there. Tell him to send a man of position so that
our friendship may be stronger. The rest I have entrusted to Funguen.
The above letter being read, the governor told them that it was
true that the king, on the face of the letter, offered peace and
friendship to this country and ratified what Faranda negotiated with
the governor's father. Yet it was also plain, the governor said,
from his arrogant words, that the peace and friendship were to
last only for an indefinite period; those words did not accord with
the authority and good name of our king and the Christian name and
reputation of the Spanish nation, because of the pride and arrogance
with which he referred to his birth and his personality, saying:
"I am a man destined from the beginning to be lord of all from the
rising to the setting sun, to whom all kingdoms must render vassalage
and bow down before my door; and, unless they do it, I will destroy
them." Again, as the governor declared, not satisfied with this,
he threatened us with his desire to capture the land, by saying:
"Many of my commanders have asked my permission to take Manila;"
and then by referring to the manner in which he humbled the Chinese
in the war with Coria, to their sending him an ambassador, and to his
reply that if they broke their word, he would go in person to China
and would make war against it, in which case Luzon would be within his
reach. From all this it was difficult to draw any meaning not ominous
for us; and what sounded the worst was when he gave us to understand,
deceiving himself into that belief, that the embassy and presents taken
by father Fray Pedro Bautista were sent as tokens of obedience--"You
were discreet in coming immediately, and this pleased me greatly. I
received the present which came as specified in the letter," etc. Then
the governor said that this friendship would be too dearly bought,
if it cost us one atom of reputation or authority; and seeing that
he must not and could not hide from our sovereign the receipt of the
said letter, with which the emperor of Japan was acquainted, knowing
well its contents and purpose, he deemed it fitting to answer said
letter in a manner that would undeceive him in this important matter;
and for that purpose he had dictated a reply which he would have read
to them afterward. It begins by giving the emperor an account of the
death of his father and of other events which he would be bound to
learn, but which might be reported to him in a distorted form. After
this he thanks him for the confirmation of amity; and then, with
some heat and no less truth, calls his attention to the uncertainty
of the prophecy concerning his rule over the world, enlightening him
by the way as to some matters of our holy faith. In conclusion, with
reference to the acknowledgment of subjection which he had supposed
us to make, the letter states that our trust was wholly in God and in
our obedience to Him, while our allegiance to our most Christian king
admitted of no other allegiance, and of no other subjection, dominion,
or acknowledgment of vassalage. And finally, in order to appease him
somewhat at the end of the letter, a complete confirmation of peace and
amity is offered him; and he is told that the king will be notified,
and that in this, and in sending someone hence, and receiving persons
from there, and in other tokens of friendship, good treatment, and
a good understanding, his subjects would find this peace and amity
here and on the part of his Majesty. The answer was immediately read,
and is as follows:
_Reply to the letter_
The letter addressed by your Grandeur to my father was received by
me as the person left in charge of the government of this land at
his death, which occurred on the way to Maluco. He was treacherously
killed while sleeping one night, without apprehension or precaution,
as one who did not dream of having enemies or traitors with him. The
traitors were the Sangleys, whom he took with him to work his
galley. Like the ineffably low, vile, and cowardly people that
they are, they killed my father because he trusted them and set
them loose for their own comfort. The news of this event reached
me far from the place of its occurrence, while I was awaiting him
with the fleet and troops, that we might depart. Although after his
death I endeavored to continue my journey, I was prevented because
of several events and considerations. I came back here desirous of
hearing news from your Grandeur, and of seeing your letter replying
to those sent by my father through Father Fray Pedro. Although two
vessels arrived here from Xapon, they could not give me the desired
news. The arrival of Pedro Gonçalez has pleased me greatly, especially
in view of the fact that I was unable to understand his delay, and
of the rumor here that your Grandeur was going to send your armies,
a report very different from the agreement made in your name with
my father by your ambassador and servant Faranda, which was for firm
peace and full amity. Through the letter brought by Pedro Gonçalez,
I have learned that it is your royal desire that such relations be
continued; and this has greatly pleased me, for it is to be hoped
that as the kings are great, great will be the friendship, and greater
still the fruits of it. Equally great is my desire that hereafter we
treat each other in every way like friends, with less formality and
