The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 21 of 55: 1624; 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 21 of 55: 1624; 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
7. The coasts, bays, and rivers of that large island abound plentifully
in divers and savory fish. In the bay of Malampaya, opposite Taytay,
in the same district as Manila, although with a clear and deep bottom,
there are many islands, which beautify the bay with their foliage. A
vast multitude of vicudas enter the great rivers at the spawning
season--a fine cod-fish that differs in no wise from that of Terranova
[_i.e.,_ Newfoundland], and when fresh they are of delicious taste. The
Indians catch them (although with danger from the Moros), and without
other appliances than certain hooks, and as many as they wish. For
lack of salt, they smoke-dry them, which always leaves an unpleasant
taste, and the fish spoil easily. Paragua has its own near-by islands
scattered along its coast, some of which are inhabited by pigeons,
various species of parrots, peacocks, and aquatic birds; others in
which sailors get as many eggs and squabs, or the young of such birds,
as they wish. The largest and most fertile [of these islands] is that
of Dumaran, which is separated from Paragua by a narrow strait. It is
a fertile island, in which there is a most abundant harvest of rice,
which as a general rule yields more than a hundred-fold.
8. The island of Alutaya belongs to that province. It is a rocky
and arid land. However, it has plenty of domestic and useful
animals, [the rearing of which forms], the careful industry of
its natives. It is about thirty leguas across the open sea from
the islands of Calamianes. About six leguas away is the island of
Cuyo, which is small, being about three leguas in circuit, and low,
but very fertile. It contains whatever is fitting and desirable for
the sustenance of human life. Its natives, being for the most part
descendants of Sangleys, are industrious and shrewd in trade. In
exchange for the edible and potable products of their island, and
the textiles of Yloylo, and tobacco, they lade fine products in
Calamianes, an exchange that causes anger to the alcaldes-mayor. The
latter endeavor to prevent that trade, which injures their interests;
but those people by their shrewdness deceive them easily, and frustrate
the efforts of the alcaldes. The natives were on the whole very savage,
and had even more barbarous customs and greater stupidity than the
inhabitants of the other islands. They have a knowledge of herbs. In
Paragua especially, there are some very poisonous ones. They use
them to bewitch their fellows and deprive them of life. There is
one of so uncommon deadliness, that if it be chewed in the mouth,
and if the exhalations from it be directed in a gentle current toward
any person whom it is wished to destroy, his life is quickly taken
away. I heard that from some who have intercourse with the Negroes
of Dapit, who know more about it and use it mere easily. The way to
overcome those fatal effects is to carry the effective remedy with
one--another herb or root. Thus the evil breath loses all its force,
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