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
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
_Don Pedro de Acuna_
[_Endorsed_: "Draw up immediately a succinct relation of what resulted
from this fleet that went from Yndia, to deliver to----." "Examined
June 14, 1604; no answer to be given."]
_Jesus_
Sire:
The universal need of these Philipinas has influenced not only the
governor and captain-general, the royal Audiencia, and the city
government of Manila, but the religious orders as well, to call upon
your Majesty, as rightful lord and king of all, seeking humbly the
remedy which must come to us from the royal hands of your Majesty.
As for the uprising of the Chinese, I will only say that it might have
been averted, if the decrees of your Majesty had been obeyed that
prohibit so excessive a number of infidels, accustomed to treachery
and perverse habits, from remaining here; and if they were plotting
another conspiracy with those that ordinarily come from China, they
have been blinded through the great mercy of the Lord, who by their
downfall leaves us wiser and with fewer enemies.
The damage and robbery inflicted by the people of Mindanao in these
islands could have been prevented if the garrison of Spaniards in that
island, which held the pirates in check, had not been recalled. At
present the need is all the greater, as they are encouraged by their
victories, and our Bisayans are dispirited. In the islands where our
humble Society of Jesus teaches, they caused great loss; and during the
past month they attacked Leyte, and captured two of our religious, and
more than eight hundred natives besides. This was at their first entry,
and gave them courage to continue ravaging other neighboring islands,
where the members of our Society are also in danger. This was written
me from Zebu, by our provincial who is visiting those islands and
missions, where there are many good Christians--and this at great risk
to himself. It is a great pity that so new a Christian people should
be molested by those from Mindanao, who are infected by the doctrine
of Mahoma. It would be easy for your Majesty to give us remedy in
this by ordering troops and aid sent from Nueva Espana, wherewith
Don Pedro de Acuna may show his valor and accomplish his wishes;
for his services are of great Importance here, as your Majesty knows.
Captain and Sargento-mayor Christobal Azuleta [_sic; sc_. Azcueta]
Menchaca, who always has been an excellent soldier, likewise
distinguished himself greatly in this affair of the Chinese Sangleys,
achieving two noteworthy victories, wherein were killed more than
five thousand of the enemy without the loss of a single Spaniard--of
whom he took great care, as they are so few and precious here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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