PREFACE

In the present volume is concluded the notable work by Morga, _Sucesos

de las Islas Filipinas_, which was begun in _Vol_. XV. The reader is

referred to the preface of that volume for some account of the book,

and of the manner in which it is presented in this series. Another

book notable in the history of the Philippines is that of Argensola,

_Conqvista de las Islas Molvcas_ (Madrid, 1609). In presenting

here this work, the Editors follow the plan which proves to be

more or less necessary with many of the printed early histories of

the islands--that of translating in full only such parts of the

book as relate directly to the Philippines, and are of especial

value or importance; and furnishing a brief synopsis of all matter

omitted, in order that the reader may survey the book as a whole,

and understand the relations and connections of the parts that

are presented in full with those that are synopsized. This method

is rendered necessary by the limitations of this series in regard

to space, especially as most of the old histories--as Aduarte's,

San Agustin's, and La Concepción's--are exceedingly voluminous;

and, moreover, devote much space to the affairs of Japan, China,

and other countries outside the Philippines. All matter of this sort

must of course, be omitted; and much of what remains is more useful

for annotations, or is relatively unimportant for publication. The

Editors consider, as do many other persons interested in this series,

that it is desirable to present (especially in the early period of

the Philippine history) the larger part of these documents from the

manuscript and hitherto unpublished material largely conserved in

foreign archives; and that the needs of students and investigators

will thus be better served than by occupying the valuable and limited

space of this series with complete translations of books which can be

found in large American libraries. The location of all these will be

noted, so far as is possible, in the volume devoted to bibliographical

information at the end of this series; meanwhile the needs of most

readers will be suitably met by the synopses of omitted matter and the

free use of such works as those of La Concepción and San Antonio in

annotations. The Editors purpose to present a few of these histories,

especially in the earlier period, in very full form, so far as they

cover Philippine history; for these are original sources, from which

later writers obtained much of their material. These methods render

this series unusually rich in valuable historical material, all

carefully selected, and much of it greatly condensed by the excision

of extraneous, irrelevant, and unimportant matter. The parts thus

omitted and synopsized will be, as heretofore, indicated by enclosing

the synopses in brackets.

Continuing his narrative, Morga describes his voyage to Mexico,

whither he goes (1603) to be a member of the Audiencia there. He then

relates the events of the Chinese uprising in Luzón in that year,

which has been fully described in previous volumes of this series;

and his picturesque although plain narrative casts new light upon that

episode. Many Spaniards in Manila are so alarmed by this danger that

they remove, with all their households and property, to Nueva España;

but one of the ships carrying them is lost at sea, and the other is

compelled, after great injury and loss, to return to Manila--a serious

calamity for the colony there. The governor does his best to fortify

the city, and reënforcements and supplies are provided for him from

Nueva España. Bishop Benavides dies (1605). Friars from the islands

go to Japan, but the emperor of that country is offended at their

preaching, and advises Acuña to restrain them. In the summer of 1605

arrive supplies and men from Nueva España, and Acuña proceeds with his

preparations for the expedition against the Dutch in the Moluccas. In

the following spring he sets out on this enterprise, conducting it

in person; Morga describes this naval campaign in detail. Ternate is

captured by the Spaniards without bombardment, and with little loss to

themselves. The fugitive king of the island is persuaded to surrender

to the Spaniards and become a vassal of Felipe. Several other petty

rulers follow his example and promise not to allow the Dutch to engage

in the clove trade. Acuña builds a new fort there, and another in

Tidore, leaving Juan de Esquivel as governor of the Moluccas, with

a garrison and several vessels far their defense, and carrying to

Manila the king of Ternate and many of his nobles, as hostages. During

Acuña's absence a mutiny occurs among the Japanese near Manila, which

is quelled mainly by the influence of the friars. The governor dies,

apparently from poison, soon after his return to Manila. The trade

of the islands is injured by the restrictions laid upon it by the

home government; and the reduction of Ternate has not sufficed to

restrain the Moro pirates. The natives of the Moluccas are uneasy and

rebellious, especially as they have a prospect of aid from the Dutch,

who are endeavoring to regain their lost possessions there. Morga cites

a letter from a Spanish officer at La Palma, recounting the purpose

and outcome of van Noordt's expedition to the Indian archipelago.

