Chapter 5

And now this city is enclosed by sea and land, so that only one small portion fronting on the river is open between that and the fort of the point. This has not been enclosed, because that open space is so small, and it fronts on the river between the fort of the point and another cavalier named Sanct Gabriel which has been built there. As these two are opposite each other and within easy distance, it is evident that no danger will enter by that place, for it is the best guarded and most secure. And, too, as this wall and fort have been built at so little or no cost to your Majesty, except from the two per cent tax levied once, and from your Majesty's monopoly of the sale of playing-cards, I ran so short of funds that I was compelled to leave this bit of the shore unenclosed. But, God be praised, the work in its present condition is so far advanced, that no enemy who attacks me can give me any cause for anxiety. Your Majesty may see what has been done since my arrival here, by the accompanying plan. [10] This wall has had no less effect for the undeceiving of the natives. Hitherto they have hoped that the occupation and settlement of the Spaniards here was not to be permanent, as was observed in a joint meeting of the religious orders and myself, held in your Majesty's fort about one month ago. At that time Fray Christoval, who was managing this bishopric, said that, less than one month previous, some chiefs of La Laguna (which is five leagues from this city) had asked him when the Castilians were going to leave. They will have been already undeceived in this regard, and the insolent and audacious designs of the hostile mestizos and foreigners will have received a heavy blow when they see this city enclosed and defended by land and sea.

Although the cathedral church was being finished when the vessels left, after the portal was built--although with opposition and a suit, as your Majesty will see by the accompanying papers--I had your Majesty's arms placed upon it. Truly, that was sufficiently contrary to the will of these priests here, who--just as if your Majesty were some foreigner, and not the sovereign, as you are, of all this land--declare that, wherever the arms of St. Peter are placed, those of your Majesty are unnecessary, to such a state has the insistence and license of the ecclesiastics here come. Finally, as to the building of the church, it is so far advanced that, notwithstanding the little still to be done, the divine offices are celebrated therein with due propriety. The canons receive their pay from their stipends, and are content therewith. There is need of a prelate--who, as I have written your Majesty, should be not a theologian, but a canonist, in order to serve suitably God and your Majesty. The work on the new convent of Sanct Andres and Sancta Potenciana for the shelter and training of girls is well under way, although for lack of money not so far advanced as I would like. However, the girls are being cared for in the house first assigned them.

As I have written to your Majesty, I have four galleys fitted up, which are actually patrolling the coast, and acting as a defense to these islands whenever needed, although they cost me abundance of complaints, both in and out of the pulpit, from these blessed fathers, who have compelled me to make the enclosed inquiries; and yet, with the rumors and dangers current at the present time, these four seem but few to the theologues. My only regret is my inability to provide and fit them with all the things that they lack, as I wrote your Majesty.

In accordance with clause 7 of your Majesty's instructions, whereby I was ordered to allow the Indians to pay their tribute in land products or in money, as they chose, your order has been observed hitherto. Experience has shown that the carrying of this measure farther means the ruin of the country; for since the Indian sees that he can pay his tribute with ten reals, which he makes in one day's gain, all the rest of the year he makes merry and spends his time in idleness and leisure, drunkenness and _magabalijas_, which are his sources of income. Therefore they do not sow their fields, raise animals, or weave their cloth, or cultivate the fruits of the earth. On this account no rice is found, nor one mata or lampote, [11] which is worth more than three from China. There is no cotton, wax, gold, or other article of exchange; and all the trade here in these things has been lost, as well as the great cheapness of these things when the Indians paid their tribute in produce, and not as they might choose. When it became evident that the country was falling into ruin, and the pressure brought to bear by the encomenderos in opposition to the religious orders, and the injuries and annoyances resulting from this method of collecting the tribute were seen, it was determined that it should be collected in produce, as your Majesty will see by the resolution taken there. Therefore we shall collect the tribute in accordance with this decision, until your Majesty shall be pleased to order otherwise.

