Part 21

[25] Cf. Friar Odoric's description of the green pepper found in Malabar (called by the Arabs Balad-ul-Falfal, "the Pepper Country")--growing on vines which the natives plant against tall trees for support, and bearing fruit "just like bunches of grapes;" see Yule's _Cathay_, vol. i, pp. clxxvii, 77.

[26] The tael is a Chinese money of account, worth formerly about $1.50; now $1.68, "Tael" is the trade name in China for the ounce of silver; it also designates a weight, of 1 1/3 oz. avoirdupois.

[27] This lake, about seventeen miles long, is the second largest lake in Luzón. It is also named Taal, after the celebrated volcano in its midst. Its outlet is the river Pansipit.

[28] Spanish _pildoras_ ("pills"); a jocular allusion to the leaden bullets from the muskets.

[29] The Malay appellation _rajá_ or _raxa_, meaning "a sovereign," is used of rulers in Manila or Tondo. See Retana's note on Zúñiga's _Estadismo_, vol. ii, pp. 521*, 522*.

[30] Cafre (or Kafir): a term applied by Mahometans to the heathen natives of conquered countries; it means "infidels." From this originated the name Kafiristan ("country of infidels"), applied to the region north of the Punjaub of India and south of the Hindu-Kush Mountains; its people are called Kafirs. See Yule's _Cathay_, vol. ii, p. 554.

[31] _Vara_: a measure of length, equivalent to a little more or a little less (in different Spanish countries) than thirty-three English inches.

[32] In the Spanish text, _se acordo dar sanctiago en los moros_,--literally, "it was decided to give the 'Santiago' among the Moros,"--the _Santiago_ ("St. James") being the war-cry of the Spaniards when engaging with Moors and other "infidels."

[33] Bound up with the MS. of this document, in the archives at Sevilla, are similar official acts for "the islands of Luban, Similara, Baluyan, Helin, and Vindoro."

[34] The palace of the Escorial was built in the town of that name, twenty-four miles from Madrid, by Felipe II; it was begun in 1563, and completed in 1584, except that the pantheons were added by Felipe IV. The total cost is estimated at £660,000 sterling; it is one of the largest buildings in the world, being a rectangle of six hundred and eighty by five hundred and thirty feet. It is a palace and monastery combined, the latter being in charge of the Augustinian order.

[35] The matter in parentheses is side notes in the original.

[36] _Tierra firme_: this term means simply "the continent," and was at that time applied to the northern mainland of South America, as distinguished from the adjacent islands.

[37] Internal evidence indicates that this list was prepared in New Spain. In the MS., in the right-hand column are enumerated the articles demanded for the Philippines; on the left is a statement of articles sent--various memoranda being made on each side. As here presented, the items in the left-hand column follow (within parentheses) the corresponding items on the right hand.

[38] The Spanish _quintal_ (100 _libras_), varied in different provinces; that of Castilla was equivalent to 101.6097 United States pounds. Other denominations: 25 libras = 1 arroba; 4 arrobas = 1 quintal; 20 quintals = 1 tonelada.

[39] Of these measures of capacity, the first set are for liquid measure: 4 copas = 1 cuartillo; 4 cuartillos = 1 azumbre; 8 azumbres = 1 arroba _mayor_ or _cantara_. This _arroba_ equals 4.26304 gallons, and is supposed to contain the weight of 35 _libras_ of pure (_i.e.,_ distilled) water. The _arroba_ for oil, however, is only 3.31853 gallons.

The other measures are for dry substances. _Hanega_ is only another form of _fanega_ (= 1.599 bushels), which is described in _Vol_. II, note 72; the _celemín_ is the same as the _almude_ (note 20, _ante_). Table: 4 ochavillos = 1 racion; 4 raciones = 1 cuartillo; 2 cuartillos = 1 medio; 2 medios = 1 almude; 12 almudes = 1 fanega; 12 fanegas = 1 cahíz.

[40] References to the shares, in goods discovered or produced, which were to be set aside for the king and the church.

[41] _Elem:_ in Retana's text, "el _M_." In some old documents appears the name Elen (or Helin); it apparently refers to the islet off the southwest point of Mindoro which is now called Ylín.

[42] _Pintados_ ("painted"): a term applied to the inhabitants of the Visayas (and afterward extended to those islands), because they painted their bodies with red clay--or, as some writers say, on account of their being tattooed.