The historical part of Morga's account ends here; and the final

chapter is devoted to a description of the islands and their people,

the customs and religious beliefs of the natives, and the condition at

that time of the Spanish colony and the city of Manila. He describes

the principal islands of the Philippine group, beginning with Luzón;

the various races of inhabitants--Moros, Negritos, and Visayans:

their mode of dress, their occupations and industries, their habits

of life; their weapons, their ships and boats; the trees and fruits of

the islands; the animals and birds, both wild and tame; the reptiles,

fishes, and other creatures; and various plants. Among these is the

buyo (or betel); the habit of chewing it has become universal among the

Spaniards, of all classes, and poison is often administered through

its medium. Various means and methods of poisoning are described,

as well as some antidotes therefor. Some account is given of the

gold mines and pearl fisheries, and of other products of the country

which form articles of commerce. Morga describes the two great lakes

of Luzón (Bombon and Bai), Manila and its harbor and approaches, and

other principal ports, with some neighboring islands; and gives some

account of the Visayan people and the larger islands inhabited by them,

and of the tides in the archipelago. Then follows an interesting and

detailed account of the Filipino peoples, their language, customs,

beliefs, etc. The language used in Luzón and other northern islands

is different from that of the Visayas; but all the natives write,

expressing themselves fluently and correctly, and using a simple

alphabet which resembles the Arabic. Their houses, and their mode

of life therein, arc fully described; also their government, social

organization, and administration of justice. The classes and status

of slaves, and the causes of enslavement are recounted. Their customs

in marriages and dowries, divorces, adoption, and inheritance are

described; also in usury, trading, and punishment for crimes. The

standard of social purity is described by Morga as being very low;

yet infamous vices were not indigenous with them, but communicated by

foreigners, especially by the Chinese. The natives of Luzón appear

to be superior, both intellectually and morally, to the Visayan

peoples. Their religious beliefs and practices are recounted by Morga,

who naturally ascribes these to the influence of the devil. He also

narrates the entrance of Mahometanism into the islands, and how it

was checked by the coming of the Spaniards.

Morga next sketches the condition at that time of Spanish colonies

in the islands. He describes the city of Manila in detail, with

its fortifications, arsenals, government and municipal buildings,

cathedral, and convents; also the seminary of Santa Potenciana, and

the hospitals. There are six hundred houses, mostly built of stone,

within the walls, and even more in the suburbs; "and all are the

habitations and homes of Spaniards." All the people, both men and

women, are clad and gorgeously adorned in silks; and nowhere is there

greater abundance of food, and of other necessaries of human life,

than in Manila. Morga enumerates the dignitaries, ecclesiastical

and civil, who reside in the city; and mentions it as the center

and metropolis of the archipelago. He then briefly describes the

other Spanish settlements in the Philippines; and mentions in their

turn the various orders and their work there, with the number of

laborers in each. He praises their efforts for the conversion,

education, and social improvement of the Indians. He defines the

functions of both the civil and the ecclesiastical authorities,

and the policy of the government toward the natives; and describes

the application and results in the Philippines of the encomienda

system imported thither from America. He deprecates the permission

given to the Indians for paying their tributes in kind or in money,

at their option; for it has led to their neglecting their former

industries, and thus to the general damage of the country. Slavery

still exists among them, but the Spaniards have been forbidden to

enslave the natives. Personal services of various sorts are due

from the latter, however, to their encomenderos, to the religious,

and to the king, for all of which they receive a moderate wage; and

all other services for the Spaniards are voluntary and paid. Close

restrictions are laid upon the intercourse of the Spaniards with

natives. Various information is given regarding appointments to

office, residencias, elections, town government, and finances; also

of the ecclesiastical organization, expenses, and administration,

as well as of the incomes of the religious orders. Morga recounts

the numbers, character, pay, and organization of the military and

naval forces in the islands. The bulk of the citizens are merchants

and traders, commerce being the chief occupation and support of the

Spanish colony. Manila is a market for all the countries of Eastern

Asia, from Japan to Borneo. The China trade is restricted to the

inhabitants of the Philippines; Morga describes its nature and extent,

and the manner in which it is conducted, as well as the character

and methods of the Chinese traders. A similar account is given of the

trade carried on with the Philippines by the Japanese, Borneans, and

other neighboring peoples, and of the shipment to Nueva España of the

goods thus procured. This last commerce is "so great and profitable,

and easy to control, that the Spaniards do not apply themselves to,

or engage in, any other industry," and thus not only they neglect to

avail themselves of and develop the natural resources of the country,

but the natives are neglecting and forgetting their former industries;

