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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 05 of 55: 1582-1583; 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 — John Shaqi

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 05 of 55: 1582-1583; 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

Until his divine Majesty is pleased to appoint that time, it would
be a serious error to undertake a war with the people who could be
sent from here. I have determined to occupy them in finishing the
settlement of these islands. Accordingly, the village of Arevalo--on
the island of Panay, fifty leagues from this district--has just been
settled. The land is very fertile and the inhabitants are rich. They
are almost all at peace, and the town is increasing in population
because of the good and healthful character of that country.

This year I have sent people to settle the city of Segovia in a
province called Cagayan, in this island, a hundred leagues from this
city. It is the frontier of China, and much benefit is expected from
its settlement--for it is the best-situated port, with a harbor of
greater depth, for the ships which sail in the line from Nueva Espana
and Peru; and it is so near to China that one can cross thence in
three days. For the sake of the future I consider it very important to
have that frontier settled. I sent for the settlement thereof Captain
Juan Pablos de Carrion, with about a hundred picked men. They go in
good order, well provided with artillery, vessels, ammunition, and
with the approbation and blessing of the church. God will be served
through them, and your Majesty as well.

In the years 80 and 81 there came to these islands some pirate ships
from Japan, which is located about four hundred leagues from here. They
did some injury to the natives. This year, as warning was received that
ten ships were being prepared to come to these islands, I have sent
a fleet to the place where they are accustomed to come. This fleet is
composed of six vessels, among them a ship and a galley well supplied
with guns. I will send later advices of the outcome. The Japanese are
the most warlike people in this part of the world. They have artillery
and many arquebuses and lances. They use defensive armor for the body,
made of iron, which they have owing to the subtlety of the Portuguese,
who have displayed that trait to the injury of their own souls.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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