The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898—Volume 34 of 55, 1519-1522; 1280-1605: 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 centuryPigafetta, Antonio
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898—Volume 34 of 55, 1519-1522; 1280-1605: 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
Pigafetta, Antonio
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
shall tell him that that is a very insulting thing among them and will
anger them greatly, for among them only fugitive slaves are made
prisoners. You shall inform him that they are thrown into irons or
stocks here for very slight causes, and often for the fault of their
slaves, who run away or do not obey the orders of the Spaniards; since
it is a fact that the chiefs have very little control over their
slaves.
That no one be taken on raids or [word illegible] or to any other place
by force or against his will unless it be a very necessary case and
then by paying him. And if any slave is killed in the raid, that his
master be paid if he gave the slave against his will and under special
restriction, if his death happened through any fault of the
Spaniards—which is always to be presumed since they so evilly go to
the lands of others who owe them nothing to beg or to seize their
property.
Memorandum of the products or means of gain in this land
There is gold both in mines or native deposits, and in places in the
rivers in almost all parts of the land; although, notwithstanding that,
not much is seen among the Indians (although the mines are rich)
because they are a lazy race, because the slaves are very arrogant, and
because of the plundering and warfare among themselves, so that they do
not dare to leave their houses unless they are in bands and armed.
However, the chief mines that the Indians work and of which we have
notice, are those of Pangasinan, Ylocos, those of Paracali, Vicor,
Camarines, and Bongdo. They are all located in the island of Luzon, and
in another island outside it, called Catandoanes. Item: In the island
of Ybabao, in that of Samal, in that of Masbat, in the island that the
Spaniards call Vermeja about two leguas from Çurigao, where, according
to the report of the Indians, was the greatest wealth of all. However,
that island is now deserted because of a certain superstition until the
death of the children of the one who was its ruler. Also in many parts
of the island of Mindanao, especially in the river of Çurigao, in that
of Parasao, in that of Butuan, and in that of Vaguindanao. The gold in
the last named island is fine and in quantity.
Pearls are also found near Tandaya in the island of Ybabao, in the
island of Vatayan, in that of the Cagayanes, in that of Bohol, in that
of Mindanao between Cavite and the bay of Baguindanao, and in the
island of Xolo, where there is reported to be a very great quantity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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