and the supply of silver in the country steadily flows out of it and

into the hands of infidels. Morga enumerates the officials, revenues,

and expenditures of the colonial government. As its income is too small

for its necessary expenses, the annual deficit is made up from the

royal treasury of Nueva España. But this great expense is incurred

"only for the Christianization and conversion of the natives, for

the hopes of greater fruits in other kingdoms and provinces of Asia."

The large extent of the Chinese immigration to the islands is

disapproved by Morga, as unsafe to the Spaniards and injurious to the

natives. Some Chinese are needed for the service of the Spaniards,

for all the trades are carried on by them; but the number of Chinese

allowed to live in the islands should be restricted to those who are

thus needed. Morga describes the character, dress, mode of life,

and settlements of the Chinese near Manila; they are cared for in

religious matters by the Dominican friars. The Christian Chinese live

apart from the heathens, in a settlement of some five hundred people;

Morga has but a poor opinion of even these converts. Some account is

also given of the Japanese who have settled in Manila; Morga commends

them, and states that they prove to be good Christians.

He ends his work by a detailed account of the navigation and voyage

to and from the Philippines. The Mexican port of departure for this

route has been removed from Navidad to Acapulco. Morga describes the

westward voyage; the stop at the Ladrone Islands, and the traffic

of the natives with the ships; and the route thence, and among the

Philippine Islands. The return route to Mexico is much more difficult

and dangerous; for the winds are varying and not always favorable,

and the ship must change its course more frequently, and go far north

to secure favoring winds, there encountering cold weather. These severe

changes cause much suffering, and even death; and the vessel makes this

voyage without once touching land until it reaches Acapulco, a period

of five or six months. Morga also describes the voyage to Spain by

way of Goa and the Cape of Good Hope, which also is long and dangerous.

Argensola writes a history of "the conquest of the Malucas," and

begins by describing the islands thus named, their inhabitants, and

the customs, mode of dress, and language of the people. He relates

the current stories of their origin and of their early intercourse

with Occidental peoples, mainly through the spice trade. The earlier

expeditions of the Portuguese to the Moluccas arouse the hostility of

the natives; and so much difficulty and expense to the government is

thus occasioned that his councilors advise Felipe II to abandon the

Philippines and Moluccas, as not worth so much cost. This he refuses

to do, on account of the necessity and duty of converting the pagans

in those lands--a decision confirmed also by Felipe III. Argensola

enumerates the various arguments pro and con regarding the retention

of the islands by Spain, which he justifies for the sake of converting

the heathen. The points thus far given are those of the brief synopsis

which results from our examination of books i-iv in the _Conqvista_,

Turning to book v, we find a brief outline of the conquest of the

Philippines by Legazpi, their peoples, their chief products, and their

fauna. The expedition of Peñalosa to conquer Ternate is described;

it proves a failure, for various causes. The king of Spain sends the

"invincible armada" against England (1588), desiring to check the

inroads of Northern heretics against Spanish commerce in the Orient;

but that fleet is defeated, and dispersed. Santiago de Vera also

sends an expedition against Ternate, but it also is a failure. One

of the princes that island asks for Spanish aid to gain its royalty

for himself--offering, in return, to become a vassal of Spain; but

his death prevents any further arrangement of this sort. Gomez Perez

Dasmariñas undertakes an expedition for the conquest of the Moluccas,

of which and of his tragic end a full account is given in book vi,

furnishing much interesting information thereon which is not elsewhere

to be obtained. Dasmariñas drafts rowers from among the Filipino

natives and the Chinese, by force; this causes much resentment among

them. He obtains full reports of affairs in the Moluccas, and advice

regarding the conduct of the campaign, from the Jesuits in those

islands. Dasmariñas sets out on this expedition (October 17, 1594),

his own galley being manned by Chinese rowers. These, being harshly

treated, mutiny, and murder all the Spaniards on the galley save two

(October 25), a friar and the governor's secretary. The governor's

death renders necessary the appointment of a temporary successor to his

office; this is his son, Luis Perez Dasmariñas. The murderers return

to Luzón, with armed vessels, hoping to find the country defenseless

and conquer it; but the forces at Manila are sufficient to overawe

the Chinese.

