Chapter XI: Introduction: Of Islam and the Rise of a Mohammedan Dynasty in Sulu, (3)

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On the 23d of September, 1836 A. D. or 1252 A. H., he signed a commercial treaty with Capt. José M. Halcon as the representative of Captain-General Salazar. [205] The principal part of the treaty was an agreement regulating boat licenses and the duties to be paid by Sulu boats in Manila and Zamboanga and by Spanish vessels in Jolo. In another document bearing the same date and signed by the same parties, an alliance was declared guaranteeing general peace and safety to Sulu boats in Philippine waters and to Spanish and Filipino craft in the Sulu Sea. The sultan further consented to have a Spanish trading house constructed at Jolo for the safe storage of merchandise under the charge of a Spanish resident agent.

TREATY OF 1836 WITH THE SULTAN OF SULU

TEXT OF THE TREATY

Articles of agreement arranging the duties to be paid by Sulu craft in Manila and Zamboanga, and by Spanish craft in Jolo, which schedule can not be changed except by a new agreement.

Article 1. Sulu craft which, with proper license, go to Manila, may import products of the Islands subject to the Sultan, by paying a consumption duty of 2 1/2%.

Article 2. Wax and cacao may be deposited in the Manila Custom-House by paying 1%; but if these articles are imported the established 14% will be paid.

Article 3. Sulu craft that trade in Zamboanga will pay a duty of 1% on products of the islands subject to the Sultan.

Article 4. All these duties will be paid in silver to the Protecting Spanish Government on the basis of one-half the appraised value.

Article 5. Spanish craft in Jolo will pay the following duties in kind:

Pesos Ships of three masts from Manila, with Chinese passengers 2,000 The same, without passengers 1,800 Brigantine from Manila, with Chinese passengers 1,500 The same, without passengers 1,300 Schooner from Manila, with Chinese passengers 1,400 The same, without passengers 1,200 Pontin (small trading boat) from Manila, with Chinese passengers 1,400 The same, without passengers 1,200 Galley from Manila or other ports of the Philippines, with cargo of rice (palay), sugar and saguranes [206] 300 The same for the Philippine Islands with cargo of merchandise 500

Article 6. These duties fixed for Spanish craft will be paid in kind in accordance with the values laid down in the following schedule, one-half of which will be selected by the Sultan's government officials from the cargo and the other half shall consist of such articles as the captain of the boat may select, valuation to be in accordance with the schedule. Articles not in the schedule can not be exacted from the captain, nor will he give such payment:

Article 7. Sulu ships found trading in ports without a license or passing contraband will be treated as smugglers in accordance with the Spanish laws laid down for such. Spanish schooners and small trading craft (galeras) that show by manifest in Jolo that they carry a cargo of Philippine produce, and are afterward discovered to have, in place thereof, a cargo of merchandise (géneros), and to have discharged such cargo in the port to be sold therein, will be fined 500 pesos as per values in Jolo, two-thirds of said sum to go to the Sultan, and one-third to the Royal Treasury of the Protecting Spanish Government.

Article 8. Should the import duties on any articles of commerce produced in the Sulu Islands be reduced in Manila or Zamboanga to a lower rate than that now established, the Spanish Government will also make a reduction so that Sulu ships may always pay less, as has been agreed.

Should the Sultan of Sulu collect smaller duties from any foreign ship than those established for Spaniards, either as a tax or by a reduction of the valuation of the dutiable articles, he will be obliged to make such a reduction in duties for Spanish craft as will give the advantage to the flag of His Catholic Majesty as stipulated.

Last Article. Should the text of these articles of agreement differ in the two languages, the Spanish text will be literally adhered to.

Palace of Jolo, September 23, 1836, which is the 14th of the moon Jamadul Akir, 1252.--José M. Harun,--Rubric,--Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Kiram,--Datu Mohammed Harun,--Datu Mohammed Buyuk,--Datu Bandahala,--Datu Muluk,--Datu Sabalmar,--Datu Mamancha,--Datu Juhan,--Datu Maharaja-Layla,--Datu Sabuwayan,--Datu Muluk Kahar,--Datu Nay.

