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THE

PHILIPPINE

ISLANDS.

LONDON

PBINTED BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODB,

HER majesty's PRINTERS.

THE

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,
A

Political,

Geographical, Ethnographical, Social and Commercial

History of the Philippine Archipelago

AND

ITS

POLITICAL DEPENDENCIES,

Embracing the whole Period

of

Spanish Rule.

BT

JOHN FOREMAN,

F.R.G.S.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED,

WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

j-\j-\/

vcv/ \j \j\j\j\j

vv

s.

NEW YORK:
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS.
1899.

First impression, April 1899.

Second impression, July 1899.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

would be surprising if the concerns of an interesting
Colony like the Philippine Islands had not commanded

It

the attention of literary genius.

do not pretend, therefore, to improve upon the able

productions of such eminent writers as Juan de le Concepcion,
Martinez Zuiiiga, Thomas Comin and others, nor do I aspire,
through this brief composition, to detract from the merit of
I

Jagor's work, which, in

da}^,

its

commended

a valuable

itself as

book of reference. But since then, and within the last twenty
years, this Colony has made great strides on the path of social
and material progress its political and commercial importance
is rapidly increasing, and many w^ho know the Philippines, have
persuaded me to believe that my Notes would be an appreciated
addition to what was published years ago on this subject.
The critical opinions herein expressed are based upon
;

made

personal observations
travelled

in

and about

during the several years

the

all

principal

by reference

Archipelago, and are upheld

Islands

to the

most

have

of the
reliable

historical records.

An

author should be benevolent in his judgment of

men

and manners and guarded against mistaking isolated cases for

rules.
In matters of history he should neither hide the truth,
nor twist it to support a private view, remembering how easy it
is

be

to criticize an act

my

aim

By

in the fullest

certain

hypercritical
bilities

and

my

when

if I

classes

its

sequel

is

developed

such will

measure consistent.
I may be thought to have taken

view of things
adulated them,

work would be a

may

should

even offend their susceptifail

to chronicle the truth,

deliberate imposture.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

VI

would desire it to be understood, with regard to the

classes and races in their collectiveness, that my remarks apply
I

only to the large majority

exceptions undoubtedly there are

these form the small minority.

Moreover,

need hardly point

out that the native population of the Capital of the Philippines

by no means

comcomplicacy can be fathomed, one

represents the true native character, to

prehend which, so far as its

must penetrate into and reside
Colony, as

have done,

for years in the interior of the

in places

where extraneous

influences

have, as yet, produced no effect.

There

may

appear to be some incongruity

of a work

which combines objects so

enumerated

in

dissimilar

the Contents pages, but this

nor a Geography, nor an Account of Travels,

of the word
reader
this

who

Colony

it is

a concise review of

all

in

is

the plan
as

those

not a History,

in the strict sense

that

may

interest the

seeks for a general idea of the condition of affairs in

in the past

and

in the present.

J.F.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

The

success

which

First Edition of this

it

has

attended the pubhcation of the

work has induced me

to carefully revise

throughout, adding the latest facts of public interest up to

the close of Spanish rule in the Philippine Islands.

Long
active

years

movers

estimate

their

Spaniards since

of personal acquaintance with

in

the

Revolutionary Party

aspirations.

my

My

some of the

me

enabled

associations with Spain

boyhood helped me,

to

and

as an eye-witness of

the outbreak of the rebellion, to judge of the counterpart to

movement. My connection with the American Peace

Commission in Paris afforded me an opportunity of appreciating

that

the noble efforts of a free people to raise the weight of monastic

oppression from milhons of their fellow creatures.
I

would point out that

my

who
no way

criticism of the clergy,

exercised governmental functions in these Islands, in

applies to the Jesuit or the Paul fathers,

who have justly

gained

the respect of both Europeans and natives.

hoped that the present Edition (which

covers the whole period of Spanish dominion, from the
conquest up to the evacuation) may merit that approval from
readers of English which has been so graciously accorded to
It is

confidently

the previous one.

J.F.

The following

refers to

pages 567 and 568

this

When

in the First impression oj

Second Edition.

work was

the second edition of this

published certain

first

statements appeared in regard to the relations of Mr.

Edward Spencer

Pratt the United States Consul-General at Singapore with General

Aguinaldo the Philippine insurgent

similar

and equivalent

to

These statements were

leader.

paragraphs appearing from time to time

the public press

which Mr. vSpeucer Pratt had permitted

uncontradicted.

Upon

volume

gentleman

that

seeing these

took

statements
action

legal

made

thus causing communications to be

Mr. Spencer Pratt had not thought proper

made upon himself

so injurious

embodied

in

considered
naturally

create

the

in his

public

statements

the impression

entirely exceeded the

publishers

author that while

to take notice of attacks

when

capacity to pass unnoticed

a work of a permanent and

that

the

the

the newspapers he could not permit statements

in

him

to

pass

reproduced in this

against

to

to

in

in

historic

were such

question

He

character.

would

as

that he as the Consul-General had

scope of his functions, had purported to enter

into political arrangements with the Philippine leader

and was accord-

ingly primarily responsible for the subsequent outbreak of hostilities

As

between the insurgents and the United States.

a matter of fact

the idea Mr. Spencer Pratt had in making Aguinaldo's acquaintance

was

to

obtain from him such information as

he

was able

to

give

regarding existing conditions in the Philippines and to place him in

personal communication with Admiral, then
that that officer

might should he see

and prestige with the armed natives

reprisals

when

fit

Commodore, Dewey

Aguinaldo's services

utilize

to control

the American forces should

them and prevent

appear before Manila and

co-operate to such extent with the latter as might be desired.

over

it

was

to these objects alone that

so

More-

Mr. Spencer Pratt rigidly

confined himself in the course of his two brief interviews with General

Aguinaldo at Singapore.

The

original passages

Mr. Pratt any further dealings of a

or other

persons have been

which attributed

political character

to

with Aguinaldo

withdrawn, and the author can only

express his regret that they appeared and his hopes that Mr. Spencer
Pratt's reputation as a consular officer of the United States will not

eventually

be found

erroneous statements.

to

have suifered by the

publication

of

these

CONTENTS.

_.------i

PAGE

Prologue

CHAPTER
General Description of the Archipelago.

I.

Geographical Features

CHAPTER

H.

Discovery of the Archipelago. Magellan Straits discovered. Death

The First Voyage round the World.
of Maghallanes.
Legaspi's Expedition from
Expedition to the Moluccas.
Mexico. Manila founded. Death of Legaspi

CHAPTER
Philippine Dependencies.

HI.

The Ladrone, Caroline, and Pelew Islands

CHAPTER

Conquest

by

35

IV.

Its Failure. Fray Alonso

Internal Administration in Olden
Times. Mendicant and Augustine Friars. Supreme Court.
Church and State Contentions. A Governor-General murdered

Attempted

18

Chinese.

Sanchez's Mission to Spain.

CHAPTER
Early

Relations

Missions.

between

V.

the Philippines and

Martyr Saints -

45

Japan.
-

Catholic
-

65

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

VI.
PAGE

Conflicts with

Dutch. Prosecutions of Governor- Generals.The Inquisition. Koxinga, the Chinese Corsair,

the

Nunneries.
threatens Invasion. Valenzuela, the Court Favourite.
Proceedings of a Pope's Legate
-

Strange
-

7G

CHAPTER Vn.
British Occupation of Manila in 17G3. The War Indemnity. Simon
de Anda's Rebellion. Manila evacuated under the Treaty of

Ylocos Province Rebellion.

_
Cavite Conspiracy of 1872

Paris.

Struggles
_

CHAPTER

for Liberty.
_

.94

Vni.

Alcayceria. The Parian. Expulsion of Chinese

Chinese as Colonists. Saint Francis rescues Manila
from the Chinese. Chinese Population

The Chinese. The

decreed.

CHAPTER

116

IX.

Negrito Marriage Ceremony.

Graddanes. Itavis.
Igorrotes. Igorrote-Chinese. Tinguianes. Hindoos. Albinos

The Various Tribes and Races.

Expedition

against

the

Igorrotes.

CHAPTER

12D

X.

Moslems and Southern Tribes. Early History of the Sulu Archipelago.

Mussulman Pirates. Epoch of Terror. Vicissitudes
of Sultan Mahamad Alimudin. Mussulman Reprisals on the
Spaniards.
Colonel Arolas' Victories. The Marauit Campaign.

Sulu
Tribe.

Sulu

-----

Costumes. Religious Rites.

Across Palaiian Island

Island.

Subuanos

139

CHAPTER XL
Christian
Natives. Their
Supposed
Origin.

Tagalogs.
Visayos. Education, Schools and
Character.
Colleges. Native Talent. Fine Arts. Music. Rehgious
Superstitions. The Shrines. Penitents. Slavery. Prevalent
Diseases. Marriages. Mixed Marriages. Dancing

Domesticated

177

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER
The Monastic

Orders.

with the Natives.

XI

XII.

Their Relations
Priest. The Hierarchy.

PAGE

Their Preponderance.

The Spanish Parish

Church Revenues. Rivalries of the Friars

215

The Encomenderos. The

Cost of Local Government. Effects of Favouritism.
Abuses. Native Provincial Authorities. Municipal Reforms

229

CHAPTER

XIII.

Government and Local Administration.

Alcaldes.

CHAPTER

XIV.

Philippine Finances. The Budget. Army, Navy, and

Briwanda^e. Pirates. Legal Dilatoriness
Statistics.

CHAPTER

250

XV.

Judicial
-

The Mexican Subsidy.

Its Early History.
The Galleons. Smugglers in Olden Days. Restrictions on
Trade. The " Compania Guipiizcoana de Caracas." The " Real
Compaiiia de Filipinas.' Development of Agriculture. Com-

Trade of the Islands.

mercial Crii^is. Free Trade.

Foreign

Capital

Manila

introduced.

opened to the World.

Monetary

Notes.

Exchange

Tables of Traf'e
Smuggling.
Excise and Customs

Manufactures.
Railways. First
Middlemen.
Service.
Philippine Railway. Submarine and Land Telegraphs
Fluctuatioiis.^Provincial

Ports

opened.

Statistics.

Statistics.

^.Tail

CHAPTER

271

XVI.

Value of Arable Land. Land Measures. Cane Sugar

Statistics. Sugar Shipments. Sugar-Planting and Manufacture.
Sugar-Making Estimate. Cane Sugar Beetroot Sugar.
Rice. Rice Measures. Rice Cultivation. Macan and Paga

Agriculture.

v.

Paddy

306

CHAPTER

...

Hemp Machinery. Hemp-Planting

Hemp Trade. Hemp Shipments

Manila Hemp.
Estimate.

XVII.
Statistics

and

323

XU

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

XVIII.

Coffee Quotations, Shipments and

and Yield. Tobacco under Government

Coffee.

The

"

Tobacco and Cigar Shipments and

Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas "

under Free Trade.

Coffee Culture
Monopoly. Tobacco

PAOK

Statistics.

Statistics.
-

337

Cocoa (^Cacao). Esculent Roots. Monkey Nuts. Betel.

Areca Palm. Nipa Palm. Cocoanut Palm. Coprah Shipments
and Statistics. Coir. Cogon. Cotton. Dita. Palma Brava.
Gum Mastic Shipments.
Bamboo.
Bojo.
Rattan Cane.
Edible Birds' Nests. Balate. Sapan-wood Shipments. Saps.
Hard Woods. Hard Wood Tests, Comparative Strengths and
Qualities.
Fruits.
Flowers. Medicinal Herbs -

352

CHAPTER
Maize.

XIX.

CHAPTER
3Iineral Products.

Domestic Live
etc.

Coal. Gold. Iron. Copper. Sulphur,

etc.

CHAPTER XXL
Stock. Ponies, Buffaloes, etc. Reptilia. Insects,

The Locust Plague

------

CHAPTER

-------CHAPTER

389

XXII.

Manila under Spanish Rule. The Port. The City. Binondo, the
Trading Centre. Electric Lighting. Tramways. Chinese and
Native Traders and Workers. Bridges. Theatres. Bull Ring.
Cock-Fighting. Chinese New Year. Journalism. Botanic
Garden.^ Dwelling-Houses. Typhoons. Earthquakes. Native
Costumes

378

397

XXIII.

Perez Dasmarinas. Cavite Viejo. Cavite

Touring in Luzon Island. Up the Pasig River. Laguna de Bay.

Pagsanjan.
Santa Cruz.
Botocan
Los Banos.
Jalajala.
Pagbilao.
Tayabas
and
San
Juan
de
Cascade.Majay jay.
Bocboc. Batangas. Lipa. Bombon Lake. Talisay. Taal.
Balayan. Maragondon. Santa Cruz de Malabon. Silan.

415

CONTENTS.

Xlll

CHAPTER XXIV.

Romblon. The Silanga. Yloilo. W. Coast

Negros. Ginigaran. Siimag. Bacolod. Cadiz Nuevo.
of
Danao River. Calatrava. Bagumbayan.
Escalante. The
Across Negros Island. Buffalo Riding. A Horse Fight

PAGE

Touring in the South.

459

486

Rebellion of 1896-98. First Period up to the Retirethe Rebel Leaders to Hongkong. The alleged Treaty
_
_
_
of Biac-na-bato. Peace proclaimed

509

CHAPTER XXV,
Travelling Notes.

Itineraries of 22 Journeys about the Islands

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Tagalog
ment of

CHAPTER

XXVII.

The Tagalog Rebellion of 1896-98. Second Period. American Intervention. The Rebel Leaders return under American auspices
The Naval Battle of Cavite.
The
and resume Warfare.
Effect in Madrid. The American-Spanish Peace Commission

Manila

Americans. The

City capitulates to the

Revolutionary Government. Philippine Act of Independence.
First Revolutionary Congress.
The American-Spanish Treaty
in

Paris.

of Paris

__.-_--__.--.

CHAPTER

Concluding Observations

564

XXVIII.

639

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Author and

Taal Volcano

Mayon Volcano

-_-._.
-------....

nis

Travelling Servant

Negrito Family

Anito Idol

A Young Negrito

H.H. Harun Narrasid, Sultan of Sulu

A TagIlog Milkwoman
A Tagalog Townsman

------------

A Spanish Galleon
A Prahu
A Canoe
A Casco (Sailing Barge)

Sugar Estate-House, Southern Philippines

Rice-Planting

in

Terraces

The Plantain (Banana Tree)

------

The Papaw Tree and Leaf

CocoANUT Palms

The old City Walls of Manila

La

Escolta. The Principal Street in the Com-"(

MERciAL Quarter of Manila
-J

A Half-Caste Manila Belle

A Village Market

A Luzon Bungalow

Tagalog "Women and Children

in

a leading visaya planter

Holiday Attire
.

- Frontisjnece

XVI

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Facing page 474

A Chinese-Filipino (Mestizo)
A Roadside Scene in Bulacan Province
A Riverside Washing Scene

490
498

518

Don Emilio Aguinaldo Admiral Patricio Montojo

574

General Basilio Augusti

574

Archbishop Bernardino Nozalkda

574

MAPS AND PLANS.

Plan of the Province of Cavite

521

Plan showing relative Positions of United States^

-i
and Spanish Ships Battle of Cavite, 18!)8

577

Map

of the Archipelago

-at

the

end

PROLOGUE.

Xothing extrmtate,

" Ko!' s?t

down aught in malice."

Othello, Act V., Sc 3.

IVrOTWITHSTANDING the
Spanish dominion,

this

three centuries of

more or less complete

Archipelago never ranked above the

most primitive of Colonial possessions.

That powerful nation which

in centuries

gone by was built up of

Iberians, Celts, Phosnicians, Carthaginians, Visigoths,

Arabs was

in

its

dauntless energy of

zenith of glory
its

the conquering spirit and

people led them to gallant enterprises of discovery

which astonished the whole

v>^ith

when

Romans, and

civilised world.

But they were

conquering and leaving unimproved their conquests.

Nor

did the

to

quench,

subsequent example of succeeding colonising nations serve

in spirit, their petrified conservatism.

discoveries

by

social enlightenment,

by

Had

satisfied

they followed up their

encouragement

to

commerce

and by the development of the new resources under their sway

they

would, perhaps even to this day, have preserved the loyalty of those
yearned for and obtained freer institutions.

But they had

who

elected to

follow the principles of that religious age, although the impellent motive
of conquest
credit

them

was divided between rapacity and

Vt'lth is

soul-saving.

All

we

can

the conversion of millions to Christianity at the

expense of cherished liberty;

for,

ever on the track of that fearless band

of warriors followed the satellites of the

Roman

Pontiff, ready to

pass

them by the sword, to conclude the conquest

by the persuasive influence of the Holy Cross. Successful government

the breach opened for

by that sublime

ethical essence called

before a more practical regime.

to trade, to travel

moral philosophy

iias fallen

away

Liberty to think, to speak, to write,

was only paYtially and reluctantly yielded under

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

extraneous pressure.

the

venality of the conqueror's administration

want

complicacy,^

juridical

government and arrogant

local

effects in all Spain's distant colonies,

weak

imperial

tended to dismember the once

rule,

The same

powerful Spanish Empire.

public Avorks,

of

causes have produced the same

and to-day the mother country

is

practically childless.

The

is

made

The

a state of things would be.

instinct in the

convert

all

whole

civilized

human

the

as

inflicts

on

others

suffering for the

Nearly every step

community

good

power

is

many.

isolated instance of

losses

the few

" Salus populi suprema lex."

in the world's progress has

by

Moreover,

war generally exceed the

war an

is

of the

to coerce

as hopeless as the effort

race to one religious system.

nor

meagre as the advantage such

In modern times the peace of Europe

eqn.ality of

The hope

idea of totally suppressing martial

the individual benefits derived from

it

questions

all

to force, notwithstanding Imperial Rescripts.

of ever extinguishing warfare is

to

but the outcome of wars, and

long as the world lasts the ultimate appeal in

l")robably as

will be

world

civilization of the

is

been reached by warfare.

only maintained by the

force.

Liberty in England, gained only by au exhibition of force, would

have been

owes

its

but for bloodshed.

lost

The

great American Republic

existence to this inevitable means, and neither arbitration,

moral persuasion, nor sentimental argument vrould ever have exchanged

Philippine monastic oppression for freedom of thought and liberal
institutions.

The

right of conquest

advancement

is

of civilization,

admissible

when

it

exercised for the

is

and the conqueror takes upon himself

the moral obligation to improve the condition of the subjected peoples

and render them happier.

have

fulfilled

Avorks of Mr.

that obligation

W. H.

other chroniclers

colony

is

country

How

of

far the Spaniards of each generation

may be judged from

Prescott, the writings of

these pages, the

Padre de

Spanish colonial achievements.

las Casas,

The

and

happiest

that which yearns for nothing at the hands of the mother

the most durable bonds are those engendered by gratitude

and contentment.

Such

bonds can never be created by religious

teaching alone, unaccompanied by the twofold inseparable conditions

There

is

a Spanish saying " Quie7i

Imo

la ley hizo la trampa.'''

PROLOGUE.
In British India, equal

and material improvement.

of moral

6
justice,

moral example and constant care for the mutual welfare of the people

have riveted our dominion without the dispensable adjunct of an

The

enforced State religion.

reader will judge whether the Spaniards

engrafted the true civilization on the races they subdued, for, as mankind

has no philosophical criterion of truth,

it is

a matter of opinion

unpolluted fountain of the truest modern civilization

It is claimed

is

where the

to be found.

by China and by Europe, and the whole universe

is

schismatic on the subject.

Juan de

la

Concepeiou,'

who wrote

last century, bases the Spaniards'

He

right to conquest solely on the religious theory.

affirms that the

Spanish Kings inherited a divine right to these islands, their dominion

being directly prophesied in the 18th chapter of Isaiah.

Also, that as

Grod gave over the land of Canaan to the Children of Israel, so did

award

this territory to the Castilian

this concession

He

monarchs.

which God, the Virgin and the

Avith

" Saints, as auxiliaries of our arms, demonstrated

justice of

Saint Augustine, he states, considered

war which God determines,

same savant

assures us that

from Heaven was confirmed by apostolic authority^ and

by " the many manifest miracles

" justice."

He

insisted that the

night behind a mountain

world was

We

but, let
flat

it

its
it

unquestionable

a sin to doubt the

be remembered, the

and that the sun hid every

cannot expect ordinary tnan to live in

advance of the culture of his generation

but Augustine was a saint

in

embryo.

Could not the Mussulmans use the soul-saving argument with

respect to the Sultanate of Sulu

Has

not Islam rescued them from

complete barbarism and brought them to the fold of the Great Prophet

Have

not apostates of the

Romish Church, or,

at least, their descendants,

as successfully established dominion in British India as the Spaniards

have

in their Indies ?

An

apology for conquest cannot, however, be

found in the desire to spread any particular religion, more especially

when we

treat of Christianity,

whose benign radiance was overshadowed

" Historia General

de Philipinas," Chap. I., Part I., Vol. I., by Juan de la

Concepcion, pub. in 14 Vols., Manila, 1788.
- " No es necessario calificar el derecho a tales reinos 6 dominios, especial'
mente entre vasallos de reyes tan justos y Catholicos y tan obedientes hijos de
" la suprema autoridad apostolica con cuia facultad han ocupado estas regiones."
'

Ibid.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

by that debasing

iustitutiou the

which sought out the

Inquisition,

brightest intellects only to destroy them.

It will bo seen on

was practically

f nture

pages that the government of these islands

as theocratic as

were founded

its

statutes,

it

was

Upon

civil.

and the reader

the religious principle

will

now understand

the

source whence the innumerable Church and State contentions originated.

Christianity gave trouble from the
for under its veil arose the

first

it

became a force

in

mutiny of the Emperor Diocletian's

The tendency has always been

to

Rome

the

Christian teaching, and in

time

combine

political

first conflicts

Rome,

soldiers.

power with

with religion were

the attempts, finally successful, to build up a government within a

government

an independent empire over

men's minds within the

Roman Empire.
Historical facts lead one to enquire

moral potential factor

in

How

the world's progress

the natural effect of her military successes,

correct to

far

and,

if

we

would

it

not be more

speak of the gradual decline rather than the

Spanish colonization

For the repeated struggles for

tion after generation, in all her colonies, tend to

sovereignty

was Spain ever a

was maintained through the

eliminate

rise

of all

liberty, genera-

show that Spain's

inspiration

of

fear

rather

than love and sympathy, and that she entirely failed to render her
colonial subjects happier than they

That America's conception

were before.

of the moral duties attaching to conquest

will be very different to theirs can hardly be a sul)ject of doubt.

-*--

CHAPTER

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

The

Philippine Islands, with the

over sixteen degrees of latitude

some 600

islands,

many

of

Sulu Protectorate, extend a

from

4 45' to 21

which are mere

islets.

N.

The

little

and number
eleven islands

primary geographical importance are Luzon, Mindanao, Siimar,

Pauay, Negros, Palaiian (Paragua), Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu, Masbate,
of

and Bojol.

The

total

52,500 square miles.

area

is

approximately computed to be about

Ancient maps show the islands and provinces

under a different nomenclature, for example

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Most

and

these mountains

of

thickly

are

ranges

subordinate

covered with forest and light undergrowth, whilst the stately trees are
gaily festooned with clustering creepers and flowering parasites of the

most

brilliant

an active volcano,

is

Apo, although no longer

in

The Mayou, which

hues.

comparatively bare, whilst

also

the

is

eruption, exhibits abundant traces of volcanic action in acres of lava

and blackened

Between the numberless ranges are luxuriant

scoriae.

The valleys,

plains glowing in all the splendour of tropical vegetation.

generally of rich fertility, are about one-third under cultivation.

There

numerous

are

The

is

Cagayan, which

It has

due to the

artificial

principal Rivers are

two

In

of

Steamers of

feet

11

stream to the northern coast.

Rio Chico de Cagayan and the Rio

are very shifty

The

river,

bathes the great Cagayan Valley,

Immense trunks

with great rapidity, rendering

barangayanes

by

to

make

The Rio Grande de

flows in the opposite

empties

plain until

it

The whole

of the

to its

main

and frequently the entrance

which yearly overflows

down

of trees are carried

it

direction

its

banks,
district

in the torrent

impossible for even small craft

way up
Pampanga

itself

way

the richest tobacco growing

their
la

find their

draught have entered the Rip Grande, but

mouth

closed to navigation.

in the colony.

navigable

the Rio Grande de

Luzon Island

in a tortuous

chief affluents, the

the sand shoals at the

is

are

means employed.

Magat, besides a number of streams Avhich

course.

which

South Caraballo mountain in the centre

rises in the

and runs

of the island,

few

Vessels drawing up to 13 feet can enter the Pasig

sea-going ships.
River, but this

rivers,

or

down

the river at that period.

same mountain and

rises in the

southwards, through

by some 20 mouths

Pampanga Valley and

the

into the

an extensive

Manila Bay.

the course of the river present

a beautiful panorama from the summit of Arayat mountain, which has

an elevation of 2,877 feet above the sea

The whole

of this flat country

and sugar-cane plantations.

numerous.
for

this

laid out into

The towns and

embanked

rice fields

villages interspersed are

All the primeval forest, at one time dense, has disappeared

being one

subjection,

is

level.

it

of

the

first

districts

brought under European

supplied timber to the invaders from the earliest days of

Spanish colonisation.

The Rio Agno rises in a mountainous range towards the west coast
about 50 miles N.N.W. of the South Caraballo runs southwards as

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AKCHirELAGO.

far as lat. 16,

N.W.

thence a

mouths

on which

it

S.W.

takes a

course up to

lat. 16,

down

direction

whence

At

Gulf of Lingayen.

into the

maximum
The

where

to lat. 15

empties

it

itself

48'

by two

the highest tides there

is

depth of 11 feet of Avater on the sand bank at the E. mouth,

is

situated the port of

Dagupan.

Bicol River, which flows from the Bato

San Miguel, has

sufficient

Lake

Bay

to the

of

depth of Avater to admit vessels of small

draught a few miles up from

mouth.

its

In Mindamio Island the Butuan River or Rio Agusan rises at a

distance of about 26 miles from the southern coast and empties itself
on the northern coast, so that

nearly divides the island, and

it

is

navigable for a few miles from the mouth.

The Rio Grande de Mindanao

and empties

centre of the island

on the west coast by two mouths, and

itself

some miles by

for

rises in the

is

It has a great

light draught steamers.

uavigable

number

of

affluents of little importance.

The

only river in Negros Island of any appreciable extent

Danao, Avhich

rises in

the island and finds

the mountain range running

its

on the east

outlet

coast.

the

is

down the centre of

At the mouth it is

about a quarter of a mile wide, but too shallow to permit large vessels
to enter, although past the mouth it has sufficient depth for any ship.
I have been up this river six hours' journey in a boat, and
fine

timber near

its

banks in many places.

saw some

Here and there

opens

it

out very Avide, the sides becoming mangrove swamps.

:

or

the mountainous district around

is

In Luzon Island the Bay Lake

The most important Lakes are
Laguna de Bay, supplied by numberless small streams coming from
25 miles, and

its

mountainous island
islets.

Its greatest length

it.

greatest breadth

Talim,

Its overflow

of

to S. 21 miles.

In

it

there

is

no agricultm-al importance, and several

forms the Pasig River, Avhich empties

Each wet season

the Manila Bay.

N.

W.

from E. to

in the

shores of this lake are flooded.

These

approaches, but only partially

so

itself into

the

middle of the year

floods recede as the dry season

from the south

coast,

which

is

gradually being incorporated into the lake bed.

Lake Bombon,
activity, has
is

14 miles.

in the centre

a width E. to

The

W.

of

which

of 11 miles,

origin of this lake

is

is

and

a volcano in constant
its

length from N. to S.

apparently volcanic.

supplied by any streams emptying themselves into

it

It

is

(fm-ther than

not

two

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

insiguificaut rivulets), r.ud

connected with the sea

it is

Kiver, Avhich flows into the Gulf of Balayan at

Cagayan Lake,

in the

lat.

l)y

the Pansipit

13 52'

extreme N.E. of the island,

N.

about 7 miles

is

long by 5 miles broad.

Lake Bato,

3 miles across each way, and

and 2^ miles wide, situated

Lake Buhi,

3 miles N.S.

Luzon

in the eastern extremity of

Island,

are very shallow.

In the centre of Luzon Island,

the large valley

Pampanga and Aguo

the above-mentioned
respectively

in

Rivers, are three lakes

Canarem, Mangabol and Candava

lowland meres flooded and navigable by canoes

In 3Iindoro Islcmd there

watered by

the last two being

in the rainy season only.

one lake called Naujan, 2J miles from

Its greatest width is 3 miles with 4 miles in lensth.

the N.E. coast.

is

In 3Imdcmao Island there are the Lakes Maguindanao or Boayan,

E.W. by

in the centre of the island (20 miles

18 miles distant from the north coast

12 N.S.)

Malanao,

Liguasan and Buluan towards

the south, connected with the Rio Grande de Mindanao, and a group
of four small lakes on the

Agusuan River.

The Malanao Lake has

great

struggles between Christians and

with

associations

historical

Moslems during the period

the

of the

Spanish conquest.

some

In

of

the

dividing

straits

the

islands

there

are

stronjr

currents, rendering navigation of sailing vessels very difficult, notably

San Bernadino

in the

Saraar

Yloilo

of

Luzon and

Panay and Guimarras

between

and the passage between the south

Islands,

Negros

roadstead of

the

Straits, separating the Islands

points

Cebu and

of

Islands.

Most

of the islets,

volcanic origin.

constant

if

not indeed the whole Archipelago, are of

There are many volcanoes,

activity,

viz.,

the Mayou,

in

tAvo of

the extreme

Island, and the Taal Volcano, in the centre of

them
east

N.

occasionally in visible eruption.

portion of

10'^

its

24'

is

crater subsided,

a slight ejection of lava.

Luzon

S-t

miles

Negros Island the Caulauau Volcano

Also

lat.

of

Bombon Lake,

due south of Manila.

in

in almost

In 1886 a

accompanied by a tremendous noise and

In the picturesque Island of Camiguin, a

volcano moimtain suddenly arose from the plain in 1872.

The Mayon Volcano is in the Province of Albay, hence it is

popularly known as the Albay Volcano. Around its base there are

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

several toAvns and villages, the chief bciug Albay, the capital of the

province

Cagsaua

Malinao, Tobaco,
there

was a

(called

etc.

Daraga) and Camtiling on the one

on the side facing the east

towns of Cagsaua

and devastated property within

Lava and ashes were

a radius of 20 miles.

and

In 1769

coast.

serious eruption, Avhich destroyed the

and Malinao, besides several villages

side,

throv/n

out incessantly

during two months, and cataracts of water were formed.

