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THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
1493-1898
The PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS 1493-1898
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, Eco-
nomic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of those
Islands from their earliest relations with European
Nations to the close of the Nineteenth Century
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINALS
Edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and
James Alexander Robertson, with historical intro-
duction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord
Bourne. With maps, portraits and other illustrations
Volume XLI — 1691-1700
The Arthur H. Clark Company
Cleveland, Ohio
MCMVI
c '
"*^<3
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XLI.
Preface . . 9
Documents of 1 691 -1700
Extracts from Jesuit letters. Juan de Zar-
zuela, and others; Manila, 1691 and 1694 33
Discovery of the Palaos Islands. Paul
Clain, S. J.; Manila, June 10, 1697 . 39
Recollect missions in the Philippines, 1661-
1712. Pedro de San Francisco de Assis;
Zaragoza, 1756. Juan de la Concepcion;
Manila, 1788 57
Bibliographical Data ..... 273
Appendix : Moro pirates and their raids in the
seventeenth century. [Compiled from var-
ious historians.] 277
ILLUSTRATIONS
Title-page of vol. vi of Lettres edifiantes (Paris,
1723) ; photographic facsimile of copy in li-
brary of Wisconsin Historical Society . . 41
Map of New Philippines or Palaos Islands,
1710 (?) ; photographic facsimile of original
map in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla . 45
Map of Palaos Islands, discovered by Joseph
Somera, 1710; from original manuscript map
in Biblioteca de Vittorio Emanuele, Rome . 53
Map of Magendanao (Mindanao) ; drawn by
Fakynolano, elder brother of the sultan of that
place, ca.^ 1700; photographic facsimile of
original manuscript map in the British Mu-
seum 280, 281
PREFACE
The main part of this volume is a record of the
Recollect missions in the Philippines from 1661 to
1712; these are conducted mainly in western Luzon,
Mindanao, and Calamianes, and Assis's account con-
tains much information of interest regarding condi-
tions in those regions. "Moro raids in the seven-
teenth century" summarizes the principal events con-
nected with that topic ; and the Jesuit Clain presents
an interesting account of the discovery that the is-
lands called Palaos exist within range of the Philip-
pines.
Extracts from letters written by Manila Jesuits
in 1 69 1 and 1694 furnish some items of news. Gov-
ernor Cruzat y Gongora is making rigorous exac-
tions upon the alcaldes-mayor and the tributary In-
dians; he engages in trade, and accepts gifts from
office-seekers. In 1692, two richly-laden vessels from
Manila are lost; and in 1694 another, which con-
tained all the available wealth of the Manila citi-
zens. Various ecclesiastical squabbles continue as
echoes of the Pardo controversy.
A letter from the Jesuit Paul Clain (June 10,
1697) gives a vivid description of the arrival in
Samar of some strange people, driven from their
homes in the Palaos (or Pelew) Islands; and reports
IO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the information gained from them about that hith-
erto unknown group in the broad Pacific. These
foreigners receive kind treatment from the natives of
Samar, and religious instruction from the mission-
aries there; and they desire to open communication
between their own islands and the Philippines.
The chief part of this volume is devoted to the
Recollect missions in various portions of the Philip-
pines, the period treated in general being included
in the years 1 661 -17 12, although some few remarks
touch a later period. The main portion of the ac-
count is taken from the chronicle of Pedro de San
Francisco de Assis, the author of the fourth part of
the Recollect Historia general; the second and sub-
sidiary part from vols, viii and ix of Juan de la Con-
ception's Historia, this portion being designed
merely to supplement the preceding account.
San Pedro de Assis describes cursorily the insur-
rection in Pampanga (there scarcely more than an
attempt) and the more serious uprising in the prov-
ince of Pangasinan and Zambales, and the part
played by the Recollects in restoring peace. The re-
volt in Pampanga arises, like so many minor revolts
in the past, through the injustice of lesser officials -
this time the superintendent of the timber-cutting.
Under leadership of one Francisco Manyago, a na-
tive military official, the Pampangos attempt to gain
freedom, and plan a general uprising among var-
ious provinces. But though the most warlike of the
Filipinos, they are at the same time the most rea-
sonable, and are, consequently, easily quieted by the
personal efforts of the governor, assisted ably by the
various religious orders. More difficult to eliminate,
however, is the leaven of discontent injected by the
1691-1700] PREFACE I I
Pampangos into the other provinces of Ilocos and
Pangasinan. These northern provinces begin to
think of a union for the purpose of securing liberty,
and of a central government of their own. Our au-
thor chooses as his field more particularly the story
of the revolt in Zambales, which he calls a district
of the province of Pangasinan, and which is a Recol-
lect mission territory. The revolt of Pangasinan is
under the leadership of Andres Malong, who as-
pires to kingship and who gradually gathers an
army, some say, of 40,000 men. He intrigues
through certain relatives and adherents in Zambales
to compel the Zambals to declare in his favor, but
notwithstanding the many in sympathy with him
there, his attempts are bootless, for the Recollect re-
ligious work so strongly and courageously against
his machinations that, in the end, entirely conquered
by the troops sent against him from Manila, he meets
the fate of other insurgent leaders. The efforts of
Malong, through his relative Sumulay, in the vil-
lage of Bolinao, are frustrated by the vigilance and
courage of Juan de la Madre de Dios, the vicar in
charge of the convent there, but his church is burned
by the insurgent sympathizers. The fathers and
loyal natives, notwithstanding repeated threats of
death, under the active leadership of the above father
hold to their post, although one of the fathers, Luis
de San Joseph, would have gladly abandoned the
place. This same priest, however, performs brave
feats in his delivery of messages from the vicar of
Lingayen (who describes the revolt in Pangasinan,
and asks aid from Manila), to the convent of Ma-
sinloc. Thence those messages are taken to Manila
by Bernardino de la Conception, accompanied by
1 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
three loyal chiefs, who are suitably rewarded for
their services.
With the absence from Masinloc of the three loyal
chiefs above-mentioned, treason shows its head in
that village, its immediate outbreak being due to an
inopportune rebuke administered by the prior to a
chief who had neglected to attend mass. The reli-
gious and loyal natives are besieged in the convent,
but escape by stratagem, by seizing a boat in which
some natives have come to the village. Reaching
the village of Bagac, they meet there the three loyal
chiefs who are returning from Manila, and with
their aid and that of thirty men gathered by the
prior of Bagac, they recover the village of Masinloc
from the insurgents. The majority of the inhabit-
ants receive pardon, but three of the ringleaders are
put to death.
In the village of Cigayen, a chief, Sirray, acts as
agent for Malong, but failing to succeed in his plan
to murder the religious there, finally joins Malong
with twenty-five followers, while the father retires
to Manila, and the village is abandoned by its other
inhabitants. The village of Agno is quieted by the
efforts of the Recollect Luis de San Joseph; and the
chief, Durrey, the cause of the trouble there, and
twelve of his partisans are forced to flee. In Bolinao,
the flames of insurrection break out once more, for
the vicar, Juan de la Madre de Dios, is now alone.
Malong sends an emissary, one Caucao, to deliver to
him a letter, demanding that the place be turned
over to him. The father, however, is enabled by the
chance arrival of a champan with some religious,
Spaniards, and natives, who are fleeing from Ilocos,
to outwit his enemies for the time being. The quiet
1691-1700] PREFACE 13
of Bolinao lasts only so long as the above-mentioned
champan remains there. After its departure Malong
tries to secure the murder of the religious through
Durrey and Sumulay. The former is dissuaded
from the attempt, and the latter persisting, is in turn
attacked by the father, and wounded, although he es-
capes by the connivance of some of the inhabitants
of Bolinao.
Meanwhile definite arrangements are made in
Manila - and that more speedily than is the custom
there - for sending troops to put down the incipient
rebellion. The aid consists of a fleet under Felipe de
Ugalde, and an army of 200 Spaniards, and 400 na-
tives, under Francisco de Estebar. These joining
and assisted further by some Zambals, quickly break
up organized hostility. Punishment (too severe
some think, but our author justifies it) is meted out
to the leaders: Malong is shot; Sumulay, Caucao,
Sirrey, and Durrey are hanged; while another leader
in order to escape the death-sentence kills himself.
Thus the insurrection, which has lasted but a portion
of the years 1660 and 1661, comes to an end, and this
attempt, perhaps the earliest in which various tribes
or peoples of the Filipinos (although but wavering-
ly it is true) show any desire to act in concert, is re-
corded only as a failure. The Sangleys, who have
openly encouraged the insurrection, and have even
fought in their ranks, also attempt to revolt, partly
in response to the efforts of the pirate Kuesing; but
their plans, both in 1661 and 1662, come to naught,
divine Providence each time allowing the Recollects
to act as agents. But the second attempt is put down
only after the shedding of much Sangley blood.
Probably in the year 1662, the first work of the Re-
1 4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
collects on the coast of Luzon opposite Manila be-
gins, with the invitation of the Franciscans who are
engaged in work there, but who must give up that
field, a poor one, because of a scarcity of religious.
Quickly accepting the invitation, the Recollects enter
upon the work with enthusiasm, and found the con-
vents of Binangonan, Valer, Casiguran, and Pala-
nan. In that district much fruit for heaven is gath-
ered; but in 1704 the dearth of religious (for none
pass from Spain to the Philippines from 1692 to
1710) causes the order to restore the district to the
Franciscans. Continuing, the deaths of the mission-
aries Juan de San Antonio and Joseph de la Anun-
ciation in the years 1663 and 1664 are recorded, and
synopses of their lives given.
In chapter viii, Assis, going back somewhat, gives
a resume of the sufferings of the Recollects be-
tween the years 1640- 1668. These sufferings and
persecutions come mainly from the Moros, who by
their continual raids make themselves the scourge of
all the Philippine mission villages; and such is the
boldness of those pirates that they do not even hesi-
tate to carry on their operations in sight of Manila it-
self. Added to the terrors of the Moros is also the
active injury inflicted by the Dutch, those heretics
allying themselves even with the Moros to cause in-
jury to the true Catholic faith. The peace between
Spain and Holland comes as a most welcome relief
to the colony. The Recollect villages and missions
being in the very midst of the Moro territory are the
worst afflicted by that scourge. Their pitiful peti-
tions for aid fall on deaf ears, for at Manila, self
interest rules, and trade is the syren of the hour, not
religion. The Recollects, too, are not without their
1691-1700] PREFACE 15
martyrs for the faith as the result of Moro persecu-
tions, while others succumb to the hardships of the
missionary labors.
The work among the Zambals is again taken up
by our author in the year 1670. The inhabitants of
that district are a fierce people, those in the moun-
tains being more so than those dwelling along the
coast and on the plains, where they have had inter-
course with other natives and with Spaniards. The
mountain population contains many apostates and
heathens, while many Negritos wander homeless and
in utter barbarous condition through their fastnesses.
Although all those people are hostile among them-
selves, they unite against the Spaniards, for their com-
mon hatred to the latter draws them together. All
the orders have had a share in the reduction of those
fierce people, but the Recollects with the greatest
success. The fierceness of the people leads the Recol-
lects to employ gentle means, and thus by adapting
themselves to the genius of their flock they gain many
converts - the most abundant being during the years
1668-1671, when the provincial Cristobal de Santa
Monica appoints nine religious for the work. As a
result of their labors 2,000 people are reduced to a
Christian and settled life, and others also adopt the
faith. The new villages of Iba (formerly called
Paynaven), Subic, and Morong are formed from the
converts, while all the old villages increase in popu-
lation. Two new convents are established - one in
Paynaven, and the other in Bagac. All this is ac-
complished by the year 1670. In 1671, Joseph de la
Trinidad makes great gains for Christianity in the
Zambal district, and, on becoming provincial in
1674, takes especial care of those missions. But un-
1 6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
fortunately the Recollects clash with the Domini-
cans, whose administration lies in the district of Ba-
taan; and although the Recollects resist, they are at
length (1679) compelled by the archbishop, Felipe
de Pardo (who covets the entire district for his
order) and the governor to cede the Zambal mis-
sions to the Dominicans, and to take in exchange the
island of Mindoro, which has been for many years in
charge of the seculars.
Following is told in synopsis the life of Miguel
de Santo Tomas, most of whose mission life has been
spent in the province of Caraga. The general chap-
ter of 1672, meeting in Spain, assigns definitors and
discreets to the Philippine province.
Chapter iv of the ninth decade of the history car-
ries us into Mindanao, where the work among the
heathen Tagabaloyes is reviewed. These are a hea-
then people living in the neighborhood of Bislig in
Caraga, the Recollect mission center farthest from
Manila, in the mountains called Balooy (whence
their name). They are a domestically inclined peo-
ple, courageous and intelligent, faithful in their
treaties and promises, and said to be the descendants
of the Japanese. Not much can be done among them
until the year 1671 because of the Moro wars, the
little government aid received, and the scarcity of
religious, the two in the district being unable to ex-
tend their labors much outside of their regular du-
ties. But in 1671, Juan de San Felipe, the new pro-
vincial, who has been a missionary in Bislig, appoints
a religious especially to look after the conversion of
the mountain people. That religious aided by the
other two, has baptized 300 adults by 1673, besides
100 others who die immediately after receiving that
1 691-1700] PREFACE 17
sacrament. By 1674 the district of Bislig has in-
creased from 200 to 800 whole tributes. This con-
version has been aided by certain miraculous occur-
rences.
In 1674, Joseph de la Trinidad the provincial in-
creases the mission forces by the appointment of
special ministers who visit the various districts con-
tinually, carrying aid to the most needed parts of the
districts assigned them, and thus easing the burden
of the missionaries already established in the var-
ious villages by giving them more time to attend to
their regular duties. His greatest efforts he expends
in the Mindanao provinces of Butuan and Cagayan,
where Christianity, in consequence, makes vast gains.
The faith is carried among the Manobos of the Linao
district, and the population of the villages increases.
The three religious working in the mountains of Ca-
gayan, and in toward Lake Malanao, reduce more
than one hundred tributes to Christian villages in
spite of the hostility of the Moros, the conversion
being aided throughout by manifest miracles.
The ninth chapter of the ninth decade relates the
work in the new field of Mindoro. The mission
work of that island (of which and its people a brief
description is given) is first begun by the Augustin-
ians, who cede the district to the Franciscans. Later
the Jesuits maintain a number of missionaries there
and found the permanent mission of Naojan, which
is maintained until Luis de San Vitores goes to the
missions of the Ladrones or Marianas, when the is-
land is turned over to three seculars. The district is
a poor one, and the seculars, although zealous in their
duties, cannot be adequately supported. Finally in
1679, as related above, the Recollects, after their
1 8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
glorious record in the Philippines and their flourish-
ing mission work in the Zambal district, take up the
Mindoro mission field, after a vain protest at being
ousted from their Zambal missions. The transfer
is speedily concluded by chaplaincies being provided
for the seculars, and the Recollects, taking posses-
sion of the new territory, immediately put six reli-
gious to work. The new leaven is felt instantly and
the number of Christians increases from 4,000 in
1679 t0 8,000 in 1692, and to 12,000 in 17 16. Al-
though the Moro depredations lessen that number
later, in 1738, San Antonio still chronicles over 7,000.
The first convent established at Baco is later moved
to Calapan. Convents are also established at Naojan,
Calavite, and Mangarin (which is later removed to
Bongabong, because of its unhealthy site and the raids
of the Moros), all of which have their visitas. A
mountain mission established later results in a great
increase to the Christians of Mindoro.
The succeeding chapter deals with the resumption
of the Recollect missions in Calamianes which have
been abandoned in 1662 because of the Chinese pi-
rate Kuesing, and the consequent withdrawal of the
support of the military. All but two of the missions,
those in Cuyo and Agutaya, which are retained by
the Recollects, have been given into the care of one
secular priest, and this arrangement is maintained
until 1680, when the Recollects (although somewhat
unwillingly on their part) again accept the ministry
of those islands. In November of 1680 three reli-
gious are sent there, the possession of the Recollects
is given royal confirmation in 1682, and in 1684 the
arrival of a new mission allows them to assign other
workers to the field. There are plenty of hardships
1 691-1700] PREFACE 19
to suffer, but the fruit is great. New missions are
established, and by 171 5 the number of Christians
has risen from 4,500 in 1680 to 18,600; and in 1735
Calamianes and Romblon contain 21,076 Christians.
Certain missionaries are named and praised for their
work. Incidentally an interesting description is
given of the training of the native children for the
service of the Church, by which our author refutes
the charge that the religious have many servants.
Notwithstanding their efforts, several times all
but successful, the Recollects are unable to extend
their evangelization to the great empire of China, as
is related in chapter ii of decade x. The succeeding
chapter tells of the Recollect missions sent from
Spain to the Philippines during the three decades
covered by this history ( 1661-1690) . The first leaves
Spain in 1660 under the leadership of Eugenio de los
Santos, and consists of twenty choristers and two lay-
brothers. One of the entire number reaches Manila
in 1662, and fourteen others the following year. The
second mission is in charge of Christobal de Santa
Monica, who has been appointed procurator in 1663.
All of that mission of twenty-four religious which
sets sail in 1666 reaches Manila in 1667, except two
who remain in Mexico. The third mission is col-
lected in 1675 by Juan de la Madre de Dios, who
takes the twenty-six religious composing it to Mex-
ico, but there hands them over to another religious
while he himself returns to Spain. They reach the
islands in 1676. In 1680, Cristobal de Santa Monica
is sent to Spain as procurator, reaching his destina-
tion in 1681. In 1683, he sails from Cadiz with a
mission consisting of nineteen fathers, nineteen chor-
isters, and five lay-brothers. All of that number, ex-
20 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
cept one who dies at sea and two who desert at
Puerto Rico and return home, reach the Philippines
in April, 1684, and are distributed among the con-
vents. The general chapter of 1684 held in Spain
elects definitors and discreets for the Philippine
province.
Most of chapter v of decade x treats of the life of
Juan de la Madre de Dios, which we give by synop-
sis and extract. He is one of the most active and able
workers whom the order has had in the islands,
where he has held many offices in the order and has
also worked valiantly in the missions. He is one of
the most untiring of idol-worship destroyers, and
even dares to venture alone to the places where hea-
then assemblies are held for the purpose of their ne-
farious worship. Of a political nature also, so far
as the order is concerned, his work is by no means
slight, and he obtains much for his province in Spain.
His death occurs in the latter country in 1685. This
same chapter relates also the life of Thomas de San
Geronimo (given by us in synopsis), a missionary
in the Visayan region. He is elected provincial in
1680, and so well is he liked that he is again elected
in 1686 against his will. His death occurs the same
year.
In chapter viii of decade x the Recollect labors in
the islands of Masbate, Ticao, and Burias are re-
viewed. These islands which have been conquered
during the early years of Legazpi's arrival in the
archipelago are an important way-station for ships
plying between Nueva Espana and the islands. The
faith is introduced into Masbate by the Augustin-
ians under Alonso Jimenez, who is called the "apos-
tle of Masbate." The Augustinians, however, aban-
1 691-1700] PREFACE 2 1
don that island and Ticao in 1609, and seculars have
charge of the mission work there from that year
until 1688. In the latter year the Recollects are sub-
stituted for the seculars in accordance with the plan
of the bishop of Nueva Caceres, that the district be
given to a regular order. A decree of August 13,
1685 grants the islands to the Recollects as well as
certain villages in Luzon. The latter are resigned
by that order to the Franciscans, as they can be ad-
ministered more easily by them, but the islands of
Masbate, Ticao, and Burias are accepted by them in
1687. In 1688 the cession is made by the secular in
charge at Mobo in the island of Masbate, to the con-
tent of the natives who welcome the Recollects. A
good convent is founded in Mobo and three new vil-
lages, in addition to the six existing when the Recol-
lects enter, are established. In 1726 another con-
vent is founded in the district after the wreck of a
galleon in order that the image of the Santo Cristo
of Burgos which is carried by that ship and which is
saved through the diligence of one of the passengers
on the vessel, Julian de Velasco, may be properly
housed. In reply to a petition of the Recollects in
1724 asking royal confirmation of the Masbate mis-
sions, a report on their work there is ordered. It
is found that the number of families has increased
from 187 in 1687 to 585 in 1722, an increase of 398
families or 1,592 persons. In 1738, there are 5,000
persons in the islands, and three new villages, one in
Ticao, and two in Masbate. This means that the
order has formed six villages and brought 3,252 per-
sons to the bosom of the Church in the time that they
have had control of this district. The number has
been lessened by the invasions of the Moros. The con-
2 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
versions have been made among heathens, apostates,
refugees from other islands - all of whom represent
the worst elements. The Recollects have had to
fight against the forces of nature, the Moros, and
sorcery. They have persevered in the face of all
manner of hardships - hardships that cause some of
the missionaries who have been there to say that the
Masbate territory offers more suffering than any
other mission field.
The extracts from Conception cover in part the
same field as the history by San Francisco de Assis ;
except the third, which tells of the restoration of the
missions of Zambales to the Recollects, and gives a
brief account of the judicial proceedings between
that order and the Dominicans.
The first extract concerns the enforced transfer
of the Zambal missions to the Dominicans. This
comes about directly from the representation made in
the Council of the Indias by Diego de Villaroto, to
the effect that the conversion of the island of Min-
doro would progress much more rapidly if given to
the religious order best suited therefor, and if the
seculars in charge of the curacies there be appointed
to chaplaincies. Royal attention is given this peti-
tion and in 1677 a royal decree orders the governor
and archbishop to make the transfer. In conse-
quence, Felipe Pardo, the archbishop, quick to seize
the opportunity, aided by the governor, compels the
unwilling Recollects to give up their missions among
the Zambals and take the island of Mindoro, in order
that the Dominicans might take the former. Such
an arrangement is very convenient for the Domini-
cans, as it enables them to better concentrate their
missions in Pangasinan, and affords them easier com-
1691-1700] PREFACE 23
munication among their various missions. The pro-
tests of the Recollects that the Zambals prefer their
order and that the people of Mindoro will prefer
their old missionaries the Jesuits, and that the two
districts will be disturbed and restless has no weight,
and the governor sees that they are kept quiet
through the Spanish officials there. The three Re-
collects assigned to Mindoro are Diego de la Madre
de Dios, Diego de la Resurrection, and Eugenio de
los Santos, and they are each given one assistant. A
description of Mindoro and its people follows, and
a resume of its early conquest and of missionary la-
bors there. Since the Jesuits have abandoned that
field (with the going of Luis San Vitores to the Ma-
rianas) the seculars have had ecclesiastical charge of
the island, but it is a poor place and scarcely can any
secular be found who cares to accept it. After the
entrance of the Recollects, the number of Christians
steadily rises, evangelization making progress among
the Mangyans, Negritos, and other peoples. Four
convents are established, each of them with several
visitas, and the mission to the Mangyans on the bay
of Hog, in the last of which none of the apostatized
Christians are allowed to enter lest they pervert the
new plants. "But that fine flower-garden [i.e., the
island of Mindoro] has been trampled down and
even ruined by the Moros." The Dominicans bend
their energies to the work in their newly-acquired
missions of Zambales. With malicious satisfaction,
Conception reports that their efforts have resulted
mainly in failure. Believing that the eleven villages
which they have received from the Recollects are too
many for the best administration of the district, they
endeavor to consolidate and move some of them.
24 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 4*
Bolinao, which under the Recollect regime was lo-
cated on a small island off the coast of Zambales, is
moved across the channel to the barren coast where
"many inconveniences but no advantages" are pos-
sessed. Agno is moved inland from the coast; Si-
gayen is also moved, the only advantage made by the
changed site being the river of fresh water on which
it is located. Paynaven is moved inland to the site
of Iba, to which its name is changed, and Iba be-
comes the capital of the district, but in order that
it may become so, some families are moved from
Bolinao. The villages of Cabangan and Subic are
made from the consolidation of several others, and
the places left vacant by refugees are filled by fami-
lies from Pangasinan, whence the natives can be
moved easier as that province is so densely populated
that there is not sufficient room for all of them. The
inference is that the evil caused by the administration
of the Dominicans is greater than the good, in discon-
tent among the Zambals and the flight of many fami-
lies to Ilocos and to the mountains.
The second extract recounts, quite similarly to the
version given by San Francisco de Assis, the work in
Recollect missions in the islands of Masbate, Ticao,
and Burias. These islands are a part of the bishopric
of Nueva Caceres, and are under the civil control
of the alcalde of Albay. Masbate, the largest, has
traces of gold and some fine copper mines, but the
gold has never paid well. All three islands possess
excellent timber and many civet-cats. The early his-
tory of the islands and their early spiritual conquests
are told. Through the efforts of the bishop, Andres
Gonzales, O.P., the islands are given to the Recol-
lects, the secular priest in charge there being given
1 691-1700] PREFACE 25
a chaplaincy instead. Certain villages of Luzon,
which were also to be given to the Recollects, are
given instead to the Franciscans who contest them
with the former. The islands are important both
from a secular and religious point of view, for they
are a way-station for the Acapulco ships, and also for
the Recollect missions in Cebu and Mindanao. As
related above, the Recollects ask royal confirmation
of the missions of these islands in 1724, and the sub-
sequent report rendered shows that their work has re-
sulted in great progress, and that they have made the
islands a safe place where before they were most dan-
gerous both on the coast and in the interior.
The third extract concerns the work of the Domin-
icans in the missions of Zambales and the restoration
of that district to the Recollects. From Concepcion's
account (which must be read in connection with that
by Salazar, the Dominican), the Dominican order
did not have the success of their predecessors among
the fierce Zambals, and ended rather in alienating
them by their aggressive treatment; while the Recol-
lects have, on the contrary, employed gentle means
by which they have won the hearts and minds of the
Zambals. The presidio at Paynaven which has been
increased, is injudiciously allowed to make raids
among the natives upon any occasion. The trouble
comes to a head with the murder of the nephew of
one of the chiefs, Dalinen, by another chief Calignao,
the latter of whom appears to have been a thoroughly
unreliable and malicious man. Dalinen, in order
to avenge the murder in accordance with Zambal tra-
ditions, takes to the wilds, but with his followers,
is pursued by the soldiers of the garrison. As
Calignao has not fled, the missionary Domingo Pe-
26 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
rez, O.P., in order to win him over, indiscreetly an-
nounces that the murder of Dalinen's nephew has
been by command of the government, which has or-
dered that all those who refuse to reduce themselves
to village life be killed. Calignao, as another act in
the tragedy, plans to kill Dalinen, and by the aid of
a Negrito, accomplishes that design. Then, in order
to show in full light his character, he compasses the
death of Domingo Perez, wounding the latter so
severely that he dies through lack of efficient care.
Although the Dominicans claim certain miraculous
occurrences as happening at the death of the above
father, Concepcion disproves them all. The remain-
der of the extract has to do with the suits between the
Recollects and the Dominicans in regard to the Zam-
bal missions, which last spasmodically from the time
the Recollects are compelled to abandon them until
the time of their restoration in 171 2. The Recollects
claim throughout that they have been despoiled un-
justly of the missions, and that although they accepted
the missions of Mindoro, they have had no other
alternative, and have not accepted them as a com-
pensation for the loss of the Zambal missions. In-
deed they have never renounced their claim to those
missions, but have regularly appointed ministers for
them (who of course have not labored in those mis-
sions). The Dominicans, on the other hand, assert
that they have merely taken over those missions in
response to commands from the archbishop and the
governor to that effect. The suit drags on wearily,
each side asserting its rights, and the matter being
delayed by such proceeding until it seems unending.
Finally the Dominicans, with a change of procura-
tor, shift their tactics, and allege that they are not
1691-17°°] PREFACE 27
at all a party to any suit, and since they have received
the missions at the order of the governor, they are
ready to resign them if requested so to do. The Rec-
ollects maintain the opposite, namely, that the Do-
minicans are a party to the suit; and the verdict is
at length given to them, and the Dominicans are or-
dered in 1690 to appear before the Audiencia within
three days to plead their right. The summons is
neglected until the year 17 10, when the attorney for
the Recollects again stirs up the matter, and notwith-
standing the fact that the Dominicans still adhere to
their former statements that they are not a party to
the suit, the matter is brought to court, and the mis-
sions of the Zambals turned over to the Recollects by
special sentence.
Through nearly all of the Spanish regime in the
Philippines, those islands, especially and most the
Visayan, suffered greatly from the frequent and cruel
raids of the Moro pirates from Mindanao and other
islands south of it. Some account of these is a neces-
sary part of this work; but our limits of space will not
allow us to reproduce verbose and detailed relations
like that of Combes (in his Hist, de Mindanao),
especially as this and some others of similar tenor
cover but a short period of time. In an appendix to
this volume we present a brief summary of this sub-
ject, down to the end of the seventeenth century; the
first part is an outline merely, drawn from our previ-
ous volumes, giving full citations therefrom, which
show the relations existing between the Spaniards
and the Mahometan Malays from 1565 to 1640. The
second part covers the same subject for the rest of the
century; it is composed of the accounts given by
Murillo Velarde, Diaz, and other historians, ar-
2 8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
ranged in chronological order -sometimes synop-
sized, sometimes translated in full, according to the
prolixity or the relative importance of each. From
the beginning were evident various elements of hos-
tility -* racial, religious, and commercial - between
the Spaniards and the Moros, which were soon ag-
gravated by the Spanish desire for conquest and the
Moro greed for plunder and bloodshed. The un-
fortunate natives of the northern islands who had
been subjugated by the Spaniards were unable to
defend themselves from their enemies, and the Span-
ish power was often inadequate to protect them or to
punish the invaders. The pirates were intimidated
and curbed for a long time by Corcuera's brilliant
campaigns in Mindanao and Jolo (1637-38) ; and
other punitive expeditions had a like though often
temporary effect in later years. In the latter part
of the century peace prevailed between these enemies
for a long time, probably because no one of the Moro
chiefs had the ability and force of the noted Corralat.
In 1639 Almonte subdues the fierce Guimbanos, a
mountain people in Sulu. Later, they and the Jo-
loans rebel, and in 1643-44 Agustin de Cepeda again
chastises them, defeating the natives in several battles
and ravaging their country. One of these expedi-
tions is related in detail by a Jesuit in Jolo, who, as
usual, ascribes the success of the Spaniards to the
favor of St. Ignatius and the Virgin Mary. In Min-
danao, Corcuera's invasion (1637) long restrains Cor-
ralat; but in 1655 he treacherously causes the mur-
der of three Spanish envoys sent to him and attempts
(but in vain) to stir up the other Moro rulers to re-
bellion against the Spaniards. The latter are not
strong enough to wage war with him, and therefore
1691-1700] PREFACE 29
overlook his insolence; this encourages him to begin
anew his piratical raids against other islands. At
this, several attempts are made to curb them, most
proving ineffectual - although in January- February,
1658, Esteybar with a squadron of armed vessels,
destroys several Mindanao villages. Finally (in
1662) the Manila authorities decide to abandon
their forts in Mindanao and Jolo; this causes the loss
of Spanish dominion there, and the christianized
Moros soon relapse into their former heathenism.
Some of the Joloan chiefs make unauthorized raids
on the northern islands, but their king punishes them
and restores the captives. Corralat meanwhile, in
his old age, maintains peace, and charges his heir to
do the same - an example which is followed by the
king of Jolo. The Camucones are kept in awe by the
light galleys which are built at Manila for this pur-
pose. Thus the latter part of the century is a time of
comparative peace, so far as the relations of the
Spaniards and Visayans with the Moros are con-
cerned.
The Editors
July, 1906.
DOCUMENTS OF 1691-1700
Extracts from Jesuit letters. Juan de Zarzuela, and
others; 1691 and 1694.
Discovery of Palaos Islands. Paul Clain, S. J. ; June
10, 1697.
Recollect missions in the Philippines, 1661-1712.
Pedro de San Francisco de Assis; 1756. Juan de
la Concepcion; 1788.
Sources: The first of these documents is obtained from the
Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library), iv, pp. 1-3, 69-72; the
second, from Lettres edifiantes (1st Paris ed.), i, (1717), pp.
1 12-136, from a copy in the library of the Wisconsin Historical
Society; the third, from the Historia general de los religiosos des-
calzos de San Agustin, part iv, written by Pedro de San Francisco
de Assis (Zaragoza, 1756), from a copy in the Library of Congress.
Translations: The first document is translated by Emma
Helen Blair; the second, by Frances B. Marshall; the third, by
James Alexander Robertson.
EXTRACTS FROM JESUIT LETTERS,
1691-94
[From a letter by Father Juan de Zarzuela,1
June 19, 1691.]
The governor Don Fausto Cruzat y Gongora is a
royal official in these islands, who makes every en-
deavor to collect the revenue of his Majesty. He
has a hasty disposition, and no one dares oppose him;
consequently there are few who wish him well, and
there is no one who desires the office of alcalde, on
account of the burdens that he imposes on them
(never customary here), of completing every year
the royal revenue and its accounts, and filling out the
quota of what they must collect, even though they do
not actually collect it. The result is, that the alcaldes
contribute from their own stores what they had not
collected; for, no matter what efforts they make, they
cannot during the year finish the collections, on ac-
count of the extreme poverty of the Indians. The
governor has for counselors or intimates only An-
daya and Antonio, for whom he does many things
1 Juan de Zarzuela was born in Argete on February 11, 1640.
When sixteen years old, he entered the Jesuit novitiate, and ten
years later went to the Philippines. He was rector at Iloilo, and
vice-rector at Cavite; rector and vice-rector at San Jose during
seven years, and procurator of the province during five; and filled
other posts. He died in Manila, May 27, 1706. (Murillo Ve-
larde, fol 394 b.)
34 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
and confers many offices. It is not known how much
it costs them. His Lordship brought over a great
amount of silver from the viceroy, which is neces-
sarily sent as an investment; and there will be many
who complain of this, because [the goods procured
by] it will occupy the greater part of the ship. For
this reason no one wished to accept command of the
ship, for it will be nothing more than to go in the
governor's employ; and finally it was given to Don
Jose Mato Rayo. It is a new ship which is sailing;
it was built by Andaya as contractor, and superin-
tendent of the whole - whom the governor obeyed,
as one who was necessary to him, because there was
no ship that could be sent. That is, the "Santo Nino"
was in such a condition that it could not be repaired;
and, as the time was short (it was then only nine
months), it was necessary to multiply the exactions
[sacas]. Thus Silang, which has two hundred and
twenty-seven and a half tributes registered, had one
hundred and twenty men at one time outside of their
village; others had seventy, eighty, or more out-'
without being able to take care of their grain-fields.
Afterward, because there was not enough rice for
the king, through lack of foresight in the royal offi-
cials, they levied another assessment of rice on the na-
tives [in Cavite] as also in La Laguna, the king pay-
ing but one-half of what the Indians could sell it for
later, and leaving them under the necessity of buy-
ing the grain at double price. The worst thing is,
that now the rice has become so scarce that it is worth
nine and ten reals, at which price it is sold in the
[royal] magazines; and the tribute which is given by
the very Indians on whom this purchase was levied
is sold at the magazines, without being placed
1691-170°] JESUIT LETTERS 35
therein, to the rice-mills. This gentleman very will-
ingly accepts what people give him for the offices.
At the beginning, it was understood that he would
not receive gifts ; but with five children, a wife, and a
sister-in-law, and heavily indebted, the office costing
him so much, and he coming so great a distance, how
can he avoid looking out for money? He is not op-
posed to the Society [of Jesus], but we are under no
obligation to him. Our order has no kindly feeling
toward thieves, and it is thought most probable, as
nearly as can be guessed, that he will not speak [of
us] very favorably to his Majesty. He says that he
will despatch the balandra 2 this year; but I do not
know how this will be, because they have not begun
to get it ready.
[From a letter by Father Magino Sola,
June 19, 1691.]
On the twenty-fifth of July, Senor Fausto Cruzat y
Gongora took possession of the government. When
Don Juan de Vargas was ready to embark this year,
the city brought a new suit against him, and seized
the little that he possessed.
[From a letter by Father Juan de Montemayor,
dated July 4, 1694.]
He says therein that information had been received
in Manila that the Dominicans would not be pro-
moted to bishoprics in the Filipinas Islands, a state-
ment that had been well received. The bishop of
Troya had attempted to regain the government of the
archbishopric, founding his claim on a royal decree
2 A light sailing vessel, with one mast ; a sloop. Cf . Dutch by-
lander, a coasting vessel.
3 6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in which he was charged to surrender it to the person
who had been presented by his Majesty (from which
he inferred that the king approved his government),
but slighting the imperative order \ruego y encargo]
that he should set out for Espana. He demanded
that the governor send him the official correspond-
ence from Espana for the governor of the archbish-
opric; but the governor replied that he would send
him that which should go to the name of his illus-
trious Lordship.
[Letter by Father Pedro de Silva Alencastre,
July 20, 1694.]
[He says] that for three years past no letters from
the islands reached Mejico, because in July of the
year 1692 the patache which was going to the Mari-
anas, with more than twenty thousand pesos, was
burned while in the very port. In the same year the
ship "Santo Cristo" sailed for Acapulco, and had to
come back to this port from the thirtieth degree of
latitude. Then she sailed in July of 93, from the port
of Naga; and up to the present time nothing is known
about her fate. In 1694 a galleon was built that was
72 cubits long \_de J 2 codos de quilla], an audacious
attempt. It set sail on the eve of St. Peter's day; and
on the following Saturday, while off the shore of
Maragondon, it went to pieces. It was laden with
more than twelve thousand packages; for all the citi-
zens had invested whatever they possessed, in order to
lade this ship, and even the wrought silver and the
jewels of the women had been sold in order to invest
their value in stuffs. The letter was sent by the pa-
tache which the governor was despatching as an ex-
press, so that they might know in Mejico and Es-
pana that the islands were not destroyed.
1 691-1700] JESUIT LETTERS 37
[Letter by Father Gaspar Marco,3 July 27, 1694.]
The bishop of Troya was going on, thinking that
the government of the archbishopric belonged to
him, and did not ordain the clerics who presented
dismissory letters from the cabildo of Manila -as-
suming that the king regarded him as ecclesiastical
governor -and that, in spite of the permit for
absence which commanded him to return to Espafia.
The cabildo had brought suit against Doctor Nicolas
Caraballo, sentencing him to exile in Nueva Espafia.
He embarked in the year 1692; but, the galleon hav-
ing come back to the port of Naga in the province of
Camarines, the bishop of that diocese not only re-
ceived and entertained Caraballo, but absolved him
and qualified him to hold any office or benefice. The
cabildo of Manila, who had sent a person to conduct
Caraballo to that city, endured this slight and said
nothing, when they knew of the conduct of the bishop
of Camarines, in order not to arouse another dispute.
The bishop appointed Caraballo governor of the
bishopric of Cebu, on account of the death of its pre-
late, in 1692. He began his rule by visiting and pun-
ishing the curas, until he removed the cura of Aclan,
named Salazar, and seized his goods, without allow-
ing him any appeal to the metropolitan. Salazar
escaped to Manila, and informed the cabildo of this;
and they commissioned the cantor, Don Esteban de
Olmedo, to arrest Caraballo. The bishop of Cama-
rines had information of all this, and went in person
to protect him. He arrived twenty-four hours after
3 Gaspar Marco was born in Biar, Valencia, January 25, 1660,
and became a Jesuit novice in 1682. Seven years later, he came to
Manila, and was for fifteen years procurator of the college there.
After filling other offices, he was sent as procurator of the prov-
ince to Madrid and Rome. He was taken ill in Spain, and died
on September 8, 17 16. (Murillo Velarde, fol. 406.)
3 8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Olmedo, and arrested the latter; he passed sentence
on him, with the counsel and opinion of Caraballo
himself, and carried Olmedo to Camarines with a
pair of fetters, where he remained until the date [of
the letter], without the cabildo having taken any
steps for his liberation.
DISCOVERY OF THE PALAOS ISLANDS
Letters written from Manila, June 10, l6oj, by
Father Paul Clain 4 of the Society of Jesus to Rev-
erend Father Tirso Gonzalez, general of the same
Society, on the new discovery that has been made
of thirty-two islands, south of the Marianas Is-
lands.
After the departure of the vessel which was com-
missioned with the letters which I wrote during the
year past to your Paternity, there arrived another
which brought me the order to accompany the rev-
erend father Antonio Fuccio,5 of Sicily, the new pro-
vincial of this province. Making with him the cir-
cuit of our houses, I have taken a survey of the coun-
try of the Pintados. There are large islands sepa-
rated from one another by arms of the sea, in which
the tide renders navigation difficult and dangerous.
There are in these islands seventy-seven thousand
Christians, under the spiritual direction of forty-
4 Paul Clain (originally Klein) was born at Agra, Bohemia,
and entered the Jesuit order September 14, 1669. In 1678 he
went to Mexico, and four years later to the Philippines; he there
was rector in several colleges, provincial, professor, and missionary.
He died on August 30, 17 17. ( Sommervogel, ii, col. 1197.)
B Antonio Tuccio (misprinted Fuccio in our text) was born at
Messina, April 16, 1641, and became a Jesuit novice at the age of
seventeen. After completing his studies, he was a teacher during
five years; in 1672 went to the Philippines, where he was rector
at Cavite and Manila, and twice provincial. He died at Manila,
February 4, 17 16. (Sommervogel, viii, col. 265.)
4° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
one missionaries of our Society, who have with them
two of our brothers who provide for their subsist-
ence.
I can scarcely express to you, my reverend Father,
how I have been moved at the sight of these poor In-
dians, of whom there are many who die without re-
ceiving the sacraments of the church, in great danger
of their eternal salvation : because there are so few
priests here, that the majority of them have charge
of two villages at the same time. When it happens
that they are occupied in one place, fulfilling the
functions of their ministry, they are not able to assist
those who die in the other. I have been still more
greatly moved by the forsaken condition in which
we found several other persons, who died in the is-
lands that are called Pais. Although these islands
are not far from the Marianas, their inhabitants have
no intercourse with those of the latter group. The
discovery of this new country has this year been
made certain, as is here recounted.
In making the visitation with the father provin-
cial, as I have already said, we arrived at the village
of Guivam,6 on the island of Samal, the largest and
southernmost island of the Eastern Pintados. We
found there twenty-nine Palaos, or natives of these
newly-discovered islands. The easterly winds which
rule over these seas from the month of December to
the month of May had blown them three hundred
leguas from their islands to this village on the island
of Samal. They had come on two small vessels, that
are called here "paraos." This is how they relate
their adventure.
6 Guiuan is the name of a village and port on the extreme
south coast of Samar; it has a good anchorage for vessels, even in
typhoons.
DL E T T R E S
EDIFI ANTES
E T
CURIEUSES.
ECRITES DES MISSIONS
Etrangeres , par quelques Miffion-
naires de la Compagnie de Jesus
& iV I. RECVEIZ.
A PARIS,
0nez Nico.las ie Cute, rue
5. Jacques, ptoche S. Yves, i l'lnwge
Saint Lambert.
M. DCC. XXIII.
^rECPiiriLEGE DV ROT.
1691-1700] DISCOVERY OF PALAOS ISLANDS 43
They had embarked, thirty-five persons in all, in-
tending to go to a neighboring island, when there
arose a wind so violent that they were not able to
gain the island where they wished to land, or any
other in the neighborhood, and were carried out to
the open sea. They made many efforts to land on
some shore or some island known to them, but with-
out avail. They sailed thus at the will of the winds
during seventy days without being able to make land.
Finally losing all hope of returning to their country,
and seeing themselves half-dead with hunger, with-
out water and without food, they resolved to aban-
don themselves to the mercy of the winds, and land
on the first island they could find toward the west.
Scarcely had they taken this resolution, when they
found themselves in sight of the village of Guivam
on the island of Samal. A man from that village
who was on the seashore saw them, and, judging by
the structure of their little vessels that they were
some strangers who had lost their way, he took a
piece of cloth and made them a signal to enter by the
channel that he indicated, in order to avoid the rocks
and the banks of sand upon which they were about
to run aground. These poor men were so frightened
at seeing this stranger that they began to put back
to sea; however much effort they made, they were
not able to turn about, and the wind blew them a sec-
ond time toward the shore. When they were near,
the Guivam man made them understand by signs the
route that they should take; but, seeing that they
were not taking it, and that they would surely be lost,
he threw himself into the sea, and swam to one of
those two small vessels, with the design of acting as
pilot and of conducting them safely to port. Scarcely
44 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
had he reached the vessel when those who were on
board, even the women carrying their children, threw
themselves into the water to gain the other vessel, so
much did they fear the approach of this stranger.
This man, seeing himself alone in the small vessel,
followed after them; and, having entered into the
second, he cleared all the rocks and piloted it safely
into the harbor. During this time the poor people
remained motionless, and gave themselves up to the
guidance of the stranger, whose prisoners they con-
sidered themselves.
They landed on St. Innocent's day, the twenty-
eighth of December of the year 1696. The inhabi-
tants of Guivam gathered on the shore, received
them with charity, and brought them some wine and
some food. They ate eagerly some cocoanuts, which
are the fruit of the palms of this country. The meat
in them is somewhat like that of chestnuts, except
that it has more oil, and that it furnishes a kind of
sweetened water which is agreeable to drink. The
natives presented them with rice boiled in water,
which the people use here and in all of Asia, as one
does bread in Europe. They looked at it with won-
der, and took some grains of it, which they imme-
diately threw on the ground, imagining that they
were worms. They exhibited much pleasure when
some of the large roots that are called palavan were
brought to them, and eagerly ate them.
Meanwhile the natives brought two women whom
the wind had thrown upon the same shore at Guivam
some time before. As they knew a little of the lan-
guage of this country, they served as interpreters,
and it is through them that we learned what I am
about to relate. One of those women found among
CARX\ DEL\SNVr^AS.?HJLl?INASV^k^<^^^
uz»<yOrfS
1.0,0 ^ ^r-f-
""•'oft *v L°'° -X;''w"»>i:«/'"'^7c
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, %
Caxwtvol
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Map of New Philippines or Palaos Islands, 1710 (?'
[Photographic facsimile of original map in Archivo general de
Indias, Sevilla]
1691-1700] DISCOVERY OF PALAOS ISLANDS 47
these strangers some of her kindred, and they no
sooner recognized each other than they began to
weep. The father who had charge of this village,
having learned of the arrival of these poor people,
had them come to Guivam. Some, when they saw
him and perceived the respect that was shown him,
imagined that he was the king of the country, and
that their lives and their fate were in his hands. In
this belief they threw themselves upon the ground
to implore his mercy, and to beg that he would grant
them their lives. The father, touched with compas-
sion at seeing them in such great desolation, did all
that he could to console them; and, to mitigate their
fears, he caressed their children, of whom three were
still at the breast, and five others a trifle older, and
promised their parents to give them all the help that
was in his power.
The inhabitants of Guivam vied with each other
in offering to the father to take the strangers into
their houses, and to furnish them with all things that
they needed, both food and clothing. The father
committed the strangers to them, but on condition
that they should not separate those who were married
(for there were some married ones among them) ;
and that they should not take less than two together,
for fear that those who were left alone would die of
grief. Of thirty-five who had come aboard the ships
there now remained no more than thirty; five had
died during the voyage, because of the lack of food
and the privations of the long journey. A little
while after their arrival still another died, who had
the good fortune to receive holy baptism.
They said that their country consisted of thirty-
three islands. They cannot be very far from the Ma-
4-8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
rianas, to judge from the structure of their vessels,
and by the form of their sails, since these are of the
same style. There is strong indication that these
islands are farther to the south than the Marianas,
in eleven or twelve degrees north latitude, and upon
the same parallel as Guivam; since the strangers
came straight from the east to the west, and landed
on the shore at this settlement. There is also ground
for believing that this is one of the islands that was
discovered from afar some years ago. A vessel be-
longing to the Philippines (in 1686) having left the
customary route, which is from east to west upon the
thirteenth parallel, and having veered somewhat to-
ward the southwest, saw it for the first time. These
people called this island Carolina, in honor of the
king (Charles II, king of Spain) ; and the others
called it St. Barnabas, because it was discovered on
the day when the church celebrates the feast of this
apostle. This island was seen last year by another
vessel that the tempest had blown out of its course,
in going from here to the Marianas Islands. The
governor of the Philippines had often given orders
to the ship which went nearly every year to the Ma-
rianas, to seek for this island and the others that were
thought to be near; but these orders had been useless,
God reserving to this time the discovery of them,
and as we hope, the complete conversion of these
people.
The strangers added that of these thirty-three is-
lands there were three which were inhabited only by
birds, but that the others were thickly peopled.
When asked what was the number of the inhabitants,
they took a grain of sand or of dust, and intimated to
the father in this fashion, the innumerable multi-
1691-1700] DISCOVERY OF PALAOS ISLANDS 49
tude of men who lived there. These islands are
named Pais, Lamululutup, Saraon, Yaropie, Valay-
yay, Satavan, Cutac, Yfaluc, Piraulop, Ytai, Pic,
Piga, Lamurrec, Puc, Falait, Caruvaruvong, Ylatu,
Lamuliur, Tavas, Saypen, Tacaulat, Rapiyang, Ta-
von, Mutacusan, Piylu, Olatan, Palu, Cucumyat,
Piyalucunung. The three which are only inhabited
by birds are Piculat, Hulutan, and Tagian. Lamu-
rrec is the largest of all these islands. It is where
the king of all that country holds his court. The
chiefs of all those settlements submit to him. There
was found among these strangers one of the chiefs
with his wife, who is the daughter of a king. Al-
though they may be half-naked, they have manners
and a certain air of dignity, which makes one recog-
nize well enough who they are. The husband has
all his body painted with certain lines, the arrange-
ment of which forms various figures. The other men
of this tribe have also some similar lines, some of
them more than the others; but the women and the
children do not have them at all. There are nine-
teen men and ten women, of different ages. The con-
tour and the color of their faces are very similar to
those of the natives of the Philippines. The men
have no other dress than a kind of girdle which covers
their loins and thighs, and which is wound several
times about their bodies. They have upon their
shoulders more than an ell and a half of coarse cloth,
of which they make a kind of hood, which they tie
in front, and allow to hang carelessly behind. The
men and the women are dressed in the same fashion,
except that the women have their wearing apparel
a little longer, descending from the waist almost to
the knees.
5° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Their language is different from that of the Phil-
ippines, and resembles that of the Marianas Islands.
Their manner of pronouncing words is something
like that of the Arabs. The woman who appears
to be of highest station has many rings and necklaces
of tortoise-shell, that are called here carey; and
others of a material that is unknown to us. This
material, which somewhat resembles ambergris, is
not transparent.
This is the manner in which they lived upon the
sea during the seventy days while they had been at
the mercy of the waves. They threw into the sea a
sort of weir, made of several small branches of trees
tied together. This weir had a large opening to al-
low the fish to enter, and ended in a point to prevent
their going out. The fish that they caught in this
manner were all the nourishment they had, and they
did not drink any water except that which the rain
furnished them; they caught it in the shells of
cocoanuts - which are the fruit of the palms of this
country, as I have already said; they are of the shape
and size of a man's skull.
There are no cows in those islands. The natives
tried to run away when they saw some cows brows-
ing the grass, just as when they heard a small dog
bark in the house of the missionaries. There are
neither cats nor deer, nor horses, nor, in general,
any four-legged beast. There are but few birds,
except those which live on the sea. They have, how-
ever, fowls which they eat; but they never eat their
eggs.
In spite of this lack of all things, they are happy
and content with their lot. They have some songs
and dances in tolerably regular time. They sing all
1691-1700J DISCOVERY OF PALAOS ISLANDS 5 I
together and make the same gestures, which has a
pleasing effect.
They are surprised at the government, the polite-
ness, and the manners of Europe, of which they have
no knowledge. They admire not only that august
majesty of the ceremonies by which the church cele-
brates divine worship, but also the music, the instru-
ments, the dances of the Spaniards, the weapons
which they carry, and, above all, the gunpowder.
They admire also the whiteness of the Europeans;
for the inhabitants of this country are all of swarthy
complexion.
They appear until now to have had no knowledge
of God, nor do they adore idols. We have noticed
in them only a life altogether barbarous. All their
care is to seek for food and drink. They have a great
deference for their king and the chiefs of their vil-
lages, and they obey them with the greatest exacti-
tude. They do not have regular hours for their
meals. They drink and eat at any time and wher-
ever they may be, when they are hungry and thirsty,
and when they find wherewith to satisfy themselves.
But they eat little at a time, and one of their meals
is not enough to suffice for all the day.
Their civility and mark of respect consists in
taking the hand or the foot of the one to whom they
wish to do honor, and in rubbing it gently over their
face. They have among their possessions some saws
not made of iron, but of a large shell that is called
here taclobo,1 which they sharpen by rubbing
7 Taclobo : the Tagalog name for the enormous shells of the
giant clam ( Tridacna) ; they sometimes attain a length of five or
six feet, and weigh hundreds of pounds. The valves are frequently-
used for baptismal fonts, and are sometimes burned to make lime.
(Official Handbook of the Philippines, part i, p. 153.)
52 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
against certain stones. They have also one of iron,
as long as a finger. They were much astonished on
the occasion of a trading-vessel being built at Gui-
vam, to see the great variety of tools for carpentry
which were used. They looked at all these, one after
another, with much wonder. They do not have
metals in their country. The father missionary gave
them each a good-sized piece of iron, which they re-
ceived with more joy than if he had given them
so much gold. They had so much fear that it would
be taken away from them that they put it under their
heads when they wanted to sleep. They do not have
any arms except lances or darts made of human
bones. They are very peaceful among themselves.
When it happens that there is a quarrel among them,
it is settled by a few blows of their fists upon each
other's heads. But this rarely happens; because, if
some wish to come to blows, others separate them
and make them stop the dispute. They are not,
nevertheless, stupid or heavy; on the contrary, they
have fire and vivacity. They are not as stout as the
natives of the Marianas Islands, but they are well
proportioned, and of nearly the same height as the
Philippinos. Both men and women let their hair
grow, which falls upon their shoulders.
When these strangers learned that they were to
be conducted into the presence of the father mis-
sionary, they painted themselves all over the body
with a certain yellow color, which they consider a
great adornment. They are so satisfied at finding
here in abundance all that is necessary to life, that
they have offered to return to their own country in
order to attract here their compatriots, and to per-
suade them to enter into intercourse with these
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1691-1700] DISCOVERY OF PALAOS ISLANDS S5
islands. Our governor is much pleased with this
design, in view of the fact that he has subjected all
this country to the king of Spain; and this would
open a wide door for the propagation of the gospel.