I, Don José María Halcon y Mendoza, Frigate Captain of the Royal Navy, etc., Special Commissioner appointed by the Captain General of the Philippines to establish these articles of agreement (capitulaciones),

Certify that when I received from the hands of the Sultan of Sulu the copy herewith, in the act of the exchange, by which I handed him the duplicate with the ratification of the Governor General, I remarked at the end of the present a writing in Malay, on the page following that of the seals and signatures which is the reverse of folio six, on which it can be seen.

I also certify that having examined the contents of said improper addition which, although unauthorized, appears in writing in the present document, it was found to be the text of the circular of the Sultan to his people, in four articles, whose translation, made by the Datu Muluk-Bandarasa, and verified separately by several persons, reads as follows:

Article 1. The people of Sulu who wish to go to Zamboanga or Mindanao shall ask the Sultan of Sulu for a passport so that they may suffer no harm if they meet ships belonging to the Navy.

Article 2. Passports shall be issued stating the number of people on board and the cargo when requested.

Article 3. I give this order for the safety of those who travel by sea, as instead of being pursued by the ships of the Navy, they shall be helped.

Article 4. I give you the present patent so that when you meet the ships of the Navy of the King of Spain, my brother, they may not harm, but help you.

And in proof thereof, I make out the present certificate, written of my hand and attached to the Articles of Agreement, of which it is impossible to make a new copy, on account of the absence of some of the Datus who were present when they were agreed to, and approved them.

Given on board her Majesty's schooner "Tirol" in the roadstead of Jolo on the 29th of March 1837.

José Ma. Halcon, (His flourish).

RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY OF 1836 BY THE QUEEN REGENT OF SPAIN

Isabel II, Queen of Spain, by the Grace of God and the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy, and in her Royal name and during her minority, the Queen Dowager her mother, Doña María Cristina of Bourbon, Regent of the Kingdom:

Whereas on the twenty-third of September of last year, at the palace of Jolo, a treaty of peace, protection and commerce having been drawn up, concluded and signed by the frigate-captain of the national fleet, Don José María Halcon, commander in chief of the naval forces anchored in the roadstead of Jolo, representing the Captain General of the Philippine Islands, and the Sultan Jamalul Kiram and Datus; which said treaty, composed of six articles, word by word, is as follows:

Capitulations of Peace, Protection and Commerce, executed to the most Excellent Sultan and Datus of Sulu, by his high Excellency the Captain-General, Governor of the Philippine Islands, in the name of the high and powerful Sovereignty of her Catholic Majesty, being drawn up and agreed to by both parties, to wit: representing the Spanish Government as plenipotentiary of his high Excellency the Captain General, Don Pedro Antonio Salazar, Governor of the Philippines, the frigate-captain of the royal fleet, Don José María Halcon, commander in chief of the naval forces anchored in the roadstead of Jolo; and upon the other part, the Sultan Jamalul Kiram, Raja of Sulu and Datus who subscribe, which parties enacted as follows:

Article 1

His high Excellency the Captain-General, Governor, for her Catholic
Majesty, of the Philippine Islands, assures the most excellent
Sultan and Datus of Sulu, for the present and forever, of the most
stable peace between the Spaniards and natives of all the islands
subject to the Crown of Spain and the tributaries of the lands
governed by the Sultan and Datus. He offers the protection of his
Government and the aid of fleets and soldiers for the wars which
the Sultan shall find necessary to wage against enemies who shall
attack him, or in order to accomplish the subjection of the peoples
who rebel in all the confines of the islands which are found
within Spanish jurisdiction, and which extend from the western
point of Mindanao as far as Borneo and Palawan, except Sandakan
and the other lands tributary to the Sultan on the coast of Borneo.