In 1811 loud

subterranean noises were heard proceeding from the volcano, Avhich

caused the inhabitants around to fear an early renewal of

but their misfortune was postponed.

it

burst Avith

towns were

terrible

violence.

totally demolished.

The

directions.

On

its

activity,

the 1st of February, 1814,'

Cagsaua, Badiao, and three other

Stones and ashes were ejected in

inhabitants fled to caves to shelter themselves.

all

So

sudden was the occurrence, that many natives were overtaken by the
volcanic projectiles and a few by lava streams.
all

property was

Father Aragoueses estimates

lost.

persons were killed, besides

An

In Cagsaua nearly
that

2,200

many being wounded.

eruption took place in the Spring of 1887, but only a small

quantity of ashes was thrown out and did very

little

or no

damage

to

the property in the surrounding towns and villages.

The
of

eruption of the 9th of July, 1888, severely

Libog and Legaspi

Bigaa and Bonco

crushed in

a great

lost their lives,

plantations were destroyed in the villages of

several houses were fired, others had the roofs

many

and the

estimated at 500.

damaged the towns

The

domestic animals were killed

loss of live stock (buf^xloes

ejection of lava

fifteen natives

and oxen) was

and ashes and stones from

the crater continued for one night, which was illuminated by a column
of

fire.

The

last eruption occurred in

fell like rain in

May, 1897.

Showers

a radius of 20 miles from the crater.

environs about 400 persons were killed.

of red-hot lava

In the immediate

In the village of Bacacay

houses were entirely buried beneath the lava ashes and sand.
to the port of

of

Legaspi was covered out of sight. In the important tOAVu

Tobaco there was

total darkness

plantations and a large

number

and the earth opened.

of cattle

were destroyed.

Vide pamphlet pnb. immediately after the event

Aragoneses. P.P. of Cagsaua,. begging alms for the victims.
'

The road

by Father

Hemp
In Libog

Francisco

10

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The hamlets

over 100 iuliabitauts perished iu the ruins.

and

Misericordia,

Santo

Nino, with

At

completely covered with burning debris.

the

for

inhabitants,

were

night-time the sight of

column, heaving up thousands of tons of stones, accompanied

fire

by noises
but

150

over

San Roque,

of

like the

booming

of

cannon afar

off,

was indescribably grand,

was the greatest public calamity which had befallen the province
some years past.
it

The mountain is remarkable for the perfection of its conic form.

Owing to the perpendicular walls of lava formed on the slopes all
around, it is not possible to reach the crater.
The elevation of the
peak has been computed at between 8,200 and 8,400
around the base on the E. and

S. sides,

obtained from Cagsaua (Daraga).

hidden, a stream of

Taal Volcano
about 60 miles.

The

effect.

1641

but the grandest view

a clear night

distinctly seen to flow

many

first

again,

be

moon

is

crest.

referred

in

an active state from time

one of historical importance appears to have occurred

in

1709 the crater vomited

villagers

of the lake, three tall

eventually subsiding

it

in

its

fire

threw out burning stones

it rises,

vicinity.

with a deafening

but so

no harm

In 1731, from the waters

columns of earth and sand arose

into

far,

the form of an island

in a

few days,

about a

mile in

In 1749, there was a famous outburst which dilacerated

circumference.

the coniform peak of the volcano, leaving the crater disclosed as

now is.
The

last

to

eruptions have taken place with more or less

and lava over the whole island from which

had befallen the

from the

the

to

is

the ordinary route from the capital w^ould be

on the 21st of September, 1716,

when

Bombon Lake

iu the island of the

This volcano has been

immemorial, and

noise

is

The journey by

above.

in

fire is

On

I have been

feet.

and most desolating of

occurred in the year 1754,

when

all

the eruptions of

it

importance

the stones, lava, ashes, and waves of

by volcanic action, contributed to the utter destruction

Taal, Tanauan, Sala and Lipa, and seriously damaged

the lake, caused

of the

towns of

property iu Balayan, 15 miles away, Avhilst cinders are said to have

reached Manila, 34 miles distant in a straight

MS.^

his

'

line.

One

writer says in

compiled 36 years after the occurrence, that people in Manila

" Hist, de la Prov. de Batangas," por D. Pecho Andres de Castro

Inedited

MS.

in the

Bauan Couveat, Batangas.

y Amades,

GENERAL DESCllIPTION OF THE AECHIPELAGO.

11

dined with, lighted candles at mid-day and walked about the streets

confounded and thunderstruck, clamouring for confession during the

eight days that the calamity

smell of the sulphur and

was

lasted six

fire

The author adds

visible.

mouths

after the event,

that the

and was

followed by malignant fever, to which half the inhabitants

province

Moreover, adds the writer, the lake Avaters

victims.

fell

threw up dead alligators and

The

of the

fish,

including sharks.

best detailed account extant

at the time of the event. ^

is

that of the parish priest of Sala

He says that about

11 o'clock at night on the

11th of August, 1749, he saw a strong light on the top of the Volcano

He went

Island, but did not take further notice.

to sleep, Avhen at

3 o'clock the next morning he heard a gradually increasing noise like

which he supposed would proceed from the guns

artillery firing,

of the

galleon expected in Manila from Mexico, saluting the Sanctuary of

Our Lady of Cagsaysay whilst passing. He only became anxious

when the number of shots he heard far exceeded the royal salute, for he
had already counted a hundred times and still it continued. So he arose,
and it occurred to him that there might be a naval engagement off the
coast.

He was

" Father,
island

let

soon undeceived, for four old natives suddenly called out

us

flee

" and on his enquiry they informed

had burst, hence the

him that the

Daylight came and exposed to vicAV

noise.

an immense column of smoke gushing from the summit of the volcano,

and here and there from

its

sides smaller streams rose like plumes.

Avas joyed at the spectacle,

He

which interested him so profoundly that

he did not heed the exhortations of the natives to escape from the
grand but awful scene. It was a magnificent sight to watch mountains
of sand hurled

and then

from the lake into the

air in the

from a fountain

falling again like the stream

contemplating

this

form of erect pyramids

imposing phenomenon

Avith

jet.

tranquil

delight,

strong earthquake came and upset everything in the convent.

he reflected that

it

might be time

to

go

of the water nearer to the shore of the

by a second earthquake, they, with the

thrown doAvn and submerged

pillars

in the lake.

on the

The

Then

of sand ascended out

town and remained

trees

Whilst

islet,

erect until,

were violently

earth opened out here

MS. exhaustive report of the eruptions of Taal Volcano in 1749 and 1754,
dated 22nd December 1754, compiled by Fray Francisco Vencuchillo. Preserved
in the archives of the Corporation of St. Augustine in Manila.
'

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

12

Laguna de Bay, aud the lands of

Sala and Tauauan .shifted. Streams found new beds and took other
courses, whilst in several places trees were engulfed in the fissures made
and there as far as

shores of the

Houses, which one used to go up

in the soil.

down

tlie

into,

into,

one now had to go

but the natives continued to inhabit them without the least

concern.

the

The

volcano, on this occasion,

first

three days ashes

was

weeks

activity for three

in

After this incident, the natives

fell like rain.

extracted sulphur from the open crater, and continued to do so until the

year 1754.

In that year (l7o4), the same chronicler continues, between nine

and ten o'clock at night on the loth of May, the volcano ejected
boiling lava,

which ran down

its

sides

in such quantities that only

the waters of the lake saved the people on shore from being burnt.

Towards

Bayoyongan,

called

incessantly
of

reached the shore and

stones

the north,

in

the jurisdiction

came from the

crater until the

smoke arose which seemed

fi'om

Bauan, which

is

to

of

2nd

meet the

Taal.

fell

a place

in

Stones

and

fire

when a volume
was clearly seen

of June,

It

skies.

on a low level about four leagues (14 miles)

from the lake.

Matters continued so until the 10th of July, when there

heavy shower of mud as black as

and a suburb of Sala, called

ink.

Balili,

fell

The wind changed its direction,

was swamped with mud. This

phenomenon was accompanied by a noise so great, that the people of

Batangas and Bauan, who that day had seen the galleon from Acapulco

home voyage, conjectured that she had saluted

Our Lady of Cagsaysay. Tlie noise ceased, but fire

passing on her

Sanctuary of

continued to issue from the crater until the 25th of September.

fell all

for

that night

and the people of Taal had

the roofs were falling

chronicler
of

was

in

of

still

Stones

their

homes,

with the weight upon them.

The

at Taal at this date,

smoke a tempest

abandon

the

and

to

in the midst of the

column

thunder and lightning raged aud continued

without intermission until the 4th of December.

The night

of All Saints'

day was a memorable one (Nov.

1st), for

the quantity of falling fire-stones, sand and ashes increased, gradually

diminishing again towards the 15th of November.

after vespers, great noises

dinned in one's ears

were heard.

Then, on that night,

long melancholy sound

volumes of black smoke rose

an

infinite

number

TAAL VOLCANO.

MAYON VOLCANO.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OK THE ARCHirELAGO.

lo

and great waves proceeded from the lake, beating the

This was followed by another great
shores with appalling fnry.
shower of stones, brought up amidst the black smoke, and lasted until

of stones

fell,

For a short while the devastation was suspended

ten o'clock at night.

the last supreme

prior to

effort.

way

exhausted after seven months of suffering in the

away the Sanctuary

second image of Our Lady.

was resolved
place the

On

much

All looked half dead and

to take

of

It

described.'

Cagsaysay and put

in its

the 29th of November, from seven o'clock in the evening, the

volcano threw up more

fire

than

all

put together in the preceding seven

The burning column seemed

months.

mingle with the clouds

to

the

And as
Avind blew.
whole of the island was one ignited mass.
the priests and the mayor (Alcalde) were just remarking that the fire
might reach the town, a mass of stones
violence

thunderclaps and subterranean noises Avere heard

looked aghast, and nearly

lake began to encroach

children in dismay

some

middle of the
lessened by

Then

everybody

the waters of the

upon the houses, and the inhabitants took

and lamentations were heard

pray.

all knelt to

all

around

mothers Avere looking

to

Cries

carrying aAvay Avhatever chattels they could.

flight, the natives

confession

thrown up with great

Avas

for tlieir

half-caste Avomen of the Parian were calling for

of

them beseechingly

streets.

The

falling on their knees

panic Avas intense, and

the Chinese, Avho set to yelling

in

av;xs

their

in

in

no

the

way

OAvn jargonic

syllables.

After the terrible night of the 29th of November they thought all
was over, Avhen again several columns of smoke appeared, and the
priest Avent off to

tlie

Sanctuary of Cagsaysay, Avhere the prior was.

Taal Avas entirely abandoned, the natives having gone in all directions
away from the lake. On the 29th and 30th of November there Avas
complete darkness around the lake vicinity, and

when

light reappeared

a layer of cinders about five inches thick Avas seen over the lands and
Total darkness returned, so that
liou-;cs, and it Avas still increasing.
one could not distinguish another's face, and
stricken

than ever.

all

Avere

more horror-

In Cagsaysay the natives climbed on to the

housetops and threw doAvn the cinders, Avhich Avere over-Aveighting

'

Still it

property.

appears that all classes were willicc,^ to risk their lives to save their
They were not forcibly dctaine<l in that plight.

14

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

On

the structures.

smoke and strange sounds

the 30th of November,

came with greater fury than anything yet experienced, while lightning
flashed in the dense obscurity.

was

When

arriving.

visible

earth,

seemed as

It

the church roof was dangerously

and the writer opines that

attributed

to

miracle

quietude, followed

its

Then

the end of the world

was

the destruction

returned,

light

if

horribly

with ashes and

covered

not having fallen in might be

was a day

there

by a hurricane which

lasted

of

comparative

two days.

All were

which was increased when they received the

Taal had collapsed amongst the ruins being

in a state of melancholy,

news that the whole

of

House and

the Grovernment

Rope Walk,

the Royal

Stores, the Prison, State warehouses

besides the

The Grovernor-General

and

Church and Convent.

sent food and clothing in a vessel, which

was nearly wrecked by storms, whilst the crew pumped and baled out
continually to keep her afloat, until at length she broke up on the
shoals at the mouth of the PansipiD River.
Another

had her mast

craft

split

by a

flash of lightning, but reached

port.

With
village

all this,

of Taal

some daft natives lingered about the

till

Government House
roof

fell in

the

last,

ruins.

site

of

the

and two men were sepulchred

in

the

Avoman

and was carried away by a

and was then struck dead by a

from

escaped

Mussulman

captivity for years,

Taal, and

was held

was

left

her house just before the

flood,

from which she escaped,

flash of lightning.

pirates,

by

whom

The road from Taal

to

man

Avho had

he had been held in

killed during the eruption.

to be a perfect genius, for

He had

settled in

he could mend a clock

Balayan was impassable for a while on

account of the quantity of lava.

Taal, once so important,

was now

gone, and Batangas, on the coast, became the future capital of the

province.

The

actual

duration

of this

last

eruption

was 6 months

and

17 days.

In 1780 the natives again extracted sulphur, but

at that date* says that

he was unable

in

to reach the crater

1790 a writer

owing

to the

depth of soft lava and ashes on the slopes.

" Hist, de la Prov. de Batangas," por Don Pedro Andres de Castro

Tnedited MS. in the Bauan Convent, Province of Batangas.
'

y Amades,

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

There

is

Englishman some years

amongst

current

tradition

ago attempted to

the
cut

natives

15

that

an

tunnel from the

base to the centre of the volcanic mountain, probably to extract some

metallic

product or sulphur.

excavation partially

The

cave-like entrance

is

said that during the

is

work the

upon the Englishman, who perished

in

fell

It

there.

pointed out to travellers as the Cueva del

Ingles.

Referring to the volcano. Fray Gaspar de San Agustiu in

history' remarks as follows

" The

volcano formerly emitted

his

many

" large fire-stones which destroyed the cotton, sweet potato and other
" plantations belonging to the natives of Taal on the slopes of the
" (volcano) mountain.

Also

" on the volcanic island,

it

happened that

if

three persons arrived

one of them had infallibly to die there

" without being able to ascertain

the

cause of this circumstance.

" This was related to Father Alburquerque^ Avho after a fervent

" deesis entreating compassion on the natives, went to the island,
" exorcised the evil spirits there and blessed the land.
relio-ious

" procession Avas made, and

"

On

the

elevation

of

Mass was

the

Host,

celebrated with great humility.

sounds

horrible

" accompanied by groaning voices and sad lamentations

" opened out, one with sulphur in

" (c), which

is

it

" smoke

began to ascend from

heard

two

craters

and the other with green

The

constantly boiling.

" about a quarter of a league wide

were

crater on the

the other

this

is

Lipa
and

smaller,

Avater

side

is

in time

opening so that the natives,

" fearful of some new calamity, went

to Father Bartholomew, Avho

" repeated the ceremonies already described. Mass Avas said a second

" time, so that since then the volcano has not thrown out any more
" fire or sraoke.^ However, whilst Fray Thomas Abresi Avas parish
" priest of Taal (about 1611), thunder and plaintive cries Avere again
" heard, therefore the priest had a cross made of Anobing wood, borne
" to the top of the volcano by more than 400 natives
the result
;

" being, that not only the volcano ceased to do harm, but the island
" has regained its original fertile condition."
* " Hist,
de Filipinas," by Dr. Gaspar de San Agustin, 2 vols. First part
pub. in Madrid, 1698, the second part yet inedited and preserved in the archives
of the Corporation of St. Augustine in Manila.

from 1572 to 1575.

In the same archives of the St. Augustine Corporation in Manila an eruption
in 1641 is recordcci
-

=*

P.P. of Taal

16

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Taal Volcano

on foot

island, the ascent

into the crater,

reached with facility from the N. side of the

is

Looking

occnpying about half an hour.

which would be about 4,500

feet

wide from one border

to the other of the shell, one sees three distinct lakes of boiling liquid,

the colours of which change from time to time.

crater four times

the

I have been

the last time the liquids in

respectively of green, yellow and chocolate colours.

up

to

the

lakes were

At

the time of

ray last visit there was also a lava chimney in the middle, from which
arose a snow-white volume of smoke.

The

Philippine Islands are studded Avith creeks and bays forming

W.

natural harbours, but navigation on the

Palaiiau Islands,

coasts of Cebu,

Negros and

dangerous for any but very light draught vessels,

is

the water being very shallow, whilst there are dangerous reefs

all

along the \Y. coast of Palaiian and between the south point of this
island and Balabac Island.

The S.W. monsoon

brings rain to most of the islands, and the wet

season lasts nominally six months,

The

other half of the year

is

from

about the middle of April.

the dry season.

However, on those coasts

directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the seasons are the reverse of this.

The
coasts

hottest season

washed by the

from March

is

Pacific,

to

May

inclusive, except on the

where the greatest heat

is

felt in

June,

The temperature throughout the year varies but

average heat in Luzon Island being about 81 5' Fahr.

July and August.

slightly, the

The average number

of rainy days during the years 1881 to

1883 was

203.

The

climate

is

a continual summer, which maintains a rich verdure

throughout the year

and during nine months of the twelve an alternate

heat and moisture stimulates the

every form of vegetable

The

soil to

the spontaneous production of

life.

Avhole of the Archipelago, as far south as 10

lat., is

afToeted

by the monsoons, and periodically disturbed by terrible hurricanes,

which cause great devastation to the crops and other property.
Earthquakes are also very frequent, the
having occurred

wave

in

1863 and 1880.

last of great

importance

In 1897 a tremendous

tidal

affected the Island of Leyte, causing great destruction of life

and property.
In the wet season the rivers swell considerably, and often overflow their banks

whilst the

mountain torrents carry away bridges,

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

cattle,

etc.

with

terrific force,

the interior dangerous and

17

rendering travelling in some parts of

difficult.

In the dry season, long droughts

occasionally occur (about once in three years), to the great detriment

of the crops

and

live stock.

The southern boundary

some 140

of the

islands, stretching

Archipelago

is

formed by a chain of

from the large island of Mindanao as far

as Borneo, and constitutes the Sulu Archipelago and Sultanate, which

was under the protection

of Spain (vide

Chap. X.).

"'

CHAPTER

II.

DISCOVERY OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

The

discoveries

Christopher Columbus

of

1492

in

the

adventures

and conquests of Hernan Cortes, Blasco Nunez de Balboa and others

in

the South Atlantic, had awakened an ardent desire amongst those of

enterprising spirit to seek beyond these regions

been traversed.

who

It

is

Ocean had been seen by Balboa,

true the Pacific

crossed the Isthmus of Panama, but

ships

was

On

which had hitherto not

how

to get there with his

as yet a mystery.

the 10th of April, 1495, the Spanish

general concession to

all

who wished

Government published a

to search for

uuknown

This was a direct attack upon the privileges of Columbus

instigation of Fonseca,

Indian

affairs

Rich merchants

whose imagination was inflamed by the

pearls and gold on the

by the roughest

common

American

it

of

the

of the

Cadiz and Seville,

reports of the abundance of

coast, fitted out ships to

class of gold-hunters

licence that

at

Bishop of Burgos, who had the control

of the realm.

lands.

be manned

so great were the abuses of this

was withdrawn by Royal Decree on the 2nd

of

June, 1497.
It

was the age

his spurs in

of chivalry,

Europe

and the

restless cavalier

who had won

lent a listening ear to the accounts of romantic

glory and wealth attained across the seas.

That an immense ocean washed the western shores of the great

American continent was an established fact. That there was a passage
connecting the great Southern sea

the Atlantic with that vast ocean

was an accepted hypothesis. Many had sought the passage in vain

the honour of its discovery was reserved for Hernando de Magballanes.
;

This celebrated

man was

most complete education

in

a Portuguese noble
the palace of

studied mathematics and navigation, at

who had

King John

received the
II.

Having

an early age he joined the

DISCOVERY OF THE ARCHIPELAGO.

Portuguese

fleet

which

He wa3

Almeida.

left for

19

India ia 1505 under the coinmand of

present at the siege of Malacca under the famous

Alburquerque, and accompanied another expedition to the rich Moluccas,

or Spice Islands,
discovered.

It

when

the Islands of Banda, Tidor and Ternate were

was here he obtained the information which

led

him

to

contemplate the voyages which he subsequently realized.

On

his return to

Portugal he searched the Crown Archives to see

if

the Moluccas were situated within the demarcation accorded to Spain.*

In the meantime he repaired to the wars in Africa, where he was

wounded

He

in the knee,

with the result that he became permanently lame.

consequently retired to Portugal, and his companions in arms, jealous

of his prowess, took advantage of his affliction to assail him with vile

The King Emmanuel encouraged the complaints, and

accused him of feigning a malady of which he was completely cured.
Wounded to the quick by such an assertion and convinced of having

imputations.

lost the royal favour,

Maghallanes renounced for ever, by a formal and

public instrument, his duties and rights as a Portuguese subject, and

henceforth became a naturalized Spaniard.

at the Spanish Court,

received by the

at

He

then presented himself

that time in Vallndolid, where he

King Charles

I.,

was well

Bishop of Burgos, Juan Rodriguez

Fonseca, Minister of Indian Affairs, and by the King's chancellor.

They

listened attentively to his narration,

to secure the personal protection of

and he had the good fortune

His Majesty, himself a well-tried

warrior.

The Portuguese Ambassador, Alvaro de

success of his late countryman,

Acosta, incensed at the

and fearing that the project under

discussion would lead to the conquest of the Spice Islands by the rival

kingdom, made every

effort

to influence the

Court against him.

At

the same time he ineffectually urged Maghallanes to return to Lisbon,

During the previous century jealousy had run so high between Spain and
Portugal with regard to their respective colonization and trading rights, that the
question of demarcation had to be settled by the Pope Alexander VI., who issued a
bull dated 4th of May, 1493 (or 1494), dividing the world into two hemispheres
and decreeing that all heathen lands discovered in the Western half, from the
meridian of Cape Verd Island, should belong to the Spaniards in the Eastern half
to the Portuguese.
The bull was adopted by both nations in the Treaty of
Tordesillas.
It gave rise to many passionate debates, as the Spaniards wrongly
insisted that the Philippines and the Moluccas came within the division allotted to
them by Pontifical donation.
'

B2

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

20

alleging that his resolution to abandon Portuguese citizenship required

the sovereign sanction.

Others even meditated his assassination to

Bave the interests of the King of Portugal.

This powerful opposition

only served to delay the expedition, for finally the King of Portugal

was

Spanish rival had no intention to authorize a

satisfied that his

violation of the Convention of Demarcation.

Between King Charles and Maghallanes a contract was signed

in

Saragossa by virtue of which the latter pledged himself to seek the

discovery of rich spice islands within the limits of the Spanish Empire.
If he should not have succeeded in the venture after ten years from the

date of sailing he would thenceforth be permitted to navigate and trade

without further royal assent, reserving one twentieth of his net gains
for

The King accorded

Crown.

the

and invested him with the habit of

government

Crown

of

in

If

St.

James and the hereditary

however, was

to

Cavalier

the islands he might annex.

all

in the King's

The

supreme authority over such

Crown one

own

ships to the value of one

numbered only two, he

If the islands

thousand ducats as royal dues.

to the

of

title

Maghallanes discovered so many as six islands, he was

embark merchandise

would pay

him the

Castile reserved to itself the

government.
to

male succession of

to

fifteenth of the

net profits.

The King,

receive one fifth part of the total cargo sent in the

The King would

Jirst return expedition.

defray the expense of fitting

out and arming five ships of from 60 to 130 tons with a total crew of

234 men

Treasury

he would

also appoint captains

and

officials

of the

Royal

to represent the State interests in the division of the spoil.

Orders to

fulfil

the contract were issued to the crown oflScers in

the port of Seville, and the expeJition

of the following vessels, viz.:

The

under the immediate command of

Captain Juan de Cartagena

was slowly prepared, consisting

commodore ship "La Trinidad,"

Maghallanes the " San Antonio,"
;

the " Victoria," Captain Luis de

Mendoza

the" Santiago," Captain Juan Rodriguez Serrano, and the " Concepcion,"

Captain Caspar de Quesada.

The

little fleet

had not yet

sailed

Maghallanes wished to carry his

Matienza insisted that

it

when dissensions arose.

own ensign, whilst Doctor Sancho

should be the Royal Standard.

Another, named Talero, disputed the question of

the standard-bearer.
his

own

The King

arbitrary authority.

who

should be

himself had to settle these quarrels by

Talero was disembarked and the Royal

MAGELLAN STRAITS DISCOVERED.

21

Standard was formally presented to Maghallanes by injunction of the

King

Church

in the

where ha and

Seville,

of Santa
his

Maria de

la Victoria

de la Triana, in

companions swore to observe the usages and

customs of Castile, and to remain faithful and loyal to His Catholic

Majesty.

On

Lucar de Barrameda

On

San

the 10th of August, 1519, the expedition left the port of

in the direction of the

December they arrived

the 13th of

Following the coast

in search of

Canary Islands.

safely at Rio Janeiro.

longed-for passage to

the

Ocean, they entered the Solis River

Pacific

discoverer,

Joao de

because

Portuguese, was murdered there.

Solis, a

was afterwards changed

called

so

to that of

Rio de

la

the

Its

its

name

Plata (the Silver River).

Continuing their course, the intense cold determined Maghallanes

ito

known then as San Julian.

some wished to return home others harboured

winter in the next large river,

Tumults arose
<lesire to

separate from the

fleet,

but Maghallanes had sufficient tact to

persuade the crews to remain with him, reminding them of the shame

which would

He

added

deter

them

that, so far as

if

they returned only to relate their failure.

he was concerned, nothing but death would

him from executing the royal commission.

As
irons

befall

to the rebellious captains,

Juan de Cartagena was already put in

and sentenced to be cast ashore with provisions and a disaffected

French

priest for a

Then Maghallanes
of the captains

companion.

The

sentence was carried out later on.

sent a boat to each of three of the ships to enquire

whom

they served.

King and themselves.

The

reply from

all

was that they

Thereupon 30 men were sent

were

for the

the

Victoria " with a letter to Meudoza, and whilst he was reading

''

they rushed on board and stabbed him to death.

men

to attack.

sword and shield

in

Maghallanes, with great

promptitude, gave orders to board Quesada's vessel.

Quesada was executed.

it,

Quesada then brought

his ship alongside of the " Trinidad " and, with

hand, called in vain upon his

to

After these vigorous, but

The next day

justifiable,

measures

obedience was ensured.

Still

bearing southwards within sight of the coast, on the 28 th of

October, 1520, the expedition reached and entered the seaway thenceforth

known

as the

Magellan

Straits, dividing the Island of Tierra del

Fuego

from the mainland of Patagonia.*

'

Probably so called from the enormous number of patos (ducks) found there.

22

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

On
*'

way one

the

San Antonio " deserted the expedition

wounded and made

"San Antonio

the

prisoner

New

the direction of

by

Guinea.

The

all

at an

officers,

she was sailed in

three remaining vessels waited for

and then passed through the

when, on the 26th

they found themselves on the Pacific Ocean

now

the

her captain having been

mutinous

his

" several days,

Great was the rejoicing of

All doubt was

now

ship had become a total wreck, and

It

Straits.

November, 1520,

of

was a memorable day.

end as they cheerfully navigated across that

broad expanse of sea.

On

the 16th of March, 1521, the Ladrone Islands were reached.

There the ships were so crowded with natives that they were obliged

by

to be expelled

men were
was

force.

They

stole

sent on shore to recover

one of the ship's boats, and 90

After a bloody combat the boat

it.

regained, and the fleet continued

its

course westward.

Coasting

along the North of the Island of Mindanao, they arrived at the mouth
of the
chief.

Butuan River, where they were supplied with provisions by the

It

was Easter week, and on

celebrated in the Philippines.

in

return

for

territory in the

The

shore the

this

natives

first

showed great

Mass was

friendliness,

which Maghallanes took formal possession

name

The

of Charles I.

of

their

chieftain himself volunteered

to pilot the ships to a fertile island

the kingdom

and passing between the Islands

of Bojol

of a relation of his

and Leyte the expedition

arrived on the 7th of April at Celju, where, on receiving the news, over

men appeared on the beach in battle array with lances and shields.
The Butuan chief went on shore and explained that the expedition
brought people of peace who sought provisions. The King agreed
2,000

to a treaty,

native

and proposed that

formula,

drawing

it

should be ratified according to the

blood from the breast of each party, the

one drinking that of the other.

This form of bond was called by the

Spaniards the Facto de sangre, or the Blood compact (vide Chap.

XXVI.).

Maghallanes accepted the conditions, and a hut was built on shore

in

which

to say

the King,

Mass.

Then he disembarked with

Queen and Prince came

They appeared

it

the Christian religious rites

would be venturesome

to

suppose

they understood their meaning, as subsequent events proved.

princes and
fealty

headmen

and obedience

of the district followed their

to the

King

and

to satisfy their natural curiosity.

to take great interest in

and received baptism, although

his followers,

of Spain.

The

example and swore

DEATH OF MAGHALLANES.
Maghallanes espoused the cause of his new

23

allies,

who were

at

war

with the tribes ou the opposite coast, and on the 2oth of April, 1521,
In the affray he was mortally

he passed over to Magtan Island.

wounded by an arrow, and thus ended his brief but lustrous

which fills one of the most brilliant pages in Spanish annals.

On

the left

bank

career,

of the Pasig River, facing the City of Manila,

monument to his memory. Another has been erected on the

Magtan Island, where he is supposed to have been slain on

stands a
spot in

Also

the 27th of April, 1521.

there

is

an obelisk to commemorate these heroic events.

was perhaps well

It

the City of Cebu, near the beach,

in

Maghallanes

for

Had he

of reach of his royal master.

to

have ended

his days out

returned to Spain he would

probably have met a fate similar to that which befell Columbus after
his

all

The " San Antonio," which,

glories.

already mentioned,

as

deserted the fleet at the Magellan Straits, continued her voyage from

New

Guinea

The

1521.

to Spain, arriving

at

San Lucar de Barrameda

Captain, Alvaro Mesquita, was

landed as

in

March,

a prisoner,,

accused of having seconded Maghallanes in repressing insubordination.

To Maghallanes were ascribed

I'oyal instructions.

Accused and accusers were

and the King, unable

this

hero's

the worst cruelties and infraction of the

to lay

alike cast into prison,

hands on the deceased Maghallanes, sought

These innocent victims

wife and children.

vengeance were at once arrested and conveyed

to

of

royal

Burgos, where the

Court happened to be, whilst the " San Antonio " was placed under

embargo.

