Chapter X: Part 10

"The governor of Filipinas shall not concede leave to any soldier or any other person who shall have gone there at the cost of our royal treasury, to leave or go out of those islands unless there be very urgent causes; and in this he shall proceed with great caution and moderation." Madrid, March 29, 1597. (_Recopilacion de leyes_, lib. ix, tit. xxvi, ley lxii.)

"It is advisable that the citizens of the Filipinas Islands shall not leave them, and especially those who are rich and influential. In consideration of this, we order the governors to proceed with great moderation in giving passports to come to these kingdoms or those of Nueva Espana, for thus it is important for the preservation of the people of those islands. And in consideration of the fact that the passengers and religious who come are numerous, and consume the food provided for the crews of the vessels, we order the governors that they avoid as far as possible the giving of passport to the said passengers and religious, in order to avoid the inconveniences that result and which ought to be considered." Segovia, July 25, 1609; and San Lorenzo, August 19, 1609. (_Recopilacion de leyes_, lib. ix, tit. xxvi, ley lxiii.)

[38] On the death of Pedro de Acuna, Rodrigo de Vivero was appointed governor ad interim of the Philippines, by viceroy Luis de Velasco of Mexico. He landed at Manila, June 15, 1608, and governed until April of the following year. He was a native of Laredo (Santander), and was experienced in the political life of the Indies. He introduced important reforms and laws among the alcaldes-mayor and corregidors. He was given the title of Conde dela Valle, and made governor and captain-general of Panama. See La Concepcion's _Hist. de Philipinas_, vi, pp. 114-116.

[39] The following description of Japan it taken from _Recuril des Voyages_ (Amsterdam, 1725), ii, p. 84: "These islands look toward New Spain on the east; Tartary on the north, besides other countries unknown; China on the west, and unknown lands on the south; with a large sea between them. They comprise 66 petty kingdoms, and are divided into three chief parts. The most considerable, and the one always named first, is Japan, which contains 53 seigniories, or petty kingdoms, the most powerful of which are Meaco and Amagunce. The king of Meaco has under him 24 or 26 kingdoms, and he of Amagunce 12 or 13. The second of these three parts is called Ximo, and contains 9 kingdoms, chief of which are Bungo and Figeu. The third part is called Xicoum, and contains 4 kingdoms or seigniories." J.J. Rein (_Japan_, London, 1884), gives four divisions in modern Japan, namely, Japan proper, the Riukiu Islands, Chigima or the Kuriles, and Ogasawara-shima or Munito, commonly called Bonin Islands.

[40] A kind of silk grograin.

[41] Gabriel de la Cruz (in the Moluccas as early as 1605), together with Lorenzo Masonio (Laurent Masoni) wrote a relation entitled _Relacion de la toma de las islas de Ambueno y Tidore que consigueiron los Holandes en este ano de 1605_, which is published by Colin in his _Labor Evangelica_, lib. iv, chap. ii. Masoni was born at Campolleto (Naples), February 27, 1556. He entered the Jesuit order when already a priest, in 1582. In 1586 he went to the Indies, where he died at Amboina, July 19, 1631. He wrote also a letter from that island, which is published in _Lettera annuae di Giappone_ (Roma, 1605), pp. 113-121; also in _Hist. Univers. des Indes orientales_, by Antoine Magin (Sommervogel).

[42] The author of the present relation precedes the portion here presented, which appears to be complete, by a notice of the death of Father Antonio Pereira. This notice appears to have been abridged by Ventura del Arco, who copied the document from the archives. La Concepcion states (vol. iv of his history) that after Acuna had recovered the Malucos, all but two of the Jesuit priests there were ordered to Malaca. This included Pereira, who was stationed on the island of Siao. The authorities at Malaca contended that the care of these religious devolved upon the Philippines, hence they were ordered to go there. Pereira left Malaca in July, 1608, for Manila in a Portuguese vessel, but they were wrecked after twenty days' voyage. The Portuguese and Father Pereira started for Borneo next morning in the small boat, leaving 130 slaves who were in the vessel to their fate. After four days the boat reached a desert island, with its occupants famished. Father Pereira, having a knowledge of the region, procured water from one of the hollow canes growing on the island. There they were captured by Moro or Malay pirates and sold by them to the Borneans. They were sent to Manila in a small boat by the sultan; but, in a storm, Father Pereira died. He was a son of Gonzalo Pereira, who had also lived at Siao. Father Pereira had aided Chirino in various labors in Cebu, whence he later returned to Siao.