The bishop of Malaca wrote me the letter that I enclose herewith. And although I answered him so briefly, and without making a decision (as you will see by the enclosed copy of the letter), because I did not like to say what I thought without first consulting your Majesty, now, because of some news and information given me in regard to matters of the commerce and navigation of those regions and of these, I lay before your Majesty, in the enclosed paper, the drawbacks and advantages on either side that I find in this matter, so that, after examining them, your Majesty may be pleased to order in all these matters what is most suitable.

I have written to your Majesty concerning the great annoyances resulting from the unsuitable marriages of widows and minors, who are wealthy encomenderas of this country. It is a fact that within the last few days, three cases of very great inequality and irregularity have occurred in the marriages of the widows of very respectable captains, with an income of more than four or five thousand pesos. One of them was of advanced age, and quite unfitted for marriage. They all married youths with little or no money, who have employed evil methods to obtain this end, and have defrauded several very honorable and worthy captains and soldiers, who serve here, and for whom such encomiendas were especially established. These women inherited these encomiendas from their husbands or fathers. This abuse will result in the complete destruction of this country, and the discouragement of its soldiers and conquistadors, unless your Majesty remedy it. This can be done by ordering that these marriages shall not be made here without communicating with you, under penalty of loss of such encomiendas; and it should be provided that the governor should not make this an opportunity whereby to accommodate and provide for his relatives and servants. Your Majesty will act according to your pleasure.

The encomenderos and soldiers of this country, who have grown old and married here, say, whenever I summon them for certain matters in your Majesty's service--whether for actual service, or only to confer with them--that they are old, that they have served sufficiently, and that they are embarrassed with wives and children. Thus I find them disinclined to any service; but, if I do not summon them, they assert that I give them nothing to do, and do not consult them at all. The worst of it all is that they all imagine themselves capable of giving counsel. Those who are capable know very well that I employ them, and consult them in matters about which I think they have something to say. For those who would complain, I leave the door open, so that they may present their arguments in regard to the mistakes made hitherto.

Having ascertained very carefully the extortions and injuries inflicted on the Indians by the encomenderos and their collectors, in the collection of their tributes, I have thought that it might be a good plan to have the tributes of all the encomiendas collected in your Majesty's name, and placed in the royal treasury; then they could be paid out from it to the encomenderos. By this method innumerable acts of tyranny and insolence would be avoided, which can not be remedied, especially in encomiendas distant from here one hundred, one hundred and fifty, or two hundred leguas. Not one case of punishment has occurred in these encomiendas, although there are wrongs. We must go there with the authority of the law. Thus all the encomiendas would have but one master and true proprietor--namely, your Majesty. The collectors would be appointed by one person, and would be men of merit, and conscientious and moral. The estate of the temporal [12] encomenderos would be managed for them at less cost than they themselves would incur therein, and all the tributes would be collected without any care or trouble on their part. Although this might be somewhat severe on those who already possess encomiendas, it might at least be adopted for those in the future who are granted favors and new appointments (just as if the encomienda were vacant), so that this so commendable usage might be introduced. In reality the value of the encomienda would be given to them, minus the cost of collection; and the instruction, would be much better paid, although this latter is regulated as carefully as possible. By this method, too, certain soldiers who are poor and still in service could be appointed to make these collections. May our Lord, etc. From Manila, June xx, 1593.

_Gomez Perez Dasmariñas_

Sire:

Because of the great need, I have granted in your Majesty's name a license for this once for the printing of the "Christian Doctrine," copies of which I enclose herewith--one in the Tagal language, which is the native and the best language of these islands, and the other in the Chinese language. [13] I hope that great benefits will result therefrom in the conversion and instruction of the people of both nations. And because the countries of the Yndias are on a larger scale in everything, and because things are more expensive in them, I have set the price at four reals apiece until your Majesty is pleased to decree what is to be done.