The Sultan of Sulu, upon his part, accepting the friendship of
the Spanish Government, binds himself to keep peace with all the
vassals of her Catholic Majesty, and further binds himself to
consider as his enemies those who hereafter may be such to the
Spanish nation, the Sulus proceeding with armed men to the wars
which may arise, in the same manner as if they were Spaniards; in
case of his furnishing such aid, the provisions for the support
of the Sulus shall be supplied by the Royal exchequer of her
Catholic Majesty, as they are for the other soldiers and people
of her army and navy.

The sense of the second clause of the Capitulations of one thousand
seven hundred and thirty-seven, that they are not bound to furnish
assistance for wars against European nations, is hereby renewed
and affirmed.

Article 2

In accordance with the friendship and protection which unite
Sulu with the Spanish provinces of the Philippines, the Sulu
boats shall navigate and trade freely with the open ports of
Manila and Zamboanga, and the Spanish vessels with Jolo, where
not only will both be well received, but shall find protection
and the same treatment as the natives.

In a separate Capitulation are determined the duties which the
Spanish vessels shall pay in Jolo, and those which the Sulus
shall pay in Manila and Zamboanga; but by these Capitulations it
is agreed that whenever the Sulus convey cargoes of products of
the islands, they shall pay in Manila and Zamboanga less than
foreign vessels, and the Spanish vessels shall not pay in Jolo
as much as is charged the ships of other nations.

Article 3

In order that the traffic of Spanish vessels in Jolo shall not
suffer the injuries and delays occasioned by the difficulties of
their market, the Sultan and Datus consent to the construction of a
factory or trading house, with safe warehouses, where merchandise
may be stored without risk: and the Sultan and Datus agree always
to respect this place, in which there will be a resident Spanish
agent, who shall assume charge of all the business entrusted
to him. If the Sulus should desire to do likewise in Manila,
they shall be permitted; but the Spanish Government receives
for storage merchandise from the Custom-house of that city upon
payment of fees of but one per centum.

The Sultan shall designate the proper place for the location
of the warehouses, which shall be convenient for loading and
unloading and the Government shall request the Sultan to furnish,
and shall pay for, the materials and workmen that may be necessary.

Article 4

In order that the Spanish and Sulu vessels may navigate and trade
with safety, free from the piracies of the Hanuns and Samals
the Spanish Government will strengthen its fleets in Mindanao
waters, which same will protect equally those of both nations;
and in order that good may not be confused with evil persons,
the following rules shall be observed:

1st. All Spanish vessels arriving at Jolo shall show to the Sultan
their permit upon anchoring, and the same shall be sealed upon
sailing; without which the captain shall be punished at Manila.

2d. All Sulu vessels which proceed to Manila or Zamboanga, shall
carry the permit of the Sultan, and in possession of the same
shall be free and unmolested.

3d. All Spanish or Sulu vessels which shall proceed for trading
to Mindanao, shall go first to Zamboanga to notify the Governor,
who shall sign their permit without cost.

4th. Every Spanish or Sulu vessel which shall be found by the
fleets of Illana or Sindangan bays, without permit of the Governor
and Sultan as aforesaid, shall be seized and shall lose all her
merchandise, of which two-thirds shall be awarded to those making
the capture and one-third to the Sultan of Sulu, if the vessel
is Sulu, and to the Spanish Government if the vessel is Spanish.

5th. The Governor of Zamboanga shall determine the procedure in
the case of vintas [small sail boats] of the towns of Pilas and
Basilan Islands friendly to said Plaza [Zamboanga].

6th. Sulu merchant vessels proceeding outside the islands of the
Sultan or to Mindanao with a permit, should not flee from the
fleets which they encounter, because the latter are intended to
defend them and run down evil-doers. Commanders of the fleets
shall be ordered to receive and aid the advice-boats of the Sultan.

Article 5

The Sultan and Datus of Sulu pledge themselves to prevent the
piracies of the Ilanuns and Samals in the Philippines, and if they
are unable, the Sultan shall so report in order that the Spanish
Government may afford assistance or undertake the task alone.

