The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55: 1576-1582; 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 04 of 55: 1576-1582; 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
It was current talk among the Portuguese, that they marveled that
the Spaniards would have plundered the Borneans, for they considered
that people as valiant, since they are accustomed to go to Malaca,
Pegu, and other places for the sake of plunder, and Borney was very
strong. Therefore they were surprised that the Castilians had taken
them. They began a song sung by the rowers, which runs: "Borney, peak
above peak in salt water; there you go to eat buyo." [33] This song
they sang because they formerly regarded the Moros as valiant men,
and in jest. The said captain-in-chief sent this witness in this said
fishing-boat, to talk with the king of Borney, because he knew the
Bornean language. With this witness went an inhabitant of Malaca,
one Quenana, a native of Malavar. They took a present to the said
king of Borney; this was a carpet from Conbaya [Camboja]; which was
given to this witness to give to the king of Borney. He found him in
a large house which belonged to the old king. This witness knew this,
for he formerly knew the said old king of that land. The old king is
dead and the said king is his son. He is a tall, fat man, and quite
black. He was seated with many of his relatives, called panguilans,
and his children and brothers. This witness saw and knew the tumango
and mandahala, the panguilan Salalila, and many others. The said
king of Borney was playing chess, seated in a hall with the said
panguilans. This witness bowed low and made the usual obeisance,
gave him the said carpet, and sat down. One of the king's sons said
to this witness, in his own language, that he talked excellently, and
asked him his nationality. This witness told him, and the said king's
son gave him some buyo to chew. He remained with them some time. The
king asked him what the Portuguese wished. This witness replied that
they were on their way to Maluco, and were looking for some slaves
for their galley, and for food. Thereupon the said king of Borney
ordered the vandahala to go to talk with the captain-in-chief in the
galleon. The vandahala went in a small boat with thirty rowers and
two culverins. When he left the king's house for the said vessel, the
said people showed this witness some vireys, saying that they had taken
them in battle from the Spaniards. They said that they had hanged one
Spaniard, and threatened them. They said that the Spaniards had come
in large vessels and with a numerous fleet, whereat they had fled to
the mountains. They did not tell that the Spaniards had seized any
galleys and artillery. The said bandahala went to the said galleon
to talk with the said captain, Pedro Lopez de Sossa. He asked him,
in the name of the king of Borney, to help him fight the Castilians,
who were about to return there for the tribute; and desired them to
remain in the island. If he would winter there, the king of Borney
would pay him as much as he would gain in Maluco. The said Captain
Pedro Lopez answered him that he was about to make investigations in
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account