On certain of the buildings of this city upon which it is advisable to have the city's arms placed--as the houses of the cabildo, the prison, and others built at the expense of the city--I have not allowed the arms to be placed; for the arms which are now on some cloths [14] on its cabildo, which are those used at the discovery of this country, seem to me to have more meaning and to be more pleasing to the natives of the country than to the Spaniards who settled it. For they represent a bark or frigate in a river, with a shore lined with cocoa-palms, which is a fruit of this country. If some memorial of some king imprisoned, or some notable deed were to be placed on them, they [the Spaniards] would consider them suitable. But of them, I say, that should the Indians seek for a coat of arms as a memorial of their native place and country, they could find none more suitable. Therefore I believe that the city will adopt with ready compliance such design as your Majesty may ordain. For this purpose, I have ordered that, on the façades of the principal gate of this city, and in other places, where I have had your Majesty's arms placed, collateral stones be placed for those of the city, as yet left blank, until your Majesty shall determine what shall be decreed in the matter.

The procession made here on Corpus Christi day, with the assent of the bishop, passed before his residence; and although but twenty or thirty paces from the royal buildings, the procession did not go to them, which they could have done at the cost of so little time and space, and would not, on that account, have been prevented from returning to the house of the bishop. Will your Majesty order in this regard according to your pleasure.

The city is concerned, and I believe I wrote to your Majesty, about the ten per cent duty imposed in Mexico recently on merchandise from this country; and although I desire nothing so much as that there be found a way to provide for the pressing need in which your Majesty finds yourself in these necessitous times, still, with your Majesty's permission, I will say only concerning this, that, although it is true that the profits of this merchandise, if well administered, might endure this duty, yet the citizens of this country are poor, the money and capital are restricted, and the land is new; and at the beginning these gains were larger than now, since, because of the heavy expenses, the net profit obtained is much less. Likewise it appears that the same statement is true of the natives, who feel keenly so many burdens, and who are suspicious that we are gradually increasing them. Therefore they say the Castilians have good words but few deeds, and those evil. Those who might better carry this burden are the Chinese, because of the great profit and gain that they make and obtain here in so little time. But I fear also that if they are annoyed, they will not come and will abandon the trade, by which this country lives and increases. I do nothing but put both of these considerations before your Majesty, so that you may ordain in everything what is most to your service. May our Lord preserve your Majesty for many happy years as Christendom has need, and as we, the vassals and servants of your Majesty, desire. Manila, June 20, 1593.

[_Endorsed:_ "Filipinas. Copy of a letter written by Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas."]

Memorandum of Troops Required in the Philippines.

The soldiers necessary to guard the city of Manila, and the redoubts, galleys, forts of Cagayan and Çebu, and presidios erected against the Zambales:

TABLE

For Cagayan, seventy soldiers are needed for the defense of the city, and thirty for the fort and presidio of San Pablo, near Cagayan, the total amounting to one hundred 100 For the town of Arevalo, in Otton, one hundred 100 For Camarines, one hundred 100 For Ylocos, one hundred 100 For Çebu--that is, the city of Santissimo Nombre de Jhesus--one hundred 100 For the settlement of the provinces of Tuy, recently explored, one hundred 100 For the presidios among the Çambales--namely, the presidio de San Andres de Mexico, thirty; the presidio of Tarla, thirty; the presidio of San Phelippe de Malabuc, thirty; the presidio of La Playa Honda, thirty: the total amounting to one hundred and twenty soldiers 120 For the guard of Mariveles, eight soldiers. 8 For the guard and defense of this city of Manila, we shall need one thousand men--or, at the very least, six hundred. 600 For the new fort on Point Sanctiago, ten gunners and twenty soldiers 30 For the fort of Nuestra Señora de Guia, eight gunners and twenty soldiers 28 For the cavalier of San Gabriel, six soldiers and one corporal 7 For the fort at the port of Cavite, twenty-four soldiers 24 For four galleys to guard these coasts, to each one twenty-five soldiers, a total of one hundred 100 Total, one thousand five hundred and seventeen men 1517 ------

With this number this kingdom would have some assurance of security, both from the natives and from surrounding peoples. It should be taken for granted that reënforcements be sent each year to maintain this number; for, because of the unhealthfulness of this country, many are constantly dying.

[_Endorsed:_ "Troops necessary in those Philippinas Islands."]