Last Article

If the sense of these Capitulations is not conformable in both
languages, the same shall agree with the literal Spanish text.

Palace of Jolo, September 23, 1836, which is the fourteenth of the
moon Jamadul Akir of one thousand two hundred and fifty-two. The
seals.--Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Kiram.--Seal--signed.--José
María Halcon.--Datu Mohammed Harun.--Seal.--Datu Mohammed
Buyuk.--Seal--Datu Bandahala.--Seal--Datu Amilbahar.--Datu
Muluk.--Datu Sabalmar.--Datu Mamancha.--Datu Juhan.--Datu
Maharajah-Layla.--Datu Sabuwayan.--Datu Muluk Kahar.--Datu Nay.

Therefore, the Government of our August Daughter, having been duly
authorized by the decree of the Cortes of the thirteenth of the
present month, for the ratification of the inclosed treaty, and
the same having been seen and examined by Us, we have approved and
ratified and by these presents do hereby approve and ratify the
contents thereof as a whole, in the best and most complete form
possible, promising on the faith and the word of Queen Regent,
in the name of our August Daughter, to comply with and observe
the same, and compel wholly the compliance with and observance
of the same. In witness whereof, we command the disposition of
the same, signed with our hand, and sealed with our own private
seal by the First Secretary of State. Done at Madrid, this October
twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.

I the Queen Regent.

[A shield in wax.]

Eusebio de Bandaxi y Azara.

EXPEDITION OF GOVERNOR CLAVERIA

In 1842 the Spanish Government built the stone fort at Isabela de Basilan. The Balangingi and Basilan Moros appear about this time to have become a menace to the peace and to the commerce of nations. To punish Datu Usak of Malusu for depredations committed against French vessels, Basilan was blockaded by a French fleet in 1843. Aspiring for Chinese trade and for the possession of a port in the neighboring seas the French in 1844 concluded a treaty with the Sultan of Sulu for the cession of the Island of Basilan for a considerable sum of money. The terms of this treaty do not appear to have been carried out, but this act and the frequent appearance of English, Dutch, and French vessels in Sulu waters aroused the Spaniards to active measures for the subjugation of the Sulu Archipelago.

This year Jamalul Kiram I died, and his son Mohammed Pulalun succeeded to the sultanate. The "Luntar" or "Sulu Annals" begin January, 1844, and appear to have been started by Sultan Pulalun.

In 1845 a frigate attacked the Island of Balangingi, but it was repulsed and gained no advantage except that of ascertaining the strength of the enemy. The shores of Basilan and the principal islands lying between it and the Island of Sulu had numerous forts, the strongest of which were on the island of Balangingi, the chief stronghold and headquarters of the Samal pirates. Realizing the seriousness of the situation Governor Claveria took the matter in hand and with energy and enthusiasm made every effort to strengthen the fleet and increase its efficiency.

In 1848 he secured three steam war vessels called Elcano, Magallanes, and Reina de Castilla which were built by the English and were the first steam gunboats the Philippine Government ever employed. Steam was certainly destined to mark a new epoch, one which saw the beginning of the end of Moro piracy.

With two additional pilot boats and three transport brigs the expedition, headed by Governor Claveria in person, left Manila in January and, coming by the way of Dapitan, reunited at Caldera Bay, where it received additional troops from Zamboanga.

The Island of Balangingi is scarcely 6 square miles in area, low, flat, surrounded by shoals, and covered to a great extent by mangrove swamps. Most of its settlements had their houses built over the water and little dry land could be seen in the vicinity. Part of this land was covered with coconut trees. A labyrinth of small, narrow channels led to the various settlements and divided the island into four distinct parts. Four strong forts were built by the Moros at points difficult of access and surrounded by swamps. These forts were constructed of thick trunks of trees driven into the soil as piles and set close to each other and in 3 rows of varying heights, to afford suitable positions for the artillery, part of which was set in covered inclosures commanding the channel leading to the fort. The walls of these forts were 20 feet high and could not be scaled without ladders. The immediate vicinity of the fort was set with sharpened bamboo sticks and pits to hinder and trap the attacking forces. The fort of Sipak, the strongest of the four, was provided with redoubts and towers and showed considerable skill in its construction.