The eldest of the strangers had once before been
thrown upon the coast of the province of Caragan
in one of these islands; but, as he found only some
infidels who dwelt in the mountains and along these
deserted shores, he had returned to his own country,
without having known of the abundance and the
riches of these islands. He had been more fortunate
in this second voyage. The children have already
been baptized, and the others have been instructed
in the mysteries of our religion. They are very
skilful in diving; and it is said that they recently
found, while fishing, two large pearls in the shells,
which they threw back into the sea, because they did
not know their value.8
I write you all this, my reverend Father, per-
suaded that you will be glad to learn news so ad-
vantageous to those of your children who have the
8 Full accounts of the earlier knowledge of these islands, un-
successful efforts to locate and discover them, and the organization
of a mission to go there for the conversion of the natives, are
given in Murillo Velarde's Hist, de Philipinas, fol. 375 b., 379;
and Conception's Hist, de Philipinas, ix, pp. 151-171. Both these
writers use Clain's letter, more or less closely following his ac-
count. Gregorio Miguel, in his Estudio sobre las Islas Carolinas
(Madrid, 1887), p. 32, cites a MS. at Sevilla, dated 1567, written
by Juan Martinez (see our vol. ii, pp. 149-150), to show that
the Palaos Islands were first seen in 1566, by the captain of the
Spanish ship "San Jeronimo," Pero Sanchez Pericon. It was not
until 1 7 10, however, that they were actually discovered. The
name Palaos (corrupted to Pelew) was given them on account of
the vessels, called paraos (cf. Javanese prau), used by the natives.
For description of the islands, their people, and the customs and
mode of life of these natives, with a vocabulary of their language,
see Miguel, ut supra, pp. 32-60.
5 6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
good fortune to carry the faith into this new coun-
try. We have need of workers, for there is much
work to do. We hope that you will have the kind-
ness to send some workers to us, and will not forget
us in your holy devotions. I am with profound
respect, my very reverend Father, your Paternity's
very humble and obedient servant and son,
Paul Clain, missionary of the Society of Jesus.
At Manila, June 10, 1697.
MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
1661-1712
GENERAL HISTORY OF THE DISCALCED
AUGUSTINIAN FATHERS, BY
FRAY PEDRO DE SAN FRANCISCO DE ASSIS 9
[From this work, as in the three preceding parts of the Gen-
eral History of the Discalced Augustinians, we translate the im-
portant matter relating to the Philippines, with synopsis or mention
of matter omitted.]
DECADE EIGHT
CHAPTER I
Mention of the insurrections of some provinces
in Philipinas, with the labors that began for our
religious. The exemplary lives of some, who died
holily in their convents.
The Year l66l
§ 1
One insurrection having been put down in Pam-
panga, another one follows in Pangasinan. Men-
tion of the great sufferings of our religious in
Zambales, in keeping their villages duly loyal to
God and the king.
9 Following is a translation of the title-page of this work:
"General history of the discalced religious of the Order of the
5 ^ THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
. . . 2. From the beginning of the year
1660, the Indians of Pampanga, a province not far
from the city of Manila in Philipinas, incited by
many grievous annoyances unjustly caused by the
superintendent of timber cutting, which was ordered
to be done within their boundaries by the governor
of the islands, Don Sabiniano Manrique de Lara,
determined to withdraw themselves from the yoke
of the Spanish dominion. Although that dominion
is very mild per se, some subordinate government
employes generally make it intolerable, for tyran-
nically availing themselves of the name of the king,
they endeavor to trample everything under foot.
The Pampangos elected as leader a master-of-camp
of their own nation, one Don Francisco Manyago.
He clutched the staff of office as though it were a
scepter. Although this insurrection caused consid-
erable fear in Manila at the beginning, since the
Pampango nation is so warlike, yet since at the same
time, its individuals are the most reasonable of the
islands, the governor hastening thither in person
together with many religious of various orders (for
the religious form the most powerful army for
quieting the Indians) the whole disturbance was
readily quieted by means of negotiation. Justice
was done them in their grievances, while no punish-
ment was omitted, and was administered to the
hermits of the great father and doctor of the Church, San Agus-
tin, of the congregation of Espana and of the Indias. Volume
Four. By Father Fray Pedro de San Francisco de Assis, pen-
sioned lecturer, calificador of the Holy Office, apostolic missionary,
father of the province of Aragon, ex-definitor-general, and chroni-
cler of the said congregation. Dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolen-
tino. Containing three decades, extending from the year 166 1 to
that of 1690. Zaragoza; printed by Francisco Moreno, in the
year 1756."
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 59
seditious leaders. Fathers Fray Joseph de la
Annunciation, and Fray Juan de San Antonio, ex-
provincials of our Family, together with fathers
Fray Carlos de Jesus, and Fray Juan de San Diego,
were of considerable aid in that pacification. Those
fathers, exposing themselves to not few dangers, had
the boldness to go to some of the principal Indians,
who were their acquaintances, whom by dint of their
persuasion, they succeeded in bringing back to rea-
son. And by their means, discussion and friendly
agreements having been introduced, those so harm-
ful insurrections were put down.
3. But at the beginning of their insurrection,
the Pampangos had written many letters to the prov-
inces of Pangasinan, Ilocos, and Cagayan, which lie
farther north in the island of Luzon. In those letters
they assured the inhabitants of those provinces that
they had risen with so great force that they had no
doubt but that they could gain Manila by force of
arms. They besought those people to heed the
common cause, for once that the Spanish yoke was
thrown off, they could all get together in firm
friendship and relations, and maintain their liberty,
by electing a king to govern them, or become feared
by the other nations under the form of a republic.
Those were counsels which like a cancer in the
human body, continued to spread in the civil affairs
of those provinces, and the majority of the Indians
followed them with only too great rapidity. Hence,
when the Indians of Pampanga were quieted they
were incapable of extinguishing the fire that they
themselves had kindled.
4. In Pangasinan, Ilocos, and Cagayan, the
flame acquired too much force because of the fierce-
6° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
ness of the well arranged combustibles, which were
applied by several Indian chiefs, who endeavored,
under the specious name of liberty, to oppress in the
most intolerable manner the ones who did not recog-
nize the blessings which they had while they had the
good fortune to call themselves a part of the Spanish
monarchy. But in order that this history may not
wander into parts that do not belong to it, we shall
treat only of what happened in the province of
Pangasinan; for one part of that province, namely
the territory of Zambales, which is composed of ten
villages, was then, and is also at present, cultivated
in regard to spiritual matters by our holy Recollect
order. On that account our religious necessarily
suffered considerably, and they aided in the pacifi-
cation of the Indians, as did the other holy orders
in the villages entrusted to their care.
5. At the end, then, of the year 1660, the in-
surgents of Pangasinan elected as their leader an
Indian chief of the village of Binalatongan, one Don
Andres Malong. He having usurped the title of
king, went to Campana, escorted by nine thousand
Indian warriors. This number was increased
enormously within a few days; for it was either a
boast of the rebels and they so published it, or it was
a fact, his army was composed of forty thousand men.
An Indian noble, by the name of Don Francisco
Sumulay, a very near relative of Malong, was living
in Bolinao, a village within our administration. On
account of that relationship he looked upon his
progress as his own, and helped him as much as
he could to attain his purposes. He, in order to in-
cite Bolinao and its environs to revolt, spared no
effort that he considered fitting. But the father
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 6 1
prior, Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios (or Blancas),
opposed him openly and in secret, destroying with
cunning whatever Sumulay wrought deceitfully.
No sooner did the restlessness and excited condition
of the Indians force him to take prudent precau-
tions, than he caused ten soldiers to disembark from
a champan which was on its way to Cagayan. The
latter obeyed him for the captain agreed thereto, and
because they knew how much the governor of the
islands favored the above-named religious, and that
he would approve whatever was done with the lat-
ter's advice. The father found himself somewhat
ready to offer resistance with those soldiers and with
the faithful Indians, who by dint of his persuasions
were not few; but he had not sufficient forces to at-
tack the rebels or to seize the wicked Sumulay, who
was the cause of all the disorder.
6. The latter starting a rumor that the hostile
Mindanaos were in the neighborhood, imagined that
by that false report, and by setting fire to the convent
and church at night, the soldiers would flee to the
mountains, and that the religious and the loyal In-
dians of the village would imitate them. It would
then follow that, since he would remain behind with
the insurgents who were already thoroughly advised,
he would be able, after having conquered the port
and settlement at his safety, to kill all who were not
of his party. Those ideas were not very badly con-
ceived, and had they arrived at the desired success,
would have been only too potent for the attainment
of his malicious purpose. For, after the surrender
of Bolinao, would doubtless follow that of all the
territory of Zambales, and then, the great difficulty
of maritime aid from Manila to Pangasinan, a cir-
0 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
cumstance which gave great strength to the revolt.
But the same arguments also served the father prior
to procure the preservation of Bolinao with the
greatest watchfulness. Hence scarcely had Sumu-
lay fired the edifice, when the soldiers and loyal In-
dians protecting it, and fortifying themselves as well
as they could, maintained the village in the faith for
their God, and in the loyalty due their king. It is
a fact that while attending to that, the church was
reduced to ashes, as were the sacristy and most of
the convent. But that was considered as a little loss
as it was well employed, so long as the enemy did
not attain their purpose.
7. The above happened in the early part of De-
cember, when authentic tidings were not known in
Bolinao of the insurrection, and only various move-
ments were descried in the Indians which provoked
fear. However, they had been compelled to dis-
simulate through lack of forces. But on the twen-
tieth day of the above-mentioned month, the conspi-
racy was finally published in the village, and Simu-
lay and his associates notified the religious in the fol-
lowing manner. In front of the cells of the father
prior and of his associate father Fray Luis de San
Joseph, were placed two bamboos and at the end of
them two cocoanuts. That is a barbarous ceremony
of those countries by which to threaten one with de-
capitation. Simulay thought that that would be suf-
ficient to frighten the fathers and make them aban-
don the village, and especially since they now had
no soldiers, as the soldiers mentioned above had pro-
ceeded on their way. But he was mistaken in his
reckoning, for although father Fray Luis was of that
opinion, and Indian chiefs were not wanting who
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 63
supported him, either because they were already in-
fected with the rebellion, or, perhaps, in order to as-
sure the lives of the fathers, were carried away by
their good zeal, the father prior resolved to die ra-
ther than fail in his service to God and the king. He
did not change his decision, however much the sign
was repeated the following day. On the contrary,
he considered the time suitable to ascertain and es-
tablish with cunning the degree of the fidelity of his
parishioners. He convened the Indians in the atrium
of the convent, and in eloquent and powerful argu-
ments gave them to understand that God having en-
trusted their souls to him, he would not leave their
land, although he knew that he was to suffer a thou-
sand martyrdoms. "I am not ignorant," he said,
"that the aim of those who occasion these insurrec-
tions is to apostatize from the Catholic faith, and to
return to their former paganism; but for that same
reason, I must oppose myself to that with the greatest
strength. Go ahead, send news of my constancy to
the partisans of the rebel Malong, if perchance there
are any in the village, so that they may not tire them-
selves with threatening me with death. Assure them
that I shall consider myself very fortunate, if I trans-
form myself into a good martyr from so poor a priest.
But meanwhile, I warn you, that I shall know by
each one's actions who are the rebels and who are
faithful ; and that accordingly the proper reward or
punishment will follow each one, when the Manila
fleet, which will not delay, subdues affairs properly."
By that effort some who were wavering in their loy-
alty were confirmed in it, while those who were on
the side of the seditious ones did not dare to put their
treacherous thoughts into execution.
°4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
8. Very soon did experience show the great im-
portance of the firmness of so valiant a religious.
For on the night of that same day, after the convent
was locked, some of the loyal Indians, who were
guarding the outside of it, captured a strange In-
dian, who declared that he was bringing a message
to the father prior, which was to be given into his
own hand. He was taken into the father's presence
after observing the necessary precautions, where he
delivered the message. It was from the father vicar
of Lingayen and contained extensive notices of the
insurrection of Pangasinan which had broken out,
the murder of the alcalde-mayor, and the devasta-
tion of that part of so flourishing a province. He
sent letters for his provincial and for the governor of
the islands, in which a speedy relief was asked in
order that the sedition might be stifled at its begin-
ning. He besought the father prior to send them
quickly to Manila, as it was impossible to send them
from Pangasinan overland. And now it is seen that
if the father prior, Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios,
had retired from Bolinao as fear persuaded him, that
despatch would have been fruitless, and perhaps had
those advices been unknown in Manila, Pangasinan
would have been endangered; but since he remained
inflexible against the incentives of fear, he was able to
take the fitting means, in order that the promptest
and most efficacious aid might be obtained.
9. It was not considered advisable to entrust the
conveyance of such letters to the Indians of Bolinao,
and accordingly it was resolved to despatch father
Fray Luis de San Joseph overland to Masingloc
under the pretext that he was going on affairs con-
nected with the spiritual administration, but his real
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 65
purpose was to deliver the messages to the minister
of the said village, in order that the latter might de-
spatch them. The religious exposed himself to evi-
dent danger of death; for the village of Agno,
through which he could not avoid passing, was al-
most entirely in insurrection, and because in the
stretch extending from the territory of Agno to that
of Balcac, it was necessary to take the rough sea in
a small fishing boat which carried no sail and only
one oar with the religious himself at the helm. At
last he reached Masingloc, after conquering so great
an obstacle. Thence, not without the most serious
dangers, the minister sent the messages to Manila,
arranging to have them carried by father Fray Ber-
nardino de la Concepcion, accompanied by three of
the most faithful chiefs. One of those chiefs was ap-
pointed master-of-camp by the governor as a reward
for so excellent a service, another, sargento-mayor,
and the third, captain of the militia of his village;
and they were exempted for life from paying tribute.
And since the father vicar of Lingayen despatched a
second mail to Bolinao in case that the first should
fail, the father prior, Fray Juan de la Madre de
Dios, despatched the letters in a Chinese vessel which
made a way-station there, and was on its way from
the island of Hermosa to Manila. But while the
army and naval fleet are being prepared in that city,
in order to take relief to Pangasinan, let us return
to our villages of Zambales, in order to see what is
happening there, and the dangers by which our re-
ligious were afflicted.
66 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
in
Continuation of the foregoing matter, with the de-
claration of what happened to our religious in
Masingloc, Cagayan, Agno, and Bolinao.
10. With the absence of the three said chiefs in
Masingloc, the prior found himself greatly troubled
and persecuted, for those who favored the rebellion,
who had thitherto not dared to show their faces in
public, showed openly the most foul face of treason
on the day of St. Stephen. They threw the village
into such consternation that if God had not aided it,
it would have been impossible to restore it to its for-
mer quiet. It happened that, as some Indians had
not been at mass on either the eve or day of the na-
tivity, the prior meeting one of them afterward who
was most esteemed for his bravery, chid him for
his fault, although with demonstrations of paternal
charity. He had no intentions of exasperating him,
for he knew quite well that the Indian was inducing
his countrymen to swell the number of the insur-
gents by persuasion and threat. But the Indian
would not suffer the mild rebuke for that sin, which
in other circumstances would have made him expe-
rience the severities of punishment, and deeming the
occasion very suitable for the revolt of the village, he
began to pretend implacable annoyance because the
father admonished him. Following this, he became
excessively angry, and hurled many insults at the
evangelical minister, and concluded by crying out:
"Long live Malong! Death to the Spaniards and
the fathers!"
11. By that means the Indian obtained his de-
sires, for more than fifty armed companions gathered
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 67
about him. They proclaimed the traitor Malong as
king; hacked the Spanish coat-of-arms which was
placed on the site where the principals met to ad-
minister justice; and they obliged the prior, whom it
was a miracle of divine Providence that they did not
kill instantly, to retire to his convent, where a guard
was established by means of some Indians who could
be gathered together, while many others who were
of the loyal party, were oppressed in their homes.
There they held the prior and those who accompan-
ied them besieged, and did not allow them to com-
municate with the outside, and refused to allow any
kind of food to be taken to them, trying by this means
to restrict them to the heighth of necessity. Within
the danger was so much greater, as it was less known
by the loyal villages near by which could have sent
them some aid. If the rebels did not attack the con-
vent in order to kill the loyal ones, it was because
they were afraid of some few arquebuses with which
those of the inside threatened them. But they en-
deavored to set fire to the convent and church three
times without being able to succeed, notwithstanding
that the material of the building was but little less
combustible than tinder, for it was all constructed of
wood, bamboo, and nipa. Those who tried to burn
that edifice, regarded that as a miracle. Moreover,
one can well understand the necessity that they suf-
fered for they had no place whence to get relief, not
even for the necessities of life. Consequently they
were placed at the will of the divine Providence,
who as is His custom with those in tribulation, very
quickly declared His patronage.
12. Having passed the time in this way until New
Year's eve, it was noted then that a medium-sized
68 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
vessel was anchored not far from the convent, and
that almost all of its Indians having landed, engaged
in a very interesting conversation with the insurgents.
On that account, the prior and his men had an op-
portunity to leave the convent without being per-
ceived, to go to the beach, and make themselves mas-
ters of the above-mentioned vessel. They set sail
without loss of time in it. Thus freed from their
peril they took their course toward Manila. But as
they were in need of food, they put in at Bagac,
where they met the three chiefs who had guided fa-
ther Fray Bernardino, and were now returning to
their village. They recounted to those chiefs the de-
plorable condition in which they were ; and consider-
ing that the remedy for wrongs generally lies in
quickness, they determined to take thirty well-armed
Indians, whom the father minister of Bagac pre-
pared, and who were fortunately at that place; and
then retracing their way, to attack Masingloc sud-
denly. They hoped that if they attacked the rebels
when they appeared to be most secure, it would not
be difficult to reduce them all to their former quiet.
So did it happen, for the season favoring them, they
disembarked on the night of the third of January in
a bay one-half hour's distance from Masingloc, and
went overland to that village. At dawn of the fourth,
they surprised the insurgents so completely, that
overtaken by fear, the latter could not put themselves
in a state of defense, while they even had no oppor-
tunity for flight. They were all seized, and the prior,
although he was full of grief at the robbery of the
sacristy and church, interceded for the prisoners, and
succeeded in having all except three set at liberty.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 69
Those three were the leaders and later paid for their
wickedness on the gallows.
13. In Cigayen (a village which had decreased
very sensibly in houses and inhabitants since the vio-
lent death of the venerable father, Fray Alonso de
San Agustin, in the year 161 2), was father Fray
Francisco de San Agustin, an especially zealous min-
ister, who was applying all the persuasive powers of
his eloquence to retaining the remnants of that great
settlement in due fidelity to God and the king. But
a chief, called Don Antonio Sirray, desired the con-
trary, in order to keep things in confusion for his
own profit. Knowing that he would have no op-
portunity so long as father Fray Francisco was liv-
ing, he tried to kill him twice, but the religious man
was delivered from his ambushes, for God took his
part in a very visible and special manner. In the
discussion that the two had together, (one persuad-
ing to good, and the other inducing to evil), it hap-
pened that Sirray and all his partisans went to swell
the army of Malong. The loyal Indians with their
families and possessions went to another village;
father Fray Francisco retired to Manila. With that
the village was completely abandoned and no more
thought was expended on its rebuilding. Such harm
do dissensions cause, when, because there is no
strength to attack them, they increase to the highest
degree when agitated by violence.
14. In Agno (a visita or annex of Bolinao), there
was a chief called Don Juan Durrey, a very near
relative of Sumulay, and consequently he was bound
up very closely to the rebels. Three Spaniards
reached that place on Christmas day, who were
7° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
fleeing from the insurgents of Pangasinan. They
showed the Indians a diamond ring, as a reward or
payment for something to eat, for they were suffer-
ing dire need. But scarcely had they sat down to
table, when Durrey inhumanly killed them. As
father Fray Luis de San Joseph (who was returning
from Masingloc whither he had taken the messages
as related above), was passing in the afternoon to-
ward Bolinao, he noted the loud shouts in the village,
caused by the feasting and dancing that they made
according to their custom with the heads of the three
Spaniards. He attempted to approach nearer in
order to check their inhumanity, but an Indian insti-
gated by the devil, scarcely saw the father when he
threw two spears at him. It was regarded as a mir-
acle that the father escaped the blow and was not
wounded. Thereupon our valiant religious lifted up
his voice, and loudly condemned so unjust actions in
a fervent sermon. According to circumstances, the
words on each occasion must have served as does
music on the ears of the tiger. But in the midst of
the necessary disturbance, he was enabled to tell them
with the help of God, such things that Durrey with
twelve others who followed him, had to leave the
village. The others, humble and obedient to the
voice of their shepherd, surrendered the heads in
order that he might give them ecclesiastical burial.
From that moment Agno remained in the greatest
quiet, like the sea, which shows the most exquisite
quietness and serenity after the most terrible storm.
15. But the place where the rage of the insur-
gents was felt more was in Bolinao. Malong re-
garded its minister, father Fray Juan de la Madre de
Dios, with irreproachable hatred, for he was not un-
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 7 1
aware of his great labor in restraining the Zambals.
They are so warlike a nation that they have always
caused themselves to be respected not only in Pan-
gasinan, which province they glorify as a not despic-
able part, but also throughout the Philipinas Islands
where they have been able to acquire renown through
their arms. Having, then, as we have related, sent
his associate to Masingloc, he considered that the In-
dians left him alone in the convent, and that they
were going about cautiously talking one with an-
other. He summoned one of the chiefs to him and
chid him for that coldness. He learned from the In-
dian that Don Francisco Caucao, a cousin of the
usurping king, had arrived from Binalatongon with
an order to the effect that the Zambals should declare
against the Spaniards, under pain of being treated
as rebels if they did not do so. The Indian added
that Caucao was staying in Sumulay's house, and
they were afraid that he intended to conquer their
countrymen, and that was the reason why they were
all so confused. Without allowing, then, the talk
which generally increases dangers beyond what they
are in themselves, the religious father set out for Su-
mulay's house in order to have an interview with
Caucao, as well as for the purpose of examining and
exploring the village, in order to see whether there
were any ambuscades about it.
16. After he was assured that there were no strange
enemies, he went into the presence of the Indian, who
received him seated, without showing him the least
sign of respect. The father asked him why he came,
and he answered haughtily that his cousin Don
Andres Malong, the powerful king of Pangasinan,
looking with love on the Zambal nation, and not de-
72 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
siring to treat them with the greatest rigor of war,
sent him to inform them to recognize him as their
seignior, and that on that same day some papers were
to be read in the church in which that would be in-
timated; and that the father was to reply to a letter
written by his cousin the king, conceding whatever
was asked of him, for if he did not do so, it would
cost him his life. Another of less valor than father
Fray Juan would doubtless have been intimidated
at the sight of such arrogance, especially when it be
considered that he could not be sure of the people of
the village. But the very injustice of the Indian
giving the father courage, he said to the chiefs who
had accompanied him: "What is this? What is
this? Can it be possible to write of the loyalty of
Bolinao, that a traitor, sent by a rebel to God, and
the king, publicly induces you to insurrection, and
that he remain unpunished? Come, seize him. But
no, it is to his advantage to have been found in the
house of Sumulay, whose nobility is worthy of this
attention. But I warn you, O wretch, that you do
not leave the house which serves you as a sanctuary,
and that you do not sow any discord in order to per-
vert the fidelity of the Zambals, until I have an-
swered this letter of your vicious cousin; for if you
disobey my order, and these men do not tear you to
pieces, I shall be able to send you to Manila laden
with irons and chains, where you will pay for your
treason on the gallows."
17. Caucao, Sumulay, and all the others were full
of dismay at hearing the argument of the prior: Cau-
cao, because he thought that the village sided with
the Spaniards since the father spoke with so great
assurance; Sumulay, because he imagined the same,
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 73
and because he thought also that the prior was ignor-
ant of his evil designs, since he spoke so lovingly to
him; and the others, because a rumor that had been
shortly before cunningly spread to the effect that a
fleet was already coming from Manila to punish
those who had declared for Malong, was thus corrob-
orated. For, they argued, if it were not so, a poor
religious would not have the courage to do so much.
In short the father prior obtained his wish, namely,
to puzzle them all in order to gain time. That done,
the venerable man retired to his convent quite per-
plexed. Opening the letter, he beheld that Malong
expressed himself in the same manner as Caucao had
done. He deemed best not to answer it, for while he
was thinking how he would dismiss the messenger,
he was advised that a champan had just anchored
in the port, in which were two religious. He pro-
ceeded thither in order to receive them, and was met
by fathers Fray Juan de Bergara and Fray Juan de
Fisla, who were retiring from Ilocos, where the
rebels were committing innumerable acts of cruelty,
and had inhumanly taken the life of father Fray Jo-
seph Arias, all of our observance.
18. He led them to the convent, arranging also
that two Spaniards and six Tagalog Indians who
could be withdrawn from the champan without their
loss being felt therein, should accompany them with
firearms. Then seeing that he was in a state of de-
fense if anything should be attempted by the rebels,
he had Caucao and Sumulay summoned. They came
at the first notice, but curiosity brought all the people
of the village. Then the father tearing the letter of
Malong to pieces in the presence of the multitude,
said : "This is the reply merited by such an arrogant
74 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
method of writing, and especially since it is the let-
ter of a traitor. You," he proceeded, addressing
Caucao, "who have had the shamelessness to come
on so insolent an embassy, well merit being sent a
prisoner to Manila, and in order that I might do so,
God has, perhaps, presented me with this champan.
But since you would go to the gallows, the kindness
of my estate does not allow me to cooperate in the
death of my neighbor. Therefore, get you gone im-
mediately to Binalatongon, and tell your cousin that
I pity him, since the fleet of Manila is already on
its way to punish him. Assure him that his threats
make me laugh ; that his demand for obedience from
the Zambal nation is irrational ; and that I am send-
ing him his relative Sumulay in order to increase his
army, besides twenty-five Indians of this village, who
are, according to appearances, looking upon him
with too much affection." The father designated
those persons by name, and added with a show of
great anger: "Not a single one of those whom I
have just named will remain in Bolinao, under pen-
alty that whoever refuses to obey, he and the one who
hides him shall be sent to Manila without fail, where
justice will punish his resistance." Thus did he
say, and then turned his back with a show of so great
anger that no one dared not to fulfil his orders. On
the contrary, all those comprehended in the order,
left the village immediately, for they feared the
threat of punishment. By that means after thus get-
ting rid of the evil humors of that body politic that
troubled it, it remained in its former health, and the
great and estimable blessing of peace followed.
19. After the execution of so heroic an action,
the father prior endeavored to welcome his new
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS JS
guests, whom he provided with all that was needful
for the continuation of their journey to Manila.
They set sail December 26, leaving Ours behind es-
pecially sad, because we were defenseless if the trai-
tor Malong attempted any new persecution. They
were not deceived in their judgment, for the rebel
angered at the lack of effect produced by his letter,
sent an order to Don Juan Durrey, chief of the ham-
let of Agno, to cut oft the head of that illustrious man
without fail and to send it to him. That chief went
to Bolinao accompanied by another valiant Indian,
and entered the convent for the feast of the new year.
He found the prior praying outside of his cell, and
the good religious imagining that he was come to
ask aid, began to exhort him especially to be loyal
and offered him pardon in the king's name. God
giving force to these words, Durrey changed his in-
tention, and refused to kill the father of his spirit.
But the Indian who accompanied him, shutting his
ears, like an asp, to the voices of health, seeing that
his chief would not do the deed,unsheathed a weapon
called igua in those parts, and approached quickly
in order to strike the father. But since the chiefs
of the village who had come to speak with the prior
on a matter of moment, entered at the same time, the
Indian was completely embarrassed and both of
them were greatly confused. Thus can God, by so
casual happenings, set a hindrance to even greater
fatalities, making use of the very occurrence of sec-
ondary causes in order to free His servants from the
dangers that threaten them.
20. It appears that Malong was not entirely satis-
fied with the order that he had despatched to Du-
rrey; for, aroused to anger he also ordered Sumulay
76 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
to return to Bolinao in order to cut off the prior's
head, as well as the heads of all the other religious
whom he might find there. Sumulay obeyed in-
stantly, for he was confident that he still had some
well inclined to him in the village. He arrived at
might, and waiting until the morning of January 3,
entered the convent at the time that the venerable
minister was about to go out with a rattan staff in his
hand in order to go to confess a sick man. Sumulay
attacked him with a short sword, without any waste
of arguments. The poor religious, seeing himself
involved in the worst kind of a conflict, but infused
with valor by the divine hand, beat back the first
blows with his cane, and defending himself with it,
just as he might have done with the best kind of a
sword, seeing that no one came to his aid, passed
to the offensive. The cane had a long sharp steel
point and the father gave the aggressor so powerful
a blow or thrust in the breast, that he brought him to
the earth grievously wounded. Then the prior called
out, whereupon the village chiefs came up. How-
ever, they were remiss in arresting Sumulay, but on
the contrary favored his retreat, and allowed him to
go away after he recovered from his wound. Con-
sequently, when the prior returned from his confes-
sion (whither he had not omitted to go, despite all
the confusion), Sumulay no longer appeared. The
prior had to put a good face on regarding the ill be-
havior of his parishioners, in order not to put the
village in a worse condition, which, at least publicly,
did not aid the seditious ones as much as they could
have done.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS J7
§ in
Arrival of the Manila fleet which was aided by our
religious. Destruction of the rebels.
21. Having now related what happened in the
villages of Zambales, and the dangers which our re-
ligious suffered, let us turn our eyes toward Manila,
and see what preparations the government was taking
in order to meet so many depredations. Scarcely had
father Fray Bernardino de la Concepcion delivered
his messages, when Don Sabiniano Manriquez de
Lara, governor of the islands, with extraordinary
quickness mustered an army of two hundred Span-
iards, besides four hundred other soldiers, consisting
of Pampangos, negroes, mulattoes, and mestizos. As
general he appointed the master-of-camp, Francisco
de Esteybar, a Visayan noble, who in addition to his
credit as so fine a soldier, appeared a most observant
religious in his habits. He was ordered to march
overland to Pangasinan without loss of time. A fleet
consisting of four champans, two galleys, and six me-
dium-sized vessels, which were manned with many
good soldiers, and a goodly supply of all sorts of
firearms were also prepared. This fleet was put in
command of General Don Phelipe de Ugalde, who
was ordered to set out on the voyage at once, and go
to the port of Bolinao, where he was to confer with
the father prior, Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios,
whose counsel he was to prize greatly. He was ad-
vised that he was not to attempt anything ashore,
until the arrival of Esteybar, and their forces were
united.
22. Everything was done in so short a time (to
the contrary of what is generally written of Spanish
aid), that the father prior was advised by the
7% THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
bantayes or sentinels at dawn of January 5, that sev-
eral vessels were seen to be headed to the port, which
as was judged from their direction appeared to be
from Manila. At nine in the morning the fleet
anchored in the port of Bolinao, which is about one-
quarter legua from the village. The father prior
flew thither, with the rapidity of one who is in
search of consolation, for he was most afflicted.
Scarcely was he descried on the beach, when the
general sent a skiff for him. He was taken by the
skiff to the flagship, where he was received with re-
peated salvos of artillery. All the men expressed
mutual joy, which sprung from the bottom of the
heart, and were not superficial and born from the
habit of deceit. Father Fray Bernardino de la Con-
cepcion returned as chaplain of the fleet, because he
urged the father provincial that he might do so, for
he considered his absence from the field of battle,
where his comrades were accomplishing so much for
the crown, dishonorable to his valor in the spiritual
militia. When the mutual congratulations which
were exchanged between the father prior and those
who composed the relief were exhausted, the general
gave the former a letter from the governor. It read
as follows:
"My Dear Father Fray Juan : Very sad has been
the news that we have had here of your Reverence
and of the other fathers, and we were even assured
that you had all been killed. Consequently, the news
from your Reverence served me as a special source
of joy, notwithstanding the melancholy information
contained therein of those insurrections. I trust im-
plicitly through God that your person will be kept
safe for the service of both Majesties. And I hope
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 79
that that fleet which I have been able to assemble
quickly will keep you safe and that it will have your
Reverence's advice which I have ordered the general
to receive as you are a person of experience in that
district. The army in charge of General Esteybar
is ordered to make forced marches. And next to
God, I look for success in all things to your Rever-
ence because you are there. May God preserve you,
etc. Manila, January 2, 1661.
Don Sabiniano"
23. The general and the prior then discussed
many points in regard to the order that was to be
followed in the war. It was known that the weapons
of the insurgents were poisoned arrows which caused
death irremediably no matter how small a wound
they made. And although there is not wanting an
antidote to counteract that danger, yet that secret
is known only by certain Indians who refused to dis-
close it because they desired the insolent multitude
to conquer. But the vigilance of our religious had
already shown its foresight in a matter of so great
weight, and availing himself of a chief of Bolinao,
one Don Antonio Dacap, he had obtained from him
the recipe for making the antidote ; and he had even
prepared a large quantity of it, which he gave to the
general, in order that the latter might distribute it
among the men of the fleet, so that they might suffer
no harm from the arrows. Ugalde asked for some
things which could not be prepared in Manila on ac-
count of the haste [of their departure] : namely,
bamboo and cowhide for making parapets, small
boats for use in shallow water; rice for the crew;
spears such as the Indians use, and certain shields
or bucklers which are called carazas, in order to
^° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
make use of them in default of the firearms. He
was provided with all that he asked immediately.
After these arrangements were made, the father prior
advised the general, notwithstanding the forced delay
of the army as it was coming overland, to go imme-
diately with his fleet to the port of Sual ; for although
he could not begin operations until the arrival of
Esteybar, yet his appearance with his vessels in
Pangasinan in sight of Lingayen, would be of great
use in terrifying the rebels, and in encouraging the
loyal.
24. The general did so, and although the prior
desired to accompany the fleet, the former would not
consent, alleging as a reason therefor that since
Bolinao was so important a post, its conservation
was considered necessary, and the presence of the
father religious was inevitable for that, and also to
provide the fleet with necessities in the accidents of
war. On that ever propitious and sacred day of the
Epiphany, after mass had been said, which was cele-
brated in the flagship by the father prior, the fleet left
the port of Bolinao. At five in the afternoon it came
within sight of Lingayen, to the joy of the religious
of St. Dominic, who had retired there from almost
all of Pangasinan, as it was the least exposed place.
Until that moment they had been besieged by con-
stant frights. The general did not dare to go ashore,
as many crowds of people were seen on the beach,
who appeared to be hostile ; as well as because he had
yet no news of the army, without which he had or-
ders not to do anything, and he had no forces for that.
On that account the fleet kept tacking to windward
on one tack and another for the space of three days.
But at the end of that time, a felucca was seen to
1691-1700J RECOLLECT MISSIONS 8 1
cross the bar of Lingayen headed toward the flag-
ship. The father vicar of the said village came
aboard and informed the general that the Indians of
that district, although they had risen, were main-
tained in their insurrection with great difficulty, and
that without making pacts or contracts, desired to
surrender to the piety of the king, according to
the arrangements that he had already discussed with
the chiefs. Consequently, in his opinion, the men
could disembark without the slightest fear.
25. A council of war was called to discuss the
matter. The said father vicar, and the father chap-
lain, Fray Bernardino de la Concepcion, were given
a vote with the others, as was right. All were of the
opinion that the general should land with all his
soldiers in order that he might place himself in a
position of defense for whatever might happen. But
that was unnecessary, for the Indians received him
with the greatest proofs of surrender, and from that
time the village of Lingayen, which is the capital of
the province, was one of the most safe villages. The
rebels who were there fled, as they were fearful of
punishment. But at that same time, the sedition was
very much alive in the rest of the province; for
Malong treated those who refused obedience to him
with the utmost rigor unless they had forces with
which to resist him. This rigor was seen in his na-
tive place Binalatongan, which he reduced to ashes,
and allowed his soldiers to sack, as the Indians fear-
ful of the Spaniards opposed his purposes. In
Ilocos and Cagayan, the provinces lying next to
Pangasinan, was another Indian Don Juan Man-
zano, who acted as Malong's agent, and who was
general of his armies. He burned villages, killed
8 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Indians, and reduced everything to the most fatal
pass, because he claimed that they denied obedience
to our king.
26. On that account, Ugalde knew that the sword
would be necessary in order to cut the gordian knot
of so obstinate an insurrection. He, believing that
since the Zambals were so valiant and were especi-
ally experienced in the mountains, where the rebels
had their haunts, they could be of great use to the
army, wrote the father prior of Bolinao to procure
a goodly levy of them, and send them out as soldiers,
with the assurance that he would give them help.
That famous hero went through the villages of Zam-
bales with the greatest diligence, and collected about
three hundred of the most faithful, valiant, and well-
intentioned Indians. They, furnished with their
accustomed arms, and the above-mentioned Don
Antonio Dacap, being appointed master-of-camp
with the necessary captains (whose titles the general
confirmed, as did afterward the governor, as a pay-
ment for their good services) were despatched to
Lingayen, where they arrived on the eighteenth of
January. And in order that the joy of the fleet might
be complete, on the afternoon of that same day, the
desired news was received that the army of Esteybar
had entered the district of Pangasinan without hav-
ing met any considerable disaster in its difficult
march. Thereupon, Ugalde arranged his troops, in
order to go to join him. When the two armies were
united they began to work together. They attacked
M along first, and after several engagements, the
traitor was obliged to retire together with those who
remained of his men, to certain inaccessible moun-
tains, where they imagined that they would be safe.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 83
But here the valor of the Zambals shone forth, for
directed by father Fray Bernardino who never de-
serted them, they pursued the rebels through crag
and thicket, so that they compelled them, defiling
gradually one after the other, to surrender. Finally
Malong himself fell into an ambush which was
boldly set for him, and he was seized on February 6,
whereupon the Pangasinan war ended.
27. But in order not to leave this matter without
conclusion, we must add that our army, immediately
increased by some companies of Pangasinans (a na-
tion that declared itself entirely favorable to the
Spaniards as soon as Malong was defeated), resolved
after holding a council of war to go immediately to
Ilocos for the purpose of destroying Manzano. But
he with few men because many had been lost in sev-
eral frays, retired to some desolate places where he
built a fort. Our captains attacked him, however,
full in front, and inspired by their example the sol-
diers and Indians, and conquered him. Many of the
enemy were slaughtered, and we on our side did not
fail to lose many, because the resistance was especi-
ally obstinate. Manzano escaped thence with some
few of his men, and hid in certain mountains, but the
Zambals, Pangasinans, and Cagayans pursued him,
and finally, the justice of our arms prevailed. For,
in order that no spark might be left which might
kindle a new fire, he was also seized on March 22.
Thus was that difficult war ended, which had caused
Manila many terrors, for it caused not a few fears
to the Spaniards. Thereupon, the provinces contin-
ued to become pacified. The governor Don Sabini-
ano, in obedience to the action of the royal Audien-
cia, despatched a commissary-general of causes, so
^4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
that, forming a tribunal together with Esteybar,
Ugalde, and other necessary ministers, he might
make a process in regard to those who had been most
active among the rebels; and after giving such
persons the necessary punishment, publish a general
pardon, which would comprehend the remainder. It
was reported then that the judges proceeded with
too great rigor, but I should not be so bold as to im-
pute that guilt to them, for they aimed to spread a
warning, without it ceasing to be very necessary.
28. The least thing that was seen in the disorders
of so unjust a rebellion was the deaths that were
caused, notwithstanding that they were numerous.
There was seen vengeance clothed with zeal; ambi-
tion usurping the staff of justice; tyranny proclaim-
ing liberty; treason applauded with adoration; and
he who never knew the law of reason, making laws.
There were seen thefts, conflagrations, profanations
of the temples, persecutions, scorn, and the evangeli-
cal ministers killed sacrilegiously; the Catholic
religion abandoned in great part; and the door
opened to apostasy and infidelity. For what time,
then, is the purpose of inexorable justice, if it is not
applied at such a time? That was no sickness that
could be cured by mild means when only iron and fire
were found capable of reestablishing that vast body in
health, rigor exercised there being a preservative
medicine for the rest. And if, perchance, any inno-
cent one paid what he did not owe, one must reflect
that public vengeance was inflicted by the hands of
men, who, although they try to work with equity,
are after all only men, and that they would cease to
be men, if they proceeded without the least defect
in all things. At last among many others who suf-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 85
fered the last punishment, Malong was shot in
Lingayen, Caucao hanged in Binalatongan, Sumu-
iay in Bolinao, Sirray in Masingloc, Durrey in Agno,
and Manzano, in the village of Bacarra, killed him-
self in order to escape the hand of the hangman. But
if some of them left the marks of treason in the Zam-
bal nation, which is ever valiant and loyal to the
king, most of them in number and rank, washed
away that stain more than clean. Everything yielded
the great praise to the discalced Augustinians, who
were able, by their exhortations, to restrain and
maintain the loyalty of so many Indians of their
districts, despising for that purpose many perils.
§IV
Relation of the insurrection of the Sangleys or
Chinese and how our religious aided in bringing
about peace and victory.
29. Outside the walls of the city of Manila, un-
der the cannon of the plaza, there is a very thickly
populated settlement called the Parian, where a large
number of Chinese live. Those people are known
there under the name of Sangleys. Although
heathen they have been allowed to reside there for
the sake of commerce and because they are employed
in almost all the mechanical trades. It cannot be
denied that that nation fomented and maintained
with aid and cunning the rebellions of the Indians
which we have just related. That is apparent, be-
cause, when the alcalde-mayor Don Francisco Pu-
lido was killed in Pangasinan, some Sangleys were
found among the rebels, who contrived that under
cover of the small boats they might capture the large
vessel where the alcalde-mayor was defending his
86 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
life very gallantly; and on the arrival of our naval
fleet to explore the beach of Lingayen, there were
seen there many armed men, consisting of Sangleys
and Indians, as is affirmed by Father Santa Cruz, in
volume 2 of his Dominican history of the Phili-
pinas.10 But it is still more fully shown by the many
bodies of Sangleys which were found in the field
whenever there was an engagement with the rebels,
for on all occasions they served the Indians as auxil-
iaries. Let us examine the motive for the Chinese
taking part in a war that concerned them so little.
[Here follows a brief description of China and
an account of the victories of the Tartars about this
time, the alliance of the pirate Kuesing with the
legitimate Chinese king Junglie, and following the
latter's death, the retreat of the pirate to Formosa
whence he expels the Dutch. His design to make
the conquest is also related, and his embassy by
Father Victorio Riccio to Manila, demanding
"prompt vassalage, and a huge tribute from the is-
lands, and threatening the most bloody war if Span-
iards and Indians did not obey this obligation and
recognize him as king." The Chinese in Manila,
hating the Tartars and favorable to Kuesing, begin
to raise disturbances. Their anger is also further
aroused by a commercial treaty between the Span-
iards and the Tartar emperor of China. But little
attention is paid to the Chinese of the Parian, how-
ever, but both interior and exterior fortifications are
strengthened and constructed in case of an attack by
Kuesing. The narrative continues:]
10 A sidenote at this point in the original is as follows : _ "His-
toria de la Provincia del Santo Rosario, volume ii, book ii, chap-
ter xv." The reference is of course to Baltasar de Santa Cruz's
book.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 87
34. For this purpose some scaffolds were built
outside the wall so that the pioneers might work
comfortably. This, which was a means for fortifi-
cation, might, had not the divine aid intervened,
have been the cause of the loss of the city, the center
of the faith in Assia and a firm column of the Cath-
olic religion. For the Sangleys determined with the
utmost secrecy not to let the opportunity slip, but,
on the contrary, to seize time by the forelock, and to
climb in great numbers by night by means of those
scaffolds which were not guarded in proportion to
the danger. They thought that if they did so, and
first gained the wall by an unexpected and furtive
rush they could obtain the mastery of the city imme-
diately without any opposition. In fact they would
have planned well had it not been that God tied their
hands. It happened, then, that the father sacristan
of our convent going down one morning to arrange
the altar of the Santo Ecce Homo (an image of
which mention was made in volume iii,11 as well as
the great devotion that Governor Don Sabiniano had
for it) , found at its divine feet a message reading as
follows: "Governor, guard thy city, for they are
trying to take thee by surprise." The sacristan
immediately put that message into the hands of the
father prior. The latter, considering that no one
had to hide himself in order to give such advice,
(for, if it were true, any person would be assured of
a not small reward), he formed the concept that that
notice came from the hand of God; and above all
that it would be well to inform the governor of it.
11 A sidenote in the original refers to volume iii of the Recollect
History by Santa Theresa, Decade vii, book i, chapter iv, section
vii, folio 241, nos. 507-515. The Philippine portion of this book
appears in our vol. xxxvi, pp. 1 13-188.
88 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
For where there are so many enemies, the most care-
ful watch is none too much.
35. Consequently, he took the message to the
governor, to whom he told the manner in which he
had found it. The prudent superior not only
esteemed the caution, but he doubled his care and
vigilance by visiting the walls and sentinels hourly.
But on the morning of the following day, another
more detailed paper was found in the same place,
which read as follows : "Governor, guard thy city.
Remove the scaffoldings from the walls, and do not
trust anyone, for the enemy are very near thee."
The father prior also took that message to the gov-
ernor, alleging that because of his quality as a good
vassal, he could not avoid giving him that annoyance.
But the governor was not annoyed but instead
thanked him again and again, and in his presence
had an adjutant, one Don Joseph Zamora, sum-
moned, and ordered the latter to remove the scaf-
folding of the walls, and double the guards in all
the posts. It was afterwards learned how important
the arrangement that has been practiced had been,
for it was discovered when the deserved punishment
was meted out to the insurgents that the surprise of
the city was to have been attempted on the night fol-
lowing that day, but that they had not succeeded
because what was to have served them as a ladder
had been removed.
36. The Sangleys seeing the destruction of their
designs, resolved, at the beginning of the year 1662,
to arm suddenly one day, with the weapons which
came first to hand, and to take the city openly, for
they trusted too much to their valor. There is a gate
in the city called the gate of the Parian, which gives
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 89
on the Sangley settlement, and innumerable numbers
of that nation enter the city through it hourly. They
would find it easy if some of them were to make
themselves masters of this gate, for the others to
enter the city armed. By a special Providence of
God, as brother Fray Diego de Santa Ana, one of
our religious lay-brothers, went to adjust an account
with a certain Sangley, on the morning of the day
on which they had resolved to make the attack, he
observed that the Chinese were in great disorder,
and he even heard some words indicative of arro-
gance, and that they were premeditating some sedi-
tion. The brother understood the Chinese language
somewhat, and having conceived the said suspicion,
he went about the Parian carefully and joined in
conversation cunningly with several Sangley ac-
quaintances. By that means originated the confir-
mation of his fears. He advised a captain of every-
thing, who took him into the presence of the governor
so that he might inform the latter. Upon receiving
that information, the guards of the gates and of the
walls were doubled without any confusion, and most
opportune orders were given secretly for the artil-
lerymen and soldiers to be prepared to resist any
attack.
37. Scarce six o'clock could have struck, when
the Sangleys advanced to the gate of the city in a
confused mass, with such violence that doubtless they
would have gained it, had our men not been so pre-
pared for its defense. With the regular discharge of
the artillery, and with the muskets of the guards,
many of them were killed. At that misfortune the
others retired as furiously as they had begun the
attack. But honoring our discalced religious greatly
9° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
the governor was wont to say whenever he saw
brother Fray Diego, that next to the patronage of
the Santo Ecce Homo, the defense of the city was
due to his opportune advice. The enemy having
been repulsed in this manner, a portion of them,
about two thousand, threw themselves into the river
in order to cross it. About three hundred of them
having perished there, the others fled to the moun-
tains. As they passed it, they left our convent and
church of San Sebastian reduced to ashes. Its build-
ing had been finished but a short time before, as it
had been burned during another insurrection. It
could not but cause time and trouble to reduce those
rebels, but it was accomplished at last although ac-
companied with the shedding of much blood. They
were pursued on one side by the Pampango Indians
and on the other by the Zambals, who were led and
captained by our religious. The remaining Sangleys,
who reached the number of ten thousand, took their
stand on the field in front of the walls, thus causing
not a little anxiety to Manila. But they were so dis-
posed that, anticipating a general pardon, conceded
by the governor, with the exception of some few
leaders, before nightfall they were all subdued, and
that troubled sea was totally calm.
38. Father Palanco,12 a Dominican, declared very
truly in the memorial which he presented to the king,
on that rebellion of the Sangleys, "that all the Orders
worked and aided with singular vigilance on that
occasion exposing their lives to the service of both
Majesties." For the individuals of all the orders
12 Juan Polanco {not Palanco), was a native of the Burgos
mountain region, and professed in the Dominican convent of Val-
ladolid, July 13, 1639. As he showed evident signs of a brilliant
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 9 1
endeavored to excel, as ever, in their zeal and deeds,
now by taking arms to go to the defense of the walls,
just as the most ordinary soldier might do; now im-
ploring divine clemency with supplications and
prayers; and anon assisting with advice and informa-
tion. But there is no doubt that, as is inferred from
the abovesaid, our Recollects had a great share in
that victory, and that they shared considerably in the
dangers of the war. Thus are they able without fail-
ing in their obligations as evangelical ministers, to
serve their earthly king on all occasions, as profess-
ors of both militias.
[Sections v-vii relate the lives of various Recol-
lects, both priests and lay-brothers, who died in
Spanish convents at this time. No one of them had
been in the Philippine missions.]
CHAPTER II
Our province of Philipinas extends its apostolic
preaching to the districts called Contracosta \i.e.,
the opposite coast\. Father Fray Agustin de San
mind he was sent to the college of San Gregorio of Valladolid,
after graduating from which he returned to the convent as lecturer
in philosophy. Thence he went to the convent of Trianos as mas-
ter of students, but later joining the Philippine mission arrived at
those islands in 1658. Destined for the instruction of the Chinese
he was sent to the Chinese missions as soon as he had mastered the
language. His two years in China were years of continual suffer-
ing, imprisonment, and torment. Recalled, although against his
will, to become procurator for his province in Madrid and Rome,
and to act as definitor in the general chapter, he gave up his mis-
sion work. Always of a humble and obedient disposition, when
he was ordered to return immediately to Spain on one occasion
after he had just conducted a mission to Mexico, he obeyed with-
out hesitation, but he had scarcely reached the convent at Sevilla,
when he died, December 2, 1671. At the chapter held at Rome
1668, he petitioned the beatification of the Japanese martyrs. See
Resena biogrdfica, ii, pp. I -3.
92 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS f Vol. 41
Ildephonso, a learned and holy religious, dies in
Tobbso.
The Year 1662
§ I
The missions of the Contracosta, whither the preach-
ing has spread, are received into our province of
Philiptnas, and four convents are founded.
64. [The Philippines, says our author, may be
regarded as the limits of the earth, and hence the
text of Isaias xviii, 2, may be regarded as spoken of
the Philippines, in which the gospel is to be pub-
lished.]
65. In obedience to the insinuation of that text,
even before the roots necessary for its subsistence had
been fixed our discalced congregation despatched
apostolic missionaries to the above-mentioned is-
lands, in order that they might be illumined by the
splendors of the evangelical doctrine, and enriched
by the examples of its angelic perfection. It was not
content with that first squadron, for the undertaking
commenced has been prosecuted at various times,
and a great number of its sons have been sacrificed to
an undertaking as arduous as useful. We have al-
ready seen in the preceding volumes, the greatness of
their actions in the conversion of the most terrible
peoples of that archipelago, in Zambales, Carahaga,
Calamianes, and the islands of Romblon. In this
volume we shall treat of the spread of the faith,
which was extended into other villages, a proof that
new zeal has ever been gathered, also born of the
salvation of their neighbors. But at present we shall
speak of a new field, which was handed over to the
cultivation of our ever sure workers in the island of
Luzon and the Contracosta of Manila. And al-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 93
though that field was abandoned afterwards for lack
of evangelical ministers, there is no reason why
endeavors so meritorious should be forgotten. Let
our pen, therefore, be busied in the relation of these
labors.
66. The island of Luzon, which is the largest and
chiefest of the Philipinas, has the appearance of an
arm somewhat bent, according to the description of
father Fray Juan Francisco de San Antonio.13 It
has a circumference of more than four hundred
Spanish leguas, and lies between twelve and nineteen
degrees of latitude. Not far from the point of San
Tiago, which we shall pretend to be the elbow of this
arm, journeying thence toward cape Bogeador, lies
the great bay of Manila, in the center of which this
city is located. It is the capital of all the possessions
of the Spanish scepter in these islands. Lapping the
walls of Manila is a large river which empties at that
place into the sea. By it one ascends to the Lake of
Bay, and on the opposite shore of that lake one finds
the village of Siniloan. Thence to the port of Lam-
pon, which is located on the Contracosta of Manila,
and comes to be as it were, inside of the arm, one
need only pass the mountains of Daraetan, and Ca-
boan, which is a crossing of five or six leguas.
Consequently, in order to go by sea from Manila to
the port of Lampon, one must sail about one hundred
and forty leguas; but by ascending the river and
crossing over the lake to Siniloan, and crossing the
mountains of Daraetan and Caboan there is scarce
twenty leguas of distance.
67. In the environs, then, of the port of Lampon,
13 A sidenote in the original at this point refers to the Chronicas
of San Antonio, i, book i, chapter xvii.
94 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
following the coast opposite the bay of Manila, are
the districts of Binangonan, Baler, Casiguran, and
Palanan composed of various villages and collections
of huts. The first three belonged at first to the
alcaldeship or province of Mindoro. Since in the
year 1588, the discalced Franciscan fathers Fray
Estevan Ortiz and Fray Juan de Porras were des-
tined to that jurisdiction, they gathered most season-
able fruits in the above-mentioned districts, having
sown there the seed of the Catholic name. However,
having been called to other parts by their obedience,
they could not further the Church in those districts,
much as they desired it. The venerable martyr, Fray
Francisco de Santa Maria, completed the perfection
of the work, by forming the three above-mentioned
missions with a sufficient number of the faithful who
were withdrawn from the darkness of paganism by
the influences of a zeal so seraphic. Afterwards
other workers of the same family extended their
missions down the beach toward the province of
Cagayan or Nueva Segovia, and founded the village
and district of Palanan. With that there were four
missions situated on that Contracosta, and the Fran-
ciscan province kept the administration of them in
their own hands for many years. They hoped that,
although there were but few people and convenien-
ces, as the mountains which were peopled by pagans
were near by, they could continue ever to increase-the
flock of Christ, as they did do without ceasing, the
sword of the evangelical preaching fencing with the
advantage gained by repeated triumphs.14
68. But since in this time with which the history
14 A sidenote of the original reads: "All this appears from
Father Fray Juan Francisco de San Antonio, ut supra, book ii,
chapter xviii, folio 364, and chapter xix, folio 372."
1 691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 95
is concerned, the boat of the above-mentioned prov-
ince found itself with a great quantity of fish in its
nets, and with few fishers in its number for the sup-
port of the work, they called to their aid the individ-
uals of our holy province. Nothing more than a
sign was necessary to make them hasten thither,
expressing their thanks for the opportunity. Al-
though I have been unable to ascertain the year with
certainty, I have foundation for the conjecture that
in the chapter celebrated in the year 1662, the
Franciscan fathers invited our Recollect family to
take the above-mentioned missions of the Contra-
costa. They alleged that they were unable to attend
to so many villages, whose care devolved upon them,
because of the lack of religious. They promised to
cede those missions to the Recollects, and not to re-
tain any right of reversion. Those missions were not
very desirable, both because of the wretchedness of
the earth, and because of the small number of tributes
that they contained. For, although they had in-
creased greatly with the new conversions, they only
contained 4,800 Christian souls in the year 1738, as
was asserted by the historian of that seraphic prov-
ince.15 But our Recollect order has obtained a writ
which was gained in Philipinas to occupy the least
profitable posts so far as earth is concerned, but the
most meritorious in the heavens. Consequently,
those zealous fathers received that work immedi-
ately, and forthwith assigned evangelical ministers
to cultivate the new vineyard, increasing the
rational vines in it with the care and zeal which the
seraphic workers had managed to exert thitherto.