[43] This phrase, the usual epithet of the general of the Jesuit order, would indicate that Lopez was addressing that official--who was then Claudio Aquaviva; he died on January 31, 1615.

[44] A vessel built like a pink--that is, with a very narrow stern--and sloop-rigged.

[45] By metaphor, the instrument is here used for the person; the reference is to the advocacy of the Virgin as obtained through the rosary, the instrument of the chief devotion to Mary. As such, many churches and other institutions are dedicated to the rosary.--_Rev. Patrick B. Knox_ (Madison, Wisconsin).

[46] Thomas Aquinas, born in 1227, belonged to a noble family, descended from the kings of Aragon and Sicily. Entering the ecclesiastical life, he soon became noted as a scholar and divine. He was professor of divinity in several universities, and author of numerous theological works. He died on March 7, 1274, and was canonized in 1323. Various epithets have been bestowed upon him: "the Angelic Doctor," "the Universal Doctor," "the Dumb Ox" (alluding to his taciturnity), "The Angel of the School," and "the Eagle of Theologians." "It was in defense of Thomas Aquinas that Henry VIII [of England] composed the book which procured him from the pope the title of Defender of the Faith" (Blake's _Biographical Dictionary_, p. 66).

[47] Argensola says mistakenly that this father was killed by the Chinese in the insurrection of 1603.

For sketch of his life see _Vol_. XIII, note 43.

[48] Domingo de Nieva was a native of one of the three towns of Villoria in Castilla, and professed in the Dominican convent of San Pablo at Valladolid. On going to the Philippines he was sent first to the mission of Bataan, where his labors were uninterrupted and severe. He became fluent in the Tagil language, after Which he was assigned to the Chinese mission near Manila; and he composed and published several devotional treatises in both those languages. He was elected prior of Manila, but before his three years in that office were finished, he was sent as procurator to Madrid. He died at sea, at the end of 1606 or the beginning of 1607, after having spent nineteen years in the Philippines. See _Resena biografica_, part i, pp. 108-110.

[49] That is "by my priestly word."

[50] The see of Cebu was made vacant by the death of Bishop Agurto (September 14, 1608), and that of Nueva Caceres (in 1607) by the death of its second bishop, Baltasar Corarrubias, O.S.A. The reference in our text is to the appointment of new bishops for these sees--for Cebu, Pedro Matias, O.S.F.; and for Nueva Caceres, Pedro de Arce, O.S.A. But, as Matias did not understand the Visayan language, these appointments were finally exchanged; Matias was transferred to Nueva Caceres, which he administered for two years and until his death, and Arce to Cebu.

[51] Because of the difficulty that has been represented to us in going or sending from very distant provinces, separated by the sea, to give their accounts, we have determined and resolved that the accounts of Chile and Filipinas shall be examined as hitherto, in accordance with the ordinances of the Audiencias--notwithstanding what is ordained by others--given to the accountants. The accounts shall have to be brought and given in the tribunal of accounts. We order that those thus examined in Chile be sent to the tribunal of accounts in Lima, and those of the Filipinas to that of Mejico. Our royal officials of those treasuries shall also send at the beginning of each year the lists and muster-rolls of the soldiers to the said tribunals, signed also by the governor and captain-general. The accountants of the above-mentioned tribunals shall send a report of the said accounts, with its lists, to our council of the Indias." Felipe III, San Lorenzo, August 17, 1609, ordinance 24. (_Recopilacion de leyes_, lib. viii, tit. i, ley lxxix). A decree dated San Lorenzo, October 19, 1719, ordered this law to be observed, and ordered also inspection of the treasuries every week. See note in _Recopilacion de leyes_ to the above ordinance.

