Читать книгу History of the Philippine Islands (Vol. 1&2) - Joaquín Martínez De Zúñiga - Страница 9

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Of the Conquest of Zebu, and Discovery of the Route to New Spain.

The glory of conquering the Philippines, was reserved for his Catholic Majesty Philip II., by means of, the valour of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the prudence of the Augustine friars, and the skill of one of those friars, Andres de Urdaneta, who had been a captain in the armament of Loaysa, but subsequently took the habit of San Augustine in Mexico, in the year 1552. His Majesty issued an edict, encouraging and recommending an expedition, to be sent by the Viceroy of Mexico, to the western isles. Friar Urdaneta acquiesced in the will of his sovereign, and the Viceroy chose five other religious of the same order, viz. Andres de Aguirre, Martin de Rada, Lorenzo Ximenes (who died in the Puerto de Natividad), Diego Herrera, and Pedro Gamboa, with the view to a spiritual, as well as temporal conquest. This squadron was composed of two ships, one small galleon, and a patache (a vessel so called). The command was given to Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, a noble Biscayan, from whose valour and prudence, the Viceroy expected greater results, than had been obtained from the other expeditions. The fleet sailed from Puerto de Natividad on the 21st November, 1564, with sealed orders; and when about a hundred leagues from the coast, the seals being broken, they found directions to proceed to these islands. Urdaneta had formed his plan, on the idea conceived by the Viceroy of first making New Guinea, but, obliged to conform to the royal instructions, he shaped his course nearly due west, in order to arrive at the ninth degree of latitude, and from thence to run direct west, to demand the submission of those islands, which lie between the ninth and tenth degree, passing by the islands of Arrecifes and Matalotes, together with those of La Nublada and Rocapartida, the two latter being too far out of the track. On the 31st of December, the patache separated, as if by accident, and never rejoined the squadron; Don Alonzo de Arellano was her commander, and Lopez Martin, a Mulatto, the pilot; and there was reason to believe that the separation was intentional, as it afterwards proved, that they went to Mindanao, where, taking in a cargo of gold and spices, they proceeded to New Spain. The squadron pursued its course, and on the 9th of January, 1565, discovered an island, which Legaspi called Barbudos, because the inhabitants wore longer beards than the other Indians. On the 22d they discovered the islands Ladrones, where they remained some days, taking in water and purchasing fresh provisions, which they procured from the Indians, in exchange for European commodities, especially iron, an article in great esteem with them. These Indians pilfered whatever they could lay their hands on, and assaulted our people while procuring water; yet, many Spaniards were desirous of remaining among them, and petitioned the General to found a colony there, and despatch a ship to Acapulco for that purpose; but having no orders to that effect, he prosecuted his route on the 3d of February, and on the 13th discovered the Philippines. At Tandaya, and Abuyo, he attempted to make an amicable arrangement with the inhabitants, for provisions, making presents to them, and promising, that he would pay liberally for every thing; but he could only procure one fowl and one egg. The stock of provisions, was now, however, becoming so short, that he deemed it necessary, to run in more among the islands, in search of a supply. They arrived at Bohol, and found the Indians had retired to the mountains. They had behaved so kindly, in selling provisions to those, whom Ruy Lopez de Villalobos had sent for that purpose, that Legaspi was astonished at their reserve, and could not conceive the cause of this change, until the pilot of a Bornean vessel discovered it. This vessel was taken by Colonel Matheo del Sauz, in the following manner. The General, had sent him to reconnoitre the vessel, and the Borneans, little acquainted with Europeans and their customs, and believing they came to make prisoners of them, received them in a hostile manner with their cannon¹⁶, killing one soldier, and wounding twenty. The Colonel returned their fire, and killed their captain; when part of the crew escaped, in a small boat, which they carry in the prow of their junk (the name they give their vessels), and the pilot, with six men, delivered themselves up, without further resistance. All this having taken place, without the knowledge or participation of the General, he was extremely solicitous, to do away the ill impression, which the transaction might make, and ordered them to restore the junk, with all the effects which they had taken; and which conduct so satisfied the Borneans, that they immediately declared publicly, they should interest themselves particularly, in favour of the squadron. They informed Legaspi, among other matters, that about two years since, some Portuguese of the Moluccas, had landed on their island, had been guilty of great extortion, and had done considerable injury to the inhabitants; and as they could not distinguish between the two nations, they had imagined that the people of his squadron were Portuguese.