The Spanish troops consisted of three regular companies of infantry, two of volunteers, and detachments of artillery, pikemen, engineers, and laborers. They experienced some difficulty in landing and attacked the most accessible fort first. The fighting was heroic and desperate on both sides. The Moros, it is said, fought like fiends; but they were completely overpowered in the end. In the fort of Sipak many women and children were gathered and considerable property was stored. The Moros had hoped to save all within its impregnable walls. When these walls were entered, some of the defenders in their desperation thrust their spears and krises into their wives and children, killed them first, and then dashed themselves against sure death at the point of Spanish bayonets. The Moros consider such action most valorous and honorable and do it in order not to allow their wives and children to fall into slavery or be killed by the hand of the enemy.

In the fight at the first fort 100 Moros perished and 14 pieces of artillery were captured. The Spaniards lost 7 dead and 50 wounded. After the reduction of the second fort at Sipak 340 Moros were burned in one pile and 150, mostly women and children, were taken as prisoners; others, who sought refuge in the swamps or tried to swim away, were killed by the fire of the fleet and their bodies were washed ashore by the waves. The Spanish losses in this engagement amounted to 17 dead, 4 officers and 13 men, and 155 wounded. Three hundred slave captives were rescued and 66 pieces of artillery were captured. Quantities of ammunition, silks, silver and gold vessels, bracelets and other ornaments, jewels, utensils and arms of all sorts, and books of prayer were found inside the fort.

The troops investing the third fortification at Sungap found the fort evacuated, but the first Spaniard who scaled the wall fell dead from a kampilan blow at the hand of the only Moro who refused to run away and remained at his post to meet what he considered an honorable death. Thirteen cannons of small caliber were found in this fort. The Moros who had fled to the fourth fort at Bukutingal did not make any determined stand, but soon fled leaving several cannons behind. The Spaniards desolated the island, burned its forts and settlements, and cut down more than 8,000 coconut trees.

The conquest of the Balangingi Samals was complete and the expedition returned to Manila in triumph. Here great rejoicings, parades, and festivities were held in honor of the event. Governor Claveria was decorated and promoted by the Queen and many of the officers and men were variously rewarded.

The Balangingi Samals rivaled the Sulus in power, bravery, and wealth, but the signal victory of Claveria crushed them so completely that they have never since had any considerable force. The Samals who were carried away were transplanted to the Province of Kagayan in northern Luzon, where they remained until a late date.

VISITS TO JOLO OF CAPTAIN HENRY KEPPEL AND SIR JAMES BROOKE

In December, 1848, Jolo was visited by Capt. Henry Keppel, in command of the Maeander, and his description of the town contained in the following extracts taken from his "Visit to the Indian Archipelago" will be of unusual interest: [207]

The town is built partly on land and partly on the sea. That
part which is on the land, and which might almost be called the
citadel, was at the time of our visit, strongly stockaded and
flanked with batteries mounting heavy guns * * *. That portion
of the town which is not within the stockades is built in regular
Malay fashion, on piles. The houses run in rows, or streets; and
outside of them is a platform about 6 feet wide to walk upon. This
is supported underneath by a light scaffolding of bamboo. These
rows of birdcage-looking buildings extend into the sea for half a
mile over a shoal which is nearly dry at low water. The population
is numerous, composed principally of fishermen and Chinese
traders. The said platform runs the whole length of the rows:
and its planks were so carelessly thrown across that it seemed
wonderful how the children could escape, if they always did escape,
falling through the yawning spaces which invited them to a watery,
or a muddy grave; they were crawling about these rickety stages
in vast numbers; if the tide was out when they fell, they would
be received into 3 feet deep of soft mud, supposing always that
they did not break their little backs across the gunwales of the
canoes beneath, which were made fast to the scaffolding. * * *