On

the

decease of Maghallanes, the supreme

command

of

tho

Cebu Island was assumed by Duarte de Barbosa, who,,

with 26 of his followers, was slain at a banquet to which they had
been invited by Hamabar, the King of the island. Juan Serrano had

expedition in

so ingratiated himself with the

that his life

was spared

natives during the sojourn on shore

for a while.

Stripped of his

raiment and.

armour, he was conducted to the beach, where the natives demanded

a ransom for his person

of

two cannons from the

ships'

Those on board saw what was passing and understood the

but they were

one " Melius

Augustine,

loath
est ut

to

endanger the

pereat inius

quam

so they raised anchors

Serrano to meet his terrible fate.

lives

of

all for

artillery.

request,

the sake of

ut pereai commu?iitas,^^ Saint

and sailed out of the

port, leaving

24

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Due

sickness,

to

murder during the

revolts,

and the slaughter

Cebu, the exploring party, now reduced to 100 souls

deemed

manage

conveniently

insufficient to

resolved therefore to burn the most dilapidated one

At

a general council, Juan Caraballo

of the expedition, with

*'

The

Victoria."

It Avas

the " Concepcion."

was chosen Commander-in-chief

Gonzalo Gomez de Espinosa as Captain of the

was decided to
the Portuguese and

royal instructions were read, and

go to the Island of Borneo, already known

marked on

was

all told,

three vessels.

in

On

their charts.

the

way they

to

it

provisioned the ships off the

coast of Palaiian Island, and thence navigated to within ten miles of

Here they

the capital of Borneo (probably Brunei).

which was the King's Secretary.

of native canoes, in one of

number

with a

in

fell

There was a great noise with the sound

of

drums and trumpets, and

the ships saluted the strangers with their guns.

The

came on board, embraced the Spaniards

natives

as

if

they were

and asked them who they Avere and what they came

old friends,

They replied

that they were vassals of the

King

for.

and wished

of Spain

to

barter goods.

Presents were exchanged and several of the Spaniards

went ashore.

They were met on

the

way by

over 2,000 armed

After satisfying his Majesty's

safely escorted to the King's quarters.

numerous enquiries. Captain Espinosa was permitted

companions.

He

reported to Caraballo

men and

all

to return

he had seen, and

in

with his
a council

was agreed that the town was too large and the armed men too
numerous to warrant the safety of a longer stay. However, being in

it

need of certain commodities,

five

men were despatched

to the

As

town.

days passed by, their prolonged absence caused suspicion and anxiety,

King

so the Spaniards took in reprisal the son of the

who had

men and

arrived there to trade, accompanied by 100

in a large prahu.

The

prince

Spaniards returned, and

hostages.

Then Caraballo

intimating that

if

his people

made a solemn vow

two

left

his

women and

to be

of Borneo,

were not liberated he would seize

fall

in

of the retained Spaniards

abandoned and the expedition

For reasons not very

women

eight chiefs as

King

with and

were

kill

clear,

their

all

the

crews.

set free, but, in spite of

the seizure of craft laden with silk and cotton, the three

had

five

Island,

to see that the five

sent a message to the

junks and merchandise he might

Thereupon two

of

Luzon

of

men remaining

set sail.

Caraballo was deprived of the supreme

command and Espinosa was appointed

in

his

place,

whilst

Juan

THE FIRST VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.

Sebastian Elcano was elected captain of the "Victoria."
pilot,

25

With a native

captured from a junk which they met on the way, the ships shaped

their course towards the

Moluccas Islands, and on the 8th of November,

Thus the

1521, they arrived at the Island of Tidor.

the expedition

was gained

the

essential object of

discovery of a Western route to the

Spice Islands.

Years previous the Portuguese had opened up trade and

continued to
cloves,

traffic

still

with the?e islands, which were rich in nutmegs,

cinnamon, ginger, sage, pepper,

etc.

It

is

said

that Saint

Francis Xayier had propagated his views amongst these islanders, some
of

whom

professed the Christian faith.

The King,

went out with

richly adorned,

welcome the Spaniards.

He was

that

when
it was

anxious to barter with them, and

the " Trinidad " was consequently laden with valuable spices

discovered

and

his suite to receive

she had sprung

leak.

Her cargo was

therefore

transferred to the sister ship whilst the " Trinidad " remained in Tidor
for repairs,

and Elcano was deputed to make the voyage home with

the " Victoria," taking the Western route of the Portuguese in violation
of the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Elcano's crew consisted of 53 Europeans

The

and a dozen natives of Tidor.

the beginning of the year 1522
great risk of being seized

passed through the Sunda Straits at

by the Portuguese

storms in the Mozambique Channel

Cape

of

Good Hope

scanty ration of

rice,

" Victoria " started for Spain at

in

their

experienced violent

was almost wrecked rounding the

a few of the crew died

and

their only food

was a

extreme distress they put

in

at

Santiago Island, off Cape Verd, to procure provisions and beg assistance

from the Portuguese Governor.

mouth.
of

It

The Governor imprisoned

his sovereign's treaty rights

them ashore

was

those

like

jumping

who went

into the lion's

to him, in defence

he seized the boat which brought

enquired of them where they had obtained the cargo and

projected the capture of the " Victoria."

Captain Elcano was not slow to comprehend the situation

raised anchor

and cleared out of the harbour, and, as

several times before, those

who had

it

he

had happened

the misfortune to be sent ashore

were abandoned by their countrymen.

The " Victoria " made the port of San Lucar de Barrameda on the
6th of September, 1522, so that in a little over three years Juan
Sebastian Elcano had performed the most notable voyage hitherto on

26

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

record

it

was the

first

however be borne

yet accomplished round the world.

It

must

mind that the discovery of the way to the

Moluccas, going Westward, was due to Maghallanes of Portuguese
birth,
and that the route thence to Europe, continuing "Westward, had
in

long before been determined by the Portuguese traders, whose charts

Elcano used.

When
was most

pitiable

The City
was

to

Elcano and his 17 companions disembarked, their appearance

mere skeletons

of Seville received

walk barefooted,

of

men, weather-beaten and famished.

them with acclamation

but their

first

act

in procession, holding lighted candles in their

hands, to the church to give thanks to the Almighty for their safe
deliverance from the hundred dangers which they had encountered.

money and all

Clothes,

necessaries were supplied to

them by royal bounty,

whilst Elcano and the most intelligent of his companions were cited to

appear at Court

them with marked deference.

of

His Majesty received

narrate their adventures.

to

Elcano was rewarded with a

500 ducats (worth at that date about 112

remembrance

pension

and as a lasting

of his unprecedented feat, his royal master knighted

and conceded

him the

to

bearing the motto

Two of

lO^.),

life

right of using on his escutcheon a globe

" Primus circundedit me."

Elcano's officers, Miguel de Rodas and Francisco Alva, were

each awarded a

life

pension of 50,000 maravedis (worth at that time

about 14 guineas), whilst the King ordered one fourth of that

part of

him

fifth

the cargo which by contract with Maghallanes belonged to the

State Treasury, to be distributed amongst the crew, including those

imprisoned in Santiago Island.

The cargo

of the

"Victoria" consisted of 26^ tons of

cloves, a

Amongst

the Tidor

quantity of cinnamon, sandalwood, nutmegs, etc.

Islanders

who were

presented to the King, one of them was not allowed

to return to his native

home because he had

carefully enquired the

value of the spices in the Spanish bazaars.

Meanwhile the " Trinidad " was repaired

to

in

Tidor and on her

Panama, when continued tempests and the horrible

crew determined them

interval

way

sufferings of the

to retrace their course to the Moluccas.

In

this

Portuguese ships had arrived there, and a fort was being

constructed to defend Portuguese interests against the Spaniards,

they regarded as interlopers.

The

whom

" Trinidad " was seized, and the

Captain Espinosa with the survivors of his crew were afforded a passage

EXPEDITIONS TO THE MOLUCCAS.

to Lisbon,
"with

which place they reached

five

27

years after they had set out

Maghallanes.

the discoveries

King Charles was equal to the importance of

which gave renown to his subjects and added glory

crown.

Notwithstanding a protracted controversy with the

The euthusiasm
to his

of

Portuguese Court, which claimed the exclusive right of trading with

the Spice Islands, he ordered another squadron of six ships to be fitted

The supreme command was

out for a voyage to the Moluccas.

to

confided

Garcia Yofre de Loaisa, Knight of Saint John, whilst Sebastian

Elcano was appointed captain of one of the vessels.

through the Magellan

Straits, the

Commander Loaisa succumbed

and privations of the stormy voyage.

fatigues

but only for four days,

when he

After passing

too expired.

to the

Elcano succeeded him,

The

expeditiou, however,

arrived safely at the Moluccas Islands, where they found the Portuguese
in

possession

full

and strongly established, but the long

series of

combats, struggles and altercations which ensued between the rival

powers, in which Captain Andres de Urdaneta prominently figured,

left

no decisive advantage to either nation.

But the King was

no way disheartened.

in

the last under his auspices

was organized

A third

expedition

and despatched from the

Mexico by the Viceroy, by royal mandate. It was

two ships, two transports and one galley, well manned

Pacific Coast of

composed of

and armed, chosen from the

Guatemala.
on the 1st
Pacific

20 miles

fleet of

Pedro Alvarado, the

Governor of

late

Under the leadership of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos it

discovered many small islands
of November, 1542
;

lost the galley

sailed
in

the

on the way, and anchored off an island about

in circumference

which was named Antonia.

A fight

inhabitants very hostile.

They found

its

ensued, but the natives finally fled,

leaving several Spaniards wounded, of

whom six

died.

Villalobos then

announced his intention of remaining here some time, and ordered his

men

to plant maize.

come

to fight, not to

At
till

first

they demurred, saying that they had

land, but at length necessity urged

obedience, and a small but insufficient crop

Hard pressed

was reaped

for food, they lived principally

on

cats,

in

la Torre,

was sent

to

rats,

was opposed by the

lizards,

In this

commanded by Bernado de
The voyage was fruitless. The party

Mindanao

to seek provisions.

to

due season.

snakes, dogs, roots and wild fruit, and several died of disease.
plight a ship

them

inhabitants,

Island,

who

fortified

themselves, but were

28

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Then

dislodged and slain.

news and

a vessel was commissioned to Mexico with

On

to solicit reinforcements.

the way, Volcano Island (of

the Ladrone Islands group) was discovered on the 6th of August, 1543.

most important event followed.

to

the

islands

(it

galiot

doubtful which),

is

was

built

named by

and despatched

this expedition the

Philippine Islands in honour of Philip, Prince of Asturias, the sou of

King Charles

heir apparent to the throne of Castile, to

I.,

ascended in 1 555 under the

The

craft returned

of provisions, with

By

title of

Philip II. on the abdication of his father.

from the Philippine Islands laden with abundance

which the ships were enabled

the royal instructions,

Ruy Lopez

to continue the

Heavy

concluded with Portugal.

gales forced

The Portuguese,

voyage.

de Villalobos was strictly

enjoined not to touch at the Moluccas Islands,

refuge at Gilolo.

which he

peace having been

him nevertheless

to take

suspicious of his intentions in view

of the treaty, arrayed their forces against his, inciting the

King

of the

island also to discard all Spanish overtures and refuse assistance to

The

Villalobos.

discord and contentions between the Portuguese and

Spaniards were increasing

Villalobos personally

nothing was being gained by either party.

was sorely disheartened

in the struggle, fearing all

the while that his opposition to the Portuguese in contravention of the

royal instructions would only excite the King's displeasure and lead to
his

own

downfall.

Hence he decided

to capitulate with his

accepted a safe conduct for himself and party to Europe

They

ships.

by

crushed

arrived at
grief,

expedition, amongst

home

Amboina

succumbed

whom

The

disease.

were several

priests,

via Malacca, Cochin China and Goa,

Portuguese

where Villalobos, already

Island,

to

in

and

rival

survivors

the

of

continued the journey

where they embarked

for

Lisbon, arriving there in 1549.

In 1558, King Charles was no more, but the

outlived him.

memory

of his ambition

His son Philip, equally emulous and unscrupulous, was

too narrow-minded and subtly cautious to initiate an expensive enterprise

encompassed by so many hazards

was devoid
the

first

of

immediate

as

political importance.

it

Indeed the basis of

expedition was merely to discover a Western route to the rich

Spice Islands, already

known

to exist

attempt to establish Spanish empire

annex

materially unproductive as

to,

the second went

and the third

there to

to search for,

and

the Spanish crown, lands as wealthy as those claimed by,

and now yielded

to,

the Portuguese.

FROM MEXICO.

LEGASPI'S EXPEDITION
But the value
was but

One

of

was thus

expedition

most brave and

the

Andres

de Urdaneta

far a matter of doubt.

captains

intrepid

returned

in his

wars

in Italy,

Since

was given

to the

from the Moluccas

project of a

his constant attention

expedition to the Far West, for which he unremittingly

new

solicited the royal sanction

and assistance.

But the King had grown

and weary of the world, and whilst he did not openly discourage

old

he gave him no effective

Urdaueta's pretensions

of

I.,

In

1536.

the study of navigation served him as a favourite pastime.

his return

in

the Loaisa

of

Spain in

to

former years he had fought under King Charles

when

which the possession

of the Philippine Islands, of

recent and nominal,

29

At

aid.

length

two years before Charles abdicated, Urdaneta, convinced

the futility of his importunity at the Spanish Court, and equally
1553,

unsuccessful with his scheme

in

other quarters, retired

whole

by the

Philip, inspired
policy,

Accompanied by

entrusted with

his

out an expedition to

fit

Urdaneta,

conquer and christianize the Philippine Islands.

was not overlooked.

which pervaded

religious sentiment

urged his Viceroy in Mexico to

Mexico,

Ten years afterwards

where he took the habit of an Augustine monk.

King

to

now

a priest,

he was

five priests of his order,

the spiritual care of the races to be subdued by an

expedition composed of four ships and one frigate well armed, carrying

400

soldiers

and

sailors,

commanded by a Basque

This remarkable

Lopez de Legaspi.

man was

fame of having established Spanish dominion

destined to acquire the

settled in the City of

He was

in these islands.

of noble birth and a native of the Province of

Having

navigator, Miguel

Guipuzcoa

Spain.

in

Mexico, of which place he was elected

Mayor, he there practised as a notary.

reputation for his justice and loyalty,

Of undoubted piety, he enjoyed

hence he was appointed General

of the forces equipped for the voyage.

The

favourite

desire to

lurked in the minds of

who

laboured

in

many Spaniards

vain to

advantages to be gained
Philippines,

whence

possess the valuable Spice Islands

persuade

amongst

them was Urdaneta,

the Viceroy

by annexing

New

still

of

the

superior

Guinea instead

of the

the conquest of the Moluccas would be but a

However, the Viceroy was inexorable and resolved to

the royal instructions to the letter, so the expedition set sail from

facile task.
fulfil

the Mexican port of Navidad for the Philippine Islands on the 21st
of

November, 1564.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

30

Islands were passed on the 9th of January, 1565,

The Ladroue

of the following

and on the 13th

was made

provisions

call for

month the Philippines were

islands, including

at several small

Camiguin, whence the expedition sailed

sighted.

to Bojol

Island.

boat

despatched to the port of Butuan returned in a fortnight with the news

that there

was much

wax and cinnamon

gold,

small vessel was also sent to Cebu, and on

natives

showed

that district.

in

return reported that the

its

having decapitated one of the crew whilst he

hostility,

was bathing.
Nevertheless, General Legaspi resolved to put in at Cebu, which

was a

safe port

and on the way there the ships anchored

Island (to the south of Leyte).

off

Limasana

Thence running S.W., the Port

of

Dapitan (Mindanao Island) was reached.

who

Prince Pagbuaya,

ruled there,

was astonished

at the sight of

such formidable ships, and commissioned one of his subjects, specially

chosen for his boldness, to take note of their movements, and report

He

His account was uncommonly interesting.

to him.

enormous men with long pointed noses, dressed

(hard biscuits), drank

through their

fire

Their power was such that they commanded

nostrils.

down

in fine robes, ate stones

and blew smoke out of their mouths and

thunder and lightning (discharge of

they sat

related that

at a clothed table.

artillery),

From

and that at meal

time:3

their lofty port, their bearded

faces and rich attire, they might have been the very gods manifesting

themselves to the natives

so the Prince thought

friendly overtures of such

ample provisions
Cebu.

He

learnt that

the magnificence was

was one

that the port

amongst the

He

it

to the

information respecting

much vaunted amongst

of great safety,

of

which

the neighbouring states

and the most favourably situated

crown

it

from

its

native king and

of Castile.

into

with the natives of

that island.

The Visayos, inhabiting the southern group

loH

the condition of

was esteemed a powerful kingdom,

resolved therefore to filch

themselves, hence for

de

European wares, Legaspi procured from

landed in Cebu on the 27th of April, 1565, and negotiations

were entered
'

it

Besides obtaining

islands of the painted faces.*

The General
annex

useful

wise to accept the

marvellous strangers.

in barter for

much

chieftain

this

it

;pmtados.

many

Remembering

of the Archipelago, tatooed

years their islands were called by the Spaniards Islag

PACIFICATION OF THE ISLANDS.

how

31

successfully they had rid themselves of Maghallanes' party, they

naturally opposed this renewed

menace

Spaniards occupied the town by force and sacked

were so harassed by the surrounding

The

to their independence.

but for months

it,

tribes that a council

was convened

The General
yielded to the new

to discuss the prudence of continuing the occupation.

decided to remain, and,

little

by

condition of things, and thus the

The

was achieved.

the natives

little,

step towards the final conquest

first

natives were

Spanish

declared

and

subjects,

hopeful with the success thus far attained, Legaspi determined to send

despatches to the King by the priest Urdaneta,

Xavidad on the 3rd

The

of October, 1565,

successfully pursued

by Legaspi

assured, and their dethroned

safely arrived at

and proceeded thence

Cebu and the adjacent

pacification of

who

islands

was

to Spain.

steadily

and

the confidence of the natives was

King Tupas accepted Christian baptism,

whilst his daughter married a Spaniard.

In the midst of the invaders'

felicity,

the Portuguese arrired to

dispute the possession, but they were compelled to retire.

was constructed and

fortress

were marked out

for the building of

the Spanish settlers' residences, and finally, in 1570,

Cebu was declared

plots of land

a City, after Legaspi had received from his royal master the

Governor-General of

all

title

of

the lands which he might be able to conquer.

In May, 1570, Captain Juan

Salcedo,

Legaspi's

grandson,

was

despatched to the Island of Luzon to reconnoitre the territory and

bring

it

under Spanish dominion.

The history of these early times

many contradictions in the authors of
of

which seem

events.

to

is

very confused, and there are

the Philippine chronicles, none

have been written contemporaneously with the

It appears,

however, that Martin de Goiti and a few soldiers

accompanied Salcedo

to the north.

They were

well received by the

native chiefs or petty Kings Lacandola, Eajah of

Eajah Matanda, which means

his

in native dialect

these

to (for ever)

as

as

was the custom

century, must have profoundly impressed and overawed

chieftains,

should have

Tondo (known

the aged Rajah) and

nephew the young Rajah Soliman of Manila.

The sight of a body of European troops armed

in the 16th

first

otherwise

consented,

it

seems

almost incredible

that

they

without protest, or attempt at resistance,

give up their territory,

yield

their

independence, pay

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

32

and become the

tribixte,*

own

conquer their

A
of his

with which to

race without recompense whatsoever.

treaty of peace

of blood

tools of invading foreigners

was signed and

between the parties thereto.

by an exchange

ratified

of drops

Soliman however soon repented

poltroonery and roused the war-cry

among some

of his tribes.

save his capital (then called Maynila) falling into the hands of

To

the invaders he set

the issue.

fire to it.

Lacandola remained passively watching

Soliman was completely routed by Salcedo and pardoned

on his again swearing fealty to the King of Spain.

Goiti remained in

the vicinity of Manila with his troops whilst Salcedo fought his
to the

Borabon Lake (Taal)

district.

The

way

present Batangas Province

was subdued by him and included in the jurisdiction of Mindoro Island.

During the campaign Salcedo was severely wounded by an arrow and
returned to Manila.

Legaspi was in the Island of Panay when Salcedo (some writers

say Goiti) arrived to advise him of what had occurred in Luzon.

They

at once proceeded together to Cavite,

where Lacandola

visited

Legaspi on board, and, prostrating himself, averred his submission.

Then Legaspi continued his journey to Manila and was received there
with

acclamation.

territory,

He

took formal possession of the surrounding

declared Manila to be the capital of the Archipelago, and

proclaimed the sovereignty of the King of Spain over the whole group
of islands.

Gaspar de San Agustin, writing of

this period says:

"He

" (Legaspi) ordered them (the natives) to finish the building of the
" fort in construction at the mouth of the river (Pasig) so that His
Legaspi and Guido Lavezares, under oath, made promises of rewards to the
Lacandola family and a remission of tribute in perpetuity, but they were not
fuiaUed. In the following century year 1C60 it appears that the descendants
of the Rajah Lacandola still upheld the Spanish authority, and having become
sorely impoverished thereby, the heir of the family petitioned the Governor
(Sabiniauo Manrique de Lara) to make good the honour of his first preJecessors.
'

Eventually the Lacandolas were exempted from the payment of tribute and poll
tax for ever, as recompense for the filching of their domains.
In 1884, when the fiscal reforms were introduced which abolished the tribute

and established in lieu thereof a document

for which a tax was levied, the last vestige

of personal identity (_eedula personal),

of privilege disappeared.

Lacandola are still to be met with in several villages near

Descendants
seem to have materially profited by their transcendent
not
Manila, They do
ancestry one of them I found serving as a waiter in a French restaurant in the
of

capital in 1885.

DEATH OF LEGASPI.
" Majesty's

33

might be mounted therein

artillery

for the defence of tho

Also he ordered them to build a large house

*'

port and the town.

*'

inside the battlement

*'

large house and church for the priests, etc

*'

Besides these two large houses he told them to erect 150 dwellings

*'

of

" All

Legaspi's

walls for

own

residence

another

moderate size for the remainder of the Spaniards to

this

live

in.

they promptly promised to do, but they did not obey, for

*'

the Spaniards were themselves obliged to terminate the

^'

fortifications."

work

of the

City Council of Manila was constituted on the 24;th of June,

The

On

loTl.

succumbed

August, 1572, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi

the 20th of

fatigues of

to the

a uame

Vi^hich wull

colonial

history.

his arduous

life,

leaving behind

always maintain a prominent place

He was

of San Fausto, where

him

Spanish

in

buried in Manila in the Augustine Chapel

hung the Royal Standard and the

hero's armorial

bearings until the British troops occupied the city in 1763.

"

Death makes no conquest of

For now he

lives in

this conqueror,

fame, though not in

Biehard

life."

III.,

Act

3,

Sc. 1.

In the meantime Salcedo continued his task of subjecting the tribes

The

in the interior.

He

penetrated

returned to the
as

Taytay and Cainta,

Morong, submitted

military district of

1571.

natives of

to

Camarines Norte

far as

him on the 15th

Laguna de Bay

present

in the

of

August,

to pacify the villagers,

to explore

the Bicol

and

River.

Bolinao and the provinces of Pangasiuan and Ylocos yielded to his

prowess, and in this last province he had well established himself when

the defence of the capital obliged him to return to Manila.

At

the same time

overrunning

the

Martin de Goiti was actively employed

Pampanga

territory

procuring supplies for the Manila

his

way

to

acknowledge

their

with

the

camp and coercing

uew

liege lord.

It

double

object

in

of

the inhabitants on
is

recorded that in

was joined by the Rajahs of Tondo and Manila.

Yet Laeandola appears to have been regarded more as a servant of the

this expedition Goiti

Spaniards nolens volens than as a free ally, for, because he absented

himself from Goiti's camp " without licence from the Maestre de

Carapo," he was suspected by some writers of having favoured opposition

to the Spaniards' incursions in the Marshes of Ilagonoy (Pampanga
coast,

N. boundary

of

Manila Bay).

34

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

which constituted the aucieut province

district

Balayan, subsequently denominated Province of Batangas,

of

vv^as

whom

governed by a number of caciques, the most notable of

Gatpagil and
neighbours.

They were

Gatjinliutan.

usually at

Taal y
formerlj

war with

were
their

Gatjinliutan, the cacique of the Batangas River at the

time of the conquest, was famous for his valour.

ruled on the other side of the river,

was celebrated

Gatsurigayan,

who

as a hunter of deer

These men were half-castes of Borneo and Aeta

extraction, who formed a distinct race called by the natives Daghagaug.
and wild boar.

None

of

them would submit

to the

King

of Spain or

become Christians,

hence their descendants were oiFered no privileges.

The Aetas

Gabriel Montoya, a Spanish soldier

collected tribute.

of Legaspi's legion, partially conquered those races,

mission of an Austin Friar amongst them.

and supported the

This was probably Fray

Diego Moxica, who undertook the mission of Batangas on

from the

local administration

of

Mindoro Island

Governor of San Pablo or Sampaloc

was appointed by the

Maghayin

in the

name

its

separation

The

in 1581.

of the

King

of Spain

Montoya, and was called Bartolome

soldier

the second was Cristobal Somaiigalit and the third

Bernabe Pindau,

of

all

first

Avhom had adopted Christianity.

was

Bay, on the

borders of the lake of that name, and four leagues from San Pablo, was

by the cacique Agustin Maglansailgan.

originally ruled

now

called Tayabas, Avas founded

vfas

three times

Calilayan,

by the woman Ladia, and subsequently

administered by a native Alcalde, who gave such satisfaction that he
appointed the King's lieutenant and baptized as

Francisco de San Juan.

The system

established

by Juan Salcedo was

to let the conquered

lands be governed by the native caciques and their male successors so

long as they did so in the name of the King of Castile.

Territorial

possession seems to have been the chief aim of the European invaders,

and records of having improved the condition of the people or of

having opened up means of communication and traffic as they went on
conquering, or even having explored the natural resources of the

colony for their

own

San Pablo, the

benefit, are

extremely rare.

centre of a once independent district,

at the foot of the mountains of

is

situated

San Cristobal and Banajao, from which

over fourteen streams of fresh water

floAv

>..

through the

villages.

CHAPTER

III.

PHILIPPINE DEPENDENCIES.
The Ladroxes, Carolines and Pelew

Islands.

In 1521 Maghallanes cast anchor off the Ladrone

Islands (situated
between 17 and 20 N. lat. by 146 E. long.) on his
way to the
discovery of the Philippines.
This group was named by him Islas
de las Velas.i Legaspi called them the Ladrones.=*
Subsequently,
several

navigators

sighted or touched

indistinct demarcation

at

these

Islands,

and

the

which comprised them, acquired the name of

Saint Lazarus' Archipelago.

In 1662 the Spanish vessel " San Damian,"

on her course from
Mexico to LuzoQ, anchored here.
On board Avas a missionary Fray
Diego Luis de San Victores, who was so impressed
with the dejected
condition of the natives, that on reaching Manila
he made it his

common theme

of conversation.
In fact, so importunately did he
pursue the subject with his superiors, that he had to be
constrained to

The Governor, Diego

silence.

Salcedo, replied to his urgent appeal

for a mission there iu terms

that

quarter.

But

the

which permitted no further

Friar was persistent in his

petitioned the Archbishop's aid.

The

project,

and

prelate submitted the matter to

King Philip IV., and the Friar himself wrote

presented a memorial to His

solicitation in

to his

Majesty and another

to

father,

who

Queen

the

beseeching her influence.

Consequently in 1666, a Royal Decree was

received in Manila sanctioning a mission to the
Ladrones.

The

galleon "

San Diego " was ready

to sail,

and Fray Diego Avas

to take passage to

Acapulco to organize his expedition, but meanwhile

the merchants proposed to change her route,
sending her to Peru, in
'

Velas, Spanish for Sails.

Ladrones, Spanish for Thieves.

36

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

which ca93 they would give her a

The

full

The

car^;o.

priest

protested.

galleon was so heavily laden on one side, that she could not right

The cunning

herself.

that

if

Friar declared

it

was a sign from Heaven, but

she started on the voyage to Acapulco

would go well.

all

The

shippers, howevei-, were not so readily gulled, and although, in the end,

ahe was despatched to Acapulco, the vessel was lightened of part of

her cargo.

Fray Diego arrived safely

in

pressed his views on the Viceroy,

Then

the Viceregal Court of Mexico, and

who

declared that he had no orders.

the priest appealed to the Viceroy's wife, who,

is

said,

was

when an earthquake

entreating her husband's help on bended knee,

occurred which considerably damaged the city.

tation

it

It

was a manifes-

from Heaven, the wily priest avowed, and the Viceroy yielded

to the superstition of the age.

Therefore, in

March

1668, Fray Diego started from Acapulco in

charge of a Jesuit mission for the Ladrones, Avhere they subsequently

received a pension of

$3,000 per annum from Queen Maria Ana,

who meanwhile, had become

Royal munificence, these islands have

this

Spaniards " Islas Marianas,"

better

known

When

To commemorate

widow and Eegent.

whilst

been called by the

since

the older

name

Ladrones

is

to the world.

the mission was fairly established, troops were sent there,

consisting of 12 Spaniards and 19 Philippine natives, with two pieces

of artillery.

The

acquiescence of the Ladrone natives was being steadily gained

by the old policy

revolution

broke out, on the discovery that the stranger's religion

brought with
practically

of conquest, under the veil of Christianity, until a

it

restraint

amounted

of

liberty

to slavery.

and a

social

dominion which

Fortunately, Nature came again to

the aid of Fray Diego, for, whilst the natives were in open rebellion, a
severe storm levelled their huts to the ground.

them

it

was a

visitation

Fray Diego

left

The

priest persuaded

from Heaven, and peace was concluded.

the mission for Visayas, where he was killed.

After his departure, the natives again revolted because they failed

comprehend the mysteries

involved a servile subjection.
time

some

warfare.

of Christian

Many

rites,

priests

to

which, in those days,

were

slain

from time

in the exercise of their sacerdotal functions, others in

to

open

THE LADKONE ISLANDS

37

(-^rARIANAS).

In 1778 a Governor Avas sent there from Mexico with 30 soldiers,

but

he resigned his charge after

two years'

service,

and

others

succeeded him.