Legaspi was aware, that it was necessary, above all things, to undeceive the Indians in this respect; he, therefore, earnestly requested the pilot of the Bornean vessel, to go on shore, and effect a reconciliation with the natives of Bohol, bringing on board the Rajah of the island, if possible. The Moor, in gratitude to the Spaniards, exerted himself, and returned on board with the Rajah, Sicatuna, who was persuaded to enter into an amicable understanding with them, to be consecrated and confirmed, in the manner usual with these islanders, which is thus; the parties entering into a treaty of friendship being bled at the arm, and the blood mixed with a little water, or spirit, they reciprocally drink each other's blood, so diluted, in token of amity. Legaspi, with this view, sent a soldier of the name of Santiago on shore, to go through the ceremony with Sicatuna; but the latter, thinking it below his dignity, to allow his blood to be drawn, with any but that of the General, ordered his son to take his place, promising, that the day following, he would proceed on board, and be bled with the General. Sicatuna, jealous of the intentions of the Spaniards, requested, that whilst he was on board, two Spaniards and two Moors of Borneo, might be sent on shore, as hostages for his safety; on this being likewise adjusted, he allowed them to cut wood in the mountains of Bohol, for refitting their ships; and in ratification of the whole, he was bled with the General the following day. Legaspi, in the belief that Sicatuna was King of the island, on this account consented to the ceremony; and although he afterwards understood, that the dominion of the Rajahs of this country, extended over a few small villages only, where they exercised the power, their valour gave them over their countrymen, he had no reason to repent of what he had done; for, in consequence of it, the Indians became free from apprehension, and supplied the squadron with the refreshments, it stood so much in need of.

Legaspi paid well for every thing they brought; and, at length, procured sufficient provisions, to be in a situation to despatch one ship to New Spain, but was unable to accompany it; and he did not wish to have recourse to violence, to procure a larger supply, thinking that unjustifiable and unwise, except in case of extremity. With the people of Zebu, he was inclined to conclude, he should be obliged to have recourse to arms, unless they supplied him, on friendly terms, with provisions; and he intended to use, as a pretext for hostilities, their treachery against the squadron of Magellan. He resolved, therefore, to go to this island, in quitting that of Bohol, with the inhabitants of which, a cordiality had subsisted from the first; and as a proof of his sense of their conduct, he settled every account with them, most honourably. To this justice and prudence of Legaspi, may be attributed the easy conquest, the Spaniards made of this island, against whose natives, they seldom have been obliged to use fire-arms.

On Easter day, the 22d of April, Legaspi accordingly sailed from Bohol, and on Friday the 27th, he arrived at Zebu, when he immediately despatched an interpreter named Pacheco, to propose amity with the natives, and that the Rajah might be sent to conclude the terms. Tupas, who was then King of Zebu, immediately sent some of the chief men, requesting Legaspi would not fire his artillery, which would alarm the town: and he promised to see the General, although he had no such intention, merely wishing to gain sufficient time, for the inhabitants to retire into the mountains, with all their moveables. It appearing the following day, that Tupas did not comply with his promise, three notifications were, in the space of two hours, sent to him by a notary, accompanied by Friar Urdaneta, who had the title of Protector of the Indians; but he paid no attention to this, and placed troops on the shore, and in canoes, to resist the landing of the Spaniards. Legaspi then determined on the assault, and ordered his men to fire on the canoes and Indians, who were posted to oppose them; but they retreated with such rapidity, that when the Spaniards leaped on shore, no enemy was to be seen. They followed them to the town, and found it in flames, the moveables having been taken away, and carried to the mountains, and little of any value remaining. The soldiers plundered those houses, which as yet, were not on fire, and among some things of little importance, they found a jewel, consisting of the image of a child, which they understood, was an object of adoration with the Indians, and which is at this day, in the church of San Augustine de Santo Niño of Zebu. The Indians, it appeared, had been in possession of this image, from time immemorial; and they were accustomed, when they wanted rain, to make a solemn feast, and public supplication to it, and, carrying it to the sea side, they immersed it in the water until it rained; honours or stripes, followed the concession or refusal, of what they had petitioned for, and it was believed among them, that this Santo Niño was the cause of the disgrace of Magellan. At first, the Spaniards found very few eatables in Zebu, but continuing their search, they stumbled upon thirty fanegas of rice, and some millet. In returning from the town, they encountered three hundred armed Indians; but upon our musquets being fired, they fled immediately. The General established his camp on the sea shore, and took out the Royal treasure which came in the Capitana, in order to be enabled to examine her bottom, and put her in a proper state, for her return to New Spain. The Spaniards found themselves perfectly secure in this encampment, in the day-time, because the Indians dared not attempt to molest them, through fear of their fire-arms; but at night, they occasioned them continual alarms, and on several occasions, set fire to their camp, doing however, little damage to the soldiers, who were defended by the palisades. The General however, in consequence of this, ordered the whole to be destroyed, and built a fort, which at once checked all further attempts. As yet, Legaspi kept on the defensive, expecting that Tupas would soon arrive, with whom he was desirous of being in amity, with a view to the conquest of the island by fair means. After repeated messages he at last appeared, accompanied by another chief, called Tamayan. Legaspi received them with cordiality, treated them handsomely, and, in the name of his sovereign, forgave the treachery, they had been guilty of towards Magellan. They made many excuses for their conduct, and promised that in three days they would return, with all the principal people, and establish a friendly intercourse with the Spaniards. These people will readily promise, whatever is demanded of them, but without any intention of performing their promise. Tupas, though King of the island, did not appear better entitled to respect, than any of the rest, and thought nothing of breaking his word, always, however, making some excuse on the succeeding visit.

