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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 12 of 55: 1601-1604; 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 12 of 55: 1601-1604; 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

In my previous letters I gave your Majesty a detailed account of
the state of affairs in Mindanao and Jolo, and sent a report of
the retreat to Pintados of Captain Juan Xuarez Gallinato with your
Majesty's force that was at Dapitan. The reason of this retreat was
the information received that the enemy were preparing a great fleet
to attack Pintados, which rendered it desirable to place the force
at a point whence it could better be transported to the region where
it might be needed. The result showed the importance of the retreat;
for the enemy, being informed of it, dared not go to the said islands
of Pintados, but advanced with a squadron of ships against Cuyo and
the neighboring islands, distant from Pintados, where they pillaged
everything and killed and took captive more than seven hundred
persons. [3] This is misery enough; and, as I wrote your Majesty,
this unfortunate condition of affairs _cannot be remedied except by
arming galleys [underlined in original]_ or large galliots, with which
it will be possible to hasten from island to island. In many regions
the mere knowledge of their existence will be sufficient to put a
bridle on the audacity of these barbarians; and with them it will be
possible to hunt out the enemy at home. With garrisons no beneficial
results can be expected, in view of the great number of the islands;
if we put soldiers wherever they are needed, the whole force of these
provinces would not suffice--no, nor many more. Even if we had the
troops, the cost would be enormous and the gain nothing; for the Moros
come by sea, seize their booty, and take flight, without waiting to
come to close quarters, understanding well how to accomplish their
purposes and desires. Since it is impossible to get to close quarters
with them, I am making all possible haste to build the galleys. For
two I have the wood already cut, and for two others the wood will be
cut next month. I am making plans to provide them with a complement
of rowers; and I believe I shall be able to put them into such order
that we can live with much more quiet than hitherto. [_In the margin_:
"For the council of war--there is no answer;" _and, lower down_:
"Again no answer."] [4]

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

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