15 A sidenote of the original refers to San Antonio, i, book i,
chapter lv, folio 220, and chapter lvii, folio 224.
96 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
69. In consequence of this, the province chose
fathers Fray Benito de San Joseph, Fray Francisco
de San Joseph, and Fray Clemente de San Nicolas,
with three others whose names we have been unable
to discover. They took formal charge of the dis-
tricts and founded the following convents. Near the
bay and port of Lampon, somewhat inland toward the
mountain, is located the village of Binangonan, and
there the first house and church was established with
the title of San Guillermo. Two religious were left
there. The Tagalog language is spoken in that ter-
ritory, although it belongs to the province of Taya-
bas and to the bishopric of Camarines, or as it is
called, Nueva Caceres. The ministers assigned to
that village attended to various scattered collections
of huts along the bays of Lampon and Umirey, as
well as to the reduction of the infidels which extends
along the neighboring mountains for the distance of
twelve or fourteen leguas. Going thence following
the coast to the north, one meets the river and village
of Valer. Another convent was founded there,
titular and patron of which was St. Nicholas of
Tolentino. It belongs to the same language, prov-
ince, and bishopric, as the other. Only one religious
was stationed there, although afterward, according
to the times, two lived there. They tended to the
mission which was very laborious because of its size,
and labored in the conversion of the Aetas, heathen
of the neighboring mountains, which allow passage
from Valer to the province of Pampanga through
the territory of Patabangan and Santor, by a not long,
but very rough road.
70. Sailing along the same coast toward Cape
Engano one comes to the bay of Casiguran, which
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 97
has a circumference of twelve leguas. On its shore
is located the village of the same name. The third
convent was erected there and was given the title of
our father St. Augustine. It belongs also to the
Tagalog language, the province of Tayabas, and the
bishopric of Camarines. Two religious resided
there generally, and sometimes three, for they ex-
tended their administration to many leguas of coast,
and their zeal for the spread of the faith to the
extensive mountains near by, which being filled with
Aetas, blacks, and Calingas heathen gave worthy
although most toilsome occupation to the messengers
of the law of grace. From one extremity of the bay of
Casiguran, the point called San Ildephonso pro-
trudes three leguas seaward. At its head end the
province of Tayabas and the bishopric of Camarines.
Having doubled that point, and after one has navi-
gated ten or twelve leguas northward one comes to
the village and district of Palanan, which belongs to
the bishopric and province of Cagayan or Nueva
Segovia. The fourth convent is founded there, and
bears the title of Santa Maria Magdalena. And
although all the religious who could be assigned to
that mission illumined it, considering the lack of
them from which this holy province usually suffers,
yet notwithstanding this, it could always be said that
the harvest was great and the laborers few. For
besides the Christians already reduced, the fathers
had to contend with an innumerable number of
heathen who overran the neighboring mountains for
a distance of more than thirty leguas from the point
of San Ildephonso to Cape Engano.
71. I assert that I have several times heard from
fathers Fray Valero de San Salvador and Fray Sil-
9^ THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
vestre de la Purificacion (who passed a considerable
portion of their well-employed lives in those mis-
sions, and whom I knew in Manila, and who attained
a venerable and exemplary age) that from the ad-
mission of that territory by our province to the year
1704, the multitude of infidels who were turned by
the preaching of our brothers from the unhappy
liberty of paganism to the mild yoke of the Catholic
faith, was vast. For, notwithstanding that there
were three or four epidemics in all those villages in
the above-named period, which occasioned the death
of an excessive portion of the old Christians, the
settlements were replaced by those newly converted.
Consequently, the lack was not observed, for the
same number of tributes were collected for the king
during the latter years as during the first. This same
thing is attested by the documents and depositions
that I have before me, which designate the Recollect
religious who lived on the Contracosta with the
character of laborers in the living missions because
of the many souls that their apostolic zeal drew to
the sheepfold of the Church.
72. But notwithstanding that, the fruit must have
caused entire consolation as it was so visible, and
given greater earnestness to continue. That fatal
interruption of missions in which no workers of our
Recollect family passed to Philipinas from Espafia
from the year 1692 to that of 1710, having occurred,
the province found it impossible to give, as it had
done hitherto six or eight religious for those missions
because their exhaustion made them needed for other
missions. Although our brothers were more than
men in their zeal, in material work they could do
nothing more than men. Therefore, it was impos-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 99
sible to look after so great an employ as they had in
their charge, since they had so few subjects. And
already it is seen that if necessity obliged them to
abandon any district, it must be that of the Contra-
costa. They did not regard that as a conquest proper,
but as received in trust. It was so, for in the provin-
cial chapter held in the year 1704, after that
apostolic province had possessed those doctrinas and
convents for more than forty years, it was resolved
to abandon them all, and return them to their first
masters, the religious of St. Francis, as they could
not attend to their administration. Those seraphic
workers, learning the reason, took new charge of
those souls in order to attend to them with the bread
of the instruction. On this account, the above-men-
tioned convents do not now belong to the order, and
the villages of the Contracosta are not in our charge.
But the narration of the so plausible readinesss prac-
ticed by our oldtime heroes has been deemed indis-
pensable. In due time, namely, the year 1703, when
the prodigious life of the venerable mantelata 16
Juana de Jesus, whose virtue sprang from the teach-
ing of our religious, is related, one will see that with
that fruit alone all their evangelical attempts can be
considered as well employed.
[The second and last section of this chapter deals
with the life of Fray Agustin de San Ildephonso,
who died in the convent of Toboso, Spain, during
this year 1662. He was never in the Philippines.]
[Section i of chapter iii treats of the seventh gen-
eral chapter of the order, which was held in Alcala
de Henares in 1663. Sections ii and iii narrate the
16 So called perhaps from the long robe probably worn by
women who were allowed to take partial vows.
IOO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
life of Fray Juan de San Antonio, an ex-provincial
of the Philippines. Born of a noble family in
Granada, he early showed great precocity and at-
tained proficiency in his studies while very young.
Being strongly called to the religious life he entered
the Recollect convent at Granada, September 13,
1617, at the age of twenty and professed the follow-
ing year. After a short course in theology he went
to Mexico in 16 19, whence after another course in
theology in that city he was sent to Manila, where he
was ordained priest after a third theological course,
in 1 62 1. The following year found him master of
novitiates in Manila convent. Although his parents
obtained permission for him to return to Spain, in
1624, he preferred to remain in the field which he
had chosen. That same year he was prior of the
convent of Igaquet and was later occupied in many
missions, especially in Calamianes. In 1635 he was
elected definitor, and desirous of preaching the gos-
pel in Japan, made two attempts to penetrate that
empire, both of which were failures, the second
time sickness not even allowing him to leave the
Philippines. He was elected prior of Manila con-
vent in 1638 and after his three years* term worked
again in the missions of Calamianes and composed
two books in the language of that district, one of
moral sermons and the other an explanation of the
catechism. In 1644 he was elected provincial almost
by acclamation. His term was a busy one, and a
number of churches and convents were erected dur-
ing it. During the disastrous earthquake of 1645,
he rendered distinct service. He began the repair
of the Recollect church and convent of Manila,
which had been partially destroyed by the earth-
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS IOI
quake. At the end of his term he retired to his cell
in Manila, but became implicated in some way with
the civil-religious troubles that rose during the gov-
ernorship of Diego Faxardo, and he was arrested in
165 1 and sent to Marivelez. With the change of
government, he returned to Manila, and then retired
to the Cavite convent, where he died from an illness
in January 1663. He was pure minded and austere
in his devotions. The fourth and last section of this
chapter narrates the life of a Recollect who died in
1663 at the convent of Zaragoza, Spain.]
[Chapter iii recounts the lives of three Recollect
religious who died in the year 1664, only the first of
whom was in the Philippines. This was Fray
Joseph de la Anunciacion, and his life is discussed
in the first two sections. He was born in Madrid and
took the Recollect habit in that city, October 8, 161 5.
He was chosen for the Philippine missions and ar-
rived at Manila in 1623. Most of his work in the is-
lands was as Spanish preacher, and his work lay
principally in the convents of Manila, San Juan, San
Sebastian, Cavite, and Cebu. He did considerable
work among the native Filipinos, the Chinese,
mestizos, negroes, and mulattoes, ever in the Spanish
language, but he was able to adapt himself well to
their degree of intelligence. His preaching was
especially effective in the city of Cebu which was
more densely populated in his time than a century
later. His influence was far reaching among all
classes. Twice he was elected provincial of his
order- April 8, 1635, and May 7, 1650. His terms
were active and productive of good work. Recol-
lects began their work in the island of Romblon un-
der his directions, and he attempted to send mission-
102 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
aries to Japan. During his term also Recollects were
successful in pacifying many disaffected districts.
His death occurred in the Cebu convent of which he
was prior at the time.]
CHAPTER VIII
Treating of the hardships endured by our reli-
gious in Philipinas, because of various persecutions
that occurred in our fields of Christendom.
The year 1 068
§ I
Abridged relation of the persecutions of our holy
faith in Philipinas, from the year 1640 to the year
under consideration, 1668, and which are not
mentioned in the preceding volumes.
307. He who would like to know what manner of
province is ours in Philipinas and its height of love
to God and its neighbor, which that Lord has given
to it, who is so well able to inculcate charity, must
not be governed only by the immense zeal of its in-
dividuals in alluring souls into the sheepfold of the
Church but as well by the continual persecutions
which they have suffered in order that they might
maintain that field of Christendom in the purity of
the faith, despising their lives at each step in order
to preserve it. The lack of fear of death, by which
those valiant soldiers of the God of armies have sus-
tained the field of battle against all the power of the
gates of hell, is doubtless one of the greatest of
miracles which divine Providence has hung in its
temple in this world, to the no small glory of these
provinces of Espana, that have become such marvels
of charity through so good milk, that they consider
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 103
and have considered it an honor to suffer and even
to die, in order to defend that harassed church.
Many events in confirmation of this truth are drawn
with most accurate brush in the preceding volumes of
this history. By them one may see that our brothers
have left us examples worthy of imitation by inces-
santly placing in practice the highest perfection
of exposing their lives to death for the assistance
and consolation of certain poor Indians, that they
might encourage them in the continual invasions
of the Moros. But notwithstanding the great skill
that accompanied the painters of so idealistic can-
vasses, I find in a lower degree not a few pictures
worthy of immortality, for without doubt the colors
of the notices were lacking, which are so indispensa-
ble to form the pictures in the painting of history. I
having obtained trustworthy relations of the many
misfortunes that assaulted our fields of Christendom
and their directors from the year 1640 until the pres-
ent of 1668, which is under consideration, it would
not be laudable to leave such trophies buried in for-
getfulness, although the copy, which would have
been most accurate if done by the brushes of the
other writers, be disfigured.
308. To continue; Don Sebastian Hurtado de
Corcuera, governor of Philipinas, thought that by
building and garrisoning some strongholds in Tolo
[i.e., Jolo], an island which is given over to the per-
fidy of Mahomet and is the nesting place of the
robbers of the whole archipelago, he could
restrain its inhabitants by preventing them from
going to our villages with their fleets as they had
done until that time, with the sequel of innumerable
depredations. He put that idea into practice in the
104 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
year 1638, after the conclusion of the war with the
koran, in the beginning of which when the sword
was drawn the scabbard was thrown away. But nei-
ther his valor nor that diligence were sufficient for
the attainment of his end. For in the year 1640, now
by the Joloans themselves, and now by means of the
Borneans their allies, and now by making use of their
vassals who inhabited the adjacent islands, they tried
to find in sea surprises some betterment of their for-
tune or some havoc by which to temper it. With
that object they attacked missions belonging to our
reformed order both boldly and treacherously in the
districts of Calamianes, Butuan, and Cagayang; and
it is a fact that we always had the worst of it in those
wars. They committed depredations very much to
their liking, with the boldness that their greed gave
them and with the severity which their hatred to the
evangelical law inspired in them. The captives who
were taken in our villages on that occasion numbered
three hundred and more. The churches were ruined,
the holy images profaned, the evangelical ministers
became fugitives in the mountains, the sheep were
scattered as their shepherds could not attend to them
with their watchful eye, the villages were reduced to
ashes, and all of those fields of Christendom became
the necessary object of the most bitter lamentation.
309. They did almost the same thing in the three
following years, and there was no means of taking
worthy satisfaction from enemies so inhuman who,
like wild and hellish beasts, destroyed a great por-
tion of the rich patrimony of Christ which had flour-
ished in that country under the care of our discalced
order. The devastation was so general that it ap-
pears to have been presaged by heaven with very ex-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 05
traordinary portents. For on the fourth day of Janu-
ary, 1640, a volcano suddenly burst forth in the is-
land of Sanguiz, not far from the cape of San Agus-
tin in the island of Mindanao, which showed very
rare and unusual results. For the ashes, rocks, and
burning material which it cast up traveled for many
leguas as far as Zebu. Noises like artillery were
heard, which caused the Spanish garrisons to get un-
der arms, and the day grew dark from ten in the
morning, so that it seemed pitch black night. The
same thing happened in another volcano in an islet
opposite the bar of the river of Jolo. There was a fu-
rious hurricane in the island of Luzon up toward the
province of Ilocos in the part where the Igolotes
live. That hurricane was followed by the most
frightful earthquake, and the earth swallowed up
three inaccessible mountains with as many settle-
ments which were located at the foot of the moun-
tains, and in the space left a large lake was formed.
Such was the noise at the dislocation of the huge
mass of those mountains, that it was heard not only
in all the Philipinas Islands and in Maluco but also
in the kingdoms of Cochinchina, China, and Cam-
boja, throughout a circumference of more than nine
hundred leguas. So great was the persecution that
it was believed to have been announced by the so
great heaping together of surprises and misfor-
tunes.17
17 A sidenote at this point refers to Father Nieremberg's Ocul-
ta y curiosa philosophize, last treatise, folio 431. This book is
rightly named Curiosa y oculta filosofia, and was published in two
parts in Madrid, 1643. Juan Eusebio Nieremberg was born in
Madrid either in 1590 or 1595. His father was a Tyrolese, and
his mother a Bavarian. Educated at the university at Salamanca,
he took the Jesuit habit in the same city in 1614. He became
known for his learning and ability and for fourteen years filled the
106 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
310. But the time when the Moros gave full rein
to their barbaric fury, was from the beginning of the
year 1645, for then they were freed from the terror
that had been caused them by Corcuera who had
just been succeeded in the government of the islands
by the master-of-camp Don Diego Fajardo. The
arrival also of two ships well manned with Dutch-
men at Jolo and which had been asked for by Prince
Salicala, the heir to the scepter, for the purpose of
destroying the strongholds which the Spaniards held
in the said island, gave them at that time a motive
for employing greater power in their piracies. Al-
though the commandant of those strongholds, Don
Estevan de Orella Hugalde, caused the enemy to re-
turn to their factories badly the losers, and without
having obtained the end of their attempt, the Jolo-
ans were able, through their protection, to launch
three squadrons which filled our villages with fear
and confusion. It is no new thing in that continent
for the heretics to lend arms to the pagans and to the
Mahometans in order to put down the Christian name.
A savage end it is to pit themselves for the private
ends of trade and in a religious war, on the side of
the koran and of idolatry, which they themselves con-
demn, against the gospel, which they persecute with
fury. The three fleets went out then, for their cam-
paign, and not having anyone to oppose them, the
chair of natural history at the royal school at Madrid, and for
three years after that lectured on the scriptures. At the same
time he was held in high esteem as a confessor, and was solicited
by many prominent people as such. In 1642, he gave up teach-
ing entirely because of an attack of paralysis. His death occurred
at Madrid, April 7, 1658. He was the author of many works in
Spanish and Latin, some of which have been translated into French
and Arabic, and other languages. See Rose's New General Bio-
graphical Dictionary, and Hoefer's Nouvelle Biographie generale.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 07
enemy filled their boats with what they called spoils,
took about two hundred captives, persecuted our re-
ligious as ever, with mortal hate, and destroyed fif-
teen villages, almost all of them of our spiritual
administration, and they filled Calamianes especially
with bitterness and grief.
311. The Dutch were not content with protecting
the Moros, in order that they might persecute the
name of Christ, but they themselves tried to drive
that name from all that archipelago. Among all
the disunited members of the Spanish monarchy,
which the Dutch have endeavored to cut off from it,
(in order that their power might wax more formid-
able at the expense of another) they have ever cast
their eyes on the honorable and wealthy dominion
of the Philipinas Islands. That country is such for
their designs and trade, that better could not be de-
sired: both because from there they were assured
of all the trade of China, Japon, Cochinchina, Cam-
boja, and the Malucas; and because they were guar-
anteed the best woods for the building of their ships
that can be found on the whole round earth. For
that reason, the Dutch have left no stone unturned
in all times if it pertained to the maxim of their de-
sire, as can be deduced from several passages which
are to be found in the previous decades and are ne-
cessary for the intelligence of the history that is
treated in them.18 The year, then, of 1646, they were
seen with fifteen warships. With five of them they
18 Sidenotes at this point in the original refer as follows: "Vol-
ume i of this History [i.e., the volume by Andres de San Nicolas,
for extract from which see our vol. xxi], decade ii, chapter ix,
folio 452 ; volume iii [i.e., the volume by Diego de Santa Theresa,
from which appear extracts in vol. xxxvi, pp. 1 13-188], marginal
numbers, 233, 257 et seq., 530 et seq., 540, 596, and 649."
108 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
besieged the district of Playahonda, while seven of
them were stationed in the Embocadero or strait of
San Bernardino, and the remaining three filled the
islands of the Pintados with fear. Our villages of
Masinloc, Iba, Marivelez, Romblon, Banton, and
Surigao, suffered more harm and vexation than
usual, of which the greater part touched the reli-
gious ministers.
312. Two galleons left Cavite and fought first
with five ships and twice afterwards with seven, and
obtained three victories which were clearly miracu-
lous. For they destroyed the enemy, without receiv-
ing any special damage, and the enemy were com-
pelled to abandon their attempts for the nonce. Al-
though father Fray Balthassar de Santa Cruz attrib-
utes all of the prodigy to Our Lady of the Rosary
with sufficient foundation,19 we, while confessing the
might of so holy a warrior, must suggest that St.
Nicholas of Tolentino had no small part in it, whom
the soldiers, persuaded by two Recollects, as is men-
tioned in volume 3 of this history, who served as
chaplains in our small fleet, also invoked as the sworn
patron of those seas.20 But under shelter of the
Dutch enemy, who continued their attempts with no
more success the two following years, the Moros, al-
ways emboldened, transgressed all bounds, attacking
ceaselessly the villages of the Spanish dominion.
For, although Corralat, king of Mindanao, kept quiet
during so dangerous a season for reasons of his own
convenience, and had even acted as mediator so that
19 There is a sidenote reference here in the original to Santa
Cruz s Historia, part ii, book i, chapter xxiii.
20 A sidenote of the original refers here to Santa Theresa's
Historia, marginal numbers 649 and 651.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 09
Butria Bongso, king of Jolo should make peace with
our arms, which was done April 14, 1646, none of
all that was sufficient to give quiet to that field of
Christendom. Mahometan perfidy took the pretext
that the Joloan Prince Salicala and Paguyan Ca-
chile, prince of the Guinbanos,21 and seignior of
Tuptup in Borney, should refuse to sign the peace.
With that excuse those princes, aided in secret by
those kings, peopled the sea with boats and caused
unspeakable damage to Calamianes, Camiguin, and
Romblon.
313. That was not the only fatal consequence that
followed from those inhuman premises which were
set by the Dutch. For if we had thitherto seen the
aliens fighting against the faith, from the year 1649
the very sons of the Church worked for its destruc-
tion. The Dutch incited the Indians, already Chris-
tian and subject, to withdraw themselves from the
mild yoke of Spain, the country which had drawn
them from the darkness of paganism, and kept them
on the road to salvation. Nor were they deaf to the
voices filled with the fraud most difficult to recog-
nize, for since they carried the agreeable sound of
liberty, they secretly induced them to undergo the
most tyrannical subjection; and God permitting by
His secret judgments excessive flights to audacity and
shamelessness for the credit of the virtuous and the
crown of the just; the most cowardly of nations were
seen with surprise and the nakedness of the Indians
was armed against the invincible sword of the Span-
iards. The insurrection began in the village of Pa-
lapag in the province of Hibabao in the island of Sa-
mar, whence the good outcome of the first action
21 See vol. xl, p. 179, note 78.
IIO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
traveling on the wings of unsteady report, found
minds so ready throughout the islands of Pintados,
that (just as if the counsel were common, and they
were only awaiting the signal in order to do it) , the
temples were burned in many places, and sacred
things profaned. The evangelical ministers fled, and
the rebels retiring to the loftiest mountains, imagined
that they could defend their former barbarity there.
314. Our reformed order had enough things to
bewail in those revolutions; for in addition to the
tragedies of Linao, which are related in volume
3," the villages of Cagayang, Camiguin, Hingdog,
Romblon, Bantdn, and Cibuyan added wood to the
fire of the sedition. If the promised help of the
Dutch had come over and above the boldness of the
Indians, it is inferred that what had taken so many
years to conquer would have been lost in a few days.
But God who always punishes as a father those who
try to serve Him, measured the times so accurately,
that amid the echoes of the insurrection, the procla-
mations of the peace which had been arranged be-
tween Espafia and Olanda resounded in Manila.
With that the Catholic arms were freed from their
chastisement, and all things returned to their pris-
tine quiet. That was not the case with the Moros,
who were then and for many years after, the peren-
nial enemies of that afflicted field of Christianity.
Barbarously blinded in their treacherous gains as if
it were a thing done, they made a practice of going
every year to take captives in the islands of our ad-
ministration, often outraging the temples sacrile-
giously and not a single one that was near the beach
22 A sidenote here refers to Santa Theresa's Historia, no. 259 ff.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I I I
escaped profanation and they utterly abused every-
thing intended for religious worship, with great
scorn to the name of Christian. They cut the sacred
vestments, into robes and other garments [capisa-
yos], and they destined the ciboriums and sacred
chalices to the dirty use of their wine, tobacco, and
buyo.
315. But it did not so happen, I return to say.
For notwithstanding that they were a terror every
year from that of 1649 to 1655 because of their pira-
cies, now in some and now in other parts, they re-
mained without the due punishment although so
sacrilegious insults demanded it so justifiably. With-
out fear of our arms, they overran those seas at will,
trusting their security to their swiftness; for their
boats were built on purpose for piracy, and ours
compared to theirs of lead. It happened not once
only that they were taken because of carelessness be-
tween the bars of the rivers with forces sufficient to
make one consider their destruction sure; but they
got out laughing on one side or the other, amid the
discharge of their artillery. And the forces of Ma-
nila, Zebu, Zamboangan, and Carhaga, which were
not despicable squadrons, served no other purpose
than to scare off the evil, so that the persecution
might be enormously expanded. They carried their
insolence so far that two small vessels with but small
crews, dashed into the bay of Manila one of the
above years, and almost in sight of that capital, seized
a caracoa from Iloilo with the rich cargo aboard it.
Then they went out haughtily, and no one could take
their prize from them, or punish their arrogance.
In view of this one may infer how harassed were the
1 I 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
distant villages, and how filled with tribulations were
our religious ministers, who ever occupied the most
advanced and dangerous posts.
316. It even transcended the tragic representa-
tion of so doleful misfortunes, when in the year 1655
Corralat, king of Mindanao, proclaimed war against
the Christian name. He began his treachery by the
inhuman murders of two fathers of the Society whom
their rank as ambassadors, which is so greatly re-
spected by the law of nations, did not aid. That
prince was in Philipinas what Gustavus Adolphus,
king of Suecia, was in Alemania, namely, the thun-
derbolt of Lucifer, the scourge of Catholicism, and
the Attila of the evangelical ministers, who never
practiced courtesy toward them except when force
or some reason of state compelled him so to do. For
his private convenience he had pretended that he was
peaceful in public during the preceding years.
But now with no other reason than his fury, he gave
license to his vassals to infest the Christian villages;
and they did it like a river which overflows its bed,
after having rid itself of the embarrassment of its
dikes. He was not content with that, but in order to
give greater flights to his impiety, he excused it
among the neighboring Moros under the name of a
religious war; and under that title he invited to it
the Borneans, Tidorans, and Joloans, so that confed-
erated with him into one body they might unfurl the
banners of the perfidious Mahomet, without stop-
ping until they utterly destroyed the law of grace.
317. He incited so great an uprising against that
straitened field of Christendom that, although the
previous persecutions that the Moros had practiced
1 691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I I 3
against it were so inhuman, (as may be seen in the
places of this history cited in the margin) 23 they
were all assuredly less intolerable than those which
were now incited; for now fury and barbarity were
carried to the extreme. That was so fierce that dis-
interested pens did not hesitate to compare it with
the last of antichrist; so persevering, that until the
year 1668, of which this history is treating, and the
year when the relations which we follow end, there
was not a single instant of rest; so shameless that
ruin was seen almost at the very gates of Manila; and
so universal that but few villages of our administra-
tion escaped being the theater of war and the lament-
able object of its misfortunes. This is a brief com-
pendium of the tragic events which happened in the
Philippine church, which was surrounded on all
sides by the waters of contradiction, as is the terri-
tory of those islands by the salt waves of the sea.
This is a sketch of the cold winds, which, notwith-
standing the heat of its climate, parched in great part
the wavy exuberance of that leafy garden, so abound-
ing in the flowers of Christianity and the mature
fruits of virtue. Let us now consider with the most
possible brevity, a concise sketch of the glory which
was obtained by our discalced order in return for the
hardships which overwhelmed its evangelical work-
ers at so calamitous a time. We warn the reader that
we shall follow no other chronological order than
chance offers.
23 The references in the margin at this point are to San An-
dres's Historic folios 451, 452; Luis de Jesus's Historic folios
39, 40, 44, 45, 70, 282, 284-295, and 353 ; Santa Theresa's His-
toria, marginal numbers 250 ff., 366 ff., 519, 522, 534, 599, 603,
615-629, 646 ff., and 740 ff.
IJ4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
§ II
Of the hardships of our religious during these perse-
cutions. The venerable father, Fray Antonio de
San Agustin, dies at the hands of the Moros, in
glorious martyrdom.
318. In the above-mentioned pillaging,24 which
God permitted for so many years, the Moros were
triumphant, the Catholic arms rebuffed, the Chris-
tian villages without other defense than that of hea-
ven, and the Indians drowned in the sea of tribula-
tions. Moreover, as the sword of the persecutor,
also that of greed and vengeance, was moved by the
hatred of our holy faith, the direction of its greatest
force was toward the sowers of the gospel. Daily
did religious who had been driven from their minis-
tries and missions bring to Manila news of entire vil-
lages ruined, the outcries of priests who had been
captured, and letters which announced the death of
others. All was confusion, all lamentation, all chaos,
where the enemies of God were trying to elevate
their throne in the darkness upon so bloody and con-
fused injustice. It has already been seen that our
Recollects had to suffer greatly, since they occupy
the vanguard of the army of God in Carhaga and
Calamianes; but that was irremediable in so disas-
trous a storm. The ship was seen to be buffeted
hither and yon by the waves; and it was impossible
that the sailors should not suffer from the buffeting.
The winds were both violent and hostile; the ship
could not but be dashed from one side to another.
The hurricane was both furious and fierce; neces-
sarily the pilots had to suffer greatly.
319. Our provincials called out for relief, excit-
24 Subhastacion : literally, sale of goods at public auction.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I 1 5
ing pity by the relation of their churches which had
been burned and profaned; of their sheep that had
been scattered, and many of them lost; and by their
subjects who had been killed or captured, or at the
least obliged to hide in the mountains, where de-
prived of all necessity, they suffered indescribable
misery, traveling in the inconveniences and darkness
of the night in order to fulfil their obligation as
missionaries. But Manila is, as a rule, the place
where least attention is paid to the wretchedness of
the poor Indians and to the misfortunes of the gos-
pel workers ; for, since the citizens are busied in their
Asiatic and American trade, the only thing that trou-
bles them is any opposition to their profits. Very
few are the Spaniards who risk themselves in small
boats to seek profit from island to island; and con-
sequently, they hear of misfortunes, which ought to
cause the greatest horror, quietly and without any
special disturbance. The passages from some islands
to others being occupied and even embarrassed by
Moro craft, the latter cause those who sail thither
innumerable ruin; but many of the inhabitants of
Manila have very little or, perhaps, no feeling. If
news arrives that a religious has been killed or cap-
tured, some insolent tongue is not wanting to break
out with the ballad as infamous as ancient, that the
king brings us for this, namely, to suffer and die in
defense of the law of God; as if it were compatible
with the royal piety to abandon the defenseless min-
isters of Christ, however much they may expose
themselves with heroic mind to endure a thousand
martyrdoms. Nothing in short, matters to those
people, if it do not touch their persons or interests :
neither the misfortunes nor the violent deaths of
n6
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
their neighbors, nor the outrages of his Majesty's vas-
sals, nor the losses of his royal treasury in the trib-
utes which are lessened by such confusions, because
the Indians are lost by the thousand.
320. Although the captain-general tries, as a good
minister, to attend to such wrongs, it is quite com-
mon that he is unable to do all that he tries ; now be-
cause of the depletion of the royal treasury, whose
funds do not suffice to meet the calls upon it; and
now since he must proceed with the advice of the
council of war in which those have many votes who
understand only what pertains to the exercise of mer-
chants, although they sign their names with military
titles. If the vessels in which they are interested are
in danger, all difficulties are conquered, for there is
no one who does not hasten with vote and money to
fit out fleets to oppose the enemy. But if not then
each proposition is a labyrinth, whence he who
makes it cannot unravel himself, although Ariadne
gives him a thread to guide him. Hence it follows,
either that squadrons are not prepared of size suffi-
cient to warn the aggressors, or if they are prepared,
they set sail when it would be better for them not to,
for they only occasion the vassals new trouble. Let
no one imagine that the matter of these two numbers
includes imagination or lack of truth. This is
proved by authentic documents in what touches the
past; while so far as the present century is concerned
(during which the same persecutions have been
repeatedly shown), experience has given me knowl-
edge of such injuries, when I, as procurator-general
and secretary of the province of Philipinas, found
that I had to solicit relief for the persecuted Indians
and for the afflicted religious. It is also certain that
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I 1 7
the same thing happened in almost all the wars of
which we are speaking, so that our oppressed mis-
sionaries had no other consolation than that of God,
in the pains that it was indispensable for them to
suffer, and which we shall now begin to relate.
321. We have already mentioned in various parts
of this history, that when our Recollects arrived at
the Philipinas Islands, in order to illumine them with
the splendors of the faith, and to fight like well-or-
dained astral bodies against the sissara of the abyss,
they chose with apostolic strength the most difficult
districts, the islands of the most barbaric people, and
the places where, if the light of the gospel had shone,
it had allowed itself to be seen only in fitful gleams.
Hence it is that our ministers are the most exposed
to peril and danger among all those of the archipel-
ago; for they are very distant, not only from Manila,
but also among themselves from one another, and
surrounded by enemies to the Christian name. Each
district consists of many villages and even of distinct
islands. Since all of them have a right to the bread
of the doctrine, which is the only food for souls, the
religious, in order to attend to that obligation, has to
be in continual movement. He must travel by sea
threatened by so many dangers to his life, among
frights and chance ; and he who considers it of value
to endure them and despise them, can only form a
just opinion of them. They do this without other
profit than the spiritual, enduring to the uttermost
penury, and the lack of necessities, in order to teach
and instruct certain poor peoples whom they are
alluring from the most wild barbarism in order to
get them to live like men in a civilized Christian
society.
JI8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
321. Let one add to all the above bodily hard-
ships the lack of one to employ himself in so great
charity, to whatever serves in this life as a consola-
tion to the spirit. For there our religious is properly
a hermit, although he may live among many people.
Now, it is because he is deprived of the company of
his brothers, for he is almost always alone in villages
that are too large, and the nearest minister is fifteen
or twenty leguas away and separated by rough seas,
or inaccessible mountains, which render it impossi-
ble most of the year for them to have the comfort
of seeing one another, or even to have communica-
tion with one another by means of letters, in order
that they might console one another in their mutual
troubles. Now, it is because the Indians make them
no company for the blessings that human association
brings with it, but serve only for an insupportable
martyrdom; for, in addition to the fatigues incum-
bent on them as missionaries, they must attend to
all their quarrels, grudges, necessities, and troubles.
For these reasons and others that cannot be ex-
pressed at present, the governor of Philipinas, Don
Fausto Cruzat y Gongora, when addressing the king
in a report, did not hesitate to affirm that the dis-
calced Augustinians, even in times of peace, and af-
ter the subjection of the villages of their administra-
tion, suffer the same hardships as do missionaries in
the lands of the infidels. His Excellency, the bishop
of Zebu, Don Manuel Antonio de Ocio y Ocampo,
was wont to say, as I have heard from his own mouth,
and not only once, that if he had authority for it
he would not hesitate to canonize any Recollect, who
happens to lose his life among the fatigues of his call-
ing, while completely fulfilling his obligation in the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 119
missions of those islands, as is the case with many.
323. And if this is endured in only the hard-
ships annexed to the spiritual administration, what
must it not be when the destructive tempests of the
persecutions of the Moros, the greatest part of
which assail our laborers, happen to come? Then
there is no other relief than to flee to the mountains
in order to live in passes and caves, seeking their
preservation, not so much for their self-love, but
because of that for others. There, through lack of
food, too much heat, continual rains, and many
other discomforts, they are generally so disfigured
and so weak that rivaling Job, they only live because
of a skin loosely stretched over their bones. How
many contract incurable diseases there, who drag-
ging along all their life with them prove themselves
to be stages of the greatest pity! How many by
trampling under foot evident dangers, in hastening
to the consolation of their sheep, to confess the sick,
to aid the dying, either gave themselves into the
hands of the enemy to be the victims of their cruelty,
or offered themselves a willing sacrifice to the
precipices of the mountains and to the shipwrecks
of the seas! How many, since the world is unworthy
of their noble and Christian intercourse, and, it
seems, tried to cast from itself, wander for months
at a time, naked, an hungered, persecuted, followed
on all sides by the shadow of death, without other
consolation than that of God, in whose hands they
desire to finish their lives, delivering to Him their
wearied souls! And how many, finally, obtained the
precious crown of martyrdom, after having coursed
the sands of so many hardships, which were ended
either by the edge of the sword, or by a spear-thrust,
120 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
or at the spindle of hardships, or at grief at seeing
holy things so outraged, or by the inundations of
penalties in atrocious captivities! Mention has
been made of many in the preceding volumes, but
some who will serve to ornament this volume were
omitted.
[In the remainder of this section are contained
accounts of several who suffered the martyrdoms
above mentioned in their war of the faith, and all of
whom are mentioned by Combes in his Historia de
Mindanao, who is cited at length by our author.28
The first martyr (see Combes, book vi, chapter xiv)
is not even named by Combes, nor can Assis give
anything more definite of him. He was captured by
the Moro pirates (presumably in 1645) and taken
to their home. Induced by desire for a good ran-
som, his captors took the father to the Jolo fort,
but no agreement could be reached. Father Juan
Contreras, then chaplain of the fort, tried to aid
him in effecting his escape, but in vain. The captive
was thereafter treated so harshly that he became ill,
and in spite of a pitiable letter, which aroused great
sympathy for him in the Spanish Joloan fort, and
spurred on the soldiers to beg that he be ransomed
at their expense, he remained in captivity until
Alejandro Lopez of the Society went to Jolo from
Zamboanga and ransomed him for 300 pesos. In
1649 (see Combes, book vii, chapter xii; and Santa
Theresa, no. 271 ff.), the father prior of Linao in
Caraga, Fray Agustin de Santa Maria, was
killed by the insurgents ; and in the same troubles the
26 Our author also refers in sidenotes at this place to Luis de
Jesus's Historia, folios 45, 167 ff., 284-295, and 353; and to Santa
Theresa's Historia, marginal numbers 328, 522, 534, 648, 741,
and 1 153.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 121
father prior of Camiguin, whose name is not given,
was captured and maltreated. In 1658, (see
Combes, book viii, chapter viii), the Moros caused
Fray Cristobal de Santa Monica to flee, and killed
Fray Antonio de las Missas, or de San Agustin (his
religious name). This latter happened while San
Agustin was returning from a trip to Cuyo and
Calamianes as visitor. San Agustin was born in
Manila, his father being Captain Francisco de las
Missas, and his mother Fabiana de Villafanne, both
Spaniards. He took the Recollect habit July 14,
161 2. He served in several important posts, having
as early as 1624 been prior of Bolinao and of Cebii.
He was sixty-six years old at the time of his death.]
[The remaining two sections of this chapter con-
tinue with the persecutions of the Moros and the
deaths of various Recollects. The first, Francisco
de San Joseph, was born in Jaca, Aragon, and shortly
after professing (June 12, 1632) he went to the
Philippines. He was soon sent to the Visayans,
where he held several important posts. He suffered
greatly from the Moro raids for he was compelled
more than once to hide in the mountains from that
fierce folk. He was elected provincial in 1653 an<^
during his term was a vigilant worker. At the com-
pletion of his term he was sent to the village of Cuyo
as associate to the prior. His death occurred in the
island of Romblon, where he was mortally wounded
by the Moros, while endeavoring to repel an attack
in the fort built by the famous Padre Capitan. He
published an explanation of the catechism in 1654
in Manila, and left numerous manuscript works in
both Spanish and Visayan. The father reader, Fray
Francisco de San Juan Bautista, was born in Alagon
122 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
of rich and noble parentage. He professed in the
Zaragoza convent, October 8, 1614, and went to the
Philippines in 1619. He read philosophy and the-
ology in Manila, and after the completion of a course
in the arts was appointed secretary to Fray Onofre
de la Madre de Dios. He served as prior of the vil-
lages of Marivelez, Cuyo, Bolinao, Calamianes, and
Tandag, during his mission work there learning
three languages thoroughly. He was essentially a
worker and did not care to remain in either Manila
or Cavite, but desired the mission fields where dan-
ger was thickest. He did not seek office, and it is
related of him that he once delayed his return to the
chapter meeting because he heard that there was
talk of electing him provincial. Though he was
twice definitor, he still sought the hardest work, la-
boring among both infidels and Christians. The
Moros were especially vindictive to him and gave
him many chances to acquire merit. Finally he fell
sick on the desolate island of Paragua, and after
reaching Manila through the efforts of some natives
who braved the risks of the Moros, he died in that
city. Another active worker was Fray Domingo de
San Nicolas, who was born at Alcala de Henares.
The place of his profession is unknown, but he is
first met in the Philippines. He labored in the prov-
inces of Calamianes and Visayas, performing mar-
vels until his feet having swollen on account of the
damp, he was ordered to retire to Cebu convent.
There, however, instead of resting he engaged in
the work of the missions, for the laborers were few.
He worked in many villages, and finally met his
death in consequence of exposure from a shipwreck
on the coast of Bohol, whither he had accompanied
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 23
a vessel hastily fitted out to secure information con-
cerning a recent raid by the Malanao Moros in Ca-
gayan village. Although some of the other occu-
pants of the boat were drowned, the friar with others
was saved by the natives of Bohol, and sent back to
Cebu, where he died in a few days. Fray Bernar-
dino de la Concepcion (whose family name was Du-
ran) was born in Madrid, and took the habit in the
same city, December 8, 1636. He went to the Phil-
ippines in 1 65 1 with Fray Jacinto de San Fulgencio.
His mission field was principally in the south, and
he served in the villages of Bislig, Cagayan, and Ca-
raga. His work and the necessity of opposing the
Moro Mahometans so wore upon him that he be-
came unwell, but still he persevered in his labors for
lost souls. The treacherous Mindanaos won over
his servant one day in Caraga, and poison was ad-
ministered through the agency of the latter, who
also apostatized. The attempt failed, however, but
Fray Bernardino was sent to the province of Zam-
bales for a season. There he was of great use in aid-
ing to quell the insurrection. The quiet that ensued
after their pacification not proving to the liking of
this intrepid warrior of the faith he begged and ob-
tained leave to go again to the province of Caraga.
Resuming his former vigils and labors there, he
again fell sick and this time died, being at the time
prior of Cagayan. He could speak the Visayan,
Tagalog, and Zambal languages. Fray Carlos de
Jesus, son of Nicolas Leconte, was born of Flemish
parents. After various fortunes he went to Madrid,
and although a brilliant life was offered him, for he
was a scholar and fine mathematician, he took the
Recollect habit in the convent of that city, January
1 24 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
2, 1648, being already at middle age. He also ac-
companied Fray Jacinto de San Fulgencio to the
Philippines in 165 1. He worked in Calamianes and
Caraga, where his military genius as well as his mis-
sionary traits shone out. He recalls the famous Pa-
dre Capitan by his exploits, for he drilled and led
the Indians as well as looked after their souls, and
his name became a terror to the Moros. In the vil-
lage of Busuagan, however, his native followers
fled when attacked by the Moros, and Fray Carlos
was forced also to take refuge in a swamp filled with
brambles and thorns. For five days (the length of
time that the victorious Moros stayed in Busuagan)
he remained in the swamp up to his middle in water,
and wounded by thorns and molested by swarms of
mosquitoes. Having retired to Manila because of
illness brought on by such events, his recovery found
him anxious to return to his mission field. The pru-
dence, however, of the superiors, dictated his re-
maining in Manila as prior of the convent of that
city which was then vacant. With his old-time
ardor he threw himself into the work there, but the
effort was too great for one in his weakened state
and another illness seizing him he passed away. The
lay-brother, Fray Francisco de San Fulgencio, the
son of Diego de Covarrubias, was born at Simancas.
He adopted the life of a soldier, and after serving in
Spain went to Nueva Espana in the same capacity.
Thence he went to Manila as alferez of one of the
companies raised for the islands. A religious life
appealing to him he adopted the Recollect habit
(December 17, 1620), and shortly after his arrival
in Manila, he was sent to Caraga to aid the fathers
who were laboring in the missions there. At the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 25
time of the insurrection, he was captured in the vil-
lage of Bacoag, but after four months of almost un-
endurable captivity, was ransomed. After this he
remained several years in Caraga, but was finally re-
called to Manila. His life was most active, for he
made five trips to Caraga, and three to Calamianes,
with despatches or to accompany the fathers going
to those posts, and often meeting with Moros on the
way, was in continual danger. He was twice
wounded and twice shipwrecked. His death oc-
curred in the convent of Bagungbagan.]
CHAPTER X
Our religious propagate the Catholic faith in
Zambales, a province of Philipinas. Two religious
die in Espana, with great marks of holiness.
The year 16JO
§ l
Information is given of the preaching of Ours in
Zambales; and that many Indians came newly to
the Church.
396. . . . Some people here in Espana ima-
gine that the first illustrious champions of our re-
formed order who went to those countries [i.e., the
Philippines], reared and finished the sightly struc-
ture of that Church, and that the missionaries, their
successors, have been and are quite comfortable, and
have no other occupation than to maintain what the
first ones built. It is a fact that, according to the
philosophic axiom that the conservation is equiva-
lent to a second production, that would not be doing
little even did they do no more. But as a matter of
truth it must be said that if so holy a province rests
126 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in the conservation of the conquests acquired, it also
labors without end in the building and planting of
other new conquests. To this point the history has
shown many of them,26 and I shall narrate others
below. But this year we have the profitable and dif-
ficult expedition which our ever tireless and labo-
rious province made into the Zambales Mountains,
for the sake of obtaining not little growth for the
Christian faith.
397. The mountains called Zambales extend a
distance of fifty leguas from Mount Batan to the
plains of Pangasinan in the island of Luzon. They
are peopled by an innumerable race, who defend
themselves from the Spanish arms almost within
sight of Manila, because of the roughness of the
ground, and maintain along with their heathenism,
their barbarous customs. Who these people are can
be seen in volume i, to which we refer the reader,27
We only warn him that the Indians of whom that
volume talks, inasmuch as they live in the beaches
and plains extending from Marivelez to Bolinao,
and being, consequently, needed in the trade with
Spaniards and civilized Indians, are not so ferocious
as those who without these mitigating circumstances,
inhabit the rough mountains of which we speak.
Not a few natives of several nations are found in
that place. Some of them are born in the dense
thickets and are reared in the most barbaric infidel-
ity. Others are called Zimarrdnes, and have apos-
26 A sidenote reference at this point reads: "See Volume iii of
this Historia [i.e., Santa Theresa's], marginal numbers 737_742-"
27 The reference is to volume i of the series of histories of the
Recollect order, the volume by Andres de San Nicolas, decade
2, chapter vi from folio 419.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 27
tatized from the Catholic faith, after having fled
from the nearby Christian villages. There is also
an incredible number of blacks who, without God,
without king, without law, without civilization,
without settlement, live as though they had no ra-
tional soul. All of those Indians, notwithstanding
that they wage most bloody wars among themselves,
generally unite to oppose the Spanish arms, when
the Spaniards have attempted their conquest, and
stake their greatest reputation in shedding human
blood.
398. The evangelical ministers have always fought
with the sword of the divine word against that wild
forest of men almost unreasoning, and with all the
means dictated by charitable prudence, in order to
convert it into a pleasant garden by means of the
Catholic faith. The Dominican fathers stationed
in the district of Pangasinan, and in the villages
called El Partido, which are located on the opposite
side of Manila Bay, have always cast their net, and
obtained not few hauls of good fish. The Observan-
tine Augustinian fathers have also done the same
from their missions in Pampanga, which border the
above-mentioned mountains. The fathers of the So-
ciety have done the same from the village of San
Matheo, which is situated almost on the brow of the
said mountains on the Manila side. And our discal-
ced Recollects, equally with those who have done
most, have labored in this undertaking at all times,
without despising occasions. They have great oppor-
tunity for doing that, for, as a general thing, ten or
twelve laborers live in the fifteen reduced villages
of the Zambals, who occupy all the coast for a dis-
128 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
tance of forty leguas from Bolinao to Marivelez,
and surround all the above-mentioned mountains by
the sea side.
399. Thence, then, did the illustrious champions
of our holy reformed order generally issue in order
to overrun the rough territory of the mountains so
that they might seize multiple spoils from the enemy
of souls, and direct them to eternal life. As those
people are very ferocious and difficult to convert, it
was necessary to use gentle methods there, making
use of caresses rather than of noise and din. Not-
withstanding, on several occasions very many con-
versions of Indians, Zimarrones and heathen, who
were reduced to villages formed by the indefati-
gable solicitation of our religious, were obtained.
Then, as appears from four letters of the definitory
of that holy province, which were written to our re-
spective fathers vicars-general - the first, June 20,
1646; the second, July 2, 1655; the third, June 14,
1658; and the fourth, July 4, 1668 -more than one
thousand five hundred souls (at the date of the last
letter) had been drawn from the mountains, freed
from the darkness of the heathen, and illumined with
the splendors of the Catholic faith. And it has been
impossible to discover who were the illustrious la-
borers who obtained so wonderful trophies, in order
to enrich history with their names.
400. But the most abundant season of those fruits
was seen to be during the triennium of April 21,
1668, to 1 671. Our father, Fray Christoval de Santa
Monica, governed the province during those three
years. He having heightened and ennobled the mis-
sions of Zambales, when other superior employ-
ments gave him the opportunity, had placed there
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 29
the whole of his affections. On that account, in ad-
dition to the great zeal that he had for the salvation
of souls, from the very chapter, he made up his
mind that during the term of his government, the
utmost effort should be made to unfurl the standard
of the faith in the Zambales Mountains, and to have
salvation carried to its inhabitants on the wings of
charity. For that purpose he managed to have
father Fray Joseph de la Trinidad, a native of Zara-
goza, a religious born, one would say, for the mis-
sions, elected prior of Bolinao. Later he appointed
him vicar-provincial of the jurisdiction of Zambales.
That man, then, together with fathers Fray Martin
de San Pablo, prior of Masinloc, Fray Agustin de
San Nicolas, prior of Marivelez, and six other reli-
gious, who were appointed as helpers, fought against
idolatry so tenaciously, that our holy faith was in-
credibly advanced.
401. He arranged the attack upon that proud
Jericho (more impregnable because of the obsti-
nacy of its inhabitants, than by the wall of its inac-
cessible mountains) by ordering that it be assaulted
at the same time by several parts by different sol-
diers of so holy a militia with the bugles of the di-
vine word. One began the conquest by the side of
Bolinao, another at Masinloc, two by Playahonda,
and two others by Subig and Bagac. The father
vicar-provincial went to all parts in order to direct
actions, and to fight in person with his accustomed
success. The father provincial also, with his secre-
tary, then father Fray Diego de la Madre de Dios,
made it a point of honor to take part in so danger-
ous a field, whenever the tasks of his office permit-
ted, and they both fought as valiant soldiers. For
I3° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the expenses which were heavy for the maintenance
of many missions and for the other things which
accompany like expeditions, the province acted as
proxy, for they did not wish to have recourse to the
royal treasury which generally supports such un-
dertakings. And to the labors which are indispensa-
ble in wars of that quality, and which were excessive
there, those illustrious warriors set their shoulders,
well armed with endurance, for they had already
been exercised in other conquests and had always
been victorious.
402. Thus did they work constantly until the end
of the year 1670, and with so good result, that they
converted that bitter sea of idolatries and supersti-
tions in great part into a leafy land of virtues. On
account of the insurrections which so great acts of
wickedness caused in Pangasinan, Zambales, and
Pampanga, as I have already written in chapter i of
this decade, many whole families had fled from the
Christian villages to the mountains, together with a
very great number of Indians, who having aban-
doned the faith and subjection, lived there as the de-
clared enemies of God and of the king. Of those it
appears that more than two thousand souls were re-
duced, and another great number, which is not spec-
ified by the relations, of other people of several na-
tions, who had either been born in heathendom, or
had formerly deserted the Catholic camp. The evan-
gelical workers were greatly elated with that fruit
and rewarded for their unspeakable labors, and were
encouraged beyond all manner to follow up such con-
quests and even to undertake other new ones. For,
it is a fact that when the fruit of one's preaching can
be seen, it causes such joy in the missionaries, and
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 3 1
gives them so great courage for other undertakings
that that alone can serve as a worthy reward in this
life and infuses valor for other more difficult enter-
prises.
403. Those zealous laborers formed anew from
the people whom they allured from the mountains,
the villages of Iba, or as they are also called, Payna-
ven, Cavangaan, Subig, and Morong. In addition
to this the ancient villages increased in population.
Until the present time, there was not along all that
coast, that belonged to our administration, more than
three convents or ministries - one even in Bolinao,
another in Masinloc, and the third in Marivelez-
with the exception of that of Cigayan, which was
destroyed. But now two new convents were estab-
lished, which were necessary for the greater conve-
nience of the spiritual administration - one in Payna-
ven, under the title of Nuestro Padre San Agustin,
to which were assigned three annexes or visitas;
a second in Bagac with the advocacy of Our Lady of
the Pillar of Zaragoza (which was moved to Mo-
rong some years later under the same title), and to
it were assigned three other villages as visitas. All
the above was completely accomplished in the year
1670, with which this history is concerned. That
year can be marked by a white stone by that holy
province and indeed by our whole Recollect congre-
gation, because of the so great progress that was ob-
tained in the propagation of the faith, the only aim
to which their desires were expended. Next to God,
successes so happy are due to the tenacity with which
those zealous missionaries worked, for they trampled
all dangers under foot, and to the good arrangements
and holy wisdom of the father provincial, Fray
l32 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Christoval de Santa Monica, as well as to the zeal,
courage, and care of his vicar, father Fray Joseph de
la Trinidad.
404. In order to conclude this matter we must
add that the same activity proceeded in the imme-
diate years with equal fruit. For, as in the chapter
of 1 67 1, father Fray Joseph de la Trinidad was
elected definitor, he besought the father provincial,
Fray Juan de San Phelipe, very urgently, to allow
him to make a mission to the Zambales Mountains.
Permission having been obtained, he went to the con-
vent of Paynaven and gave a new beginning to the
conquest on the side toward Babayan with results so
favorable that he tamed the wild and inhuman hearts
of many Zimarrones and heathens. Hence, during
the three years of his definitorship the recently-cre-
ated villages were greatly increased by a consider-
able number of souls who were allured from the
mountains and brought into the Church. As pay-
ment for this service, and in consideration of his
many merits, he was elected provincial in the chap-
ter celebrated in the year 1674. The first care of
his successful government was to see that those mis-
sions should be kept up. He sent two of the best re-
ligious to continue that undertaking and finished the
leveling of so impenetrable and rough thickets.
405. Those laborers (whose names will be written
in the book of life, since, due to the omissions of the
relations, they are lacking in the book of history)
penetrated into the mountains of Zambales in such
manner, that they arrived within a short time at the
contrary part of them toward Manila Bay. By so
doing their approach to the villages of the dis-
trict of Batan, the administration of which, as we
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 133
have already stated, belongs to the Dominican
fathers, was indispensable. The latter, reasonably,
as they thought, took what had been done ill, saying
that Ours were sowing the seed in a field whose terri-
tory did not belong to them; for, in these bodies of
militia, more than in any other, it is easily perceived
that triumphs are taken from the hands of the one to
advance others in their obligations. Their father
provincial, Fray Phelipe Pardo (later archbishop
of Manila), assumed charge of that litigation, al-
leging before the royal Audiencia, that the conquest
of that part of the mountains belonged to his prov-
ince, as it was contiguous to their ministries. He
petitioned that our discalced religious be ordered
to retire. But our father, Fray Joseph de la Trini-
dad, opposed that demand so energetically that jus-
tice was compelled to decide that if the extension of
the Catholic flock followed, it mattered very little
which instruments were used, whether these or those
ministers.
406. Divine Providence usually permits such ri-
valry, certainly holy in itself in the holy squadrons
that serve the God of armies for the spiritual con-
quest of the world. Whenever judicial authority
has determined in this way, experience has demon-
strated that great progress follows in favor of the
Catholic faith. For each side with the incentive of
the other, dares to undertake greater enterprises, and
repeated triumphs are obtained. So was it now; for
seeing the door locked to their demand in the above-
said court, the father provincial, Fray Phelipe
Pardo, resolved to assign two religious of his order,
so that they might, with the zeal that he infuses in
all of his holy institute, make a mission thither by
134 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
way of Mount Batan. They began that mission in
the month of October, 1675, as is affirmed in his his-
tory of Philipinas by father Fray Balthassar de
Santa Cruz, although he says nothing as to the rea-
son for the expedition.28 Accordingly Ours went to
another part, thus leaving a sufficient field for the
Dominican fathers, for truly, there is room enough
for all. This strife being the origin of the obstinate
work of the missionaries of both families, who la-
bored with all their might, they reduced many Zam-
bals to the bosom of our holy faith, and filled their
respective villages with new converts. Had so laud-
able a rivalry continued, excellently founded hopes
that so glorious a conquest would be ended would
have been conceived. But it was God's will to have
all the territory of Zambales shortly after left for
several years in charge of the fathers of St. Domi-
nic, while our laborers went to the territory of
Mindoro, as we shall relate in chapter ix of the fol-
lowing decade. Thereupon the strife entirely
ceased, and even the fruit, so far as our reformed
order is concerned.
