The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 37, 1669-1676: 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 37, 1669-1676: 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
The galleon "San José," which had left Cavite the year before,
returned from Acapulco in the month of July; and as the vendavals
had prevented its making that port by way of the Embocadero, it
was obliged to anchor, and to seek safety in the port of Palapag
in the province of Leyte. That galleon brought the new governor,
Master-of-camp Don Manuel de León y Saravia, a native of Paredes de
Nava, a valiant soldier from his youth in the countries of Flandes,
Galicia, and other parts. He had begun the rudiments of the military
art in the celebrated battle of Lutzen, in which died that thunderbolt
of the north, Gustavo Adolfo, king of Suecia, in the year 1632--who
caused so great destruction in Alemania [i.e., Germany] by his captains
Gustavo Hom, Bernardo de Veymar, Bautis Gratz, and other heretics until
the battle of Norlinguen, fought by the cardinal infante in the year
1634, [163] which battle also Don Manuel de León participated; and the
latter had been in other famous battles of those times. He had been
an infantry captain for fifteen years in Flandes, and was afterward
sargento-mayor and master-of-camp. He was moved from Flandes with his
army to the frontiers of Galicia to fight against Portugal in the year
1660. There he gave so good an account of himself that he was called
"the iron leader" because of his valor and daring. He was governor of
Munzón and Valencia in Galicia. While he was soliciting an office in
Madrid, the queen-mother and her associate governors tried to send
him to be governor of Cádiz; but he elected to come to Filipinas,
retaining the office of master-of-camp and the reward of the habit
of Santiago. We can believe that divine Providence made him desire
that charge so that he might be the consolation and remedy of these
islands; for in his time the islands enjoyed the greatest quiet,
happiness, and plenty that they had enjoyed for many years. For the
voyages from Nueva España were more secure and not a single galleon
was lost; and commerce with China and Macán was very flourishing,
as it was likewise with the coast of Coromandel, this latter being
established in his term. There were no wars with the Dutch, nor with
any other foreign nation; nor did any province revolt. The Mindanaos
did not make their usual raids, and there was perpetual peace because
of the quiet behavior and the death of Cachil Corralat. There were
only some incursions by the Camucones, who are thieving pirates
subject to Borney. The fruits of the earth were very plentiful,
and no earthquakes or other disasters occurred. The community of
Manila, which had been living for so many years in continual fear,
thought now of nothing else than of their trade and merchandise, and
of feasting and rejoicing. To that happiness was added the fact that
Don Manuel de León was by nature very benevolent, pious, simple, and
very even in disposition; and, above all, far removed from cupidity
and self-interest, and desirous that all should enjoy peace and
quiet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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