Notwithstanding the peaceable demeanor of the Indians, the General ordered, that no one should be permitted to quit the camp, as he apprehended an ambuscade, which might have a fatal issue. This, in fact, happened to Pedro de Arana, one of Legaspi's aides-de-camp, who, disregarding this order, passed the lines alone with his gun, and before he was able to save himself, he was run through with a lance, and his head cut off, and carried on board a parao, which was lying at a little distance. The General felt the loss of Pedro de Arana much, and gave orders to the Colonel, to chastise the insolence of the Indians, and reduce them. Whilst the Colonel was employed in this expedition, the General, who had been accustomed to sleep on board ship, determined to pass his nights on shore in future, through some distrust he entertained, of the officers of the navy, and ordered, that his aides-de-camp should keep guard over him. They did not relish the thoughts of this, persuading themselves, they would be degraded, by obeying the orders. The day following therefore, at a general review of the force, Pedro Mena, in the name of the whole, came forward, and, with very little ceremony, intimated that they would not keep guard, as it was the duty of the privates. The Colonel reprehended them sharply, suspended them, and struck them out of the list of aids-de-camp of the General. This punishment for their insolence, though fully merited, exasperated them to such a degree, that they set fire to their tents, and had nearly burnt all the effects belonging to his Majesty. The principal perpetrators of this crime, were Pedro de Mena, and Terresan, who were executed the following day, and by this act, the subordination of the rest was secured.

The ship Capitana, was by this time prepared, for her voyage to New Spain. Her commander was Phelipe de Salcedo, grandson of the General; and there went in her, the friars Andres de Urdaneta, to conduct her to New Spain, and Martin de Aguirre, to solicit assistance for the conversion of these islanders. They sailed from Zebu on the 1st of June, 1565, and reaching the 36th degree of latitude, in search of the north-west winds, they directed their course to Puerto de la Natividad, where they arrived, after a four months voyage; but considering the distance of this port from Mexico, they pushed forwards to Acapulco, which was nearer, and they arrived there on the 30th of October. In Mexico, their arrival occasioned much exultation, as they were considered to be lost, by the accounts which had been given, by the Captain Arellano and the pilot Lope Martin, who, three months before, had arrived at Puerto de la Natividad. The friars Urdaneta and Aguirre went to Madrid, where they met with Arellano, who was soliciting a reward, for the discovery of the track from the Philippines to New Spain. He had persisted in his pretensions, till the arrival of these friars, when he altered his tone; he was put in confinement, and ordered to Mexico, to be from thence sent to Manila, to be punished by Legaspi as his conduct deserved. The Mexicans, however, were of opinion, that he should not be sent to Manila, until the death of Legaspi was ascertained. The friars Urdaneta and Aguirre, having favourably completed their mission, embarked for Mexico, where Urdaneta died on the 3d of June, 1568, in the 70th year of his age.