407. Father Fray Joseph de la Trinidad finished
his provincialate in April, 1677, and then immedi-
ately went in person to continue the expedition that
cost him so great anxiety. He penetrated the moun-
tains on foot in various places in order to seek sheep
there whom he might convey into the flock of Christ.
Exposing himself to the will of their barbaric na-
tures, without any fear of the perils or caring for
the dangers to himself, he persevered there until he
had to retire two years later for the reasons given
28 A reference here in the original is to Santa Cruz's Historic,
folio 499.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 35
above. As we do not possess the necessary manu-
scripts, we cannot state the number of souls that were
drawn down from the mountains from the year 1671
to that of 1679. The relations which we follow only
assure us that as it was not considered advisable at
that time to form settlements in the wildnesses of the
mountains many reduced families were withdrawn
thence, in order to live in the coast villages. Those
villages have been augmented in tributes and in-
habitants, to such a degree that those ministries were
constituted with a great abundance of people and
were the most flourishing of the province, as they
were so thickly populated by souls who embraced
the Catholic faith with fervor. In due time (de-
cade 13, in the year 1741) this history will show
forth another most fruitful expedition, which was
made into the same mountains by our Recollect fam-
ily, founding there villages and convents in order
to attend to whatever pertained to them in the con-
version of those Indians. Now we shall end this re-
lation by giving due thanks to God, for He has in all
times infused into our brothers a spirit fervent in
undertaking, and in proceeding in such obligations.
[The second and last section of this chapter deals
entirely with Recollect affairs in Spain.]
DECADE NINE
[The first four sections of the first chapter which
covers the year 1671 deal with the life of the father
lector, Fray Miguel de Santo Thomas. Nothing is
known of his early life, not even his birthplace or
his family name, nor the date or convent of his pro-
fession. By some he is called Miguel de San Agus-
tin. His life in the Philippines was almost all spent
J36 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in the province of Caraga. He shunned publicity,
although he did fill several priorates. He worked in
the villages of Bislig, Tandag, Siargao, and Butuan
where he accomplished much, and where he was
greatly beloved by the natives. He endeavored to
induce industrious habits in the natives, and re-
claimed many of them from the apostasy into which
they had fallen, besides strengthening old Christians
and converting heathen. He was especially devoted
to the Virgin, to St. Augustine, and to St. Nicholas
of Tolentino. He is said to have been the object of
several marvelous occurrences which can be traced to
his devotion. To him also was vouchsafed at times
the gift of prophecy. He labored fearlessly in the in-
surrection of Linao and surrounding districts, brav-
ing death more than once in his endeavors to pacify
the Indians. The sexual sin which was offered him
failed to move him as did all other dangers. His
death occurred in Butuan and he was buried in the
church there. The remainder of this chapter does
not concern Philippine affairs. The first section of
chapter ii contains a notice of the eleventh general
chapter of the order held in Calatayud convent in
1672. Fathers Fray Alonso de la Concepcion and
Fray Joseph de la Circuncision were elected defini-
tors for the Philippines; and fathers Fray Manuel
de San Agustin, and Fray Lucas de San Bernardo,
discreets. The remainder of chapter ii and the fol-
lowing chapter do not contain Philippine matter.]
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 37
CHAPTER IV
The Catholic faith makes new progress in Pkili-
pinas through the preaching of our religious. Death
of some religious in Espana of great reputation.
§ I
A great multitude of heathen Tagabaloyes who lived
in the mountains near the district of Bislig, is con-
verted in the island of Mindanao by the preaching
of our tireless laborers.
600. [The author draws a parallel between the
capture of Jericho by the Hebrews and the evangeli-
zation of the Philippines. When God pleases, the
walls of idolatry must fall.] This maxim has fol-
lowed our reformed order in the Philipinas, and has
been proved many times. For contending almost
continuously with paganism fortified in the moun-
tains contiguous to the districts reduced to their ad-
ministration, although they were disappointed by
not few fatigues, without being able to sing victory,
they were at last crowned with triumphs when it ap-
peared fitting to divine Providence. We have seen
and shall see several activities that prove this truth.
At the present we are offered the feats performed in
the mountains of Bislig.
601. The district of Bislig, which is the last and
most distant from Manila among those possessed
there by our reformed order, is located in Carhaga,
in the island of Mindanao and consists of five vil-
lages. These are Bislig, which is the chief one,
Hinatoan, Catel, Bagangan, and Carhaga. At its
beginning the province was named from the last one,
as it was then the settlement of the greatest popula-
tion. Two religious only are generally designated
138 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
for the spiritual administration of this district, and
they have too much work in the exercise of it. For
the villages are located at great distances from one
another, the people are especially warlike, they are
contiguous to the Moros, those irreconcilable ene-
mies, while the sea of those districts on which they
have to travel from one village to another, is ex-
tremely boisterous, rough, and at times impassable,
and on its reef in the dangers already mentioned,
several religious have lost their lives, as will be pat-
ent further on in this history. But, notwithstanding
that the two religious assigned to those villages can
scarcely attend fully to the direction of the Christian
Indians, and although because of the dearth of re-
ligious from which our reformed order almost al-
ways suffers in those islands, but rarely could more
subjects be employed there, those few following the
maxim practiced there of one doing the work of
many, they did not cease to solicit ever the conver-
sion of the surrounding heathens, who are very num-
erous in those mountains.
602. There is especially so great a number of
heathen Indians and barbarous nations in certain
mountains that extend along the coast, from oppo-
site Carhaga near Bislig (a distance of about twen-
ty-five leguas, while it is not known how far they
extend inland), that even the Christian Indians do
not know them all. The nearest nation to our vil-
lages is that of the Tagabaloyes, who are so named
from certain mountains which they call Balooy.
They live amid their briers without submission to
the Catholic faith or to the monarchy of Espana.
Those Indians are domestic, peaceable, tractable,
and always allied with the Christians, whom they
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 39
imitate in being irreconcilable enemies of the Mo-
ros. They are a very corpulent race, well built, of
great courage and strength, and they are at the same
time of good understanding, and more than half way
industrious. That nation is faithful in its treaties,
and constant in its promises, as they are descendants,
so they pride themselves, of the Japanese, whom they
resemble in complexion, countenance, and manners.
Their life is quite civilized, and they show no aver-
sion to human society. All those of the same kin,
however extensive, generally live in one house, the
quarters being separated according to the families.
Those houses are built very high, so that there are
generally two pike lengths from the ground to the
first floor. The whole household make use of only
one stairway, which is constructed so cunningly, that
when all are inside they remove it from above, and
thus they are safe from their enemies. Many of
those Tagabaloyes live near the Christians, and those
peoples have mutual intercourse, and visit and aid
one another. They do not run away from our reli-
gious, but on the contrary like to communicate with
them, and show them the greatest love and respect.
Hence any ministers can live among them as safely
as in a Christian village.
603. It is now seen how suitable are all these
districts to induce so docile a nation to receive our
holy faith. But for all that, very little progress was
made in their reduction until the year 1671, and then
it was that the care and the continual preaching of
Ours obtained it. Besides the will of God, whose
resolutions are unsearchable, there were several mo-
tives of a natural order, which made the attempts
of the evangelical ministers fruitless. The first was
I4° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the continual wars with the Moros. That fact
scarcely permitted the Christians and even the Taga-
boloyes to let their weapons out of their hands. With
the din of arms the Catholic religion, always inclined
to quiet and peace, can generally make but little
progress. The second consisted in the little or no
aid rendered in this attempt by the alcalde-mayor,
the military leaders of Catel, and even some chiefs
of the subject villages. All of the above were as-
sured of greater profits in their trade and commerce,
if those Indians were heathens than if they were
Christians; and it is very old in human malice that
the fisrt objects of anxiety are the pernicious ideas
of greed, and the progress of the faith is disregarded
if it opposes their cupidity.
604. But the strongest reason for the failure of
the desired fruit was the third. This reason is re-
duced, as we have already mentioned, to the fact that
there were but two religious generally in the said
district, and of those no one could be in residence at
the villages of Catel or Carhaga, the nearest ones to
the said mountains, and they only went thither two
or three times per year. Consequently, although
they wished never so strongly to labor in the conver-
sion of the heathen Indians, they could not obtain
the fruit up to the measures of their desires. It hap-
pened almost always that the minister was detained a
fortnight at most, in the said villages, the greater part
of which was necessarily spent in instructing the
Christians. And although, by stealing some hours
from sleep, the minister employed some of them in
catechizing the heathens, since his stay was so short,
he could not give the work the due perfection, and
left it in its beginning, as he had to go to the other
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 141
villages. He charged some Christians to continue
in preparing and cultivating those souls so that they
might be ready on his return to receive baptism.
But human weakness, united to the sloth, which al-
most as if native to him, accompanies the Indian,
was the reason that when the religious returned after
an interval of four or six months, instead of finding
the work advanced, he found that which he himself
had done in it lost. And idolatry always triumphed,
notwithstanding that he did not cease to make vigor-
ous war upon it.
605. Thus time rolled on, and the Church ob-
tained very little increase in those mountains, for
the three above-mentioned reasons. The order
could not conquer the two first, and there was less
possibility for the third. For however much the
order desired to apply on its part the only means
whereby the desired fruit could be obtained, namely,
the assignment of a religious to reside in the said
places, who should look after the reduction of the
Tagabaloyes, without attending to any other thing,
it was continually unable to effect that, for in Phili-
pinas the harvest is very great and the laborers few.
I have detained myself in the consideration of these
obstacles, which threaten the total devastation of
the heathendom of Philipinas, and are transcenden-
tal to all the holy orders, who are striving to spread
the faith in the said islands. For some believe (and
more than two have expressed as much to me here
in Espafia in familiar conversation) that the reason
why the heathenism of those countries has not been
ended, is because the missionaries do not work with
the same spirit as they did at the beginning. But
they are surely deceived, for in addition to the many
H2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
other reasons that may be assigned, the three above-
mentioned suffice to render the most laborious efforts
vain. The same tenacity, zeal, and courage of the
first laborers accompanies those who have succeeded
them. Let the obstacles be removed, and one will
see that (as has been experienced many times) Be-
lial having been destroyed and cut into pieces, al-
though many render him adoration, the Catholic
faith triumphs in the ark of the testament. This
happened at the time of which we treat in the moun-
tains of Bislig.
606. The year, then, of 1671 came, in which that
holy province held their chapter and father Fray
Juan de San Phelipe, a native of Nueva Espana,
who had taken our holy habit in the convent of Ma-
nila, was elected provincial. That religious had
lived for some years in Bislig, and had known by ex-
perience how necessary it was for a missionary to
live in residence near the mountains, where so great
infidelity was fortified, in order to establish there
the health-bringing dogmas of our Catholic reli-
gion. Scarcely was he elected superior prelate,
since he had a sufficient number of subjects in order
to attend to all parts, when he resolved to place one
of them in residence at Catel, and to order such an
one solemnly that he should from there procure the
reduction of those heathens by all means without
engaging in other cares, however useful they seemed
to him. He also gave very rigorous orders to the
father prior of Bislig to the effect that whenever
they could without any omission in the spiritual ad-
ministration of the other villages, he or his asso-
ciates should go to reside in the village of Carhaga,
and be there in residence as much as possible, all
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 143
three religious concurring in that great work and
aiding one another mutually for the attainment of so
well conceived desires. Finally he arranged mat-
ters with so much acumen that if the lack of reli-
gious had not rendered it impossible after such ideas
had been put into practice, it is probable that they
would have subdued all the heathens of those moun-
tains.
607. In August 1 67 1 that project was begun to
be put into operation ; and although we have not yet
been able to get detailed information of the laborers,
who were employed in it, on account of which we
cannot place their names in this history, we shall
have the consolation of knowing that they will not be
omitted from the book of life. It is certain that all
three religious conspired together in bringing to the
delicious net of the Church those misguided souls,
and they shirked no toil that might help in their
object. They made raid after raid into those moun-
tains; one from Catel, one from Carhaga, and one
from Bislig, penetrating to their highest peaks, and
their deepest valleys in all their extent from the
promontory of Calatan nearly to the cape called San
Agustin. All three of them at the same time were
careful to assist the Christians in the spiritual ad-
ministration. They preached, catechized, attracted
the people by argument, by art, by prudence. And
as some truce occurred in the war with the Moros
at that time, and as they obtained at the same time a
very Christian alcalde-mayor who aided them and
caused all his subordinates to aid them in so holy
zeal, so much fruit was obtained that when the
father provincial went on his visit in February 1673,
he found that they had already baptized more than
H4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
three hundred adults without reckoning those who
had been purified in the waters of grace in sickness
and had immediately died. The latter were as many
as one hundred counting great and small.
608. Thus did the above-mentioned father pro-
vincial, Fray Juan de San Phelipe, write to our
father vicar-general under date of July 5, of the
same year. And after, on June 26, 1674, he adds
that, according to the relations sent to the chapter
by the father prior of Bislig, that district had in-
creased by two hundred tributes. This, according
to the reckoning in vogue there, means eight hun-
dred souls. They had all been allured from the
mountains and from the horrors of their paganism
to become inhabitants of the villages already formed,
and to live in civilized intercourse among the pleas-
ant lights of the Christian name. This well pre-
meditated idea has since then been followed as has
been possible by the successors of our father, Fray
Juan de San Phelipe, whenever the small number of
religious has not rendered it impossible. For in
some chapters of that holy province, repeated deter-
minations are seen to place a minister in residence at
Catel, so that he may exercise the means conducive
to that end. Hence it is that father Fray Juan Fran-
cisco de San Antonio has inserted the following nar-
rative in his seraphic chronicle. He says: "Some of
the Tagabaloyes are living now in old villages who
have become Christians, and others are being re-
duced by the zeal and cultivation of the discalced
Augustinian fathers, who hold them as inhabitants
of Bislig." 29 And it is confirmed that although the
29 A sidenote refers to San Antonio's Chronicas, i, book i, chap-
ter 39, no. 407, folio 139.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 45
district of Bislig was formerly one of the smallest in
the number of its parishioners, it is now one of the
largest in Mindanao, and there is no other reason
for its increase.
[The two following sections of this chapter de-
tail several miraculous happenings that aided not
a little in the conversion of the region inhabited by
the Tagabaloyes. In 1662 when the Spaniards aban-
doned the island of Ternate, because of the Chinese
pirate Kuesing, one of the religious images taken
away with them was of the Virgin. That image was
given by the governor of Ternate to the alcalde-
mayor of Caraga, who in turn gave it to the garrison
of Catel. From its position there it was known as
"La Virgen de la Costa" or, the Virgin of the hill,
"for costa in the language of the country, is the same
as castillo [i.e., redoubt]." The influence of this
image was far reaching and it distributed many
blessings and favors to its devotees in times of
drought, in plagues of locusts, and during epidemics,
and performed other miracles that gave it lasting
fame. Another image of the Christ crucified was
revered in a village near Bislig, and was later given
a place in the Recollect church at Manila. It was
a small ordinary image such as was used on the altar
during mass. As it was very ugly and misshapen the
priest determined to bury it, ordering some of the na-
tives to perform that task. But when the hole was
dug, and they went to get the image, in its place they
found the most beautiful and symmetrical image that
they had ever seen, and nailed to the same cross. The
transformation was announced to be of divine origin,
and this image was accordingly revered as miracu-
lous ; and it proved itself to be so in the future. On
H6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
account of the miracles that occurred in the Caraga
district the people became more devout Christians
and many abandoned their ancient practices. The
remainder of this chapter does not deal with Philip-
pine matters; as do neither of the two following
chapters.]
CHAPTER VII
The Catholic faith is advanced by the preaching
of Ours in various places in the Philipinas. The
death of two religious in Talavera de la Reyna with
great reputation.
The year 16JJ
§ 1
The evangelical trumpet resounds in various terri-
tories of Philipinas, and especially in the ridges
of Linao, and in the mountains of Cagayan, in the
island of Mindanao, by the means of our mission-
aries; and many heathens are converted to the
Christian religion.
714. It has ever been a very common complaint
among historians of the order, and all make it, of
time the destroyer of all things and of the neglect in
leaving advisory news thereof. There is no doubt
that for these two reasons the memory of many val-
iant deeds of excellent religious, who have filled our
discalced Recollect order with honors in the Phili-
pinas Islands, who have extended the Catholic faith
untiringly at the cost of unspeakable hardships, and
destroyed the abominable altars of heathen blind-
ness, have been lost. But never more than at present
does that complaint appear justifiable, when we be-
gin to treat of the progress of Christianity in the dis-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I 47
tricts of Linao and Cagayan, villages of the island
of Mindanao, one of the Philipinas. There was the
evangelical trumpet heard by dint of members of
our reformed order, with memorable fruit. . . .
Let us pass then to mention what we have been able
to bring to light from the confused memories which
time excused.
715. In the year 1674, father Fray Joseph de la
Trinidad, a native of Zaragoza, was elected pro-
vincial in Philipinas. That apostolic laborer had
always had great zeal for the conversion of souls.
Agitated by that sacred fire that burned without
consuming his heart which fed it, he worked in his
own person, as much as he who did most, so that all
the heathens of that distant archipelago should em-
brace, believe, and reverence the faith of the true
God, in whose name only is found salvation. For
that purpose he went not only once into the highest
peaks of Zambales, in order to illumine their dark-
ness with the Catholic light or to lose his life in so
heroic an act of charity. He desired with unspeak-
able anxiety to be given the opportunity to make a
sacrifice of his blood by shedding it in so good war-
fare, in confirmation of the truth which he was
preaching. "When shall I have the desirable happi-
ness," he exclaimed to his pious fellow countryman,
San Pedro Arbues, "of being made a good martyr
from a bad priest by the merciful God?" That de-
sire we see already had made him leave every fear;
and consequently, without any horror of death, not-
withstanding that it represented itself to him as to
all, full of bitterness, he placed himself in excessive
dangers, in order that he might whiten with the
water of baptism the souls of the inhabitants of those
H8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
ridges, so that in their darkened bodies they might
obtain the beauty of grace. Thus was his practice
throughout his life, not only in the above-mentioned
district, but also in other places of the many which
are entrusted to us in those vast territories, and if
he did not effectively obtain the crown of martyr-
dom, yet the merited reward will not be lacking to
such prowess.
716. He did that when he was not the superior
prelate, but afterwards when he became provincial,
he flew with his cares to undertakings of almost in-
finite breadth. He beheld very near the great em-
pire of China, peopled by an incredible multitude
of souls, almost all of them seated in the shadows of
death, and their acute intellects ignorantly disturbed
in the obscure darkness of their errors. The mis-
sion so often craved by our reformed order to those
countries, was the first object of his zealous heart.
He could not be satisfied with trying to send others
as evangelical laborers, but he tried with the great-
est seriousness to abandon the glory of the provin-
cialate, in order that he might be employed per-
sonally in an expedition so much to divine service,
and his inability to accomplish it cost him many a
bitter sob. He became a sea of tears, when he
thought of the distant kingdoms (also almost in
sight) of Japon, Borney, Sumatra, Tunquin, Cochin-
china, Mogdl, Tartaria, and Persia; for most of
those who have their wealth and amenities live but
as mortals basely deceived by their brutish worships,
in order to die eternally in the more grievous life.
To some of those places and especially to Japon, he
had practical ideas of sending missionaries, and even
of going thither in person, and he made the great-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 49
est efforts for that purpose. And although he did
not obtain the end of his desires, because of the ob-
structions which the common enemy is wont to place
to such works, such eagerness cannot but be praised
very highly; and consequently, they will have been
rewarded with great degrees of glory, because of
what he was trying to communicate to the souls of
others.
717. Since, then, he could not accomplish so well
conceived love which extended itself to the salvation
of the whole world, he set in operation the maxims
which his burning charity dictated to him in regard
to the extensive limits entrusted by the Lord of the
vineyard of the Philipinas for the cultivation of our
holy discalced order, with a so visible utility to the
Church. In the first place he arranged with admi-
rable prudence that certain missionary religious
should incessantly travel through the villages of our
administration, like swift angels or like light clouds
in order to preach the obligation of their character
to the Christian Indians. They were to advise them
at the same time to take the sacraments frequently,
of the horror of idolatry, of the love of the faith, of
obedience to the Church, and to the appreciable sub-
mission to the Catholic king from which so many
blessings would follow to them, and by which they
would be delivered from innumerable evils. For
that purpose he assigned two religious of the Visa-
yan language, one of the Tagalog, and one of the
Zambal - all of the spirit that such an occupation
demanded. He ordered each one of them to make
continual journeys through the large and small set-
tlements of the district of his language, preaching
the mission with the same formalities that they are
J5° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
wont to observe in Europa. He also ordered the
father priors of the respective districts to give such
fathers every aid for that apostolic ministry, both
temporal and spiritual, as such was for the service
of God and the greater purity of our Catholic faith.
718. The profits and good effects that followed
that undertaking happily instituted, and reduced to
fact with rare success, cannot be easily explained.
Oh would that the lack of religious almost transcen-
dental in all times in that province did not prevent
the prosecution and perpetuity of so holy a custom
by which unspeakable harvests of spiritual blessings
were obtained, although some temporal riches should
be spent in it. It is true that the ministers of parish
priests of our said order who live continually in the
villages, attend to those duties without avoiding any
toil. But since they always live among their par-
ishioners, and treat them so near at hand, and since
they exercise over them a certain kind of authority,
greater than that which the curas in Espana possess,
it will not be imprudent to observe (considering
human weakness, and the cowardice of the Indians),
that some will not go to confess to those said parish
priests without great fear, the common enemy infus-
ing them with fears lest the parish priests perhaps
will punish them for the sins that they might confess.
Let us add to this that there are no other confessors
on whom to rely, especially in the districts which are
at some distance from Manila. Also it is almost im-
possible as our ministries are located, for the In-
dians to go from one village to another for that pur-
pose. For these reasons, I myself have experienced,
and I have heard it asserted by many curates that too
many sacrilegious confessions are made, for sins are
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 5 1
kept hidden out of shame, to the deplorable ruin of
souls. All the above impediments cease undeniably
so far as the missionaries are concerned. Hence one
can infer the great fruit that would be gathered in
spiritual matters by means of the profitable idea
which was invented by our father Fray Joseph and
put in practice in his time with the utmost ardor.
719. Besides that, by causing his subjects to mul-
tiply, since not in number, at least in their courage
for work, the vigilant superior ordered those who
were in the ministries to perform with the utmost
effort what they had always done, namely, that they
should not be content with directing the souls of the
faithful to heaven, but should strive with might and
main for the conversion of the heathen. And since
the fire of love as regards God, their provincial, and
their neighbors, burned with intensity in those gos-
pel laborers, one can not imagine how greatly the
activity of that fire, strengthened with the breath of
the exhortation of so worthy a prelate, was increased
and worked outside. We can assert without any of-
fense to anyone else what has already been suggested
in other parts of this history, namely, that our dis-
calced religious in the Philipinas Islands, out-
stripped all the other religious in the so meritorious
quality of suffering hardships.80 The villages most
distant from Manila, those that offer less conven-
ience for human life, those with the most ferocious
people, and all surrounded by Moros, by heathens,
and by other barbarous Indians, in regard to whom
any confidence would be irrational, are the ones in
our charge. And adding to this that one minister
30 A sidenote refers at this point to Santa Theresa, nos. 239
ff., and 737 ff.
l52 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
generally has charge of many settlements, which are
at times located in distinct islands, one can easily see
how many fatigues, sweatings, and how much weari-
ness will be caused by the spiritual administration
of those who are enlisted in the Catholic religion.
What will all that be then, if they have to attend also
to the reduction of so great a number of souls, who
live lawless in idolatry in sight of the law of grace!
I repeat that our Recollects, equal in their zeal to
the other gospel laborers, exceed them there without
difficulty in the necessary opportunities for suffer-
ing. Moreover, if our brothers have the advantage
at all times in this regard of other missionaries, those
of the triennium of which we are speaking, excelled
themselves, for they labored more than ever in the
administration of the faithful and in the conversion
of the heathen.
720. But the greatest efforts that the venerable
father provincial put forth, and the places where
the religious assigned for that work labored with
excessive fervor, were in the districts of Butuan and
Cagayan, which are located in the island of Min-
danao. There was a heathen Indian called Dato
Pistig Matanda, who had been living for many years
on the banks of the river Butuan between the vil-
lages of Linao and Hothibon. He was of noble
rank, a lord of vassals, and had great power and a
not slight understanding, although he was corrupted
with an execrable multitude of vices. He, insti-
gated by the devil, had caused all the efforts of the
evangelical ministers to return fruitless for many
years; for idolatry maintained not only in the castle
of his soul, but as well in all the territory of his
jurisdiction, the throne which it had usurped, and
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 53
the continual assaults which were made without ces-
sation against that obstinate heart by the members of
our discalced order had no effect. Several religious
had endeavored to make him submit to the sweet
yoke of the evangelical law, and they availed them-
selves with holy zeal of all the stratagems which, as
incentives, generally attract the human will to rea-
son and open the door to grace in order that it may
work marvels. Especially did the holy father Fray
Miguel de Santo Thomas, make use of all the means
that he considered fitting to reduce the Indian chief
to the true sheepfold as well as those who were
strayed from it in his following, during the whole
time that he graced that river by his presence. But
experience proved that God reserved the triumph
solicited on so many occasions for the happy epoch
of which we are treating at present, for his own in-
scrutable reasons. At that time then the divine vo-
cation working powerfully and mildly, and availing
itself as instruments of our religious who resided in
Butuan and in Linao, softened that erstwhile bronze
heart and he not only received baptism, but also
tried by all means to have his vassals do the same.
Hence, leaving out of account a great number of
children, the adults who were reengendered in the
waters of salvation and became sons of God and
heirs of glory, exceeded three hundred.
721. At the same time another father, who had
a residence in the village of Linao, notably advanced
our Christian religion in places thitherto occupied
by infidelity. The mountains of that territory are
inhabited by a nation of Indians, heathens for the
greater part called Manobos 31- a word signifying
31 See vol. XL, p. 123, note 46.
154 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in that language, as if we should say here, "robust
and very numerous people." When those Indians
are not at war with the Spaniards, they are tractable,
docile, and quite reasonable. They have the very
good peculiarities of being separated not a little
from the brutish life of the other mountain people
thereabout; for they have regular villages, where
they live in human sociability in a very well ordered
civilization. Although the above qualities, as has
been seen, are very apropos for receiving the faith,
notwithstanding that fact, although some of them
are always reduced, they are very few when one con-
siders the untiring solicitude with which our mis-
sionaries unceasingly endeavor to procure it. The
reasons for so deplorable an effect are the same as
we have mentioned in regard to the conversion of
the Tagabaloyes Indians. But during the provin-
cialate of our father Fray Joseph de la Trinidad,
either because those obstacles ceased, or because di-
vine grace wished to extend its triumphs, the results
were wonderful. A very great number of those Ma-
nobos were admitted into the Church - how many is
not specified by the relations which we have been
able to investigate, but we only see that they were
many; for it is asserted that while the district of
Butuan, to which Linao belonged, consisted before
that time of about three thousand reduced souls, its
Christianity increased then by about one-third, the
believers thus being increased for God and the vas-
sals for the king.
722. In the mountains of Cagayan, shone also
the light of disillusionment, without proving hateful
but very agreeable to rational eyes, for it caught
them well disposed. The zealous workers of our
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS *5S
Institute, shaken with the zeal of the venerable
father provincial, devoted themselves to felling that
bramble thicket which was filled with buckthorns
of idolatry and even with thorns hardened in the
perfidious sect of Mahomet. Three religious, who
glorified that district, attended to so divine an oc-
cupation, stealing for it from the rest of the moments
that were left to them from the spiritual administra-
tion which was the first object of their duty. They
extended their work toward the part of Tagaloan,
and even penetrated inland quite near the lake of
Malanao through all the mountains of their juris-
diction. There like divine Orpheuses they con-
verted brutes into men by the harmonious cithara of
the apostolic preaching and those who were living
in the most brutish barbarity to the Christian faith,
which is so united to reason. Thus did they reduce
more than one hundred tributes to the villages of the
Christians. That was a total of five hundred souls
who were all drawn from their infidelity or apos-
tasy. That triumph was so much more wonderful
as at that time the war of the Malanao Moros against
the presidio of Cagayan was more bloody, and it is
verified by experience that in all contests, the Catho-
lic faith generally advances but little amid the clash
of arms. But their increases, which we have re-
lated (as obtained in the triennium of the venerable
father, Fray Joseph de la Trinidad, which was con-
cluded in April, 1677) appear from several letters
written in Manila by the most excellent religious
in June and July of the above-mentioned year, and
directed to our father the vicar-general, Fray Fran-
cisco de San Joseph, which have been preserved in
the archives of Madrid.
I56 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
[Section ii of this chapter relates a number of mi-
raculous occurrences in the villages of Butuan, Li-
nao, and Cagayan, and their districts - miracles
which were greater than the recovery of health on
receiving baptism, at the reading of the gospels, or
after drinking the water left in the chalice after the
sacrament, all of which were very common and lit-
tle regarded. Those miracles had great weight in
reducing those people to the Christian faith. For
instance the dato above mentioned, Putig (or Pis-
tig) Matanda, was converted after the successful
exorcism of demons that had troubled his village. It
is related in this section that "for reasons that seemed
fitting, the convent and church of Butuan were
moved to the beach from their previous location;
but it was afterward reestablished there, one legua
from the sea upstream." One of these years also the
village of Cagayan suffered greatly from the scourge
of smallpox which was formerly so common in the
Philippines. Section iii treats of Spanish affairs.
Section iv deals with the life of Fray Melchor de la
Madre de Dios who died in the Recollect convent
of Talavera de la Reyna, Spain, May 30, 1677. He
was born in Nueva Segovia or Cagayan in Luzon,
his father being Juan Rodrigues de Ladera. While
still young his parents removed to Manila where he
studied until the age of twenty the subjects of gram-
mar, philosophy, and theology. Although he was
apt, he found himself below others not so clever as
himself because the pleasures of the world ap-
pealed to him too strongly. Consequently, he quit
his studies in disgust, and gave himself to trade, "the
occupation of which is not considered disgraceful
there to people of the highest rank." But his evil
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 57
courses still prevailed and during his several trips
to Acapulco he succeeded only in wasting his money.
Returning to Manila after his final voyage, he gave
up some of his worst vices, but still kept a firm grip
of the world. He must have taken up his neglected
studies again, but almost nothing is known of him
until he reached his thirty-third year. It is said by
some that he became a priest before joining the Re-
collect order, but there is a lack of definite knowl-
edge on that score. At any rate he did not abandon
his rather loose way of living. In the midst of his
vices he had always been greatly devoted to St. Au-
gustine, and his conversion finally occurred on the
eve of that saint. Then a vision of the saint who ap-
peared to him caused his conversion and an enthu-
siasm that never left him. He became a novitiate
in the Recollect convent of Manila that same year
1639 and professed in 1640. After preaching with
great clearness and force in Manila which had been
the scene of his excesses, he was sent as missionary
to the Visayan Islands, where he worked faithfully
and well. But breaking down in health because of
his strenuous life in the snaring of souls, he was com-
pelled to retire to the convent of Cebu and then to
that of Manila. It being impossible for him to ac-
complish much work longer in the Philippines be-
cause of his health, he begged and received permis-
sion to go to Spain for the remainder of his life.
When he went is uncertain, but it was after 1656,
for that year he was in Siargao in the province of
Caraga. After his arrival at Madrid he was as-
signed to the convent of Talavera de la Reyna, where
his memory was revered after death for his good
works.]
!58 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
[Chapter viii notes the twelfth general chapter
of the Recollect order held at the convent at To-
boso. Philippine votes were lacking, due probably
to the non-arrival of delegates in time. The re-
mainder of the chapter does not concern the Philip-
pines.]
CHAPTER IX
Our province of Philipinas takes charge of the
spiritual administration of the island of Mindoro
where several convents are founded. Several reli-
gious venerated as saints, end their days in Espana.
The year l6*JQ
§1
Description of the island of Mindoro, and consider-
ations in regard to its spiritual conquest, which
was partly obtained before our discalced order
assumed its administration.
. . . 785. Mindoro is located in the center of
the islands called Philipinas. It is surrounded by
all those islands, and is encircled by them in a close
band as the parts of the human body do the heart.
It has a triangular shape whose three ends are three
capes or promontories, one of which is called Bu-
rruncan and looks to the south, another looks to the
north and is called Dumali, while the third which
looks to the west is called Calavite. In regard to
its extent, Mindoro comes to be the seventh in size
among all the islands of that great archipelago.32 It
32 Mindoro has an area of 3,851 square miles, according to the
estimate of the Census of the Philippines, i, pp. 65, 66. It has a
maximum length of 100 miles and its greatest width is about 60
miles. Though represented as having two mountain ranges those
who have crossed the island say that it has but one. The highest
elevation of that range is Mt. Halcon, about 8,800 ft. high. The
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 159
is about one hundred leguas in circumference. Its
climate is very hot, although the continual rains
somewhat temper its unendurable heat. In its rains
it exceeds all the other nearby islands. However
this relief bears the counterpoise of making the
island but little favorable to health, because of the
bad consequences of the heat accompanied by the
humidity. But for all that it is a very fertile land,
although unequally so because of its rough moun-
tain ranges, and the thick forests. There are many
trees of the yonote,33 and of the buri, from which
sago is made, which is used for bread in some places.
There are also wax, honey, the fruits of the earth,
flesh, abundance of fish, and rice where the people
do not neglect through laziness to plant it. That
island was formerly called Mainit, but the Span-
iards called it Mindoro from a village called
Minolo which is located between the port of Galeras
and the bay of Hog.34
786. Its inhabitants had sufficient courage to
cause all their neighbors to fear them. Especially at
sea were they powerful and daring as was lamented
at different times by the islands of Panay, Luzon,
and others, when they were attacked by the fleets of
island has much valuable timber. The settlements are mostly con-
fined to the coast, and are small, while some wild people live in the
interior.
33 Of "yonote" Colin {Labor evangelica, p. 29) says: "They
[i.e., the inhabitants of Mindoro] pay their tribute in yonote,
which is a kind of black hemp, produced by certain palms. It is
used for the larger cables of ships, which are made in the rope
factory of the village of Tal." Cf. bonote, vol. x, p. 58; and
vol. xiv, p. 257.
34 San Antonio, i, p. 102, notes that the island of Mindoro was
formerly called Mait. Its Chinese name was Ka-may-en (see
vol. xxxiv, p. 187, note 15).
l6o THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Mindoro which they completely filled with blood
and fire. But at the same time they showed a very
great simplicity, which was carried to so great an
extreme, as is mentioned by father Fray Gaspar de
San Agustin, that when they saw the Europeans with
clothes and shoes - a thing unknown among them -
they imagined that that adornment was the product
of nature and not placed through ingenious mod-
esty.35 That simplicity produced in them the effect
of their not applying themselves to the cultivation of
the earth, but of contenting themselves with wild
fruit and what they could steal as pirates, or better
said, robbers. The sequel of that so far as their lazi-
ness is concerned, has lasted even to our own times;
for as says father Fray Juan Francisco de San
Antonio, all who have discussed the matter, agree
that they are the laziest people and the most averse
to work of all the inhabitants in those islands, not-
withstanding that they are corpulent enough.36
However, my experience of the Philipinas obliges
me to say that so blamable a peculiarity is only too
common to all of them, almost without any distinc-
tion of more or less. Neither could that courage
of theirs save them from subjection to Espana, and
if they earlier considered that subjection unfortunate
in the extreme, now they regard it with the light
of the faith as their greatest fortune.
787. A beginning in its conquest was made on
the Mamburao side in the year 1570 by Captain
35 Our author refers in a sidenote to San Agustin's Conquistas,
book ii, chapter i, pp. 216, 250. The first page makes no mention
of the "simplicity."
36 The sidenote reference to San Antonio is to his Chronicas,
volume i, p. 103.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS l6l
Juan de Salcedo.37 That conquest was completed
so far as the seacoasts are concerned from the cape of
Burruncan to that of Calavite at the beginning of
the following year by the adelantado, Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi. The balance of the island has been
subdued gradually by dint of the evangelical labor-
ers with the exception of the mountains which are
located in its center. From that time, then, the sea-
coast Indians of that island have been subject to the
mild yoke of the Spanish crown, and have given signs
of extreme loyalty. For, although the great Chinese
pirate Limaon attacked the Philipinas in the year
1574, in order to seize them if possible, there were
some signs of insurrection in Mindoro, which was
put down very quickly, even before one felt its ef-
fects which are generally very painful in popular
uprisings. That good fortune was due to the moder-
ation of the natives and to the temperance of Cap-
tain Gabriel de Ribera, who knew how to sweeten
with very pleasing acts of kindness the bitter crust of
justice. For that reason of the Indians being en-
tirely well inclined to the Spaniards, the encomi-
endas of that great island were very desirable to the
primitive conquistadors. In spiritual matters the
island belongs to the archbishopric of Manila. In
regard to civil matters, it is governed by a corregidor
and captain of war, who generally has residence in it
and extends his jurisdiction to the neighboring is-
lands of Marinduque and Lucban.
788. Let us now speak of its spiritual conquest,
which is the principal object of our consideration.
In the year 1543 the Observant religious, the sons
37 A sidenote reference is to San Agustin's Conquisias, pp. 216,
224, 292.
1 62 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
of the best beloved Benjamin, our common father,
San Agustin (to whom fell the first and greater
part of the possession for the conversion of the hea-
then, so far as that archipelago is concerned) made
the Philipinas Islands happy by their presence by
commencing to establish their apostolic preach-
ing;38 and later in the year 1565, they settled in order
to complete what they had begun. Like stars rain-
laden with the evangelical doctrine those most
zealous ministers fertilized their Philipinas inherit-
ance with their voluntary showers. So much did
they do so, that when the new laborers, the sons of
the seraph Francisco arrived at the field, there was
scarce an island which had not produced most
abundant fruit for the granaries of the Church be-
cause of the work of the first sowers ; as is shown in
several places of his history by father Fray Gaspar de
San Agustin; 39 and that lover of truth, father Fray
Francisco de San Antonio confesses it, thus honoring
as he ought the Augustinian Hiermo [j*c]. The
island of Mindoro also shared in this good fortune.
In its cultivation were employed fathers Fray Fran-
cisco de Ortega and Fray Diego de Moxica. They,
after having founded the village of Baco, endured
innumerable misfortunes in a painful captivity, hop-
ing for hours for that death, which they anxiously
desired in order to beautify their heads with a pain-
ful martyrdom. But in order that one might see
that although the former worked above their
strength, much remained to be done by their succes-
sors, I shall cite here the exact words of father Fray
Gaspar de San Agustin in his Historia. "The con-
38 See vol. 11, p. 59, note 22.
39 Sidenote reference : San Agustin, ut supra, p. 292.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 63
vent," he says, "that we had in that island [of
Mindoro : added by Assist was in the village of
Baco. Thence the religious went out to minister
to the converted natives. The latter were very few
and the religious suffered innumerable hardships
because of the roughness of the roads and the bad
climate of some regions." 40
789. The discalced sons of St. Francis (minors
for their humility, but greatest [maximos] by the
fires which they could cast from themselves in order
to burn up the world) arrived in Manila in the year
1577. Thence like flying clouds, whose centers were
filled with very active volcanoes, they were scattered
through various parts of the islands. They were
received with innumerable applauses of their in-
habitants, who regarded them as persons who
despised the riches of earth, and thought only of
filling the vacant seats of glory. One of the places
where their zeal for the salvation of souls was pre-
dominant was the land of Mindoro which had been
ceded by the calced Augustinian fathers. There,
not being content with what had been reduced, they
extended the lights of the Catholic faith at the ex-
pense of great efforts, in the direction of Pola and
Calavite. Those who labored most in those places
to communicate the infinite blessing to souls were
fathers Fray Estevan Ortiz and Fray Juan de
Porras, who were great leaders among the first reli-
gious of the seraphic discalced order who went to
Philipinas.41 But since the fire is kept up in matter
40 Sidenote reference : San Agustin, p. 250.
41 Sidenote references: Father Fray Marcelo de Ribadeneyra,
in his Historia, folio 84; father Fray Juan Francisco de San An-
tonio in his Chronicas, volume i, folio 20.
J64 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in proportion as it abounds in commensurate inclina-
tions, various fields having been discovered in other
parts which were full of combustible dry fuel most
fitting to receive the heat of charity, which gives light
to the beautiful body of the faith; and seeing that
that rational fuel of Mindoro would not allow them-
selves to be burned for their good, with the quickness
that was desired: they thought it advisable to
abandon the little for the much, and to go first to
Ilocos and secondly to Camarines where they hoped
for more abundant fruits in return for their holy
zeal.
790. In the year 1580 the religious of the holy
Society of Jesus arrived at the islands. They, in
the manner of swift angels ennobling and glorifying
those hidden plains, expanded the habitation of
Japhet, in order that he might possess the famous
tents of Shem. Immediately, or very near the be-
ginning, the superior detached excellent soldiers of
that spiritual troop for the island of Mindoro, so
that they might with the arms of the preaching
destroy the altars dedicated to Belial by giving roots
to the healthgiving sign of the cross. They obtained
much; for after having penetrated the roughest
mountains in search of heathens and Cimarrones
they founded the village of Naojan, with some other
villages annexed to it. They enjoyed that ministry
a long time with their accustomed success. The one
who excelled in the missions of that island was
Father Luis de Sanvictores, whose glorious memory
and reputation for sanctity was conserved for many
years among those Indians. They, notwithstanding
the rudeness of their style, never spoke of him with-
out praise. But that father having retired in order
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 65
to begin the conquest of the islands of Ladrones
(which were afterward called Marianas), where he
with glorious martyrdom gave the utmost encour-
agement, although others followed his attempts in
Mindoro with great zeal; the Society finally aban-
doned that island into the hands of the archbishop.42
We cannot give the exact time of their resolution
or the reasons which could move so zealous fathers
to it, although we regard it as certain that they did
it in order to employ themselves in other places
where the evangelical fruit was more plentiful.
791. His Excellency the prelate immediately
formed two curacies of the entire island, which he
handed over to the secular clergy so that they might
aid those souls. Later as the two could not fulfil
that, a third cura had to be appointed. They care-
fully maintained what had been conquered, a terri-
tory that included the coasts along the north side
extending from Bongabong to Calavite. But be-
cause there were very few Christians, since it is
apparent that they did not exceed four thousand,
who were scattered throughout various settlements
or collections of huts along a distance of eighty
leguas of coast, it was not to be supposed that those
missions would produce enough income for three
ministers. Consequently, they had necessarily to be
aided with other incomes, which were solicited from
the royal treasury, and with other pious foundations.
Neither was that enough, so that at times it was very
42 Murillo Velarde (folio 123 verso, no. 306) records that
two Jesuits were sent to Mindoro to work in the field of the secu-
lars in 1640. Juan de Polanco, O.P., notes that about 1645 there
were four or five Jesuits in Mindoro who worked among the
people of the uplands (see Pastells's edition of Colin's Labor evan-
gelica, iii, p. 735). San Antonio notes (i, p. 203) Jesuit residences
in the jurisdiction of Mindoro.
1 66 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
difficult to find seculars to take charge of those dis-
tricts. Those ministries were, it is true, scarce
desirable, both because of the smallness of their
stipends, because they carried with them unendur-
able hardships, and because of the unhealthfulness
of the territory. But finally, moved, either by charity
or by obedience, there was never a lack of zealous
seculars who hastened with the bread of the instruc-
tion to those Indians. The curacies were conse-
quently maintained there until the year 1679, when
our discalced order took charge of the whole island
for reasons which we shall now relate.
§ n
Being obliged to abandon the ministries of Zam-
bales by force, our province of Philipinas assumes
possession of the ministries of Mindoro, and ob-
tains rare fruit with its preaching.
792. In the year 1606, that grain of mustard
arrived in Manila, and although it was small, it pro-
duced the tree of most surpassing magnitude. I
speak of our first mission which was composed at
its arrival of a small number of religious. By
preaching the glory of God and announcing the
works of His power, so few men founded the great-
ness of that holy province among the illuminations
of blind heathenism. It cannot be denied that by
that time the sound of the word of God had reached
all the Philipinas Islands, which had been an-
nounced by the illustrious champions who had pre-
ceded us in that vast archipelago, to wit, the calced
Augustinians, the discalced Franciscans, the Jesuits
and the Dominicans. But there cannot be any doubt
either that, notwithstanding that all the above orders
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 67
had worked in the conversion of souls, with the most
heroic fervor, some new locations in which they
could enter to work were not lacking to Ours. The
harvest was great and the laborers few; and since,
however much those destined for that cultivation
sweated in continual tenacity, they could not go be-
yond the limited sphere of man, hence it is that the
Recollects on reaching that gr at vineyard at the
hour of nine, equaled in merit those who gained
their day's wages from the first hour. And in truth
this will appear evident if one considers that even
now, after so many years in which the sacerdotal
tuba of the apostolic ministry has been incessantly
exercised, not a few places are found in the said
islands where the individuals of all orders are em-
ployed in living missions, and struggle with the most
obstinate paganism.
793. The district where Ours first spread the
gospel net was in the mountain range called Zam-
bales, in the middle part of which extending from
Mariveles to Bolinao they obtained fish in great
numbers, as has been told already in the preceding
volumes. Those villages of Zambales are located
between ministries of the reverend Dominican
fathers. For, since the latter held along the great
bay of Manila on the side called El Partido almost
at the foot of Mount Batan, several missions con-
tiguous to Mariveles and on the other side of Bolinao,
the best portion of the alcaldeship of Pangasinan,
they also included in their midst the settlements of
the Zambals now reduced to a Christian and civi-
lized life by the missionaries of the Augustinian
reformed order. For that reason the Dominicans
had desired and even claimed without going beyond
1 68 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the boundaries dictated by courtesy and good rela-
tionship that our prelates yield that territory to
them, as it was suitable for the communication of the
Dominicans among themselves between Pangasinan
and Manila and would make their visits less
arduous. But since that was a very painful propo-
sition to those who governed our discalced order,
namely, the abandonment of certain Indians who
were the firstborn of their spirit, and a land watered
by the blood of so many martyrs, the claim could
never be made effectual, however much it was
smoothed over by the name of exchange, our prov-
ince being offered other ministries, in which was
shown clearly the zeal of its individual members.
794. The one who made the greatest efforts in
this direction was father Fray Phelipe Pardo, both
times that he held the Dominican provincialate in
the years 1662 and 1673. Although all of his efforts
were then frustrated, he obtained great headway by
them to obtain his purposes later. For May 30,
1676, his Majesty presented him for the office of
archbishop of Manila. Thereupon he formed the
notion that the new marks of the ecclesiastical dig-
nity would be sufficient to add authority to argu-
ment. For, because of the respect to his person,
surely worthy of the greatest promotion, we did not
dare to condemn his attempt as unjust; and more
even, when he obtained it, making amends to our
reformed order for the wrong we received by a
recompense which was fully justifiable in his eyes.
A chance offered him a suitable occasion for his
project in the following manner. Don Diego de
Villatoro represented to the Council of the Indias
that the island of Mindoro was filled with innumer-
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 69
able heathens all sunk in the darkness of their pagan-
ism; and that if its conquest were entrusted to any
order, it would be very easy to illumine its inhabit-
ants with the light of the faith. Therefore a royal
decree was despatched, under date of Madrid, June
18, 1677, ordering the governor of the islands,
together with the archbishop, to entrust the reduc-
tion of Mindoro to the order which appeared best
fitted for it, before all things settling the curas who
resided there in prebends or chaplaincies. That
decree was presented to the royal Audiencia of
Manila by Sargento-mayor Don Sebastian de Villa-
rreal, October 31, 78, and since his Majesty's fiscal
had nothing to oppose, it was obeyed without delay,
and it was sent for fulfilment to the said archbishop,
December 14 of the same year. On that account,
his Excellency formed the idea of taking Zambales
from us in order to augment his order and give the
island of Mindoro to our discalced order.
795. He began, then, to discuss the matter with-
out the loss of any time, and he did not stop until his
designs were obtained, notwithstanding that he had
to conquer innumerable difficulties. For, in the first
place, our provincial, then father Fray Joseph de
San Nicolas, opposed it very strongly. The latter
alleged that it would be a violation of the municipal
constitutions of the Recollects to abandon the min-
istries of Zambales, for the constitutions expressly
stated that none of the convents once possessed
should be abandoned except under certain condi-
tions, which were not present in the case under
consideration. Besides that the Indian natives of
Mindoro, both Christians and infidels, scarcely
knew that there was a question of giving them min-
17° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
ister religious and begged Jesuit fathers with great
instance, for they preserved yet the affection that
they had conceived for them, since the time that
the latter had procured for them with their preach-
ing at the cost of many dangers their greatest
welfare, omitting no means that could conduce to
their withdrawal from the darkness of their pagan-
ism. And when the Zambals heard that the Recol-
lect fathers were to be taken from their villages, in
order to surrender them to the Dominicans, they
declared almost in violent uproar that they would
not allow such a change under any consideration,
for they were unable to tolerate, because of the love
which they professed for their spiritual ministers,
to be forever deprived of their company, by which
they had obtained so great progress in the Catholic
faith.
796. But the archbishop found means in the
hidden recesses of his prudence by which to conquer
such obstacles. For in unison with Don Juan de
Vargas Hurtado, governor and captain-general of
the islands, he softened the provincial, Fray Joseph
de San Nicolas, and obliged him to agree to the
exchange. He quieted the natives of Mindoro by
means of their corregidor, so that they might re-
ceive the ministers of our discalced order, and avail-
ing himself of the services of the alcalde-mayor of
Pangasinan, he silenced the Zambal Indians so that
they should take the privation of their Recollects
gracefully, and lower the head to the admission of the
Dominican fathers. Thereupon, the sea of opposi-
tion having been calmed, and after the three seculars
who were administering to Mindoro had been
assigned fitting competencies, which were provided
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS IJl
for them in Manila, an act of the royal Audiencia
provided that our reformed order should be en-
trusted with the administration of the said island,
with absolute clauses which established it in the said
royal decree, and without the least respect the aban-
donment of the Zambal missions. Then immediately
preceding the juridical surrender of them, which
was signed by the above-mentioned father provin-
cial, although it was protested by only the father
lector, Fray Joseph de la Assumpcion, and father
Fray Francisco de la Madre de Dios, a second act
was passed by which the missions were assigned to
the fathers of St. Dominic. Thus did the archbishop
have a complete victory.
797. By virtue of those decrees, which were
announced to our provincial, April 17, 1679, that
holy province was dispossessed of all the Zambal
mountain range, which then contained eleven vil-
lages. They were also dispossessed of the missions
which father Fray Joseph de la Trinidad was then
fomenting in the nearby mountains by the far-
reaching fruits of his apostolic preaching, as we
have mentioned worthily in another place.43 The
individual members of the province of Santo
Rosario hastened to take charge of the ministries
and missions of the Zambals which had been sur-
rendered to them by Ours without the least disturb-
ance being observed publicly, although almost all
of those governed by the said Father Trinidad
threatened violence. Those juridical measures,
with what was done in Manila, served much later
for the recovery of Zambales without the loss of the
new possessions of Mindoro. The necessary papers
43 A sidenote reference is to nos. 400, 715, ante.
I72 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
were also despatched directed to the corregidor of
Mindoro, ordering him to deliver the ministries of
that island to the discalced Augustinians. Without
loss of time, the father definitor, Fray Diego de la
Madre de Dios, assumed charge of the district of
Baco, while the bachelor Don Joseph de Roxas who
possessed it left it. The curacy of Calavite was
taken possession of by father Fray Diego de la
Resurrection, who took the place of Licentiate Don
Juan Pedrosa. The parish of Naoyan was taken
charge of by the father definitor, Fray Eugenio de
los Santos, the bachelor, Don Martin Diaz, being
removed. All that was concluded before the end of
the year 1679 without disturbance, lawsuits, or dis-
sensions.
798. The above-mentioned religious were ac-
companied by three others of whose names we are
ignorant. Immediately did that holy squadron com-
mence to announce the testimony of Christ, with
sermons founded on the manifestation of virtue,
spirit, and example, and not on illusory persuasion
which is built on naught but words, which are con-
firmatory of human wisdom. They considered
especially that they had to give strict account of
those souls whose direction had just been given them.
Consequently, they watched over their flock, hasten-
ing to their sheep with the right food, without
avoiding the greatest fatigue. Hence could one
recognize the great good fortune of the island qf
Mindoro, for in the territory where three seculars
at most, and generally only two, lived formerly, six
evangelical laborers had enough to do. They were
later increased to eight, and that number was never
or but rarely decreased. Each of them on his part
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 73
produced most abundant fruits at that time, and
under all circumstances the same has been obtained.
For although the common enemy diffused much dis-
cord during the first tasks of their apostolic labor in
order thereby to choke the pure grain of the divine
word by making use therefor of a man, namely,
Admiral Don Joseph de Chaves, encomendero of
almost the entire island, at last by Ours exercising
their innate prudence and their unalterable patience,
the grace of God was triumphant, while the attempts
of Satan were a mockery.
799. Father Fray Juan Francisco de San An-
tonio remarked very forcibly of our discalced reli-
gious that, "although they were the last gospel labor-
ers in Philipinas, they have competed in their
apostolic zeal with the first laborers in the fruits
that they gathered from their labors in the reduction
of the most barbarous islanders." 44 And the father
master, Fray Joseph Sicardo, adds very fittingly, that
"our discalced religious having received the great
island of Mindoro, increased the Christianity of its
natives by means of so zealous ministers.45 Then,
as appears from juridical instruments before me,
although the Christians throughout the island when
our reformed order assumed charge of it did not
exceed four thousand, in the year 1692 they already
exceeded the number of eight thousand, and in the
year 171 6 arrived to the number of twelve thou-
sand. It is a fact that the persecution by the Moros
happening afterward (of which something was said
44 Our author refers in a sidenote to San Antonio, i, p. 207.
45 A sidenote reference is to folio 80 of Joseph Sicardo's Chris-
tiandad del Japon, . . . Memorias sacras de los martyres de
las ilustres religiones . . . con especialdad, de los religiosos
del orden de S. Augustin (Madrid, 1698).
r74 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
incidentally in volume three,40 and which will in
due time add much to this history) the number of
believers was greatly lessened; for some retired to
other islands, where the war was not so cruel, others
were taken to Jolo in dire captivity, and others sur-
rendered their lives to so great a weight of misfor-
tune. Notwithstanding that, in the year 1738, when
father Fray Juan Francisco de San Antonio printed
his firstvolume,it appeared by trustworthy documents
that Ours administered seven thousand five hundred
and fifty-two souls in the various villages, visitas,
missions, and rancherias in that island.47 Hence, one
may infer that our zealous brothers have labored
there especially in destroying paganism and reduc-
ing the many Zimarrones or apostates who, having
thrown off all obedience, had built themselves forts
in those mountains. And if not few of both classes
remain obstinate, it does not proceed certainly from
any omission that has been found in our zealous
workers, but from other causes which are already
suggested in other parts of this present volume.
