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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55: 1597-1599; 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 — John Shaqi

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 10 of 55: 1597-1599; 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

and their crops have been taken from them on all sides, so they must
either die or surrender. And what makes them more reasonable is, that
three days ago I took a fort at the place where I have the galliot
from Vutil. I have closed the river in such wise that there is no
way to go up or down it, and I have there a captain with twenty-four
soldiers. They were greatly affected by the defeat of Terrenate;
and as they had put their hope in that they lost it thereby as much
as if they had been defeated. Sali and Silonga called a meeting of
all their people and sought their advice as to what to do. All the
timaguas and other chiefs told them that there was nothing to do
but become the friends of the Spaniards and pay them tribute. They
answered that they would not pay tribute, but would fight first,
and they warned them that they should do so. They all answered that
they did not wish to fight with the Spaniards, for it was well known
that that meant to go to death. The advice that their people gave
them was good, but it pleased God that they should choose the worst.

If there had not been such a lack of rowers I should have traveled
by means of two hands and forced their respect. But I have so few
Indians, and keep them so busy in all kinds of ways that we should be
thankful for what has been done. They must have harvested much rice
likewise in other parts, and therefore a considerable amount of that
to be sent from there [Manila] can be dispensed with. I have something
more than four hundred Indians, and two hundred and fifteen Spaniards,
counting soldiers, sailors, and gunners. Some of these are crippled and
maimed. The war of men continues. Although I understand that this will
be more costly to me than was the Terrenate war, two soldiers only have
been lost--one of them having his head carried away by a cannon-shot,
and the other one his bowels by an arquebus-shot. I sent asking your
Grace if you would have those conveyed back to Manila who are no longer
capable of service. It will be a gracious act to favor their cause.

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

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