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History of the Philippine Islands Vols 1 and 2

A >> Antonio de Morga >> History of the Philippine Islands Vols 1 and 2




It would be difficult for them to provide Ternate with cloth, for the
little taken there now is brought by the Chinese to the Manilles. This
want of cloth would not fail to trouble the inhabitants, and it would
have to be sent from Malacca, and that could not be done easily. If
a galley could also be taken to Ternate, it would greatly annoy the
Spaniards....

The commerce of China depends moreover upon Malacca. If the Portuguese
were driven from that place, the Chinese would have to give up that
traffic....

The commerce of cotton stuffs at Coromandel is of great importance,
for all the inhabitants of the Indias dress in those stuffs, and must
have them at any price. There are different styles for each nation,
according to their taste, and they make them so in different places
... If Malacca were taken from the Portuguese, they would have no
further favorable opportunity for the trade in cloth....

If no means are found to besiege Malacca again, the Portuguese might
make use of their fustas to hinder our trade with Coromandel. For,
since this entire coast is low, and the fustas draw but little
water, they could always station themselves between the shore and our
vessels. Besides it is very dangerous for vessels to anchor there. If
the enemy is spry, he could carry the news to Goa in one week, whence
they could easily despatch their fleets against us.

It is certain that, if the Portuguese could be driven from Malacca,
they would have to renounce trade on the Coromandel coast; for
they would have no safe course, should they wish to get cloth,
and they could gain nothing, for the expense would overbalance the
profit. Consequently, I believe that all the commerce of the Portuguese
in the East Indies depends on Malacca, and that, in order to cut it,
one must take that place.

After that, there is no doubt that the inhabitants of Bantam would
not be reasonable, when they would see us in fixed establishments,
and would understand that since the English had no other commerce in
the Indias than that of pepper, they would not care to make frequent
voyages, or great expenses. The pepper of Jambeo, Andragyri, and
other points, that is taken to Bantam, would be taken to Malacca,
where, also, cloth for the return cargo would be found.

I have not learned whether the Portuguese have any strength at
Bengale. All whom I have heard speak of that country say that a good
commerce can be obtained there....

It would be advisable to send two vessels to Arracan to try to
trade. Besides the king is very anxious for us to go there. A
Portuguese, one Philippe de Britto, has a fort there, with a
garrison of eighty men. This fort is fifty leagues inland, and Britto
holds the entire country in check. Although the king of Arracan is
powerful, he has been unable as yet to find means for driving out
this Portuguese. This alarms all the kingdom of Pegu, especially
since it is annoyed by civil wars. That country has immense wealth,
especially in precious gems.

I do not believe that anything can be done with Cambaie while the
Portuguese have forts on the Malabar coast, and while the king is not
better disposed toward us. We must wait until he knows us better,
and until his mind is disabused concerning the Spaniards. For,
until he gives us permission to trade in his ports, we would always
encounter great danger, since large vessels can not enter. Besides
that country is so near Goa, that the Portuguese would be notified as
soon as we arrived there, and would pounce upon us with their forces,
so that we could hope for neither help nor protection.

All the above points to Malacca's importance, for the establishment
that we wish to make in the Indias. Therefore, for that reason, we
should reflect on it well. For, in short, it is time now for us to
assure ourselves of a fixed place and of a retreat. And this place
or that place that one might select, would cost immense sums before
it could reach the present condition of Malacca. Besides it will be
very difficult to find a place so advantageous.

* * * * *

The second expedition of Paul van Caerden (1606-1609) consisted of
eight vessels, equipped at a cost of 1,825,135 livres. Its chief
result was the capture of the Spanish fort at Machian and the two
captures of the commander, who finally died in prison at Manila. The
expedition sailed April 20, 1606, and shortly afterward began to have
trouble with the Portuguese. After rounding the cape they besieged
and took a Portuguese trading-post, after which they cruised past
Goa, Calcutta, and other places, finally sighting Sumatra, January 5,
1607, and anchoring at Bantam, January 6. There they met the Matelief
expedition. With a half-hearted following of Matelief's advice, van
Caerden anchored at Amboina in March, whence on May 10, he started
for Ternate. His capture by the Spanish of Ternate, the taking of the
Spanish fort at Machian--the place "most abounding in cloves of all
the Moluccas"--and other operations on land and sea followed. The
expedition finally left Ternate on August 3, 1608, and by way of
Bantam, reached Holland August 6, 1609, with a portion of its vessels.