800. Neither can one make from this progress
of the Catholic faith which was attained by the
preaching of our religious, any inferences against
the other laborers who began to subdue the island,
or against the secular clergy, who administered it
afterward. The Observant fathers, as a rule, em-
ployed there no more than one missionary or at the
46 A sidenote refers to Santa Theresa, no. 740 ff.
47 A sidenote refers to San Antonio, i, p. 207. The present
total population of Mindoro (according to the Census of the Phil-
ippines ii, p. 407) is 28,361, of which the civilized or Christian
people number 21,097. The native peoples include Bicols, Ilo-
canos, Mangyans, Pampangans, Pangasinans, Tagalogs, Visayans,
and Zambals. The wild people are all Mangyans.
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 175
most two. The number of the fathers of St. Fran-
cis was no larger, and they had charge at times
of the district of Balayan as well as of Mindoro.
Since the fathers of the Society had so much to
attend to in so many parts, two or three of them took
care of Mindoro and Marinduque. Consequently,
one ought not to be surprised that so small a number
of laborers did not do more, but, that they had done
so much must surely astonish him who considers
it thoroughly. In the same way the parish priests,
who succeeded them, were very few, and since the
reduced Indians occupied so extensive a coast, they
had scarce enough time to administer the bread of
the doctrine to the Christians, so that they had none
left to penetrate into the mountains in search of the
Zimarrones or of the heathen Manguianes.48 But,
on the contrary, from the time that that island was
delivered to our teaching, the number of mission-
aries has been doubled or tripled. It is evident that
victories must generally increase in proportion to
the increase of the soldiers in the campaign, even
in what concerns spiritual wars.
801. This argument has more force, if it be con-
sidered that the evangelical laborers having in-
creased afterward with so great profit, they asserted
that at times the greatest strength accompanied by
gigantic zeal was given up as conquered, by the con-
tinual toil indispensable in the administration oi
the faithful, for to that task was added the care of
the conversion of the heathen. That toil was so
excessive that the night generally came without the
48 See ante, note 47. See also the Census of the Philippines
(i, pp. 472, 473, 547, 548), which says that the Mangyans are
probably a mixture of Negritos with other native peoples, and
possibly some slight infusion of white blood in some localities.
*76 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
fathers having obtained a moment of rest in order to
pay the debt of the divine office. At times they had
to neglect the care of their own bodies in order to
attend to the souls of their neighbors. They were
always busied in teaching the instruction to children
and adults; in administering the holy sacraments,
although they had to go three or four leguas to the
places where the dying persons were; and in pene-
trating the rough mountains in the center of the
island, in order to allure the heathens and apostates
to the healthful bosom of the Church. To all the
above (which even now is, as it were, a common
characteristic of all our missionaries in Philipinas)
is added the extreme poverty there, and the lack of
necessities that they endured. For, the reduced
product from those villages, in regard to the ecclesi-
astical stipend, which was formerly insufficient to
support two or three curas with great misery, was
now sufficient to support six or more religious. Con-
sequently, they endured it with the greatest hardship.
§ HI
Information of the convents which were founded in
that island, and the miracles with which God
confirmed the Catholic religion which Ours were
preaching.
802. Trampling under foot, then, the above dis-
comforts and others which are omitted, those illus-
trious champions attended to the exact fulfilment of
the spiritual administration, employing themselves
in the exercise of missionaries in order to reduce the
heathens to the Catholic sheepfold. In the belief
that it would be very conducive to the extension of
the Christian religion to establish convents in the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS ' I 77
new territory which they were cultivating, they be-
gan to set their hands to the work. The first foun-
dation which they established was in the village of
Baco, where the corregidor was residing at that
time, although that convent was later moved to
Calapan. Two religious were placed there in resi-
dence, and they looked after the spiritual adminis-
tration in several rancherias. Those rancherias have
increased with the lapse of time to a great number
of Christians, and have become villages that are not
to be despised, having been formed anew by the zeal
of our apostolic laborers. The villages comprehend-
ed in that district in the year 1733 are the following:
Calapan, which is the chief one, where the convent
is located; Baco, Suban, Hog, Minolo, and Camo-
ron, which are annexed villages or visitas, as they
are called there. Our church of Calapan is enriched
with an image of Christ our Lord, which represents
Him in His infancy; and on that account it is called
the convent of Santo Nino [i.e., Holy Child]. That
image is conspicuous in continual miracles and is
the consolation of all the Indians of Minddro. For
a long history might be written by only relating the
marvels which the divine power has worked by it;
now giving health to many sick unto death; now
freeing villages from locusts which were destroying
the fields, now succoring not a few boats which
driven by violent storms were running down the
Marinduque coast, whose sailors were in the greatest
danger of being drowned in the water, or the ship of
grounding on the shoals of the land.
803. [One miracle is related of a Recollect in
Calapan who having acquired two hundred pesos
determined to send it home to Spain to his mother
1 78 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
who was very poor, without saying anything to the
provincial as he was in duty bound to do. Being
very observant in his outward duties, he said mass
before the image just previous to sending the money
to America on a ship which appeared opportunely,
but the image turned its back on him. ^hereupon,
being convicted of sin, he burst into tears, and was
thereafter free from such temptations.]
804. The above case happened years after when
the convent was established in Calapan. Let us now
examine other marvels, which happened at Baco,
near the beginning, which were of great use for the
extension of the Catholic name. The father defini-
tor, Fray Diego de la Madre de Dios, who was the
founder of that house, was surely a holy man, and
was venerated as such in Manila. Notwithstanding
that, however, a corregidor took to persecuting him
by word and deed. The servant of God bore the
personal insults with great patience, although it
pained him to the soul to see that the corregidor's
contempt was resulting in prejudice to the Catholic
religion. He practiced several secret efforts or-
dered by charity in order to restrain the corregidor's
tongue, but seeing that they were insufficient, gener-
ally chided in a sermon the evil employment of
sacrilegious mouths which, taking the gospel laborers
as the object of their detractions, prevent the fruit
of their preaching, although they should aid in the
attainment of so holy an end. The chief culprit
was present, toward whom without naming him the
father directed his aim; and since, after one has once
left the hand of God, he precipitates himself easily
from one abyss to another (angered by the pain
which was caused him by the medicine, which was
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I 79
being applied prudently in order to cure him of his
pain and indiscreetly abusing the authority which
resided in his person), he rose in anger, with the
determination to impose silence on the father
who (if he was talking) it was, for his
own [i. e., the corregidor's] good. ''Sacrilegious
preacher" he exclaimed, but when he attempted
to continue his face was suddenly twisted, and
he could not utter a word, and he was extremely
disfigured and was attacked by most intense pains.
He was taken to his house, where the venerable
father attended him, and by his only making the
sign of the cross above the corregidor's mouth the
patient was restored to his former state of health
in body, while in soul he was completely changed.
The courage to make public penitence for his public
crimes, and to return his credit entirely to so holy a
religious did not fail him.
805. [The same father although very sick with
fever did not hesitate, aided by spiritual forces, to go
to a distance to administer to a sick person who had
urgently requested his presence - a fact that con-
duced not a little to the conversion of the natives
round about.]
806 [and 807]. The second convent was founded
in the village of Naojan by the father definitor, Fray
Eugenio de los Santos, and St. Nicholas of Tolen-
tino was assigned it as titular. Besides the said
principal village, it had in its charge six annexed
villages of visitas, namely, Pola, Pinamalayan,
Balente, Sumagay, Maliguo, and Bongabong. How-
ever, with the change of the district of Mangarin,
of which we shall speak later, there was some varia-
tion in the distribution of those settlements. That
ministry is one of the first in authority in the island,
i8o
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
because of the great number of parishioners to
which it has increased, because a great multitude of
heathen Manguianes who have been converted to
our holy faith, have gone thither to live, as well as
a not small number of apostate Christians, who were
wandering at liberty through those mountains. All
that was obtained by the preaching of our laborers
by whose efforts three of the said villages were re-
established. [Two prodigies or miraculous occur-
rences which are related aided in the christianiz-
ing of this convent.]
808 [and 809]. Another and third convent was
established in the convent of Calavite by the efforts
of father Fray Diego de la Resurreccion, and its
titular was Nuestra Senora del Populo [i.e., Our
Lady of the People]. It has the annexed villages
of Dongon, Santa Cruz, Mamburao, Tubili, and
Santo Thomas. Of those settlements, those that are
on the coast which extends from Calavite to Man-
garin, have been founded for the most part by dint
of the zeal of our religious. They formerly had
many Christians, although at present they have
suffered a remarkable diminution because of the
persecutions of the Moros which we have already
mentioned. [An epidemic that was raging through-
out this district when the convent was founded was
checked miraculously. In the same district, a
heathen Manguian chief who had opposed the new
faith surrendered to the personal solicitation of Fray
Diego de la Resurreccion, and became a good
Christian, and afterward aided in the conversion of
many others. The district was miraculously cleared
of the pest of locusts which were destroying all the
fields.]
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 8 1
810 [and 811]. The fourth convent was erected
in the village of Mangarin under the advocacy of
our father, St. Augustine. Its prior also governed
the villages of Guasig, Manaol, Ililin, and Bu-
lalacao. However, the provincial chapter of 1737
ordered that house removed to Bongabong, for rea-
sons that they considered most sufficient, namely,
because Mangarin was ruined by the continual
invasions of the Moros, and because of its poor
temperature, which put an end to the health of
almost all the religious. For that reason, the dis-
tribution of the annexed villages of Naojan, Man-
garin, and Calavite in another manner was inevit-
able, so that the correct administration of the doctrina
might be more promptly administered. But the
convents above mentioned always Were left standing,
and serve as plazas de armas, where those soldiers of
Jesus take refuge in order to go out in the island to
war against the armies of Satan. It can be stated
confidently that the district of which we have been
speaking, has been conquered by our reformed
order; for when we entered Mindoro, scarcely was
the name of Christ known there, while at present
there are many souls there who follow the banners
of the cross, and all the power of hell, incited by
Mahometan infidelity, has not availed to destroy the
deep roots of its faith. On the contrary we have
wondered greatly at the power of the divine grace
in those neophytes, for after their belief has been
proved many times, as gold in the crucible, in the
fire of the most raging persecution it has gone up
[a number of] carats in value and purity. [This
district was also the scene of a miracle or prodigy
that showed the force of God and the faith.]
l82
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
812. Besides the above-mentioned convents, a
mission was begun some years later in the mountains
of Mindoro for the purpose of reducing the Man-
guianes heathen. Although many of them had been
converted, allured by the zeal of various religious,
still not a few remained in the darkness of paganism
for lack of ministers, who could busy themselves
without any other occupation in busying themselves
in illumining them with the evangelical light. That
was so abundant a field that it could keep many
laborers busy. Thus the project was formed by the
province to keep at least three subjects busy in it, so
that each one, so far as he might be able, might put
his hand to the plough, and without turning back,
cultivate so extensive a land, which was capable of
producing an infinite amount of fruit for the table
of glory. But since the missionaries maintain them-
selves there at the cost of the royal treasury, which is
almost always in a state of too great exhaustion, so
well conceived a desire had to be satisfied with one
single preacher, whom the superior government as-
signed for that purpose, although the province
assigns others at its own expense, when its too great
poverty does not prevent, or the lack of men, so usual
there. The residence of those missionaries in the
village of Hog was determined upon and a suitable
convent was established there. From that place,
entering the mountains frequently, they began to fell
their rational thickets, in order to fertilize them
with the waters of irrigation of the divine grace, so
that the seed of their apostolic preaching might be
received. By means of the laborious eagerness of
the sowers who have succeeded them, a great portion
of that arid desert has been transformed into the
most charming garden. When I left Philipinas in
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 83
the year 1738, it still existed as a most fruitful mis-
sion and there were well founded hopes that if
Apollos water the plants established by Paul, it will
receive the most abundant increase from God.49
813. [The way was blazed also in the mountain
mission with miraculous occurrences that pro-
claimed the true God.] It appears impossible that
their inhabitants should not come to know God and
should not run breathless after the odoriferous deli-
cacias of His goodness. There is still much to do in
this regard, for a great number of infidels still live
in the said mountains, and if thirty missionaries
were assigned there, they would not lack employ-
ment. But let us praise God for what has been ac-
complished, petitioning Him to crown so memorable
beginnings with a good end.
[The fourth section of this chapter does not treat
of the Philippines.]
CHAPTER X
The province of Philipinas again receives the
ministries of Galamianes, which it had previously
abandoned. Abundance of fruit is gathered there.
Some religious die in Espaha.
The year 1681
§ l
Our religious begin again to preach the faith in
the islands of Calamianes; and the great fruit
which they gather in the conversion of many
heathen.
823. [The Recollect missionaries of Philipinas
can rightly be called apostolic because of their zeal.]
824. In the year 1661, the Chinese pirate Kue-
49 The reference is to I Corinthians iii, 6.
184 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
sing sent an embassy to the Philipinas Islands,
demanding nothing less than the vassalage of them
all, and threatening the Spaniards who did not com-
ply with what he called their obligation that they
would feel all the weight of war on themselves. We
have already treated of this matter in another
place.50 So far as we have to do with the matter
here, various measures were taken in the islands be-
cause of the fears caused by the threat, in order that
they might be defended in case that Kuesing ful-
filled it. One of those measures was the abandon-
ment of the presidios of Terrenate, Zamboangan,
Calamianes, and others, in order that they might
be able to employ their troops, artillery, and muni-
tions of war in defending the most important places.
That decree was opposed very strongly, but the
objections although they were thoroughly based on
reason could not prevent such action being taken.
Consequently, at the end of 1662 or at the beginning
of 63 the presidios were actually withdrawn, and the
Christian villages were left more exposed than ever
to the invasions of the Moros. That so fatal resolu-
tion was also necessarily accompanied by the
withdrawal of the evangelical ministers, for the
fathers of the Society abandoned Zamboangan and
other sites, and our Recollect family the Calamianes.
Although no special regret was shown for that ac-
tion at that time by the superior government of
Manila, to whom belongs the duty of furnishing
spiritual ministers to the subject villages, yet years
afterward the wrong was recognized, and the rem-
edy was procured in due manner.
825. The most fruitful preaching of Ours in the
R0 A sidenote here refers to nos. 32-38 ante.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS I 85
islands of Calamianes has been already related in
volume II ; 51 as has also the conversion of their
inhabitants, until then heathens; the marvels which
divine Omnipotence worked there; the convents
which were established for the extension of the
Catholic faith; and the hardships endured by the
missionaries in spreading it. Now, then, it must be
noted that eight religious were well employed in all
the islands of that jurisdiction, who looked after the
spiritual administration of the Christian Indians and
the conversion of the idolaters who were not few.
But when they withdrew, only two remained in
charge of the islands of Cuyo and Agutaya while the
six betook themselves to Manila or wherever their
obedience assigned them. The place occupied by
the six (where they labored to excess, as there were
many Indians and they were spread out into many
islands and settlements) was given to one single
secular priest. He having his residence in Taytay,
did as much as he was able in the other villages.
But it is more than certain that he could do very
little, if he did perchance succeed in doing anything.
In this regard one can visibly see the spiritual wrong
which followed those vassals of the king. Even an
undeniable loss resulted to the royal treasury, for in
a few years the Indian tributes were lessened almost
by half. But notwithstanding that, neither Governor
Don Diego de Salcedo nor the bishop of Zebu, to
whom it belonged in its various aspects to supply the
remedy of one and the other wrong, would manifest
that they understood it.
826. Thus did things go on for seventeen years
61 The original refers at this point to Luis de Jesus, folios 36,
42 ff.
i86
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
until the year 1680, when the Indian chiefs of Cala-
mines having united among themselves, presented
a memorial to Governor Don Juan de Bargas
Hurtado. In it, after mentioning the wrongs above
mentioned, and the love which they always professed
to our religious, their first ministers, they urgently
petitioned that the Augustinian Recollects be as-
signed them as parish priests. The fact that the
cura, Don Antonio de Figueroa, the only missionary
in Calamianes, in addition to having been presented
for the curacy of Tabuco in the archbishopric of
Manila, had now been sick for two months and
unable to administer the sacraments, lent force to
that representation. On that account he petitioned
with double justice that a successor be sent to him,
but no secular ecclesiastic could be found who knew
the language of the country, nor would risk the
mission which was now of but very small profit. For
those reasons, the abovesaid governor despatched an
order to our provincial on May 1 1 of the said year,
asking and charging him, and even ordering him in
the king's name, to assign religious of his order, in
order that they might go to reassume possession of
the villages of Calamianes, so that they might attend
to its spiritual administration. He hoped that by
means of their wonted zeal, that province would be
restored to its former splendor through their direc-
tion and teaching, and that the number of the
Christians would increase in the proportion desired.
827. But notwithstanding that, the father pro-
vincial negotiated with his definitory in order to in-
terpose a supplication in regard to the said act,
and refused to send evangelical laborers, the total
cause of such action being the lack of religious. He
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 87
alleged, then, that since his province had assumed
charge of the ministries of the Contracosta and of
Mindoro, where many subjects were employed ; and
in consideration of the lack of men which the dis-
calced order suffered there, which could not be
helped: not only was it clearly impossible for him
to assign missionaries to Calamianes, but also that he
saw that it was necessary for the reformed branch to
reiterate his petition made previously to the royal
Audiencia, in regard to withdrawing the two min-
isters who were occupied in the island of Cuyo, as
there was a notable lack in other villages. That al-
legation was sent by decree of the superior govern-
ment to Don Diego Antonio de Viga, of the
Council of his Majesty and his fiscal in the Audien-
cia of Manila. On the sixteenth of the same month
and year, he maintained that notwithstanding the
representation made by the father provincial (since
no other order contained ministers who understood
the language of the Calamianes), the necessary
provision must be despatched, in accordance with the
second and last warning, ordering the Recollect
province to establish missionaries in Calamianes and
not to withdraw those of Cuyo. He was confident in
the apostolic zeal with which they have ever applied
themselves to the ministry, that notwithstanding
their small number they would accomplish the task
which demanded many laborers.
828. The governor conformed to the plea of the
fiscal. Consequently, on the same day he despatched
in due form a second decree in the king's name, or-
dering the superior prelate of our province, in con-
sideration of the extreme necessity of the islands of
Calamianes, to immediately establish the necessary
1 88 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
ministers therein for the spiritual consolation of
those Indians. He added that Don Fray Diego de
Aguilar of the Order of Preachers, the bishop
recently appointed for Zebu (to whose miter the
said islands belonged) despatched ex-officio his
decree also charging our province with the adminis-
tration of all the Christian villages established in
Calamianes, or that were to be established in the
future; and says that he does so in consideration of
the apostolic zeal of our reformed order and the
spirit that always assists them in trampling under
foot the greatest fatigues, so that many souls might be
gathered into the flock of the Catholic church.
Thereupon the father provincial, Fray Thomas de
San Geronimo, could offer no more resistance and
sent father Fray Nicolas de Santa Ana as vicar-pro-
vincial of Calamianes, with two associates. The al-
calde-mayor of the said province, Don Diego Bi-
bien Flenriquez, placed them in possession of the
ministry of Taytay (which is the chief one of them
all) on the first of November, 1680, to the universal
joy of the Indians. The latter showed by extraor-
dinary festivals their joy at seeing that the direction
of their spirits was in charge of the same fathers who
had engendered them through the gospel. The king,
by his decree dated December 24, 1682, confirmed
the said possession at the petition of the father com-
missary of Philipinas, Fray Juan de la Madre de
Dios, with great signs of his royal pleasure.
829. Of the three religious newly assigned, father
Fray Nicolas established his residence in Taytay;
the second was located in the island of Dumaran;
and the third in the village of Tancon. From those
places they labored according to their strength, until
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 89
the arrival at Philipinas of the band of missionaries
which was conducted by the father commissary, Fray
Juan de la Madre de Dios, which entered Manila
in October 1684, when a greater number of mis-
sionaries could be assigned, as was very necessary
for the direction of so many Indians. For the ex-
tensive territory which was formerly administered
by only one cura, has later given worthy employ-
ment to five, six, or seven of our religious, to say
nothing of the two at the least, who have been sta-
tioned continually in the islands of Cuyo. Hence
one may infer how much the Catholic faith has been
extended there, now by reducing into the villages
the many natives who had fled to the mountains, after
abandoning almost entirely their Christian obliga-
tions; now by undeceiving others who lack but little
of becoming Moros, because of their nearness and
intercourse with those people ; and now by penetrat-
ing into the roughest mountains of Paragua in order
to draw the souls from the darkness of paganism to
the agreeable light of the Christian religion.
830. In regard to these particulars, we consider
it necessary to reproduce at this point a portion of
a letter written May 28, 1683, to our father vicar-
general, Fray Juan de la Presentacion, by the recent-
ly-elected father provincial of those islands, Fray
Isidoro de Jesus Maria, a person well known in Eu-
ropa for the literary productions which he has pub-
lished. He speaks, then, as follows: "The urgings
of the Indians of the province of Calamianes to the
ecclesiastical and secular government and to my
predecessors, have availed so much, that this prov-
ince has judged that the precept of Christian char-
ity demands us to return to that administration, trust-
19° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
ing in God our Lord for the relief of the very great
disadvantages which had compelled our religious
who had administered and reared that field of Chris-
tendom from its beginning, to withdraw from that
province. At the present it has increased by more
than two thousand souls who have been drawn from
the mountains in less than three years, as can be seen
from the relations sent to the chapter. Greater fruits
are hoped for, because in the past year of 82, the
ambassador of the king of Borney in the name of his
prince, arranged with the governor of these islands
for the cession of a not small amount of land and
number of settlements, which are subject to the said
Borney -one in the island of Paragua, one of the
islands of Calamianes. The confirmation of the pact
with his ambassador is awaited from Borney, so that
that district may really be incorporated with the
rest which is subject to the king our sovereign; and
consequently, to introduce by means of our religious,
the Catholic faith among those new vassals of his
Majesty."
831. Then he goes on to treat of the unsupport-
able hardships suffered in Calamianes by the evan-
gelical ministers. I have thought it best not to omit
his relation, in order that one may see how much
merit is acquired in the promulgation of the faith
amid such anxieties. "-But the devil," he continues,
"who watches that he may not lose the souls of
which he finds himself in quasi possession, has raised
up at this time a cloud of dust, by which he has pre-
vented and is preventing in many of these remote
parts the obtaining of many souls and is occasioning
the loss of others. For as I am advised by the letters
of the religious of Calamianes, under date of the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 9 1
eighteenth of the current month and of the twenty-
second of the past month of April, that the alcaldes-
mayor who have governed that jurisdiction (and
even more he who is governing it at present, who is
a lad of 21, a servant of the governor and of these
islands) cause so great and continual troubles both
to the father ministers and to the natives of the coun-
try, that the latter, although Christians, have retired
from their villages of Taytay, Dumaran, and Para-
gua to the mountains in order to escape their in-
tolerable oppression. They exclaim that they are
not withdrawing from obedience to his Majesty and
that they do not intend to abandon their profession
as Christians, but that they do not dare to live in the
more than enslaved condition in which the alcaldes-
mayor, carried away by their insatiable greed, con-
fine them. The father prior of Taytay writes me
that he has entered the mountains with every dan-
ger from the enemy, in search of his terrified and
scattered sheep; and notwithstanding all the efforts
and warnings that he has made and given them he
has not been able to succeed in getting them to return
to their villages, unless another alcalde-mayor be
assigned to them, and relief offered for the extreme
oppression that is offered to them. They answer
the arguments of the father by telling him not to
tire himself, 'for we can ill hope,' they say, 'that he
who tramples on the sacred dignity of a priest, will
have any moderation with regard to us.' They as-
sert this because they saw that the last alcalde-
mayor lifted his cane against father Fray Domingo
de San Agustin, and struck him while he was put-
ting on his clerical robes to say mass; and that the
present alcalde-mayor treated the religious with in-
J92 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
dignity even to the point of taking from them the
one who takes them their necessary support, so that
they have had to find for themselves the water that
they drink. He has taken from them the sacristans
and other servants of the Church without leaving
them even anyone to aid them in the mass. He has
forbidden the Indians to enter the convent or to as-
sist in any of the things to which they are obliged.
He has forbidden them to go out as they ought to
the visitas, and to confess, preach, and catechize.
It is all directed to the end that the Indians might
not be busied in anything else than in getting wax
for the alcalde-mayor. Hence this is the source and
beginning of the troubles suffered by the poor In-
dians. They are not only not permitted to make use
of their natural right, but are prevented from giving
the due execution to his Majesty's orders, from en-
tering and going out, from trading and trafficking
one with another, and one village with another, for
if they have anything to buy or to sell, it must be
entirely for the alcalde-mayor. These notices are
necessarily communicated in the lands of the infi-
dels. Just consider, your Reverence, what will be
the condition of their minds, when we try to re-
duce them to the knowledge of our good God, and to
the obedience of the king our sovereign. I have in-
formed the governor in regard to this, and since I
do not expect any relief from his hand, I entreat your
Reverence to procure it from the royal piety with
the memorial and documents adjoined. If not we
shall have to appeal to God, for such troubles are of
very frequent occurrence in various parts of these
islands. We never cease to wonder when we see
some Spaniards here who are so destitute of Chris-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 93
tian considerations, and so clothed in greed, God so
permitting by His lofty judgments, in exchange for
the martyrdoms that are lacking to us religious in
Japon."
832. We believe, although we are not altogether
sure, that the suitable relief was given on one and
the other side, for in the following years, we find
that the Catholic faith made very extraordinary
gains in Calamianes. This is proved by the rees-
tablishment of the ancient convents and ministries.
It appears that the chapter of 1686 erected a new
mission in the village of Tancon which was later
moved to the village of Culion. The chapter of
1695 established another distinct mission in the is-
land of Dumaran, and that of 1698 a third one in
the island of Lincapan; and we see that that of 1746
has added two other ministries, the first in the is-
land of Alutaya, and the second in the village of
Calatan. That is sure proof of the increase of the
Christians, when the evangelical laborers are so in-
creased. In regard to the above we must mention
what appears from acts and judicial reports which
the superior government of Manila sent to the
Council of the Indias, and which are conserved in
its secretary's office in the department of Nueva
Espana; namely, that when our province of Cala-
mianes was again given to us, all the islands con-
tained only 4,500 Christian souls, but that in the
year 171 5 they amounted to 18,600. And even after
the continual and furious persecution, which is men-
tioned briefly in the third volume 52 had intervened,
with which it is undeniable that the number of be-
lievers had decreased greatly, father Fray Juan
52 A sidenote reference is to Santa Theresa, no. 740 ff.
1 94 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
Francisco de San Antonio notes in the history of his
province of San Gregorio de Philipinas B3 that there
were 21,076 Christian souls in the islands of Cala-
mianes and Romblon in the year 1735. Hence sub-
tracting about five thousand from that number for
those of the island of Romblon, there is a remainder
of about sixteen thousand for Calamianes.54 Let us
give praises to God who thus maintains the zeal of
those fervent laborers and crowns their fatigues with
so abundant fruits.
[Section ii of this chapter mentions the virtues
and holiness of some of the Indians of the missions
of Calamianes. The first mentioned was one Joseph
Bagumbayan, a native of Taytay, who was reared
in the convent of that village by the Recollects. The
rearing of such children is described as follows:
"The holy orders of Philipinas are wont to take ac-
count of the sons of the chief Indians of the vil-
lages under their charge, in order to teach them
63 A sidenote reference is to San Antonio, i, p. 215.
54 The present population of the island of Romblon is 9,347,
all civilized. This must be differentiated from the province of
Romblon, which contains a number of islands, and has a popula-
tion of 52,848. The Calamianes or Culion group is located in the
southwestern part of the archipelago between Mindoro and Para-
gua between lat. n° 39' and 12° 20' N., and long. 1190 47'
and 1200 23' E., or a sea area of 1,927 square miles. This group
consists of well over 100 islands, islets, and mere rocks, many
of them unnamed. The largest islands in the group are Busuanga,
Calamian, and Linacapan. The population of Calamianes is
given as follows for a number of years: 1876, 16,403; 1885, 21,-
573; 1886, 17,594; 1887, 16,016; 1888, 14,739; 1889, 16,876;
1891, 18,391; 1892, 18,053; 1893, 19,292; 1894, 18,540; 1895,
16,186; 1896, 15,620; 1897, 15,661; 1898, 14,283. While the
falling off in later years may be accounted for possibly by the
movements of population during the insurrectionary period, it must
be assumed that the returns for the earlier years are incorrect,
for they would not naturally vary so greatly from year to year.
See U. S. Philippine Gazetteer, pp. 412-415; and Census of the
Philippines, ii, pp. 197, 198, 405; and iii, pp. 12-16.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 95
good morals from childhood, and rear them with
those qualities which are considered necessary to
enable them to govern their respective villages after-
ward with success, since the administration of justice
is always put in charge of such Indians. They live
in the convents from childhood in charge of the grav-
est fathers. The latter are called masters, although
in strictness they are tutors or teachers who would
right gladly avoid such service. In this meaning,
and in no other, must one understand whatever is
said about our religious having servants in the Phili-
pinas. I have heard scruples expressed here in Es-
pana over this bare kind [of service], when it ought
to be a matter for edification to see that in ad-
dition to the truly gigantic toils that our brothers
there load upon their shoulders, they voluntarily
take this very troublesome one of rearing a few chil-
dren who serve only to exercise the patience." Jo-
seph strove to imitate the fathers as much as possible,
in self sacrifice and austerity, and desired to become
a donne, "which was the most to which he could as-
pire, since he was only an Indian." That, however,
being denied him, he was enrolled in the confrater-
nity of the Correa or girdle, and admitted as a spirit-
ual brother of the Recollect order. He acted as
teacher of boys for over fifty years, teaching them
reading, writing, arithmetic, and music. At his
death he was buried in the Recollect church at Tay-
tay. One of the boys taught by Joseph was Barto-
lome Lingon. At the age of fifteen he was appointed
to assist Fray Alonso de San Agustin or Garcias, who
arrived in Philipinas in 1684 and was sent immedi-
ately to Calamianes. Although he desired to re-
main unmarried, he was married at the request of the
missionaries to a devout woman named Magdalena
196 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
Iling. He acted as the chief sacristan of the Recol-
lect church in Taytay, ever taking great delight in
the service of the church and his duties therein. He
survived his wife three years, dying in January 1696.
His wife had been born in Laguna de Paragua but
had lived in Taytay most of her life with a Christian
aunt. Although she wished to devote her life exclu-
sively to religion she was persuaded by the religious
to marry Bartolome. Her devotion led her to teach
the girls of the village without pay. Of a gentle
disposition she was yet unyielding on occasions of
necessity and although tempted by an alcalde-mayor
who was enamored of her beauty and made improper
proposals to her, she ever maintained her virtue. At
her death by cancer of the breast, she was buried in
the Recollect church. The last two sections of this
chapter have nothing on the Philippines.]
DECADE TEN
[The first chapter of this decade does not treat of
the Philippines.]
CHAPTER II
Our province of Philipinas attempts a mission to
Great China. The life of the venerable brother
Fray Martin de San Francisco.
The year 1682
§ l
Relation of the anxiety which our province of Phili-
pinas has always had to extend its apostolic preach-
ing to China; and the great effort made in 1682
for that purpose.
[The story of the Recollect attempt to evangelize
in China is one of failure, notwithstanding the earn-
est efforts made by that order to send laborers to that
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 197
empire. Shortly after the closing of Japanese ports
to all missionaries in 1640, the Philippine Recollects
began to work up the foreign mission field, but it
was not until 1650 that they were able to present me-
morials to the Roman court, which proved unavail-
ing as the Italians and French were already on the
ground in many of the Asiatic countries. In 1667
the father provincial, Fray Juan de la Madre de
Dios, received decrees in blank ordering him to
send laborers to China, but the royal treasury was
in no position to aid them, and the wars both in the
islands and in China also prevented the proposed
spiritual invasion. Many other mandatory decrees
from the king met the same fate, but in the chapter
of 1680, the order determined to make the mission
if they had to supply all the funds themselves. Three
men were told off to study the language in order to
prepare for the work in China, and in 1682, one did
actually get as far as Macan, but the opposition of
the civil authorities there proved the deathknell to
all hopes at that time. Again in 1701, and in 1704,
abortive attempts were made to enter the great em-
pire, the last being coeval with the arrival of the
apostolic visitor Cardinal Tournon.]
[The second section of this chapter treats of Span-
ish matters.]
CHAPTER III
A fine mission leaves Espana for Philipinas; and
the venerable father Fray Christoval de San Joseph
leaves this for the eternal life.
The year 1 68 3
§ I
Of the missions of our religious who reached Phili-
pinas during the years of these three decades, and
198 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
in especial of the mission which made its voyage
this year 1683 to the not small luster of the Catho-
lic religion.
. . . 908. The third volume has already re-
lated that a mission left Espana in the year 1660 in
charge of father Fray Eugenio de los Santos.55 He
brought in that mission, however, only eighteen choir
religious and two lay brothers whose names I have
been unable to ascertain, as the instruments with
which I would have to do so have not come to me
from Espana. They all reached Mexico in the
above-mentioned year and since because of various
accidents that happened during the voyage, in the is-
lands and in the port of Cavite no ships came from
Philipinas to Nueva Espana, either that year or the
two following, the mission had to stay in the said city
all that time incurring the expenses and fatal conse-
quences that one can understand. In the year 1662
the viceroy of Mexico despatched a boat to the is-
lands to get a report of their condition, for there was
fear that they had been invaded by enemies. One of
those missionaries ventured in that boat, and arriv-
ing at Manila it caused not a little rejoicing to the in-
habitants there. The next year ships from Philipinas
were seen in the port of Acapulco, and as a conse-
quence fourteen religious took passage in them and
arrived at Manila in August 1663, and not in 1684
as was wrongly reported in volume three. The five
others remained in Nueva Espana, but they after-
wards reached their destination and all served in
those fields of Christendom where they were of great
use.
909. Father Fray Christoval de Santa Monica,
55 A sidenote refers to Santa Theresa, no. 1228.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 1 99
after having been provincial of Philipinas, to which
dignity he was elected in the year 1656, was appoint-
ed in 63, to come to Espafia in order to collect and
lead a mission. He came then, having received on
the way not a few favors from St. Nicholas of Tolen-
tino - favors which he received under the apprecia-
ble quality of miracles, but which we cannot specify
for lack of documents. He negotiated in Madrid
as successfully as could be desired, and collected a
mission of twenty-four religious, all generally of
good qualities and with the characteristics that are
desired in that province. He set sail with that val-
iant squadron June 16, 1666. [After various miracu-
lous happenings on the way, the vessel reached Vera
Cruz in safety, whence the passengers went across
the peninsula to Acapulco. August of 1667 the Re-
collects all reached Manila save two who remained
in Mexico for another year because of sickness.]
910. In the year 1668, the venerable father Fray
Juan de la Madre de Dios, of Blancas, was elected
president of Mexico in the provincial chapter of
Mexico, and father Fray Agustin de Santa Monica,
commissary for Espana. The latter died aboard ship,
and on that account, when the former arrived at
Mexico, he found an order within two years to go
to the court of Madrid in order to discuss some mat-
ters of not small magnitude, and to give his vote for
the province in the general chapter. The authority
and money for the conduction of a mission were long
delayed, but at last he received them both at the end
of 1674, whereupon he displayed so good zeal that
he took passage with twenty-six religious in June
1675. He reached Mexico with his gospel militia,
where he was ordered by the province to return to
200 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
Espana to conduct certain matters that could only
be entrusted to his person. Thereupon, sending his
accounts to Philipinas, the mission went to the is-
lands in the year 1676 in charge of another prelate,
and father Fray Juan bent his steps toward his new
destiny.
911. Another father, Fray Juan de la Madre de
Dios, a native of Cuenca, had gone to Philipinas in
the mission of father Fray Christoval de Santa Mon-
ica; in the year 1680, that definitory appointed him
commissioner to Espana. He sailed the same year
from the port of Cavite in the galleon named "San
Telmo." [After a voyage tempered with the mercy
obtained by St. Nicholas of Tolentino, in several
dangerous situations, the father arrived at Acapulco,
January 22, 1681, and was detained some time in
Nueva Espana by the fever. Reaching Spain in
November of the same year, he hastened to lay his
supplications at the royal feet, and was given a decree
calling for a mission of forty religious fathers and
five lay brothers. "He also obtained a royal decree
dated April 16 of the abovesaid year [1682] in which
his Majesty continued the annual alms of one hun-
dred and fifty pesos for the medicines which are
used in our infirmary of Manila; and another of the
thirtieth of the same month, in which he also con-
tinued the alms of two hundred and fifty pesos and
a like number of fanegas of rice per year for the
maintenance of the four religious of Ours who were
in charge of the Indians in Manila."]
914. In view of this, the edict for the mission was
published by our father vicar-general. An excellent
mission was collected at Sevilla for the purpose of
taking passage in the fleet which was about to sail to
1691-1700J RECOLLECT MISSIONS 201
Nueva Espana in charge of General Don Diego de
Saldivar. Thereupon the mission sailed from Cadiz
on the fourth of March, 1683, and consisted of the
following religious.
1. The father commissary, Fray Juan de la Madre
de Dios, native of Cuenca.
2. The father vice-commissary, Fray Fernando
Antonio de la Concepcion, native of Aldea del Car-
do, of the bishopric of Calahorra.
3. The pensioned father reader, Fray Juan de la
Concepcion, known as Moriana, an Andalusian.
4. Father Fray Agustin de San Juan Bautista, a
native of Leganes near Madrid.
5. Father Fray Juan de la Encarnacion, of Tala-
vera.
6. Father Fray Francisco del Espiritu Santo, of
Xarayz in La Vera de Plasencia.
7. Father Fray Antonio de San Agustin, of Ma-
drid.
8. Father Fray Juan de San Antonio, of Alcala
de Enares.
9. Father Fray Juan de San Nicolas, of Daymiel
in La Mancha.
10. Father Fray Alonso de San Agustin, of Villa
de Garcias in Estremadura.
11. Father Fray Joseph de la Encarnacion, of
La Nava del Rey.
12. Father Fray Francisco de la Ascension, of
Madrid.
13. Father Fray Francisco de la Madre de Dios,
of Malaga.
14. Father Fray Pablo de San Joseph, of Toboso.
15. Father Fray Joseph de San Geronimo, of Cal-
cena in Andalucia.
202 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
16. Father Fray Juan del Santissimo Sacramento,
of Logrono.
17. Father Fray Vicente de San Geronimo, of
Lupinen, near Huesca.
18. Father Fray Sebastian de San Marcos, of To-
boso.
19. Father Fray Gaspar de San Guillermo, of
Villanueva Messia.
Brother Choristers
20. Brother Fray Alonso de la Concepcion.
21. Brother Fray Diego de San Nicolas, of Ma-
drid.
22. Brother Fray Antonio de la Encarnacion, of
Xetafe.
23. Brother Fray Joseph de la Madre de Dios,
of Toboso.
24. Brother Fray Juan de San Agustin, of Oran,
Africa.
25. Brother Fray Francisco Antonio de la Madre
de Dios, of Alcantara.
26. Brother Fray Francisco de Santa Maria, of
Madrid.
27. Brother Fray Ignacio de San Joseph, of Bu-
xaraloz, Aragon.
28. Brother Fray Joachin de San Nicolas, of
Anon, Aragon.
29. Brother Fray Joseph de Santa Getrudis, of
Villafranca de Panades, Cathalufia.
30. Brother Fray Joseph de la Trinidad, of
Urrea de Xalon, Aragon.
31. Brother Fray Joseph de Santa Lucia, of
Caspe, Aragon.
32. Brother Fray Francisco de San Joseph.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 203
33. Brother Fray Pedro de San Miguel, of Por-
cuna, kingdom of Jaen.
34. Brother Fray Raphael de San Bernardo, of
Berja, kingdom of Granada.
35. Brother Fray Manuel de la Concepcion, of
Sevilla.
36. Brother Fray Juan de la Ascencion, of Mo-
ral, in the archbishopric of Toledo.
37. Brother Fray Alonso de San Joseph.
38. Brother Fray Juan de Santa Monica.
Lay Brothers
39. Brother Fray Pedro de la Virgen del Pilar,
of Barcelona.
40. Brother Fray Agustin de Santa Monica, of
Ecinacorva, Aragon.
41. Brother Fray Roque de San Lorenzo.
42. Brother Fray Joseph de Jesus.
43. Brother Fray Juan de Jesus, of Alcazar de
San Juan, La Mancha.
915. All the above, minus the one named at num-
ber 22 who died at sea, and those included under
numbers 9, 12, and 14, who hid in Puerto Rico, in
order that they might return to their provinces, as
they did do, arrived with the great good-will of the
fleet, at Vera Cruz, June 1, 1683, whence they went
to Mexico with all possible haste. There they com-
ported themselves with the greatest rigor, observ-
ance, abstraction, and example, so that the hospitium
appeared a desert. Thus they succeeded in obtain-
ing the favor of the viceroy, the count of Paredes,56
66 Tomas Antonio Manrique de la Cerda, conde de Paredes,
marques de la Laguna, and knight of the Order of Alcantara,
took office as viceroy of Mexico, November 30, 1680. The chief
events of his term were the piratical raids, chiefly by French
204 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
and the venerable archbishop Don Francisco de
Aguiar y Seyjas, who visited the fathers in the hos-
pitium, and that not only once. During that winter
those who had not completed their studies, contin-
ued them, and in that the father lector, Fray Juan
de la Concepcion and others who were not lectors,
but were worthy to be, worked with especial zeal.
By the fifth of March, 1685, they began to go out in
bands to Acapulco, whence they set sail April 4, in
the almiranta, called "San Telmo." They anchored
in the port of Sorsogon, in Philipinas, on the four-
teenth of July, and arrived in Manila some time in
August. There they were given a fine welcome and
were allowed some time to rest after so long a voy-
age. But they afterward began another greater work
in that vineyard with the fulfilment which was hoped
of not resting until they obtained their reward in
glory.
[Chapter iv, treating of the general chapter of
1684, notes (p. 457) that the first definitor chosen
for Philipinas was father Fray Francisco de San Ni-
colas, and the second definitor, Fray Miguel de San-
ta Monica; as first and second discreets (p. 458),
were chosen father Fray Bias de la Concepcion and
father Fray Nicolas de Tolentino.]
[Most of chapter v is taken up with the life of
father Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios, called also
Blancas. He was born in the town of Blancas, Ara-
gon, of honorable parentage, his family name being
Garcias. From his early years of a religious turn of
mind, he at length attained the height of his desires
by professing (June 15, 1635) in the convent of Bor-
corsairs. His residencia was taken in 1686, and about two years
later he returned to Spain. See Bancroft's Mexico, iii, pp. 190-
207.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 205
ja. In 1650, after having preached very acceptably
at the convent of Zaragoza, he enlisted in the Philip-
pine mission organized by father Fray Jacinto de
San Fulgencio. On his arrival at Manila he
preached at the convent in that city and engaged in
other work (being also the confessor of the govern-
or Sabiniano Manrique de Lara) until December,
1655. At that time his health giving out because
of an accident, he went with the then father pro-
vincial, father Fray Francisco de San Joseph, to the
convent at Bolinao in the Zambal district, leaving
behind with the governor a folio MS. book which
he had written during the preceding two years
entitled Governador Christiana, entre Neophitos
(Christian governor among neophytes), for spirit-
ual guidance in all sorts of matters. In Bolinao, the
change of climate and work restored the father's
health in a short time, but he remained in that place
until the new provincial chapter in Manila. At
that chapter he was chosen prior of the Manila con-
vent against his wishes. Again in 1658 ill health
compelled him to go to Bolinao, where he remained
this time four years. His efforts to keep the natives
there quiet during the times of the insurrections
were of great fruit. He labored zealously in that
district even visiting the schools in addition to the
regular duties of a missionary. He received a num-
ber of devout women into the tertiary branch of the
order. He was untiring in his efforts for both the
spiritual and corporal good of his charges.]
§ v
Father Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios founds a vil-
lage of Indians, converted by dint of his zeal. He
206 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
is elected definitor and retires from the commerce
of men to adorn himself with the perfection of his
virtues.
. . . 984. In a site called Cacaguayanan
which means "the place of many bamboos," six
leguas or so from Bolinao there were for years back
a not small number of Indians, who had fled from
the surrounding villages, and who are there called
Zimarrones. They having abandoned in its entirety
the faith which they had received at baptism, and
accompanied by many heathen, not only rendered
vain the attempts of mildness and of force which
had several times been practiced to reduce them to a
Christian and civilized life, but either by declared
war, or by means of skilful cunning, did not cease to
cause constant depredations in the Catholic villages
which were subject to Spanish dominion. So true
is the statement contained in various parts of this
history, that our ministers of Philipinas, although
they dwell in mission fields already formed, go forth
to living war against infidelity, and although the
Christianity of Zambales was the first one converted
by our discalced order, even there our religious
have no lack of meritorious occupation. From the
first time that our venerable father was in Bolinao,
he worked with his accustomed zeal in order to place
those people in the pathway of their eternal salva-
tion. He had obtained from them that the Chris-
tians should be obedient to the law, and that the hea-
then should leave the opaque shades of paganism,
so that it was conceded to him to found a new set-
tlement in the island of Poro with them, with a gen-
eral pardon and the accustomed privileges. Moved
by so good hopes the father went to chapter, and
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 207
since he had so much influence with the governor of
the islands to whom the giving of such licenses per-
tains, he procured one for the founding of the village
which he was attempting, with all the privileges that
those Zimarrones and idolaters could desire. But
since the religious to whom it was charged, did not
succeed in rinding the means prescribed by pru-
dence to unite spirits dissimilar in other regards,
not only was the project not obtained, but their good-
wills having been irritated, the desired attainment
came to appear impossible.
985. So passed affairs, when renouncing the pri-
orate of Manila, as we have said above, that gleam-
ing sun returned to illumine the hemisphere of Bo-
linao, and not being able to prevent the activity of
his light, he immediately shed his reflected light
even to the darkest caves where those Indians were
taking refuge in the manner of wild beasts, fleeing
from their own good and blindly enamored of the
most unhappy freedom. Again did the father es-
tablish the compacts for their conversion. In the
first step that he took in the undertaking, he made
the greatest sacrifice of himself, by exposing his life
to a danger which might make the most courageous
man tremble, if he were less holy. For when he
heard that the fugitive Christians and a great num-
ber of heathens and some Chinese idolaters were
celebrating a solemn feast to the demons, in the
above-mentioned place of Cacaguayanan, he deter-
mined to go thither in person with the intrepidity
suitable to his valor, and almost alone to oppose so
sacrilegious worship and at the same time reduce
those who paid that worship. In these ceremonies
called Maganitos in the language of the country,
208 the PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
intoxication is the most essential part of the solem-
nity. And since the Zambal Indians are extremely-
warlike, esteeming it the principal part of their no-
bility, unless they are illumined with the Catholic
faith, to lessen with inhuman murders the species
of which they consider themselves as individuals,
adding to this that they consider it as an attention
paid to their religion, to take away the life of any
Christian who approaches their district, where they
pay such adorations to their deities, then one can
conjecture the great risk that beset that soldier of
Jesus, when he attacked such an army of infernal
furies, in order to withdraw them from a darkness
so dense into the refulgent light of the Catholic reli-
gion.
986. But its good outcome deprived the action
of the censure of temerity, which showed that it was
governed by a special motion of the Holy Spirit,
whose impulse at times trespassing the lines of what
the world calls prudence, causes one to undertake
projects which our finite reason qualifies as rashness.
The fact is that when the venerable father arrived
at the dense part of a solitary thicket in whose mel-
ancholy shades those Indians had gathered to wor-
ship as a god one who is not a god, he met them with
the qualities of meek sheep, when he might have
feared to find them like ferocious wolves, who would
consider it a sport of their cruelty to rend him to
pieces. Beyond any doubt the hand of God, who
wished to preserve the life of one who despised it
for His sake, was in this; for since the infernal fury
with which the heathen clothe themselves on such
occasions is assured, one cannot attribute their gen-
tleness on this occasion to natural causes. That most
zealous minister put his hand, then, to the double-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 209
edged sword of the preaching, and fighting with it
according to his wont so skilfully, made himself
master almost without any resistance of those hearts
which were filled with apostasy and infidelity, set-
ting up in them the banner of our holy Catholic
faith. The complete attainment of so famous a vic-
tory was retarded somewhat, because of the outbreak
of the insurrection of Pangasinan. In him was veri-
fied what experience has always demonstrated,
namely, that a very quiet disposition is needed so
that the divine word may be born in souls by the
faith. But at last when all the heads of that mon-
strous hydra were cut off, the blessed father had the
happiness to obtain the fruit of his zeal by construct-
ing a new village in the site called Mangasin. That
was the most suitable place in the island of Poro, and
was called by another name Cabarroyan. From the
beginning he counted eighty houses in it and a like
number of families, all drawn from the captivity of
the devil to the perfect liberty of the kingdom of
Christ.
[The father preached many sermons to the Zam-
bals in their own language, which he had begun to
learn when he first went to Bolinao, so many in fact
that they formed two MS. volumes in quarto; and
of them copies were made for the use of those not
so well versed as himself in the Zambal tongue. In
April 1662 he was chosen definitor at the provincial
chapter, and lived for the three years of that office in
the Manila convent. At the following chapter in
1665, father Fray Juan was elected provincial
against his will. His term was one that needed his
strong rule, for there were troubles with the govern-
or, Diego Salcedo, who offered obstacles to the
smooth ordering of affairs. He materially advanced
210 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
his order and brought some new stability into the
body which had suffered in the recent earthquakes,
and the Chinese and native insurrections. At the
completion of his triennium he was chosen president
of the Recollect hospitium in Mexico. Setting sail
for his destination, July 4, 1668, the port of Aca-
pulco was reached only on the twenty-second of the
following January, after a voyage replete with storm
and sickness. Proceeding to his destination the father
entered the hospitium of Mexico on the twelfth of
February of the same year. In 1671, as related above,
Father Juan de la Madre de Dios was ordered to cast
the vote of his province in the general chapter held
in Spain in 1672, and also to attend to various mat-
ters for his order. There his stay being somewhat
prolonged because of lack of funds and other things
he was made visitor general of certain Spanish con-
vents, and was later elected to high officers of the
order in Aragon. Returning to Nueva Espana with
a band of missionaries he was again sent to Spain on
business of the order, but a broken arm received
while on his way from Sevilla to Madrid, caused
his retirement to the Zaragoza convent, where he
died January 10, 1685, at the age of 68. Throughout
his life, he was most humble and led an austere ex-
istence.]
[Section ii of the following chapter treats of the
life of father Fray Thomas de San Geronimo. This
father was born at the village of Yebenes, in the
archbishopric of Toledo, his family name being
Ayala. He took the habit in the Madrid convent,
July 28, 1646. Upon going to the Philippines he was
sent to the missions of the Visayas. Devoting him-
self there to the study of the languages he learned
several of the Visayan tongues, especially the Ce-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 211
buan, "the principal Visayan tongue." In that lan-
guage he translated the catechism, which was printed
at Manila in 1730; compiled an explanation of the
Christian Doctrine, which was printed in 1730; and
composed a vocabulary in the Cebuan tongue, and
another in the dialects spoken in Cagayan and Taga-
loan. In addition he left two volumes of sermons in
the vernacular of the country. He served as prior
for six years in the convent of Billig, Mindanao; six
years in Cagayan, and various times at the island of
Romblon, and finally in Siargao. In 1680 he was
elected provincial, and served his term so faithfully
and well, visiting and working assiduously, that he
was reelected in 1686 against his will. But he was
destined not to fill that office again for death took
him May 19, 1686. After his first term he served
in the island of Romblon. He was a most zealous
missionary. The remainder of the chapter and
chapter vii following do not deal with Philippine af-
fairs.]
CHAPTER VIII
Our missionaries illumine the islands of Masbate
with the preaching. The fourteenth general chap-
ter is held. Two excellent religious die in the prov-
ince of Aragon.
The year 1688
§ l
Our province of Philipinas takes charge of the spir-
itual administration of three islands, namely, Mas-
bate, Ticao, and Burias, with no little luster to the
Catholic religion.
. . . 1 108. In the great archipelago of San
Lazaro, as one enters the Philipinas from Marianas,
212 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panai, Zebu, and
Leyte form among themselves an almost perfect cir-
cle which has a circumference along the beaches from
the center of about two hundred leguas encircling the
above-named islands, which are very near one an-
other. Within this circumference, toward the part
of Mindoro and Panay, are located the islands of
Romblon, and toward the part of Leyte those of Mas-
bate, Ticao and Burias, which belong to the bishopric
of Nueva Caceres in ecclesiastical matters, and to
the alcaldeship of Albay in political matters. Mas-
bate, which is the chief island, is sixty leguas south-
west of Manila. It lies in a latitude of about sixty de-
grees, has a circumference of fifty leguas, a length of
nineteen, and a breadth of five or six.51 The island of
Ticao is about nine leguas long, four and one-half
wide, and about twenty-three leguas in circumfer-
ence.58 That of Burias has a circumference of twenty-
six leguas, four wide and twelve long.59 Masbate has
the reputation of having the richest gold mines that
were found by the first Spaniards, and from which
they benefited to a great extent. Their working has
not been continued, either for lack of people suitable
67 The island of Masbate has an area of 1,236 square miles.
It is mountainous, the mean elevation ranging from 2,000 to
2,500 feet. Its present total population is 29,451, all civilized,
and the great majority Visayan. See Census of the Philippines,
i, p. 66, ii, pp. 30, 392, 407.
58 Ticao belongs to the present province of Masbate. It is
very small, containing an area of only 121 square miles. In
shape it is long and narrow, and not of great elevation. Its pres-
ent population is 10,183. The chief known occupation is agricul-
ture. See ut supra, i, p. 66, ii, p. 30.
59 The same general description as that of Ticao fits Burias.
Like that island, it also belongs to the province of Masbate. Its
area is 197 square miles, and its population 1,627. See ut supra,
i, p. 66, ii, p. 30.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 21 3
for this work or for other reasons which do not con-
cern us. That of Burias abounds in the palm called
Buri, of whose fruit and even of whose trunk, the
Indians make an extraordinary bread. That of
Ticao produces many woods, excellent for the con-
struction of medium-sized boats. The natives of
those three islands are of the same qualities as the
rest of the Philipinas. However, they have become
very sociable because of the almost continuous in-
tercourse that they have with the Spaniards, on ac-
count of the many who pass on their way to other
countries.
1 109. Those islands were reduced to the crown
of Espafia in 1569 by Don Luis Henriquez de
Guzman, a knight of Sevilla, whose conquest made
them thoroughly subject in everything to Captain
Andres de Ibarra. Thereupon, scarcely had the way
been opened by arms, when the venerable father,
Fray Alonso Ximenez, an Observant of our order,
entered Masbate to preach the law of grace. He,
as is asserted by father Fray Gaspar de San Agustin,
may be called the apostle of that island, in consider-
ation of the great amount of his labors therein for
the extension of the Catholic faith. Other apos-
tolic workers of the same institute followed his
tracks later, and they went to Ticao and Burias.
