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
Zubu, May 28, 1565. Andrés de Mirandaola writes to the king various
details of the expedition. "The products we have seen as yet among
the natives, are gold, cinnamon, and wax; and their trade consists in
these articles. And we are certain that these things can be had in
abundance if your vassals, the Spaniards, cultivate the friendship
of this land, for the aforesaid natives ... are a people who live
without any restraint, neither regarding nor respecting those whom they
designate as their seigniors.... It will be necessary for your majesty
to conquer this region, for I believe without any doubt, that by no
other way can it prove beneficial; nor can the Christian religion
be otherwise advanced, because the people are extremely vicious,
treacherous, and possessed of many evil customs. Therefore it is
necessary for your majesty to order the conquest of this region, which
can be done, with our Lord's aid, without much loss, if your majesty
order people, arms, and ammunition to be provided, of all of which
we suffer great lack at present." He tells of the damage inflicted
on the Spanish in these regions by the Portuguese. Speaking of the
Moro junks found at Butuan, Mirandaola says of the island of Borneo:
"This island of Borney is rich, according to what we have heard
of it. It is well populated and is very well fortified, having much
artillery. Its people are warlike, and there is much trade in all parts
of it." A brief account of the Spanish establishment on Cebú follows,
and the consequent communications with the natives, which differ in
no respect from other accounts. "Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, my uncle,
is returning, and is going to serve your majesty in this discovery;
and for his companion goes Fray Andrés de Aguirre. As captain goes
Felipe de Salcedo and Juan de Aguirre, persons whom we know will
serve your majesty with all fidelity, faith, and cheerfulness." He
asks (in addition to the "two hundred well armed and equipped men"
requested from New Spain) from the king "six hundred well armed men
... of whom four hundred should be arquebusers and two hundred pikemen;
large artillery, such as culverins, with ammunition; and ammunition
and weapons for those who are here now. The people should be the best
that can be found and of good lives." He asks the king to confirm the
reward granted him by Velasco, and to increase his salary to three
thousand ducats on account of the high cost of living. (Tomo ii,
no. xxxii, pp. 365-372.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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