The few years succeeding, events came thick and fast. Dutch
interests in the Indias multiplied. The taking of Malacca was
again considered. Resistance to Portuguese and Spanish interests
became even more pronounced, while the English and the Dutch came
to definite agreements, between their respective trading companies
as to trade in the Indias. The Dutch opened trade communication with
Japan. They became thoroughly established in the Moluccas, in Amboina,
and in the islands of Banda. The Spanish under Governor Juan de Silva
of Manila, took the offensive, and opposed the Dutch vigorously,
maintaining certain forts in Ternate, from which the efforts of the
Dutch failed to dislodge them. A Dutch fleet of thirteen vessels, with
Pierre Verhoeven as Admiral, and Francois Wittert as vice-admiral,
left Holland in 1607. Their course carried them along the shores of
India, before Malacca, and among the islands of Sumatra, Java, and
others. They had communication with vessels of other Dutch commanders,
among them those of the ill-fated van Caerden, who was exchanged by the
Spaniards March 23, 1610, proclaimed general of all the Moluccas July
1, 1610, and shortly after captured again by the Spaniards. They had
certain negotiations also with the English. At Borneo, Amboina, Banda,
Ternate, and their neighboring islands many important negotiations
were carried on, looking ever to the strengthening and prepetuation
of Dutch power. The war with the Banda islanders was at length
settled satisfactorily, although it required a number of years. In
this period came the twelve years' truce between Spain and Holland,
or the States-general, but notwithstanding active hostilities between
the two nations occurred afterward, the defeat and capture of Wittert's
vessels near Manila Bay occurring after news of the truce had reached
the Indias. In September of 1610 two vessels returning to Holland met
seven vessels under Admiral Both, in which were the first Dutch women
sent to the Indias. About 1613 the Spanish force in the Moluccas is
stated as follows:

"... The Spaniards have control of the city of Gammalamma, in the
island of Ternate, which they took from the inhabitants. They call
it Nuestra Signora di Rosario. It has a wall and bastions built of
stone. It is abundantly provided with cannon and war-supplies, which
are sent from the Manilles.

"It is at present garrisoned by 200 Spaniards and 90 Papaugos [i.e.,
Pampangos (?)] who are inhabitants of the Philippines, who are well
disciplined in arms, and serve as Spanish soldiers. There are also
30 Portuguese families, 60 or 80 Chinese families, who engage in
different trades, and 50 or 60 Christian Molucca families.

"They have another fort between Gammalamma and Malaia, called
Sts. Peter and Paul, located on an elevation, and mounted with six
pieces of cannon. There are thirty-three cast-iron cannon in the first
fort. The garrison of the latter consists generally of 27 Spaniards,
20 Papaugos, and some other people from the Manilles.

"They possess all the island of Tidore, where they have three forts,
namely, that of Taroula, located in the large city where the king
lives. It is stronger than the other two by its situation, which is
on an elevation. Its garrison is usually 50 Spaniards, and 8 or 10
Papaugos. It has ten large cast-iron cannon.

"The second fort is the old Portuguese castle taken by Corneille
Bastiaansz, which the Spaniards have retaken. It has 13 Spaniards,
with several islanders, and 2 pieces of cannon.

"The third is named Marieco, and is in sight of Gammalamma....Its
garrison consists of 14 Castilians and a few Papaugos, and it has two
pieces of cannon....The wars have somewhat depopulated the country...."

[The Spaniards also possessed several forts in Gilolo: Sabougo, taken
from the Dutch by Juan de Silva in 1611; Gilolo, also taken from the
Dutch by the same governor; and Aquilamo. All these forts contained
light garrisons. On the island of Moro, the Spaniards had the forts
Jolo, Isiau, and Joffougho. They usually maintained in the sea a
number of vessels. Juan de Silva is described as a brave, energetic,
and diplomatic man. The second capture of van Caerden proved a decided
blow to the Dutch, because of the loss of certain important papers.]

The Dutch power in the Moluccas was as follows:

"We have three forts at Ternate: that of Malaia, or Orange, commenced
by Admiral Matelief, where the king of Ternate lives; that of Toluco,
or Hollande, lying at the east end of the island, on an elevation,
one-half legua north of that of Malaia, built of stone; for fear lest
the Spaniards occupy this post, and for the same reason to send there
to live a portion of the superfluous men at Malaïa.

"Our third fort is that of Tacomma or Willemstad, lying at the
northwest. It was constructed by Admiral Simon Jansz Hoen...."

[In the island of Machian, they possessed the fort of Taffalo and
Tabillola. In Bachian they had a fort called Gammedource. All these
forts were adequately garrisoned.]

