The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55: 1521-1569; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55: 1521-1569; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
In this port a small river empties itself into the sea through an
estuary. Some of our boats sailed up this river and anchored at the
town of Cangiungo. The natives received them neither with peace nor
war; but they gave our men food and drink. When they were about to eat,
an Indian came to them, who spoke a few words in the Castilian tongue,
saying "Comamos" ["let us eat"], "bebamos" ["let us drink"], and
answering "si" ["yes"], when questioned by Anton Batista "Billalobos
[Villalobos]" and "Captain Calabaça." It seems that he had traded with
the people of the fleet of Billalobos, according to what was gather
from him. And because he said this, this native vexed the ruler of the
village, and never came back. The next day I wished to go to the same
village, and found the natives hostile. They made signs that we should
not disembark, pulled grass, struck trees with their cutlasses, and
threateningly mocked us. Seeing that in this case cajolery could not
suffice, we withdrew in order not to disturb them; but as we departed,
they began to shower sticks and stones after us, and I was obliged to
order the soldiers to fire their arquebuses at them; and they never
appeared again. This town has a population of twenty or thirty Indians.
On arriving at that port, I despatched Captain de Goite with a boat
and a frigate, well supplied with men and provisions, to discover
some port along the coast. On the way he was to examine thoroughly
the town of Tandaya, which was not very far from where we were, and
other towns of the island of Abbuyo. Deceived by the appearance of the
coast, he sailed on past the coast for fifteen leagues, without seeing
anything. Finally he reached a large bay on which was situated a large
town containing many families; the people had many swine and hens,
with abundance of rice and potatoes. He returned to the fleet with
this news, which gave us not a little content, for all were longing
for land-products. The fleet left this port, and in the afternoon of
the next day we reached the above-mentioned bay, where we anchored in
front of the large town of Cavalian. One thing in especial is to be
noted--namely, that wherever we went, the people entertained us with
fine words, and even promised to furnish us provisions; but afterward
they would desert their houses. Up to the present, this fear has not
been in any way lessened. When we asked the people of this village for
friendship and food, they offered us all the friendship we desired,
but no food whatever. Their attitude seemed to me to be quite the
contrary of what had been told me by those who had gone there; for
they had said that, in this village of Cavalian, which is located on
the island of Buyo, Spaniards were received and were well treated. Now
they did not wish to see us, and on the night of our arrival, we were
made thoroughly aware of this; for they embarked with their wives,
children, and property, and went away. The next day, a chief called
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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