Letter from Gomez Perez Dasmariñas to the King of Camboja

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Sa[n]ctiago, governor and captain-general of Luson: For the king of Castilla, my sovereign, I wish you health and prosperity. I received the embassy and letter of the king of Camboja [15] with great happiness; with these, as well as with the elephant and the friendship that you send me, I am greatly pleased--as also with the inclination that you manifest for the service and devotion of the king, my sovereign. I shall inform the latter of this, and it will be esteemed highly. I have grieved sorely over the wars and hostilities between the kings of Camboja and Sian; for I would much prefer that perfect harmony, accord, and peace should reign between two such kings and neighbors (both of whom are our friends), for without it is neither advantage nor happiness. I would grant the king of Camboja the aid and reënforcement that he begs against the king of Sian, but that king would marvel at it. He is also a servant of mine, and our friend. Therefore I wish to know the cause and grounds for these animosities, and the justice and reason on either side, for thus can I come to a just decision. In the meanwhile, since the result of wars (even when they are victorious ones), is for the most part ruin, death, destruction, and depopulation of kingdoms and vassals; and my good will and affection toward the king of Camboja binds me to desire to see him freed from these difficulties and this uneasiness, so that he may live tranquilly, and that we may have intercourse and friendship, and that commerce and harmony may increase among all of us everywhere, to the common advantage of all--I have tried to provide the easiest and best method. This is for me to become arbitrator, in order to try to adjust these differences. Therefore I have written a letter and sent an ambassador to the king of Sian, without informing him that the king of Camboja is in need of aid and has begged it from me, and I think that he will accept. If so just a cause should fail, then your and my cause is more reasonable and justifiable, in order to do what you beg of me. In any event, you can be certain of my being a friend to the king of Camboja--as your ambassador, who is returning well-treated and happy, will tell you in greater detail. Let us consult and discuss over the road already opened. Those of Camboja will always receive the same hospitable treatment as in their own land. I am sending you some emeralds, and a horse, which is an excellent animal, in token of affection, besides some hunting dogs, for Belosso told me that they were much esteemed in Camboja. Because of the lack of certain Spanish curiosities, I am not sending such; but I shall procure them for another time. If another rose diamond from this country would be acceptable, I shall be very glad to give it to you. To fulfil more completely our friendship, I am sending you the copy of the letter that I wrote to the king of Sian. May God preserve and prosper you. From Manila, September 27, in the year 1593 since our Lord Jesus Christ's birth.

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

[_Endorsed_: "1594. Copy of a letter to the king of Camboja from Governor Gomez Perez."]

Documents of 1594

List of Philippine villages reduced by the Spaniards. [1594?] Letter to king of Canboja. Luis Perez Dasmariñas; February 8. Investigation of the hospital. Hernando de los Rios, and others; February-April. Report concerning the Filipinas Islands, and other papers. Francisco de Ortega. Decree for despatch of missionaries. Felipe II; April 27. Reply to the Japanese emperor's letter. L.P. Dasmariñas, and others; April 22--28. Three letters to Felipe II. L.P. Dasmariñas; June 15--23.

_Sources_: The royal decree of April 27 is taken from Santa Inés's _Crónica_, ii, p. 607; the remaining documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.

_Translations_: The sixth document is translated by Consuelo A. Davidson; the first two letters in the seventh, by José M. and Clara M. Asensio, and Arthur B. Myrick, respectively; all the remaining matter, by James A. Robertson.

List of Philippine Villages Reduced by the Spaniards

List of the villages reduced to the service of his Majesty, and the names of the chiefs who have made peace, since Captain Ffernando de Berramontano went to those provinces as chief and leader of the troops, at the order of Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general of these Philipinas Islands.