What we saw of the country [in the neighborhood of Jolo]
was highly cultivated, consisting, with intervals of jungle,
of pasture grounds and gardens, very flourishing and pretty,
with abundance of cattle. * * *

The day after we had commenced [watering] was a market day. The
mountaineers came down in parties of from six to twelve, mounted
on well-formed little horses, or oxen, according to their
rank and means; on these they sat with graceful ease, spear in
hand--they were all well armed besides, with shield and kris;
in some instances also we observed the heavy two-handed Ilanun
sword [kampilan]. They had a wild and independent bearing;
and, when seen in groups, some standing, some squatting, the
women all chattering, under the wide spreading tree, they much
increased the interest of the already picturesque scene. They
seemed indifferent as to the sale of their stock, which was
conducted chiefly by the women, who freely accompanied them,
and were by no means ill favored. The townspeople, who met and
traded with these mountaineers, were dressed in gayer colors,
but not so well armed. * * * Though the market on this occasion
was well attended, the trade was slack; but I doubt not that,
in the palmy days of active piracy, a considerable amount of
business was transacted under this old banyan tree. * * *

December 30 was the day appointed for Sir James Brooke's
interview with the Sultan of Sulu. We landed in full costume at
10 o'clock. Having walked over the sea suburbs, and arrived at
the beach, we found a guard of honor and attendants waiting to
conduct Sir James to the Sultan's presence; they were a motley
group, but made themselves useful in clearing the way.

Passing within the outer stockade, we arrived, after a few minute's
walk, at the royal residence. It was walled in and fortified:
a large space was inclosed by double rows of heavy piles driven
into the earth, about 5 feet apart, and the space was filled up
with large stones and earth, making a very solid wall of about
15 feet in height, having embrasures, or rather portholes, in
convenient places for cannon, out of which we noticed the rusty
muzzles of some very heavy guns protruding. A great part of the
town was stockaded in a similar way; and the country houses of
the datus and mountain chiefs of any importance were also walled
in and had guns mounted.

Passing through a massive gateway, pretty well flanked with guns
and loopholes, we entered a large court, in which some 2,000
persons were assembled, armed and in their best apparel, but
observing no sort of order; it was a wild and novel sight. Malays
are always armed. The kris to them is what the sword was to
an English gentleman in the feudal times. Every person who, by
virtue of his rank or on any other pretext, could gain admittance
was in attendance on this occasion; for our Rajah had become a
justly celebrated man in the great Eastern Archipelago, and was
an object of curiosity.

We were conducted through the crowd to a corner of the courtyard,
where a building inferior to a small English barn, was pointed
out as the Sultan's palace. We entered it by a flight of broad
wooden steps (for the palace was raised on piles), through a
narrow passage thronged with guards * * * and we found ourselves
in the royal presence.

The audience chamber was not very large; a table, covered with
green cloth, ran across the center of it; above the table, and
around the upper end of the room sat a very brilliant semicircle of
personages, the Sultan occupying a raised seat in the middle. The
cortège consisted of his grand vizier, the members of the royal
family, and the great datus and officers of state. Behind these
stood the guards and attendants, dressed in silks, the colors
being according to the fancy of their respective masters.

The Sultan gave us a gracious reception, shaking hands with each
officer as he was presented. This ceremony over, chairs were
placed for Sir James and his suite; while those of our party,
who could not get seats, formed a semicircle on the other side
of the table. The scene was striking and gay.

The Sultan is a young-looking man, but with a dull and vacant
expression, produced by the too free use of opium: his lips
were red with the mixture of betel nut and cere leaf, [208]
which he chewed.

He was dressed in rich silks, red and green the predominant
colors. A large jewel sparkled in his turban, and he wore jewels
also profusely on his person.