By 1627 affairs were still more flourishing and Batavia in Bantam,
on the island of Java, had already been made a base of supplies. Spain
still maintained forts at Ternate in that year. Signs of a desire to
attack the Spaniards in the Philippines began to be manifest.

In regard to Wittert's expedition, defeat, and death, the following
has been translated and condensed from Journal de l'amiral Wittert,
1607-10 (Liége, 1875), a small pamphlet in the library of Columbia
University, New York.

"In the year 1607, the Company of the East Indies despatched thirteen
vessels to find the Portuguese fleet, and probably to attack it, off
Mosambique or in neighboring waters. Pierre Willemsz, of Amsterdam,
was appointed admiral of this fleet; and François de Wittert, of the
ancient baronial family of that name--seignior of Hoogeland, Emeeclaar,
etc.--was made vice-admiral and president of the council-in-ordinary,
with full power to take the place of the admiral, who was very old
and infirm." The flagships of these officers were of eight hundred
and one thousand tons, respectively. The entire fleet carried two
thousand eight hundred to two thousand nine hundred men, forty-two
pieces of brass artillery and two hundred and eighty-three of
iron, one hundred stone-mortars, with the necessary munitions, and
provisions for more than three years. This armament cost ten million
eight hundred livres. The fleet set sail from the Texel on December
22, 1607, and reached "the fort of Mosambique" on the twenty-eighth
of July following. The Dutch besieged the fort, but were obliged to
retreat (August 13). "In this siege 30 of our men were killed, and 85
wounded. We fired 2,250 cannon-shots at this fortress, which is the
most important one possessed by the Portuguese in the East Indies;
it has four bastions and three ramparts. But after this siege, it
was almost entirely ruined, and the Portuguese power is destroyed,
especially as regards the puissant empire of the Abissinians, whose
emperor is named Preter-Jan [i.e., Prester John]." On November 5,
1608, the Dutch fleet reached Sumatra, where a naval battle with
some Portuguese vessels ensued. In January, 1609, Wittert went,
with some of the ships, to Johor, and aided the king of that state
to resist the Portuguese. On February 15, the fleet anchored at
Bantam, and on April 8, at Nera, one of the isles of Banda, where
they built a fort. Here, on May 22, the admiral and many of his
officers were treacherously assassinated by the natives. Here the
journal ends. Another and later entry reads: "Letters from Moluque
[Maluco] bring the news that on June 12, 1610, the admiral François
Wittert, while having some junks unloaded at Manila, was surprised by
the Spanish and slain in the combat. He was attacked by more than 12
vessels at once, but defended himself for a long time. The 'Amsterdam'
was finally captured by four ships which attacked it at once--one of
which, however, the Dutch blew up--and was taken to Manila with 51
dead on board, including the admiral; the yacht 'Faucon' had 34 dead,
and all its officers were slain except two--Piérre Gervits, master
of the yacht, and Piérre Hertsing--who were wounded. The 'Faucon'
also was carried away, with 22 dead. [170] The Spaniards made 120
prisoners on the two ships. As for the other vessels in their company
the yacht 'Aigle' was blown up; the 'Paon' and the shallop 'Delft'
escaped. It is not exactly known whither these vessels have gone;
but it is believed that they went to Patan."

With the increase of Dutch power in the Indias, complications
naturally multiplied. The year spent by Pierre van den Broeck
in the eastern seas, saw conflicts on the Indian coast, in Java,
against the English and Javanese, and also with the Portuguese. Van
den Broeck was in the service of the Dutch Trading Company for over
seventeen years. He went first to the Indias in the expedition under
Gerard Reyust, which left Holland May 3, 1613. On June 1, 1615,
he embarked with Admiral Verhagen for the Moluccas. He played an
important part in the establishment of Batavia in 1619, and in the
troubles with the English and Javanese. The truth of the inadequacy
of the natives against the more progressive races was proved again,
as it had previously been proved by the experiences of Portuguese
and Spanish. A siege of Batavia in 1629, by the Javanese failed in
its purpose. Van den Broeck returned to Holland June 6, 1630.