[52] Marcos de Lisboa was born of a noble family in Lisboa, Portugal. At an early age he was sent to India to engage in its commerce. Establishing himself at Malacca, he took the vows in 1582, in the Franciscan convent established there in the preceding year by Juan Bautista Pisaro. In 1586 he went to the Philippines, where he projected and later helped to found (1594) the Confraternity of La Misericordia at Manila. He later spent a number of years in the province of Camarines, where he labored extensively. He was elected three times as definitor (1602, 1608, and 1616), and once (January 16, 1609), as vicar-provincial. In 1618 he went to Mexico, whence (July 16, 1622), he went to Madrid, and then to Rome to take part in the general chapter of his order. At the conclusion of the chapter he retired to the convent of San Gil at Madrid, where he died in the beginning of 1628. Lisboa left a number of written works, among them four in the Bicol language, which he was the first to write. See Huerta's _Estado_, pp. 447, 448.

[53] The Marquis de Montesclaros (third marques of the title, see _Vol_. XIII, p. 228) was born posthumously probably at Sevilla; and was a knight of the Order of Santiago, and gentleman of the bedchamber. Throughout his offices as viceroy of Nueva Espana and of Peru, he showed ability and determination, and his policy was approved. See Moreri's _Dictionnaire_, vi, p. 268; and Bancroft's _History of Mexico_, iii, pp. 5, 6.

[54] The consulate (see _Vol_. XIII, p. 57) of Sevilla was formed in accordance with a law dated August 23, 1543; it authorized the exporting merchants of that city to meet annually for the election of prior and consuls to administer, regulate, and guard the commercial interests of those merchants. See the laws enacted regarding this institution, in _Recopilacion de leyes_, lib. ix, tit. vi.

[55] The Atlantic Ocean; the new trade-route opened by the Portuguese a century before led to the Atlantic via the Cape of Good Hope.

[56] Spanish, _tan en las mantillas_, _i.e._, the long outer garments in which an infant is dressed.

[57] Referring to the Cerro Gordo ("rich hill") of Potosi; see _Vol_. XIV, p. 306.

[58] Perhaps the region known as Miztecapan, which has fertile valleys.

[59] A truce of eight months, to begin with May, 1607, was arranged between Spain and the United Provinces, in which for the first time Spain gave up its claims to control the latter. This paved the way to the long truce of twelve years signed at the meeting of the States-General at Bergen-op-Zoom, in April, 1609, in which the independence of the United Provinces was recognized (see _Vol_. XI, p. 166, note 27). But that independence was completely recognized and assured only by the treaty of Westphalia or Muenster (in October, 1648), which also opened to the Dutch the ports of the Eastern and Western Indias.

[60] Thus in the text, according to the editor of _Docs. ineditos_; apparently an error for Manila.

[61] That is, if the Philippine trade to Nueva Espana were suppressed the commodities from Spain which are now shipped to Manila via Acapulco, and are mainly articles of luxury, would not find any greater sale in the Orient than before.

[62] In 1525 Esteban Gomez--who had been one of Magalhaes's pilots (_Vol_. 1, pp. 263, 319) was sent by Charles V "to find a route to Cathay" north of Florida. He had but one caravel with which to make this voyage, but he went to the Bacalaos (New-foundland coast), and thence as far south as Florida. His discoveries were noted on the map of the cosmographer Diego Ribero (1529). Gomez's voyage is described by Peter Martyr.

[63] Referring to the treaty of Zaragoza (_Vol_. II, pp. 222-240).

[64] Montesclaros has forgotten the capture of the "Santa Ana" by Candish. See _Vol_. VI, p. 311, and _Vol_. XV, appendix A.