The hilt of his kris, the great distinguishing ornament of all
Malays, was beautifully decorated with gold wire, curiously
twisted in. Immediately behind the Sultan, in closest attendance
on his person, stood the cupbearer, a fine young man dressed in
green silk, who held in his hand a purple finger glass, which
was constantly held to his royal master's mouth, to receive
the filthy-looking mixture which is in such favor with these
people--composed of the juice of the betel leaf, with the areca
nut and gambier. The other personages composing the circle were
dressed with equal gaudiness, in bright silks; in the selection,
however, of their colors they displayed considerable taste. Many
of the guards were dressed in very ancient chain armor, consisting
of skull caps and tunics, covering the arms and reaching from
the throat to the knee.

Those armed with sword, spear, and kris did not look amiss; but
two sentries, placed to guard the entrance to this ancient hall of
audience, each shouldering a very shabby-looking old Tower musket,
of which they looked very proud, had an absurd effect.

After a reasonable time passed by each party in admiration of
the other, the conversation was opened by Sir James Brooke, who,
as Her Majesty's commissioner in these regions, submitted to the
Sultan certain propositions on matters of business.

To these His Majesty expressed his willingness to accede; and
he graciously reminded Sir James that the royal family of Sulu
were under considerable obligations to the English; inasmuch as
his great-grandfather, Sultan Amir, [209] having been once upon
a time imprisoned by the Spaniards in the fortress of Manila,
was delivered from durance vile and reinstated on the throne of
his ancestors by Alexander Dalrymple----A. D. 1763. This was now
the more liberal on the part of His Majesty, because his royal
ancestor had not at the time allowed the service to be altogether
unrequited; for he ceded to the English Government a fine island
adjoining Sulu (of which, by the bye, no use appears to have been
made), together with the north end of Borneo and the south end
of Palawan, with the intervening islands.

At length we took leave of his Majesty, retiring in much the
same order as that in which we had entered. Although no actual
treaty was concluded with the Sultan, Sir James paved the way for
opening up commerce and for cultivating a better understanding
with the natives.

In the afternoon we visited one Datu Daniel, a powerful chief,
very friendly, and well disposed toward the English. His stronghold
was at a short distance in the country, at the foot of one of the
mountain slopes, fortified in much the same way as the Sultan's,
but on a smaller scale; his stockades were, however, quite as
strong, and his guns in better order. His inclosed court, being
likewise a farmyard with a good supply of live stock, looked as
if he was better prepared than his royal master to stand a long
siege; his wives looked happy, his children merry, and, on the
whole, his domestic life appeared tolerably comfortable. * * *

Considering that Sulu was the great commercial center of these
seas, we were surprised at not seeing more large praus; there
were none afloat, and very few hauled up; the number, however,
of building sheds and blacksmith's forges showed that they have
the means of starting into activity at short notice.

Who could have thought that, after such devastation and havoc as the Spaniards wrought on Balangingi, another chief would have the courage to settle on such a hateful spot again! Yet we learn that in spite of the contrary advice of the Sultan and his council, Datu Tampang, as early as December, 1848, stationed himself at Pa'at, Balangingi Island, and constructed a fort with the intention of defying the Spanish forces and fighting them again. An isolated case like this can not be explained except on the ground of foolhardiness, for Tampang was soon after that dislodged by the governor of Zamboanga. But it appears that it was necessary again for the Spaniards to send another squadron under Manuel Quesada, consisting of two steam gunboats and other sloops and vessels, to clean up Balangingi once more and to strike at the Moros of Basilan and Pilas. Nor was this sufficient, for we learn that before the end of the same month of December, 3,000 Sulus and Samals attacked the Spanish forces on Basilan, probably at Isabela, and were repulsed. In 1849 the Spaniards retaliated and reduced to ashes the settlements of Bwal, Samalang, and Gumbalang. Undaunted, the Moros of Tonkil, together with others, in 1850 raided the Islands of Samar and Kamigin and carried away more than 75 natives.

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The History of SuluChapter XI: Introduction: Of Islam and the Rise of a Mohammedan Dynasty in Sulu, (3)

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