Consequently, in the year 1605, the province of Santo
Nombre de Jesus founded a mission composed of
the above three islands. The first prior appointed
was father Fray Francisco Guerrero, instructor of
Christian doctrine, who was of well-known zeal.
But our calced fathers kept the care of their ad-
ministration only until the year 1609, when the in-
termediary chapter resigned that district and its
2 14 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
villages into the hands of the bishop of Nueva
Caceres, Don Pedro de Arce, in order that he might
appoint secular clergy as he wished, who could at-
tend to the Christian Indians with the bread of the
doctrine.60 From that time until the year 1688,
various curas had successive charge of the admin-
istration of those souls in order to teach them the
road of glory. But notwithstanding that that district
had only two hundred and fifty families when they
took charge of it (as the above-cited Father Gaspar
confesses) whose number continued to decline after-
ward because of the Moro invasions, one cura could
in no way be maintained, and scarce could one be
found to take charge of that church.
1 1 10. Things were in this condition, then, when
the most illustrious master, Don Fray Andres Gon-
zales, who deservedly ascended to the bishopric of
Nueva Caceres from the ranks of the Order of
Preachers, represented to the king on May 28, 1682
that in order that the villages of his diocese might
be rightly administered spiritually, it would be
indispensable to assign its curacies in another manner
and give some of them into the charge of religious.
In consideration of that he petitioned his Majesty to
commit the approbation of the new plan considered
to his governor of those islands, so that as vice-
patron, he might proceed in it. The king conceded
what that prelate asked by his decree dated Madrid,
August 13, 1685, and his Excellency presented the
new formation of districts to the governor with all
its changes. By it he applied to our province all the
mission of Masbate, and its adjacent islands, as well
60Sidenotes at this point refer to San Agustin's Conquistas,
book ii, chapter i, p. 215; book iii, chapter xxv, pp. 515, 516, 529.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 21 5
as the villages of Ingdzo, Catanavan, Vigo, and the
rancherias contiguous, all located in the island of
Luzon, which hitherto had belonged to the curacy
of Piriz, so that another new mission might be
formed under charge of our discalced order. The
governor was the admiral of galleons, Don Gabriel
de Cruceleygui, knight of the habit of Santiago.
By an act of November 26, 1686, he approved in
toto the idea of the bishop, and, as a consequence,
the assignation made to us of the above-mentioned
villages, so that we might administer them as curas.
However, because of several troubles that resulted,
our province accepted only the mission of Masbate,
and renounced the right that they might have had
to the other villages of the island of Luzon, for they
could be administered by the fathers of St. Francis
with less trouble.
1 1 1 1. The constant reasons for the acts by which
the bishop assigned to us the above-mentioned dis-
trict were reduced to the fact that there was but one
secular priest in it, and he was insufficient for its
administration. For it was proved that only four
persons had died with the sacraments within the
long space of four years, while those who had
passed to the other life without that benediction
numbered one hundred and eighteen. Add to this
that the baptism of small children had been delayed
many months as the parish priest did not go but very
seldom to visit the distant villages. This ought not
to induce inferences against the well-proved zeal of
those venerable priests, that they had neglected their
duties in attending to the obligations of the min-
istry. For since there was but one ecclesiastic in
all three islands, and those islands occupy so great
21 6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
an extent, and the villages are so distant from one
another, how could he attend to so many parishion-
ers with the pastoral food? It is a fact that even
after our religious had entered there and three or
four were kept busy continually, scarce could they
fully attend to all their duties as spiritual directors,
without some inculpable lack being evident; and
that notwithstanding that each one labored as many,
for not few of them have lost their health because
of the work, as we shall see hereafter. Consequently,
one ought not to be surprised if those Indians were
poorly administered before, for it is undeniable that
one person cannot attend to so many laborious cares,
as can many, although he may equal them in zeal.
1 1 12. The bishop and governor convinced, then,
in this matter, despatched the fitting provisions in
November 1686 in order that our reformed branch
might take charge of those souls. This plan was
of great moment to the province, for the said islands,
besides being the necessary passage way and very
suitable station for those who voyage from Manila
to Carhaga and Zebu, are the stopping place of the
ships which sail from Cavite to Acapulco and return
from Nueva Espana to Philipinas. It is very com-
mon for the ships to stop in their ports to get fresh
supplies, and await suitable winds. On that account
there originated the greatest convenience in pos-
sessing them in our custody, because of what makes
for the spiritual : for the provincials, when they sail
out upon their visits; for the commissioners when
they come to Espana for missions; for the missions
themselves when they arrive at the islands; and for
the multitude of our religious who journey from one
part to another, employed in the holy commerce of
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 217
souls. Without doubt those reasons somewhat aided
the zeal with which our tireless workers in those
countries have always procured the good teaching of
the faithful, and the conversion of the faithless, at
the cost of their own very great fatigue and of great
penalties. On that account it was determined in the
intermediary chapter of 1687 to accept the charge
of that reasonable territory to whose labor God
called them by the mouth of the bishop. And more
when it was learned that, although the number of
the Christians was greatly diminished, the interiors
of the islands of Masbate and Burias were densely
inhabited with innumerable Indians, apostates from
the faith and assembled there not only from their
villages, but also from other parts, in whose reduc-
tion a great service would be done to God and
the king, and with this fruit the sweatings of the
spiritual administration would be eased, which by
themselves alone gave much to grieve over.
1 1 13. Finally matters having been arranged,
fathers Fray Juan de San Phelipe, the outgoing
provincial, and Fray Juan de la Encarnacion, with
another associate, of whose name we are ignorant,
left Manila in May 1678 [i.e., 1688] to take charge
of the above-mentioned district. They went to the
village of Ticao, where they met the cura, then
Bachelor Don Christoval Carvallo, who had been
notified by the suitable acts in the month of August.
The latter agreed without the least repugnance to
surrender the churches and his administration. He
did it gracefully on September 2 of the same year
in the village of Mobo, a site in the island of Mas-
bate, which was, and is, the chief village of all the
others, and that mission remained from that time on
2 1 8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
subject to our discalced order. The Indians received
the religious with signs of the greatest rejoicing.
It is a fact that they knew our holy habit some years
before, because some of our gospel missionaries had
stopped in their port on account of storms, when
they were passing by Masbate on their way to their
destinations, and had attended to instructing them
and even administering them the sacraments. From
that came the almost general joy with which the
discalced Augustinians were received there; and
from that reception originated the great fruit which
they obtained with their preaching. The fathers
endeavored to have the love shown them by the In-
dians increase, not being unaware that the good-will
of the hearers is a very plausible disposition so that
the work of the preachers may be useful. Knowing
also that the good opinion of the evangelical min-
ister gives great force to his words, in order that
theirs might be increased they aimed to confirm
them with works. They bore themselves as saints in
private and public in order to give a good example
in all things. With that method, one can believe
the great number of Christians that were gathered
to Catholicism in the said islands, as we shall relate
later.
1 1 14. But since it was necessary for this attain-
ment to found some convent, they erected it that
same year in the village of Mobo, which had the
most inhabitants. It has Nuestra Senora de los
Remedios [i.e., our Lady of Remedies] as titular,
and a very costly church is being built which
abounds in reredoses and other adornments with a
sacristy provided with vestments [? jocalias~\ and
ornaments. The house is very capacious and has
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 21 9
all the necessary rooms and has moreover cells for
the religious who generally live in it. That convent
was the refuge of the gospel ministers who lived in
it in suitable number to look after the Christians in
spiritual matters and to allure the apostates to the
bosom of the Christian religion which they had
abandoned. Thence, as swift moving clouds, they
went out to fertilize the other villages with the water
of their doctrine and having become hunters of
souls, to overrun the deserts and mountains. Al-
though there were not more than six villages in the
three islands when our discalced religious entered
to administer them, in a few years they established
three more where they could shelter those who were
being reduced to our holy faith. And hence the
workers of that mission with inexplicable toil cared
for a great number of souls who dwelt in the capital
of Mobo, and in its annexed villages or visitas of
Ticao, Burias, Balino, Palanog, Habuyoan, Tag-
masuso, Buracan, and Limbojan. In that extensive
territory not few times did God explain His mercies
with repeated miracles in confirmation of the faith
which Ours were preaching. Some received with
baptism the health of the body, and others found
themselves freed from their pains by the prayers of
the ministers, accompanied by the laying on of
hands. However, inasmuch as the manuscripts give
us these notices without specification, we cannot
name the individual miracles.
1 1 15. A very lamentable event for the islands
which happened in the year 1726, was the reason for
the founding of another convent in Ticao. It hap-
pened as follows. The galleon "Santo Christo de
Burgos," while making its voyage to Nueva Espana,
2 20 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
anchored at the port of Ticao in order to await good
weather before taking to the open sea. But it was
shipwrecked there by a storm which came upon it.
On board that vessel was Don Julian de Velasco, a
minister assigned to the Audiencia of Mexico. He
managed to obtain his spiritual improvement from
that disaster so transcendental to all classes of Phili-
pinas by the practice of good works. He did not
care to return to Manila, although he could have
done so, but remained with all his family in the said
port until he could get passage the next year.
Among what he was able to save of his lost posses-
sions, he placed his first attention in seeing that the
holy image of the holy Christ of Burgos which was
on the ship as its titular, should not be lost; for it
was his intention to place it at his own expense in
some church, so that it might have public veneration
for the benefit of souls. Scarcely, then, did he have
that celestial treasure in his hands, when he exposed
it to worship on the high altar of the church of Ticao
with ornaments suitable to his devout affection.
Thereafter followed the assignment of some income
so that there might be a resident evangelical minis-
ter there, both so that a chaplain might not at least
be wanting to the holy image, and so that the Indians
might not lack more continual teaching. For that
reason, the province afterward determined to found
a convent in Ticao. To it were assigned the villages
situated in the islands of Ticao and Burias, and to
the convent of Mobo those of the island of Masbate.
The ministers were thus able to obtain more relief
because their number had increased, although they
still had much to do in order to attend to everything.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 221
§ n
Relation of the progress made by Catholicism in
those islands by the preaching of our laborers;
and the great hardships that they suffered for that
end.
1 1 16. In the year 1724, the province of Phili-
pinas begged the king to confirm, by special decree,
the possession that had been given them in his royal
name of the islands of Masbate. His Majesty ordered
the governor of Philipinas and the bishop of Nueva
Caceres, on the eleventh of February, 1725, to make
no innovation in regard to the spiritual administra-
tion of the said district until he should provide what
was needful in his royal Council. He ordered them
also to inform him of the progress that had been
made by the faith in that territory since it had been
in our charge. On that account some juridical in-
vestigations were made in Manila in order to inform
the king with acts. By them it appeared that, al-
though there had been only one single parish priest
in all the district of Masbate before, since it had
been placed in charge of the Recollect fathers, three
religious at least had always lived there; and that,
as was proved by the books of the royal treasury,
in the year 1687, anterior to our possession, there
were only one hundred and eighty-seven families in
the whole mission, while in the year 1722, there were
five hundred and eighty-five : so that in the space of
thirty-four years they had increased by three hun-
dred and ninety-eight. For that reason the governor,
Marques de Torrecampo, gave his king June 30,
1727, a very favorable report of our discalced order
in the terms of this honorable clause. "The district
222 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
of Masbate, in charge of the discalced Augustini-
ans, has had an increase of 398 whole tributes through
the apostolic zeal of those ministers. They, not only
in that district, but also in the rest of these islands,
dedicate themselves to the propagation of our holy
Catholic faith with the greatest toil and with the
most visible fruit."
1 1 17. These increases will be of greater moment
if we consider that, if the families be reduced to the
number of four persons each, as is customary there,
the said district consisted, at the time it was given to
us, of 748 souls, and in thirty-eight years it had in-
creased to 2,340, the increase amounting to 1,592
persons. But sixteen years later (namely, the year
1738, when father Fray Juan Francisco de San An-
tonio printed the first volume of the history of his
seraphic province of Philipinas), those increases
were almost doubled.61 Then directing his pen to
the end that leads to truth, he assures us that there
are new villages in the island of Masbate with three
thousand three hundred and forty- five souls; in that
of Ticao, two, with four hundred and seventy-five
persons; and one in that of Burias, with one hundred
and eighty. Whence it is inferred that three more
villages were newly established: namely, in Mas-
bate, those of Navangui and Baraga; and in Ticao,
that of San Jacinto, at the port so named, where the
ships now stop for fresh supplies, before taking to
the open sea. Also the number of souls has in-
creased to one thousand six hundred and sixty by the
impulses of the preaching of our reformed branch,
aided efficaciously by divine grace. All the increase
of this district since it has been in our charge has
61 A sidenote refers to San Antonio, i, folio 219.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 223
been six newly-created villages, and three thousand
two hundred and fifty-two souls brought to the
Catholic bosom. And we even ought to infer that
many more have been converted, for by the inva-
sions of the Moros, which are told at length in the
third volume,62 the number of the Christians could
not but be lessened.
1 1 18. It only remains now to ascertain whence
proceeded those Indians who so increased the above-
mentioned villages. It was stated in another place
in the third volume 63 that there was a great number
of mountain Indians in the islands of Masbate and
Burias, who are there called Zimarrones. They
were feared, for they lived without God, or king,
and were given up to the liberties of paganism.
Those were certain men, if they can be called so,
who having apostatized the faith, had taken to the
deserts and high places, where they defended their
native barbarity at every step, against those who
were trying to reduce them and to procure their own
good. They had gathered there, either they or their
ancestors, from the villages of the same islands, as
well as from Zebu, Leyte, and others, to escape the
punishment due them for their crimes. Conse-
quently, they were people especially fierce. Among
them were found to be many heathens, as they had
been born in those places where the sound of the
preaching did not penetrate. The others were still
worse, as they had abandoned Christianity. They
did notable damage to the villages, and they even
robbed the boats that were anchored in the ports or
bays, treacherously taking many lives. The matter
62 A sidenote reference is to Santa Theresa, no. 740 ft
63 A sidenote refers to ut supra, no. 739.
224 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
had assumed such proportions that one could not
cross those islands by their interiors; and to ap-
proach their shores was the same thing as putting
in at an enemy's port. But at present all the Zima-
rrones are reduced to the faith, and to the obedience
of the king without any exception. Hence one can
travel through the islands without the slightest risk,
and boats can go thither even to the uninhabited
places. From that and from no other beginnings
have come the increase of that church, and there is
not small praise to our reformed branch from it.
1 1 19. That progress of the faith was preceded
by many hardships that were suffered by the reli-
gious, some of which I shall state, noting that in-
numerable others are omitted, in order not to bore
our readers by their relation, and because they re-
semble those that we shall relate. It has already
been stated, then, that for the space of more than
thirty years there was but one convent in the three
islands, which was established in the village of
Mobo, whence the gospel laborers went out to ad-
minister all the settlements of the district. For that
purpose, it was absolutely necessary for them to sail
many leguas by boisterous seas, or to travel by land
in some parts by rough mountains, threatened in the
one place with shipwreck and in the other by con-
tinual dangers. Since the new convent was estab-
lished in the island of Ticao, the administration is
more tolerable, although it is always accompanied
by indescribable fatigues. For the religious of
Mobo have to sail completely about the island of
Masbate in order to fulfil their obligations, or if
they prefer to journey by land, as they are able, to
one or two villages, they have to do it afoot with the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 225
greatest discomfort, through inaccessible moun-
tains, and exposed to dangers wellnigh insupport-
able. The missionaries of Ticao, besides having to
coast a great part of that island have to go many
times during each year to that of Burias, crossing the
very stout currents of the sea from the rapidity of
which some of the missionaries have found them-
selves in the utmost consternation. On the other
hand, all the time that the Indians remained Zima-
rrones, they allowed no passage to the zealous
laborers without them risking their lives to innumer-
able dangers ; and even after they had been reduced,
the Moros were a substitute for them on the outside,
and inside many sorcerers, who tried, some by vio-
lence, and others by their diabolical arts, to drive
thence, and even from the world, the ministers of
souls. And who can tell all that they suffered from
all these causes? It was so great that some religious,
never more alive than when they were dead, came
to die in the campaign like good soldiers.
1 1 20. Father Fray Ildephonso de la Concepcion
was one of those who sweated most in that ministry,
and one of those who entered to cultivate it in its
early beginnings. By the ardor of his zeal, by the
example of his life, and by his apostolic preaching,
he reduced many apostates to the Catholic faith.
Some of them were gathered into the villages al-
ready established, and others, up to the number of
eighty families, founded through his influence, an-
other new village on the opposite coast from Mobo.
Going then, from one to another part of the islands,
the solicitous fisher of souls had the boat in which
he journeyed swamped twice, one-half legua from
shore, while another time his boat was driven by
2 26 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
storms on some reefs and dashed to pieces; dangers
in which many of those who accompanied him were
lost, while the father escaped miraculously with his
life after having endured a thousand anxieties. The
Zimarrones, infidels, and bad Christians, given up
to doing ill to whomever procured their total wel-
fare, now as declared enemies, and again as wily
friends, placed him almost continually in monstrous
danger of exhaling his last breath. In order that
he might visit promptly the new village which he
had erected, he opened a road from Mobo to it
through the interior of the island. He crossed it
many times on foot, it being necessary for him to tra-
verse very lofty mountains exposed to all the inclem-
encies of the weather. He suffered indescribable
things for the faith, with the great hardship that his
vast zeal occasioned him, and which those Indians
caused him with their obstinacy. Finally he fell
grievously ill, his pains originating from the penal-
ties of the said road which he frequented several
times in the course of a single month, as well as from
the heat and showers which he endured when going
through the mountains in search of those rational
wild beasts. He died through the apostolic zeal, in
the manner in which all gospel laborers ought to
depart this life.
1 121. Father Fray Benito de la Assumpcion, a
religious who seemed born for the labors and sue*
cesses of the spiritual administration, followed that
laborer in the care of that vineyard. He believed
that, without passing the limits of prudence, it
would be very seasonable for the souls of his parish-
ioners to reduce them to living closer together in
a fewer number of villages, and he thus tried to
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 227
bring it to pass. Especially did he propose to him-
self the plan that the Indians shortly before reduced
to the new village which we have mentioned in the
preceding number, should move to the capital or
chief village of Mobo, for he formed the correct
judgment that they would be better Christians if they
had at all hours the good example of their ministers
before their eyes. It is not so difficult to move a
whole village in Philipinas as it would be in Eu-
ropa; for the Indians build their houses without cost
and easily. They also find in all parts lands suitable
for their cultivation without any expense from their
pockets. Yet notwithstanding that one cannot easily
tell the vast labors, watches, and afflictions that come
upon the religious when they attempt such reduc-
tions of the Indians. The latter desire with too
great endeavor, to have their residence where they
cannot be registered, in order to work with greater
freedom, and excuse themselves if possible from all
human subjection, and even from divine law, with-
out caring greatly for their own spiritual interests,
but each one going at will to his rancheria or field
where it is not easy for the father minister to visit
them or assist them with the holy sacraments during
their sicknesses. For that reason all hell is conjured
against the teacher of the doctrine, if he tries to place
such reductions into effect, from which many spirit-
ual interests would follow. That venerable father
suffered so much with his undertaking that he
caused universal wonder that it did not cost him his
life, and the worst thing was that he could not see it
accomplished.
1 122. Not only in this, but also in other projects
of known utility, did he have much to endure and
228 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
much from which to gather merit. With the zeal
of Elias did he relentlessly persecute divine offenses,
while he at the same time loved the persons most
especially. It was the same for him to discover any
trace of superstition or the slightest vestige of the
badly extinguished infidelity, and to fly to its de-
struction with all his power. Amid continual risks
of losing his life, he exercised his gigantic charity
for many years in directing the souls of those islands
to God, without any fear of death whose scythe he
saw upon him many times. The Moros with their
stealthy attacks, the infidels or apostates with open
malice, and the evil Christians with their subter-
fuges and deceits made him almost continually suf-
fer for justice. But he worked on manfully as one
who had the refuge of his life in God, and consoling
his weakened heart with the divine grace he sup-
ported the persecutions from which the Lord wove
him a crown. In the above-named village a chief
Indian named Canaman irritated by the attempted
reduction, and because the father checked him pub-
licly for a certain scandalous concubinage, raised
his head in open mutiny. With many followers he
sought the father and persecuted him in order to
deprive him of life. At that revolution the vener-
able religious was sorely grieved, and it was consid-
ered as a special prodigy that he could escape from
so sacrilegious hands. Finally, for the same reason
another Indian of the village of Ticao (exasperated
by the just reprehension and punishment which that
famous minister had applied to him as an indispen-
sable medicine for his faults) caused him to be the
holocaust of his burning zeal for the good of souls,
by the hidden method of poison, through the potency
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 229
of which father Fray Benito lost his life, in order
to obtain a better one in glory.
1 123. After the above fathers, father Fray Diego
de San Gabriel entered to take up the toil with the
profit of increased fruit in the cultivation of that
field. He was the amazement of charity in regard
to God because of his care for self-perfection, and
in regard to his neighbor, because of the way in
which he desired his salvation. In order that he
might attain that end he pardoned no toil, if it were
fitting for the spiritual welfare of the Indians. He
showered favors upon his parishioners by trying to
take them to the kingdom of heaven. And although
for this the latter loved him more, some were not
wanting "among so many who persecuted him, re-
turning him evil for good. But like another David
when they troubled him with their injuries, the
venerable father clad himself in haircloth, humbled
his soul in fasting, and occupied himself in prayer.
By that means he delighted himself in God, taking
pleasure in hardships as if they were the fountain of
health. In order to induce his parishioners to the
devotion of the most holy Mary he composed and
published in the Visayan language a book of the
miracles of our Lady of Carmen ; and the most sweet
Virgin repaid his good zeal by liberating him with
circumstances that appeared miraculous from sev-
eral shipwrecks, and from other innumerable multi-
tudes of dangers. On the beach of the village of
Balino a certain Indian gave him a cruel wound
with a dagger, because he checked some faults in
him. The father recognized as a favor of the
Mother of Mercy, not only the fact that he was not
quite killed, as might have happened, but also the
23° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
cure of the wound, almost without medicine. But
at last, as he was sailing as secretary, which post he
had obtained later, to visit those villages and others
of Visayas, a storm coming down upon him swamped
the boat and he was drowned, together with the
father provincial, then our father Fray Juan de San
Andres.
1 1 24. And now in order to conclude in a few
words, a matter that we can not even with many
words consider adequately, we add that the vener-
able fathers Fray Antonio de Santa Monica and
Fray Thomas de San Lucas said many times without
a trace of boasting that, although they had been
many times in the doctrinas and missions, in none
of them had they found so much to suffer as in that
of Masbate. Father Fray Francisco de Santa En-
garcia was twice in imminent danger of death; first
in shipwreck and later because an Indian tried to
kill him, for the reason that he had tried to get him
to give up a certain concubinage. But God having
freed him from those dangers, allowed him to perish
in another through Flis occult judgments. It was a
fact that that father when attending to the fulfil-
ment of his obligation gave motive that certain of
the Zimarron Indians whom he was endeavoring to
establish soundly in the Catholic faith gave him
certain death-dealing powders in his food, which
although they did not deprive him of life rendered
him insensible and he became most pitiably insane.
Many other religious, whom we shall not mention
for various reasons, suffered so much while ministers
of those islands, by shipwreck, bad weather, and per-
secution, that if they did not obtain the crown to
which they aspired by death, they were left with
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 23 1
their health totally lost, and lived amid continual
aches and pains, until their last breath opened for
them, after some years, a pathway to heaven in order
that they might enjoy the reward of their well en-
dured conflicts.
[The remaining sections of this chapter and the
two final chapters of the book do not touch Philip-
pine matters.]
II
Extracts from JUAN DE LA CONCEPCION'S
HISTORIA
[It it thought advisable to append to the above
extracts from the Historia of Pedro de San Fran-
cisco de Assis, the following extracts from Concep-
tion's Historia. The first extract is from vol. viii,
pp. 3-16, and includes a portion of the first chapter.
It treats of the transfer of the province of Zambal to
the Dominicans, and the occupation of the island of
Mindoro by the Recollects.]
2. Continuing with the events of this govern-
ment, we must note that Don Diego de Villaroto
represented in the supreme Council of the Indias
that the island of Mindoro had a vast population
who still retained the dense darkness of their heathen
blindness; and that if the spiritual conquest of that
island were given to some order, it would be easy to
illumine its inhabitants with the true light. That
representation was met by a royal decree, dated June
18, 1677, ordering the governor of these islands, to-
gether with the archbishop, to entrust the reduction
of Mindoro to the order that should be most suitable
and fitting for that ministry; and that the curas em-
ployed in that island should be appointed to chap-
23 2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
laincies or prebends. That royal decree was
presented to the royal Audiencia of Manila by
Sargento-mayor Don Sebastian de Villa-Real in
October, 78. His Majesty's fiscal offered no objec-
tion to its observance, and prompt obedience was
rendered to it. It was directed to his Excellency
the archbishop, then Don Fray Phelipe Pardo.
That most illustrious gentleman, during the two
times when he was provincial of his order or prov-
ince, urged as a thing greatly to be desired and
demanded by his brethren the Dominicans, that the
Augustinian Recollects yield them the province of
Zambales, as it was very fitting for communication
with their province of Pangasinan, and of the latter
with Manila, and of those religious among them-
selves, who could thus make their visits more com-
fortably, by always crossing through their own
ministries, thus avoiding the voyage through the
territory of others, which they regretted. Notwith-
standing that those matters were discussed with
great courtesy (as is the case at present) yet that
was a demand that offended greatly the discalced
Augustinians, who regarded the Zambals as the true
sons of their spirit, and the land as watered with the
blood and sweat of many of their members, and a
land which, being their firstborn, was most tenderly
loved. The Dominicans could never obtain their
demand, although softened by exchanges, for min-
istries were offered in which there was even more
than enough room for zeal.
3. By- reason of the said royal despatch, his
Excellency formed the idea of completely removing
the Recollects from Zambales and giving them in
exchange the island of Mindoro. He set about that
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 233
with great zest. The Recollect provincial resisted,
alleging that it was contrary to their constitutions to
abandon thus the province of Zambales. That would
mean treating it as their own possession. It would
be better to recognize it as a territory distributed by
the universal patron; and, admitting that it was im-
possible to surrender it without his royal consent,
individual laws communicate no right, especially
when such mission fields are ad interim. He also
pleaded that the Indians of Mindoro, both infidels
and Christians, had as soon as they heard that regu-
lar ministers were to be given them, urgently
requested Jesuits. On the contrary, the Zambals,
when they were notified that it was the intention to
withdraw the Recollects from their midst in order
to introduce Dominicans, almost declared their
opinion in a terrible tumult. The Recollects pre-
ferred, therefore, that such a change should not take
place. But the archbishop was firm in his resolution,
and trampled all obstacles under foot. He united
with the governor, and both of them together forced
the Recollect provincial, Fray Joseph de San
Nicolas, by threats, to agree to the change. The
governor pacified the Indians of Mindoro by means
of his corregidor, so that they should receive the
Recollect fathers ; and the Zambals by means of the
alcalde-mayor of Pangasinan, so that they should
allow the Dominicans to enter. Thereupon, the
three seculars who had been in charge of Mindoro
were accommodated by suitable chaplaincies, and
an act was passed by the royal Audiencia, charging
the Recollect fathers with the administration of that
island, with absolute clauses based on the royal de-
cree, without any provision or obligation to leave
234 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
the missions of Zambales for it. That decree was
accepted when it was announced, and was extended
to the judicial cession of those missions, when
signed by the provincial of the Recollects, although
protest was made against it in the name of their prov-
ince, by two influential religious. On that account
a second act was enacted in which those missions
were adjudged to the fathers of St. Dominic, for the
archbishop was very much in earnest in those ar-
rangements.
4. Those decrees having been announced and
accepted, the Dominicans assumed possession of the
cordillera of Zambales. That province had on its
coast eleven villages with actual missions, which
were increased in the neighboring mountains. The
Recollects handed over that administration without
making any public disturbance, although all the
religious who had labored there protested vehe-
mently, all of which appeared in the judicial re-
ports. The Augustinian Recollects went to Mindoro
with the fitting despatches for that corregidor
ordering him to deliver the administration [of that
island] to them. Father Fray Diego de la Madre
de Dios, then definitor, was given charge of the
district of Baco, after it had been resigned by Bache-
lor Don Joseph de Rojas, who held it; father Fray
Diego de la Resurreccion of the curacy of Calavite,
in place of Licentiate Don Juan Pedraza, its parish
priest; while the curacy of Naohan was taken pos-
session of by the father definitor, Fray Eugenio de
los Santos, who was exchanged for Bachelor Don
Martin Diaz. The whole transfer was completed
before the end of the year 79. Three other religious
remained with the above three religious as associates
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 235
and coadjutors, and those six ministers began to
scatter throughout the island. That island is in the
center of this vast archipelago, and was formerly
called Mainit; but the Spaniards gave it the name
of Mindoro from a village called Minolo, located
between Puerto de Galeras and the bay of Ylog. It
is triangular in shape, its angles being three prom-
ontories: that of Calavite, facing west; that of
Dumah or Pola, facing north; and that of Burrun-
can, facing south. In size it is the seventh of the
more important islands, and is about one hundred
leguas in circumference. Its temperature is natur-
ally hot, but is tempered by the great dampness
arising from frequent rains. The height of its
mountains aids also in that. On account of such
circumstances it is a very fertile land, and, although
not very healthful for strangers, good and favorable
to its inhabitants. The latter made themselves
feared by their neighbors, especially on the sea,
where they attacked the most powerful, carrying
blood and fire everywhere. Notwithstanding, they
were of great simplicity, for when they saw the
Europeans wearing clothes and shoes - which they
did not use - they imagined that that adornment was
natural to them. They are but little given to the culti-
vation of the soil, and are content with wild fruits;
sago, which they get from the palm and which is
a good food for them; the flesh of wild animals;
and fish, which the rivers and seacoast offer them
in great plenty. They have little rice, on account
of their sloth in sowing and tending it, for they
make up that lack sufficiently in roots and fruits. If
they are weak, although corpulent, it is because of
their transcendent vice in being hostile to work.
2 36 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
5. Captain Juan de Salcedo made a beginning in
the conquest of the district of Mamburao, in the year
one thousand five hundred and seventy. That con-
quest was completed from the point of Burruncan
to that of Calavite by the adelantado Miguel de
Legaspi, in the beginning of the following year.
Gradually the remainder was subdued by the mis-
sionaries, by whose treatment the rudeness of the
manners of those people was softened. Conse-
quently, the encomienda of that large island was
very desirable. The Observant Augustinian fathers
were employed in its spiritual cultivation and
founded the village of Baco. The discalced fathers
of St. Francis also labored there for some time,
it being ceded to them by the Observant Augustini-
ans. They worked along the Calavite side to Pola,
which they abandoned either because those natives
were not at all disposed [to accept the faith], or be-
cause those fathers had slight esteem for that island
when compared with what was offered them in
Ylocos and Camarines. The Jesuits also labored
there, but always by the method of temporary mis-
sions, from time to time, and had no stability. It
only appears that they were more continual in
Naohan (which they founded), as long as it was
preserved by Father San Victores. When the latter
went to the Marianas, the Jesuits resigned that
portion into the hands of the archbishop. It is prob-
able that the latter was Senor Poblete.64 He
immediately formed two curacies for the secular
clergy to look after those souls. Although there
were but few souls, the extent of their territory was
so vast that it was necessary to establish a third
64 Miguel Poblete was archbishop of Manila from 1653 to 1668.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 237
parish. Those seculars maintained what was con-
quered, but that district did not yield a sufficient
recompense for the three ministers, and they were
paid from the royal treasury and from other pious
funds. It was also even difficult to find seculars
who cared to take charge of such districts, which
were truly little to be desired. But obedience
caused that there never was a lack of seculars there,
who maintained themselves until the year 76, when
the Recollects went there to take their places. As
the latter immediately placed six ministers there,
they furthered the conquest and reduction greatly
in all parts. Hence, while they only received about
four thousand Christians, those were multiplied in
a few years and the number rose to eight thousand,
and in 1716 they reached the number of twelve thou-
sand. There are still a great number of people in
the mountains, which are inhabited by wild men.
Some of those men are quite light-complexioned,
and are believed to have originated from the Chinese
and Japanese established there for the convenience
afforded by the island, or who have put in there be-
cause of shipwreck, or been driven thither by the
winds. Others are Cimarron Negritos, who are the
first inhabitants, and, as it were, more native. Trust-
worthy persons say that those people have a hard
little tail in the proper place for it, which prevents
them from sitting down flat. If it is true (and I do
not doubt it, notwithstanding that it is disputed),
it is not so strange that I have no examples of it.
Those prominences of the sacral bone are considered
as rare; but a beginning having been made in one,
it could have become natural in its propagation.
6. Thus did those Recollect religious find that
238 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
island, and, believing it to be important for the re-
ductions, they continued to establish their regular
administrations. The first was in Baco. There, inas-
much as it was the capital, lived the corregidor, but
the capital was later moved to Calapan. In that dis-
trict they formed the villages of Calapan, Baco,
Suban, Ylog, Minolo, and Camoron, with a number
of annexed villages or visitas. The second was in
Naohan, which was extended into six annexed villages,
namely, Pola, Pinamalayan, Balete, Sumagui, Ma-
liguo, and Bongabon. The third was in Calavite,
which formed the visitas of Dongon, Santa Cruz,
Manburao, Tubili, and Santo Thomas. The fourth
was in Mangarin, which was extended into its de-
pendencies, Guasic, Manaol, Bulalacao, and Ililin.
They also began an active mission in order to reduce
the heathen Mangyans, which had no other work
than to employ itself in those glorious reductions and
conversions of grace. For one single man it was an
immense work, but the superior government gave
no more stipends. That mission was established on
the bay of Ylog, and ministers and infidels were
pledged not to allow [there] any of the former
Christians, who might pervert the conversions. By
that arrangement it grew to a very large village, and
there were practiced some of the old customs that
belonged to the primitive church. All that fine
flower-garden has been trampled down and even
ruined by the Moros, as will be related in due
season.
7. The Dominican fathers also applied them-
selves to the work in the province of Zambales. That
province had already eleven villages formed, al-
though they were small, because that province has
but few people. It appeared to the new fathers that
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 239
that number of villages made their administration
difficult; consequently, they tried to reduce their
number by uniting some of them. That incorpora-
tion was difficult; hence they increased the troops
and arms of the presidio of Paynaven, the center of
that province. Through the protection afforded by
those troops, they broke up the whole province. The
village of Bolinao, which had a fair population, was
located on an island, which is separated from the land
by only a channel, which forms its famous and secure
port.65 It was fertile and pleasant. They moved it
to the mainland, to a sandy shore, useless for any-
thing, even for the ordinary fields. Its lack of water
they supplied with wells which they opened. There
they obtained some water, but it was thick, and in
the time of the dry season it entirely disappeared.
The Indians who were harmed by this measure were
so angry at that moving, that many families retired
to Ylocos. In truth, that site is despicable. An
eminence which looks upon and almost dominates
the port would have been much more suitable, and
they would have obtained better air there; while
their boats, which cannot navigate by the channel
to the village during the blowing of the north wind,
so that the cargo has to be carried for a long dis-
tance on the shoulders, would have obtained shelter.
There are many other inconveniences but one cannot
think of a single advantage. They moved the vil-
lage of Agno 66 from the coast into the interior, to
65 Bolinao is now located on the northeastern end of the Zam-
bal Peninsula. Before being moved by the Dominicans, it must
have been located on the island of Santiago or Purra, just across
the channel from its present location. Its present population
(see Census of Philippines, ii, p. 244), is 5,397«
66 Today located on the coast. Its present population is 6,139.
See Census of Philippines, ii, p. 244.
24° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
a site which is a swampy mudhole when there is the
least rain. The village of Sigayan was moved to
another site, where the only advantage was a near-by
river of fresh water which was unnavigable. They
left Masinloc 67 on its pleasant site, while the village
of Paynaven was moved inland to a site called Iba,88
from which the new village took its name, moving
that village in order to get it away from the com-
mandant of the fort, whose proximity was annoying
to them. They did not regard it as a recompensable
hardship for the minister of that village to go on
feast-days in order to say mass in the presidio, and
to repeat it afterwards in his own church. In order
to increase that place and give it the name of capital,
they brought families from Bolinao, who formed a
large barangay. It has already been seen that they
made use of the fort in this, and that those who were
moved were not very well pleased. The Domini-
cans also founded, or better, made from other vil-
lages, the village of Cabangaan 69 in an obscure site,
which was rough and surrounded by dense moun-
tains, and suitable only for a hermit and solitary life,
but so far as others were concerned, a place of pro-
found melancholy. They also formed the village of
Subic 70 from other villages, which had only the ad-
vantages of its port to recommend it, while in other
67 Masinloc (see ut supra) has a present population of 3,230.
68 Iba, now the capital of the province of Zambales, is located
on a river a very short distance from the coast. Its present popu-
lation is 4,482. See Census of Philippines, ii, p. 244.
69 The modern Cabangan is located on the coast road a few-
miles south of Iba. Its present population (see ut supra) is 3,015.
70 The village of Subic is located on the northern side of the
bay of the same name, and its present population (see ut supra)
is 2,525. Subic Bay is one of the best natural harbors in the
Philippines.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 24 1
respects it was most unpleasant. They also filled the
vacant places left by the many families who retired
to the mountains as a result of the violence exer-
cised, with others whom they brought from Pan-
gasinan, a province abounding with people, who be-
cause they are so numerous, and there is no room
for all, leave their homes more easily. In fact, they
did that, too, in order to be surer of the Zambals,
in whose severe and warlike minds they did not have
the greatest confidence. Thus did they soften those
people, or let us say frankly, checked their vehe-
mence. The reduction of the people of the mountain,
however much it is talked about, is not known, as
neither is the place where they could form villages
or a village from them. Let us leave then exaggera-
tions, which, when they offend by comparison, can-
not fail to be odious. We shall treat of the restora-
tion [of that province] below, in its proper place.71
[The following extract is from the same volume,
and includes pp. 135-144.]
CHAPTER V
The Augustinian Recollect fathers assume the spir-
itual government of the islands of Masbdte, Ticao,
and Burias. A geographical description of those
islands is presented.
1. Under the metaphor of husbandmen, the
prophet Amos describes those who are employed in
the cultivation of souls. The chroniclers of the
Augustinian Recollect fathers describe those fathers
for us as zealous and laborious in their never-ceasing
application in planting and cultivating the word of
71 See the Dominican account of their missions among the
Zambals, as given by Salazar, in vol. xliii.
242 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
God in humble hearts. The Recollects assumed
charge, in addition to the fields already mentioned,
of the island of Masbate with the neighboring
islands of Ticao and Burias. Those islands belong
to the bishopric of Nueva Caceres in ecclesiastical
matters, and to the alcaldeship of Albay in political
affairs, Masbate is sixty leguas from Manila, in a
latitude lying between twelve and thirteen degrees.
It is about fifty leguas in circumference, nineteen
leguas long and five or six broad. It was formerly
famous for its rich gold mines, which, when they
tried later to work them, it was found did not pro-
duce expenses. The island also has fine copper
mines, samples from which in very recent times were
excellent. Information was given of them by Don
Francisco Salgado; and when everything necessary
and expert Chinese for working them had been pre-
pared, he abandoned them, for he saw that they had
much less metal than he had thought. The island
of Ticao is about twenty-three leguas in circumfer-
ence, nine long, and more than four wide. That of
Burias extends its circumference to twenty-six
leguas, twelve in length, and four in width. These
calculations must be understood only approximately,
for they had not been exactly determined. All
three possess excellent timber, from which pitch is
distilled in plenty, and makes excellent pitch for
vessels. One of those trees produces the fragrant
camanguian ; 72 another very abundantly a kind of
almond, larger than that of Europa, for which it is
mistaken in taste. They have many civet-cats ; civet
is a drug which was obtained there long before this
72 i.e., Incense, or storax. The word is spelt "camangyian"
in the Tagalog dictionary of Noceda and Sanlucar.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 243
time, and had a good sale in Acapulco, although that
product is not in so great demand now.
2. Don Luis Henrriquez de Guzman, a knight
of Sevilla, reduced those islands to the crown of
Espafia in the year one thousand five hundred and
sixty-nine. Their conquest was finished and they
were left thoroughly subdued by Captain Andres de
Ybarra. Protected by arms, father Fray Alonso
Ximenez, an Observant Augustinian, introduced the
evangelical law. In that he did excellent work and
obtained much fruit in Masbate. Other religious,
imbued with the same spirit and of the same institute,
followed, and spread the work into Ticao and
Burias. By that means a suitable mission field was
established, and the Augustinians conserved the
administration thereof until the year six hundred
and nine. At that time they resigned that district
into the hands of the bishop of Camarines, who em-
ployed seculars instead of those regulars. There
were various seculars in charge of the administra-
tion there, until the year one thousand six hundred
and eighty-eight. The district handed over by the
Augustinian fathers had two hundred and fifty regu-
lar families ; but that number was diminished by the
terrible invasions of the Moros, so that the corre-
sponding stipend was not sufficient for the mainte-
nance of one cura, and no one could be found who
was willing to take care of that district. On that ac-
count his Excellency, Master Don Fray Andres Gon-
zalez of the Order of Preachers, their bishop, repre-
sented to his Majesty that it was absolutely necessary
to apportion the curacies in another manner for the
just spiritual administration of his bishopric, by plac-
ing some of them in the charge of regulars; and he
244 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
petitioned that his Majesty approve his new plan, by
ordering his governor of those islands to proceed in it
as vice-patron. The king consented to what the pre-
late asked, and despatched his royal decree, under
date of Madrid, August thirteen, eighty-five. With
that order his Excellency presented to the governor
the new distribution of districts, with the changes
necessary and fitting. In that distribution he ap-
plied all the ministry of Masbate to the province of
San Nicolas of the Augustinian Recollects, and also
on the mainland of Luzon the villages of Ingoso,
Catanavan, and Vigo with its neighboring ranche-
rias, of which was formed the curacy of Piris. The
governor, Don Gabriel Curuzalaegui, by an act of
November twenty-six, of eighty-six, approved the
plan conceived by his Excellency the bishop, and in-
formed the said Recollect fathers of the part of the
distribution that pertained to them. They accepted
the assigned administration. In the territory on the
mainland disputes were imminent with the Francis-
can fathers in regard to the ownership of those terri-
tories. Accordingly the Recollects only accepted
the district of Masbate, and resigned the right that
they could have had to the villages on the continent
of Luzon to the Franciscan fathers, who could ad-
minister them with greater ease. By that means all
rivalry was checked.
3. The parties [i.e., the Recollects and Francis-
cans] having come to an agreement, and between
themselves the governor and bishop, the two latter
despatched suitable measures so that the Recollects
could take charge of those souls. In the distribution
the Recollects had their proportionate advantages,
for those islands are a way-station which is necessary
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 245
to pass in going to Caraga and Zebu, where this or-
der had distant missions. The bishop obtained them
[for that order] because, that district having been re-
duced to one single secular, the latter proved insuf-
ficient for its administration. Consequently, in the
space of twelve years, only four persons had died
with the sacraments, although one hundred and
eighteen had passed from this life without that im-
portant benefit. The baptism of children was post-
poned for many months, as the cura went to the vis-
itas in the distant villages but seldom. For it was
not easy for one single individual to acquit himself
of so laborious cares; consequently, this is not to ad-
mit that they were ill administered. The govern-
ment was interested in them, as was also commerce,
as Ticao was an anchorage for the Acapulco ships in
its famous port of San Jazinto, 73 on both the out-
ward and return trips, where fresh supplies were
procured, wood and water provided, and winds
awaited to take them out of the dangerous currents
of the Embocadero of San Bernardino. The Recol-
lect fathers accepted that charge, and were received
affectionately by the Indians. They founded their
headquarters in Mobo, 74 a famous village of Mas-
bate. They built a church there, under the advo-
cacy of Our Lady of Remedies. It was a costly edi-
fice, adorned with good reredoses, and had a sacristy
well supplied with vestments, besides a capacious
house with its suitable quarters and dormitories for
73 The port and village of San Jacinto are located on the east
coast of Ticao Island toward the north. The village has a present
population of 4,845. See Census of the Philippines, ii, p. 232.
74 Mobo is an inland village in the northeastern part of Mas-
bate, located on a river a short distance from the capital village
called Masbate. Its present population is 2,657. See Census of
the Philippines, ii, p. 232.
246 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
the resident and transient religious. Thence they
made their apostolic excursions for the conversion of
the heathens, who were still numerous, and the re-
duction of fugitive apostates. The settlements al-
ready established numbered six, and three new vil-
lages were established with the increase of those who
settled down.
4. This province of San Nicolas petitioned his
Majesty in the year one thousand seven hundred and
twenty-four to confirm that possession which had
been conferred on it in his royal name. His Majesty
ordered the governor of Philipinas and the bishop
of Nueva Caceres to make no innovation in the spir-
itual administration of that district until his royal
Council should provide what was suitable. He also
ordered them to report on the progress of the faith
in that territory since it had been under their charge.
Judicial investigations were made in Manila by the
government, in order to inform the king with re-
ports. From them it appeared that, although the
entire district of Masbate had formerly had only one
parish priest, since the Recollect fathers had taken
charge of it, three religious at least had lived there.
It was proved also by the books of the royal account-
ancy, that in the year preceding their possession,
that is, in the year eighty-seven, the entire ministry
contained only one hundred and eighty-seven fam-
ilies; while in the year seven hundred and twenty-
two there were five hundred and eighty-five fami-
lies. Consequently, the present governor, the Mar-
quis de Torre Campo, reported that the district of
Masbate had had an increase of three hundred and
ninety-eight whole tributes through the apostolic
zeal of those ministers. The Recollects not only in
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 247
those districts, but also in the remainder of these is-
lands, devote themselves to the spread of our holy-
Catholic faith with the greatest toil and with the
most visible fruit.
5. That progress was not made without great toil
and hardship. They had to do with a great number
of mountain Indians and Zimarrones, who became
fearsome when abandoned to liberty. Apostates
from the faith and from civilized life, they had
taken to the deserts and to the roughest mountains,
where they defended their barbarous mode of life at
all hazards, by resisting with arms those who tried to
reduce them. Various people had also gathered
there from other islands, fleeing from the settled vil-
lages and from the punishment due their atrocities.
Consequently, the latter were extraordinarily fierce.
Many heathen were numbered among them, accus-
tomed long since to that rudeness of life and sav-
agery, and they were all the worst kind of people.
They committed notable depredations on the civi-
lized villages, robbed the boats that anchored in the
ports and bays, and treacherously committed many
murders. Their boldness rose to such a pitch that
one could not cross through the interior of those is-
lands, and to arrive at their shores was the same as
to make port in a land of enemies. It was also a la-
borious and dangerous task to navigate along the
coasts, trying to find those rancherias. Consequently,
Father Fray Ildefonso de la Concepcion was twice
overturned in the sea, and another time had his
boat dashed to pieces on some reefs. In that ship-
wreck he miraculously escaped with his life, al-
though some of his companions perished in the
water. Those dangers came to him in his visits to a
248 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
new village established on the opposite coast. In
order to avoid such dangers and visit that village
more frequently, the father opened a road through
the interior from Mobo over rough mountains,
where many other risks were run because of the
heathens. In that continual crossing the father fell
grievously sick, his pains having originated from the
hardships of such a road, with the showers and heat.
He died at last, succumbing to such fatigues. But
those sufferings were continued by others, who con-
quered that stubbornness by their constancy and fer-
vent application, although with the well-known risk
of losing their lives. Consequently, those ministers
who were there in the beginning say that, although
they have been many years in other doctrinas and
missions, they had not so much to suffer and endure
in any of them as in that of Masbate.
[The third extract from Conception's Historia is
from vol. ix, pp. 123-150, and comprises all of the
fourth chapter except the last paragraph.]
CHAPTER IV
By sentence of the royal Audiencia, the province of
Zambales is restored to its first conquistadors, the
discalced Augustinian Recollect fathers.
1. The Zambal Indians, of an intractable dispo-
sition, people of wild customs, and little or not at all
content, were furious with the Dominican ministers
in the reductions; they were groaning under the
yoke of a life more regulated than their inclinations
permitted. This made them think of insurrections
and uprisings. The presidio of Painaven, well re-
enforced, restrained them ; and the raids of the com-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 249
mandant, with detachments of men, into the moun-
tains, intimidated them in their plans. They thought
that the government of the Recollect fathers was
milder, and hence they sighed for it. Those fathers
tolerated their barbarous customs among a people
so ferocious, and succeeded by their patience in soft-
ening and reducing them. Not so with the Domini-
can fathers, who learned the Zambals' tenacity at
their own cost. In the village of Balacbac was an
Indian chief named Dalinen; although he lived in
that village, he kept his valuables in the mountains
under charge of a nephew. Another Indian, a Ci-
marron, named Calignao, killed the latter treacher-
ously. In order to avenge that murder, Dalinen re-
tired with many of his followers to the dense woods.
Father Fray Domingo Perez, 75 who was the minis-
ter of that mission, tried to prevent that flight, but
was quite unable to remedy it; for seventeen families
fled with Dalinen. The commandant of the fort at-
75 Domingo Perez was born in Santa Justa near Santander, in
1636. Entering the convent at Santillana, he professed as a Do-
minican there, October 14, 1659. Refusing the offer of a college
education in Alcala de Henares, he went to the Philippines, after
teaching philosophy for a time at Mexico. Reaching Manila in
December 1666, he taught philosophy until the following year,
when he was assigned to the province of Bataan, at the convent of
Oriong, which was declared independent of Abucay in that same
year. Three of his five years there he acted as vicar. From
Oriong he went to Samal, and thence to Abucay in 1675. Some-
what later he was sent to Balacbac, but remained there but a short
time because of the complaints of the Recollects, who claimed that
the Dominicans were usurping their territory. In 1677 he was
appointed vicar of Abucay, where his capacity for work and his
zeal were conspicuous. In 1678 he was appointed vicar of Binon-
doc, remaining there one year. When the Dominicans were given
charge of the province of Zambales in 1679, he was made vicar
of that whole district. He was conspicuous throughout the prov-
ince for his efforts in destroying idol worship, and his opposition
to that and all manner of vices finally ended in his murder, as re-
25° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
tacked them with his men and burned the rancheria
of Aglao, the next village to Balacbac, to which the
murderer and the injured man belonged.
2. Calignao had an extensive and strong kindred.
Because they did not flee with him, father Fray
Domingo endeavored to win them over. He asked
for an adjutant's staff from the commandant of the
fort, and dignified Calignao with it. Then in order
to restrain the other side, it was published that the
murder of the nephew [of Dalinen] was by the com-
mand of the government, which had ordered that all
who would not reduce themselves to village life
should be killed. That method, however, was insuf-
ficient to quiet them, but, on the contrary, roused
the factions to a higher pitch. To please the com-
mandant and to give stronger force to his faction,
Calignao promised to assault Dalinen. He went
into the mountain to put that promise into execution,
and after a short time, Dalinen was killed by a Ne-
grito. His relatives were persuaded that the father
had had a hand in that murder, and determined to
pay him back. The same Calignao offered to do the
deed, for this is what it means to benefit apostatized
evil-doers. He sought an opportune occasion for
the execution of his wicked intent, and found it in a
journey which the father made to Baubuen to visit
a communal house which he was building for
strangers, and in order to confess father Fray Juan
de Rois, 76 who was the minister there. During the
lated in the text. He died on November 15, 1683. He was the
author of a relation on the customs and superstitions of the Zam-
bals, which existed in the Dominican archives at Manila. See
Resena biografica, ii, pp. 34-43.
76 Juan Rois (Roes, Ruiz) was a Galician, and professed in the
Dominican convent of Lugo, September 2, 1679. Arriving at the
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 251
absence of the father, Calignao descended the moun-
tain, visited his relatives, and was informed that the
minister would return in three days. He left his
relatives, and in company with a faithless Negrito
went to await the father at the bank of a large river,
by which it was necessary to pass. When Father
Perez reached that place, Calignao discharged an
arrow, which passed before the father's breast with-
out doing him any harm and lodged in a neighbor-
ing tree. When the father quite naturally turned
his head to see who was firing at him, the Negrito
Quibacat discharged his arrow, which, entering the
father's body three fingers below the left breast,
came out more than four fingers at the right side of
his back. It was a twisted arrow, and when father
Fray Domingo pulled on it, the wound became
worse. With the most intense pain that he suffered,
he broke out into "Jesus, be with me! Let them
commend me to God, for I am dying."
3. He spurred on his horse, which ran until the
father perceived that sight was failing him. Then
he alighted, stretched himself at the foot of an agoso
tree, " and, amid the outpouring of his blood,
begged pardon from God for his sins. An Indian
who accompanied him came up to him, and found
him unconscious from great loss of blood. The fa-
Philippines that same year, he was assigned in 1680 to the house
at Masinloc, and in 1682 to that at Nueva Toledo. In 1684
he was again assigned to Masinloc, and in 1686 became vicar of
Paynaven and vicar-provincial of Zambales. He was sent to the
Batanes Islands with Father Mateo Gonzalez, in 1688, where
he died that same year from the unhealthfulness of the region and
his hardships. See Resena biogrdfica, ii, pp. 2 1 6, 217.
77 Possibly the agos-os, or Ficus pungens, which is used oc-
casionally in house construction. See Official Handbook of Philip-
pines, p. 341; and Ahern's Important Philippine Woods (Forestry
Bureau, Manila, 1901), p. 8.
252 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
ther recovered consciousness, but for so brief a time
that he could not tell the Indian what to do. He
fainted once more, so completely that the Indian
thought that he was yielding up his life. He again
recovered consciousness, and sent the servant to Ba-
labac in order to get people to carry him thence. The
Indian went to carry out that instruction. Mean-
while a man and three women arrived, and stayed
with the father until the arrival of the men from the
village who were very slow. For the Indian who had
been sent could find no one who cared to take that
charitable office upon himself, either the ministers of
justice, the fiscals, or the sacristans. He was able to
get three serving-lads in the convent, who made a
hammock from a blanket, and carried the wounded
religious in it. The latter, charging his messenger
to go to Baubuen to advise Father Rois of his mishap,
set out on his way to his village, where he arrived
at nine o'clock at night. Father Rois, as soon as he
received the news, got ready to go to the relief of
his associate. After many frights, for everything
was in an uproar, and his person ran no less risk
[than that of Father Domingo], he reached the vil-
lage at daybreak. He entered the cell of the
wounded father, whom he found embracing a holy
crucifix, and bathed in tears. Father Rois asked
him "What is this, Father Vicar-prior?" "This
means death," answered the sufferer. "I shall die;
there is no relief." He was confessed, and received
the sacred viaticum. He lived three days after that
without having his bed made, for his extreme pains
would not permit it. Had they tended him well at
the beginning, he would have recovered, for the
wound was not mortal, and the Indians have medi-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 253
cines which cure other things more dangerous. But
the greatest care was not exercised in this. The
third day after nightfall, the pains attacked him
much more fiercely, and convulsions and paroxysms
followed. He received extreme unction, after which
he lost his speech, and remained remarkably quiet;
and in that calm he yielded his spirit to the Creator.