[43] The name Manila is derived from a Tagal word, _manilad,_ meaning "a place overgrown with _nilad_"--which is the name of a small tree, bearing white flowers _(Ixora manila)._

Some writers claim that the name is a corruption of _Maydila,_ from the Tagal words _may_ and _dila_, meaning "the place that has a tongue"--alluding to a tongue-shaped island formerly at the mouth of Pasig River.--_Rev. T. C. Middleton_, O.S.A.

[44] Gold and other minerals are still obtained from the mines of Paracale (in the province of Ambos, Camarines), Luzón.

[45] Blumentritt says (_Dic. mitológico de Filipinas_, pp. 34, 35), of the appellation Bathala: "This name, of Sanscrit origin, is or was given to various gods of the Malay Filipinos. The ancient Tagalos called their principal god _Badhala_, or _Bathala mey-kapal_ ["God the creator"], and gave the same name to the bird _Tigmamanukin_, ... and sometimes to the comets or other heavenly bodies, which, in their opinion, predicted future events." This is analogous to the manner in which the North American Indians apply such terms as "Manitou," "wakan," or "medicine," not only to their divinities, but to any phenomenon that is mysterious or incomprehensible to them.

The term _Dîwata_ (_devata, diobata_), also of Sanscrit origin, is applied variously by different races in the archipelago--sometimes to the souls of ancestors (whom they invoke); sometimes to any inferior spirits, whether good or bad (_ut supra_ pp. 45, 46).

[46] A reference to the island of Basilan, off the southwest point of Mindanao; it was formerly called Taguima. The route for ships here mentioned was through the strait of Basilan.

[47] Yvalón (or Ibalón) was the ancient name of Albay; it was sometimes applied to the entire island of Luzon.

[48] The Bícol river, which crosses the province of Ambos Camarines (Sur), while Paracale is in the same province (Norte); both are on the opposite coast from Albay. Yloquio is probably Ilocos; but that province is north, not south, of Manila.

[49] This municipal organization may be thus defined: The _cabildo_ was the municipal official corporation--nearly the same as the American city council; the _regidores_ were members of it. The _alguazil_ was an official who executed the orders given by the _cabildo_, or by the _alcaldes_ (judges). Regarding this subject, see Historical Introduction, _Vol_. I, p. 56; also _Dic.-Encicl. Hisp.-Amer, art_: Cabildo, Alcalde, etc.

[50] The _peso_ was a money of account, commonly supposed to be worth fifteen _reals vellón_. There was also a silver coin called a _peso_, which was valued at eight _reals_ of silver, and weighed one _onza_ (a trifle more than the English ounce). The _real_ (=34 _maravedis_) is equivalent to nearly five cents of United States money; it is no longer coined, but is still a unit of value throughout Spain. The _tomin_ for gold was equivalent to 8.883 grains (United States weight), and for silver to 9.254 grains. From a document published in _Doc. inéd. Ultramar_, vol. ii, pp. 461-463, it appears that seven _tomines_ of gold were equivalent to one _peso_ of gold.

[51] The table of weights to which the _marco_ belongs is as follows: 12 granos = 1 tomin; 3 tomines = 1 adarme; 2 adarmes = 1 ochava or dracma; 8 ochavas = 1 onza; 8 onzas = 1 marco; 2 marcos = 1 libra (= 1.016097 United States pounds).

[52] _Encomenderos_: persons to whom _repartimientos_ or _encomiendas_ were granted (see _Vol_. II, note 18).

[53] The name first given to the present city of Cebú, on the island of that name. Another early name was San Miguel, given because the settlement was founded on St. Michael's day.

[54] Bound with this MS. is an abstract of the same, evidently made for the royal council by some secretary. In the margin are noted, opposite the various points, instructions for the governor of the islands. In reply to this letter Lavezaris is to be thanked for his care, and exhorted to continue it. The licentiate Francisco de Sande is about to go from New Spain to the Philippines, to take account of Legazpi's administration and to act as governor. The king is advised to reward Lavezaris, and suitable rewards should be given to Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo. Sande is to be instructed to accord good treatment to the Chinese, in order to invite their trade and win them to the faith. Peace and friendship must be maintained with the Portuguese. The lists of _encomiendas_ granted by Legazpi and Lavezaris, with full information regarding them, must be sent to the government. Sande should be instructed to do what he considers best, in regard to the appointment of _regidores_.