The

The

Islands are very poor.

products are Rice, Sago, Cocoa-

nuts and Cane-sugar to a small extent

there are also pigs and fowls

The Spaniards taught the natives the use of fire. They

were a warlike joeople every man had to carry arms. Their language
is Chamorro, much resembling the Visayan dialect.
The population,
in

abundance.

for a

Some threw

purposely sterilized themselves.

hoping

into the sea,

to liberate

century, the population

During the

islands

new-born offspring
of woe,

and that

In the beginning of the 17th

further diminished

by an epidemic

disease.

century of Spanish rule, the Government were never

first

able to exact the

the

was

their

them from a world

they Avould regenerate in happiness.

of

Women

hundred years after the Spanish occupation, diminished.

payment

At

the present day, the revenue

not nearly sufficient to

is

administration.

of tribute.

few years

ago,

cover the

entire

cost of

Governor, Sr. Pazos, was

the

assassinated there.

There are nine towns with parish

All the Churches are

priests.

and roofed with reed thatching, except that of the

capital,Avhich has an iron roof.
Six of the towns have Town Halls
built of

made

stone,

bamboo and reed grass one has a wooden building, and in

two of them (including the capital) the Town Halls are of stone.
The Seat of Government is at Agana (called in old official
of

documents the
the creek
capital

City of San Ignacio de Agaiia

called the

they

*'

lie

Port of Apra.

").

It

is

situated in

Ships cannot get up to the

about two miles off Punta

Piti,

Avhere passengers,

and mails are conveyed to a wooden landing-stage.

Five
hundred yards from here is the Harbour-master's office, built of stone,
with a tile roof. From Punta Piti there is a bad road of about five
stores

miles.

The

cation with

situation of Agaiia seems to be ill-suited for

communi-

and proposals were ineffectually made by two

vessels,

Governors, since 1835, to establish the capital town elsewhere.

central

Government took no heed

Agaiia there

is

Government

of

their

House,

recommendations.
Military

The
In

Hospital and

Pharmacy, an Artillery Depot and Infantry Barracks, a well-built

Prison, a

Town

Hall, the Administrator's Office, called

"the shop," and the ruins of former public buildings.

pretty town, but there

is

nothing notable to be seen.

by the natives
It is

a rather

38

PHILU^riNE ISLANDS.

The natives are as domesticated as the Philippine Islanders, and

have much better features. Spanish and a little English are spoken
by many of them, as these Islands in former years were the resort of
English-speaking whalemen.

For the elementary Education

San Juan de Letran

natives, there is the College of

school in

girla'

Agana

and

of the

for boys,

and a

of the towns, there was, in

in seven

1888, a total of four schools for boys, five schools for

girls,

and nine

both sexes, under the direction of 20 masters and

schools for

ix

mistresses.

When

the Ladrone Islands (Marianas) Avere a dependency of the

Philippine General-Government, a subsidized mail steamer left Manila

for

Agana, and two or three other

Government

An

ports, every three

months.

of these Islands under the Spaniards, vide

For the

Chap. XIII.

was discovered by one of the Spanish galleon pilots

1686, and called Carolina, in honour of Charles II. of Spain, but
island

in
its

bearings could not be found again for years.

In 1696 two canoes, with 29 Pelew Islanders,

of Siimar Island, and lauded at the

days on the

drift,

and

five

of

Town

drifted to the coast

They were 60
privations.
They were

of Guivaa.

them died

of

saw a man on shore making;

them in a boat, and boarded one

terror-stricken Avhen thev

sig^ns to

When

of the canoes,

they

he went out

all

to

jumped out and got

into that, they

were

into the other

then

when

and

They

liberty.

It

other strange

men brought

to this shore

These came forward

interpreters, so
in

lives, whilst

and
the

he could, by signs, to reassure them.

happened that there had been living here,

winds.

whom they
whom would

prostrated themselves,

implored his mercy and the favour of sparing their

priest did all

got

to the Spanish priest of Guivan,

supposed would be the King of the Island, and on

lives

man

in utter despair, considering themselves prisoners.

They were conducted

depend their

the

them.

that the

to

see

some

years,

two

by currents and contrary

the

newcomers were

for

novelty,

all

and served as

lodged in native houses

twos and threes, and received the best hospitality.

They

related that their Islands

fowls and sea-birds.

numbered

32, and only produced

One man made a map, by

relative position of the Islands.

When

placing stones in the

asked about the number of the

inhabitants, one took a handful of sand to demonstrate that they were

countless.

There was a King, they explained, who held

hia court in

THE CAROLINE AND PELEW ISLANDS.

whom the chiefs were subject.

Among these castaways was

the Island of Lamurrec, to

respected and obeyed him.
his wife

39
They much

a chief, with

the daughter of the King.

The men had

a leaf-fibre garment around their loins, and to

it

was

attached a piece of stuff in front, which was thrown over the shoulders

and hung loose

The women were

at the back.

dressed

same as

the

The

the men, except that their loin vestment reached to their knees.

King's daughter wore, moreover, tortoise-shell ornaments.

They were

when they saw

afraid

having no quadrupeds.

Their mark of

whom

the person

their Island

Their sole occupation consisted in providing

food for their families.

iiand of

cow and a dog,

courtesy was to take

they :saluted and pass

it

the

softly over the

face.

The

priest

gave them pieces of

had been of gold, and

arms were

which they prized as

with them under their heads.

slept

lances, with

iron,

human bones

for points.

if

Their only

They seemed

a pacific people, intelligent and well-proportioned physically.

sexes wore long hair

down

Very content

find

to

they

to be

Both

to their shoulders.

much luxury

so

return and bring their people to trade.

in

Samar, they offered to

The

Jesuits considered this

a capital pretext for subjecting their Islands, and the Government

At the instance of the Pope, the King ordered the

Oovernor-General, Domingo Zabiilburu, to send out expeditions in

approved of

it.

quest of these Islands

efforts

were made

to

and, between 1708 and 1710, several unsuccessful

come

across them.

named San Andres.

discovered, and

In 1710, two islands were

Several canoes arrived alongside

of the ship, and the occupants accepted the Commander's invitation to

<;ome on board.

They

Avere

much

astonished to see

smoke, and admired the iron fastenings of the vessel.

near shore, they

all

began

to dance, clapping their

the Spaniards

When

hands

they got

to beat time.

They measured the ship, and wondered where such a large piece of
wood could have come from. They counted the crew, and presented
them with cocoa-nuts, fish, and herbs from their canoes. The vessel
anchored near to the shore, but there was a strong current and a fresh

However, two

wind blowing,

so that

priests insisted

upon erecting a cross on the shore, and were accompanied

it

was imprudent

by the quarter-master and an

officer

to disembark.

of

the troops.

The weather

compelled the master to weigh anchor, and the vessel set

sail,

leaving

40

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

on land the four Eiiropeaus,

were nUimatelj murdered.

avIio

For a

quarter of a ccutury these Islands were lost again to the Spaniards.

In 1721 two Caroline prahus were wafted to the Ladrone Islands,

The

Avhere D. Luiz Sanchez was Governor.

Caroline Islanders had no

idea where they had landed, and were quite surprised

the priest.

He

them over

to the

in vain

forcibly detained these unfortunate people,

whom

Governor,

prisoners, until

it

suited the

tliey

but

all

There they remained

Governor's convenience to send a vessel

The

with a priest to their Island.

priest Avent to their Island,

thence to Manila, where a fresh expedition was

fitted

out.

after

tlicir

arrival.

and

was

It

whom

headed by a missionary, and included a number of soldiers

natives massacred soon

hcheld

and handed

they entreated, Avith tears

be allowed to return to their homes.

to

when

the

All further attempt to

subdue the Caroline Islands was necessarily postponed.

The
vague

had no religion at

natives, at that time,

were, in a

Their wise men communicated with the

sense, polytheists.

They were

souls of the defunct.

or

all,

polygamists, but had a horror of

adultery.

Divorce was at once granted by the chiefs on proof of

infidelity.

They

In each island there was a chief,

cannibals.

Avere

regarded as a semi-spiritual being, to

Huts were found used

obedient.

winds and currents were studied.

hatchets

the natives were profoundly

where also the

as astrological schools,

They made

cloth of plantain-iibre

Between sunset and sunrise they

Avith stone heads.

When war was

whom

declared between tAvo A'illages or tribes, each formed

three lines of warriors,

1st,

young men

2nd,

tall

men

men
A man

3rd, old

then the combatants pelted each other Avith stones and lances.
hors de combat Avas replaced by one of the back

When

slept

one party acknoAvledged

file

coming forward.

themselves Aanquished,

it

an

A\'as

imderstood privilege of the victors to shower invectives on their retiring

adversaries.

They

quadrupeds and

Many

fruits,

roots

and

fish.

it

There

Avcre

natiA^e

in

no

no agriculture.

Spanish descendants Avere found, purely

and

habits,

lived on

Avas

their

remembered that about the year 1566, several

Spaniards from an expedition Avent iishore on some islands, supposed to

be these.

The
islets,

Carolines and PelcAvs comprise some 48 groups of islands and

making a

Ladrone Islands

total
is

of

of about 500.

Their relative position to the

the former, from

S.W.

stretching to S.E.

of

CAROLINE ISLANDS
The

POSSESSION DISPUTED.

41

Pelew Ishiuds are Babel-Druap and

Kosor Yap aud Pouape (Aseuciou) are the most important of the
The centres of Government (vide Chap. XIII.) are
Caroliues.

the

latter,

8.W.

principal

respectively in

Yap and Babel-Druap, with

Eastern Caroliues iu Pouape

Goverumeut

in

The

Manila.

ail

a Yice-Governor of the

formerly dependent ou the Geueral-

Caroliues aud PelcAvs were iucluded in

the Bishopric of Cebii, aud were subject, judicially, to the

Supreme

Court of Manila.

These Islands were subsequently many times

visited

by ships

of

other nations, aud a barter trade gradually spruug up iu dried cocoa-nut

kernels

aud

America.

fruit (coprah)

the

for

extraction of

oil

in

Europe aud

Later on, Avhen the natives Avere thoroughly accustomed to

American, aud German traders established

the foreigners, British,

themselves on shore, and, up to the present, vessels continue to arrive

with European aud American manufactures

to

exchange

for the coprah,'

which they carry aAvay.

Anglo-American missionaries have

number of natives
books

in

settled

there,

and

profess Christianity in the Protestant form.

great

Religious

native dialect, published in Honolulu (Sandwich Islands) by

the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, are distributed by the American

missionaries.

have one before

me now,

entitled

Kapas

describing incidents from the Old Testament.

Fel,

Puk Eu^

few of the natives

make themselves understood iu English. Besides cocoa-nuts, the

Islands produce Rice, Yams, Bread-fruit (riina), Sugar Cane, &c.
The chief article of export trade is Coprah. Until 1886 there was no
can

Government, except that of several petty kings or

still

rules

over his

own

tribe,

chiefs,

each of whom

although the Protestant missionaries

exercise a considerable social influence.

Whilst I was
I

was

startled

Germany.

iu

China

by rumours
Spanish

Mauila from America,

in 1885, returning to

of expected hostilities betn^een Spain

naval

officer,

named

Capriles,

and

having been

appointed Governor of the Islands, arrived at Yap, ostensibly with the

object of landing to hoist the Spanish flag as a signal of possession, for
it

was known

iu oflicial quarters

claim sovereignty.

'

that the

Germans were about

to

However, three days were squandered (perhaps

The average estimated

yield of the cocoa-nuts

is

as follows, viz.

give one cwt. of dried coprah, yielding say 10 gallons of

oil.

2,30

nuts

12

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

intentionally) in trivial formalities,

the

"

and whilst two Spanish men-o'-war

Manila " and the " San Quintiu " were already anchored

German warship

the Port of Yap, the

in

"

litis

" entered,

landed

marines, and hoisted their national flag, whilst the Spaniards looked

Then

on.

the

Quintin " to

been taken

tell

in the

German Commander went on hoard the " San

the Commander that possession of the Islands had
name of the Emperor of Germany. Neither Capriles,

the appointed Governor, nor Espaiia, the

Commander

of the "

San

Quintin " made any opposition, and as we can hardly attribute their
inactivity to cowardice (for surely Spanish valour has not degenerated
to

such a degree),

we can

Government's instructions.

and were both rewarded

to the

was

only

suppose that they followed their

for their inaction

Government of Mindoro Island.

circulated,

that the

Espana returned

Capriles and
;

the former being appointed

In Manila, a ridiculous report

Germans contemplated an attack upon the

Earthworks were thrown up outside the

cannons were mounted, and the cry of invasion resounded
Philippines.

Colony.

Hundreds

of families fled from the capital

adjacent provinces, and the personal safety of the

menaced by individual

to Manila,

city
all

wall

over the

and environs to

German

residents

was

patriotic enthusiasts.

In Madrid, popular

followed the publication of the incident.

riots

The German Embassy was

assaulted,

and

escutcheon was burnt in

its

the streets by the indignant mob, although, probably, not five per cent,
of the rioters had any idea

where the Caroline Islands were, or anything

Spain acted so feebly, and Germany so vigorously, in this

about them.
affiiir,

that

many asked

was

it

not due to a secret entente cnrdiale

between the respective Ministries, disrupted only by the weight of

Spanish public opinion ? Diplomatic notes Avere exchanged between

Madrid and
<lignity

Berlin,

from an

and Germany, anxious

affair

over which

it

to

withdraw with apparent

was probably never intended

to

waste powder and shot, referred the question to the Pope, who arbitrated
in favour of Spain.

But

for these events,

it

is

probable that Spain would never have

done anything to demonstrate possession of the Caroline Islands, and,

for 16 months after the question was solved by Pontific mediation,
there

and

was a Spanish Governor

officials,

in

but no Government.

everybody continued

to

Yap Sr.

No

do as heretofore.

Elisa

few

troops

laws were promulgated, and

FIGHTING IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS.

Ponape

la

(Asencion

A few

Governor.

were

sent

Friars

there

European

compete with the

to

took place, and the Governor

tactless

a prisoner

sent

American

well known

Protestant

Manila as crack-brained

the chief Protestant missionary, Mr. E. T. Doane,

Ponape by the Governor-General,

to

in

meanest

collision naturally

He was

Manila on the 16th of June, 1887.*

to

appointed

of the

ecclesiastics

missionaries in the salvation of natives' souls.

and

was

Posadillo

Sr.

troops were stationed there under a sub-lieutenant,

whilst some Capuchin

type

Island)

43

sent back

during his absence, the

but,

eccentric Posadillo exercised a most arbitrary authority over the natives.

The

chiefs

were compelled

were formed

into gangs, to

to serve

work

him

convicts

like

and their subjects

as menials,

native teachers were

suspended from their duties under threat, and the Capuchins disputed
the possession of land, and attempted to coerce the natives to accept
their religion.

On

the 1st of July the natives did not return to their bondage,

all

the soldiers, led by the sub-lieutenaut, were sent to bring them

and
in

by

man, were

The

force.

and the

fight ensued,

mortally

killed or

officer

wounded by

and

troops, to the last

clubs, stones

astonished Governor fortified his place, which

The

the enemy.

arms.

roadstead,

in

Maria de Molina " anchored in the

D''.

and the Capuchins

was surrounded by

Nott and Jockets were up

tribes of the chiefs

There was the hulk "

and knives.

to

fled

on the

it

first

alarm.

The

Governor escaped from his house on the night of the 4th of July with
his companions,
to the hulk .

natives,

On

who

and rushed

to the sea,

But who knows

killed

them

" San

three men-o'-war were

and his partisans were chased by

all.

the 21st of September, the

by the man-o'-war

He

probably intending to swim out

news

of the tragedy reached Manila

About six weeks afterwards,

Ponape with infantry, artillery, a

Quiutin "

sent to

mountain battery, and a section of Engineers

but on

their arrival they

which had hastened on

to protect

American

to

is

The Spaniards

a few accused individuals,

100 men, under a Captain and subordinate

Mr. Doane

interests.

they brought to Manila, and the garrison of

about 558 men

the " Essex "

total of

met an American warship

limited their operations to the seizure of

whom

Yap was

increased

The

prisoners

officers.

reported to have died in Honolulu about June 1890.

44

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

were

Manila by court-martial, aud I acted as interpreter. It

was foimd that they had only been loyal to the bidding of their chiefs,
tried in

and Tvere not morally culpable, whilst the action of the late Governor
of Ponape met with
general reprobation.
Public opinion gave
expression to the

own

little

sympathy due

to a

man who had

expiated his

imprudence.

Again,

July 1890, a party of

in

5-i

soldiers,

under Lieutenant

Porras, Avhilst engaged in felling timber in the forest,

was attacked by

the Malatana (Caroline) tribe, Avho killed the officer and 27 of his men.

The news was

Home Government,

telegraphed to the

great sensation in Madrid.

and caused a

couference of Ministers was at once held.

Professional politicians in the Spanish metropolis

made an attempt,

through the public journals, to gain something for their respective

parties from the occurrence
whilst the Canovas Ministry cabled to the

Governor-General Weyler discretionary power

Within a

fev^

months, troops were sent from

Instead, however, of chastising the

were repulsed

1)y

War

punish these Islanders.

jNIauila for that purpose.

Kanakas, the Government forces

tbem with great slaughter.

arrangements were most deficient

who commanded

to

the expedition,

was

my

The commissariat

friend Colonel Gutierrez Soto,

so inadequately supported

by the

Department, that, yielding to despair, and crestfallen by reason of

the open

aud adverse criticism

of his

himself.

-"'-

plan

of

campaign

he

shot

HAPT ER

ATTEMPTED CONQUEST BY CHINESE.

On

General Legaspi, the Government of the Colonj-

tbc death of

was assumed by the

Royal

Guido

Treasiirer,

de

Lavezares,

iu

conformity with the scaled instructions from the Supremo Court of

Mexico, which were now opened.

During

this period,

the possession

was unsuccessfidly disputed by a rival expedition under

the command of a Chinaman, Li-ma-houg, whom the Spaniards were

of the Islands

pleased to term a pirate, forgetting, perhaps, that they themselves had

only recently wrested the country from

of mio-ht against right.

On

its

former possessors by virtue

the coasts of his native country be bad

For the many depredations committed by him

indeed been a pirate.

against private traders and property, the Celestial Emperor, failing to

catch him by cajolery, outlawed him.

Born

in the port of

Tiuchiu, Li-ma-hong at an early age evinced a

martial spirit and joined a band of corsairs which for a long time had

been the terror of the China coasts.

was unanimously
length,

pursued

elected
in

all

On

leader of the

directions

the demise of his chief he

At

buccaneering cruisers.

by the imperial ships of war,

he

Presumably

determined to attempt the conquest of the Philippines.

the same incentives which impelled the Spanish mariners to conquer

lands and overthrow dynasties

awakened a
spirit of

like

the age.'

the vision of wealth, glory and empire,

ambition iu the Chinese adventurer.

Iu his sea-wanderings he happened

It

was the

to fall in

with

a Chinese trading junk returning from Manila with the proceeds of

1 Guido de Lfirer-ares
deposed a Sultan in Borneo in order to aid another to
the throne, and even asked permission of King Philip II. to conquer China whicli
Yid<' also the history of the destruction of the
of course was not conceded to him.

Aztec (Mexican) and Incaa (Peruvian) dynasties by the Spaniards.

46

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
This he seized, and the captive crew were

her cargo sold there.

constrained

them he
of

encounter

His

how

learnt

foreigners

district,

pilot his

to

fleet

easily the natives

the

probable

the defences

and the nature

having on board 2,000

had been plundered by a handful

extent of

established

the

wealth and resources of the

sailors,

war ships

armed junks, well found,

or

2,000 soldiers, 1,500 women, a number

of artisans, and all that could be conveniently carried with

gain and organize his

anchor

might

he

opposition

the

of its inhabitants.

consisted of 62

fleet

From

towards the capital of Luzon.

new Kingdom.

On

way

its

which

to

the squadron cast

the Province of Ilocos Sur, where a fcAv troops were sent

ofi*

ashore to get provisions.

the village and set

fire to

Whilst returning to the junks, they sacked

the huts.

The news

of this outrage

was

Juan Salcedo, Avho had been pacifying the

Northern Provinces since July, 1572, and was at the time in Villa
Li-ma-hong continued his course
Fernandina (now called Vigau).
communicated

hastily

to

until calms compelled his ships to anchor in

(Ilocos coast),

Juan Salcedo, who

orders of

Under

where a few Spanish

his direction,

still

was

were stationed under the

soldiers
in the

preparations were

the roads of Caoayan

immediate town of Vigan.

made

to prevent the

set

sail

Salcedo,

Avhilst

naturally supposing

his

enemy

He

entering the river, but such was not Li-ma-hong's intention.

again

course would be

towards Manila, also started at the same time for the capital with
the fighting

Vigan and

On
Bay

men he

of Manila,

of

November, 1574, the squadron arrived

and Li-ma-hong sent forward

at the

the Spaniards.
in

to garrison

protect the State interests there.

the 29th

Japanese

men

could collect, leaving only 30

all

head of 600 fighting men

to

in

his Lieutenant Sioco

the

demand the surrender

of

strong gale however destroyed several of his junks,

which about 200 men perished.

With

the remainder he reached the coast at Paraiiaque, a village

a few miles south of Manila.

Thence, with tow

lines,

the 400 soldiers

hauled their junks up to the beach of the capital.

Already at the village of Malate the alarm was

raised,

but the

Spaniards could not give credit to [the reports, and no resistance was
offered until the

Chinese were within the gates of the

de Goiti, the Maestre de Campo, second

was

the

first

victim of the attack,,

in

command

city.

to the

Martin

Governor,

FAILURE OF CHINESE ATTACK ON MANILA.

The

flames and

smoke

arising from

47

burning residence were the

his

which the Governor received of what was going on.

The Spaniards took refuge in the Fort of Santiago, which the Chinese

first

indications

were on the point of taking by storm, when their attention was drawn
elsewhere by the arrival of fresh troops led by a Spanish sub-lieutenant.

Under the mistaken impression

that these were

formidable corps, Sioco sounded the retreat.

combat followed, and with great

the vanguard of a

difficulty the

bloody hand-to-hand

Chinese collected their

dead and regained their junks.

In the meantime Li-ma-houg, with the reserved forces, was lying
in the roadstead of Cavite,

and Sioco hastened

to report to

him the

which had cost the invader over one hundred dead

and more than that number wounded. Thereupon Li-ma-hong resolved
result of the attack,

to rest his troops

and renew the

conflict in

two days' time under

The next day Juan Salcedo

personal supervision.

arrived by sea with

reinforcements from Vigan, and preparations were unceasingly

the expected encounter.

Campo, vacant

of the defence

was entrusted

By

made for

Salcedo having been appointed to the

of Maestre de

his

office

since the death of Goiti, the organisation

to his

immediate care.

daybreak on the 3rd of December, the enemy's

fleet

hove

to off

the capital, Avhere Li-ma-hong harangued his troops, Avhilst the cornets

and drums of the Spaniards were sounding the alarm for their fighting

men to assemble in the fort.

Then 1,500 chosen men, well armed, were disembarked under the
leadership of Sioco, who swore to take the place or die in the attempt.
The

Sioco separated his forces into three divisions.

to,

and Sioco advanced towards the

fort, into

city

was

set fire

which hand-grenades were

thrown, whilst Li-ma-hong supported the attack with his ships' cannon.
Sioco, with his division, at length entered the fort,

to-hand fight ensued.

fought like a

For a while the issue was doubtful.

Even

lion.

profiting

The Spaniards

finally

the Chinese were repulsed with great slaughter,

and their leader having been

Salcedo,

Salcedo

the aged Governor was well at the front

to encourage the deadly struggle for existence.

gained the victory

and a hand-

by the

killed,

confusion,

they

fled

in complete disorder.

now took

the offensive

and

followed up the enemy, pursuing them along the sea-shore, where they

were joined by the third division, which had remained inactive.

The

panic of the Chinese spread rapidly, and Li-ma-hong, in despair, landed

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

48

another contingent of about 500 men, whilst he

continued afloat,

still

but even with this reinforcement the morale of his army could not be
regained.

The

'Chinese troops

therefore,

harassed

retreat on board the fleet,

precipitate

on

all

and Li-ma-hong

sides,

set

made a
again

sail

west coast of the island. Foiled in the attempt to possess

himself of Manila, Li-ma-hong determined to set up his capital in
In a few days he arrived at the mouth of the Agno
other parts.
for the

River, in the province

of Pangasinan,

to the

where he proclaimed

The
natives that he had gained a signal victory over the Spaniards.
inhabitants there, having no particular choice between two masters,
received Li-ma-hong with Avelcome, and he thereupon set about the
foundation of his new capital some four miles from the mouth of the

Months passed before the Spaniards came

river.

the

Feeling

invader.

Chinese had built

leno-th

themselves secure in their

new

abode, the

dwellings, a small fortress, a pagoda, etc.

expedition Avas despatched

an

Salcedo.

many

in force to dislodge

This Avas composed of

under the command of Juan

about

2.50

Spaniards

and 1,600

The

natives well equipped Avith small arms, ammunition and artillery.

floAver of

the Spanish Colony, accompanied

Rajah

Tondo,

cf

made a bold

set

by two

priests

come

to terms

and the

Li-ma-hong

out to expel the formidable foe.

resistance and refused to

At

with Salcedo.

In

the meantime, the Viceroy of Fokien, having heard of Li-ma-hong's

daring exploits, had commissioned a ship of Avar to discover the

The envoy

whereabouts of his imperial master's old enemy.

received Avlth delight by the Spaniards, Avho invited

them to Manila
Li-ma-houg

him

to

Avas

accompany

to iuterA^ew the Governor.

still

held

out,

but perceiving

that

an

irresistible

onslaught Avas being projected against him by Salcedo's party, he very

cunningly and quite unexpectedly gave them the slip, and sailed out
of the river with his ships by one of the

mouths unknown

to his

In order to divert the attention of the Spaniards, Li-ma-houg

Of course, on
ino-eniously feigned an assault in an opoosite quarter.
enemies.'

he had to abandon the troops employed in this manoeuvre.

These losing all hope, and having indeed nothing but their lives to
his escape,

According to Juan dc la Concepcion, in his " Hist. Gen. de Philipinas,"

for his ships to
Vol. I., page 431, Li-ma-hong made his escape by cutting a canal
circumstancfia.
under
the
pass through, but this appears to me highly improbable
*

DELIVERANCE FROM THE CHINESE.

Hence,

fight for, fled to the mountains.

it

is

popuhuiy supposed that

from these fugitives descends the race of people

distinguishahle

by

eyes and

oblique

their

49

in

that province

known by

the

still

name

of

Igorrote-Chinese.
"

Aide

Dleii iaidera "

toi et

is

an old French maxim, but the

Spaniards chose to attribute their deliverance from their Chinese rival

to the friendly intervention of Saint

Andrew.

This Saint Avas declared

thenceforth to be the Patron Saint of Manila, and in his honour

Mass

is

celebrated in the Cathedi-al at 8 a.m. on the 30th of each

November.

It is

a public holiday and gala-day,

when

military and religious authorities attend the

civil,

High

all

the highest

Funcion votiva de

San Andres. This opportunity to assert the supremacy of ecclesiastical

power was not lost to the Church, and for many years it was the
custom after hearing Mass, to spread the Spanish national flag on the
floor of the
it.

It has

Cathedral for the metropolitan Archbishop to walk over

been asserted, however, that a few years ago the Governor-^

General refused to witness this antiquated formula which,

least,

Latterly

no longer obtains.

Standard before the

it

Avas the practice to carry the

Both before and

altar.

in public

after the

Mayor

City, stood on the altar floor, raised his hat three times,

public,

he repeated

this

Image

ceremony.

Royal Standard was borne

of

On

in procession

Royal

Mass, the bearer,

(Alferez Real), wearing his hat and accompanied by the

times dipped the flag before the

a-i

of ther

and three

Christ, then, facing the

Saint AndrcAv's Eve, the

from the Cathedral through

the principal streets of the city, escorted by civil functionaries and

folloAved

del

by a band

of music.

This ceremony was known as the Paseo

Real Pcndon.
According

Juan de

to

la

Concepcion, the Rajahs^

Soliman and

Lacandola took advantage of these troubles to raise a rebellion against

the

The

Spaniards.

natives

maltreated the priests, but

by a detachment of

The Governor

all

too

of

Mindoro Island revolted and

these disturbances were speedily quelled:

soldiers.

willingly accepted the offer of the

commander

of

the Chinese man-o'-Avar to couA^ey ambassadors to his country to visit

the Viceroy and

make

a commercial treaty.

Therefore tAVO priests,

Martin Rada and Geronimo Martin, were commissioned to carry a

Other authors assert that only Soliman rebelled.

50

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

who

greeting and presents to this personage,

letter of

with great

received them

distinction, but objected to their residing in the country.

After the defeat of Li-ma-hong, Juan Salcedo again set out to the

Northern Provinces of Luzon Island,

On

the natives to submission.

fever near

Vigan (then

of Ilocos Sur.

were placed

to continue his task of

the 11th of March, 1576, he died of

called Villa Fernandina), capital of the Province

year afterwards, what could be found of his bones

in the ossuary of his illustrious grandfather, Legaspi, in

His

the Augustine Chapel of Saint Fausto, Manila.

which had been

by the natives

carried off

recovered in spite of
small

reducing

threats

all

skull,

however,

of Ilocos, could not

and promises.

In Vigan there

*******

monument

warrior, and there

raised
is

to

commemorate the deeds

also a street bearing his

of this

is

be
a

famous

name.

For several years following these events, the question of prestige

in the civil aft'airs

of the colony

was acrimoniously contested by the

Governor-General, the Supreme Court and the ecclesiastics.

The Governor was

censured by his opponents for alleged undue

exercise of arbitrary authority.

The Supreme

Court, established on

the Mexican model, was reproached with seeking to overstep the limits
of

its

functions.

Every

legal

quibble

was adjusted by a

process, impracticable in a colony yet in

justice

was indispensable

for

understood by the masses.

infancy, Avhere

the maintenance

But the

of order imperfectly

itself.

Kor was

this state of

improved by the growing discontent and immoderate ambition of

the clergy,

who

unremittingly urged their pretensions to immunity from

State control, affirming the supramundane condition of their

An
in

summary

fault laid less with the justices

than with the constitution of the Court

affairs

its

dilatory

office.

excellent code of laws, called the Leyes de Indias, in force

Mexico, Avas adopted here, but modifications in harmony with the

special

conditions of this colony Avere urgently necessary, whilst all

the branches of government called for reorganization or reform.

these circumstances, the Bishop of Manila,
initiative in
firstly to

commissioning a

the Viceroy of

priest.

