The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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
But the said governor, Pedro de Heredia, lately writes me that the
natives of the island of Terrenate, who have until now recognized
Cachil Varo as king of Tidore, have refused to obey him; and they have
crowned another Moro in his place, a chief named Cachil Borotalo,
as they say that the latter is the true heir of that kingdom,
and that Cachil Varo was an intruder. That makes me most anxious,
because, besides that it is not my duty to disinherit kings, the
new one who claims to be king has, until now, been living in Malayo
under the protection of the Dutch and serving in the post of naval
commander. Although he has sent ambassadors to me, and promises to be
faithful, there is little trust to be placed in his word, while Cachil
Varo is a very valiant Moro, and a true servant to your Majesty. Every
year, hitherto, a present has been sent to him, as well as to his
father before him; and besides being very much of a Spaniard, he has
retired into his fort of Tidore (which is of greater importance than
the forts that we ourselves hold), and the great mass of the people,
with more than two thousand chiefs, obey him.
The governor [of Terrenate], Pedro de Heredia, tells me that he has not
meddled in any way with these disturbances, but that he is neutral. But
the said king of Tidore complains of him, and attributes to him the
insurrection of his vassals and the summoning of a Dutchman to be new
king. That does not change him, and he will remain faithful to your
Majesty. He knows that you are ignorant of the injuries that are being
done him because of the governor's greed for the ransom of the damage.
Such is the condition of the affair at present. I do not blame the king
or clear the governor, notwithstanding the many years during which
affairs have been going badly. But that the latter has been found
lacking in the alliance, and has neglected to aid the king, has not
furnished any reason why the other allies should not take warning by
this and renounce our friendship. These are schemes of which the Dutch
avail themselves. Those who are acquainted with the king of Tidore,
and know of his services, grieve, and think that it is necessary to
protect him. I am now reflecting on the way in which these matters
can be settled, so that they may not fall into a worse condition,
by making use of the relationship between them. But in case of need
I shall not be found lacking to Cachil Varo; and because this matter
demands expedition, and so much expense cannot always be incurred as in
the past reenforcements, I shall send this aid in October, in galleys
and pataches; for that is the time when the enemy have gone away.
Last year the Audiencia wrote that one galleon and one galley had
been finished. It is a fact that more than thirty thousand pesos have
been spent in their construction, having been commenced in the time
of Don Juan Nino de Tavora.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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