[55] Regarding the authorship of this document, see Bibliographical Data. In its presentation here, we have interpolated in brackets the additional matter found in the Sevilla copy; and likewise words which alter the sense, prefixing to these "S:", to indicate the different reading of the Sevilla document. Matter in the Madrid copy which would give a different meaning from that at Sevilla is indicated by "M:". The title of the latter is: "Relation of the Western Islands, and the route thither from Nueva España."

[56] The _brisa_ is the north, northeast, or east wind, the _vendavál_ the south or southwest wind. The observations made for a considerable period at the Jesuit observatory in Manila indicate the main prevalence of winds as follows: north and northeast, November to January, inclusive; east, February to April; south and southwest, May to October. See Algué's account of these winds, in his _Archipiélago Filipino_, vol. ii, ch. iv; also (with additional observations, and citations from other authorities) in _Report of the Philippine Commission_, 1900, vol. iv, pp. 227-256. In these is discussed the question whether these prevalent winds can be properly termed monsoons.

[57] Probably some of the Marshall Islands.

[58] The Chinese _tael_ (weight) is equivalent to 1 1-3 United States ounces avoirdupois. The _mace_ (_masse_) is one-tenth of the _tael_, and equals 60.42 grains. These terms are also applied to moneys of account in Chinese trade.

[59] The words "one thousand" do not appear in the Madrid copy, having probably, in the course of time, been worn off (as have other words or letters) from the edges of the paper.

[60] Now Panaón; separated from Leyte (here called Baybay) by Panaón Strait. Tandaya was the early name of Samar Island, which is separated from Leyte by San Juanico Strait. Mazoga is the same as Massava of other early writers; it is now Limasaua Island.

[61] The _estado_ was equivalent to 1.85472 English yards, having nearly the same value as the _braza_.

[62] Probably the _sibucao (Cæsalpina sapan_); its wood produces a red coloring-matter which is highly valued, especially by the Chinese. Some varieties of it are more highly esteemed than are those produced in Brazil. These "Brazil" Islands are apparently the small groups north of Luzón, now known as Batanes and Babuyanes.

[63] An archivist's marginal note on the Sevilla MS. reads: "Doubtless this should be Bassilani"--which is the modern Basilan, an island southwest of Mindanao.

[64] Regarding piracy in the Philippines, see Barrantes's _Guerras piraticas de Filipinas_ (Madrid, 1878); and Montero y Vidal's _Historia de la piratería en Mindanao, Jolo y Borneo_ (Madrid, 1888).

[65] A term (imported from America, and from the Nahuatl language) applied to several species of _Calamus_: the rattan--a plant of great use to the natives for many purposes.

[66] Compare the custom among the Norse vikings--a warrior, at the approach of death from natural causes, embarking alone in his vessel, floating out to sea, and setting it afire, that he might perish with it.

[67] The table for Spanish measures of length: 12 puntos = 1 linea; 12 lineas = 1 pulgada; 6 pulgadas = 1 sesma; 2 sesmas = 1 piè (the foot, = 11.128 U. S. inches); 3 piès = 1 vara; 4 varas = 1 estadal. Also, 9 lineas = 1 dedo; 12 dedos = 1 palma. The _legua_ of 8,000 _varas_ equals 4.2151 United States miles.

[68] _Camote:_ the sweet potato (_Ipomoea batatas_.)

[69] An interesting reference to one of the earliest and most characteristic industries among the natives of the Philippines. The "wild banana" is the _abacá_ (_Musa textilis_); its product (made from the fibers of the leaves) is commonly known as "Manila hemp," and is one of the chief exports from the islands. Two kinds of cloth are now made by the natives from the _abacá_, called _sinamay_ and _tinampipi_; in making them, they use only primitive handlooms. See Zúñiga's description of this manufacture, in _Estadismo_ (Retana's edition), vol. ii, pp. 41, 42: cf. pp. 94, 95, where he praises the cotton cloths made in the Philippines.