Domingo

Salazar, took the

Fray Alonso Sanchez,

Mexico and afterwards

Under

to the

King

to repair

of Spain,

to expose the grievances of his party.

Alonso Sanchez

left

the Philippines

M-ith

his

procurator-general for the Augustine order of monks.

appointment

As

as

the execution

FRAY ALONSO SANCHEz's MISSION TO SPAIN.

of the proposed reforms, which he was

Majesty, would,
his

first

Colony

His

to lay before

conceded, be entrusted to the Government of Mexico,

was

care

and

if

charged

51

the Viceroy of

to seek the partisanship of

in this

Thence he continued

he succeeded.

his

that

journey

where the Court happened to be, arriving there in September,

He was at once granted an audience of the King, to present his

to Seville,

1587.

credentials

and memorials relative

to Philippine aifairs in general,

and native matters

ecclesiastical, judicial, military

and

The

in particular.

King promised to peruse all the documents, but suffering from gout,
and having so many and distinct State concerns to attend to, the
Finally, Sanchez sought a minister

negotiations were greatly delayed.

easy access to the Royal

who had

obtained from the

to

King permission

to

apartments, and this personage

examine

tlie

documents and hand

a succinct resume of the whole for His Majesty's consideration.

him

commission

Avas

then

appointed,

including

Sanchez, and the

deliberations lasted five months.

At

this period, public opinion in the

Spanish Universities was very

divided with respect to Catholic missions in the Indies.

Some maintained

that the propaganda of the faith ought to be

purely Apostolic, such

as

Christ taught to

Jesus

his

disciples,

inculcating doctrines of humility and poverty without arms or violence,

and

if,

nevertheless, the heathens refused to

welcome

peace, the missionaries should simply abandon

them

this mission of

in silence without

further demonstration than that of shaking the dust off their feet.

Others held, and amongst them was Sanchez, that such a method

was

useless

relio"ion

and impracticable, and that

upon primitive races

using any violence to enforce

Much

ill-feeling

distinct theories.

Our Lady

it

was

justifiable to force their

at the point of the

its

sword

if

necessary,

acceptance.

was aroused

in

the discussion of these two and

Juan Volante, a Dominican Friar

of the

Convent of

of Atocha, presented a petition against the views of the

Sanchez faction, declaring that the idea of ingrafting religion with the
Fray Juan Volante was so importunate,
aid of arms was scandalous.
that

he had to be heard in Council, but neither party yielded.

At

Macao and Malacca

influenced the King to

length, the intervention of the Bishops of Manila,

and several captains and governors

in the Indies

put an end to the controversy, on the ground that

it

would lead to no

good.

52

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The King retired to the Monastery of the

was cited to meet him there to learn the Royal

Sanchez

Eseorial, aud

About the same

will.

time the news reached the King of the loss of the so-called Invincibk

Armada, sent under the command

of the incompetent

Notwithstanding

Sidonia to annex England.

this

Duke

Medina

of

severe blow to the

vain ambition of Philip, the affairs of the Philippines were delayed but

On

a short time.

the basis of the recommendation of the junta, the

Royal Assent was given

significant articles are the following,

by the King

this tribute, eight reales

were

namely

The

tribute

commodity and part

unsubjected

still

in the

in

other.

to be applied to

Full tribute was not to be exacted

the maintenance of the soldiery.

from the natives

fixed

to be paid to the Treasury, one half

and clergy, and one-and-a-half reales

real to the bishop

was

annum, payable by the natives

at ten reales (5/-) per

gold, silver, or grain, or part in one

Of

which the most

to an important decree, of

Crown.

the

to

Until

their

confidence and loyalty should be gained by friendly overtures, they were

to

pay a small recognition of vassalage, and subsequently the tribute

common with

in

the rest.

Instead of one-fifth value of gold and hidden treasure due to His

Majesty {real quintd), he would henceforth receive only one-tenth

of such value, excepting that of gold,

which the natives wovild be

permitted to extract free of rebate.

A
sold,

customs duty of

and

this

ad valorem was

3/^

be paid on merchandise

to

duty was to be spent on the army.

Export duty was

to

be paid on goods shipped to

New

Spain

(Mexico), and this impost was also to be exclusively spent on the armed
forces.

The number

European troops

of

men-at-arms, divided into six

in the

Colony was fixed

Captain

corporal $7, rank aud

file

400

each under a captain, a

companies,

sub-lieutenant, a sergeant, and tAvo corporals.

as follows, namely

at

Their pay was to be

$35, sub-lieutenant $20, sergeant $10,

$6 per month

besides which, an annual

gratuity of $10,000 was to be proportionately distributed to alL

Recruits from Mexico

were not

to

enlist

under the age of lo

years.

The Captain-General was

(Halberdiers") with the

command

pay

to

have

a body-guard

of

24

men

of those of the line, under the immediate

of a Captain to be paid

$15 per month.

53

INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION.

due

Salaries due to State employes were to be punctually paid

when

were

to be

and when funds were wanted

for that purpose, they

supplied from Mexico.

The King made a donation of $12,000, which, with another like

sum to be contributed by the Spaniards themselves, would serve
their

to liquidate

incurred on

debts

their

occupation of

first

the

Islands.

The Governor and Bishop were recommended to consider the project

of a refuge for young Spanish women arrived from Spain, and to study
the question of dowries for native women married to poor Spaniards.
The offices of Secretaries and Notaries were no longer to be sold,
but conferred on persons

The governors were

who

merited such appointments.

instructed not to

relations, servants or friends, but

make

solely to

grants of land to their

those

resided at least three years in the islands, and have

Any

so conceded.

should have

worked the lands

grants which might have already been

relations of the governors or magistrates

The

who

were

made

to the

to be cancelled.

rent paid by the Chinese for the land they occupied

was

to

be applied to the necessities of the capital.

The Governor and Bishop were to enjoin the judges not to permit
costly law-suits, but to execute summary justice verbally, and so far as
possible, fines Avere not to be inflicted.

The City
against

all

of

Manila was

to

be fortified in a manner to ensure

it

further attacks or risings.

Four penitentiaries were

most convenient

established in the Islands

places, with the necessary garrisons,

galleys and frigates well

English corsairs

to be

armed and ready

who might come by way

for

and six

in the

to eight

defence against the

of the Moluccas.

In the most remote and unexplored parts of the Islands, the

Governor was

to

have unlimited powers

to act as

he should please,

without consulting His Majesty; but projected enterprises of conversion,

pacification, &c., at the

expense of the Royal Treasury, Avere

submitted to a Council comprising the Bishop, the captains, &c.

Governor

Avas authorised to capitulate

who might care

own account, and

to

be

The

and agree with the captains and

others

to

undertake couA'ersions and pacifications on

their

to

concede the

title

of

Maestre de Campo to

such persons, on condition that such capitulations should be forwarded

to

His Majesty for

ratification.

54

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.
Only those persons domiciled

in the Islands

would be permitted

to trade with them.

sum

was

of $1,000

Royal Treasury

to be taken

from the tributes paid into the

for the foundation of the Hospital for the Spaniards,

and the annual sum of $600, appropriated by the Governor for

was confirmed.

support,

Moreover, theEoyal Treasury of Mexico was

to send clothing to the value of

The Hospital
of

$600

Mexico

400 ducats for the Hospital use.

for the natives

was

to receive

an annual donation

support, and an immediate supply of clothing from

for its

to the value of $200.

Slaves held by Spaniards were to be immediately set at liberty.

was thenceforth

native

to

make

The bondage

declared free.

slaves.

of all existing slaves from ten years of

twenty years of age were to serve

At any

would be

No

All new-born natives were

age was to cease on their attaining twenty years of age.

free.

its

five years longer,

time, notwithstanding

the foregoing

Those above

and then become

conditions, they

entitled to purchase their liberty, the price of

which was

to

be determined by the Governor and the Bishop.^

There being no
natives, the clergy

above mentioned

tithes

were

the

maintenance the half real

from the tribute paid by each native

When

the Spaniards should have crops, they

tithes to the clergy.

A grant was
of

to receive for their

in lieu thereof,

subjected to the Crown.

were to pay

payable to the Church by Spaniards or

made

Cathedral,

of 12,000 ducats for the building

and ornaments

and an immediate advance of 2,000 ducats on

account of this grant was made from the funds to be I'emitted from

Mexico.
Forty Austin Friars were to be sent at once to the Philippines,

The King
allowed $500 to be paid against the $1,000 passage money for each
priest, the balance to be defrayed out of the common funds of the

to

be followed by missionaries from other corporations.

clergy, derived from their share of the tribute.

Bondage in the Philippines was apparently not so necessary for the interests
Church as it was in Cuba, where a commission of Friars, appointed soon

of the

after the discovery of the island, to deliberate on the policy of partially permitting

slavery there, reported " that the Indians would not labour without compulsion
" and that, unless they laboured, they could not be brought into communication

Vide W. H. Prescott's
the whites, nor be converted to Christianity."
" Hist, of the Confiuest of Mexico," torn. II., Chap. I., page 104, ed. 1878.

" with

MENDICANT AND AUGUSTINE FRIARS.

Missionaries

numbers

great

in

had

already

Philippines and roamed wherever they thought

55

flocked

the

to

without license

fit,

from the Bishop, whose authority they utterly repudiated.

Affirming that they had the direct consent of His Holiness

flie

Pope, they menaced with excommunication whosoever attempted to

impede them
foundation

in

free

their

Manila, the

of

niggardly mendicant

city

Friars,

countrymen

supercilious

in

Five

peregrination.

years

the

after

and environs were infested with

Avhoso

ridicule

placed

habits

slothful

They were

before the natives.

tolerated but a short time in the Islands

their

not altogether because of

they would have brought to European moral influence on

the ruin

the untutored tribes, but because the Bishop was highly jealous of

competition against the

all

Augustine order to which he belonged.

Consequent on the representations

Majesty ordained that

in

the

first

all priests

Fray Alonso Sanchez, His

who went to the Philippines were,
of

place, to resolve never to

quit the Islands without the

Bishop's sanction, which was to be conceded with great circumspection

and only in extreme

afford

them means

cases, whilst the

of exit

Governor was instructed not

to

on his sole authority.

Neither did the Bishop regard with satisfaction the presence of the

Commissary of the Inquisition, whose

secret investigations, shrouded

with mystery, curtailed the liberty of the

or

At

civil.

the instigation of Fray Alonso

recommended the King

were

to recall the

but he refused to do

office,

to

loftiest functionary, sacred

so.

Sanchez, the junta

Commissary and extinguish the

In short, the chief aims of the Bishop

enhance the power of the Friars, raise the dignity of the

Colonial mitre, and secure a religious

monopoly

for

the

Augustine

order.

Gomez Perez
Islands, on the

Instructions

mentioned

At

Dasmariiias was the next Govei'nor appointed to these

recommendation of Fray Alonso Sanchez.

which he brought with him were embodied

civil, ecclesiastical

the same time.

King

In the Royal
all

the above-

and military reforms.

Philip abolished the Supreme Court.

He

wished to put an end to the interminable lawsuits so prejudicial to the

development of the Colony.

Therefore the President and Magistrates

were replaced by Justices of the Peace, and the former returned

Mexico

in

1591.

This measure served only

between the Bishop and the Civil Government.

to

to

widen the breach

Dasraarifias corapeUed

56
him
no

rniLirriNE islands.

to

keep within the sphere of his sacerdotal functious, and tolerated

rival in State concerns.

the Governor's authority.

Bishop

There was no appeal on the spot against

This restraint

to such a degree, that, at the

present

himself at the

irritated

and disgusted the

age of 78 years, he resolved

Spanish Court.

On

explained to the King the impossibility of

his

arrival

there,

to

he

one Bishop attending to

the spiritual wants of a people dispersed over so

many

For

islands.

seven years after the foundation of Manila as capital of the Archipelago,

its

church was simply a parish church.

principal

raised

to

In 1578

was

it

the dignity of a Cathedral, at the instance of the King.

Three years

Cathedral of Manila was solemnlv

"
declared to be a
Suffragan Cathedral of Mexico, under the Advocation
of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception " Domingo Salazar being
after this date the

the

first

He now

Bishop consecrated.

proposed to raise the Manila

See to an Archbishopric, with three Suffragan Bishops.

his consent, subject to approval

course, Salazar

was appointed

from Rome, and

first

The King gave

this following in

due

Archbishop of Manila, but he died

before the Papal Bull arrived, dated 14th of August, 1595, officially

authorising his investiture.

In the meantime, Alonso Sanchez had proceeded

Amongst many

1589.

any form with one or more images,

in

May,

i;se

a die or stamp of

be chosen by the holder, and to

to

contain also the Figure of Christ, the

On

Kome

other Pontifical favours conceded to him, he

obtained the right for himself, or his assigns, to

Peter or Paul.

to

Very Holy Virgin,

or the Saint

the reverse was to be engraven a bust portrait

His Holiness, with the following indulgences attached thereto,

viz.
" To him who should convey the word of God to the infidels,
of

" or give them notice of the holy mysteries

" indulgence.

To him

" or brought him to

" sins."

number

to be rendered to the

Nosters and

Ave

each

time 300 years'

by industry, converted any one of these,

the bosom of the Church full indulgence for all
Avho,

of

minor indulgences were conceded for services

and for the praying so many Pater

This Bull was dated in Pome 28tli of

Pontificate,

Marias.

July, 1591.

Popes Gregory XIV, and Innocent IX. granted other Bulls relating
to the rewards for using beads, medals, crosses, pictures, blessed images,
etc.,

with which one could gain nine plenary indulgences every day

or rescue nine souls from purgatory

and each day, twice over,

all

the

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPREME COURT.

full

indulgences yet given in and out of

Rome

57

could be obtained for

living and deceased persons.

Sanchez returned to vSpaiu (where he died), bringing with him

the body of Saint Policarp, relics of Saint Potenciana, and 157
Martyrs

amongst them, 27 popes,

for remission

the Cathedral of

to

Manila.

The Supreme Court was re-established with the same faculties as

those of Mexico and Lima in lo98, and since then, on seven occasions,
when the Governorship has been vacant, it has acted pro tern. The
following interesting account of the pompous ceremonial attending the
reception

of

Concepcion.*

the

He

Royal
says

Seal,

restoring

" The Royal Seal

Court,

this

of office

" the ship with the accustomed solemnity.

is

was received from

Avas contained

It

by

given

in

chest covered with purple velvet and trimmings of silver and gold,

*'

" over which hung a cloth of silver and gold.

It

was escorted by a

" majestic accompaniment, marching

to the sounds of clarions and

" cymbals and other musical instruments. The cortege passed through
" the noble city with rich vestments, with leg trimmings and

" uncovered

heads.

Behind

" caparisoned and girthed, for the

*'

containing

the

Royal

Seal

" beautifully adorned with

followed

these

a horse,

President to

upon

its

back.

drapery.

exquisite

place

gorgeously
the

cofler

The streets were

The High Bailiff,

" magnificently robed, took the reins in hand to lead the horse under

" a purple velvet pall, bordered with gold.

The magistrates walked
" on either side the aldermen of the city, richly clad, carried their
" staves of office in the august procession, which concluded with a
;

" military escort, standard bearers,

etc.,

and proceeded

to the Cathedral,

" where it was met by the Dean, holding a Cross. As the company
" entered the sacred edifice, the Te Deum was intoned by a baud of
" music."

In 1886 a Supreme Court, exactly similar

to,

and independent

that of Manila, was established in the City of Cebu.

precedence in

official acts

The

of,

question of

having been soon after disputed between the

it

was

decided in favour of the latter, on appeal to the Governor-General.

In

President of the Court and the Brigadier-Governor of Visayas,

" Hist. Gen. de Philiplnas," by Juan de

page 365, pub. Manila, 1788.

la

Concepcion, Vol.

III.,

Chap. IX.,

58

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

the meantime, the advisability of abolishing the Supreme Court

Cebii,

was debated by the

For many years

of

public.

after

the

deep religious

conquest,

sentiment

pervaded the State policy, and not a few of the Governors-General

acquired fame for their demonstrations of piety.
Nevertheless, the

was a

representatives

ambition of the

couflictive

powerful

hindrance to

and Church

State
the

progress

of the

Colony.

The

quarrel between Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera (1635-1644)

and the Archbishop arose from a circumstance of

Colony.

The Archbishop

ordered a military

The

to either sell or liberate her.

condition, wished to

marry

stabbed her to death.

whence he was

her,

He

officer,

officer,

who had a

slave,

rather than yield to either

but failing to obtain her consent, he

thereupon

forcibly removed,

took

asylum

in

a convent,

and publicly executed

in front of

Augustine's Church by order of the Governor.

St.

concern to the

little

protested against the act, which, in those days,

The Archbishop

was

qualified as a

violation of sanctuary.

The churches were

closed whilst the dispute lasted.

The

Jesuits,

always opposed to the Austin Friars, sided with the Governor.

Archbishop therefore prohibited them

in

The

to preach outside their churches

any public place, under pain of excommunication and 4,000 ducats

fine,

whilst the other priests agreed to abstain from attending their

religious or literary reunions.

Finally, a religious council

was

called,

but a coalition having been formed against the Archbishop, he was

excommunicated

his goods distrainedhis salary stopped, and he was

suspended in his archiepiscopal functions under a

ducats

fine.

At

penalty of 4,000

this crisis,

he implored mercy and the intervention of

The

magistrates decided against the prelate's

the Supreme Court.

appeal, and allowed

him twelve hours

excommunication and a further

to comply, under pain of continued

fine of

The Archbishop

1,000 ducats.

thereupon retired to the Convent of St. Francis, where the Governor

The Archbishop subsequently made

visited him.

s\ibmission

in

the most abject

an archiepiscopal decree which fully

admission of his guilt.

Such a

sets

forth

the

violent settlement of disputes did not

long remain undisturbed, and the Archbishop again sought the

opportunity of opposing the lay authority.

first

In this he can only be

CHURCH AND STATE CONTENTIONS.

excused
discord

if

excuse

it

be

as

59

the upholder of the traditions of cordial

between the two great factious

Supreme Court, under the presidency

Church

aud

The

State.

of the Governor, resolved therefore

With this object, 50

Avho was secretly forewarned

to banish the Archbishop from Mauila.

soldiers

were deputed

of their

coming by
his hand,

troops,

to seize the prelate,

and

it is

was so

sword upon the

floor

and

fell

The

Then they immediately

upon the

The churches were

;

to replace the

arrested him, conducted

him on the

at once re-opeued

terms were

sword bent he

point, but as the

soldiers waited patiently until the

a guard of five men, and landed

chose

in

horrified at his mission, that he placed the hilt of his

and compelled, by fatigue,

tired out,

approach he held the Host

their

related that the sub-lieutenant sent in charge of the

did not kill himself.

was

On

his co-conspirators.

dictated

to

the

Archbishop

Host on the altar.

him

under

to a boat

desert Island of Corregidor.

the Jesuits preached where they

contumacious Archbishop,

who

accepted everything unconditionally, and was thereupon permitted to

resume

The

his oflace.
of Corcuera

acts

were enquired

iuto

by

caused him to be imprisoned for five years, but

was

that Corcuera
to Spain, the

justified in

what he

did, for

his successor,

it

presumed

to be

is

who

on his release and return

King rewarded him with the Governorship

of the

Canary

Islands.
It

is

chronicled that Sabiniano Manrique de Lara,

who

arrived in

the galleon " San Francisco Xavier " in 1653 with the Archbishop
Poblete, refused to disembark until this dignitary had blessed the earth

he was going

tread.

to

It Avas he

too

who had

the

privilege

of

witnessing the expurgation of the islands of the excommunications and

admonitions of Rome.
to all

The Archbishop brought peace and

men, being charged by His Holiness

to sanctify the

The ceremony was performed with

elevation, in the presence of

on, the pious

Colony.

solemnity,

from

an immense concourse of people.

Lara was accused of perfidy

fined $60,000, but

great

good-will

to his

an

Later

Royal Master, and was

on being pardoned, he retired

to

Spain, where he

took holy orders.

His successor, Diego Salcedo (1663-1668), was not so fortunate

his relations with

Archbishop Poblete,

contested his iuterveutiou in civil

for during five years

aflfairs.

Poblete found

in

he warmly
it

hard to

^^

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

yield the exercise of veto in all

matters which,
conceded to him by the late Governor
Lara.

by courtesy, had been

The Archbishop refused

obey the Royal decrees relating to

Church appointments under
the Royal patronage, such preferments
being in the hands of the
Governor-General as vice-royal patron. These
decrees were twice
notified to the Archbishop, but as
he still persisted in his disobedience,
Salcedo signed an order for his expulsion
to Mariveles.
This brouo-ht
the prelate to his senses, and he
remained more submissive in future
to

It

recorded

is

that the

relations

between the Governor and the

Archbishop became so strained, that the latter
was compelled to pay a
heavy fine-to remain standing whilst awaiting
an audience-to submit
to contumely during the interviews
and when he died, the Governor
ordered royal feasts to celebrate the joyful
event, whilst he prohibited
the de profimdis Mass, on the ground that
such would be inconsistent
with the secular festivities.

The King, on being

apprised of this, permitted the

Inquisition to
course.
Diego Salcedo was surprised in his
Palace, and
imprisoned by the bloodthirsty agents of
the Santo Oficio.
Some
years afterwards, he was shipped on board
a galleon as a prisoner to
the Inquisitors of Mexico, but the ship had
to put back under stress
of
weather, and Salcedo returned to his dungeon.
There he suffered the
worst privations, until he was again embarked
for Mexico.

take

Its

On

this

voyage he died of grief and melancholy. The

King espoused the cause
of the ecclesiastics, and ordered Salcedo's
goods, as well
as those of his

partisans, to be confiscated.

Manuel de Leon (1669) managed

to preserve a

good understandin<.
with the clergy, and, on his decease, he
bequeathed all his possession'^
to the Obras Pias {vide Chap. XV.,
foot note).
Troubles with the Archbishop

and Friars were revived on the

Government being assumed by Jnan de Nargas

(1678-1684)
In
the last year of his rule, the Archbishop
was banished from Manila
It IS difficult to adequately

appreciate

the causes of this quarrel and

doubt as to which was right-the
Governor or the Archbishop
On his restoration to his See, he was one of the few
prelates perhaps
the only one who personally sought to
avenge himself. Durincr the
there

is

dispute,

number

of

Friars

had supported the Government^

and
these he caused to stand on a raised platform
in front of a church
and

A GOVERNOR-GENERAL MURDERED.

HOLY KIOT.

declaring themselves miscreants.

publicly recant their former acts,

Juan de Nargas had

just retired

from the Governorship after seven

and the Archbishop

years' service,

penitent's garb

called

upon him likewise

and perform the following penance

his past proceedings

to place a rope

61

to abjure

To wear a

around his neck, and carry a lighted

candle to the doors of the cathedral and the churches of the Parian,

San Gabriel and Binoudo, on every

to this degradation,

Nargas objected

feast

day during four months.

and claimed privilege, arguing

that the Archbishop had no jurisdiction over him, as he

of the military order of St.
in his

pretensions

when

But the Archbishop only

James.

new Governor

the

was a Cavalier
desisted

threatened to expel him

again.

Fernando Bustamente

y Rueda (1717-1719) adopted

the Archbishop's excessive claims

Bustillo

stringent measures to counteract

Several individuals charged with heinous crimes had

to immunity.

taken church asylum and defied the

Archbishop was appealed

or allow

them

to, to

to be taken.

He

civil

power and

hand them over

justice.

The

to the civil authorities,

refused to do either, supporting the

claim of immunity of sanctuary.

At

the same time

movement had been

it

came

set

to the

knowledge of the Governor that a

on foot against him by those citizens

who

favoured the Archbishop's views, and that even the Friars had so

debased themselves as to seek the aid of the Chinese residents against

the Governor.
Torralba, the late acting-Governor, was released from confinement

by the Governor, and re-instated by him as judge in the Supreme

Court, although he was under an accusation of embezzlement to the
extent of $700,000.

He

notified to

and, on his

The Archbishop

energetically opposed this act.

Torralba his excommunication and ecclesiastical pains,

own

authority, attempted to seize his person in violation

of the privileges of the

Supreme Court.

Torralba with his sword and

hand expelled the Archbishop's messenger by force. Then,

judge in the Supreme Court, he hastened to avenge himself of his

shield in
as

enemies by issuing warrants against them.

They

fled

to church

asylum, and, Avith the moral support of the Archbishop, laughed at the
magistrates.

prepared for
of

There the refugees provided themselves Avith arms, and

When the Archbishop was officially informed
rebellion.

these facts, he

still

maintained that nothing could

violate

their

Q2

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Governor then caused

immuuitj.

and confined

in

a fortress, with

the Archbishop to -be arrested

the ecclesiastics

all

who had

joined

the conspiracy against the Government.

Open

and the priests marched to the Palace, amidst

riot ensued,

hideous clamouriugs, collecting the

was one

of

the most

Philippine history.

revolting

Priests

of

mob and

scenes

citizens on the

"Viva

Iglesia,"

la

forced their

way

Rey Don

nuestro

in shouting

Felipe Quinto.'"

of

Then

in.

to
to

seeing himself encircled by an armed

laymen and servants

of Christ clamouring for his doAvnfall,

the trigger

pulled

they

The Governor,

stand back.

mob

fled,

The

One priest who impudently dared

Governor, was promptly ordered by him

advance towards the

in

the Sacred Orders of Saint Francis,

excited rabble rushed to the Palace, and the guard having

easily

It

and remarkable events

Saint Dominic, and Saint Augustine joined the Recoletos

"Viva

way.

of

his

gun,

but

the

failed

flint

strike fire.

to

the crowd took courage and attacked him, whilst he defended

himself bravely with a bayonet, until he was overwhelmed by numbers.

From

the Palace he

was dragged

to the

common

jail,

and stabbed and

maltreated on the Avay.

His sou, hearing of

this

outrage, arrived on horseback, but was

run through by one of the rebels, and

cut his

and

way through

killed

The
liberty

fell to

the ground.

populace, urged
the

by the

Archbishop.

clerical

The

prison

his body.

party,

now fought

doors

were broken open,

and the Archbishop was amongst the number of offenders

The

prelate

Government

down

came
in

got up,

the infuriated rioters, but Avas soon surrounded

by numbers, who horribly mutilated

of

He

in

triumph

October, 17 19.

the Royal Standard, and

to

the

Palace,

for the

liberated.

and assumed

the

The mob, during

their excesses, tore

maltreated those

whom

they met of

mock

enquiry into

the unfortunate Governor's faithful

friends.

made in Manila in apparent judicial

form. Another investigation was instituted in Mexico, which led to
several of the minor actors in this sad drama being made the scapegoat
The Archbishop held the
victims of the more exalted criminals.
Government for nine years, and was then transferred to the Mexican
the circumstances of the riot was

Bishopric of Mechoacan.

"

Long

live the Church,","

Long

live

our King Philip V."

CHURCH AND STATE CONTENTIONS.

Pedro Manuel de Arandia (1754-1759)
melancholy consequent,

in a

at peace Avith the Friars,

On
heeu

said

is

63

to

have died of

measure, on his futile endeavours to govern

who always

secured the favour of the King.

four occasions the Supreme State authority in the Colony has

vested

in

the

Archbishop

prelates.

Manuel

Rojo, acting-

Governor at the time of the British occupation of Manila in 1763,

shame

said to have died of grief and

Jose Eaon was Governor-General

the Jesuits Avas decreed.
to him, he

in

1768 Avheu the expulsion of

After the secret determination was made

was accused

concealed his instructions.

his

prison (176i) through the

in

Simon de Anda y Salazar.

intrigues of the violent

known

of

He

having divulged

Friars,

and found

From

not

to the

Church

the earliest times of

it

under guard

is

ia

had

alleged,

necessary to remind the

it

Archbishop Payo that the supreme power

to the State

and of having

it,

Avas thereupon placed

own residence, AA'here he expired.

Domingo Moriones y Murillo (1877-1880),

altercations with the

is

in

the Philippines belonged

repi'esentative.

Spanish dominion,

had been the

it

practice of the natives to expose to vicAv the corpses of their relations

and friends

in the public highAvays

to the parish churches,

where they

and villages whilst conveying them

Avere again exhibited to the

gaze, pending the pleasure of the parish

obsequies.

common

priest to perform the last

This outrage on public decorum Avas proscribed by the

Director-General of Civil Administration in a circular of the 18th of

October, 1887, addressed to the Provincial Governors, enjoining them
to

prohibit such indecent

simply shoAved

priests

authorities,

scenes in future.

their

contempt

for

Thereupon the parish

by the

restraint

civil

and simulated their inability to elucidate to the native petty

Governors the true intent and meaning of the

order.

At

the

same

time, the Archbishop of Manila issued instructions on the subject to his

subordinates in very equivocal language.

The

native local authorities

then petitioned the Civil Governor of Manila to make the matter clear
to them.

The

Civil

Governor of Manila referred the matter back

Director-General of Civil Administration.

circular dated 4th of

November, confirmed

This functionary,
his previous

to the

in a ncAv

mandate of the

18th October, and censured the action of the parish priests,

who

" in

64

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

improper language and from the pulpit," had incited the native headmen
to set aside his authority.

The author

of

the circular sarcastically

added the pregnant remark, that he was penetrated

Avith the conviction

that the Archbishop's sense of patriotism and rectitude loould deter

him from

sid)verti7ig the law.

This incident seriously aroused the

jealousy of the Friars holding vicarages,

relations

between Church and State.

and did not improve the

CHAPTER y

EARLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES

AND JAPAN.
Two

decades

of

existence

in the

16th century was but

short

make known the conditions of this new Colony to

its neighbouring States, when its only regular intercourse with them
was through the Chinese who came to trade with Manila. Japanese
period in which to

mariners, therefore, appear to have continued to regard the north of

Luzon

as " no-man's-land," for years after

nominal annexation by

its

the Spaniards they assembled there, whether as merchants or buccaneers

Spanish authority had been asserted by
it is difficult to determine.

Salcedo along the west coast about as far as

lat.

18 N., but in

1591

known to Europeans geographically. So far,

had not made the acquaintance of their new masters.

the north coast was only

the natives there

large Spanish galley cruising in these waters

met a Japanese

Cape Bojeador (N.W. point) and fired a shot which carried

away the stranger's mainmast, obliging him to heave-to. Then the
vessel off

galley-men,

intending to board the stranger,

made

fast

the

sterns,

whilst the Spaniards rushed to the bows, but the Japanese came

first,

boarded the galley and drove the Spaniards aft, where they would
have all pei-ished had they not cut away the mizzenmast and let it fall

with

all sail set.

