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
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
_Island of Masbate_. Farther to the north-northeast of this island
of Leyte lies the island of Masbate, which is about thirty leagues
in circumference, and six leagues wide. It has about five hundred
Indians, who belong to one encomendero. It has also gold mines from
which much gold was dug, for the natives of Camarines went thither to
work them; but they have left the place on account of the Spaniards,
and therefore the mines are not worked. The island of Leyte is
considered the centre of all the islands mentioned above, because
they all lie in its neighborhood.
_Island of Bantayan_. About two leagues north of the island of Cubu
lies the island of Bantayan. It is about eight leagues in circumference
and two leagues wide, and has a population of about one thousand
Indians; this and the above-mentioned island of Vohol are under the
charge of one encomendero. Its inhabitants are well-disposed. They have
large fisheries, for there are many shoals near the island. There is
also a pearl-fishery, although a very small one. The land produces
millet and borona, but no rice, for all the island has poor soil
notwithstanding that it is level. Some of the natives of this island
cultivate land on the island of Cubu, which, as I have said, is two
leagues away. The island abounds in excellent palm-trees--a growth
common to all the Pintados islands, for all of them abound in palms.
_Island of Capul_. Capul is the name of the island forming a strait
with the island of Lucon. Through this strait pass all the ships which
come from Espana. Capul is about twelve leagues in circumference and
four leagues wide. It has about five hundred Indians, and belongs to
one encomendero. Its inhabitants are poor and have rice and medrinaque.
_Island of Viri_. Still nearer the cape of Espiritu Santo, and in the
strait itself, lies the island of Viri. It is about five leagues in
circumference and two leagues wide. It has a population of about one
hundred. This island and that of Macagua are under one encomendero.
_Island of Ybabao_. Southeast of the island of Baybay, lies the
island of Ybabao, or as it is also called, the island of Candaya [also
Tandaya]. It is about one hundred and ten leagues in circumference. No
one has yet gone through the land, and therefore its width is not
known. They say that its population is as large as that of the island
of Baybay, and that it is a fertile and well-provisioned island. The
people seen by the Spaniards will number about five thousand Indians,
who are scattered through the following villages:
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