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
To Limasancay, the panguilan who is lord over this river and the
environs of Mindanao: I came to this river by order of the very
illustrious Doctor Francisco de Sande, governor and captain-general
of the islands of Luçon, the Pintados, and the other islands, which he
governs and rules for King Don Ffelipe, our sovereign, king of Castilla
(whom may God preserve during many years). He ordered me to come to
treat with you for the alliance that your father Sulatan so earnestly
desired with the Castilians; to enroll you under the protection of the
said king, our sovereign; and to warn you of the great error under
which you and all the natives of this island are living because you
do not know your Creator--who is three persons yet the one and only
true God who created all men, the heavens, and the earth--so that,
believing on Him, you might merit the enjoyment of the heaven that He
created for those who believe and serve Him. At the entrance of this
river I met Umapas, a slave of yours, who told me that he was going
with a letter and message from you to the said governor, wherein
you say that you wish to be his ally. In acknowledgment, you were
sending two daggers and two cakes of wax. I ordered him to return to
you, in order to tell you that I was coming for the purposes above;
and that you should not flee or have any fear, for I was not coming,
nor had I commission, to molest you in any way. But the said Umapas
answered that he did not dare go upon this embassy for you would behead
him. Likewise I sent to you one day prior to this two of your slaves
(whom I seized on the sea in a ship), that they might advise you of
my coming and that you should have no fear. You refused however to
observe this; and not only have you fled and revolted, but you have
caused the entire district and its chiefs to revolt. They desire to
have peace with the Castilians and to be under the protection of
the said king, our sovereign. But you have counseled them evilly;
for, like a stripling, you do not know the blessings and advantages
which you are losing, and which would be yours if you became the
ally of the Castilians and placed yourself under the control of
the said governor, both for your own and your land's tranquillity,
and for your soul's salvation. Now this is the twenty-fourth day of
this my stay in this river, without having injured you in any way,
although I had good warrant therefor, and during which time I ascended
the river of Balete in search of you, and then returned to this your
village. Thence I sent messengers to tell you the above, none of whom
have returned with a reply from you or have dared to talk with you. Now
I am going to the island of Jolo to confer with its chief. I request
you urgently to consider well what I have said for it concerns you
much. I shall await your reply at Cavite and shall be able to receive
it within twelve days. May God give you grace to come to His knowledge.
Your friend, _Gabriel de Ribera_
By order of the captain:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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