[70] The Spanish word is _moldes_; this sentence regarding the art of printing in China is not in the Sevilla MS. Gonzalez de Mendoza gives an interesting account in his _Hist. gran China_ (Madrigal edition, Madrid, 1586), part i, book iii, ch. xvi, fol. 87-87b; he says that the Chinese understood and used the art of printing more than five hundred years before Gutenberg. He supposes that this invention was carried to Germany via Russia and Muscovy, or by way of the Red Sea and Arabia. The Augustinian Herrada and his associates took to the Philippines a great many books, "printed in various parts of that kingdom [China], but mostly in the province of Ochian [the former province of Hu-Kwang, now forming the two provinces of Hou-Nan and Hou-Pe] ... for therein were bookshops of the largest size," where books were sold at low prices. In ch. xvii (fol. 89-91), Mendoza enumerates the subjects treated in the books procured by Herrada; they included history, statistics, geography, law, medicine, religion, etc. See also Park's translation of Mendoza (Hakluyt Society, London, 1853), vol. i, pp. 131-137, and editorial note thereon regarding antiquity of printing in China.

[71] See the Treaty of Zaragoza, _Vol_. I, pp. 222-239.

[72] The term Moros ("Moors") was applied by the Spaniards and Portuguese to these Malayans, simply because they were, at least nominally, Mahometans. Their residence was mainly in the islands of Mindanao, Jolo, Paragua, and Balábac. Most of them were pirates, who for centuries harassed not only the Spanish settlements, but those of the Filipinos.

[73] A note by the editor of _Cartas de Indias_ says: "The documents here named do not accompany this letter."

[74] This document is presented in both Spanish text and English translation.

[75] The latter part only of this document is here presented; for somewhat more than half of it is practically a duplicate of Legazpi's _Relation_ of 1570--which see (_ante_, pp. 108-112), with footnotes indicating all important variations therefrom found in the first half of the Mirandaola letter. The part appearing here is matter additional to the Legazpi _Relation_.

[76] For localities in which gold is found in the Philippines, see _Philippine Gazetteer_, pp. 83, 84. See also Combés's _Hist. de Mindanao_, lib. 1, cap. iv, with Retana's note thereon, col. 787; in the note is information apparently obtained from this document of our text.

[77] The viceroy of New Spain, Martin Enriquez, makes the following interesting comments on the Chinese trade with the Philippines, in a letter to the king dated January 9, 1574: "Since I wrote to your Majesty by the despatch ship, I have seen some of the articles which have been received in barter from the Chinese; and I consider the whole thing as a waste of effort, and a losing rather than a profitable business. For all they bring are a few silks of very poor quality (most of which are very coarsely woven), some imitation brocades, fans, porcelain, writing desks, and decorated boxes; indeed, did I not have respect for more than the good government of this land, I would not permit a single one of these things to be brought into this kingdom. To pay for these they carry away gold and silver, and they are so keen that they will accept nothing else. I am told that they took away more than forty thousand ducats in gold and silver from the islands; and if this were not regulated, they would always have the best of it--although, if the Spaniards who traffic there with them were business men, they themselves would reject the goods carried to them, and would try to ascertain what goods the Chinese have and their value, and arrange so that the exchange should be profitable. I tell your Majesty of this because I shall write the general no more than that he must not permit Spaniards to carry on barter with gold that has not paid the tax."

[78] In 1560 the Portuguese obtained the loan of a spot near the mouth of the Canton estuary, where they were permitted to establish a trading-post, which was named Macao. Before many years elapsed, more than five hundred Portuguese merchants resorted thither annually to trade. "By the regular payment of their rent (five hundred taels a year), as well as by a judicious system of bribing, the Portuguese long enjoyed the practical monopoly of the external trade of the great mart of Canton with the West." See D. C. Boulger's _History of China_, ii, pp. 146, 169.

[79] The Chinese rulers here referred to are known in history by different names from those here given, even after making allowance for their pronunciation by Spaniards. Moutsong, twelfth emperor of the Ming dynasty, died in 1572, and was succeeded by his son Chintsong, better known under the name Wanleh. As this prince was then but six years old, his mother acted as regent during his minority.

[80] The Ultramar MS. (see Bibliographical Data at end of this volume) reads, "the river of Panaca to Cubo."

[81] From this point this paragraph in the Ultramar MS. reads as follows: "As justly as possible. But although it was done thus, complaints were heard, because not so many natives were found as the list made by the person who had visited this district gave us to understand. This list was so summary that it could not be true. The encomenderos urged that the governor should make the number of each repartimiento equal to the list. Therefore each encomendero received the number for which he petitioned."