[65] The fictitious strait of Anian (for which name see Bancroft's _History of Northwest Coast_, i, pp. 53-56), was the supposed western terminus of the northwest passage, whose eastern terminus Cortereal was thought to have found in Hudson Strait. A kingdom marked Anian is shown On Ortelius's map (_Theatrum orbis terrarum_, Antwerp, 1574), with the strait just north of it, above 60 deg.. Both the kingdom and district are shown on a number of old maps. Du Val's map (Paris, 1684) of North America, which shows California as an island, portrays the strait of Anian directly north of it, between 45 deg. and 50 deg. of latitude. Vaugondy's map (that of 1750 corrected), Paris, 1783, shows the strait between 50 deg. and 55 deg.. Comparing the latter with Russel's general map of North America, 1794, the Anian strait appears to coincide with the strait between Queen Charlotte's Island and the mainland, the modern Hecate Strait. Vizcaino had orders to look for this strait on his voyage, and explore it.

[66] Puertobelo, now called Porto Bello, is situated on the isthmus of Panama, almost directly north of Panama--in the old department of Panama of the United States of Colombia; but now (as the other places herein named) in the independent state of Panama--and but little west of Aspinwall, the Atlantic terminus of the Panama Canal. Chagre is the modern Chagres, and lies on the Atlantic side of the isthmus southwest of Porto Bello; there empties the Chagres River, which can be ascended to Cruces, which is twenty miles north of Panama, the Pacific terminus of the canal, capital of the old department of Panama, and of the present state of Panama.

[67] Diego de Soria entered the Dominican order at Ocana. He came to the Philippines in the first mission of that order (1587), end held various dignities and official positions in the province; he also did missionary work in Cagayan and other regions of Luzon. About 1597 he went to Spain and Rome on business of his order; and later was appointed bishop of Nueva Segovia, taking possession of that see in 1604. He died in 1613, at Fernandina (now Vigan). See _Resena biografica_, i, pp. 69-77.

[68] The reduction of silver ore by amalgamation with mercury was discovered (although mercury had been used long before for obtaining gold) by a Spanish miner in Mexico, Bartholome de Medina, in 1557. From that time, enormous quantities of mercury have been continually required for the mining operations in the silver-producing districts of Spanish America. Efforts were occasionally made by the Mexican viceroys to procure it in China; but "the Chinese mercury obtained from Canton and Manilla was impure, and contained a great deal of lead; and its price [1782] amounted to 80 piastres the quintal." See Humboldt's account, descriptive and historical, of this use of mercury, in his _New Spain_ (Black's trans.), iii, pp. 250-288.

In this connection, see the interesting statement by Santiago de Vera (_Vol_. VI, p. 68) that as early as 1585 the Japanese (who then had but little communication with the Spaniards) were using Chinese quicksilver in the silver mines of Japan. Some of the Chinese mercury had been brought to Manila in 1573 (_Vol_. III, p. 245), and Sande mentions (_Vol_. IV. p. 54) the mines of silver and quicksilver in China.

[69] This document is simply an abridgment or summary made by Ventura del Arco from the letter of Ledesma.

[70] Cf. this statement with the royal decree of May 26, 1609, which is presented in this volume, p. 79, _ante_.

[71] Valerio de Ledesma was born at Alaejos. March 23, 1556, and became a novitiate in the Jesuit order in 1571-1572. He was sent to the Philippines, where he served as rector of Cebu, associate of the provincial, rector of Manila, provincial, rector and master of novitiates at San Pedro Macati, and again rector at Manila, where he died, May 15, 1639. See Sommervogel, Barrantes (_Guerros piraticas_), and Pardo de Tavera (_Biblioteca Filipina_, Washington, 1903) as to his authorship. See also Murillo Velarde's _Historia_ (Manila, 1749), book ii, ch. vii, pp. 260-266, for a notice regarding him. In the Ventura del Arco MSS., at the end of this summary of Ledesma's letter appears a tracing of his autograph signature.

[72] According to Sommervogel, Juan de Ribera was born at Puebla de los Angeles in 1565, and entered upon his novitiate at Rome in 1582. He was sent to the Philippines in 1595, and taught theology and was rector at Manila, where he died June 5, 1622. Besides the present letter, Father Ribera was the author of the _Lettera annua_ from the Philippines for 1602-1603, which was printed at Venice and Paris, in Italian and French respectively, in 1605.

[73] In regard to the correction of Manila time, see _Vol_. I, p. 22, note 2.