4. The malicious Calignao, after having wound-
ed the father, went to Balacbac, and made an
effort to enter the convent in order to kill the serv-
ants of father Fray Domingo. The servants barred
the doors on the inside until the wounded father ar-
rived, and during all the three days while the latter
lived, the murderer remained in the village, with-
out anyone daring to raise a hand against him. Dur-
ing that time Calignao assaulted the convent several
times, but could effect nothing, because of the vigi-
lance of Father Rois. The commandant of the fort
desired to go in person to punish the treachery, but
he was prevented from it by the other religious, for
the reason that if he were killed the fort was in dan-
ger; and, if that presidio were captured by the Zam-
bals, there would not be a father or a Spaniard in
Playahonda who would not be sacrificed to their
fury. He sent indeed a detachment of men, with or-
ders to arrest or kill Calignao ; but they were unable
to do so, as all the village was interested in his liberty.
They were present at the funeral, which took place
in the church on the following day, with all possible
propriety. A year and a half later the father's bones
were moved to the church of his convent at Manila.
5. It is said that God honored the place of his
death or where he was wounded, by marvelous oc-
currences. For instance the large river on whose
254 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
shore he was shot, dried up, and was swallowed
up by the earth, and no trace of it was ever found
later, neither did it take a course elsewhere; while
the bed of the river became full of agoso trees. And
although the above tree is large, and needs more
than ten years to grow tall, those trees grew up in so
short a time that that place appeared a dense forest,
so that they choked and parched the reed-grass,
which never sprang up again. It was said that the
earth which was dyed with his blood has never al-
lowed any grass to grow since, although the grass
about the agoso at whose foot the father fainted is
abundant and very green. That tree is always more
flourishing and luxuriant, so that in comparison with
it the other trees seem like withered things. Also
another smaller river which ran past Aglao and
Baubuen dried up, and the earth was left very ster-
ile. It is true that these things were said, but with-
out any foundation. The large river still remains
and flows in the same course, and that of Aglao has
the same course, and there is no notice or tradition
that it had ever dried up ; and it is not possible that
so remarkable a thing could be forgotten. It was
true that the agoso under which he rested was pre-
served and is still preserved; but in that story are not
registered the exaggerated circumstances, such as
that of the grass and of the reed-grass. I say this
with assurance because I have seen it at various
times, and I have passed the large river with some
risk. On the bank of that river I was shown the spot
where the father was wounded, and the agoso in
question, in which I found nothing worthy of won-
der. In regard to the other agosos and those newly
produced, I proved that there are both old and new
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 255
trees, for they are produced without any cultivation,
and are conserved from time immemorial, and their
very great age is recognized by their failing condi-
tion. 78
6. The Augustinian Recollect fathers, who had
not left that administration [of Zambales] volun-
tarily, although they could not resist the change
with Mindoro, asked for testimonies that they might
present them at court. They protested in due form,
and appointed ministers in their chapters, of whose
election they apprised the Dominican fathers in
legal form. Their recourse to court had the result
that the parties [in the matter] were referred by the
Council of the Indias to this royal Audiencia. The
testimonies were brought to it, and it became suf-
ficiently public. On that account the father pro-
curator-general of the Order of St. Dominic, Fray
Juan Peguero 79 appeared before the superior gov-
ernment. He stated that his Excellency the arch-
78 See Salazar's Historia, pp. 275-313, for the Dominican ac-
count of the missions of Zambales, the incidents of Calignao, and
the life of Father Domingo Perez. Conception evidently had be-
fore him this account in compiling his own.
79 Juan Peguero, O.P., was born in Estremadura, and professed
in the Seville convent, November 1, 1659. After arriving in the
Philippines, he was assigned to the province of Bataan, where
he labored in the convents of Samal and Abucay. He was associ-
ate in Binondoc during the years 1671-1673, when he became
vicar of San Juan del Monte, serving also in the latter in 1680
and 1 686- 1 69 1. He was vicar of Oriong 167 7- 1680, and became
procurator, along with his other duties, in the latter year. His
death occurred at the Manila convent, May 21, 1691. He wrote
a compendium of the history of the province, and a biography of
Domingo Perez, the latter of which he dated and signed on Feb-
ruary 1, 1 69 1, and which was conserved in the Dominican con-
vent at Manila. One of his works was to construct an aqueduct
from the Pasig for the better water-supply of Manila, but an
earthquake totally destroyed his work. See Resena biogrdfica, ii,
pp. 81, 82.
256 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
bishop and the governor had removed the Order of
the Augustinian Recollects from the province of
Zambales for reasons that they considered just, nec-
essary, or reasonable, in accordance with the rulings
of the laws of the new Recopilacion,80 and had given
it to his province, they on their part having first
made no efforts to get it. His order had received
it only that they might serve God and the king. The
Recollect fathers had received the island of Min-
doro as a recompense, without offering any objec-
tion, and had expressly given up their rights to the
province of Zambales. Nevertheless father Fray
Juan de la Madre de Dios had presented a writing
before the supreme Council, which was sent to this
royal Audiencia, where as yet, more than eight
months after the arrival of the galleons at the is-
lands, it did not appear to have been presented.
Without petitioning in any tribunal, [he said], a
rumor was spread to the discredit of his province
and to the prejudice of the propagation of the faith
among the Zambals. The latter, in the hope which
they had received from their former ministers that
they would soon return to take charge of them, were
fleeing to the mountains to become infidels, apostates,
and idolaters, as they were formerly. Consequently,
the ministers of his province found themselves hin-
dered in the conversions and the administrations of
the sacraments, as they were so disturbed that it was
necessary for the commandant of the fort to seize
some persons who returned from Manila and spread
such a report. Not even this was a sufficient relief
for the continual flights of the natives. On that ac-
80 Doubtless the Recopilacion de las Leyes de los Reynos de las
Jndias, first published at Madrid, 1 681.
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 257
count he petitioned his Lordship, in the name of his
province, to be pleased to employ suitable means,
and what he believed best, for the avoidance of those
scandals. His Lordship furnished a copy of the
judicial proceedings 81 to the Recollect side, order-
ing that they, with the reply that they should make,
should give account of the royal decree mentioned
in the allegation [aforesaid, by Fray Juan de la
Madre de Dios]. Notification of this was commu-
nicated, on May 2, 1685, to father Fray Joseph de
Jesus Maria, procurator-general of the discalced re-
ligious of St. Augustine. The latter said that he
heard it and would answer in due form.
7. He did so, and presented himself with the
copy authorized in public form, of the proceedings
of the royal and supreme Council of the Indias in the
cause prosecuted by the father procurator-general,
Fray Juan de la Madre de Dios, asking that his prov-
ince should be restored to its former possession of
the ministries of Mariveles, Masinloc, Bolinao, Pu-
quil, and Playa-honda, and the rest of the province
of Zambales. The decision thereon, as appeared
from the said proceedings, was referred to the royal
Audiencia of Manila. In regard to the contents of
Father Peguero's memorial, notwithstanding what
he might petition, it should be refuted as outside the
truth, as a calumny, and as grievously offensive to
his province - which with excessive and continual
work, and equal zeal in the service of both Maj-
esties, had assisted in the administration of the
Christians and the conversion of the infidels in the
81 Traslado : The reference or act of delivering written ju-
dicial proceedings to the other party, in order that on examination
of them he may prepare his answer. Appleton's New Velazquez
Dictionary.
258 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
aforesaid districts, from the year one thousand six
hundred and seven to the year one thousand six
hundred and seventy-nine, when it was despoiled
actually and contrary to law, and the Dominican re-
ligious introduced into those missions. Notwith-
standing the above, the said memorial, proceeding
by malicious reports, and with a lack of accurate
information, says that in the year seventy-six the said
Father Peguero informed the government of these
islands that the conversion and reduction of the Zam-
bals - both the light-complexioned ones and those
with the kinky hair, on both sides of the mountains
that extend from Batan to Pangasinan, especially in
the localities of Aglao, Buquil, Alupay, and Culia-
nan, and many others - had not been thitherto in
charge of any of the orders of these islands. In con-
sideration of that, he petitioned that that care be as-
signed to his order. Despatches were given him in
accordance with the terms of his petition, without
summoning the party of the Recollect province,
which was in possession [of that territory] from the
time mentioned above. That order was then espe-
cially extending its labors, and working in the reduc-
tion of the infidels of those very same places, and in
the administration of a great number of Christians
in those districts, who paid tribute to their encomen-
deros. His order having offered opposition, and hav-
ing made a petition before the royal Audiencia to be
protected in its ancient possession, this was done, and
the Order of St. Dominic was excluded from its de-
mand, as appeared from royal provision and pro-
ceedings, which would be presented if it were neces-
sary. After his order had been placed in charge of
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 259
the administration of Mindoro, the Dominicans suc-
ceeded in getting the governor, then Don Juan de
Vargas, to ask the father provincial, Fray Joseph de
San Nicolas, to make a renunciation [of those dis-
tricts]. The father provincial did it unwillingly,
for it was a thing that he neither could or ought to do
in regard to such districts, in order that other reli-
gious might be instituted - as were those of St. Do-
minic, in the year eighty. Two grave [Recollect]
religious protested in the name of their province,
against the renunciation made by their Recollect
provincial; and all the ministers of Zambales pro-
tested against the violence with which they were
despoiled of that administration, without their
province having until then made any other judicial
or extrajudicial effort than the conservation of their
right, in order to demand it where and to what extent
it may behoove them to do so. The provincial of
his province had formally ordered his subjects not
only not to solicit the natives of those districts to ask
for, or allow them to ask for, these or other minis-
ters ; but they were to admonish them always to live
consoled and contented, and to understand that the
instruction which they received from the fathers of
St. Dominic was the same, and [given with] the same
zeal for the welfare of their souls. That order was
obeyed, and there was no notice of its infraction.
On the contrary, information was received that the
present Dominican ministers told the natives that
they were returning to carry forward what had been
commenced by the Recollects. That proved that the
Recollects did not keep their convents and churches,
which they had abandoned to the Dominicans; as
260 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
does the suggestion that father Fray Raymundo
Verart82 said that Captain Marcos de Rosales,
encomendero of Marivelez, had made to him, for
the latter earnestly entreated him to ask that the Re-
collects should be restored to the possession of those
ministeries. He offered to make that request to him
in writing.
8. Even though the religious of his province had
represented to those natives that they would return to
their ancient administration, one could not argue
from that that any injury to the propagation of the
faith, or to the credit of so holy an order [i.e., the
Dominican] would follow, as the memorial declared
- in formal prejudice to his own order [i.e., the
Recollect] (in regard to which that order was pro-
testing, in order to demand whatever was proper for
its side) . The proposed hopes of the restoration,
however, would hinder the flight of the natives,
which, it was known, proceeded from other reasons,
through a great part of the villages of Zambales
having been depopulated. That they had been liv-
ing in idolatry from their first conversion, besides
82 Raimundo Berart, O.P., was a native of Cataluna, and pro-
fessed in the convent of Santa Catalina Virgen y Martir, in Barce-
lona, at that time being doctor in both laws at the university
of Lerida. He arrived at Manila at the age of twenty-eight, in the
year 1679. He speedily became associate to the archbishop, Felipe
Pardo, in whose defense he wrote several maniftestos which
remain in MS. In 1681 the ecclesiastical cabildo asked that the
archbishop give him up, and probably in answer to that demand,
he was assigned to the convent of Abucay in the province of
Bataan. In 1684 he became vicar of that convent, and in 1686
he was appointed rector and chancellor of the college of Santo
Tomas in Manila. He left the islands before July 13, 1689, and
from that time until 1696 was in charge of the hospitium in
Mexico. In 1696 he was sent to Spain as definitor in general
chapter, and died in that country in 17 13. See Resena biogrdfica,
ii, pp. 195-206.
1691-170°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 26 1
being an implicatory proposition, did not appear
from the sentence of a competent tribunal, nor was
it credible of all. And it was no new thing, that
after some years, a few superstitions should be dis-
covered [among the Indians], as was usually the
case, and happened at every step; for it was not an
easy thing to reduce mountain infidels to a civilized
life, in which task the ministers must acquire thor-
ough knowledge of their customs. Consequently,
it had been impossible to eradicate their barbarous
ferocity in committing murders, as they had done to
a religious of the Order of St. Dominic. And be-
cause his province had shirked no labor for the
service of God and the king, in the welfare of souls,
especially in the administration of the Zambals dur-
ing the space of sixty years, it desired to reap the
fruit [of the harvest] that had been commenced;
wherefore in furtherance of its claim he prayed his
Lordship to order and command that the pleadings
which had been presented be referred to the royal
Audiencia, to the end that whatever should be ruled
therein be considered as law. The decree enacted
(with the opinion of the assessor) was, that the cog-
nizance of the entire matter be referred to the royal
Audiencia, so that the parties to the suit might there
plead their claims in equity, and in fulfilment of the
decree of the supreme Council of the Indias. The
Recollect procurator-general having been notified,
appeared before the royal Audiencia with his claim
together with the rest of the papers annexed, which,
having been presented, were considered as referred
to that tribunal for official action therein. Notice
of that decision having been given to father Fray
Juan Peguero, he said that he heard it, and pleaded
262 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
that the papers be given him for his reply as was
done. But I shall not give his answer here, because
of the irregularity of his pleadings, his rashness of
speech, his boldness of opinion, and his disrespect
for the royal power, since his Majesty does not allow
causes to be conducted in rude fashion, especially
when they do not bear on the case in point, while
personal defects of ecclesiastics were not under con-
sideration in the present case, nor in the cause which
was being prosecuted, as it concerned ministries only.
9. In conclusion his reply was that while main-
taining the contrary of what was advanced by the
Recollect fathers, as their province was not a party
[to the suit] ; he petitions and prays that his High-
ness deign to issue a citation on the party [of the
Recollects], to the end that an investigation be made
of all the aforesaid, as was necessary, and becoming,
etc. The ruling was that the decree be communi-
cated to the father procurator of the Recollects, who
answered as follows, namely, that he acknowledged
the indecorous manner in which, in view of the
sovereignty of the royal Audiencia, the good name
of his side and his subjects was injured. But that
although he could answer point by point, he would
avoid doing so, as it was a matter in which, leaving
aside the requirements of law, which were to be
complied with, the subject matter was getting to be
a bone of contention, and a partisanship dispute - a
matter which ought to be held in abhorrence by reli-
gious, who are placed as models for all in these re-
gions, and because law enjoins the manner in which
one ought to speak in the royal courts of justice,
where it is expressly forbidden to bring forward
incriminating libels in place of actions of laws; for
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 263
these wound not only the sacredness of the religious
orders, but even the sovereignty of such a tribunal,
to which is due the highest respect. On that account
they ought to order the withdrawal of the two alle-
gations presented by Father Peguero as being
indecorous, and notice ought to be given to the said
father to answer as was fitting, by representing the
authority that his province had in the administration
of Zambales; in default of which, the court was to
record them as having been duly pleaded. To this
motion, the gentlemen [of the Audiencia] agreed
that the decree should issue, and the clerk of the as-
sembly summoned the said Father Peguero in due
form for the examination, who thereupon refused
such style of procedure until he had presented his
grounds for opposing such action [i.e., the above
decision of the Audiencia].
10. The said father procurator pleaded before
his Highness that Doctor Calderon, the senior audi-
tor, during his week had refused to sign a paper in
which he [i.e., the Recollect procurator-general],
pleaded in regard to the pending article; and having
been ordered to present himself in the royal Audi-
encia, he did this by means of two religious at a time
when the said doctor was the only member present
in the Audiencia, because of the illness of his asso
ciate judges. There a decree was entered which
ordered that the writ and other papers pertaining to
this matter be presented by a procurator of the royal
Audiencia, who could be punished in default for his
negligence. And in view of the fact that he consid-
ered this measure burdensome and harmful to his
order and person, as he was condemned before
sentence was passed on the point, and the order was
264 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
prevented from prosecuting this or any other cause
in the royal courts, because of their well-known
poverty, he prayed his Highness to deign to repeal
the said act, and to allow his province the liberty of
having it prosecuted by its own prosecutors. A de-
cree to that effect was passed and the trial set for the
first day, when the said Doctor Don Diego Calderon
should be present.
11. The auditor, in order to justify his act in
the royal Audiencia, related that Father Peguero
had brought a paper to his house for him to fill out
to the effect that the petition, which as he declared,
he was going to present to the royal courts, should
come before him, the said auditor, during his week;
and that in consideration of the fact that it was a
matter that concerned priests against priests, of reli-
gious missionaries against religious of the same in-
stitute, it could not set forth allegations that were
wanting in fraternal charity and profound humility.
This he signed without reading it, while charging
the father procurator to present it in the royal
courts, as was done on the day when his Lordship
was the only member present [in the Audiencia].
The petition was granted and an order issued to have
the papers served on the Recollect father procurator,
who was bid to file his answer thereto ; furthermore,
in order to determine this point, the abovesaid audi-
tor ordered that the case so far as concerned the
examination of the same be laid before him.
Peguero, not content with what was done, presented
another petition in regard to the same cause, that it
might be signed officially and passed. But having
glanced over it, he found that this should not be
done, as it contained other unbecoming expressions
based on the one that had been presented previously,
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 265
and therein at variance with the laws and ordinances
of the royal Audiencia, wherefore he told the said
father procurator to hand his petition back and pre-
sent it when all the members [of the Audiencia}
were assembled. The result was that their illness
still continuing, two lay-brethren, religious of the
Order of Preachers, entered the chamber and re-
quested that the petition that they presented be
granted, which was the same as had been presented
by the father procurator Peguero, in which his
Highness was able to recognize the irregularity of
the statements, and his inability to sanction such
proceedings, through his desire for public peace,
and to the end that such holy orders be not embar-
rassed with injurious writs. Consequently, in order
to prevent disrespectful petitions from being pre-
sented in those tribunals, his Highness had to decree
what was most in consonance with loyalty to both
their Majesties, and the public peace.
12. This decree was as follows: "Decision of
the royal court this day, September eleven, one
thousand seven hundred and five.83 The measure
passed by Senor Calderon is approved, and in ac-
cordance therewith, a decree to that effect shall be
issued. Because of their great poverty, only the
first petitions of the Indians shall be received with-
out attorney."
13. The decree so enacted had the effect that the
office of procurator-general of the province of San-
tissimo Rosario was changed and given to father
Fray Domingo Escalera,84 who together with the
83 This date cannot be reconciled with the dates that follow.
It may be an error for 1685.
84 Domingo de Escalera was a native of Andalucia, and pro-
fessed in the Dominican order at Madrid, September 10, 1665.
He was a deacon at his arrival at the Philippines. He was first
266 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
procurator-general of the Recollects, presented a
joint petition to his Highness to deign to have the
preceding writs annulled, as they were not suitable
and germane to the case, nor respectful to the royal
Audiencia and the parties [in the suit]. This was
handed to the fiscal for review, who said that, be-
cause of their joint agreement, and moreover, be-
cause the writs were not germane to the case in the
chief point of the pending suit, greater harmony
would result to the two orders which were at law, and
to the public cause, and that if the writs were juri-
dically annulled because of their contents, his High-
ness could order the execution of what the parties
petitioned, and such decree would be valid and
efficacious - an opinion however that had no defini-
tive result. Then in regard to the writ presented by
the Recollect procurator Father Escalera rejoined
that, inasmuch as such ministries were handed to
his province by the government, if his Highness
were pleased to order that they be restored to the
plaintiff province his province was ready to do its
part, and for that purpose he renounced this copy
assigned to the house of San Gabriel in Binondo; became vicar of
Samal in the province of Bataan in 1680, and in 1682 of Abucay,
after which he was again at Binondo. During the years 1686-
1690, he was procurator-general, and during part of that time
(1686- 1 688), had charge of the natives in the Manila convent.
In 1690 he was deflnitor and acted as vicar again of Binondo,
where he remained until 1698, when he became president of the
college of San Juan de Letran. He was appointed president of
the hospital of San Gabriel, and procurator-general of the prov-
ince. Although assigned as vicar of the convent of San Telmo
in Cavite in 1702, he resigned that office in November of that
same year, and went to the mission at Ituy. His death occurred
on the nineteenth of the following month, and resulted from the
unhealthful region. During the year spent among the moun-
tains of Zambales, he formed the village of Malso. See Resena
biogrdfica, ii, pp. 169, 170.
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 267
of the proceedings, and any other, as he had nothing
to petition or plead. Therefore, in consideration of
the decrees already passed in which he considered
himself as cited, his Highness should deign to issue
an order for whatever should be his pleasure. Con-
sequently, a decree was drawn up embodying the
ordinances that had been made in which the parties
were recorded as having been cited, as they consid-
ered themselves as cited, and the Recollect procura-
tor presented proofs to the effect that his province
had never renounced such ministries, but had al-
ways violently protested against the fact of their
having been despoiled thereof, in support of which
it had been prosecuting the cause in the Council.
For the Dominicans, their prior provincial, father
Fray Christoval Pedroche, answered the citation by
saying that his province had held those ministries
in encomienda and trust in the name of his Majesty
through the vice-patron, and consequently, if any act
of spoliation had been committed, his province was
not a party thereto, just as it was not a party to the
present proceedings. Therefore he was ready ito
return them whenever his Highness so ordered; and
hence he did not oppose the claim of the Recollect
fathers. In answer to their statement that they had
elected priors for those missions in all their provin-
cial chapters, and that therein they had no other
consideration than the service of God in those mis-
sions and the spiritual welfare of souls, he petitioned
that his province be adjudged as not a party in the
said suit, protesting moreover that he would not
plead, or in any way oppose his Highness's decision.
When the parties were cited, an order was issued
by the court that with these decrees be united those
268 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
which were enacted by the master-of-camp, Don
Juan de Vargas Hurtado, for the assignment of the
Zambals to the Dominican fathers. The decrees
having thus been brought together, various motions
were made, in which proceedings the Dominicans
always by joint action refused to be recognized as a
party thereto. Whereupon the members of the court
having examined the proceedings after their previ-
ous examination by the fiscal, declared, that not-
withstanding the reply of the father provincial of
the Order of Preachers in which he petitioned that
his order be declared not to be a party, they main-
tained, as they now maintained, that he was a
legitimate party in these proceedings; moreover that
they ordered him, as they now repeated their order,
that he notify the father procurator-general of the
said order to answer to the summons within three
days, and to make full return thereto. He was also
warned that if, at the expiration of said limit, he had
not done so, the royal courts would declare the pro-
ceedings so far as taken as sufficient, and the case
would be prosecuted in them. The Dominican pro-
curator having been cited and notified, said that he
obeyed the decree of his Highness, that he heard
it, but that there was no answer to be given, as he was
not a party, as he had already declared, and that in
case that it was necessary he would repeat the same
answer of his father provincial. This occurrence
took place on November twenty-four, one thousand
six hundred and ninety.
14. Thus this matter [_expediente~\ rested until
the year one thousand seven hundred and ten, when
the alferez, Nicolas Guerrero, one of the ordinary
attorneys of the royal Audiencia, presented a certifi-
1691-1700] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 269
cate empowering him as the chief authorized agent
of the province of San Nicolas, to act as their attor-
ney in the matter in hand. Thereupon, he declared
that in maintenance of the claim of the said province,
it was advisable to examine the minutes of the pro-
ceedings hitherto conducted in the royal courts, in
regard to the restitution of their former missions of
Zambales and everything pertaining to them. Ac-
cordingly, he prayed his Highness to deign to order
the secretary to produce the said minutes, which on
being given to the said attorney, he appeared before
his Highness and stated that in accordance with the
last royal order of six hundred and ninety, whereby
the other party was required to answer fully, this had
not been done, but that the party had merely re-
ferred to its former pleadings, and that any other an-
swer had not been made during the space of twenty
years, so that the suit had been unduly prolonged;
and moreover, that the matter having been recently
investigated, his side has a paper (which he now
presents with all solemnity) , namely, a private letter
from the father provincial of the Dominicans, Fray
Pedro Mejorada,85 in reply to one from the provin-
85 Pedro Mejorada, O.P., professed in the convent at Sala-
manca, and on going to the Philippines was assigned to the
Tagalog district. He ministered four years in Binondo, then the
same period in Samal, in the province of Bataan. In 1694, he
was assigned as lecturer on theology at the college of Santo
Tomas in Manila, where he remained for four years. The fol-
lowing eight years were spent in Abucay and Oriong. In the
year 1702 he received the title of calificador of the Holy Office,
and in 1706 was appointed rector and chancellor of the university,
which position he rilled until 17 10, when he was elected provin-
cial of the order. On the termination of that office in 17 14,
he was elected regent of studies in the college of Santo Tomas.
In November of that same year, however, he resigned in order to
return to his convent at Salamanca, arriving in Madrid in 17 16.
Although he was elected prior of the Salamanca convent, he was
27° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
cial of the Recollects, Fray Francisco de la Madre
de Dios, in which he declares, that he answered in
the same manner as his province had done on former
occasions; that he would not oppose the abandoning
of the said missions as he was not a party thereto, for
his province had taken these under their charge
solely in compliance with the orders of Governor
Don Juan de Vargas and Archbishop Don Phelipe
Pardo; that, moreover, at the present time when his
province was so straitened through the lack of reli-
gious, if they were not succored in that regard
it would be necessary for them to take other steps.
Wherefore (he added), so far as matters have now
gone he might do what he pleased, for his province
would offer no opposition, and was prepared to give
up those missions if so requested and charged to do.
In this letter, moreover, among other points, it was
inferable that his province was ready to leave the
said missions of Zambales. Therefore the attorney
petitioned and prayed his Highness to deign to have
the case brought up for final trial, declaring his
client as entitled to the possession of such missions,
to whom they should therefore be restored. There-
upon the judges decided that the measures so far
taken together with that letter should be acted upon ;
that the trial should be proceeded with without
prejudice to whatever had already been decided, and
that all the papers in the case be handed over to the
fiscal of this royal Audiencia, for his opinion
(within three days) of what steps it was advisable
not to be allowed to enjoy that position, for a royal appointment
as bishop of Nueva Segovia caused him, howbeit unwillingly,
to return to the Philippines. Entering those islands once more in
1718, he assumed the duties of his office, but died in Vigan in
June of the following year in the sixty-third year of his age,
and after a residence in the islands of thirty-one years. See Re-
sena biogrdfica, ii, pp. 230-234.
1691-17°°] RECOLLECT MISSIONS 2Ji
to take. Thereupon, for reasons given, the latter re-
plied that what had been advised by the fiscal of the
royal and supreme Council ought to be carried out,
and hence a similar order might issue from this royal
Audiencia, with notice to the reverend fathers
provincial, parties in interest, that so far as concerned
their spiritual care the natives might be relieved
promptly. In accordance with this, the judges
ordered that all parties should proceed to the cham-
ber for final sentence. Thereupon their decision was
that the reverend fathers provincial should be ap-
prised of the sentence as given in this cause for their
judgment in the exercise of their rights; and that
whether they assented or not, they should appear to
hear the decision to be given.
15. The parties being notified, and a report of
the proceedings having been proclaimed, sentence
was then given as follows: "In the city of Manila,
October twenty-two, one thousand seven hundred
and twelve : The president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancilleria of these islands as-
sembled in the royal courts thereof, having examined
in relation the proceedings prosecuted on the part
of the Recollect province and religious of San
Nicolas de Tolentino of these islands, against the
province of Santo Rosario and the religious of St.
Dominic in regard to the restitution of the spiritual
administration of the natives of the province of
Zambales, hereupon declared that they ought to re-
store - and they hereby have restored - to the said
Recollect province, and religious of San Nicolas of
these islands the spiritual administration of the na-
tives of Zambales, in the same manner as they held
it at the time when the very reverend and devout
father provincial of the said order, Fray Joseph de
272 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
San Nicolas de Tolentino, resigned, handed over, and
separated them from his administration in the former
year one thousand six hundred and seventy-nine. In
consequence whereof they moreover ordered - and
they have so ordered - that there be made out in due
form for the party of the said Order of San Nicolas
a warrant to^that effect. Thus was it decreed, or-
dered, and subscribed to in the presence of his
Majesty's fiscal.
Doctor Torralva
Licentiate Villa
The Fiscal"
In the presence of Antonio de Yepes y Arce, no-
tary-public. Their decision was heard and obeyed
promptly by the party to the suit, and proper war-
rants having been received, the spiritual administra-
tion of the Zambals was peacefully restored to the
province of San Nicolas of the Augustinian
Recollects. Perhaps the very reverend father
chronicler, Fray Domingo Collantes,86 did not have
at hand these original documents when he penned
the fourth part of the chronicles of his province of
Santissimo Rosario which has been recently pub-
lished; and this must be the reason for the so great
diversity in the [story of the] restoration of Zam-
bales, and for the minuteness with which it is dis-
cussed here.
86 Domingo Collantes, the author of the fourth part of the
Dominican history of the Philippines, was a native of Villa de
Herrin de Campos, in the bishopric of Palencia. He professed
in the convent at Valladolid, in 1764, and arrived in Manila,
July 8, 1769. He held several conventual posts in his order
there, among them that of provincial. The bishopric of Nueva
Caceres was later given to him. His death occurred in Manila
in 1808 at the age of sixty. See Pardo de Tavera's Biblioteca
filipina, p. 107.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA
The documents in this volume are obtained from
the following sources:
i. Jesuit letters -From Ventura del Arco MSS.
(Ayer library), iv, pp. 1-3, 69-72.
2. Discovery of Palaos- From Lettres edifiantes
(1st Paris ed.) i (1717), pp. 1 12-136, from a copy
in the library of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
3. Recollect missions .- From Pedro de San Fran-
cisco de Assis's Historia general de los religiosos des-
calzos de San Agustin (Zargoza, 1756), all that re-
lates to Philippine missions ; from a copy in the Li-
brary of Congress. Also Juan de la Conception's
Historia de Philipinas, viii, pp. 3-16, 135-144, and
ix, pp. 123-150; from a copy in possession of the Ed-
itors.
4. Appendix: Moro pirates - From Combes's
Historia de Mindanao, Iolo, etc. ; Murillo Velarde's
Historia de Philipinas] Diaz's Conquistas] and other
works, as is fully indicated in the text
APPENDIX: MORO PIRATES
Moro pirates and their raids in the seventeenth
century.
Sources : This account is compiled from various historians -
Combes, Murillo Velarde, Diaz, Concepcion, and Montero y Vi-
dalas is fully indicated in the text.
Translation : This is made by Emma Helen Blair.
MORO PIRATES AND THEIR RAIDS IN
THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
I
[In previous volumes have appeared various
accounts of the piratical raids made, down to 1640,
by the Mahometan Malays of Mindanao and other
southern islands against the Spaniards and the na-
tive tribes whom they had subjected in the northern
islands. A very brief outline of that information is
here presented, with citations of volumes where it
appears, as a preliminary to some further account
which shall summarize this subject for the remain-
der of the seventeenth century.]
[When Legazpi first explored the Philippines,
he sent some of his officers to open up trade with
Mindanao, then reputed to be rich in gold and cin-
namon (VOL. II, pp. 116-118, 147, 154, 209, 210). At
the outset, much jealousy arose among the Span-
iards against the Mahometan Malays (whom they
called Moros) of that and other islands in the south-
ern part of the Eastern archipelago, for two reasons
-the Moros were "infidels," and they far excelled
the Spaniards as traders (VOL. II, pp. 156, 159, 186,
187; IV, pp. 66, 151, 174). Moreover, the natives
were everywhere hostile to the Spaniards because the
Portuguese representing themselves to be Castilians,
278 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
had previously made cruel raids on some of those
islands, notably Bohol (VOL. II, pp. 117, 184, 207,
208, 229; in, p. 46). In that first year, 1565, a Bor-
nean vessel was captured by the Spaniards, after a
desperate fight; but hostilities then went no further
(VOL. II, pp. 116, 206). The Moros of the Rio
Grande of Mindanao proffered (1574) their sub-
mission to the Spanish power, apparently being in
some awe of it (VOL. Ill, p. 275). Governor Sande
had expansive ideas of Spanish dominion, and in
1578-79 undertook an expedition for the subjugation
of Borneo, Mindanao, and Jolo; he obtained a tem-
porary success, but the Moros again asserted their
independence as soon as the Spaniards departed
(VOL. IV, pp. 125, i3<>i H8-303; XVi PP- 54, 132)-
This expedition was partly caused by piratical raids
made by the Borneans (VOL. IV, pp. 151, 153, 154,
!59; VI> P- IO>3), and tne Joloans (VOL. IV, pp. 176,
236) against the northern islands. Apparently this
punishment intimidated the Moros for a time; the
next important raid by them was in 1595 (VOL. IX,
p. 196; XI, p. 266). In 1591 Esteban Rodriguez de
Figueroa had made a contract with Gomez P.
Dasmarinas for the conquest of Mindanao (VOL. VIII,
pp. 73-77). The island had then been partly ex-
plored and much of it assigned to Spaniards in
repartimiento ; some of these allotments are men-
tioned in VOL. VIII, pp. 127, 128, 132 (a list of those
bestowed in 1571 is found in the Pastells edition of
Colin's Labor evangelica, i, p. 157, note 1). In-
structions were given to Figueroa on November 13,
1595 (VOL. IX, pp. 1 8 1- 1 88), and in the following
spring he set out with an armed force; but hardly
had he begun the campaign when he was slain by
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1 691-1700] MORO PIRATES 283
a Moro (VOL. IX, pp. 195, 196, 263-265, 276, 277;
XV, pp. 89-93; XVI, PP- 270-272). Juan de Ronquillo
succeeded him, and for the time "pacified" the hos-
tile Moros (VOL. IX, pp. 281-298; X, pp. 41, 42, 49,
168, 169, 214, 215; XI, p. 236; XV, pp. 95-100; XVI,
pp. 273, 274) ; see his own report of the campaign
(VOL. X, pp. 53-74) and Tello's (VOL. X, pp. 219-226;
cf. VOL. XI, pp. 135-139). In 1599 the Spanish fort
at La Caldera was dismantled (vol. XI, pp. 138, 139,
237; XV, pp. 190, 191) ; this emboldened the Moros
to renew their piracies, and from 1600 on they har-
assed the Visayan Islands and even Luzon - not only
the Mindanaos but their allies the Ternatans, and
the Joloans (VOL. XI, pp. 238, 239, 292-301, 303;
XII, pp. 32, 39-41, i34-!37; XIII, pp. 49, 146, 147;
xv, pp. 192-196, 209, 265-267; xviii, pp. 185-187,
33i5 333 5 xix, pp. 67, 68, 215-218, 223-225; xxii,
pp. 89, 90, 203-206; xxiii, p. 259; xxiv, pp. 35-37,
102-104, 139, 142, 143, 329; xxv, pp. 86, 105, 152-
154, 199; xxvi, p. 285; xxvii, pp. 215-226, 316).
Similar raids were made by the Camucones, Moros
from some small islands near Borneo (VOL. XVIII,
p. 79; XXII, pp. 89, 132, 133, 202, 296-298, 303;
xxiv, pp. 97, 138; xxv, pp. 1 54- 1 56; XXVII, pp. 314-
316; xxix, pp. 31, 200). These attacks kept the
peaceful natives in constant fear; their villages were
burned and plundered, and their fields ravaged; and
thousands were carried away to be sold as slaves,
being thus dispersed among the Malay Islands. In
162 1 Hernando de los Rios Coronel stated that ten
thousand Christians were held captive in Mindanao
(VOL. XIX, p. 264) . At times the Spaniards sent armed
fleets in pursuit of these pirates, but the latter would
escape, on account of the superior lightness and
284 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
swiftness of their vessels. Punitive expeditions were
sent to their villages, some of which were futile, but
others inflicted on them severe punishment- Jolo:
1602 (VOL. XV, pp. 240-243, 264, 265), 1626 (XXII,
pp. 207-210), 1628 (xxii, pp. 293-295; XXIV, pp.
143-145), 1630 (xxiii, pp. 87, 88, 98; xxiv, pp. 163-
165) ; and Mindanao: 1625 (XXII, pp. 116-119, 218,
224). It was proposed to enslave any Moro pirates
who might be captured (VOL. XVII, pp. 187, 296,
331; XXIX, p. 269), and this was sometimes done
(VOL. XXII, p. 134). Finally, Corcuera undertook to
chastise them effectually; and in 1637 he led a large
and well-equipped expedition to Mindanao, which
captured Corralat's stronghold and devastated
nearly all the coast of that island, driving out Cor-
ralat as a fugitive and intimidating other chiefs who
had intrigued with him against the Spaniards (VOL.
XXVII, pp. 253-305, 319-325, 346-357; XXIX, pp. 28-
30, 60, 86-101, 1 16-134). Corcuera followed up this
success by another in Jolo, in 1638 (VOL. XXVII, p.
325; xxvm, pp. 41-63; xxix, pp. 32, 36, 43, 44, 135,
136), and in the following year a Spanish expedition
severely chastised the Moros around Lake Lanao,
in Mindanao (XXIX, pp. 159, 161 -163, 273-275) ;
further military operations in Jolo and Mindanao,
on a smaller scale, occurred during 1638-39 (VOL.
XXIX, pp. 141-166, 198-200). It may be noted,
further, that the Jesuits established missions there at
an early date, evangelists of that order going with
Figueroa in 1596 (VOL. XII, pp. 313-321; XIII, pp.
47-49, 86-89; XXII, p. 117; XXVIII, pp. 94-99, 151,
171) ; and others were founded by Augustinian Rec-
ollects (XXI, pp. 196-247, 298-303; XXIV, p. 115;
XXVIII, pp. 152, 175, 340-345)-]
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 285
II
[The second reduction of Jolo-by Almonte, in
1639 (VOL. XXIX, p. 143) -subdued all of that archi-
pelago, save the Guimbanos, a fierce Moro people
inhabiting the mountains of Sulu (Jolo) Island,
who were hostile to the Joloans of the coast. When
Almonte ordered them to cease disturbing the paci-
fied Joloans, the Guimbanos made an insolent reply,
telling the Spaniards to come to their country and
learn the difference between them and the Joloans.
Almonte therefore sent (July, 1639) troops, under
Luis de Guzman and Agustin de Cepeda, to subdue
these proud mountaineers; and after a fierce battle
the Guimbanos retreated, leaving four hundred dead
on the field, and three hundred captives in the hands
of the Spaniards -of whom eight died, including
Guzman, besides twenty Indian auxiliaries. (Mu-
rillo Velarde, Hist, de Philipinas, fol. 96 b, 97.)
After the departure of Almonte from Jolo, affairs
went ill, Morales being unfit for his post as governor
of those islands, although he was valiant in battle.
Having abducted a beautiful girl, daughter of a
chief named Salibanza, a conspiracy against him was
formed by the enraged father; this was discovered,
and the leaders seized. This, with several arbitrary
and hostile measures of Morales, stirred up the
Joloans to revolt, and an affray occurred between
them and the Spaniards, in which Morales was
wounded. Juan Ruiz Maroto was sent to relieve
him from office, and tried to pacify the natives, but
in vain; he then sent Pedro de la Mata Vergara to
harry all the coast of Jolo, who burned many villages
and carried away three thousand captives. Mata,
being obliged to return to Mindanao, was succeeded
286 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
by Morales, who rashly attacked (near Parang,
Sulu Island) a force of Moros with troops exhausted
by forced marches; the Spaniards, although in num-
bers far superior to the Moros, were ignominiously
put to flight, thirty-nine of their number being slain,
including Morales and another officer. At this time
Cepeda was governor of Jolo, and he soon found it
necessary to chastise the natives, who were encour-
aged to rebellion by their recent victory. (Combes,
Hist, de Mindanao, col. 402-412; Murillo Velarde,
Hist, de Philipinas, fol. 121-122; Montero y Vidal,
Hist, pirateria, i, pp. 175-181, 199-21 1.) An ac-
count of his exploits in this direction is furnished
by letters of the Jesuit Miguel Paterio to Father
Juan Lopez, regarding the expeditions of Cepeda
(to whom Combes dedicated his book), written in
1643-44 (ut supra, col. cix-cxv) ; we present them
here as a specimen of the proceedings in these puni-
tive expeditions.]
Relation of the exploit which was accomplished in
the villages of Paran by Captain and Sargento-
mayor Don Agustin de Zepeda, warden of the
forts in Jolo.
After the disaster to Admiral Morales, the Guim-
banos of the villages of Paran were very arrogant and
haughty, so that, however much they were invited,
with assurance of peace and pardon, to lay down
their arms before those of our king, and to restore
the Spanish weapons that they were keeping, they
paid no heed to it. Seeing this, Sargento-mayor Don
Augustin de Qepeda, the better to justify the expedi-
tion that he intended to make against them, sent
word to them through other Guimbanos who were
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 287
our friends, that they must restore the arms that they
had taken from the Spaniards, and that if they did
not restore these he would wage war against them.
To this they replied that those arms were converted
into lances, and that nothing would be given up to
the Spaniards, whether Don Agustin marched against
them or not. The captain and sargento-mayor re-
ceived this reply on Tuesday, December 29, and on
Wednesday, the thirtieth of the same month, he de-
termined to make a daylight attack on them with
the utmost secrecy. Accordingly, at four in the
afternoon, almost all the soldiers made their confes-
sions, and the sargento-mayor exhorted them to rouse
all their courage, as brave soldiers, since they were
fighting for both the majesties [i.e., the divine and
the royal], and they had the sure protection of the
mother of God, our Lady of Good Success. Then
they set out from the hill of Jolo with only twenty-
five Spaniards and three officers, [Cepeda's lieuten-
ants being] Adjutant Diego de los Reyes and
Alferez Gaspar de Chaves; and twenty-two Pam-
pangos and Cagaians, with their officers, also ten or
fifteen servants with their pikes and shields. Of
this infantry the captain formed three divisions, giv-
ing to each one its own watchword - to the first one,
"Jesus be with all;" to the second, "Our Lady of
Good Success;" to the third, "Saint Ignatius"- and
each division was ordered to render aid according
to its watchword, and as the enemy should sound
the call to arms. With this order, they began their
march, and proceeded until nightfall, when they
marched in single file, since the road and the dark-
ness gave no opportunity for doing ©merwise. They
passed rivers, ravines, marshes, and miry places, un-
288 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
til they arrived at a village of a Guimbano chief
named Ulisten, near which they heard coughing in
the houses; and [they moved] so cautiously that they
were not perceived. The sargento-mayor did not
choose to enter this village, not only because the
chief had showed his friendship for the Spaniards,
but because his only intention was to punish the
people of Paran, who had merited this by their acts
in the past and by the haughty spirit that they
showed. For the same reason, he would not enter
another village near this one, belonging to another
chief, named Sambali-who, if it were not for the
purpose that the commander had in mind, deserved
to lose his head for his rebellious disposition in not
being friendly to the Spaniards. From the hill to
these two villages may be a journey of about two
leguas and a half; the road is very bad, and of the
sort that has been described, [passing through]
marshes and rough places; and, with the darkness
of a moonlight night, to go among trees, thickets, and
tangled briers was intolerable and full of difficulty.
Not less wearisome was the road which they still
must take to reach the people and village of Paran,
and even more difficult: but neither the one nor the
other could weaken or diminish the tenacity, spirit,
and valor which not only the captain but his soldiers
displayed. They traveled all night in this way until
a little before daybreak, when they mistook the road,
and took another, which did not lead to the village
where they meant to go; but God chose that the
people of that very village should serve as guides
[to the Spaniards], by furnishing them light- for
on account of quieting some infants who were cry-
ing, they kindled lights in the houses. The sargento-
1 691-1700] MORO PIRATES 289
mayor ordered them to march toward that place,
where they arrived at daybreak; and there they
remained about half an hour, waiting for the dawn
to brighten so that they might break the counter-
sign 87 and make the daylight attack [dar el albasso~]
on the said village, which they did. For when it
became light, and the day was brightening, they
broke the watchword, which was "St. Ignatius;" and
the division to which that belonged made the first
attack on the houses, jointly with the vanguard,
which went ahead to reconnoiter. All the forces
united to make this assault on the houses, and to break
through the defenses of the village and enter, all in
order, with lighted matches and to sound of drums,
as they did. In their houses this occasioned a great
tumult; some were slain by musket-balls, some by
lance-thrusts; others escaped naked, fleeing without
thought of their kindred or their possessions, aban-
doning their weapons and whatever they had; others,
finally, were burned to death in their houses, to
which our men set fire -the natives remaining in
them either through fear, or that they might not fall
into our hands and be slain by our lances. They
hid themselves, therefore, for the greater protection
-only to have their houses, and their granaries of
rice, and their bodies burned [here], and finally
their souls in hell. Besides this, their cultivated
fields were laid waste, set out with all the plants that
they rear ^bananas, sugar-cane, and other plants
which furnish them with food; and our men did the
87 Spanish, romper el nombre ; "to cease using the countersign
of recognition, when daybreak comes, for which purpose the
drums, cornets, trumpets, or other musical instruments give the
signal with the call named diana" (Dominguez) ; cf. French
reveille.
29° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
same with these, destroying and burning everything.
This done they looked about, scanning the country in
all directions, and saw an impregnable height; and
when the commander understood that this was (as it
proved to be) the citadel of the enemies, he gave
the order to march thither. They proceeded by a
path or trail so narrow that they were obliged to
ascend in single file; and when they reached the top
of the said hill they found a plateau, more spacious
than that of our hill of Jolo, on which were houses,
some fortified and some small ones. The former
were full of provisions and contained some Guim-
banos. These, seeing our men and recognizing them
as enemies, immediately abandoned the houses and
took to flight, throwing themselves headlong from
the heights. Our men entered the place, and burned
the houses with the rice and other things con-
tained in them ; and they laid waste the fields and de-
stroyed what had been planted in them, as they had
done in the villages before ascending the hill. Our
men were occasioned no little anxiety by their fail-
ure, after this exploit, to find the road by which to
leave the hill ; for, as it had in every direction preci-
pices and rugged heights, they had great difficulty
and hardship in getting away from the hill, on ac-
count of not being able to strike the path by which
they had entered. But finally the Blessed Virgin
who hitherto had been our Lady of Success, chose
to show also that she was our Lady of Good
Success - which she did by enabling our men to
depart in safety from the hill. For the alferez,
going to make a hasty reconnoissance with four
arquebusiers, and some servants armed with pikes
and shields, saw [traces of men's] work among
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 29 1
the trees that covered the hill; and, upon reach-
ing the place, ascertained that there was a path
by which he could descend. Notifying the troops
of this, they went down the hill by this path,
and thus returned to the houses that they had burned,
all marching in regular order. They approached
the seashore through a level field, passing near the
harbor where the natives had slain Admiral Mo-
rales; and, as they advanced through the open
country, they encountered four Guimbano Indians,
shouting [or grimacing? - haciendo carracheo],
who came from a grove that was growing on the
said seashore. When our men tried to get near them,
these Indians took to their heels, retreating toward
the grove -where, it was understood, they had an
ambuscade; and as it was now eleven o'clock, the
sargento-mayor did not think it best to delay [his
return] longer. Accordingly, they marched in the
same order, and to the sound of drums, toward the
fortification that stood on the seashore, going
through fields ana* mangrove thickets, and along
beaches and pools of water, another two leguas and
a half, until they reached the harbor where they had
provided some boats. In these the sargento-mayor
and all his troops embarked, and returned to these
forts, with great satisfaction and rejoicing at so com-
plete a success, without losing one of our men, or
encountering any danger. Many salvos were fired
from the boats in which they came, and from the
forts, in honor of their protectors, Jesus, Mary, and
Ignatius.
From this expedition and victory I have learned
some things about Guimba which are worth men-
tioning here. The first is, that two days afterward
292 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
the people of Paran made war on the chiefs Ulis
and Sambali whom we mentioned above, complain-
ing that these chiefs had not warned them that the
Spanish troops had passed close to their villages, and
even because they had allowed the Spaniards to pass
them. May God establish them in peace, and grant
them light and a knowledge of the truth. And after
this expedition, as I have said, one of the chiefs in
the villages to the east named Suil, complained that
the sargento-mayor had not informed him of it, so
that Suil with all his men might have accompanied
the Spaniards. Although he may not be sincere,
thanks are returned to him, and probably his offer
was prompted by the admiration and high opinion
that he entertains for our men since this exploit; or
because he feared lest the like fate might befall him.
He and other chiefs beyond Guimba to the east have
sent to tell me that, although those who killed the
sargento-mayor are their brothers, they will not for
that reason fail to be the friends of the Spaniards;
and that they will come to the village of the Lutaos
who are in this fort [i.e., at Jolo] to talk with the
father and treat of peace. And it cannot be denied
that there has been a great disturbance among them
since this expedition, and it has caused among them
all not only fear, but astonishment also, to see that so
few Spaniards could dare to traverse almost all of
Guimba, marching almost all the way among the
settlements, without being seen. In this affair not
only the caution of the Spaniards, but their courage
in penetrating among so many barbarians, the most
valiant in all these islands, is causing great admira-
tion - which is increased at seeing how so few Span-
iards made so great a number of enemies take to
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 293
flight; for in all the villages there are nearly a thou-
sand barbarians who carry arms. It is certain that,
considering the circumstances of this exploit, it adds
prestige to several others that have been performed;
and I even venture to say that it is astonishing, if we
consider what occurred in one night, the perils that
they went through, the daring of so few soldiers
among so many enemies, and, finally, their accom-
plishing what they did in destroying and burning
the villages and their people, without injury to any
one of our men. All this causes the Moros who see
these occurrences close to them to wonder and fear,
and apparently they are talking in earnest of be-
coming friends and vassals of his Majesty. [Margi-
nal note: "For Father Juan Lopez, rector of Ca-
vite."]
[Another letter by Father Paterio, written from
Jolo, February 28, 1644, relates the particulars of
another expedition by Zepeda into Guimba, six days
previous to that date. The native chiefs on the east
side of the island are intimidated by the punishment
inflicted on Paran, and are inclined to submit to the
victorious Spanish arms; but those on the west de-
sire to take revenge for the massacre of their tribes-
men. A conference of the latter chiefs is accord-
ingly held at the village of Ulis, where they talk of
making an attack on the Spanish forts at Jolo.
They invite Suil, one of the friendly chiefs, to join
them; but he sends word to the Spaniards (Febru-
ary 9) of the plot against them. Zepeda is then ab-
sent in Zamboanga, but returns soon afterward; and
another warning from Suil being received ten days
later, Zepeda decides to inflict summary punishment
294 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS LVol. 41
on the plotters. He therefore leads an expedition
against the village of Ulis, on February 21, and, as
before, attacks the village at daylight. This time,
the natives have had warning of the intended as-
sault, and attempt resistance; but they are defeated
with considerable loss - among the slain being Ulis,
"who was the idol of that island, and whom all
obeyed," and three other chiefs. In this fight the
Spaniards lose but four lives - a soldier, an officer,
and two servants. This causes even more fear and
awe than even the former expedition, and brings
the recalcitrants quickly to terms - Suil and other
chiefs proposing to leave their homes and go to
dwell near the Spanish forts. Later, the Spaniards
complete this castigation by ravaging the country,
burning and destroying all before them, "by which
the Spanish arms have acquired greater reputation
and glory than that which they had lost on former
adverse occasions." Then other islands adjacent to
Jolo are intimidated, and two battles are fought
with their natives, who lose many men therein. As
a reward for his services, Zepeda is honored by Cor-
cuera with the governorship of Zamboanga.]
The Joloans remained at peace, as thoroughly
chastised as were the Mindanaos, curbing their
haughty arrogance, and repressing their hatred in
consideration of the advantages of the time. Among
the agreements for the peace, they accepted one that
a fort for the Spaniards should be erected at their
harbor-bar; this was maintained with many difficul-
ties and little advantage, unless from the pearl-fish-
ery, which yielded many and valuable pearls. 88
88 In Sulu roadstead ; anchorage is north of the town. In
channel between Sulu roadstead and Marongas is a pearl-oyster
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 295
The island of Jolo abounds in these, so that on the
Dutch hydrographical maps they have given it the
name "Island of Pearls," on account of the many fine
pearls which the Joloans sent in those years to Nueva
Batavia by ambassadors from their king, asking
their alliance, and aid against the Spaniards. The
Dutch granted them protection, those valuable gifts
arousing in them greater desires for profit - al-
though afterward the first aid that they furnished the
Joloans cost them very dear. But in this year of
1641 the Joloans had a fortunate opportunity for re-
couping themselves for past expenses, with a mass of
amber 89 as large as an ox's body, which the sea cast
up on their shores, which yielded them great prof-
its, and increased the reputation of their island.
This sort of find is usually very frequent in those is-
lands, since they are beaten by many currents which
flow from the archipelago ; and thus goes drifting on
the waves what the sea hurls from its abysses, along
with other debris, under the fury of the wind - this
so precious substance, whether it be the excrement or
vomit of whales, or a reaba which the sea produces
in its depths. But in Jolo it is apt to be more often
found, because those islands are scattered and their
coasts prolonged for many leguas opposite many
currents and channel-mouths. And for this reason
bed, which employs many boats. This is an important industry,
pearls and pearl-shells being the chief articles in the export trade
of the island. (U. S. Philippine Gazetteer.)
89 Colin (who was at that time in Jolo) says of this (Labor
evangelica, ed. 1663, p. 49) : "There was found near the island
of Jolo a piece [of amber] which weighed more than eight
arrobas, of the best kind that exists, which is the gray \_el gris]."
Retana and Pastells regard Combes's ambar as meaning amber,
the vegetable fossil; but it is possible that all these writers mean
rather ambergris, which is supposed to be a morbid secretion of
the sperm whale, and has been used as a perfume.