At this juncture, Langara, king of Camboja, asks for aid from the

Spaniards; and Dasmariñas sends for this purpose an expedition under

command of Gallinato. The Spaniards slay the usurper of the Cambojan

throne; this dignity is offered to Gallinato, but he refuses it, and

Ruiz and Velloso replace the rightful heir on the throne. Dasmariñas

himself undertakes another expedition to Camboja, at his own cost;

but he is driven by storms to the Chinese coast, some of his ships are

wrecked, and another is destroyed, with most of its crew, by Malays

at Camboja. These disasters put an end, for the time, to any further

attempts against Ternate.

Argensola relates the exploits of Figueroa and his successors in

subduing the Mindanaos, who are aided by the king of Ternate, as

being in a sense his vassals. Felipe II dies (1598), and for a time

the affairs of Moluccas are neglected. Book vii mainly relates to

Dutch voyages to the Eastern Archipelago; the presence of the Dutch

encourages the Ternatans to keep up their resistance to the Spaniards

and Portuguese. Governor Acuña arrives in the Philippines (May, 1602),

and for some time is occupied with the internal affairs of the colony

and the establishment of amicable relations with the Japanese. These

matters being settled, he turns his mind toward the conquest of

the Moluccas; and he coöperates with the expedition under Furtado

de Mendoza, which had been sent for this purpose from India. The

combined fleets meet with temporary successes at Ternate, but are

finally compelled to abandon the undertaking. The home government

finally decides that it must be again and effectively prosecuted;

and that Acuña himself shall conduct another expedition against the

Moluccas. The royal decree for this (dated June 20 1604) is given

in full.

Argensola relates the great fire in Manila and the Chinese

insurrection, both in 1603; he gives some information thereon which

is not found in other accounts. This revolt, although quelled,

causes great disturbance of business and industry, and much want

and distress, in Manila, which had so largely been dependent

upon its Chinese population. Soon afterward reënforcements and

supplies are received there from Mexico. In February, 1605, a Dutch

fleet appears in the Eastern archipelago, and captures Amboina and

Tidore. Portuguese fugitives from Tidore inform Acuña of the purpose

of the Dutch to attack the galleons on the Mexican route and perhaps

other Spanish interests; and to drive out the Spaniards from that

quarter of the world. He immediately sends more men to the garrisons

in the Pintados, and takes other precautions. The arrival of numerous

reënforcements at Manila encourages him and checks the insolence of

surrounding peoples. The Dutch aid the Ternatans, while Acuña makes

vigorous preparations for the expedition to be made against these

foes. He sails with over three thousand men, in thirty-six vessels,

from Iloilo on January 5, 1606. The flagship is wrecked at La Caldera;

the other vessels mistake their course, and do not reach the Moluccas

until late in March. They besiege Ternate, and finally carry it by

assault; the city and fort are pillaged by the soldiers. Afterward the

king is induced to surrender and Acuña makes a treaty with him. The

king surrenders his forts and restores all captives; delivers up any

Dutchmen or Spanish renegades who may be in Ternate; and gives up

the villages of Christian natives in adjacent islands. Acuña leaves a

strong garrison in Ternate, and carries the king and other captives

to Manila. A few weeks after his return, Acuña dies--by poison,

according to popular rumor.

To this volume is appended (apropos of an allusion by Morga) an

interesting account of the ancient customs observed by the natives of

Pampanga in the administration of justice. These differed, according to

the social status of the parties concerned, and the kind of crime; but,

in general, certain fixed amounts were paid as the penalties for most

crimes, and in some cases the penalty was life for life. If the culprit

could not pay the fine, he was usually sold as a slave. Parricide and

infanticide were apparently unknown among them. Marriages, divorces,

inheritances, enslavements, disputes, etc., are all considered in this

account, obtained by the Franciscan Juan de Plasencia from the natives.

_The Editors_

June, 1904.