The second Dutch voyage to the East Indies under command of Georges
Spilberg sailed from Holland August 8, 1614, with six vessels. Its
object was chastisement of the Spanish. Reaching the Strait of
Magellan, March 28, 1615, after many adventures with the Portuguese
along the Brazilian coast, the fleet made the passage, and debouched
into the South Sea on May 6. Thence they coasted the western shores of
South America, and as far as Acapulco in New Spain. Near Lima a sea
fight with the Spanish occurred, in which the latter were worsted,
and three ships destroyed. When some of the Spanish who were in the
water called piteously for help, after saving the first and second
pilot, and a few sailors, "we left the remainder to the mercy of the
waves." The chronicle adds "Nevertheless some of the sailors killed
several who were swimming, and struggling against death--which they did
in disobedience to their orders." At Acapulco, the Spanish received the
Dutch well and some change of prisoners was effected. On November 18,
1615, the fleet turned westward, and sighted the Ladrones by January
1, 1616. On February 9, the cape of Espiritu Santo was sighted, and
on the 19th, under the guidance of native pilots, they sailed toward
Manila Bay, and anchored that same day near Luzón. "Our intention
was to make some Spaniard prisoner, in order to gain more detailed
information of what had been told us at Capul, namely, that a fleet had
been awaiting us for many days at the Manilles, and we wished eagerly
to learn more particular news of it." It was learned that the Spanish
fleet under Juan de Silva had gone to the Moluccas to aid the Spanish
there. Consequently, the Dutch fleet, after an ineffectual attempt
to exchange prisoners at Manila, went (March 10) to the Moluccas. On
the way they received assurance of the hatred in and about Mindanao
for the Spaniards, and their willingness to join the Dutch.

Reaching the Moluccas they cruised about for some time, and finally
two of the vessels were sent back to Holland, reaching that country,
July 1, 1617. With them they took the celebrated Jacques le Maire
who had attempted to find a new passage to the South Sea, below the
Strait of Magellan. As his voyage was not for the trading company
which enjoyed the monopoly of trade in the Indias, his ship was
confiscated. He died on the passage home. [171]

Although the Dutch were later in their explorations and conquests
throughout the Indias and neighboring regions than other nations,
their activity carried them to all the places visited or conquered by
the latter. As years went on the contests of the Dutch with the Spanish
tended to lessen, while those with the natives increased. Women went
to the new colonies in greater number, and life gradually assumed
a more settled aspect. The strenuous efforts of the Dutch sent
them into Formosa, China, Japan, and other countries. Expeditions
of more or less ships multiplied. The names of the Dutch famous in
the annals of the eastern seas are numerous. Their efforts, first
and foremost, were the establishment of a sound commerce. The above,
with the exception of the extract concerning François de Wittert, is
translated and condensed from Recueil des voyages ... de la Compagnie
des Indes Orientales (Amsterdam, 1725). See also, Histoire des voyages
(Paris, 1750); Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino: Articulos varios,
(Manila, 1887), pp. 71-86, "Triunfos del Rosario ó Los Holandeses en
Filipinas;" and Ferdinand Blumentritt: Hollændische Angriffe auf die
Philippinen (Leitmeritz, 1880).















Morga's Philippine Islands

Volume II




HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS


From their discovery by Magellan in 1521 to the beginning of the XVII
Century; with descriptions of Japan, China and adjacent countries, by

Dr. ANTONIO DE MORGA

Alcalde of Criminal Causes, in the Royal Audiencia of Nueva España,
and Counsel for the Holy Office of the Inquisition

Completely translated into English, edited and annotated by

E. H. BLAIR and J. A. ROBERTSON

With Facsimiles

[Separate publication from "The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898" in
which series this appears as volumes 15 and 16.]

VOLUME II



CONTENTS OF VOLUME II [xvi of series]

Preface

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. Dr. Antonio de Morga; Mexico, 1609

ILLUSTRATIONS

View of Mallaca-Levinus Hulsius (Franckfurt am Mayn, 1612)

Weapons of the Moros; photograph of weapons in the Museo-Biblioteca
de Ultramar, Madrid

"Incola ex Insulis Moluco," from Voyage ofte Schipvaert, by Jan Huygen
van Linschoten; from original in Boston Public Library

View of corcoa (the vessel known as "caracoa"); photographic facsimile
of engraving in John Stevens's Collection of Voyages and Travels
(London, 1711), i.--in Argensola's "Discovery and conquest of the
Molucco and Philippine Islands," p. 61; from copy in library of
Wisconsin Historical Society

Map of the Philippine Islands, showing province of the Order of the
Hermits of St. Augustine; from Lubin's Orbis Augustianus ... (Paris,
1639); from copy in the Library of Congress

View of Acapulco Harbor, in Mexico; from Valentyn's Oud en Nieuw
Oost Indien (Dordrecht and Amsterdam, 1724); from copy in library of
Wisconsin State Historical Society

Autograph signature of Antonio de Morga; photographic facsimile from
MS. in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla


PREFACE

In the present volume is concluded the notable work by Morga, Sucesos
de las Islas Filipinas, which was begun in VOL. I. The reader is
referred to the preface of that volume for some account of the book,
and of the manner in which it is presented in this series.