296 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
some amber is usually found in Capul, an island
beaten by so many currents - as the ships which
come on the return from Nueva Espana know by ex-
perience - and also in Guiguan and on the beaches
of Antique. Near Punta de Naso the sea cast up,
in the year 1650, an enormous piece of amber, al-
though it had not the fine quality and excellence of
that which comes from Japon. (Diaz's Conquistas,
P- 447-)
[For several years after Corcuera's expedition
against the Mindanaos (1637), various military ope-
rations were conducted in that island by the Spanish
forces, notably under Pedro de Almonte. Corralat
and other Moro chiefs were sufficiently reduced to
render them nominally peaceful; but they formed
various plots and conspiracies against the Spaniards,
and, on the other hand, these availed themselves of
the jealousies and personal interests of the Min-
danao chiefs to separate them and neutralize their
efforts. The foolish arrogance of a Spanish officer,
Matias de Marmolejo, caused an attack on his de-
tachment by Corralat and Manaquior; all the Span-
iards save Marmolejo and six others were slain
(June 1, 1642), including the Jesuit Bartolome San-
chez, and the survivors were captured by Corra-
lat. But when Corcuera heard of this encounter he
was so angry that he ordered Marmolejo to be ran-
somed and afterwards to be beheaded in the plaza
at Zamboanga, for disobedience to his orders. He
also ordered that the fort at La Sabanilla be demol-
ished, and the men there be sent to punish Corralat,
which was done. That chief, to revenge himself,
intrigued with the people of Basilan to secure pos-
session of the Spanish fort there ; but its little garri-
son defended it against the Moro fleet until aid could
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 297
be sent them from Zamboanga. As soon as Diego
Fajardo became governor of the Philippines in Cor-
cuera's place, he endeavored to secure peace in Min-
danao, and finally (June 24, 1645) a treaty of peace
was signed by Corralat and his leading chiefs, and
Francisco de Atienza and the Jesuit Alejandro
Lopez. This treaty settled questions of mutual alli-
ance, of boundaries of possessions, of trade, of ran-
som of captives, and of freedom for the ministrations
of Jesuit missionaries. Christian captives in Cor-
ralat's domain should be ransomed at the following
rates; "for men and women, in the prime of life, and
in good health, each forty pesos ; for those who were
more youthful, thirty pesos; for aged and sick per-
sons, twenty pesos; for children at the breast, ten
pesos." In this very year Salicala, son of the king of
Jolo, had gone to Batavia to seek aid from the
Dutch; the latter sent some armed vessels, which
cannonaded the Spanish fort at Jolo for three days,
but finally were obliged to depart without having ac-
complished anything. This occurrence increased
Fajardo's anxiety in regard to the cost and danger
incurred in attempting to maintain three forts in
Jolo; and he sent orders to Atienza, commandant at
Zamboanga, to withdraw the garrisons from Jolo
and demolish those forts - an embarrassing com-
mand, since both Joloans and Dutch were then mak-
ing raids among the northern islands. Both Fajardo
and Atienza relied on the Jesuit Alejandro Lopez
to bring about the pacification of both the Min-
danaos and the Joloans, a task which he accom-
plished so successfully that on April 14, 1646, a
treaty was signed, by Atienza and Lopez, 90 with
90 It was Lopez who soon afterward, having gone to Manila
to report results to Governor Fajardo, secured (largely through
29^ THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
Raya Bongso of Jolo (the same who, with his wife
Tuambaloca, was conquered by Corcuera's troops in
1638) and the envoys of Corralat. Combes gives the
full text of both this and the former treaty. A Dutch
fleet attempted to make a landing near Zamboanga,
but were repulsed by the Spaniards with much loss.
Corralat and Moncay came to hostilities, and the
former implored the aid of the Spaniards; Atienza
sent an armed force to succor Corralat, and Moncay
fled. Salicala of Jolo and Panguian Cachilo of
Guimba undertook (1648) to raid the Visayan Is-
lands; but the latter was attacked and slain by a
Spanish squadron, which so intimidated Salicala
that he hastened back to Jolo. Meanwhile, a notable
event occurred in Mindanao, the conversion of Co-
rralat's military commander, Ugbu, to the Christian
faith - which of course tended to strengthen the ties
between Corralat and the Spaniards; and Ugbu af-
terward rendered them efficient service in the Pala-
pag insurrection, which caused his death. Salicala
died (1649) and his parents, Bongso and Tuamba-
loca, were thus able to maintain the peace which
they had established with the Spaniards ; that queen
afterward left Jolo, retiring to Basilan. Moncay
also died, soon afterward, and was succeeded in Bu-
hayen by Balatamay, a Manobo chief who had mar-
ried Moncay's daughter; he joined Corralat in al-
liance with the Spaniards. In January, 1649, Pedro
Duran de Monforte went with an armed fleet to
northeastern Borneo, to punish its people for aiding
the influence of Venegas, who was very friendly to Lopez) per-
mission for six Jesuits to labor in the islands of the south, the re-
building of their residence at Zamboanga, and the exemption of
the Lutaos from tribute, and the appointment of Rafael Omen de
Azevedo as governor. (Murillo Velarde, Hist, de Philipinas,
fol. 151 b.)
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 299
the Joloans in their raids; the Spaniards plundered
several villages, burned three hundred caracoas, and
carried away two hundred captives. The expedition
was accompanied by Jesuits, who afterward opened
successful missions in Borneo. The insurrection of
1649-50 spread to Jolo and Mindanao, but was
quelled by the Spaniards (see VOL. XXXVIII) . (Com-
bes, Hist. Mindanao, col. 269-348, 425-498 ; Murillo
Velarde, Hist, de Philipinas, fol. 149-153. Cf. Con-
cepcion, Hist, de Philipinas, vi, pp. 205-281; Mon-
tero y Vidal, Hist, pirateria, i, pp. 182-189, 2I2~
231-)]
[In 1653 Don Sabiniano Manrique de Lara suc-
ceeded to the government of the Philippines.] One
of his first undertakings was to establish peace with
the ruler of Mindanao, Cachil Corralat, whom it
was expedient to assure for the sake of the tranquil-
lity of the Pintados Islands - which were more ex-
posed than the others to the incursions of their
armed fleets, since Manila had not enough soldiers
and vessels with which our people could go forth
to hinder the operations of the Moros. The governor
sent as his ambassador Captain Don Diego de Lemus,
and Father Francisco Lado of the Society of Jesus,
who were very kindly received by the Moros ; and he
gave them to understand that no one desired peace
more than he did, since the warning was still fresh
that had been given Mm by the war which was
waged against him by Governor Don Sebastian
Hurtado de Corcuera in person -which had obliged
Corralat to wander as a fugitive through the lands
of his enemy the king of Buhayen, exposed to many
perils. It seems as if the desire which Corralat
showed to maintain the peace might be regarded as
3°° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
sincere; for if he had chosen to avail himself of the
opportunity afforded by the past years, when all our
forces and power were fully occupied in resisting
the cruel invasions of the Dutch, without doubt he
could have made great ravages in the villages of the
Pintados Islands; and therefore this must be attrib-
uted to an especial providence of the divine mercy.
All [these dealings with the envoys] were cunning
measures of the shrewd JVIoro to lull 91 our vigilance
with feigned appearances of peace, for never was he
further from pursuing it -partly through greed for
the booty of slaves, a great part of which belonged
to him ; partly because his captains and other persons
interested in these piratical raids persuaded him to
avail himself of the opportunity furnished by the
weakness of our forces. Corralat determined to re-
new his former hostile acts, and began by preparing
vessels and supplies ; and in order to cover up better
his damnable intention, he sent to the governor of
Manila an ambassador to confirm the peace. This
man was called Banua, and was no less fraudulent
than Simon the Greek. On the route he left many
tokens of this; for in the village of Tunganan,
among the Subanos, he treated very contemptu-
ously92 the father minister, Miguel Pareja of
the Society of Jesus - who, as the pious religious
that he was, turned the other cheek, as the gospel
commands. Banua arrived at Manila in the year
of 1655, where he discharged very well his office
as ambassador, and even better that of spy - and
91 In the text, desvelar, "to keep awake"- but from the con-
text, apparently an error of some sort.
92 Spanish, dio una bofetada, literally, "gave a blow in the
face"- in the Spanish a play on words which it is difficult to re-
tain in English.
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES TO I
d
well he knew his double trade; for among other
things he demanded that restitution be made to Cor-
ralat of some Mindanao slaves, and of the pieces of
artillery which Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcue-
ra had taken from him in war; but this and other
petitions of the ambassador had no satisfactory issue.
Banua returned [to Mindanao], and Don Sabiniano
Manrique de Lara despatched to accompany him
Captain Don Claudio de Rivera, and Father Ale-
jandro Lopez of the Society of Jesus, who went with
holy zeal for establishing in Mindanao the preach-
ing of the true faith. They arrived at Zamboanga,
where they had sufficient warnings of the danger to
which they were going; but with fearless courage
they continued their journey until they reached Cor-
ralat. He received them without any of the ostenta-
tion usual for an embassy, but rather with frowns
and displeasure; and when he read the letters from
the governor of Manila -which were excellent for
an occasion in which our strength might be greater,
but the present time demanded shrewder dissimula-
tion - the Moro king was much disturbed, and dis-
played extreme anger. The end of this embassy (of
which an excellent account is given by Father Fran-
cisco Combes in his Historia de Mindanao, book viii,
chap. 3) was that Corralat ordered his nephew Ba-
latamay to slay Father Alejandro Lopez and his as-
sociate, Father Juan de Montiel, and Captain Clau-
dio de Rivera. 93 Corralat sent the letters of the gov-
ernor to the kings of Jolo and of Ternate, to incite
them to make common cause in defense of their pro-
fession as Mahometans, but they did not choose to
93 This order was carried out by Balatamay, on December 13,
1655. See Combes's detailed account of this tragedy, as cited by
Diaz.
3°2 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
risk breaking the peace; on the contrary, the king of
Ternate handed over the letters to the governor of
our forts there, Francisco de Esteybar, who restored
them to the governor of Manila. (Diaz, Conquistas,
PP- 549-551-)
Corralat, fearing the vengeance of the Spaniards,
wrote to the governor of Zamboanga throwing the
responsibility for what had occurred on his nephew
Balatamay, whom he could not chastise on account
of the latter being so powerful. He also wrote to
Manrique de Lara, attributing the deaths of the Jes-
uits and other Spaniards to imprudent acts commit-
ted by Father Lopez, and entreated the governor
that, mutually forgiving injuries, affairs might re-
main as they had previously been. But his complic-
ity in the event came to be discovered, through an-
other letter directed in June, 1656, to the sultan of
Jolo, exhorting the latter to unite with him for de-
fending the religion which both professed. The
Joloan monarch sent his letter to the governor of
Zamboanga in order to demonstrate his loyalty.
Similar assistance was solicited by Corralat from the
Dutch and from the sovereigns of Macasar and Ter-
nate; and to the latter, in order to stimulate him
more, he sent the original letter of Manrique de
Lara, presenting the question under the religious as-
pect only - a letter which the Spanish governor of
Ternate was able to recover, and he sent it to its
author. The captain-general of Filipinas, not con-
sidering his forces sufficient for waging war on the
powerful sultan of Mindanao, notified the governor
of Zamboanga 94 to accept Corralat's excuses as suf-
94 Pedro Duran de Monforte; his term of office began in 1649,
and lasted until Esteybar's arrival at Zamboanga (Dec. 2, 1656).
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 303
ficient until he could ascertain whether reinforce-
ments were arriving from Nueva Espafia and they
could avenge so many injuries.
The sultan, seeing that his insolent conduct did not
receive the energetic and effectual punishment that
it deserved, gained new courage, and sent out his
people to make raids through the coasts of Zam-
boanga and Basilan - terminating the campaign by
looting Tanganan, where they took captive the head-
man of that village, named Ampi, and twenty-three
persons besides. In the Calamianes Islands also the
Mindanaos committed horrible ravages. The gov-
ernor of the Moluccas, Don Francisco de Esteybar,
received orders to go to Zamboanga, conferring upon
him, besides the command of the said post, the office
of governor and captain-general of all the southern
provinces of Filipinas. On the second of December
of the said year 1656 he arrived at Zamboanga.
When this valiant chief was informed of what had
occurred, and learned that the pirates were equip-
ping at Simuay [River] a squadron to invade the
Visayas, he declared war on Corralat, without stop-
ping to consider whether his forces were inferior or
not to those of the enemy, trusting to the courage of
his followers and the justice of his cause for the issue
of the undertaking. In this document he ordered
that ten caracoas should set out, under command of
Don Fernando de Bobadilla; and these vessels went
to sea on December 30. This commander detached
Admiral Don Pedro de Viruega at the village of
Sosocon, and Sargento-mayor Don Felix de Herrera
at Point Taguima. Through his spies, Corralat
knew of the departure of the squadron, and declined
to send his boats against the Spanish armada; and
3°4 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
during twenty days Bobadilla waited in vain for the
pirate vessels. During this time the dato of Sibu-
guey, Mintun, went to Zamboanga, offering the aid
of his people against Corralat, perhaps in order not
to be the leader in paying for the losses of the war.
It was reported that the sultan had sent four vessels
to the village of that chief for rice, and Bobadilla set
out to intercept this convoy (January 2, 1657). On
arriving at La Silanga, 95 two small caracoas went
ahead to reconnoiter the place; these boats conquered
a large vessel ; but their crews intimidated the Lutaos
who were in the Spanish ship, telling them that they
would soon be destroyed by Corralat, who was ex-
pected in Mintun with fifteen vessels. As the Lutaos
of Bobadilla's squadron were inclined toward the
sultan, or were afraid of falling into his power, they
threatened the commandant that they would abandon
the field when the battle was at its height, if the Span-
iards compelled them to fight against Corralat. In
view of this, Bobadilla was obliged to return to Zam-
boanga, losing so propitious an opportunity to
avenge the wicked perfidy of the old sultan. Never-
theless, he seized a considerable number of small
boats, full of rice, and forty captives. The sultan,
now a declared enemy, and attributing to our weak-
ness the failure to punish the murder of the ambas-
sadors, commanded his squadrons to commit piracies,
under the command of Prince Balatamay. That de-
ceitful Moro, after committing the most outrageous
acts of violence in Marinduque and Mindoro, re-
turned to Mindanao with a multitude of captives and
very rich spoils.
96 "La Silanga, which is a strait that is formed by the island
of Tulaya with the land of Mindanao" (Diaz, p. 561). Retana
and Pastells, in their edition of Combes, make Tulaya the modern
Tulayan, near Sulu - an evident error, from Diaz's statement.
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 305
While Balatamay was raiding the above-men-
tioned islands, a splendid squadron sailed from Ca-
vite by order of the governor-general, in command
of an officer whose name is not told in the histories,
from whom brilliant conduct was expected, to judge
from the valor of which he boasted in drawing-
rooms; but, far from fulfilling his duty, he lingered
in Balayan under pretext of securing supplies of rice,
and then in Mindoro, carrying out his cowardly pur-
pose of not encountering the Moros, notwithstanding
that the forces under his command were more than
sufficient to destroy the pirates. To the end that he
might operate in conjunction with the said squadron,
Esteybar ordered Alferez Luis de Vargas to scour
the coasts of Mindanao; but as the commander of the
squadron failed to carry out the instructions that he
had received, Vargas, as he could not find him, con-
fined his efforts to burning a village on the bay of
Simuay, where he seized several captives. Bobadilla
reduced to ashes the old capital of Corralat, Lami-
tan, its inhabitants having fled to the woods. Also
in the said year of 1657 the dato Salicala of Min-
danao scoured the seas with his squadron ; the natives
in consternation abandoned their villages without
daring to resist him, and he carried away as captives
more than a thousand Indians - his audacity going
so far that he sailed into the bay of Manila.
Esteybar then equipped a small squadron of cara-
coas and vintas, which departed from Zamboanga
on January 1, 1658, resolved to chastise the pirates
severely. He spread the report that they were going
to Sibuguey. He reached that river in seven days,
and, placing part of his forces in charge of Sargento-
mayor Itamarren, he destroyed the village of Namu-
can, and at Luraya burned many boats. Four pilans
3°6 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
captured the joanga which had carried Father
Lopez to Simuay, manned by Moros from Mintun.
Suddenly changing his course, he took the route to
Punta de Flechas, in order to go to the capital of
Corralat, but sent beforehand thirty Spaniards, with
Captain Don Pedro de Viruega, to the district of
Butig. Its chief Matundin, at the head of five hun-
dred men, was defeated, the grain-fields ravaged,
and the village reduced to ashes. The tilled land
of this district was exceedingly rich, since it is the
principal source of supply for rice in Mindanao.
Great damage was also done in La Sabanilla by Cap-
tain Don Juan Gonzalez Carlete. On the nineteenth
of January the squadron encountered a large Dutch
ship surrounded by some pirate vessels. Esteybar
attempted to secure a free passage without bringing
on a contest, to which end he hoisted a white flag;
but the commander of the Dutch ship displayed a
red flag, firing all his cannon against the Spanish
vessels. Then, without heeding the superiority of the
enemy, Bobadilla came against the ship, all his men
rowing as hard as they could ; and Esteybar attacked
it at the stern. The Spaniards then were going to
board the ship with a rush, when a ball fired from
the vessel of Esteybar set on fire the Santa Barbara
[i.e., powder-magazine] of the Dutch ship, thus
blowing it into pieces. Only twenty-four of its crew
survived, and these were drawn out of the sea and
made prisoners. Esteybar continued his voyage to
Simuay, the bar of which was fortified with heavy
stockades ; moreover, at its ends were two forts, garri-
soned by Malays, Macassars, and Dutchmen. This
did not frighten Esteybar, and he made preparations
to capture the posts of the enemy, in spite of advice
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 307
to the contrary from his captains. While he was de-
ciding the best method of accomplishing this, he
passed with his squadron to the river of Buhayen,
sending in by one of its entrances the valiant Boba-
dilla with some vessels, and by the other Sargento-
mayor Itamarren. The former sacked the villages
and ravaged the grain-fields of Tannil and Tabiran,
the latter those of Lumapuc and Buhayen; they de-
stroyed a powerful armada which had been prepared
for raiding the islands, and carried away as spoil
many versos, muskets, campilans, crises, and all kinds
of weapons.
In the village of Buhayen resided Prince Hamo,
son of Moncay, from whom the kingdom had been
usurped; he mounted a white flag and a cross above
his house, being desirous of forming an alliance with
the Spaniards, but they, being warned by experience
with the treasons of the Moros, continued the hostil-
ities, without attaching any importance to that signal.
While they constructed rafts with which to attack
the fortress of Corralat, Captain Antonio de Pala-
cios went to destroy the village of Tampacan and its
environs; and Adjutant Antonio Vazquez disem-
barked with orders to cut off the retreat of the
enemy's spies. These were twenty in number, thor-
oughly armed; Vazquez rushed upon them, and at
the first encounter kilkd five and wounded six of
them, and the rest were shot to death in the woods.
Esteybar returned to the bar of Buhayen; he knew
that at a day's journey from there was a village ot
Lutaos, called Maolo, and, desirous to chastise that
settlement and obtain information about that coast,
he sent Sargento-mayor Itamarren - who, finding it
deserted, set fire to the village, killed four Moros,
3°8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol. 41
and captured two others, the only ones who waited
for the attack.
Notwithstanding these provocations, and others
that were directly offered to Corralat in the environs
of his fortifications, it was impossible to draw him
out into the open country. Having constructed a
number of rafts, on which were placed pieces of ar-
tillery, the governor went aboard the largest of them,
and with the aid of the vessels cannonaded the fort
of Corralat for the space of four hours, but he de-
fended it well. It was evident that the difficulties of
assaulting it were insuperable, and that the artillery
was operating with but little result, on account of the
condition of the sea; accordingly it was decided to
retire to the bar of Buhayen. The squadron went to
La Sabanilla on the seventeenth of February; here
Esteybar received orders to return to Molucas, and
he proceeded to Zamboanga. Notwithstanding the
well-known valor of this chief, and the injuries in-
flicted on the Moros during the two months of the
campaign, this retreat gave much satisfaction to Cor-
ralat, since it freed him from [the danger of] going
as a wanderer through the hills, as on previous occa-
sions.
The valiant Esteybar had been replaced as govern-
or of the military post of Zamboanga by Don Fer-
nando de Bobadilla - a chief no less courageous and
resolute - with the same titles and preeminences as
the former. Corralat, in order better to secure his
dominions against the aggressions of the Spaniards,
made Namu, king of Buhayen, establish a fort at the
mouth of the river, the opposite shore of which was
likewise fortified by Corralat; he entrusted to Ma-
tundin the defense of the bar of Simuay, and to the
Basilan chiefs Ondol and Boto the construction of a
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 309
fortification at the entrance of the estuary of Zam-
boanga. Don Diego Zarria Lazcano took the place
of Bobadilla, the former remaining at the head of
the armada.
The datos Linao and Libot of Jolo, and Sacahati
of Tawi-Tawi, with thirteen vessels, scoured the
coasts of Bohol, Leyte, and Masbate. Near Luban
they put to death father Fray Antonio de San Agus-
tin, who on account of his ailments could not retreat
to the interior of that island as did the rest who were
going with him in their vessel. A squadron sailed
from Manila in command of Don Pedro Duran de
Monforte; they went to Luban, Mindoro, Panay,
and Gigantes without discovering the pirates, and re-
turned to the capital. The Moros were able to re-
turn to Jolo with many spoils and eighty captives;
but the sultan of that island sent back the said cap-
tives, in order to prove that he desired peace with
the Spaniards. (Montero y Vidal, Hist, pirateria,
i, pp. 236-244. Cf. Combes, Hist. Mindanao, col.
533-549, 570-587-)
Great were the calamities suffered by the Filipinas
Islands in these years of 1657 and 58, which might
have occasioned their entire ruin, if divine Provi-
dence had not manifestly preserved them, at the ex-
pense of miracles and prodigies. Even the arro-
gance of the Dutch recognized this, when they saw
their proud forces humiliated by the unequal strength
of ours ; and it was acknowledged by the inhabitants
of these islands, recognizing the divine clemency. In
the former of those years the scourge of divine justice
was the great armada of Mindanao corsairs, which,
commanded by Salicala, a Moro of much valor, in-
fested the Pintados Islands ; and their insolence went
310 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
so far that they came in sight of the great bay of Ma-
nila. The poor natives who groaned under the yoke
of captivity to these pirates amounted to more than a
thousand; and as it was impossible for most of them
to furnish ransom for their persons, they usually died
as slaves of the Moros. I have not been able to learn
the reason why no assistance was given to deliver
them by going out to find those pirates - although
I do not believe that it was the absence of compassion
in Governor Don Sabiniano Manrique de Lara, but
rather his lack of means, and his being engrossed
with more pressing affairs. This was followed by the
plagues of innumerable locusts, which, laying waste
the fields, made general havoc, occasioning the fam-
ine which was the worst enemy of the poor; this was
followed by its inseparable companion, pestilence,
which made great ravages with a general epidemic
of smallpox. (Diaz, Conquistas, p. 556.)
General Don Agustin de Cepeda went to Zam-
boanga as governor (June 16, 1659), without any
events worthy of mention occurring during the time
while he exercised that office; afterward he went to
assume the government of Molucas. He who took
his place 96 experienced great annoyances with the
Jesuits, who in their histories relate in great detail
how much he tried to injure their interests; but Don
Fernando Bobadilla was again charged with the
government of Zamboanga (February 15, 1662).
The authorities and citizens of Manila were the
victims in May, 1662, of a fearful panic, on account
of the claim by the powerful Chinese pirate Kue-
96 Referring to the governor ad interim from November, 1661
to February, 1662; Combes describes at length his "persecution"
of the Jesuits at Zamboanga (col. 591-609), but does not men-
tion his name.
1691-1700! MORO PIRATES 3 I I
Sing that the little realm of Filipinas should render
him homage and be declared his tributary, under
penalty of his going with his squadrons to destroy
the Spaniards - as he had done with the Dutch,
expelling them from Formosa. This embassy,
which was brought to Manila by the Domini-
can father Fray Victorio Ricci, and the conse-
quent indignation against the Chinese, were the
origin of an insurrection by those who resided in
Manila, which was subdued; and the conference of
authorities resolved to expel them from the country
and repel by force of arms the aggression of Kue-
Sing - the governor-general making ready great
armaments, and whatever preparations for defense
seemed to him necessary that he might come out vic-
torious from the tremendous danger that threatened
the island.
But the most important and most far-reaching
of the measures adopted by the council at which
Manrique de Lara presided was the abandonment of
the advantageous post of Zamboanga - the advanced
sentinel of our domination over the coasts inhabited
by the fierce Malay Mahometans - and those of La
Sabanilla, Calamianes, and Iligan (which were also
important in the highest degree), with the intention
of concentrating in Manila all the forces which gar-
risoned those posts (May 6). This notification
caused, among the Spanish subjects of those lands, or
it may be among the Lutaos, profound sorrow and
the utmost fear. They complained bitterly of the
unprotected state in which they were left, remaining
exposed to the vengeance of the Moros - who no
longer could consider them as belonging to their
race, and bore a mortal hatred to them for having
312 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
become Christians.97 These just complaints, and the
knowledge of the damages which would result from
the withdrawal of the Spanish forces, impelled the
governor of the fort, Don Fernando Bobadilla, and
the learned Father Combes to entreat the governor-
general to revoke his mandate, both explaining to
him the very cogent and strong reasons which
prompted their advice. The news that the Spaniards
were involved in so tremendous a conflict encouraged
97 "Hardly had Morales reached the islands, when a new
despatch arrived from Manila, repeating the same orders. The
silence of the Spaniards [i.e., regarding their first order to leave
the fort], and the hurried preparations that were made that very
night for the withdrawal of Morales, inflamed the injured feel-
ings of the Lutaos, nor could any argument repress them. The
governor did not attempt to do more than console them, in order
that they might prudently decide what they should do; he told
them that the Spaniards would never forsake them, and that if
the Lutaos would follow them there were places in the islands,
with equal and even greater advantages, where they could live;
that Corralat was friendly, and the Spaniards would charge him
to maintain friendly relations with them, which they could with
good reason expect, as he was of the same nation as themselves;
that if he should not fulfil this obligation, occasion would not fail
the Spaniards to avenge them. He also said that they could,
with the forts which he left to them, easily defend themselves
from their enemies; and finally, that they should await the ulti-
mate decision which would be brought by General Don Francisco
de Atienza on his way to Maluco, since it might improve the
condition of affairs.
"Little impression did these arguments, which the Spaniards
offered by way of consolation, make on the Lutaos. The tyrannies
that they would experience when left to their own government
had no respect for kinship, nor was there any law save that of
might. To leave their homes was most difficult, and to trans-
plant their villages was to ruin them. To defend the fort supplies
of ammunition and food were required, and they had no fund
to meet these costs. They gave way to lamentations and com-
plaints that, as they had served the Spaniards with their lives,
they had roused in their neighbors a mortal hatred; that, not-
withstanding they had become Christians, they were left aban-
doned, in the power of the Moros, without instruction, or defense,
or honor. They recounted their services, and their sighs grew
heavier, while they declared as false the promises made to them
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 3 1 3
the Joloans to repeat once more their terrible incur-
sions. The datos of Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, Lacay-Lacay,
and Tuptup, equipped sixty vessels, and, dividing
their forces into several small squadrons, sacked and
burned the villages of Poro, Baybay, Sogor, Caba-
lian, Basey, Dangajon, Guinobatan, and Capul. They
killed Captain Gabriel de la Pefia; they captured an
official of the same class, Ignacio de la Cueva, and
the Jesuit father Buenaventura Barcena; they went
even to the mountains in pursuit of the religious ; and
all the Indians whom they caught they carried away
as captives to their own country, killing many of all
ages and classes.
The governor-general of the islands sent a squad-
ron to pursue the pirates, but they accomplished
in the beginning, which drew them away from obedience to their
natural king; and that with such an example [as this of the
Lutaos before them] the peoples [of Mindanao] would not change
sides in order to please a nation so unreliable [as the Spaniards].
The Subanos also presented their piteous remonstrances that as a
people of the hill-country, and of timid disposition, they were
exposed to greater misfortunes. They went to the fort and re-
newed their importunities, saying that the Spaniards were de-
serting and abandoning them [notwithstanding] their humble
submission, and leaving them to be slaves of their enemies; that
although they had maintained the Spaniards with their tributes,
provided their houses with their products, and embraced their
faith, contented with the freedom which followed Spanish pro-
tection, yet now their liberty remained at the mercy of greed,
the Spaniards profiting by their lives for the sake of keeping up
intercourse with the Macassars and Malayos; and that it was too
much to be endured, to leave in such infamous subjection vassals
so obedient as they. The governor, his heart pierced by their
pathetic expostulations, could give no other satisfaction than his
own anxious hopes. In the midst of these limited and sad con-
solations, with the arrival of the succors for Terrenate came
anew the severe orders [for abandoning the forts] ; the governor
was now unable to give them courage, for lack of means, and all
were disconsolate; but it was necessary to execute the rigorous
order -those who remained being as sorrowful at it as were those
who were going away, and each one endeavoring to make his
3H THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
nothing. From Zamboanga Adjutant Francisco Al-
varez went out alone to encounter them; he captured
the caracoa of the pirate Gani, a relative of Sale, and
of thirty captives whom the latter was carrying away
Alvarez freed twenty-two - afterward going to an is-
land of Jolo, where he captured twelve Moros.
Bobadilla, in answer to his message, on November 8
received pressing orders to return to Manila without
loss of time, the governor yielding so far as to allow
that he might leave in the fortress of Zamboanga at
most fifty Spaniards. This was equivalent to con-
demning those unfortunates to a sure death, and
the Jesuit fathers protested against it, saying that
necessarily they would incur the same fate; but
finally the supreme authority of the islands de-
cided upon the total abandonment of the posts
decision and to suit it to this emergency. Some went to Min-
danao, others to Jolo, and others to Basilan ; many dispersed in
the coasts of Zamboangan, the people of Don Alonso Macombon
remaining here with him; and a few determined to follow the
fortunes of those who retreated thence, going to settle at Dapitan
and Zebu. ... In the vessels had to be placed more than
a thousand souls, and the military supplies. It was a grievous
abandonment, by which more than a thousand Christians were
left exposed to the cruelty of the Moros. ... In great part
it was due to the obstinacy of the Jesuits, who, regarding the
allowance of fifty men as insufficient, compelled its total aban-
donment. Such garrisons have been and are sufficient to oppose
the Moros in the remaining presidios; and the same would be
enough in Zamboangan if the great extent which must be guarded,
on account of the size of the fort, were reduced to a little, de-
molishing the less important part [of the fortifications]. But
their profound thoughts feared lest that fort would afterward
remain thus scantily garrisoned, and that it would not make so
much show or its administration be so conspicuous; nor would
there be expended in the allowances [for it] so large sums, which
they converted to their own advantage. . . . Soon there
were representations made at the court of injury resulting from
its desertion, and consequent royal decrees for its reconstruction,
which did not take effect until long afterward." (Conception,
Hist, de Philipinas, vii, pp. 93-97.)
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 3 1 5
above mentioned. Nevertheless Bobadilla, with
the object of encouraging the Lutaos and leading
the Moros to believe that he was not abandon-
ing the post, sent in pursuit of them Don Juan
de Morales Valenzuela, with two caracoas, to
the islands called "Orejas de Liebre," on January 2,
1663; but on the fourth of the same month he re-
ceived a new and more positive order from the cap-
tain-general, dated October 1 1, that without delay or
any excuse he must abandon Zamboanga. At sight
of this, Bobadilla warned Morales that the with-
drawal must be made, as was done on the seventh -
as promptly as possible fulfilling the said imperious
mandate, convinced that it was now altogether im-
possible to oppose so plain a decision.
The governor of Zamboanga made a solemn sur-
render of the fort to the master-of-camp of the Lutao
natives, Don Alonso Macombon, receiving from him
an oath of fidelity to hold it for the king of Espafia
and defend it from his enemies; but Don Alonso re-
fused to include among these the sultan of Mindanao,
on the pretext that he had not sufficient strength to
oppose the dreaded Corralat. The governor, fearing
his defection, did not leave him any artillery. The
Jesuits also surrendered to Macombon their houses
and churches, carrying away the images, ornaments,
chalices, and books; and six thousand Christians re-
mained in Zamboanga exposed to the rage of the
Mahometans. Some Lutaos, although not many, de-
cided to go to the province of Cebu, or to that of
Dapitan; others scattered through Jolo or Minda-
nao in search of safety, returning to their former
religion.
The abandonment of our military posts in Min-
316 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
danao was, although it is excused by the embarrassed
condition of the capital of the islands, an exceedingly
imprudent measure, since, in order to provide for an
uncertain danger, the Visayan Islands were left ex-
posed to another which was more immediate and real
- to say nothing of the retrogression that must neces-
sarily result to our domination among the natives of
Mindanao, where at that time over seventy thou-
sand Christians lived. The pirate who could cause
such a panic in the authorities of Manila, and occa-
sioned so great losses to the undertaking of subduing
the Mahometan Malay pirates, died without carry-
ing out his threats.
During the government of Don Juan de Vargas
(1679), the sultan of Borneo sent an embassy to ask
that mercantile dealings might be established with
Filipinas ; and Vargas in his turn sent another and a
very distinguished one, headed by Sargento-mayor
Don Juan Morales de Valenzuela. In 1701 oc-
curred in the south of Filipinas an event as tragic
as unusual. The sultan of Jolo went to visit
the ruler of Mindanao, for greater ostentation
taking with him as escort a squadron composed
of sixty-seven vessels. At sight of such a reti-
nue the sultan of Mindanao, Cutay9S (the successor
of the noted Corralat) , feared that the other had de-
signs that were not peaceable, and commanded that
the mouth of the river should be closed ; but the sul-
tan of Jolo, offended thereat, dared the other to a
personal combat. This challenge was accepted, and
the two sultans engaged in a hand-to-hand contest,
so fierce that each slew the other; and immediately
war was kindled between the two peoples. The
Joloans, breaking down the stakes which closed the
98 This name is Curay in Conception's Historia.
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 317
river, retired to their own island with many weapons
and spoils. The new ruler of Mindanao asked aid
irom the governor of Manila, Don Domingo Zubal-
buru ; but the latter advised that they should lay aside
their dissensions, and for that purpose sent the Jesuit
Father Antonio de Borja, who was able to attain his
object (Montero y Vidal, Hist, pirateria, i, pp. 244-
252. Cf. Combes, Hist. Mindanao, col. 610-640.)
The king of Jolo, on the contrary, had for many
years maintained peace and friendly relations with
the Spaniards, much to the resentment of his chiefs
and captains, who derived much more profit from
hostile raids than from trade and peace; therefore by
means of their confidential agents they spread the re-
port that the king of Jolo was talking of sending an
armed fleet of twenty joangas to plunder these is-
lands. The principal author of this was a Joloan
named Linao, who was on intimate terms with the
Spaniards, and a Guimbano named Palia. But the
king of Jolo was very far from thinking of such
changes, and it would have been better for us if we
had not so readily believed it. At this information
Don Fernando de Bobadilla despatched his armada
against Jolo, under General Don Pedro de Viruega;
but when he reached that island he found that the
story that they had spread abroad against the king
was false, and Don Pedro, having talked with him,
went back to Zamboanga well satisfied of his peace-
able attitude. But it was not long before the former
rumors against the king of Jolo were again current;
the author of them was Linao, who desired a rupture
[with the Spaniards], so that he with other pirates
might go out on raids against these islands - in which
enterprise he was more interested than in the peace of
3J8 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
his king. This plan he carried out in company with
two others, Libot and Sacahati, who went cruising
with several vessels and did much damage in the is-
lands of Pintados and Masbate, until they reached
the Limbones ; " from that place they chased the co-
rregidor of Mariveles, and captured the provincial of
our discalced Augustinian religious and those who
were accompanying him, on his return from visiting
the Christian villages of Bolinao - although these
persons escaped by jumping ashore. But there was
one who could not do this, father Fray Antonio de
las Misas (also a discalced Augustinian), who was
coming from Cuyo and Calamianes to visit those
convents. This religious might with good reason be
regarded as a martyr; for with his blood only were
the hands of the renegade Linao stained, as he spared
the lives of all the rest in his greed for ransom. Al-
though the pirates knew that the ransom of this re-
ligious promised them more profit [than that of an
ordinary captive], their hatred to the faith prevailed
over their greed, which in these barbarians is great.
This opinion is confirmed by the cruelty with which
they treated an image of Our Lady of the People,
which this religious was wearing, on which they used
their crises with furious rage. This religious was an
old man, and greatly esteemed for his virtue; and
in the order he had held positions of honor -prior
of the convent at Manila, vicar-provincial of Cebu,
and other posts in Caraga. He had a brother, a lay
member of the Society of Jesus in these islands, who
also suffered the same kind of death at the hands of
the barbarous pirates called Camucones - a nation
99 An island and point at the entrance to Patungan Bay, in
Batangas, Luzon.
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 3 1 9
as cruel as cowardly, two qualities which always go
together.
Great was the injury which these pirates in-
flicted on the islands, and although the alcalde-
mayor of Balayan went out against them with some
armed vessels they could not be found, either by him
or by some other vessels which went from Manila for
this purpose with a considerable force of men, on ac-
count of the adroitness with which the Moros con-
cealed themselves, avoiding an encounter - to such
an extent that the belief was current in Manila that
these were not outside enemies, but insurgent Indians
of the country, until a Spaniard who had been seized
by the enemy at the shoals of Mindoro made his es-
cape from them, and his account undeceived the peo-
ple of Manila. The governor despatched an armed
fleet in command of Admiral Pedro Duran de Mon-
forte, a soldier of long experience, but this remedy
came too late; for the pirates, satiated with burning
villages, plundering, and taking captives, had re-
turned to their own country. Accordingly the ar-
mada, having vainly scouted along Luban, Mindoro,
and Panay, returned to Manila, having accomplished
nothing save the expenses which were caused for the
royal exchequer, which is the paymaster for these
and other cases of negligence.
The distrust which was felt regarding the main-
tenance of the peace by the king of Jolo perhaps
occasioned anger that he had not prevented these in-
juries; but he, knowing that if he did not make
amends it would be a cause for justifiable hostilities,
sent an embassy to the governor (who was Don
Diego Sarria Lazcano), exonerating himself and
promising to chastise Linao, Libot, and Sacahati;
32° THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
this he did, and many captives were restored, which
was no slight [amends]. King Corralat raised his
false alarms, as he was wont to do when that suited
him, and also made some trifling raids through the
agency of the people of Sibuguey, and threatened
the Zebuans at Dapitan. But all became quiet when
the office of governor of those coasts was assumed
(June 16, 1659) by Don Agustin de Cepeda, a great
soldier -who died in decrepit old age as master-of-
camp of these Filipinas. Corralat knew, much to his
sorrow, the valor of this able officer, and therefore
did not dare to anger him, content that the Spaniards
should leave him in peace. Don Agustin, as a pru-
dent man, determined to try measures to secure peace ;
and, conferences having been held, those measures
were carried out, with very advantageous arrange-
ments for our forces.
The frequent raids of these Moro pirates, both
Mindanaos and Joloans, were one of the greatest
hardships which these Filipinas Islands suffered
through many continuous years; they were the
scourge of the natives of the islands of Pintados and
Camarines, Tayabas, and Mindoro, as being nearest
to the danger and most weak for defense. These
people paid with their beloved liberty for our neg-
lect to defend them - not always deserving of blame,
on account of the mutations of the times. Few
Spaniards have been the prey of these vile thieves,
except some who were very incautious; but amends
have been made for these by many religious and some
secular priests, ministers in the Indian villages, who
have suffered rigorous captivities and cruel deaths.
No small amount of expenditure has fallen on the
royal exchequer; for those pirates have caused in-
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 321
numerable expenses in armed fleets, most of them
useless because the news of the loss did not reach us
until the pirates were returning unhurt to their own
lands. At times it has given even the governors and
captains-general of these islands plenty to do in de-
fending them from these pilfering thieves, as we saw
in the first part of this history, in the case of Don
Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera and others. All the
life of Cachil Corralat- which was a very long one,
for it exceeded ninety years - and that of his father
Bahisan kept our vigilance continually on the alert,
and caused us to found and maintain the fortified
posts of Zamboanga, Sabanilla, Malanao, and others
-which caused so much expense and no profits; for
the forts defend only a small space, and the sea has
many roads, and thus they did not hinder the Moro
fleets from sallying forth whenever they chose.
Moreover, Corralat had all the Lutaos for spies, on
account of their great reverence for him, and because
they were in secret as much Mahometans as himself;
for never is a Lutao found who has not been cir-
cumcised, or one who eats pork - and it is this which
constitutes their Mahometanism, as also having many
wives and being enemies of Christians; for in other
respects they are atheists, and do not know what the
Koran is or what it contains. And, as I have heard
from military men who have experience in these
wars, the only restraint upon these Joloan and Min-
danao enemies is in armed fleets, which go to search
for them in their homes and inflict on them all the
damage they can, without going inland; for the
Spaniards will not find any one there on whom to
avenge themselves, since the inhabitants are safe in
their thick forests and on impregnable heights.
322 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
After so many years of misfortunes the divine
mercy took pity on these poor natives, on whom the
cruelty and greed of the Moros had so long fattened,
selecting as an agent the very Corralat who had
been the cause of the past havoc. With old age and
experience he came to see the injury which was re-
sulting to his people (and most of all to the kings of
Mindanao) from having enemies so valiant as the
Spaniards had proved to be ; and therefore while he
lived he maintained peace with Manila, with friend-
ly relations and the benefit of commerce on both sides.
And when his death arrived, which was at the end of
the year 1671, he left his nephew and heir, Balata-
may, strictly charged to keep the peace, with heavy
curses and imprecations, according to their custom;
and his people obeyed him so well that for a long
time no raid was heard of; nor was there any by the
Camucones, who are subject to Borney. The king of
Jolo, Paguian, has preserved the same peace and
friendship; for all the Moro tribes of these regions
reverenced Corralat as if he were Mahoma himself.
For he was a Moro of great courage, intelligence,
and sagacity, besides being exceedingly zealous for
his accursed sect, and a great sorcerer -for all of
which he probably has met condign punishment.
(Diaz, Conquistas, pp. 564-567.)
The governor [Y.<?., Manuel de Leon, in 1674]
commanded Juan Canosa Raguses, a skilful builder
of lateen-rigged vessels, to construct two galleys;
these sailed very straight and light, and did good serv-
ice in frightening away the Camucones, pilfering
and troublesome pirates, who in most years infested
the Pintados Islands with pillaging and seizure of
captives. These are a barbarous, cruel, and cow-
1691-1700] MORO PIRATES 323
ardly people, and they cannot have one of these
traits without the others. They inhabit a chain of
small islands, which extend from Paragua to Borney;
some of them are Mahometans and others heathens.
They have done much harm to the islands of Bisayas,
which they ravaged quite at their ease - so much so
that in the year 1672 they carried away the alcalde-
mayor, Don Jose de San Miguel, as we have men-
tioned elsewhere. They have a great advantage in
the extreme swiftness of their vessels, which enables
them to find their defense in flight. Their confidence
and boldness went so far that they ventured to infest
the coasts of Manila. The provincial, Fray Jose Du-
que, while going to visit the convents in the islands
of Pintados, came very near being captured with his
companion, Fray Alvaro de Benavente ; for they were
attacked by a squadron of these pirates near the is-
land of Marinduque, where they would have been a
prey to Moro cruelty, if they had not been favored by
the divine kindness. [This acted] through the agen-
cy of Captain Francisco Ponce, a veteran soldier, who
killed the captain and another of the pirates ; and also
of a sudden wind, which gave wings to the champan
for placing itself in safety. With the building of these
galleys the Camucones were inspired with such terror
that for many years they did not venture to sally out
for their usual raids, so much in safety as before. The
first time, Sargento-mayor Pedro Lozano went out
to scour the seas through which the Camucones might
come to make their raids. In the following year,
Captain Don Jose de Novoa went out -a brave
Galician, the encomendero of Gapang - and as com-
mander of the second galley Captain Simon de
Torres, an able soldier from Maluco; and they
324 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS [Vol.41
scoured the coasts of Mindanao, committing some
acts of hostility, their sole object therein being to
cause more terror than harm. And thus it was, that
with the fear which those piratical tribes had con-
ceived of the galleys neither Joloans, Mindanaos, nor
Camucones dared, so long as these lasted, to commit
their former ravages. The same thing occurs when-
ever there are galleys, even though they do not go out
to sea and are shut up in the port of Cavite. It is
therefore very expedient to keep vessels of this sort,
in order to be free from the invasions of those pirates.
In view of this, Governor Don Domingo de Zabal-
buru built two other galleys, which was the cause
of the Joloans, Mindanaos, and Camucones remain-
ing, throughout his term of office, within their own
boundaries, although they had been in previous years,
as we have seen, a continual plague to these islands.
(Diaz, Conquistas, p. 7 1 1 . ) 1(M>
100 It is evident, from the above statements by Diaz, that
Barrantes is incorrect in saying (Guerras pirdticas, p. 17) : "In
this manner, so melancholy for Filipinas, ended the seventeenth
century." He has made this hasty and unfounded conclusion
through failure to search for material to supply the gap which
occurs at this point in the narrative which he has used as the
basis of the work above cited. This is a MS. narrative of the
Moro wars, for an account of which see our vol. xxix, p. 174,
note 40.
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Travels in Virginia, ^Maryland,
"Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Kentucky j and of a Residence in
the Illinois Territory: i8ij-i8i8
BY
ELIAS PYM FORDHAM
With facsimiles of the author's sketches and plans
Edited with Notes, Introduction, Index, etc., by
FREDERIC AUSTIN OGG, A.M.
tAuthor of " The Opening of the {Mississippi"
lShedmS" This hitherto unpublished MS., which is a
real literary and historical find, was written
in 1 8 17-18 by a young Englishman of excellent education
who assisted Morris Birkbeck in establishing his Illinois
settlement. The author writes anonymously, but by a
careful study of various allusions in the Narrative and
from information furnished by the family in possession
of the MS., has been identified as Elias Pym Fordham.
Landing at Baltimore, he reached the West by way of
Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and the Ohio River to Cincinnati,
describing the people and the country as he went along.
THE MIDDLE Fordham was an especially well-qualified
WEST IN 1817 observer of the Middle West because of
the numerous journeys he undertook, on land-hunting
trips for new emigrants, in the service of Mr. Birkbeck.
These journeys led him into Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky;
F0<HPHu4M'S PERSONAL NARRATIVE
and he never omits the opportunity to make frank and
pointed comment on society, manners, and morals, as well
as careful observations of the face of the country and of
industrial conditions. The style is quite unaffected and
has much natural charm and sprightliness ; and the fact
that he wrote anonymously made him much more free in
his comments on contemporary society than would other-
wise have been possible.
LOCAL AND These journeys also gave him unexampled
PIONEER. opportunities for contact with the pioneers
HISTORY Q£ tfe Middle West, and his journal is con-
sequently rich in personalia of early settlers, remarks on
contemporary history and politics, state of trade, agricul-
ture, prices, and information on local history not obtain-
able elsewhere. He also visited the larger cities and gives
very interesting accounts of Pittsburg and Cincinnati, ac-
companied by original sketches and plans. In Kentucky
he had the opportunity to study slavery; and although at
first prejudiced against this institution he finally reached
the conclusion that the slave states offered better chances
of successful settlement than the free states.
VALUE FOR ^^e publication of Fordham's Narrative
READERS AND with introduction, extensive annotations,
STUDENTS an(j jncjex by Professor Frederic A. Ogg, one
of the best authorities on the history of the Mississippi
Valley, will make accessible to historical students much
new and important material, besides giving the general
reader a book of vital and absorbing interest.
Printed direct from type on Dickinson's deckle-edged
paper, and illustrated with original sketches and plans, in
one volume, 8vo, about 1 80 pages, cloth, uncut.
Price $3.00 net.
The Arthur H. Clark Company
TU(BLISHEcRS CLEVELAND, OHIO
"AN AUTHORITY OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE"— Winsoi
rut
PRESENT STATE
O F T H E
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS
ON T HE
M I S S I S I P P 1}
WITH
A Geographic a l Description of that River.
ILLUSTRATED BY
PLANS and DRAUGHTS.
By Cipuin PHILIP PITTMAN.
LONDON,
ftinui lot J. Nourse, Boolftllct to His MAJESTY.
MDCCLXX.
Edited with Introduction, Notes, and Index, by
FRANK HEYWOOD HODDER
Professor of American History, University of Kansas
THIS exceedingly rare work was issued in London, in 1770, and
has been so much in demand by historical students and collectors
of Americana that even imperfect copies of the original are now almost
impossible to obtain at any price. Our text is from a perfect copy of
the original with all the folding maps and plans carefully reproduced.
*OnIy two copies have been offered for sale during the past five years ; one copy sold
at $95.00, and the other is now offered by a reliable firm of booksellers at $105.00.
PITTMAN'S MISSISSIPPI SETTLEMENTS
Pittman's Mississippi Settlements contains much valuable original ma-
J llxl tcri^ f°r tne study of the French and Spanish
Jl Valuable Settlements of old Louisiana, West Florida, and
SOUTCC Work t^le Iumo's country. The author, Captain Philip
Pittman, was a British military engineer, and
gives an accurate general view of the Mississippi Settlements just after
the English came into possession of the eastern half of the valley by
the Peace of 1763. His account, written from personal observation,
is rich in allusions to the political, social, and military readjustments
resulting from this change of possession. "A comprehensive account
of the Illinois country and its inhabitants, with sketches in detail of
the several French posts and villages situated therein, as personally
viewed by him in 1 766-67. ... It contains, in a compact form, much
useful and reliable information (nowhere else to be found) concern-
ing the Mississippi Valley and its people at that transition period."
— Wallace : Illinois and Louisiana under French Rule.
Dr. William F. Poole in Winsor's Narrative and Critical History of
cr'l /' j. America says: "It is the earliest English
1 tie earliest account of those settlements, and, as an
English account *u*orit? in earI? wes£rn rhistor^ » of **
ci highest importance. He [rittmanj was a
military engineer, and for five years was employed in surveying the
Mississippi River and exploring the western country. The excellent
plans which accompany the work, artistically engraved on copper,
add greatly to its value."
An introduction, notes, and index have been supplied by Professor
j . 7 Frank Heywood Hodder, who has made a
yinnOtatlOn Oy special study of American historical geo-
Pr 'ofess 'or Hodder • sraPhy- The value of the rePrmt is thus
J enhanced by annotation embodying the re-
sults of the latest researches in this field of American history.
The edition is limited to 500 copies, each numbered. It is hand-
somely printed in large Caslon type on Dickinson's deckle-edged
paper. With folding maps and plans. Large 8vo, cloth, uncut, gilt top.
Price $3.00 net.
THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANY
TWBLISHE1(S CLEVELAND, OHIO
Early Western Travels
===== 1 748 - 1 846 ======
A SERIES of Annotated Reprints of some of the best
and rarest contemporary volumes of travel, descrip-
tive of the Aborigines and Social and Economic Condi-
tions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of
Early American Settlement.
Edited with Historical, Geographical, Ethnological, and Bibliographical
Notes, and Introductions and Index, by
Reuben Gold Thwaites, ll. d.
With facsimiles of the original title-pages, maps, portraits,
views, etc. 3 1 volumes, large 8vo, cloth, uncut, gilt tops.
Price $4.00 net per volume (except the Maximilien Atlas,
which is $1 5.00 net). The edition is limited to 750 com-
plete sets, each numbered and signed; but in addition there-
to, a limited number of the volumes will be sold separately.
An Elaborate Analytical Index to the Whole
*' This new series of historical and geographical works by the scholarly
editor of1 The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents? promises to be
particularly valuable and of more than usual popular interest. All the
books are rare, some of them exceedingly so, no copy being found in the
largest collections on this side of the Atlantic, or in many abroad. They
are copiously explained and illustrated by introductions and notes, bio-
graphical sketches of the authors, bibliographical data, etc. The series
should, of course, be in every public, collegiate, and insti-
tutional library, to say nothing of private collections of
respectable rank. The works included naturally vary in literary
merit and attractiveness, but many of them will compare favorably
with the better class of modern books of travel, while some are as fas-
cinating as the best fiction." — The Critic.
The Arthur H. Clark Company
TU<BLISHET(S CLEVELAND, OHIO
Extracts from a few of the reviews
American Historical Review: "The books are handsomely bound and print-
ed. The editing by Dr. Thwaites seems to have been done with his
customary care and knowledge. There is no want of helpful annotations.
The books therefore are likely to be of more real value than the
early prints from which they are taken."
The Independent: "The editor's annotations make the present series worth
possessing, even if one already owns the originals."
The Literary Digest: "It is next to impossible, at this late date,
even to a well-endowed public library, to amass a consider-
able collection of these early travels, so essential to an adequate
understanding of the life and manners of the aborigines, and the social and
economic conditions in the middle and far West, during the period of
early American settlement. The making of a judicious and competent
selection of the best and rarest of these writings has become an inevit-
able requirement ; and the patient company of historians, librarians,
and scholars will be quick to congratulate each other that the great task
has fallen to the hands of so well-equipped an editor as Dr. Thwaites,
eminent as an authority on all questions pertaining to the exploration and
development of our great Western domain."
The Forum: " A most helpful contribution to the study of the America of a
century or so ago. ' '
The Athenesum: ". . . A series of permanent historical value . . . ItOUght
to find a place in every geographical or historical library."
Public Opinion: "The century that sets the bounds of this work is the most
important and interesting in the history of the 'winning of the West;' . .
it is comprehensive, and the materials at the disposal of the editor assure a
collection that will be indispensable to every well-equipped public
or private library."
The Nation : "A stately series, octavo in size, typographically very open and
handsome. The annotations are abundant and highly valuable. ' '
New York Times Saturday Review : "An invaluable series of reprints of
rare sources of American history."
The Dial: "An undertaking of great interest to every student of
Western history. Exhaustive notes and introductions are by Dr.
Thwaites, the foremost authority on Western history, who is also to sup-
ply an elaborate analytical index, under one alphabet, to the complete
series. This latter is an especially valuable feature, as almost all the rare
originals are without indexes. ' '
" We cannot thoroughly understand our own history, local or National, without some knowledge
of these routes of trade and war." — The Outlook.
The Historic Highways of America
by Archer Butler Hulbert
A series of monographs on the History of America as portrayed in the evo-
lution of its highways of War, Commerce, and Social Expansion.
Comprising the following volumes :
I — Paths of the Mound-Building Indians and Great Game Animals.
II — Indian Thoroughfares.
Ill — Washington's Road: The First Chapter of the Old French War.
IV — Braddock's Road.
V— The Old Glade (Forbes's) Road.
VI — Boone's Wilderness Road.
VII — Portage Paths: The Keys of the Continent
VIII — Military Roads of the Mississippi Basin.
IX — Waterways of Westward Expansion.
X — The Cumberland Road.
XI, XII — Pioneer Roads of America, two volumes.
XIII, XIV — The Great American Canals, two volumes.
XV — The Future of Road-Making in America.
XVI— Index.
Sixteen volumes, crown 8vo, cloth, uncut, gilt tops. A limited edition
only printed direct from type, and the type distributed. Each volume hand-
somely printed in large type on Dickinson's hand-made paper, and illustra-
ted with mapsj plates, and facsimiles.
Published a volume each two months, beginning September, 1902.
Price, volumes 1 and 2, $2.00 net each; volumes 3 to 16, $2.50 net
each.
Fifty sets printed on large paper, each numbered and signed by the
author. Bound in cloth, with paper label, uncut, gilt tops. Price, $5.00
net per volume.
"The fruit not only of the study of original historical sources in documents found here and in
England, but of patient and enthusiastic topographical studies, in the course of which every foot ot
these old historic highways has been traced and traversed." — The Living Age.
"The volumes already issued 6how Mr. Hulbert to be an earnest and enthusiastic student, and a
reliable guide." — Out West.
" A look through these volumes show6 most conclusively that a new source of history is being
developed— a source which deals with the operation of the most effective causes influencing human
affairs." — low a Journal of Histmy and Politics.
" The successive volumes in the series may certainly be awaited with great interest, for they
promise to deal with the most romantic phases of the awakening of America at the dawn of occi-
dental civilization." — Boston Transcript.
" The publishers have done their part toward putting forth with proper dignity this important
work. It is issued on handsome paper and is illustrated with many maps, diagrams, and old
prints." — Chicago Evening Post.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 9999 06507 541 6
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