[82] The Ultramar MS. reads here: "named Cebu, he set out for Prognal."

[83] Martin Enriquez writes to the king (January 9, 1574), urging that a new governor for the Philippines be appointed: "I beg your Majesty to appoint, within a very short time, some person who shall have the necessary qualifications for governing that land; for otherwise neither Christianity nor the royal estate will be able to make much progress there. Even since I wrote to your Majesty, I have heard fuller details of certain things from among the many which are bound to occur, and all through lack of justice. I had charged Don Pedro de Luna to bring me a detailed relation of everything that he should hear concerning matters there, and, as he died at sea, I sent word to the Alcalde Mayor of Acapulco to look through his coffers for all his papers, and send them to me, suspecting that I would not like to trust everything to his memory. In this way I have ascertained from them that there is beyond question need that your Majesty should endeavor to secure better administration of justice there, and provide some one to take greater care of your Majesty's finances."

[84] The Muñoz letter (see Bibliographical Data at end of this volume) says, "four varas." The reading of our text is uncertain, as the number is not written in full, but is designated by a contraction difficult to read.

[85] The Ultramar MS. has the following: "It is enough to say, and I swear it on my oath as a Christian, that there is said to be more gold in this one island than iron in Vizcaya." This is very similar to the reading in the MS. copied by Muñoz.

[86] The red sulphuret of arsenic.

[87] This and what follows was apparently added by the officials in Mexico.

[88] _Corredor de Lonja_ (_Lonxa_) is undoubtedly a commission merchant: apparently the decree confers upon the city the right to appoint brokers of this class.--_A.P. Cushing_.

[89] This document is evidently addressed to the governor, then Guido de Lavezaris.

[90] The ganta = 8 chupas = 3 liters.

[91] An ancient province of Luzon, so called from the name given in Manila to the many porticos constructed out of the nipa palm. It was erected into a province during the governorship of Guido de Lavezaris, and was conquered by Salcedo. It is mountainous, and contains rich mines of various metals, and a fertile soil. It is now (since April 27, 1901), under American government, known by the name of Ambos Camarines.

[92] The early name of the islands now known as Visayas (or Bisayas)--the group lying between Luzón, Mindanao, and Mindoro; so named from their inhabitants, known as Pintados ("painted men") from their tattooed bodies.

[93] Referring to the abacá, or wild plantain (note 68).

[94] Referring to the birth of a son to Felipe II and Anna of Austria--probably that of Jacobo (or Jaime), born in 1572 or 1573, who died in 1582.

[95] The name and title of this commander are, by some _lapsus calami_, omitted in the MS. The reference, however, is obvious, to Don Juan of Austria, illegitimate son of Cárlos I (but finally publicly acknowledged by him); this prince gained signal renown in wars against the Mahometans.

[96] The Rio Grande of Mindanao.

[97] The first-born son of Felipe was Fernando, born in 1571; he died at the age of four years. The town named for him is now called Vigan; it is located on Abra River, and is capital of the province of Ilocos Sur, Luzón.

[98] Of the decrees here referred to, two may be found in _Recopilación de leyes de las Indias_ (5th ed., Madrid, 1841), lib. viii. One (tit. iv, ley xxiv) provides that vacancies in crown offices shall be filled by the viceroy, or by the president of the Audiencia; the other (tit. x, ley xviii), that gold and silver found in seaports, which has not been duly taxed and stamped, shall, if there be no smelting establishment in such place, be forfeited to the royal treasury.

[99] See _post_, p. 286.

[100] Apparently a reference to the custom of _taboo_ (or _tabu_), of which traces exist among primitive peoples throughout the world, but most of all in Polynesia. The word means "sacred"--that is, set aside or appropriated to persons or things regarded as sacred; but the custom, although doubtless originating in religious observances, gradually extended as a social usage. It is among many peoples connected with totemism, and is considered by many writers as the gradual outgrowth of animistic beliefs.

[101] This was Doctor Francisco de Sande, who entered upon his duties as governor of the Philippines in August, 1575. He had previously been a member of the Audiencia of Mexico. While governor, he desired to undertake the conquest of China; but Felipe II ordered him to confine his activities to the preservation of what Spain had already gained in the islands. Sande was recalled in 1580.