[74] That is, "the Great Mogul," meaning "the ruler of Mogor," a name applied to Hindostan. The monarch here referred to is Jahangir (or Jehanghir), the tenth of the Mogul emperors, who in 1605 succeeded to the throne by the death of his father, Akbar the Great. See account of his power and wealth, by Pyrard de Laval (publications of Hakluyt Society, London, 1888-90) ii, pp. 250-253; also _The Hawkins' Voyages_ and _Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe_ (published by the same society in 1878 and 1899, respectively). Roe and William Hawkins successively resided at Jahangir's court between 1610 and 1620. An interesting sketch of Jahangir's life is given by Valentyn in his _Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien_ (Dordrecht and Amsterdam, MDCCXXIV), part iv, sec. ii, pp. 218-230; it is part of a series of the sketches, "Lives of the Great Moguls."

[75] According to Montero y Vidal (_Hist. Filipinas_, i, p. 161) this expedition was under the orders of Alonso Vaez Coutino.

[76] A small piece of ordnance; or, a long musket or matchlock.

[77] The plan of Malaca in Bellin's _Atlas maritime_ (Paris, 1764), iii, 46, indicates this church, stating that it was then a magazine within the fort. Other public buildings are located--the Chinese pagoda and bazar, the Mahometan mosque, etc. See Valentyn's account, descriptive and historical, of "Malakka," in his _Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien_, part v, book vi, pp. 308-360; it contains a large engraving, a view of the city of Malaca.

[78] A small city in the province of Badajoz, Spain.

[79] Cf. La Concepcion's account (_Hist. de Philipinas_, iv. pp. 330-366) of the ravages committed by the Dutch; the despatch of a fleet from India at Silva's request (made through the Jesuits Gomez and Ribera), and its conflicts with Malays and Dutch at Malacca; Silva's preparations for the joint expedition; his journey to Malacca, and death there; and the return of his fleet to Manila, and failure of all this costly enterprise. La Concepcion mentions Ribera's account (p. 344), and says (p. 337); "We have a complete diary, written by the rector of Manila [Ribera], from the twenty-first of November, when they hoisted sail at Cavite"--that is, when he went on the embassy to India in 1614. Apparently his account, as here presented, has been synopsized and abridged by Ventura del Arco, who has also borrowed somewhat from Ledesma's letter (_post_).

[80] This part of the document is the version of Ribera's letter which appears in Colin's _Labor evangelica_, pp. 802-806. It is here presented as containing some matter not in the other copy, and as showing the methods of the respective editors.

[81] _i.e._, Kocchi. As in all foreign words ending with a vowel, the Portuguese have nasalised the "i." In 1505 it was written "Coxi." See A.C. Burnell's note in _Voyage of Linschoten_ (Hakluyt Society's publications, London, 1885), i, p. 68. This city lies some thirty miles north of Cape Comorin.

[82] Pedro de Francisco, S.J., was born at Mala, in the Zaragoza diocese, in 1607. He was admitted to the Society in 1626, and went to the Indias, where he taught grammar, and for seven years theology. He labored at Cochin, and became rector of the Macao seminary, whence he was driven by the Dutch. He was at Macassar in 1652, but his name does not appear in the catalogue for 1655. See Sommervogel's _Bibliographie_.

[83] Alberto Laercio or Laerzio, S.J., was born at Orte in 1557, admitted to the Society in 1576, and set out for the Indies, where he made his profession at Goa, July 9, 1590. For twelve years he was master of the novitiates, rector of Salsette, and associate-visitor, for three years vice-provincial, and for six years provincial. He died at Cochin in 1630. See Sommervogel's _Bibliographie_.

[84] Francisco Roz, S.J., was born at Gerona in 1557, became a novitiate in 1575, and went to the Indies in 1584, where he labored in the Malabar mission. In 1601 he was appointed bishop of Angamala, and in 1605, archbishop of Cranganore. He died at Parur, February 16, 1624. He wrote a number of treatises and letters. See Sommervogel's _Bibliographie_.