Behind

this

barricade, they

had time

arquebuses and drive back the Japanese, over

victory.

The Spaniards then

where they met a Japanese

On

whom

to load their

they gained a

entered the Rio Grande de Cagayau,

fleet,

between which they passed peacefully.

shore they formed trenches, and mounted cannons on earthworks,

but the Japanese scaled the fortifications and pulled

down

the cannons

by the mouths.
These were recovered, and the Spanish captain had the cannon

mouths greased, so that the Japanese

tactics

should not be repeated.

Hi

66

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

A battle

was fought, and the defeated Japanese

set sail

whilst the

Spaniards remained to obtain the submission of the natives by force

or

by persuasion.
Japanese had also come to Manila to trade, and were located

in the

neighbouring village of Dilao,^ where the Franciscan Friars undertook

their conversion to Christianity, whilst the

Dominican order considered

the spiritual care of the Chinese their especial charge.

The Portuguese had been

in possession of

Macao

since the year

1557, and traded with various Chinese ports, whilst in the Japanese

town

of

Nagasaki there was a small colony of Portuguese merchants.

These were the

indirect sources

whence the Emperor

that Europeans had founded a colony in

he sent a message

to the

Luzon

Japan

of

learnt

Island, and in 1593

Governor of the Philippines calling upon him

to surrender and become his vassal, threatening invasion in the event

of

refusal.

The Spanish

to treat with

colonies at that date were hardly in a position

haughty scorn the menaces

of the

Japanese potentate,

were simultaneously threatened with troubles with the Dutch

in the Moluccas, for which they were preparing an armament (vide
Chap. VI.). The want of men, ships and war material obliged them
for they

to seek conciliation

with dignity.

The Japanese Ambassador, Farranda

Kiemon, was received with great honours and treated with the utmost
deference during his sojourn in Manila.

The Governor
Kino- of Spain

he was unable

replied to the Emperor, that being but a lieger of the

a mighty monarch of unlimited resources and power,

to

acknowledge the Emperor's suzerainty

for the

most

important duty imposed upon him by his Sovereign was the defence
of

his vast

domains against foreign aggression

that,

on the other hand,

he was desirous of entering into amicable and mutually advantageous

relations with the Emperor, and solicited his conformity to a treaty of
commerce, the terms of which would be elucidated to him by an envoy.
A priest, Juan Cobo, and an infantry captain were thereupon
accredited to the Japanese Court as Philippine ambassadors.
arrival they were, without delay, admitted in audience

On

their

by the Emperor

the treaty of commerce was adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties,

and the ambassadors, with some Japanese nobles, set

in Japanese ships, which foundered on the voyage, and

sail
all

for

Manila

perished.

the suburb of Paco. Between 1606 and 1608, owing to a rising of the
Japanese settlers, their dwellings in Dilao were sacked and the settlement burnt.
'

Now

PHILIPPINE CATHOLIC MISSIONS TO JAPAN.

Neither the political nor the clerical party

dismayed by

in

vf&a,

however,

and the prospect of penetrating Japan

this first disaster,

was followed up by a second expedition.

Between the Friars an animated discussion
protested against

Manila

Q7

arose,

when the

members of any other order being sent

to

Jesuits

Japan.

Saint Francis Xavier had, years before, obtained a Papal Bull from

Pope Gregory XIII., awarding Japan

first to

to his Order,

establish missions in Nagasaki.

which had been the

were

Jesuits

there iu

still

numbers, and the necessity of sending members of rival religious bodies

is

not

made

those holy

The

clear in the historical records.

men was

referred to the Governor,

jealous feud between

who

naturally decided

against the Jesuits, in pursuit of the King's policy of grasping territory

under the cloak of piety.

as ambassador,

embarked
remained
leave,

and

in

his

suite

a Spanish frigate,

in

Fray Pedro Bautista was chosen

certain

were three other

whilst

These

priests.

Farranda Kiemon, who had

Manila the honoured guest of the Government, took his

in

and went on board

his

own

The

vessel.

authorities bid farewell

two embassies with ostentatious ceremonies and amidst public

rejoicings, and on the 26th of May, 1593, the two ships started on
to the

their journey.

After 30 days' navigation, one ship arrived safely at Nagasaki and

the other at a port 35 miles off

it.

Pedro Bautista, introduced by Farranda Kiemon, was presented to

the Emperor Taycosama, who welcomed him as an ambassador authorized

a treaty of commerce^ and conclude an ojffensive and

defensive alliance for mutual protection.
The Protocol was agreed to,
to negotiate

and signed by both

parties,

and the relations between the Emperor and

Pedro Bautista became more and more

cordial.

The

latter solicited,

obtained, permission to reside indefinitely in the country,

and

and send the

treaty on by messenger to the Governor of the Philippines, hence the

ships in which the envoys had arrived remained about ten months in

A concession was

port.

Osaka, and

it

also granted to build a church at

was opened

in 1594,

when Mass was

In Nagasaki the Jesuits Avere allowed

practise their
traders

religious

rites

Meaco, near

publicly celebrated.

to reside

unmolested, and

amongst the Portuguese population

of

and others who might have voluntarily embraced Christianitv.

Bautista went there to consult with the chief of the Jesuit Mission,

who

energetically opposed

what he held

to

be an encroachment upon

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

68

by the self-constituted

the monopoly rights of his Order, conceded

Monarch

whole world, Pope Gregory XIII., and confirmed by

of the

Koyal Decrees.

Bautist:i-,

however, showed a permission which he had

received from the Jesuit General, by virtue of which he

was

suffered

to continue his course until the arrival of that dignitary himself.

The Portuguese merchants

in

Nagasaki were not slow to com-

prehend that Bautista's coming with priests at his command was but a
prelude to Spanish territorial conquest, in which they would uaturally

be the losers when their hoped-for emancipation from the Spanish yoke
should one day be realized.^

Therefore to save their

they forewarned the Governor of Nagasaki,

who

own

interests,

prohibited Bautista

from continuing his propaganda against the established religion of the

country iu contravention of the Emperor's commands. But little heed

was taken

of this injunction,

and Bautista was expelled from Nagasaki

for contumacy.

was now manifest to the Emperor that he had been basely

he was persuaded to believe that under the pretext of
deceived
It

concluding a commercial and political treaty as Philippine ambassador,

Bautista and his

party had, iu

introduced themselves into his

effect,

realm with the clandestine object of seducing his subjects from their
allegiance, of undermining their consciences, perverting
religion of their forefathers,

dismemberment

of his

and that

all

this

would bring about the

Empire and the overthrow

Not only had Taycosama abstained from persecuting

exercise of their religious

rites,

them from the

of

his

dynasty.

foreigners for the

but he freely licensed the Jesuits to

continue their mission in Nagasaki and wherever Catholics happened

to congregate.

He had

permitted the construction of their temples,

but he could not tolerate a deliberate propaganda M'hich foreshadowed

own

his

ruin.'"'

Pedro Bautista's designs being prematurely obstructed, he took his

passage back to Manila from Nagasaki

in

a Japanese vessel, leaving

behind him his interpreter, Fray Jerome, with the other Franciscan

Monks.
priests

An

Imperial Decree

was then issued

to

prohibit

foreign

from interfering with the religion of Japanese subjects

but

Portugal was forcibly annexed to thfi Spanish Crown from 1"81 to lfi40.
2 The persecution of religious apostates by Philip XL's Generals during the
" Wars of the Flanders," was due to his foresight of the political disadvantages
'

which

would ensue from

religious discord.

THE MARTYR-SAINTS IN
law being

this

and

naught by Bautista's colleagues, one was arrested

set at

were

warrants

and

imprisoned,

69

JxVPAN.

meanwhile the Jesuits

in

Nagasaki were

in

the

against

issued

others

no way restrained.

Nagasaki caused the Franciscan propagandists

to be conducted on board a Portuguese ship and handed over to the

The Governor

of

eharo-e of the captain, under severe penalties

were free

their escape, but they

The

Japanese Empire.

permitted one to return

captain, however,

Pedro Bautista had

dignitaries prevailed

number

go wherever they chose outside the

some time he wandered about the country

ashore, and for

to Japan,

to

he aided or allowed

if

reached

upon the Governor

and Bautista arrived

where

Manila,

in that

the

ecclesiastical

to sanction another expedition

country a second time with a

The Emperor now

of Franciscan Friars.

in disguise.

lost all patience,

and

determined not only to repress these venturesome foreigners, but to

stamp out

the

last

vestige of

their

by Imperial Decree, the

Therefore,

Franciscan Friars, and

all

natives

was ordered

arrest

who

machinations.
of

the

all

persisted in their adhesion to

Twenty-six of those taken were

these missionaries' teachings.

and condemned

revolutionary

to ignominious exhibition

and death

the

tried

Spaniards,

because they had come into the country and had received royal favours
under false pretences, representing themselves as political ambassadors

and

suite

the

their ancestors

Japanese, because they had forsworn the religion of

and bid

discord in the realm.

And

after their ears

from town

Each bore

to

town

fair to

become a constant danger and source

Amongst

these Spaniards

and noses had been cut

off,

in a cart, finally entering

was Pedro

Bautista.

they were promenr'ded

Nagasaki on horseback.

the sentence of death on a breast-board, which stated the

why they were so condemned. The sentence was

where common felons were ordinarily executed but

reasons

out

of

to

be carried

a deputation

upon the Governor at Nagasaki to beg

The Governor
that the crucifixions should take place elsewhere.
of Portuguese merchants waited

readily acceded to their request

of

these

events

which points

Japanese Emperor or his

indeed
to

there

is

nothing in the history

vindictiveness

on the part of the

officers.

a high ground, near the City and the port, in front of the
Jesuits' Church, these 26 persons were crucified and stabbed to death
with lances, in expiation of their political offences. It was a sad fate

On

for

men who

conscientiously

believed

that

they

were

justified

in

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

70
violating rights

and laws of nations for

particular views, but can one complain

Spain have met with

in

Inquisitors

milder

the

propagation of their

Would Buddhist

treatment at the

missionaries

hands

the

of

?'

Each Catholic body was supposed to designate the same road to

Heaven each professed to teach the same means of obtaining the

grace of
hatred

God

say, each bore the other

yet, strange to

an inextinguishable jealousy

were for the glory of God and not

could

it

have mattered

to

an implacable

If conversion to

Christianity

the glory of the Friars,

-for

the Franciscan

Japanese were saved by them or by others

order whether

souls

For King Philip

what

it

of

was

the same whether his political tools were of one denomination or the
other, but

The

many

Japan happened

of the Jesuits in

to be Portuguese.

Jesuits in Manila probably felt that in view of their opposition

to the Franciscan missions, they

might incur public censure, and be held

morally responsible for indirectly contributing to the unfortunate events

related

therefore, they formally declared that

Pedro Bautista and his

followers died excommunicated, because they had disobeyed the Bull

of

Pope Gregory XIII.

much excited when the news spread

through the City, and a special Mass was said, followed by a religious
The Governor sent a commission to
procession through the streets.

The

general public were

Japan, under the control of Luis de Navarrete, to ask for the dead

The Emperor showed no

bodies and chattels of the executed priests.

rancour whatsoever
out

on the contrary, his policy was already carried

and to welcome the Spanish lay deputies, he gave a magnificent

banquet and entertained them sumptuously.

Luis de Navarrete having

claimed the dead bodies of the priests, the Emperor at once ordered the

guards on the execution ground to

retire,

and told Navarrete that he

could dispose as he pleased of the mortal remains.

upon hastened

to Nagasaki, but before he could reach there, devout

Catholics had cut up the bodies

'

Navarrete there-

Keligious intolerance in Spain

one carrying away a head, another a

was confirmed

" Todo

in 1822,

by the

New

Penal Code

que conspirase directamente y de

*'
hecho 4 establecer otra religion en las Espanas, 6 & que la Nacion Eepafiola deje
" de profcsar la religion Apostolica Eomana es traidor y Bufrira la pena de
" muerte." Articulo 227 del Codigo Penal presentado a las Cortes en 22 de Abril
de 1821 y sancionado en 1822.

of that date

the text reads thus

fl

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN EXPLAINS HIS POLICY.

leg,

and so

few days

forth.

It

happened

after his arrival in

too, that

Nagasaki.

71

Navarrete died of disease a

His successor, Diego de Losa,

recovered the pieces of the deceased priests, which he put into a box

and shipped for Manila, but the vessel and box were

Diego de Losa returned

lost

on the way.

to Manila, the bearer of a polite letter,

and

very acceptable presents from the Emperor to the Governor of the

Philippines.

The

expatiated on recent events, and set forth a well-

letter fully

reasoned justification of the Emperor's decrees against the priests, in

terms which proved that he was neither a tyrant nor a wanton savage,

but an astute politician.

The

letter

stated, that

under the pretext of

being ambassadors, the priests in question had come into the country

and had taught a diabolical law belonging to foreign countries, and

which aimed

at superseding the rites

confused his people, and destroyed his

for

whicli

reason he had rigorously proscribed

prohibitions, the religious

humble people, such

men

of

as servants

this persistence in law-breaking,

them on

own religion^
Government and Kingdom ;

and laws of

crosses

for

Luzon preached

and

slaves.

his

it.

Against these

their

law publicly to

Not being

able to permit

he had ordered their death by placing

he was informed that

in the

Kingdom where

Spaniards dominated, this teaching of their religious doctrine was but

an

artifice

and stratagem by means of which the

He

deceitfully gained.

civil

astutely asks the Governor- General

power was
if

he would

consent to Japanese preaching their laws in his territory, perturbing

public peace with such novelties amongst the lower classes
It

is

certain he

would not permit

it,

argues the Emperor

it

would

be severely repressed, and he had done the same

in the exercise of his

absolute power and for the good of his subjects.

Thus, he adds, he has

avoided the occurrence in his dominions of what has taken place in

those regions where the Spaniards deposed the legitimate Kings, and

bad constituted themselves masters by religious fraud.

It

but

it

is

true,

he admits, that he seized the cargo of a Spanish ship,

was only

as a reprisal for the

tumult raised when they evaded the

harm which he had

for peace

far, risking

by the

edict.

But as the Spanish Governor had thought

ambassador from so

suffered

fit

to send another

the perils of the sea, he was anxious

and mutual good-feeling, but only on the precise condition

that no more individuals should be sent to teach a law foreip'n to his

72

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

realm, and under tliese unalterable conditions the Governor's subjects

were

at liberty to trade freely "with

Japan

that

by reason of

his former

friendship and royal clemency, he had refrained from killing all the

Spaniards Avith the priests and their servants, and had allowed them to
return to their country.

As
among

to religion itself, Taycosaraa

so

many

Jesuits

Moreover,

it

is

King

the domains of the

his

to

enquiry

territory

"

"

How

certain

Portuguese) answered
" doctrine, and

when

little

amongst

map was shown

said that a

have remarked that

to

consequence,

own

their

to

to the

sectarians.

Taycosama, marking

Spain and Portugal, and that

of

hence

and his continued permission

maintain their doctrines

to

said

more was of

professed, one

toleration in the beginning,

his

is

in reply

man have conquered such vast

Father Guzman (or more probably it was a
"By secretly sending religious men to teach their
could one

a sufficient number of persons were so converted,

" the Spanish soldiery, with their aid, annexed their country and

" overthrew their

Such

Kings."

an

avowal

impressed

naturally

Taycosama profoundly.^
In Seville there was quite a tumult when the

details

of

the

executions in Japan were published.

In the meantime, the lamentable end of the Franciscan missionaries

not deter others from making further attempts to follow their

did

example.

During the

20 years of the 17th century,

first

succeeded in entering Japan, under the pretence of trading,

of the extreme measures adopted to discover

taken to uproot the new doctrine, which

the forerunner of sedition.

Indeed,

up

Christianity had already taken

it

priests
in spite

them and the precautions

was feared would become

many Japanese

nobles professing

their residence in Manila,

and were

regarded by the Emperor as a constant danger to his realm, hence he

was

careful to avoid

short reigns of

communication with the Philippines.

Dayfusama and

ihis

son Xogusama,

issued, not against foreign Christians, but

apostates amongst the Japanese

priests

new

During the
decrees were

against those

who made

and consequently two more Spanish

were beheaded.

In September, 1622, a large number of Spanish missionaries and

Christian Japanese

'

" Hist.

men and

children were

Gen. de Philipinas," by Juan de

la

executed

Concepcion, Vol.

in

III.,

Nagasaki.

Chap. VIII.

MISSIONS

Twenty -five

of

thrown

beino-

custom

AND EXECUTIONS CONTINUED.

them were burnt, and the

beheaded

rest

73

their remains

into the sea to avoid the Christians following their odious

Two

of preserving parts of corpses as relics.

days afterwards,

four Franciscan and two Dominican Friars with five Japanese were burnt
in

Then followed an

Omura.

civil deprivations, etc.

and return

against

who

all

who

with which

To

come.

they should

apostates, the culprits' estates

Another

edict

was

all

arrive and the merchandise

informers against native

and goods were transferred as a reward.

Spanish deputation was sent to the Emperor of Japan

renew commercial

alleo"ing a desire to

issued,

should conduct priests to Japan, and

which they should

forfeiture of the ships in

the pains and penalties,

refused to abandon their apostasy

to the faith of their forefathers.

imposing death upon those

edict, stating

relations, but the

in 1622,

Emperor was

so exasperated at the recent defiance of his decrees, that he refused to

accept the deputies' presents from the Philippine Government, and sent

them and the deputation away.

Still there

were Friars

in

Manila eager

to seek

martyrdom, but the

Philippine traders, in view of the danger of confiscation of their ships

and merchandise

if

Japan

vessels to

they carried missionaries, resolved not to despatch

if

insisted

ecclesiastics

Government supported

this

on taking passage.

resolution in the interests

formally prohibited the transport of priests.

Manila, on his part, imposed

subordinates

who

The

of trade, and

The Archbishop

ecclesiastical penalties

of

on those of his

should clandestinely violate this prohibition.

Supplicatory letters from Japan reached the religious communities

in Manila, entreating

Christianity,

bought a

them

to send

priests to aid in the spread of

therefore the chiefs of the

ship,

and paid high wages

Franciscan, four Dominican and

the

more

to

Orders consulted together,

its

two Recoleto

officers

priests to

to

carry four

Japan.

W he

Governor, Alonso Fajardo, heard of the intended expedition, he

threatened to prohibit

it,

more victims being sent

religious orders waited

affirming that he would not consent to any

to

Japan.

upon him, to

Thereupon representatives

of the

he persisted

in his

state that

if

conscience would fall the enormous charge of

prohibition,

upon

having

the souls which they had hoped to save.

lost

his

therefore retired from

Archbishop,

who

the

discussion, remitting the

The Governor
question to the

at once permitted the ship to leave, conveying the ten

priests disguised as merchants.

Several times the vessel was nearly

74

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

wrecked, but at length arrived safely in a Japanese port

the ten priests

landed, and Avere shortly afterwards burnt by Imperial order.

In Rome, a

very disputed

had

enquiry

circumstances of the Franciscan mission

been

made

into

the

but in spite of the severe

was conceded

ordeal of the diaboli advocatus, canonization

to

Pedro

Bautista and his companions.

In 1629, the Papal Bull of Urban VIII., dated 14th of September,

1627, was published in Manila,

The Bull declared

rejoicing.

amidst public feasts and popular

the missionaries of Japan to be Saints and

Martyrs and Patron Saints of the second

Japan became general

in favour of missions to

thousand dollars were collected to

from Manila, besides 24

The

secretly.

coast, but the

priests

consequence.

in

Ten

out a ship to carry 12 priests

fit

who came from Pangasinan

however, was wrecked

ship,

Increased animation

class.

oflf

to

embark

the Ilocos Province

crew and priests were saved.

A large junk

was then

secretly prepared at a distance from

for the purpose of conveying another party of friars to

Japan

Manila
but just

they were about to embark, the Governor sent a detachment of

as

with

soldiers

orders

to

prevent them

doing

and he

so,

definitely

prohibited further missionary expeditions.

In

1633,

the

final

extinction

of

Christians

was

vigorously

commenced by the Emperor To-Kogunsama and in the following year

79 persons were executed. The same Emperor sent a ship to Manila
;

with a present of 150 lepers, saying

Christians in his country, and

that

he did not permit

as

knowing that the

priests

had

specially

cared for these unfortunate beings, he remitted them to their care.

The

first

impulse of the vSpaniards was to sink the ship with cannon

shots, but

finally

it

was

conducted with great

agreed to receive

pomp through

who were

the lepers,

the city and lodged in a large

shed at Dilao (now the suburb of Paco).

This gave

rise to

the

foundation of the Saint Lazarus' (Lepers') Hospital, existing at the

present day.*

The Governor

were sent he would

kill

replied to the

them and

The Emperor then convoked

Emperor that

if

any more

their conductors.

a great assembly of his vassal Kings

and Nobles, and solemnly imposed upon them the

strict obligation to

This Hospital was rebuilt with a legacy left by the Gov.-Gen. Don Manuel
de Leon in 1677. It was afterwards subsidized by the Government, and was under
the care of the FranciBcan Friars, up to the close of Spanish dominion.
'

PHILIPPINE MISSIONS TO JAPAN EELINQUISHED.

fulfil

all

75

the edicts against the entry and permanence of Christians,

under severe penalties, forfeiture of property, deprivation of dignities,

or

death.

So

intent

was

Prince on

this

annihilating

effectually

Christianity within his Empire, that he henceforth interdicted all trade

with Macao

and when

in

1640 his decree was disregarded by four

Portuguese traders, who, describing themselves as ambassadors, arrived

with a suite of 46 Orientals, they were

all

executed.

In the same year, the Governor of the Philippines called a Congress

of local officials and ecclesiastics
to send missionaries to

and

to

whom

amongst

Japan was

was henceforth resolved

it

to send

them

it

was agreed that

to death,

directly

abandon Catholic missions

in

that

country.

Secret missions and consequent

executions

still

continued

about the year 1642, when the Dutch took Tanchiu

Island

from

priests
all

in

the Spaniards, and intercepted the passage to

and merchants

the artifice of

alike.

The conquest

King Philip

of

Japan was a

IV.'s favourites

agents could not compass.

4'-

until

Formosa
Japan of

feat

which

and their monastic

CHAPTER

VI.

CONFLICTS WITH THE DUTCH.

Consequent on

the union of

Crowns

the

of Portugal and Spain

(1581 to 16-10), the feuds, as between nations, diplomatically subsided,

altliough the individual antagonism

was

Spanish and Portuguese interests

were thenceforth

officially

from

their

parties

for

Kingdoms had estranged the

many

fort

petty

and factory established

years,

despite

natives

Anti-Portuguese and Philo-Portu"-uese

forced alliances.

had sprung up amongst the

Portuguese

Moluccas, as elsewhere,

in the

In the Molucca group, the old

mutual.

contests between the once rival

as rife as ever.

all

in

contentions.

sovereignties,

but

the

Ternate Island were held

But

another rivalry,

as

formidable and more detrimental than that of the Portuguese in days

gone by, now menaced Spanish ascendancy.

From the close of the 16th century up to the year of the

Compact" Wars (1763), Holland and Spain were relentless
recount the numerous combats between their respective
this period,

would

itself require

the bearing of these

Philippine colony.

political

The

a volume.
conflicts

treaty of

*'

Family

foes.

fleets

To

during

It will suffice here to

show

upon the concerns of the

Antwerp, which was wrung from

the Spaniards in 1609, twenty-eight years after the union of Spain and
Portugal, broke the scourge of their tyranny, whilst

the mutual antipathy.

One

it

failed to assuage

of the consequences of the "

Wars

of the

Flanders," which terminated with this treaty, was that the Dutch were
obliged to seek in the Far East the merchandise which had hitherto

been supplied to them from the Peninsula.

of

theirs,

short-sighted policy

Dutch the Portuguese markets,

brought upon themselves the destruction of

the Spaniards in closing to the

which were now

The

CONFLICTS WITH THE DUTCH.

77

The Dutch

the monopolies which they had gained by the Union.

now

were

independently

Mokicca

and

free,

whence they

forbidden to them in the

home

obtain

Company

to

the

in

produce

the

islands, the

from

sallied forth

time to meet the Spanish galleons from Mexico laden with

to

silver

directly

Hence, from those

ports.

ships of a powerful Netherlands Trading

time

headquarters

trading

could

them

induced

policy

tyrant's

own

their

establish

Islands,

old

their

and manufactured goods.

Previous to

and during the Wars of the Flanders, Dutch

this,

corsairs hovered about

the waters of the Moluccas, to take reprisals

These encounters frequently took place

from the Spaniards.

eastern entrance of the

San Bernadino

Straits,

at the

where the Dutch were

to heave-to in anticipation of the arrival of their prizes.

accustomed

In this manner, constantly roving about the Philippine waters,

they enriched themselves at the expense of their detested adversary,
and,

a small degree, avenged themselves of

in

which

oppression

for

over sixty

the

had

years

bloodshed and

desolated

Low

the

Countries.

Philippine Colony lost immense

The

Mexico, upon which

galleons from

Being a dependency of

subsistence.

with

the

manufactured
galleons.

world,

civilized

articles,

its

it

sums

in the seizure

itj

almost entirely depended for

New

Spain,

supplies

of

its

whole intercourse

troops

were contingent upon the safe

Also the dollars

of

with which they

and

European

arrival of the

annually

purchased

cargoes from the Chinese for the galleons came from Mexico.

Consequently, the Dutch usually took the aggressive in these seabattles,

although they were not always victorious.

When

there were

no ships to meet, they bombarded the ports where others were being
The Spaniards, on their part, from time to time fitted out
built.
vessels to run

own

down

to the

Molucca Islands

to attack the

enemy

in his

waters.

During the Governorship

the native

Manila

King

to offer

of

of Siao Island

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas (Io90-lo93),

one

homage and vassalage

of the

Molucca group

came

to the representative of the

to

King

of Spain and Portugal, in return for protection against the incm-sions of

the

Dutch and the

raids of the Ternate natives.

him and the Spanish

priests

Dasmarinas received

who accompanied him

with

affability, and,

being satisfied with his credentials, he prepared a large expedition to

78

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Moluccas to

go

to the

of

several

frigates,

one

The

armed.

well

fighting

which

men numbered 100

to

row the galleys. This expedition,

be amply sufficient to subdue all the
to

galleys arrived

of

Maricaban Island)

The

the

all

however, as

is

it

The

Chinese

the

Assuming these Chinese

would appear most wanton and base.
Spaniards.

most probable, they were pressed into

to foreigners,

off

start again in

Meanwhile a conspiracy was formed by

to be volunteers, their action

service

to wait for them.

and the next day they were able to

galleymen to murder

If,

1593.

having got far ahead of the galleys, they hove-to

Punta de Azufre (N.

company.

400

archers and

Moluccas, sailed from Cavite on the 6th of October,

sailing ships

vessels, all

Spaniards,

Visaya

1,000

arquebuaiers,

100 Chinese

was calculated

was composed

Fleet

6 galleys and 100 small

ship,

Pampanga and Tagalog

lancers, besides

The

set matters in order.

seems

this military

natural, that being forced to

quite

bloodshed without alternative, they should

first

fight for their

own

liberty.

All but the Chinese were asleep, and they

fell

upon the Spaniards

in

Eighteen of the troops and four slaves escaped by jumping

a body.

The Governor was

awoke on
hearing the noise. He supposed the ship had grounded, and was
coming up the companion en deshabille, when a Chinaman cleaved his
into the sea.

head with a
his Missal

cutlass.

sleeping in his cabin, but

The Governor reached

and the Image of the Virgin

The Chinese
were hidden.

his state-room,

in his hand,

he died

and taking

in six hours.

did not venture below, where the priests and armed soldiers

They

cleared the decks of all their opponents,

made

fast

the hatches and gangways, and waited three days, when, after putting

ashore those
the

who were

still alive,

King and Mandarins

they escaped to Cochin China, where

seized the vessel and all she carried.

board were found $12,000 in coin, some

silver,

On

and jewels belonging to

the Governor and his suite.

Thus the expedition was brought

of Siao,

to an untimely end.

and the missionaries accompanying him, had started

Otong (Panay Island) to wait

received the news of the disaster.
for

Amongst

for the Governor,

The King
in

advance

and there they

the most notable of the successful expeditions of the

Spaniards, was that of Pedro Bravo de Acuna, iu 1606, which consisted

of 19 frigates, 9 galleys, and 8 small craft, carrying a total of about

CONFLICTS WITH THE DUTCH.

2,000

PLAY A

HONDA.
The

provisions for a prolonged struggle.

men and

79

result

was

that they subdued a petty sultan, friendly to the Dutch, and established

a fortress on his island.

About the year 1607, the Supreme Court (the Governorship being
vacant from 1606 to 1608), hearing that a Dutch vessel was hovering

commanded by Pedro de Heredia.

A combat ensued. The Dutch commander was taken prisoner with
several of his men, and lodged in the fort at Ternate, but was ransomed

off Ternate, sent

on payment

a ship against

$50,000

of

to the

Supreme Court

the

melancholy.

Spanish commander.

much

joyfully to Manila, where,

it,

to his surprise,

for exceeding

his

The ransomed Dutch

when

he was prosecuted by
and expired of

instructions,

leader

was making

to his headquarters in a small ship, peacefully,

the Spaniards in any way,

Heredia returned

his

way back

and without threatening

the Supreme Court treacherously sent

make him

a galley and a frigate after him to

prisoner a second time.

Overwhelmed by numbers and arms, and little expecting such perfidious

conduct of the Spaniards, he was at once arrested and brought to
Manila. The Dutch returned 22 Spanish prisoners of war to Manila
to ransom him, but whilst these were retained, the Dutch commander
was nevertheless imprisoned

for life.

years afterwards, a Dutch squadron anchored off the south

Some

point of Bataan

Province, not far from

entrance to Manila Bay.

Juan de

1616), was in great straits.

Punta Marivelez,

Silva, the

Several ships had been lost by storms,

However, the Dutch lay

meet the enemy.

to

the

Governor (from 1609 to

others were away, and there was no adequate floating

which

at

armament with

to for five or six

months, waiting to seize the Chinese and Japanese traders' goods on

their

way

were

in

to the

Manila market.

no hurry to open

hostilities.

offered to help

called a priest,

whom

priest

This delay gave Silva time to

him defeat the Dutch.

On awaking, he

he consulted about the dream, and they agreed

that the nocturnal vision

The

booty, and

In the interval he dreamt that Saint

prepare vessels to attack the foe.

