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
118. As I have informed your Majesty, the master-of-camp, Martin
de Goite, died; and after his death, Guido de Lavesares appointed
Captain Juan de Saucedo as master-of-camp. This captain assisted
in the expedition against the corsair, and it was under his charge
in Pangasinan. At my arrival I did not discuss with him and the
captains the matter of residencia, for they were artful enough, and
at variance with one another. Moreover it was rather the moment for
burying troubles and proceeding to business. Therefore neither in his
office nor in that of the captains appointed (in greater number than
was necessary) by Guido de Lavesares, did I make, nor have I made,
any innovation; for there are so few people here. Juan de Saucedo,
master-of-camp, went to Ylocos to collect tribute from some Indians of
an encomienda that he had there. There he had an attack of illness,
from which he died in a short time. This is the sickness that kills
old and young. Upon this occasion of the death of the master-of-camp
the Chinese fabricated their lie, and complained that we did not
give them anything; while in reality we spent a considerable sum
from your Majesty's royal exchequer to supply them with provisions,
ship's stores, and other articles, in order that they might take the
fathers to China. I believe that God wills it thus, and that it is
well that they owe something, so that they may pay it at once. It is
not safe to go unarmed or carelessly in that country, or in this;
nor must one begin an attack without having a fort to receive the
return blow, and be able to sustain it. I refer to what I have said
above, and I beseech your Majesty once more to have this expedition
undertaken. As I before remarked, two merchant-ships remained here, and
we treated them kindly and with justice. When they were leaving, they
asked me what message I had for their country. I told them to convey
my compliments to the said captains, and to say that I had very kind
feelings for all the people of China; and that this was my message.
119. Since this letter was written, we have received word that the
ship sent by the viceroy this year with the usual help was lost. It
was the pilot's fault, or at least they say that it was. May God find
a remedy for this loss, for I dare not speak of it.
120. With this I enclose a copy of the letter that I have written to
the viceroy. With it I send a list of all that is needed here. This
ship sets sail at a favorable season, the beginning of June of 76;
and, please God, another will leave in about a month, as it lacks
but a little carpenter-work. We have been working at it five months.
121. In the investigation and accounts, the officials excused
themselves, saying that they had no instructions; so I made a few
ordinances adapted to the life here. I am sending these with the
present letter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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