[85] The two Latin phrases read in English, respectively: "He who desires an episcopate, desires a good work;" and "He gets a hard and fast slavery."

[86] Sommervogel mentions only that this Jesuit was a Portuguese missionary at Goa in 1608, in which year (December 18) he wrote a letter from Goa.

[87] The Assumption of the Virgin is August 15.

[88] That is, "Because we have sinned against thee, O Lord," etc.

[89] This is a letter by Valerio de Ledesma, S.J., according to Colin (from whose _Labor evangelica_, pp. 806-810, we obtain it). Compare with the first version of Ribera's letter, _ante_, in which the account of Silva's death is similar to that by Ledesma. Colin has evidently edited both letters more or less, and it is difficult to ascertain what the exact original text was.

[90] Garcia Garces, S.J., was born in 1560 at Molina, in the diocese of Segovia, and entered the Society October 23, 1574. Going to the Indias in 1588, he labored for several years in the missions of Japan. He was rector at Nagasaki, whence he was exiled with his companions. He went to Manila and later to Macao, where he died in 1628. See Sommervogel's _Bibliographie_.

[91] Melchor de Vera, S.J., was born at Madrid in 1585, and after being received into the Society in 1604, went to the Philippines in 1606, where he labored in the missions of the Bisayas and in Mindanao. He served as rector of Carigara, and superior at Bapitan and Zamboanga. His death occurred at the residence at Cebu, April 13, 1646. He was a good civil and military architect, and planned and directed the building of the fortifications at Zam boanga, and constructed the church of his residence at Cebu. See Sommervogel's _Bibliographie_ and Murillo Velarde's _Historia_, book ii, chap. xxi.

[92] An account of this expedition is given in the first chapter of Murillo Velarde's _Historia_ (Manila, 1749), evidently taken in part from the present account.

[93] Inasmuch as Bonifaz, although junior auditor, obtained the office by trickery he was a true governor _ad interim_, and the Audiencia did not have charge of political affairs.

[94] The following authorities were used in compiling the above list of governors: Morga, _Sucesos de las Islas Filipinos_ (Mexico, 1609); Argensola, _Conquistas de las Malucas_ (Madrid, 1609); Colin, _Labor evangelica_ (Madrid, 1663)--who mentions as authorities the authors Morga, Grijalva, and Chirino; San Antonio, _Chronicas_, parte primera (Manila, 1738); Murillo Velarde, _Historia_, (Manila, 1749); Delgado, _Historia general_ (Manila, 1892); La Concepcion, _Historia general_ (Sampaloc, 1788-1792); Zuniga, _Historia de las islas Filipinos_ (Sampaloc, 1803), and _Estadismo_ (Retana's ed., Madrid, 1893); Mas, _Informe de las Islas Filipinos_ (Madrid, 1843); Buzeta and Bravo, _Diccionario_ (Madrid, 1851); Montero y Vidal, _Historia general_ (Madrid, 1887), and _Historia de la pirateria_ (Madrid, 1888); Combes, _Historia de Mindanao y Jolo_ (Retana's ed., Madrid, 1897); _Catologo de la exposition general de las Islas Filipinos_ (Madrid, 1887); Algue, _Archipielago Filipino_ (Washington, 1900); Sawyer, _Inhabitants of the Philippines_ (New York, 1900); Calkins, "Filipino Insurrection of 1896" in _Harper's Monthly_, vol. xcix, pp. 469-483; and various documents already published in this series.

[95] Delgado's work was written during 1751-54.

[96] Referring to the dissensions and conflicts between the secular and ecclesiastical authorities which culminated in the assassination (October 11, 1719) of Governor Bustamente.

[97] See account of this expedition in Argensola's _Conquistas_ (_Vol_. XVI of this series), book x. The king seized by Acuna was Said Berkatt, the twenty-sixth king of Ternate; he came to the throne in 1584 and reigned until made a captive by Acuna--who treated him well, but later governors made Said the subject of shameful neglect and even cruelty. He died at Manila in February or March, 1627. After Said was carried away from Ternate, his son Modafar became king; the ruler of Tidore at that time was Cachil (or Prince) Mole. See Valentyn's history of the Moluccas, in his _Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien_, in the annals of Said's reign and life are recorded in pp. 208-255 therein (a separate pagination, after the introductory sketch of the Netherlands dominion). On pp. 3, 4 are listed the islands subject to Temate; they include Mindanao, the Talaut or Tulour group, Ceram, Amboina, Solor, the Moluccas proper, and many others.