more frankness than in your royal letters hitherto received; because
to say that the sun at your royal birth promised you the whole world
and its sovereignty, I believe can only be the saying of someone
who wishes to please and flatter you with such a prophecy--which
is in no wise possible or practicable, for many reasons. The first
is that the very power which according to your Grandeur's statement
is to give you that dominion is unable to do it, since the sun is,
just like the sky, the earth and everything else created, the work
of our true God and therefore it can neither promise nor fulfil such
a promise. The sun has no more life or power than what God gave it,
and this does not go to the extent of taking or giving away kingdoms,
which can only be done by God himself. It is to this great God and
Lord that thanks are due for all our life and power; and it is He who
has such power, and not the sun or anything else which, as already
stated, is an object created by Him. From the above-stated truth it
must be inferred that it was flattery and nothing practicable that
those learned men said. In this prophecy they have shown themselves
to be in the wrong; because, even if no other obstacles were to be
encountered, it would be impossible to fulfil the prophecy when it is
considered what a long time it would require to do so, and how short
our life is, especially so when the greater part of it is past. After
this obstacle a greater one arises, and that is that, even if so many
and powerful kings as the world holds were to be subjugated, my king
would suffice to overthrow all these prophecies. And because it is
right that I do so, and in order that your Grandeur be not deceived
by what is nothing else than the false flattery of ignorant people,
I acquaint you with the fact that my king's power is such, and the
kingdoms and countries under his royal and Christian rule are so many,
that his power and greatness is beyond compare with that of many
kings and lords, though they be most powerful, each by himself. His
dominions here are but a corner, and my king's possessions cannot
be judged by his dominion here. Now, returning to what I was saying,
since our lord and king is so powerful as he is, and only one of the
many kings of this world, it can be easily imagined that all the rest
of them will not obey one man alone, and that no human power could
control so much. Even were every one of them to render you obedience,
it is not to be thought that either our king or his subjects would do
it; but on the contrary, were it not that our divine and Christian
laws prevent us from taking unjustly from any one that which does
not belong to us, and if affairs were in accordance with power and
strength, my king only would be the one obeyed and acknowledged as
such ruler. In all other matters we put our trust not in human power,
which does not and cannot extend beyond God's divine wishes, but
in Him whom we acknowledge as our true Lord and God, as well as the
God of everything created. Under His omnipotent care we feel safe;
and this feeling of safety and trust is not imagined, but real and
proved by wonderful and miraculous deeds and events. Having such
men near you as father Fray Pedro and others, your Grandeur could
gain information--if for no other reason, merely for curiosity,
since your Grandeur is so desirous of learning about greatness;
and once having learned the greatness of our omnipotent Lord, you
will see how wise we are in putting our trust and confidence in Him,
who is almighty. I have said all this not to displease your Grandeur,
but in order that you may realize why we do not render obedience to
other dominion, other power or other lord, than Jesus Christ, almighty
and true God and Lord, and our most Christian king Don Phelipe. As
regards the friendship that your Grandeur says we ought to maintain
forever, we, on our side, will observe it; and I feel certain that
your Grandeur will keep it on your part, since it is so declared in
your royal letters. I will advise my king and lord at the earliest
opportunity of the peace and friendship established, so that he may
ratify it from there; and I trust in the Lord that everything will
be done as desired by your Grandeur, whom I wish to serve and please
as the friend of my king and our own. In order to do so, I should
have been glad if I had some curious things from Castilla, to send
as presents to your Grandeur; but I cannot do it now, and will send
them later, when they come. Should your Grandeur wish that as friends
we send each other men of rank and station so that our intercourse
might be more friendly and informal--not that the religious who have
gone are not among us here respected and highly esteemed as servants
of God, and are not sufficiently high in station--but from now on a
layman could be sent of higher rank than that of those who have gone
heretofore. Should your Grandeur desire to send someone to visit the
court of my king and see its splendor and the power and dominion of his
Majesty, he will be sent on from here, and will be well received and
highly favored by my king, because he is very fond of receiving and
entertaining foreigners, and especially such as might come from your
Grandeur, who would receive especial favor. Your Grandeur can advise
me of your decision in regard to this as well as the other matters;
and may the Lord keep you and enlighten you with His divine light.