Mark had

They secured immense

was a sign from Heaven denoting a

went (from Cavite)

to

Manila

victory.

to procure a relic of this

glorious intercessor, and returned with bis portrait to the Governor,

who

adored

it.

In haste the ships and armament were prepared.

On

Saint Mark's day, therefore, the Spaniards sallied forth from Cavite

with six ships, carrying 70 guns and two galleys, and two launches

80

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
uumber

also well armed, besides a

of small light vessels, to assist in the

formation of line of battle.

A!l the European fighting

over 1,000 Spaniards

in

Manila and Cavite embarked

Colonj, together with a large

iloTver of the

who were taught

force of natives,

On

the

men

to believe that the

Dutch were

infidels.

the issue of this day's events perchance depended the possession

Manila and Cavite were garrisoned by volunteers.

Colony.

of the

Orations were offered in the Churches.

Lady

of the

exposed

Guide was taken

view

to public

wavering doubt

The

in the Cathedral.

took

the

supreme

On

promise of intercession.

Our

of

Hermit, and

Saints of the different

adored and exhibited daily.

subordinates

his

in

procession from the

in

churches and sanctuaries Avere

Governor himself

The Miraculous Image

The

command, and dispelled all

by proclaiming Saint Mark's
he hoisted the Royal Standard,

his ship

on which was embroidered the Image of the Holy Virgin, with the
motto " Mostrate esse
the

way

and over a beautifully calm sea he

led

to battle.

shot from the Spanish heavy artillery opened the bloody combat.

The Dutch were

lasted six hours.
artillery,

seized.

of

Matrem.,''^

completely vanquished, after a fierce struggle, which

Their three ships were destroyed, and their

and plundered merchandise

to the value of

flags,

$300,000, were

This famous engagement was thenceforth known as the Battle

Playa Honda.

Again

iu

1611, under Silva, a squadron sailed to the Moluccas

and defeated the Dutch

In 1617,

the

off Gilolo Island.

Spaniards had a successful

Zambales coast with the Dutch, who

engagement

off

the

lost three of their ships.

In July, 1620, three Mexican galleons were met by three Dutch

vessels off

Cape Espiritu Santo (Samar

San Bernadino

Straits, but

ashore aud broke up

the

managed
third

Island), at the entrance of the

to escape in the dark.

reached Manila.

After

Two

ran

this,

the

Governor-General, Alonso Fajardo de Tua, ordered the course of the

State ships to be varied on each voyage.

In 1625, the Dutch again appeared

off the

Gerouimo de Silva went out against them.

one man, relinquished the pursuit of the

was brought

to trial

Zambales

coast,

and

The Spaniards having lost

enemy, and the Commander

by the Supreme Court.

In 1626, at the close

o.*

he Governorship of

Fernando de Silva, a

EULE OF THE GOVERNOKS-GENERAL.

81

Spauish Colouy was founded on Formosa Island, but no supplies were

sent to

held

it,

and consequently

for

it

20 years,

continued, until the

strife

it

surrendered to the Dutch,

who

were driven out by the Chinese

they

until

And

adventurer Koxinga.

1642

in

thus for over a century and a

Dutch concentrated

the

lialf

their attention on the

*******

development of their Eastern Colonies, Avhieh the power of Spain,

growing more and more

The

rule of tlic

effete, Avas

incompetent to impede.

Governors-General of the Islands was, upon the

when

whole, beuignant with respect to the natives

submission.

Apart from the unconcealed animosity of the monastic

party, the Governor-General's liberty of action

locally restrained

The

these manifested

was always very mucli

by the Supreme Court and by individual

officials.

standing rule was, that in the event of the death or deprivation

of office of the Governor-General, the Civil

Government was

to

be

assumed by the Supreme Court, and the military administration by the

senior

magistrate.

Latterly, in the absence of a Governor-General,

from any cause whatsoever, the sub-inspector of the forces became

Acting Governor-General.

Up

to the beginning of the present century, the authority of the

King's absolute will was always jealously imposed, and the Governors-

General were frequently rebuked for having exercised independent

action, taking the initiative in

what

tliey

deemed the best

policy.

But

Royal decrees could not enforce honesty the peculations and frauds on
the part of the secular authorities, and increasing quarrels and jealousies
;

amongst the several

of social

religious bodies,

seemed

and material progress of the Colony.

to annihilate all prospect

As

early as the reign of

Philip III. (1598 to 1621), the procurators of Manila had, during three
years, been unsuccessfully soliciting

help for the Pliilippiues to meet

from the mother country

financial

The

affairs of

official

discrepancies.

the Colony were eventually siibmitted to a special Royal Commission

in Spain, the result being, that

the

King was advised

to

abandon

tliis

which was not only unproductive, but had become a costly

However, Fray Hernando de
centre of disputes and bad feeling.
Moraga, a missionary from the Philippines, happened to be in the
possession,

Peninsula at the time, and successfully implored the King to withhold

his ratification of the

recommendation

of the

Commission.

His Majesty

avowed, that even though the maintenance of this Colony should exhaust

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

82
his

Mexican Treasury,

would not allow him to consent

his conscience

to the perdition of souls

which had been saved, and the hope

of rescuing

yet far more in these distant regions.

During tho
Colony,

it

two centuries following the foundation

first

was the custom

enquire into the

of the outgoing

official acts

Hacerle la residencia, as

leave the islands.

Whilst on the one hand

this

upon a Governor who might be

for against

an energetic

Governor before he could

it

was

called.

measure effectually served us a check

was

it

also attended with

by refusing

his

many

to

who had

of

abuses

raised,

aroused

favour their nefarious schemes.

was made out against a Governor,

inexperienced successor was often persuaded to consent to
incarceration whilst the articles of impeachment were being

Hence when a prima facie

his

means

an antagonistic party was always

ruler,

ready to join in the ultimate ruin of the Governor

their susceptibilities

to be appointed to

inclined to adopt unjustifiable

commit defalcations,

coercion, or

Royal Commission

for a

of the

case

investigated.

Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera (1635-1644) had been Governor

was appointed

of Panama, before he

term of

office

to the Philippines.

During his

here he had usually sided with the Jesuits on important

questions taken up by the Friars, and on being succeeded by Diego

Fajardo, he was brought to

After

returned to Spain, where the

of the

and put into prison.

he was released by Royal order and

five years' confinement,

Government

fined $25,000,

trial,

King

partially

compensated him with the

Canary Islands.

Juan Vargas (1678-1684) had been

in office for nearly

seven years,

and the Royal Commissioner who enquired into his acts took four years
He filled 20 large volumes of a statement of
to draw up his report.

made against the late Governor, some of which were grave,

but the majority of them were of a very frivolous character. This is

the charges

the longest enquiry of the kind on record.

Acting-Governor Jose Torralba (1715-1717) was arrested on the

termination of

his

Santiao-o, charged

had

Governorship

v/itli

also to deposit the

commission.

Several

and confined

embezzlement

sum

of

other

accomplices in his crimes.

to the

in the

amount

Fortress

of $700,000.

of

Ho

$20,000 for the expenses of the enquiry

officials

He

is

Avere

said to

imprisoned with him as

have sent his son with public

funds on trading expeditions around the coasts, and his wife and young

PROSECUTIONS OF THE GOVERNOKS-GENERAL.

children to

Mexico with an enoi'mous sum

of

83

money defrauded from

the Government.

Figures at that date shoAv, that -when he took the

Government, there

Avas a balance in the

n-hen he

left

it

two years and a

in

half,

the balance was $33,226,

$205,623, whilst the expenses

leaving a deficit of
v.'cre

Treasury of $238,849, and

Amongst

not extraordinary during that period.

the colony

of

other charges,

he was laccused of having sold ten Provincial Government licences

(encomiendas),

many

and conceded

&c.,

offices of notaries, scriveners,

27 months' gambling licences to the Chinese in the Parian Avithout

He was

accounting to the Treasury.

of $100,000, the costs of the

trial,

finally

sentenced to pay a fine

the forfeiture of the $20,000 already

deposited, perpetual privation of public office, and banishment from the

Manila, ho was so

When

and Madrid.

Philippine Islands

ill

that his banishment

for a short time nominally under arrest,

the

Eoyal order reached

He

was postponed.

and was permitted

for bis subsistence until he died in the Hospital of

lived

beg alms

to

San Juan de Dios

in 1736.

The

defalcations of

anxiety to the

some

of the Governors caused no inconsiderable

Pedro de Arandia (170-1-1759) was a

vSovereign.

corrupt administrator of his country's wealth.

amassed a fortune of $25,000 during

on

his death

he

left it all to

his five

He

and

years' term of office,

pious works.

Governor Berenguer y Marquina (1788-1793)

bribery, but the

have

said to

is

accused of

Avas

King absolved him.

In the present century, a Governor of Yloilo is said to have

absconded in a sailing ship with a large sum of the public funds.

local

Governor Avas then also

the system

cx-officio administrator

was afterwards reformed,

official

extortion

and, although

was

through-

rife

out the whole Spanish administration of the Colony, up to the

A strange
times

drama

of the year

the immunity of

1622 well portrays the

last.

spirit of

the

a Governor-General in those days, as well as

the reli"-ious sentiment Avhich accompanied his most questionable acts.

Alouso Fajardo de Tua having suspected his Avife of infidelity, went to
the house Avhere she

was such

as to confirm

and instructed him

her

life.

was accustomed to meet her paramour.

The

her husband's surmises.

to confess her, telling

He

Her

called a priest

him that he intended

priest failing to dissuade Fajardo

from

attire

to take

inflicting

an extreme penalty, took her confession and proffered her

such

spiritual

PHILirPINE ISLANDS.

84

consolation.

No

her.

Then

Fajardo, incensed with jealousy, mortally staLbed

inquiry into the occurrence seems to have been made, and he

continued to govern for two years after the event, when he died of
melancholy. It is recorded that the paramour, who was the son of a

Cadiz merchant, had formerly been the accepted /?ice of ;Fajardo's

wife, and that he arrived in Manila in their
o-ave

him time

to confess before

The Governor

company.

he killed him, after which (according

he caused his house to be razed to the ground, and the

land on which it stood to be strewn with salt. Juan de la Concepcion,
however, says that the house stood for one hundred years after the event
to one account)

as a memorial of the punishment.

In 1640, Olivarez, King Philip IV.'s chief counsellor, had succeeded

and unconstitutional policy of repression, in arousing

the latent discontent of the Portuguese. A few years previously they

by

his arrogance

had made an unsuccessful

efFort to

under the sovereignty of the

call Avas

made upon

regain their independent nationality

Duke

of Bragauza.

At

their boldest warriors to support the

in his protracted struggle

King

when a

of Spain

with the Catalonians, an insurrection broke

which only terminated when Portugal had thrown

out,

length,

oiF,

for ever, the

scourge of Spanish supremacy.

The Duke

of

Bragauza was crowned King

of Portugal, under the

John lY., aud every Portuguese colony declared in his favour,

except Ceuta, ou the African coast. The news of the separation of

title of

Portugal from Spain reached Manila

in

the

The

following year.

Governor-General at that time Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera sent

out at once an expedition of picked men under Juan Claudio with
orders to take Macao,

Portuguese settlement at the mouth of the

The attempt
Canton River, about 40 miles west of Hongkong.
miserably failed, and the blue aud white ensign continued to waive
unscathed over the little territory. The Governor of Macao, who
was

willing to yield,

was denounced a

traitor to Portugal,

aud killed

by the populace. Juau Claudio, who fell a prisonei-, was generously

liberated by favour of the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, and returned
to Manila.

The Convent

of Santa Clara

was founded

in

Mauila

in

1621

by

Geronima de la Asuncion, who, three years afterwards, was expelled

from the management by the Friars because she refused to
admit reforms

in the

conventual regulatious.

The General Council

THE INQUISITION.

NUNNERIES.

85

subsequently restored her to the matronship for i20 years.

Public

opinion was, at this time, vividly aroused against the superiors of the
convents, who,

it

was

alleged,

made

inveigling the marriageable young

The

unnatural lives.

live

fixed limit to the

number

degree made strenuous

public

women

into taking the veil

and

to

demanded that there should be a

An

of nuns admitted.

elForts

on society by

inroads

serious

to

rescue three nuns

been admitted, but the abbess refused

high

ecclesiastic of

who had

just

give them up until

to

hur

excommunication was published on the walls of the nunnery.

In 1750, a certain Mother Cecilia, who had been

was 16 years

of Santa Catalina since she

who

Spaniard

and begged

of age, fell in love with a

named Francisco Antonio de Figueroa,

her vows and have her liberty restored to

The Archbishop was

her.

grant her request, which Avas,

Avilling to

On

however, stoutly opposed by the Dominican Friars.

made

to the

Friars, nevertheless, defied the Governor, Avho, to sustain

his authority,

was compelled

arms, and the

commanding

in readiness

appeal being

Governor, as viceregal patron, he ordered her to be set

The

at liberty.

nunnery

lived opposite,

be relieved of

to

in the

to

fire

when

to order the troops to be placed

officer of the artillery to

antl

where

preparations, the Fi'iars allowed the

nun

under

hold the cannons

In view of these

necessr.-y.

to leave her confinement,

and

she was lodged in the College of Santa Potenciana pending the dispute.

Public excitement was intense.

The Archbishop

liberated, but as his subordinates

were

the Bishop of

Cebu was

ordered the girl to bo

contumacious to his bidding,

still

invited to arbitrate on the question, but he

declined to interfere, therefore an appeal was remitted to the Archbishop

of Mexico.

In the meantime, the

girl

was married

to her lover,

long afterAvards a citation arrived from Mexico for the

ut that ecclesiastical court.

whom

She Avent there

end her

liberty

and marriage

woman to appear

Avith her

she Avas separated Avhilst the case Avas being

and

husband, from

tried,

but in the

Avere confirmed.

During the Government of Nino de Tabora (1626-1632), the

High Host and sacred

The Archbishop was,

A'essels Avere stolen

from the Cathedral of Manila.

in cojisequeuce, sorely

distressed,

and Avalkcd

barefooted to the Jesuits' conA-eut to Aveep Avith the priests, and therein
find a solace for his

of

God

at

mental

affliction.

It

was surmised that the

AATath

such a crime Avould assuredly be avenged by calamities on

the inhabitants, and confessions Avere

made

daily.

The

Friars agreed to

86

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

appease the anger of the Almighty hj making public penance and

by public

The Archbishop gave

prayer.

fanciful follies.

He

perpetually fasted, ate herbs, drank only water,

slept on the floor with a stone for a pillow,

On

himself up to the most

and flagellated

own body.

his

Corpus Christi day, a religious procession passed through the public

exhorting the delinquents to restore the body of Our Saviour,

streets,

but

vain.

all in

The melancholy

weak beyond recovery from

the window of his retreat as the

prelate,

his self-imposed privations,

came

cortege passed in front of

and there he breathed

As

it,

to

his last.

Spanish Colonies, the Inquisition had

in all other

agents or commissaries in the Philippines.

its

secret

Sometimes a priest Avould

hold powers for several years to inquire into the private lives and acts

knew who

of individuals, whilst no one

Office ordered that its Letter of

persons

who had

Anathema, with the names

Anathema was so read in 1669, and

the present date was in 1718.

Letter of

then up to

In the middle

He was

Emperor Yunglic.
Emperor Kungchi,

to

the only time since

at that time represented

arbitrary

power nearly

Koxinga, who

China and

by the Chinese

was a

certain

all

the Chinese

who held
Mandarin, known under

Amongst the few Mongol

against Ta-Tsiug dominion,

fulfilled.

succeeded on the throne by the Tartar

whose

Empire had submitted.

of

was not

of the 17th century, the Tartars invaded

overthrew the Min Dynasty

name

in full of all

incurred pains and penalties for heresy, should be read

in public places, every three years, but this order

The

The Holy

the informer was.

retired to the Island of

chiefs

out
the

Kinmuen, where he

asserted his independence and defied his nation's conqueror.

Securely

estabhshed in his stronghold, he invited the Chinese to take refuge in

his island and oppose the Tartar's rule.

that no

man

Therefore the Emperor ordered

should inhabit China within four leagues of the coast,

except in those provinces which were undoubtedly loyal to the new

Government. The coast was consequently laid bare vessels, houses,
;

plantations,

and everything useful

effectually cut off all

Empire.

man

Avas destroyed in order to

communications with lands beyond the Tartar

The Chinese from

a living by fishing,

to

etc.,

the coast,

crowded

who

for generations

into the interior,

had earned

and their misery was

indescribable.

Koxinga, unable

to

communicate with the mainland of the Empire,

turned his attention to the conquest or Formosa Island, at the time in

KOXINGA THEEATEXS INVASION.

87

According to Dutch accounts, the

the possession of the Dutch.

Eui-opeau settlers numbered about 600, with a garrison of 2,200.

Dutch

artillery,

and merchandise were valued

stoi-es

The

at $8,000,000,

and the Chinese, who attacked thsm under Koxinga, were about

The

100,000 strong.

settlement surrendered to the invaders' superior

numbers, and Koxinga established himself as King of the Island.

Koxinga had become acquainted with an

Italian

Dominican missionary

named Vittorio Riccio, whom he created a Mandarin, and sent him as

Ambassador to the Governor of the Philippines. Riccio therefore arrived
in

Manila in 1652, the bearer of Koxinga's despatches calling upon the

Governor

Koxinga

to
if

pay

his

tribute,

under threat of the Colony being attacked by

demand were

refused.

The position of Riccio as an European Friar and Ambassador of a

Mongol adventurer was as awkward as it was novel. He was received
with great honour in Manila, where he disembarked, and rode to the

Government House
lines of ti'oops
letters

in the full

drawn up

uniform of a Chinese envoy, through

to salute

him

At

as he passed.

the same time,

from Formosa had also been received by the Chinese in Manila,

and the Government at once accused them of conniving at

All available forces were concentrated in the capital

and

rebellion.

to increase

May, 1662,
Zamboanga, Yligan (Mindanao

the garrison, the Governor published a Decree, dated 6th of

ordering the demolition of the forts of

and Ternate* (Moluccas).

Island), Calamianes

The

only provincial fort preserved

was that

of Surigao (then called

Caraga), conseci[uently in the south the Mussulmans became complete

masters on land and at sea for half a year.

The

troops in Manila numbered 100 cavalry and

Fortifications

were

raised,

8,000 infantry.

and redoubts were constructed

secrete the Treasury funds.

When

all

in

which to

the armament was iu readiness,,

the Spaniards incited the Chinese to rebel, to afford a pretext for their
massacre.

Two
menaced

junk masters Avere seized, and the Chinese population was

therefore they prepared for their

opened the

affray, for

which

tlie

Government

own

defence, and then

Avas secretly longing,

by

Molucca Islands were definitely evacuated and abandoned

as maay men and as much material and money had
been employed iu garrisons and conveyance of subsidies there as in the whole
Philippine Coloay up to that period.
*

From

this date the

by the Spaniards, although

88

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

killing a

Spauiard

iu the

market place.

opened out on the Parian, and many

their terror,

hanged themselves

reach the canoes in which to

arrive in

Suddeuly

of the peaceful

artillery

was

fire

Chinese traders,

iu

many wore drowned in the attempt to

get away to sea
some few did safely
;

Formosa Island and joined Koxinga's camp, whilst others took

Some 8,000 to 9,000 Chinese remained quiet, but

ready for any event, when they were suddeuly attacked by Spaniards
and natives. The confusion was general, and the Chinese seemed to
to the mountains.

be gaining ground, therefore the Governor sent the Ambassador Riccio

and a certain Fray Joseph de Madrid

accepted the terms

oflfered

to parley

by Riccio, who returned

leaving Fray Joseph with the rebels, but

The Chinese

with them.

when

the Governor,

to

Riccio went back with a

general pardon and a promise to restore the two junk masters, he found
that they had beheaded the priest.

followed, and

Juan de

general carnage of the Mongols

Concepcion says

la

that the original intention

of the Spaniards Avas to kill every Chinaman, but that they desisted in

view of the inconvenience which would have ensued from the want of
Therefore they made a virtue of a necessity,

tradesmen and mechanics.

and graciously pardoned

laid

down

in the

name

His Catholic Majesty

of

all

Avho

their arms.

Riccio returned to Formosa Island, and found Koxiuga preparing

for warfare against the Philippines, but before he could

carry out his

This chief's successor, of a

less bellicose

intentions he died of fever.

spirit,

sent Riccio a second time to Manila, and a treaty Avas agreed to,

re-establishing commercial relations with the Chinese.

Koxinga's decease, a rebellion was raised

falling at length into the

council.

Some

Formosa

Then

Riccio was called upon to relate

taken iu Koxinga's

affairs,

and he

and unwarranted general massacre

of

and hoAv

measure of precaution,

The Chinese

in
in

criiel

the Chinese in cold blood, but Riccio took pains to show

Avas,

Avas beard

present were in favour of invading the Philippines

great force because of the

Spain

and the Island

hands of a Tartar party, became annexed to

China under the ucav dynasty.

the part he had

in

Shortly after

justified Avas the

how powerful

action of the Spaniards, as a

iu A'icAV of the threateued

iuA'asiou of

Koxiuga.

party Avas appeased, but had the Tartars cared to take

"Hist. Gen, de Philipiuas, " by Juan de la Concepcion, Vol. VII., paije 48,
pub, Manila, 1783.
'

VALENZUELA, THE COURT FAVOURITE.

up the cause of

89

conquered subjects, the fate of the Philippines

their

\voukI have been doubtful.

During the minority of the young Spanish King Charles

Regency was held by

his

mother,

II.,

the

Queen DoAvager, who was

the

unfortunately influenced by favourites, to the great disgust of the Court

and

the

Amongst

people.

sycophants was

these

man named

Valenzuela, of noble birth, Avho, as a boy, had followed the custom

of

those days,

lufantado

The

and entered as page

to learn

manners and Court

Duke went

to

young

fellow,

learned

for those times,

intelligent, Avell

Cavalier of the Order of Saint James.

versed in

by nature.

return from Italy with the Duke, his patron caused

him

On

all

his

be created a

to

The Duke shortly afterAvards

Dowager Queen's confessor the

died, but through the influence of the

young Valenzuela was

presented at

There he made love to one of the Queen's maids-of-honour

Court.

a Germanand
who headed
from

del

a handsome and talented

the generous exercises of chivalry, and a poet

notorious Nitard, also a favourite

Duke

etiquette.

He was

Valenzuela imder his protection.

the

Spanish Ambassador, and took

as

Italy

a nobleman

to

The

married her.

de Austria,

the party against the Queen, expelled her favourite (Nitard)

Court, and Valenzuela became

adviser.

Don Juan

Prince,

Nearly every night,

at

Her Majesty's

late

hours,

sole confidential

Queen went

the

to

Valenzuela's apartment to confer Avith him, Avhilst he daily brought her

secret neAvs learnt

of

from the

San Bartolomc and

The Queen

courtiers.

of Villa

Sierra, a first-class

created

him Marquis

Grandee of Spain,

and Prime Minister.

He

Avas a

most perfect courtier

and

it is

related of

him that Avhen

a bull fight took place, he used to go to the Royal box richly adorned
in fighting attire,

Her Majesty's

and, with profound rcA^erence, beg

leave to challenge the bull.

The Queen,

it

is

said,

never refused him

the solicited permission, but tenderly begged of him not to expose

himself to such dangers.

Sometimes he would appear

costume embroidered

the ring as a cavalier, in a black

in

Avith silver

and

plume, in imitation of the Queen's

Avith

a large Avhite and black

half mourning.

It

AA'as

remarked that on one occasion he Avore a device of the sun

an

eagle looking

licence.^''

down upon

it,

and the

Avords,

''

much
Avith

alone have

90

PHILIITINE ISLANDS.

He
at

composed several comedies, and 'allowed them

expense for

his

much improved

amusement

the free

and m;iuy public works

sustain

to

his

be performed

He

the people.

of

City of Madrid with

the

to

fine

buildings,

bridges

amongst

popularity

also

the

citizens.

The young King, now a

the

in

grounds

Escorial

happened

youth, ordered a deer hunt to be prepared

and during the diversion.

shoot Valenzuela in the muscle

to

intentionally or

accidentally

Queen-mother fainted and

not known.

is

fell

his arm,

of

However, the

arms of her

into the

His Majesty

whether
terrified

ladies-iu- waiting.

This circumstance was much commented upon, and contributed in no

small degree to the public odium and final downfall of Valenzuela in

1684.

At

the young

length,

Don Juan

King was

of

when

de Austria returned to the Court,

an age to appreciate public concerns, and he

became more the Court favourite than ever Valenzuela or Nitard had
been during the Dowager Queen's administration.

Valenzuela

fell

at

once from the exclusive position he had held in Royal circles and
retired to the Escorial, where,

by order of Don Juan de Austria,

a party of young noblemen, including

Medina Sidonia, the Marquis

of

Don

of Valparaiso

and others of rank,

accompanied by 200 horsemen, went to seize the disfavoured

He was

Duke

Juan's sou, the

courtier.

out walking at the time of their arrival, but he was speedily

apprised of the danger by his bosom friend, the Prior of St. Jerome

Monastery.

The

him

priest hid

in the roof of the

Monastery, v/here,

being nearly suffocated for Avant of ventilation, a surgeon Avas sent up

to bleed

him and make him

The search party failed to find the

return, when the surgeon treacherously

sleep.

refugee, and were about to

betrayed the secret to them, and Valenzuela was discovered sleeping

with arms by his

degraded of

He was made

side.

all his

prisoner,

confined in a castle,

honours and rank, and finally banished by

de Austria to the furthermost Spanish possession

Philippines,

whilst

his

Don Juan

in the Avorld

the

family were incarcerated in a convent

at

Talavera in Spain.

When

the

Pope heard

of this

violation of church

Escorial committed by the nobles, he excommunicated

it

and

in order to

ail

in the

concerned in

purge themselves of their sin and obtain absolution,

they were compelled to go to church

around his neck.

asylum

The/

in their shirts,

each with a rope

actually performed this penance, and then the

STRANGE PROCEEDINGS OF A POPE's LEGATE.

91

Nuucio, Cardiual Mellini, relieved them of their ecclesiastical paius

and

penalties.

Valenzuela was permitted to establish a house within the prison

of

Cavite, where he lived for several years as a State prisoner and

When Don Juan

exile.

in a

de Austria died, the Dowager-Queen regained

measure her influence at Court, and one of the

begged of her

son, the King,

The King granted her

was the return

request,

first

favours she

of Valenzuela to Madrid.

and she at once despatched a ship to

bring him to Spain, but the Secretary of State interfered and stopped
Nevertheless,

it.

Valenzuela, pardoned and liberated, set out for

the Peninsula, and reached Mexico, where he died from the kick of a
horse.

In 1703, a vessel arrived

Armenian

captain, bringing a

who

Turin,

in

Manila Bay from India, under an

young man 35 years

styled himself Monseigneur Charles

Tournon, Visitor-General, Bishop of

of age, a native of

Thomas Maillard de

Savoy, Patriarch of Antioch,

He was

Apostolic Nuncio and Legate ad latere of the Pope.

way

to

priests

China to

visit

on his

the missions, and called at Manila with eight

and four Italian

families.

Following the custom established

Avith foreign ships, the custodian

on board this vessel.

of the Fort of Cavite placed guards

This act

seems to have aroused the indignation of the exalted stranger,

assumed a very haughty tone, and arrogantly

insisted

who

upon a verbal

message being taken to the Governor (Domingo Zabulburu), to announce

his arrival.
at

In Manila these circumstances were much debated, and

length the Governor instructed the custodian of

Cavite Fort to

On

his approach, a

accompany the stranger

salute

was

fired

him

City of Manila.

from the City battlements, and he took up

in the house of the

visit

to the

Maestre de Campo.

his residence

There the Governor Avent to

as the Pope's legate, and Avas received with great arrogance.

However, the Governor showed no resentment

dumfoundedby the

dignified airs

he seemed to be quite

assumed by the patriarch, and consulted

with the Supreme Court about the irregularity of a legate arriving without
exhibiting the regiuin exequatur.

must be called upon

The Court

to present his

decided that the strauger

Papal credentials and the Royal

confirmation of his powers with respect to Spanish dominions, and Avith

this object

a magistrate Avas commissioned to wait upon him.

The

patriarch treated the commissioner Avith undisguised contempt, expressing

92

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
and surprise at

his indignation

show any

refused to
at

position being doubted

liis

credentials,

he absolutely

and turned out the commissioner, raving

him and causing an uproarious

scandal.

At each

stage

the

of

negotiations with him, the patriarch put forward the great authority of

the Pope, and his unquestionable right to dispose of realms and peoples
at his will,

and somehow

Governor, the Archbishop and

were

the

the authorities, civil and ecclesiastical,

all

The Archbishop, in fact, made an unconditional

to the patriarch, who now declared that all State and religious
must be subordinate to his will. The Archbishop was ordered

overawed.

surrender
authority

by him
his

seemed to subdue everybody

this ruse

own

to set aside his Archiepiscopal Cross, whilst the patriarch used

particular cross iu the religious ceremonies, and left

He went

Cathedral of Manila on his departure.

it

in the

so far as to cause his

master of the ceremonies to publicly divest the Archbishop of a part of

his official robes

and insignia,

to all

which the prelate meekly consented.

All the chief authorities visited the patriarch, who, however, was too

Here

dignified to return their calls.

of a

man unknown

to

was, as a matter of

The

friendship
arrest.

the authority of a colony under his

all

fact, the legate of

whom

person to

only

The Maestre de Campo was

squandered

blinded

him

Avith

about ^20,000 iu

making him

The

presents.

have extended

alleged

misdeeds, and

visited

patriarch

pardon to be proclaimed

iu

this

his

that

this

strange

return

in

of

the

a public act.

vessel

knight of the " Golden Spiu',"

Campo's house,

in

From Manila

official

visitor

and

upon the

insisted

of all

was conceded, he caused the

were treated by the patriarch with open

Armenian captain

his

by the patriarch, who so

patronage,

his

entertaining

when

at the time under ecclesiastical

Governor and Archbishop pardoning the Maestre de Campo

his

sway

Clement XI.

he appears to

was the Maestre de Campo,

ingeniously

an extraordinary case

everybody and refusing to prove his identity,

having actually brought

He

Avas, in fact,

All the Manila

disdain, but he created the

which brought him

iu a public

officials

ceremony

to

Maniln, a

in the

Maestre de

which the Governor-General was ignored.

the patriarch went to

with the Catholic missions was met

Chiun, where his meddling

Aviih fierce opposition.