[98] In regard to this, see Sande's own letters and reports in _Vol_. IV of this series.

[99] See account of the expeditions made in that year against the Moro pirates, under the governor, Francisco de Ovando, in Montero y Vidal's _Hist. de pirateria,_ pp. 290-299.

[100] Ali-Mudin, sultan of Jolo, claimed that he was dethroned by his brother Bantilan, in 1748; and, with the Jesuit missionaries who had just before arrived in Jolo, Ali-Mudin went to Manila. In 1750 he was baptized in the Catholic faith, and was named Fernando I. A Spanish expedition was sent to reinstate him on his throne; but it was found that Ali-Mudin was an apostate and a traitor, and the Spanish governor of Zamboanga seized him and all his family and retinue, sending them to Manila, where they were held as prisoners. All except Ali-Mudin and his heir Israel were sent home in 1755; but these remained captives until 1763, when the English conquerors conveyed them back to Jolo, and Ali-Mudin abdicated his throne in favor of Israel.

See Montero y Vidal's _Hist. de pirateria_, pp. 279-299, 307-309, 317-320, 322, 338.

[101] This writer was minister-plenipotentiary from Spain to Pekin; and during that term of office made a voyage to Manila, of which this book is a result.

[102] _i.e._, those who pay the tax called _polo_--a personal service of forty days in the year; see Montero y Vidal's note, _post_.

[103] The services of these municipal officers, which--barring certain abuses, to which their small remuneration and excessive official obligations force them--are of undeniable worth in the Philippines, and their functions, which carry importance and respectability, demand much rather that there be substituted for the ridiculous name of gobernadorcillo, by which they are officially designated, another name more serious and more in harmony with their praiseworthy ministry. This is now being done among themselves in the more enlightened villages, where they are called _capitan_ ["captain"] instead of gobernadorcillo.--_Montero y Vidal_.

Cf. Bourne's account of these officials, _Vol_. I, of this series, pp. 55, 56.

[104] The Spanish is _paso doble_, a term used also as the name of a dance, the equivalent of the "two-step."

[105] This tribute is the contribution that the Indians and mestizos pay in order to aid in the maintenance of the burdens of the state. The _polos_ means the obligation to work a certain number of days in neighborhood works.--_Montero y Vidal_.

[106] The tobacco monopoly was arranged by Governor Basco y Vargas in pursuance of a royal order of February 9, 1780. Although opposed by certain classes, especially the friars, the monopoly was organized by March 1, 1782, and approved by royal order May 15, 1784. Under the monopoly, however, quantities of tobacco always escaped the vigilance of the government, and could be bought at much cheaper rates than the government tobacco. The monopoly was repealed in the province of Union October 25, 1852; and in all the archipelago, by a royal order in 1881. The order was applied in the islands in 1882, and the suppression of the monopoly was completed in 1884.

Tobacco was introduced into the islands by missionaries in the last quarter of the sixteenth century. The best brands come from the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan. Its cultivation and export has been, and is, of great importance, immense quantities both of cigars and leaf tobacco being shipped chiefly to China, Japan, the East Indies, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australasia. About thirty thousand people were employed in making cigars and cigarettes in the province of Manila, most of them women. See Montero y Vidal, ii, pp. 295, 296, iii, p. 165; Bowring, pp. 309, 310; Sawyer, pp. 131-133, 158; _Report_ of Philippine Commission (1901), iii, pp. 267-269; and _U. S. Philippine Gazetteer_, pp. 75, 76.

[107] The royal assembly was the council whom the governor-general had to assist him in his decisions, and they shared with him, to a certain point, the authority. They counterbalanced his powers, and, during the vacancy, took his place in the command.--_Montero y Vidal_.