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
[Chapters XI-XXIX inclusive treat of the departure of Omoncon and
the Spanish priests and soldiers from Buliano for China, and the
experiences of the latter in that country. Landing at the port of
Tansuso, in the province of Chincheo, they receive a hospitable
reception. From this port they journey to Chincheo, the residence
of the governor, by whom they are well entertained, and to whom they
deliver the letters sent by the governor of the Philippines. Their next
destination is Aucheo, where the viceroy of the province resides. Here
also a cordial reception is accorded them, but they are regarded
somewhat in the light of prisoners, the viceroy forbidding them to
leave their lodgings, being fearful lest they discover some things
in the city that might occasion future injury to the Chinese. The
present sent to the viceroy by the Spanish governor is despatched
to the king, because of a Chinese law that "prohibits those holding
a government office from accepting any present without the king's
permission, or that of his council." The delays in obtaining a
satisfactory audience with the viceroy become permanent upon rumors
that circulate regarding new piratical depredations from one who
is suspected to be Limahon. The viceroy, suspecting that Omoncon,
Sinsay, and the Spaniards have lied to him regarding the pirate,
determines, after closely questioning the fathers, to send them and
the soldiers back to Manila. Accordingly these set out for Tansuso,
with a promise of better results after exact news of the capture or
death of Limahon. These chapters abound in interesting observations
of Chinese life, descriptions of cities, ceremonies, etc., and show
the great liberality of the Chinese in their gifts. Several Chinese
plays are witnessed, one of which is described. All things interest
these first Spaniards in China, even the Chinese compass "divided
into twelve parts, and their navigation without sea-charts." They
observe carefully, "delighting their vision with new things, that
had never been seen before." Chapter XXX relates their departure from
Tansuso and their journey toward Manila, stopping at various islands
on the way. At the island of Plon, definite news of Limahon's escape
from Pangasinan is obtained. Chapter XXXI deals with the escape of
Limahon. This resourceful man constructs a few clumsy boats out of
the half-burnt remnants of his fleet, which his men had brought into
the fort at night, without being detected by the Spaniards. With these
he escapes to the island of Tocaotican. "This news greatly distressed
them all, especially Omoncon and Sinsay. These turned against our men,
alleging that that occurrence and the pirate's flight smelt of mystery,
and must have happened with the Spaniards' consent, or because the
pirate had given gifts to the master-of-camp, so that the latter would
allow him to depart; and that it was impossible for him to escape
from such a plight in any other manner, even had the Spaniards been
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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