Continuing his narrative, Morga describes his voyage to Mexico,
whither he goes (1603) to be a member of the Audiencia there. He then
relates the events of the Chinese uprising in Luzón in that year,
which has been fully described in previous volumes of this series;
and his picturesque although plain narrative casts new light upon that
episode. Many Spaniards in Manila are so alarmed by this danger that
they remove, with all their households and property, to Nueva España;
but one of the ships carrying them is lost at sea, and the other is
compelled, after great injury and loss, to return to Manila--a serious
calamity for the colony there. The governor does his best to fortify
the city, and reënforcements and supplies are provided for him from
Nueva España. Bishop Benavides dies (1605). Friars from the islands
go to Japan, but the emperor of that country is offended at their
preaching, and advises Acuña to restrain them. In the summer of 1605
arrive supplies and men from Nueva España, and Acuña proceeds with his
preparations for the expedition against the Dutch in the Moluccas. In
the following spring he sets out on this enterprise, conducting it
in person; Morga describes this naval campaign in detail. Ternate is
captured by the Spaniards without bombardment, and with little loss to
themselves. The fugitive king of the island is persuaded to surrender
to the Spaniards and become a vassal of Felipe. Several other petty
rulers follow his example and promise not to allow the Dutch to engage
in the clove trade. Acuña builds a new fort there, and another in
Tidore, leaving Juan de Esquivel as governor of the Moluccas, with
a garrison and several vessels for their defense, and carrying to
Manila the king of Ternate and many of his nobles, as hostages. During
Acuña's absence a mutiny occurs among the Japanese near Manila, which
is quelled mainly by the influence of the friars. The governor dies,
apparently from poison, soon after his return to Manila. The trade
of the islands is injured by the restrictions laid upon it by the
home government; and the reduction of Ternate has not sufficed to
restrain the Moro pirates. The natives of the Moluccas are uneasy and
rebellious, especially as they have a prospect of aid from the Dutch,
who are endeavoring to regain their lost possessions there. Morga cites
a letter from a Spanish officer at La Palma, recounting the purpose
and outcome of van Noordt's expedition to the Indian archipelago.

The historical part of Morga's account ends here; and the final
chapter is devoted to a description of the islands and their people,
the customs and religious beliefs of the natives, and the condition at
that time of the Spanish colony and the city of Manila. He describes
the principal islands of the Philippine group, beginning with Luzón;
the various races of inhabitants--Moros, Negritos, and Visayans:
their mode of dress, their occupations and industries, their habits
of life; their weapons, their ships and boats; the trees and fruits of
the islands; the animals and birds, both wild and tame; the reptiles,
fishes, and other creatures; and various plants. Among these is the
buyo (or betel); the habit of chewing it has become universal among the
Spaniards, of all classes, and poison is often administered through
its medium. Various means and methods of poisoning are described,
as well as some antidotes therefor. Some account is given of the
gold mines and pearl fisheries, and of other products of the country
which form articles of commerce. Morga describes the two great lakes
of Luzón (Bombon and Bai), Manila and its harbor and approaches, and
other principal ports, with some neighboring islands; and gives some
account of the Visayan people and the larger islands inhabited by them,
and of the tides in the archipelago. Then follows an interesting and
detailed account of the Filipino peoples, their language, customs,
beliefs, etc. The language used in Luzón and other northern islands
is different from that of the Visayas; but all the natives write,
expressing themselves fluently and correctly, and using a simple
alphabet which resembles the Arabic. Their houses, and their mode
of life therein, are fully described; also their government, social
organization, and administration of justice. The classes and status
of slaves, and the causes of enslavement are recounted. Their customs
in marriages and dowries, divorces, adoption, and inheritance are
described; also in usury, trading, and punishment for crimes. The
standard of social purity is described by Morga as being very low;
yet infamous vices were not indigenous with them, but communicated by
foreigners, especially by the Chinese. The natives of Luzón appear
to be superior, both intellectually and morally, to the Visayan
peoples. Their religious beliefs and practices are recounted by Morga,
who naturally ascribes these to the influence of the devil. He also
narrates the entrance of Mahometanism into the islands, and how it
was checked by the coming of the Spaniards.

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