The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 06 of 55: 1583-1588; 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 Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 06 of 55: 1583-1588; 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 Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
First: As for the right and justification which we have for entering
and subduing this land, the father who is going to España will discuss
and explain this to his Majesty, as he has considered it long and often
with the Castilians here, as well as elsewhere with the Portuguese of
Yndia, China, and of Japon, with all persons of scrupulous conscience
and broad experience; and he knows what all of them think of this
project. His Majesty may think it necessary to learn what the father
has heard and known and felt respecting the fight and ground which
exists, or may exist, both for the preaching of the gospel, and because
of the injury that we from day to day sustain, and for the sake of
these islands, but much more on account of Macan and the Portuguese.
Of the necessary means for this entry; and, first, of the personnel
and troops
First: Considering the condition and climate of the land of China,
and its populace, it will be necessary and sufficient for ten or
twelve thousand men to come from España, either Spaniards, Italians,
or other own subjects of his Majesty; but try to have them, as far as
possible, Biscayans. If possible, the expedition will set out with an
addition here of five or six thousand Japanese, and as many Visayans,
who are subjects of his Majesty in our islands, and are a spirited
and sturdy people.
Second: Although there are persons here of great valor and experience,
yet for so great an undertaking they are few; and some captains and
persons of tried capabilities must come from España, as so great an
affair demands--since it can only be carried out if picked noblemen
are brought over, who are prouder of the glories of war and honorable
deeds for their God and their king and the world, and of the fame of
them, and who have little lust for other gain or sordid lucre.
Third: The governor of these islands should also be the commander of
the expedition; and he should be some great person, superior in rank
to all the rest, of whatever nation they may be, with whom he may have
to deal in this expedition, or anything pertaining to it in these
parts, whether they be Portuguese or Castilian. In the allotment of
the offices and positions, the veteran captains and soldiers should
be preferred, and especially the Castilian and Portuguese citizens
of these islands, who have merited it by their loyalty, labors, and
services, both because they have won and kept this land and because
they have had much experience with the country and the people. Besides
they are already acclimated and used to the country, its climate,
heat, and rain; wherefore their help and counsel should be highly
valued, and they deserve recompense and preference in every way.
Fourth: The troops sent should be infantry with arquebuses, corselets,
and pikes; and, besides, a few musketeers.
Fifth: Crews for four galleys should be sent, with skilled boatswains
and foremen for them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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