Potol and its allies--chiefs, Atano, Anguilo, and Ffucao. Village of Cataguram--chief, Manipas. Village and river of Tulaque--chief, Apavao. Village and river of Massi--chief, Seriban. Village of Gatara--chief, Lipagam. Valley of Sinabanga--chief, Amangapa. River of Bangal--chief, mother of Sseriban. River of Pata--chiefs, Amanbacay and Manipaz. River of Cabrasinga--chiefs, Lumboy and Ffucman. River of Maguin--chief, Seriban. Estuary of Bacto--chief, Sivican. Bulay-chief, Macapito. Village of Magamon--chiefs, Higoran and Maramossi. Village of Higuy-chief, Hivigan. Village of Carlanga--chiefs, Maguigal and Agarrao. Village of Linga--chief, Palatao. Village of Lobo--chief, Dalapiao. Village of Arangay--chief, Abugam. Village of Pras--chief, Agarrao. Village of Gumay--chief, Saguin. Village of Tarugo--chief, Valigot. Village of Gadu--chief, Balagua. Village of Taban--chief, Baloy. Village of Catabagam--chief, Banagua. Village of Tapayacan--chief, Vanga. River and towns of Nabunga, belonging to his Majesty--chief, Tabuga. Village of Calabatan--chief, Bacu. Village of Maguin--chief, Baligot. Village of Malapil--chief, the same. Village of Tuao--chief, the same. Village of Canoran--chief, the same. Village of Agat--chief, Lahizio. Estuary of Malaguit and village of Sinagan--chief, Calaz. Village of Doga--chief, the same. Village of Cabicumga--chief, the same. Village of Gabutan--chief, the same. Village of Taramin--chief, the same. Village of Lines--chief, the same. Village of Massi--chief, the above. Village of Nagugan--chief, the above. Village of Gumoy--chief, the same. Village of Talapa--chief, Çiroy Babalino. Village of Pelitan--chief, Sibay. Village of Lubutan--chief, Magalate. Village of Batagua--chief, Ladaran. Village of Tubigarao and its allies--chief, Lahinaman Darrey. Village of Maguila--chief, Batoninam. Village of Calabatan--chief, Matalo. Village of Care--chief, Alu. Village of Duli--chief, Duli. Village of Bolo--chiefs, Manoto and Sino. Village of Masepni--chief, Seriban. Village of Guinoya--chief, Sinanagua. Village of Balissi--chief, Matalaguan. Village of Purrao--chief, Zuaduban. Village of Bual--chief, Mamagua. Estuary of Nalaguan--chiefs, Tagabassi, Pasigan and Sima. Village of Carrima--chief, Urragam. Village of Taporagua--chief, Sidagay. Village of Cacaguayan--chief, Zalope. Village of Talamas--chief, Marratan. Village of Alata--chief, Vaguigo. Village of Tabagan--chief, Basugumi. Village of Bugarro--chief, Pigol. Estuary and villages of Dumon. Durangua. Tinapanga. Gabemta. Balogo--chief, Bengel. Village of Camalayuga--chief, Litagua. Village of Daludu--chief, Jseamalaza. Village of Tocolana--chief, Mandarelac. Province of Yugan, but lately conquered, with seven villages. Villages of La Lamona and Mandaya, seven in all. The chief river, named Tazo.

Camalayuga, Segovia, Tocolana, Pantao, Camanao, Gotate, Tagay, River of Maguin, Calimotan, Dumon, Durango, Tinaponga, Gabemta, Bolaryo, Balobo, Galitan, Dulaga, village of Mapanga, Locon, Masepin, Estuary of Arolo, Pagaman, Amoran, Agopan, Estuary of Bacto, Yamaguam, Mangua, Bagan, Goran, Magano, Higuy, Batana, Cacomigan, Arrimanao, Cataessaman.

Catadar, Estuary of Maguila, Cacomigan, Cabugao, Mapapala, Boboo, Estuary of Bagam, Tubigarao, Abas, Louba, Nota, Botoan, Lulu, Lapugan, Vical, Estuary of Malagui, Nalaguam, Ungagui, Carrama, Ymaniz, Quinoyo, Marranate, Batagua, Boluye, Lulutam, Estuary of Batagua, Amiguibay, Bugarro, Bonoay, Bugao, Bungal, Alu, Alagua, Bolabic, Togote.