Then the governor said that because of the duty which, as a Christian,
he owed to the Lord, and because of his duty to the king as his servant
and subject, and because of the strict account which he must render
sooner or later, he thought this a very serious case which could not
be ignored or passed by. He said that it required just such an answer
as the one he had decided to send; and that he would have answered
the emperor with more decision and heat, were it not for the danger
incurred by the fathers and the Christians residing in that kingdom,
and the danger to these islands, if the emperor were to be openly
provoked and displeased to the extent of declaring war. Because of the
above-mentioned reasons, and taking into consideration the service
of the Lord, and the welfare of those people, and the growth of the
new gospel so pleasing to the Lord and so earnestly desired by his
Majesty, and notwithstanding his judgment and belief that the said
answer should be sent just as read here, he desired to call together
these grave and important persons and inform them of this affair,
so that, having examined the said letter, they could give their
opinion. If they approved of it, it would be sent; but should they,
for any reasons or considerations, desire it to be otherwise, they
should give signed statements of their opinions, with the reasons
therefor, and this opinion, together with his letter, and a copy
of the letters from Japon and the reply which they think suitable,
will be sent to his Majesty for the protection of the governor in the
future, as in this matter he would not do anything but what might be
resolved upon, and decided to be most beneficial to the service of God
and of the king our lord, and to the good name of the Spanish nation.
Then the licentiate Pedro de Rojas, lieutenant-governor, said that
the substance of the reply to the king of Xapon's letter, as read,
was very prudent and discreet, and that its warmth and spirit were
proper in view of the arrogant words written by the emperor in his
letter; but that in his opinion, it would be well to follow the
reserved and dignified style generally used among such personages,
and to leave out some words, especially in that part referring
to the falsity of the prophecies, where other arguments could be
advanced. The master-of-camp and other captains present were of the
same opinion. The decision of the question was, therefore, postponed
until the next day, when an amended reply would be presented. This
resolution was signed, by the licentiate Pedro de Rojas, Diego
Ronquillo, Juan Xuarez Gallinato, Gomez de Machuca, Pedro de Chaves,
Don Juan Ronquillo, Diego de Castillo, Pedro de Arceo Cuevasruvias,
Juan Esquerra, Hernando Muñoz de Poyatos, Don Francisco de Poça,
Francisco de Mercado Andrade, Christoval de Azqueta, Juan de Alcega,
Don Diego Jordano, Antonio Decanedo, Gaspar Perez.
