The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 07 of 55: 1588-1591; 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 07 of 55: 1588-1591; 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
41. Although you ought to live in great vigilance and the continual
caution demanded for the conservation of a country so new, distant,
and surrounded by enemies, you must beware chiefly of five classes of
them. First, of the natives of the land, who are numerous, and but
partially settled and established in the faith. Second, of four or
five thousand Chinese Indians who live there, and go back and forth in
their tradings. Third, of the Japanese who usually go thither. Fourth,
of the natives of Maluco and Borney, who are aroused, and already
display themselves boldly and openly. Fifth and chiefly, of the
Lutheran English pirates who infest those coasts. In order to check
their incursions, and present a superior force and defense to them all,
you shall construct another fort in Yllocos or Cagayan, to oppose the
Japanese and Chinese robbers; a second in Cebu, to oppose the Borneans
and Malucos; a third in Panpanga, to oppose the Çambales. All shall be
located in places where they may be effectual, and shall be carefully
planned and substantially built by good engineers. The cost will be
very little, because of the great abundance of materials, and because
almost all of the Indians are workmen. You are to see that each fort
has an adequate and desirable garrison.
42. Besides these forts and presidios, it is presupposed that a
moderate-sized fleet of a few galleys or fragatas would be necessary,
to cruise along the coasts in order to protect them, and to prevent
the thefts and injuries wont to be committed along them by the
Japanese, especially in the districts of Cagayan and Ylocos. They
seize the Chinese vessels that bring food and merchandise to the said
islands, whereby great loss is suffered, and commerce and plenty
checked. This fleet would also serve to prevent the Chinese, when
they are returning to their own country, from going among the said
islands and committing depredations on the natives of them, and as a
countercheck to other Chinese or Bornean pirates, as well as against
all other undertakings, and troubles with foreigners. This appears
advisable to me, and desirable. Therefore, as soon as you shall arrive
at the said island, you shall construct six or eight galleys. You
shall note what Doctor Sande, my former governor of those islands,
and Father Alonso Sanchez say--namely, that it will cost but from
one hundred and fifty ducados upward; and that there are, moreover,
the necessary accommodations. You shall order these vessels to be
well equipped, strengthened, and provisioned, so that they may be
effectual. You shall give me an itemized account of the cost of the
said galleys and facilities for building them.
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