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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 35, 1640-1649: 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 35, 1640-1649: 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

That province also has a very lofty and
steep volcano which is constantly throwing out streams of fire. Some
years ago, an eruption from it wrought damage to the neighboring
villages. During these last years, the noise and din that has been
heard in the interior [of that volcano] has been remarkable, and on
that account the neighboring villages are full of fear. [84] These
islands also contain many civet cats, which breed in the mountains;
and many swarms of bees, from which the Indians get a quantity of
wax. There are forest trees for buildings and ships. There are many
excellent fruit trees. There are many kinds of bananas and oranges,
most of which have been brought by the Spaniards from China. The
oranges that the Indians had in their pagan state are very large, of
the size of a Spanish gourd; and the taste is pleasant and resembles
that of a grape. The Spaniards have also brought melons from España,
China, and Japón; as well as radishes, cabbages, lettuce, onions,
and garlic; also camotes or potatoes, which have resulted very well,
and are a source of great support for this kingdom. The Indians also
formerly had other very good and useful roots, and various kinds
of kidney beans. The sugar-cane also is produced throughout this
kingdom, and a quantity of sugar is manufactured from it, although,
it is not so sweet as that of España. Rice is the principal product
of this kingdom. It is abundant, and there are various species of
it; and it is harvested and sown throughout the year. Wheat comes
from China, and a quantity formerly came from Japón. A quantity
is also grown in this kingdom, although it is degenerating yearly,
and accordingly it is necessary to bring new seed from Therrenate
every fourth year. Our friars brought some shoots of the clove in a
pot for transplanting. They were transplanted in various climates,
and in different villages. Two shoots took root in the village of
Mahayhay and produced fruit, and the cloves were as good as those of
Therrenate. The first fruit that was gathered was sent to the governor
of these islands, Don Juan Zereço. Those two trees were lost afterward,
and consequently none have been left in the kingdom. Some grapevine
shoots have been brought from China, which after being transplanted
in these islands have become good vines. The arms which have been and
are commonly used by the natives of the kingdom are bows and arrows,
a small lance and a shield of elongated round shape, like a pavés. [85]
The Indians who live far from Manila are doubtless skilful in the use
of the bow and arrow. The Negrillos who wander through the mountains,
and support themselves by hunting, are very skilful. The latter people
have no government or settlements, and consequently they are not
conquered. Considerable cotton is gathered throughout the kingdom,
from which the Indians weave various kinds of cloth and textiles,
of which they manufactured their clothes and vestments when they
were pagans.

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

Opening the text

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 35, 1640-1649: 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

That province also has a very lofty and
steep volcano which is constantly throwing out streams of fire. Some
years ago, an eruption from it wrought damage to the neighboring
villages. During these last years, the noise and din that has been
heard in the interior [of that volcano] has been remarkable, and on
that account the neighboring villages are full of fear. [84] These
islands also contain many civet cats, which breed in the mountains;
and many swarms of bees, from which the Indians get a quantity of
wax. There are forest trees for buildings and ships. There are many
excellent fruit trees. There are many kinds of bananas and oranges,
most of which have been brought by the Spaniards from China. The
oranges that the Indians had in their pagan state are very large, of
the size of a Spanish gourd; and the taste is pleasant and resembles
that of a grape. The Spaniards have also brought melons from España,
China, and Japón; as well as radishes, cabbages, lettuce, onions,
and garlic; also camotes or potatoes, which have resulted very well,
and are a source of great support for this kingdom. The Indians also
formerly had other very good and useful roots, and various kinds
of kidney beans. The sugar-cane also is produced throughout this
kingdom, and a quantity of sugar is manufactured from it, although,
it is not so sweet as that of España. Rice is the principal product
of this kingdom. It is abundant, and there are various species of
it; and it is harvested and sown throughout the year. Wheat comes
from China, and a quantity formerly came from Japón. A quantity
is also grown in this kingdom, although it is degenerating yearly,
and accordingly it is necessary to bring new seed from Therrenate
every fourth year. Our friars brought some shoots of the clove in a
pot for transplanting. They were transplanted in various climates,
and in different villages. Two shoots took root in the village of
Mahayhay and produced fruit, and the cloves were as good as those of
Therrenate. The first fruit that was gathered was sent to the governor
of these islands, Don Juan Zereço. Those two trees were lost afterward,
and consequently none have been left in the kingdom. Some grapevine
shoots have been brought from China, which after being transplanted
in these islands have become good vines. The arms which have been and
are commonly used by the natives of the kingdom are bows and arrows,
a small lance and a shield of elongated round shape, like a pavés. [85]
The Indians who live far from Manila are doubtless skilful in the use
of the bow and arrow. The Negrillos who wander through the mountains,
and support themselves by hunting, are very skilful. The latter people
have no government or settlements, and consequently they are not
conquered. Considerable cotton is gathered throughout the kingdom,
from which the Indians weave various kinds of cloth and textiles,
of which they manufactured their clothes and vestments when they
were pagans.

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

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