Before me:
_Juan de Cuellar_
In the city of Manila, on the twenty-eighth day of April, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-four, the master-of-camp and captains who
attended the preceding council of war met a second time at the royal
house by order of and in the presence of Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas,
governor and captain-general, to decide concerning the reply to be sent
to the letter of Cuambaco, the emperor of Xapon, as had been agreed
upon the day before. It had then been decided to omit from the said
reply some of the arguments, and to substitute others, briefer and
less likely to provoke or annoy him, leaving in it only such things
as are required for the fulfilment of our duties as Christians,
and as subjects of our king, and for the sake of our good name. In
conformity with this decision, the letter having been so amended, the
governor ordered it to be read aloud, so that the said master-of-camp
and captains could give their opinion as to whether it was proper
and desirable to send it; and it was read as follows:
_The Letter_
The letter addressed by your Grandeur to my father was received by
me as the person left in charge of the government of this land at his
death, which occurred on the way to Maluco. He was treacherously killed
while sleeping one night, without apprehension or precaution, as one
who did not dream of having enemies or traitors with him. The traitors
were the Sangleys, whom he took with him to work his galley. Like
the ineffably low, vile, and cowardly people that they are, they
killed my father because he trusted them, and set them loose for
their own comfort. The news of this event reached me far from the
place of its occurrence, while I was awaiting him with the fleet and
troops, that we might depart. Although after his death I endeavored
to continue my journey, I was prevented because of several events
and considerations. I came back here, desirous of hearing news from
your Grandeur and of seeing your letter replying to those sent by my
father through father Fray Pedro. Although two vessels arrived here
from Xapon, they could not give me the desired news. The arrival of
Pedro Gonçalez has given me great pleasure, especially in view of
the fact that I was unable to understand his delay, and of the rumor
here that your Grandeur was going to send your armies, a report very
different from the agreement made in your name with my father by your
ambassador and servant Faranda, which was for firm peace and full
amity. Through the letter brought by Pedro Gonçalez, I have learned
that it is your royal desire that such relations be continued, and
this has greatly pleased me; for it is to be hoped that as the kings
are great, great will be the friendship, and greater still the fruits
of it. Equally great is my desire that hereafter we treat each other
in every way as friends, with less formality and more frankness than
in your royal letters hitherto received. Since your Grandeur speaks
of vassalage, I wish your Grandeur to understand that my king's power
is so great and so extensive, and the kingdoms and states ruled by
his Christian hand are so many, that they are beyond compare with
the greatness of many kings, though these be most powerful each by
himself. His dominions here are nothing but a corner, and my king's
possessions are not to be judged by his dominions here. The reason
that they are so small is, that our Christian and divine laws do not
permit us to do injury or damage to anyone by taking away that which
belongs to him. I say this to your Grandeur that you may know that,
although we are in a confined and narrow region, we do not recognize
other ruler, other power, other dominion, or other lord, than Jesus
Christ, the almighty and true God and Lord, and our most Christian king
Don Phelipe. Concerning the friendship that your Grandeur suggests we
ought to maintain forever, it will be kept by us; and I feel assured
that your Grandeur will keep it on your part, since it is so declared
in your royal letters. I will advise my lord and king at the earliest
opportunity of the peace and friendship established, so that he may
ratify it from there; and I trust in the Lord that everything will be
done as desired by your Grandeur, whom I wish to serve and please as
the friend of my king and our own. For such purpose I should have been
glad if I had some curious things from Castilla to send as presents
to your Grandeur; but I cannot do it now, and will send them later
when they come. Should your Grandeur wish that as friends we send
each other men of rank and of a high station, so that our intercourse
might be more friendly and informal--not that the religious who have
gone are not among us respected and highly esteemed as ministers
of God, or are not sufficiently high in station--but from now on a
layman could be sent of higher rank than that of those who have gone
heretofore. Should your Grandeur desire to send someone to visit the
court of my king and see its splendor, and the power and dominion of
his Majesty, he will be sent on from here, and will be well received
and highly favored by my king, because he is very fond of receiving
and entertaining foreigners--especially such as might come from your
Grandeur, who would receive especial favor. Your Grandeur can advise
me of your decision in regard to this as well as the other matters;
and may our Lord keep and enlighten you with His divine light.
After the letter thus amended was read, the above-mentioned persons
unanimously and of one accord stated that it was a good and proper
reply to the letter of the king of Xapon, and that the said reply
complied with what was required by the good service of the Lord and of
his Majesty, and with the good name and repute of the Spanish nation;
and it was, accordingly, signed by Licentiate Pedro de Rojas, Diego
Ronquillo, Gomez de Machuca, Juan Xuarez Gallinato, Pedro de Chaves,
Don Juan Ronquillo, Pedro de Arceo Cuevasrubias, Diego de Castillo,
Hernando Muñoz de Poyatos, Francisco de Mercado Andrade, Don Francisco
de Poça, Juan Ezguerra, Christoval de Axqueta, Jhoan de Alcega, Antonio
de Cañedo, Don Diego Jordano, Gaspar Perez, Agustin de Urdiales.
Before me:
_Juan de Cuellar_