Pie so

dogmatically asserted his unproA'cd authority, that he caused European

missionaries to be cited to the Chinese Courts and sentenced for their

disobedience

but he was playing with

fire,

for at last the

Emperor

of

TREATMENT OF PAPAL LEGATES.

93

China, wearied of his importunities, banished him from the country.

Tlience he went to Macao, where,

much

to the

bewilderment of the

Chinese population, he maintained constant disputes with the Catholic

missionaries until he died there in 1710 in the Inquisition prison, where

he was placed

at the instance of the Jesuits.

When King
Manila,

Philip V. became aware of

was

he

highly

incensed,

and

what had occurred

immediately

ordered

Governor-General to Mexico, declaring him disqualified for

serve

under the Crown.

Court were -removed from

The

senior

magistrates of

Each

office.

priest

to

life

yielded to

cognizance of

legate'^ authority without previously taking

the

the

Supreme

the

who had

in

the

The Archbishop

rcgitim exequatur

was ordered

was degraded and

transferred from the Archbishopric of Manila to the

to

pay $1,000

Bishopric of Guadalajara in Mexico.

came

to the

fine.

In spite of

this

punishment,

it

knowledge of the King that the ex-Archbishop of Manila,

as Bishop of Guadalajara,

subvert civil and

was

still

conspiring with the patriarch to

with Avhich

religious authority in his dominions,

him $1,000 from Mexico, and had promised him a

$1,000 per annum with whatever further support he

object he had sent

fixed

sum

of

could afford to give him.

effect that

Therefore the King issued an edict to the

any legate who should arrive

confirmation of his

in his

domains without Eoyal

Papal credentials should thenceforth be treated

simply with the charity and courtesy due to any traveller

and

in

order that this edict should not be forgotten, or evaded, under pretext
of

its

having become obsolete,

read in full

on certain days

it

in

was further enacted that

every year before

ecclesiastical functionaries.

''-

all

it

should be

the civil and

CHAPTER

VII.

BRITISH OCCUPATION OF :SIANILA.

Ix 1761, King

George III.

hail

just

succeeded

to

the throne

of

England, and the protracted contentions with France had been suspended
It was soon evident, however, that efforts were being
for a while.

employed to extinguish the power and prestige of Great Britain, and

with this object a convention had been entered into between France
and Spain known as the " Family Compact."
it

was an

alliance

namely, Louis

made by

XV.

of

It

was

so called because

the three branches of the Plouse of Bourbon,

France, Charles III. of Spain, and his son

Ferdinand, who, in accordance with the Treaty of Vienna, had ascended

Spain engaged to unite her forces with those of
the throne of Naples.

France against England on the 1st of May, 1762,

in which case France would restore Minorca

if

the Avar

still

to Spain.

lasted,

Pitt

convinced of the necessity of meeting the coalition by force of

was
arras,

but he was unable to secure the support of his Ministry to declare war,

and he therefore retired from the premiership. The succeeding Cabinet

were, nevertheless, compelled to adopt his policy, and after having lost

many advantages by

delaying their decision, war was declared against

France and Spain.

The

British were successful everywhere.

In the West Indies, the

Caribbean Islands and Havana were captured with great booty by

Rodney and Mouckton, whilst a

British Fleet

was despatched

to the

Philippine Islands with orders to take Manila.

There are many versions

and amongst them there

is

of this event given

by

different historians,

not wanting an author who, following the

Spanish custom, has accounted for defeat by alleging treason.

On
Bay

the

l-ith of

September, 1762, a British vessel arrived in the

of Manila, refused to

admit Spanish

officers

on board, and after

taking soundings she sailed again out of the harbour.

ilANILA TAKEN.

BRITISH INVASION.

95

In the evening of the 22iuT of September, the British sqiiadron,

composed

of 13 ships, under the

command

of

Admiral Cornish, entered

two British officers were deputed

the Citadel, which was refused.

the bay, and the next dav

the surrender of

to

demand

Brigadier-General Draper thereupon disembarked his troops, and

again called upon

This citation being defied, the

city to yield.

tlie

The

bombardment commenced the next day.

Fleet anchored in front

the Churches of Malats,

of a powder-magazine, took possession of

San Juan de Bagumbayan and Santiago. Two picket guards

made an unsuccessful sortie against them. The whole force in Manila,
at the time, was the King's regiment, which mustered about 600 men
Ilermita,

and 80 pieces of

The

artillery.

1,500

British forces consisted of

European troops (one regiment of infantry and tAvo companies of

artillery), 3,000 seamen, 800 Sepoy fusileers, and 1,400 Sepoy prisoners,

making a

men, including

total of 6,830

officers.^

at the time,

There was no Governor-Genernl here

person with

whom

the British

Commander

could treat was the Acting-

Governor, the Archbishop Manuel Antonio Rojo,

His authority was, however,

yield.

who

and the only

set aside

by a

who was
rebellious

willing to

war

party,

placed themselves under the leadership of a magistrate of the

Supreme Court, named Simon de Auda y Salazar. This individual,

instead of leading them to battle, fled to the Province of Bulacan the
day before the capture of Manila in a prahu witli a few natives,
carrying with
paper.^

him some money and

He knew

perfectly

well

half a

ream of

stamped

official

he was defying the legal

that

authority of the Acting-Governor, and was, in fact, in open rebellion

against his mandate.

colour to his acts

It

was necessary,

by issuing

ment-stamped paper,

his orders

therefore, to give an official

and proclamations on Govern-

so that their validity

might be recognized

if

he

subsequently succeeded in justifying his action at Court.

On

the 24th of September, the Spanish batteries of San Diego and

San Andres opened

the " Philipino"

fire,

but with

was known

to

little effect.

be on her

A richly laden

way from Mexico

but the British ships which were sent in quest of her

to

>

Zuiiiga's History,

Cronica de

r,r,o.

los

galleon
to Manila,

fell

in

with

Eng. trans. London, 1S14, Vol. XL, Chap. XIII.

P. P. Dominiccs, ed. of llivadcnayra, Madrid, Vol. IV., pp. 637

96

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

another galleon

Her

the "Trinidad"and brought

amounted

treasure

A Frencliman

about $2,500,000.'

to

resident in Manila, Monsieur Faller,

who

on the British,

him

forced

the Spaniards of treason.

to retire,

him

to

hand him over

upon them and murdered them

cut

off, it

Avas

not giving

prisoner,

all.

attack

The

and an

officer's

demanded by General Draper.

by

Avas then accused

officer

However, a party

to his uncle.

fell

and he

made an

was kept up on both

Artillery fire

The Archbishop's nephew was taken

Avith

their prize to Manila.

sides.

was sent

of natives

head having been

Excuses were made for

up, and the General determined thenceforth to continue

it

The

the warfare with vigour and punish this atrocity.

artillery

was

increased by another batterj^ of three mortars, placed behind the Church

of Santiago,

and the bombardment continued.

Five thousand native recruits arrived from the provinces, and out
of this

number, 2,000 Pampangos were selected.

into three columns, in order to

of the attack on

At each

divided

advance by different routes and attack

respectively the church of Santiago

troops on the beach.

They were

Malate

and Hermita

place they were driven back.

Malate and Hermita

and

The

the

leader

Don Santiago Orendain was

The two first columns were dispersed with great

and loss.
The third column retreated before they had
or inflicted any loss.
The natives fled to their villages in

declared a traitor.

confusion
sustained

dismay, and on the 5th of October the British entered the walled city.

After a couple of hours' bombardment, the forts of San Andres and

San

Eugenie were demolished, the

and sappers were

fusileers

council of

sustained the

composed

artillery overturned,

killed.

war was now held by the Spaniards.

authority

of

chiefly of civilians,

opinion

and the enemy's

of

the Archbishop

General Draper

against the

war

party,

who

determined to continue the defence

the

military

men,

who argued

that

of

the

capitulation

was

inevitable.

the natives,

who

refused to repair the fortifications, and the Europeans

were unable

to

spite

in

the city

But matters were brought

perform such hard labour.

the clergy

fled

to a crisis

Great confusion reigned

by
in

through the Puerta del Parian, where there

the Manihx merchants' specie remittances from

subsidy to support the administration of
the
Mexican
with
Acapulco, together
of Mexico up to the second decade
a
dependency
this Colony, vvhich was merely
of this century Qide Chap, XV.).
'

This

money

constituted

BRITISH INVASION.
was

still

cannon

WAR

Accordiug

a native guard.

and 5,000

balls

INDEMNITY AGREED UPON.

shells in the

Major Fell entered the

to Ziiniga, the British spent

bombardment

field pieces in

head of his troops,

column unopposed, with

his

the van, whilst a constant musketry

Calle Real as they advanced.

The people

20,000

of the city.

city (Oct. 6th) at the

and General Draper followed, leading

two

97

fire

cleared the

The

enemy.

fled before the

gates being closed, they scrambled up the walls and got into boats or

swam

off.

Colonel

Monson was

to say that he expected

sent

by Draper

to the

immediate surrender.

Archbishop-Governor
This was disputed by

who presented a paper purporting to be terms of

The Colonel refused to take it, and demanded an
surrender.
Then the Archbishop, a Colonel of the

the Archbishop,
capitulation.

unconditional

Spanish troops, and Colonel Monson went to interview the General,

whose quarters were in the Palace. The Archbishop, offering himself
as a prisoner, presented the terms of capitulation,

the free exercise of their religion

which provided

security of private property

for

free

trade to all the inhabitants of the islands, and the continuation of the

powers of the Supreme Court

These
for

terras

to

keep order amongst the

were granted, but General Draper, on

an indemnity of four millions of

dollars,

and

ill-disposed.

his part, stipulated

it

was agreed

to

pay

one half of this sum in specie and valuables and the other half in
Treasury bills on Madrid. The capitulation, with these modifications

was signed by Draper and the Archbishop-Governor.

Colonel took the document
magistrates,

to the Fort to

which was at once done

have

it

The Spanish

countersigned by the

was delivered up to
the Palace to pay their

the Fort

the British, and the magistrates retired to

respects to the conquerors.

When

the British flag

was seen

floating

from the Fort of Santiago

was great cheering from the British Fleet. The Archbishop

stated that when Draper reviewed the troops, more than 1,000 men
there

were missing, including sixteen

ofiicers.

Among

these officers v/ere

wounded by an arrow on the first day of the assault,

and the Vice-Admiral, who Avas drowned whilst coming ashore iu
a Major, fatally

a boat.

The

natives

who had been brought from

the provinces to Manila

were plundering and committing excesses in the

them

all

driven out.

city, so

Draper had

Guards were placed at the doors of the nunneries

98

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

and convents to prevent outrages on the women, and then the city

was given up

to the victorious troops for pillage during three hours.

Ziiiiiga,

however, remarks that the European troops were moderate,

but

the Indian contingents were insatiable.

tliat

committed many

They ransacked

Binondo, and, acting

The

even murdered

suburbs of

into

Santa Cruz and

they ravished

tribes,

the highways to murder and rob those

three hours expired, and the following day a similar

The Archbishop thereupon besought the General

and have compassion on the city. The General

scene was permitted.

to put a stop

the

savage victorious

like

women, and even went

fled.

are said to have

atrocities, and, revelling in bloodshed,

the inhabitants.

who

They

to

it,

complied with this request, and restored order under pain of death for
disobedience

some

Draper himself

killed one

he ordered that
priests'

Chinese were in consequence hanged.

all

whom

General

he found in the act of stealing, and

Church property should be

restored, but only

some

vestments Avere recovered.

Draper demanded the surrender of Cavite, which was agreed to by

the Archbishop and magistrates, but the

The Major

to comply.

of that garrison

Commanding
was

Officer refused

sent with

message

to

Commander, but on the way he talked with such freedom about

the

the surrender to the British, that the natives quitted their posts and

plundered the Arsenal.

retired to a ship,

and

The Commander,

left all

further respousibility to the Major.

Measures were now taken

contributions were levied

with the

silver

rather than face humiliation,

pay the agreed indemnity.

to

upon the

Heavy

inhabitants, which, however, together

from the pious establishments, church ornaments,

plate,

the Archbishop's rings and breast-cross, only amounted to $546,000.

The
rest

British then proposed to accept one million at once and

from the cargo

of the galleon " Philipiuo,"

had not been seized by the British previous

was signed

if

to the

it

draw the

resulted that she

day the capitulation

but the one million was not forthcoming.

The day

before

the capture of Manila, a Royal messenger had been sent off with

$111,000 with orders to hide them

The Archbishop now

in

some place

natives,

whom

it

was

were insubordinate, and

they virtually ruled, and the treasure was

secreted in Majayjay Convent.

message,

Laguna de Bay.

ordered their return to Manila, and issued a requi-

sition to that effect, but the Franciscan friars

armed the

in the

Thence, on receipt of the Archbishop's

carried across country to a place in JK^orth

Pampanga,

BRITISH INVASION.

SIMON

DS ANDA's REBELLION.
The

bordering on Cagayan and Pangasinan.

99

British, convinced that

Tlaomas Backhouse,

they were being duped, insisted ou their claim.

commanding the troops stationed at Pasig, went up to the Laguna de

Bay with 80 mixed troops, to intercept the bringing of the "Philipino"
He attacked Tunasan, Vifian and Santa Rosa, and embarked
treasure.
The
for Pagsanjan, which was then the capital of the Lake Province.
Backhouse
inhabitants, after firing the convent and church, fled.
returned to Calamba, entered the Province of Bataugas, overran

it,

and

In Lipa he seized $3,000, and

there he established his quarters, expecting that the " Philipino " treasure

made

several Austin Friars prisoners.

would be carried that way

by sea

to a

Pampanga

but on learning that

coast town.

Backhouse

it

had been transported

AvithdreAV to Pasig.

In the capitulation, the whole of the Archipelago was surrendered

to the British, but a magistrate, Simon de Anda, determined to appeal to
arms. Draper used stratagem, and issued a Proclamation commiserating
the fate of the natives
that the

King

of

who

paid tribute to Spaniards, and assuring them

England would not exact

Governor, became Draper's

The Archbishop,

it.

as

messages to the Spanish families

tool, sent

persuading them to return, and appointed an Englishman, married

the country, to be Alderman of Tondo.

in

Despite the strenuous opposi-

Supreme Court, the Archbishop, at the instance of Draper,

convened a council of native headmen and representative families, and
proposed to them the cession of all the islands to the King of England.
tion of the

Draper clearly saw that the ruling powers

their energy

and

in the

Colony, judging from

eiFective measures, Avere the Friars, so

The Frenchman

with great respect.

he treated them

who unsuccessfully opposed

Faller,

the British assault, was offered troops to go and take possession of

Zamboanga and accept the government

also a Spaniard named Sandoval.
Draper returned to Europe
troops, whilst

there, but

Major Fell was

he refused, as did

left in

Drake assumed the military government

Smith and Brock as

council,

and Brereton

in

command

of the

of the city, with

charge of Cavite.

Draper,

"
on leaving, gave orders for two frigates to go in search of the " Philipino
The ships got as far as Capul Island and put into harbour.
treasure.

They were

detained there by a ruse on the part of a half-caste pilot,

and the treasure was got away

Simon de Anda, from

Governor-General.

his

in the

meantime.

provincial

retreat,

proclaimed himself

He declared that the Archbishop and the magistrates,

G 2

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

100

as prisoners of war, were dead in the eye of the law

assumptiou of authority was based upon old laws.

men
The

None

aud that his

of his country-

Bacolor.

disputed his authority, and he established himself in

British Council then convened a meeting of the chief inhabitants^

at which

Anda was

declared a seditious person and deserving of capital

punishment, together with the Marquis of Monte Castro, who had

violated his parole d'honneur, and the Provincial of the Austin Friars,

who had

All the Austin friars were declared

joined the rebel party.

having broken their allegiance to the Archbishop's authority.

The British still pressed for the payment of the one million, whilst the
Spaniards declared they possessed no more. The Austin friars were

traitors for

ordered to keep the natives peaceable

hostilities against themselves.

futility of decrees,

At

if

they did not wish to provoke

length, the British, convinced of the

determined to sally out with their forces

men under Thomas Backhouse went up

and 500

the Pasig River to secure a

Whilst opposite to Maybonga,

free passage for supplies to the camp.

Bustos with his Cagayan troops fired on them. The British returned
The British passed the river,
the fire, and Bustos fled to Mariquina.

aud sent an

ofiicer

with a white flag of truce to

summon

surrender.

Bustos was insolent, and threatened to hang the officer if he returned.

Backhouse's troops then opened fire and placed two field pieces which

who

completely scared the natives,

many were drowned

enemy " as

if

in the river.

they were a flock of

River, where the Sultan of Sulu

fled in

such great confusion that

Thence the British pursued their

goats," and reached the Bambau

resided with his family.

The Sultan,
who fortified

the British,
after a feigned resistance, fell a prisoner to
operations.
his dwelling, and occupied it during the whole of the

There

were subsequent skirmishes ou the Pasig River banks with the armed
mountains.
insuro-ents, who were driven as far as the Antipolo
Meanwhile, Anda collected troops and Bustos, as his Lieutenant;

General, vaunted the power of his chief through the Bulacan aud
Franciscan aud an Austin friar, having led
Pampanga Provinces.

Manila, the British went out

troops to Masilo, about seven miles from
feigned they
dislodge them, but on their approach most of the natives
to

and the British returned Avithout any loss in arms or men.

The British, believing that the Austin friars were conspiring against

Avere dead,

Vicissitudes of Sultan

Mahainad Allmudin iv'dc

Cliap. X.;.

BULACAN TAKEN BY ASSAULT. 101

BRITISH INVASION.
them

connivance with those inside the

in

away

Gnfinemeut, and subsequently shipped

For the same

placed these friars in

city,

eleven of them to Europe.

reason, they at last determined to enter the St.

Convent, and on ransacking

lying to them

they found that the priests had been

it,

Six thousand dollars

the time.

all

Augustine

in coin

were found

hidden in the garden, and large quantities of wrought silver elsewhere.

The whole

seized.

premises were then searched, and

British expedition

Bay and up

Hagonoy

the

went out

the valuables were

all

to Bnlacan, sailing across the

River, where they disembarked at Malolos

The

on the 19th of January, 1763.

troops, under Captain Eslay of

many

the Grenadiers, numbered 600 men,

Avliom

of

were Chinese

As they advanced from Malolos, the natives and

On the way to Bulacan, Bustos advanced to meet

volunteers.

Spaniards

fled.

them, but

retreated into

ambush on seeing they were

Convent was

fortified Avith three small

were

At

head

of

decamped

their
;

enemy's cannon, the

the convent

was taken by

in action

ivnd killed to

one Austin

back to Manila.

panic-stricken

assault

friar escaped,

avenge the death of the British

forces occupied the Convent,

great

field pieces into action,

there

natives

was an

The Alcalde and

criminate fight and general slaughter.

fell

made

discharge carried off the

first

The

Ybarra.

artilleryman

as the troops

of case shot

length the British brought their

aiid pointing at the

Bulacan

Chinese volunteers forming the British

in the ranks of the resident

vanguard.

As soon

cannons.

in sight of the convent, a desultory fire

havoc

friar

superior in numbers.

indis-

a Franciscan

and another was seized

soldiers.

The invading

and some of the troops were shortly sent

Bustos reappeared near the Bulacan Convent with

8,000 native troops, of which 600 were cavalry, but they dared no
attack the British.

made
so

Bustos then manoeuvred in the neighbourhood and

occasional alarms.

little efiect,

Small parties were sent out against him with

that the British

and put the whole

Commander headed

of Bustos' troops

to flight like

a body in person,

mosquitos before a

gust of wind, for Bustos feared they would be pursued into Pampanga.

After clearing away the underwood, which served as a covert for the
natives, the British reoccupied
his

position,

British,

At

who
the

the convent

but Bustos returned to

and was a second time as disgracefully routed by the

then withdrew to Manila.

same

time,

it

Avas alleged that

was being
Pampa^iga with the

a conspiracy

organized amongst the Chinese in the Province of

102

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

object of assassinating

Anda and

and raised

cut trenches

his

The Chinese

Spanish followers.

fortifications,

avowing that

bellicose

their

preparations were only to defend themselves against the possible attack

of the British

whilst the Spaniards

The

the invaders.

upon the views

saw

and Anda endeavoured

He

vain to induce them to

in

they would lay

down

their

arms

name

in the

of the

The

result

the

where they were pursued by the

fields,

who were captured were hanged. Such was

which Anda entertained for the Chinese, that he
declaring
to be

all

Many

slain.

troops, whilst those

the inveterate hatred

issued a general decree

them

the Chinese traitors to the Spanish flag, and ordered

hanged wherever they might be found

in the

who had

thousands of Chinese were executed

of

was favourable

Anda's party, and great numbers of the Chinese were

fled to

King

but they killed the emissary,

and Anda therefore commenced the attack.

for

there

then sent a Spaniard, named Miguel Garces,

with a message, offering them pardon

if

commence

to

The Chinese assembled

the slaughter in the town of Guagua.

Spain

by appearing with

bowmen

fourteen Spanish soldiers and a crowd of native

surrender to him.

Anda, acting

no doubt conjectured rightly.

latter

of his party, precipitated matters

in great numbers,

connivance with

in all this a

Thus

provinces.

taken no part whatever

in the events of this little war.

Admiral Cornish having decided

for the

payment

in great straits

of the
;

to return to

two millions

of dollars.

Europe, again urged

The

he was willing to do anything, but

opposed him, and Cornish was at length obliged

with a

bill

on the Madrid Treasury.

of Bulacan, and ordered

him

Anda

to recruit

to

them out

The

his

colleagues

content himself

appointed Bustos Alcalde

and

train troops, as

nurtured the hope of confining the British to Manila

driving

Archljishop wa?^

perhaps

he

still

even of

of the Colony.

British in the city were compelled to adopt the most rigorous

precautious against a rising of the population within the walls, and

several Spanish residents were arrested for intriguing against them in

concert with those outside.

Several French prisoners

British

from Pondicherry deserted from

and some Spanish regular troops, who had been

prisoners, effected their escape.

The

Fiscal of the

a Seiior Villa Corta were found conspiring.

The

the

taken

Supreme Court and

latter

was caught

in

the act of sending a letter to Anda, and was sentenced to be hanged

SIMON DE ANDA's PROCLAMATION. 103

BRITISH INVASION.
aud quartered

the

The

quarters to be exhibited in public places.

Archbishop, however, obtained Villa Corta's pardon, on the condition

that

Anda

Pampanga Province

should evacuate the

wrote to Anda, begging him to accede to

refused to

make any

this,

save his friend's

sacrifice to

Anda

but
life

and Villa Corta

absolutely

and at the same

time he wrote a disgraceful letter to the Archbishop, couched in such

Commander burnt it without letting

Corta was finally ransomed by the

insulting terms, that the British

the Archbishop see

payment

The

it.

Villa

of $3,000.

treasure brought

by the " Philipino" served Anda

who were

Spaniards

a respectable force of recruits.

to organize

living there in

misery, and a crowd of natives always ready for pay, enlisted.

encamped

forces under Lieutenant-General Bustos

five

The

miles from Manila.

the

at Malinta, about

lodged in a house belonging

officers

which the troops pitched

to the Austin Friars, around

their tents

whole being defended by redoubts and palisades raised under

the direction of a French deserter,

who

guard sent

to retreat before a picket

From this
troops, who once

company.

led a

place Bustos constantly caused alarm to the British

had

These

get the

to

church bells

The British, in fact, were much molested by Bustos'

Malinta troops, who forced the invaders to withdraw to Manila and

of Quiapo.

reduce the extension of their outposts.

up by a Proclamation,
Bustos' troops as

$5,000 for Anda's

in Avhich

his

the British

Commander

alluded to

" canaille and robbers," and offered a reward of

head

declaring

him and

Kings

of Spain

traitors to their Majesties the

chafing at

This measure was followed

his party rebels

aud England.

aud

Anda,

impotence to combat the invading party by force of

arms, gave vent to his feelings of rage and disappointment by issuing

a Decree,

dated from Bacolor

19th

translated text reads as follows, viz.

of

May, 1763,

of

which the

" Royal Government Tribunal of these Islands for His Catholic

" Majesty

Whereas

the

Royal

Government Tribunal, Supreme

" Government and Captain-Generalship of His Catholic Majesty in

" these Islands are gravely oftended at the audacity and blindness

" of those men, who, forgetting all humanity, have condemned as

" rebellious and disobedient to both their Majesties, him, who as a
" faithful vassal of His Catholic Majesty, aud in conformity with the
" law, holds the Royal Tribunal, Government and Captain-General-

104

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

" ship

and having suffered by a reward being offered by order of the

" British Governor

" dead

and by

whomsoever

in council to

having placed the arms captured

their

seeing

" the foot of the gallows

me

shall deliver
in

alive or

Bulaean

at

that instead of their punishing and

" reproaching such execrable proceedings, the spirit of haughtiness

" and pride is increasing, as shoAvn in the Proclamation published in
" Manila on the 17th instant, in which the troops of His Majesty
" are infamously calumniated

" affected to their service

" the English
"

the

officers

and

treating

charging
soldiers,

them

them with plotting

and with having

whole of these accusations being

" these presents, be

it

known

to,

false

who

fled

" society, and therefore,

Avhen attacked

Now

therefore

by

signed the Proclamation

must not be considered as vassals

" Majesty, but as tyrants and

to assassinate

and true Englishmen,

to all Spaniards

" that Messrs. Drake, Smith and Brock

" referred

as blackguards and dis-

His Britannic

of

common enemies imworthy

human

of

that they be apprehended as such,

I order

" and I offer ten thousand dollars for

eacli one of them alive or dead.

" At the same time, I withdraw the order to treat the vassals of His
" Britannic Majesty with all the humanity which the rights of war

" will permit, as has been practised hitherto with respect to the
" prisoners and deserters."

Anda had by

time received the consent of his King to occupy

this

Commander was

the position Avhich he had usurped, and the British

thus enabled to communicate officially with him,

it

and Drake replied to

carry on the

On

occasion required

Anda

Proclamation, recommending

this

to

war with greater moderation and humanity.

the 27th of June, 1763, the British

city to dislodge Bustos,

who

still

made a

occupied Malinta.

party consisted of 350 fusileers, 50 horsemen, a

a number of guns and ammunition.

on one side of the

river, whilst

opposing parties exchanged

the water-way.

The

House and removed

withdrew to Manila
killed, five

fire,

The

camp

from the

The

attacking

of Chinese

British took

Ijut

to

in the evening.

up quarters

good order

The

Bustos had burnt Malinta

Meycauayan.

On

to Masilo,

Then

the

British

the Spanish side there were

mortally wounded, and two slightly wounded.

British losses were six mortally

and

neither cared or dared to cross

British forces retired in

his

mob

sortie

Bustos remained on the other.

until they heard that

and remained there

two

if

wounded and seven

disabled.

The
This

NEWS OF PEACE.

BRITISH INVASION.
was the

Chinamen occasionally

encouuter in open warfare.

last

105

their lives throi:gh their love of plunder in the vicinity occupied

lost

by

the British.

During these operations, the priesthood taught the ignorant natives

to believe that the invading troops

were

infidels

and a holy war was

preached.

The

Friars, especially those of the

Augustine

order,'

abandoned

and the British met with

their mission of peace for that of the sword,

a slight reverse at Masilo, where a religious fanatic of the Austin friars

had put himself

On

at the

head of a small band lying

in

ambush.

the 23rd of July, 1763, a British frigate brought news fi'om

Europe of an

armistice,

which Manila was

to

and the preliminaries

of peace,

by

virtue of

be evacuated (Peace of Paris, 10th of February,

1763), were received by the British

Commander on

by him

following, and communicated

to the

the 27th of August

Archbishop-Governor for

the " Commander-in-Chief " of the Spanish arms.

Anda

stood on his

dignity, and protested that he should be addressed directly,

Captain-General.

styled

Drake

communication.

On

this

plea

he declined

to

and be

receive

the

replied by a manifesto, dated 19th September,

to the effect that the responsibility of the blood

which might be

spilt in

consequence of Anda's refusal to accept his notification would rest with

Anda

him.
in

published a counter manifesto, dated 28th

September,

Bacolor (Pampanga), protesting that he had not been treated with

proper courtesy.

Greater latitude was allowed to the prisoners, and Villa Corta

effected

his

escape

dressed

as

oo-conspirator Avho had refused to save his

friendship

was renewed.

Villa Corta

was

ill

and

it

Avas discussed

who

life,

left in

Bacolor during Anda's temporary absence.

fell

He

woman.

fled

and

to

Anda

the

their superficial

charge of business in

Meanwhile the Archbishop

should be his successor in the

1 So tenacious was the opposition brought by the Austin friars

both in Manila
and the Provinces, that the British appear to have regarded them as their special

foes.

From

the archives of

following notes, viz.

Bauan Convent, Province

: The Austin

of Batangas, I have talien the

Friars lost $238,000

and

fifteen convents.

Six

were despoiled. Of the troops killed, 300 were Spaniards, 500

Pampanga natives and 300 Tagalog natives. Besides the Austin friars from the
galleon " Trinidad," who were made prisoners and shipped to Bombay, ten of
their order were killed in battle and nineteen were taken and exiled to India and
of their estates

Europe.

106

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

government
to

him

in the

The

as senior magistrate.

Anda, and seriously aroused

his ambitious projects, he

interrogate Villa Corta,

remarks

Villa Corta argued that

event of his death.

who

camp

his

knowledge of

to the

Fearing conspiracy against

his jealousy.
left

came

discussion

at Polo,

and hastened to

explained that he had only

the subject of the succession, and sought the opinion of

and bishops.

priests

Various opinions existed.

decision be left to the

many

whilst

Supreme Court

made

Anda, however, was

in the course of conversation.

fell

it

casual

on

restless

all

the chief

Some urged

that the

others were

in

favour of

Anda

Anda was

abstained from expressing their views.

so

nervously anxious about the matter, that he even begged the opinion of
the British

the 2nd of

Commander, and wrote him on the

November, 1763.

Major Fell seriously quarrelled

whom

Faller,

Admiral Cornish had

having written a
robber.

letter to

Drake protected

of the prisoner
to slay

Avitli

left

subject from Bacolor on

Drake about the Frenchman

under sentence of death for

Java accusing him

Faller, whilst Fell

of being a pirate

and a

demanded the execution

and the dispute became so heated, that Fell was about

Drake with a bayonet, but was prevented by some

Fell

soldiers.

then went to London to complain of Drake, hence Anda's letter was

addressed to Backhouse,

had refused

since

to

who

Anda, who months

took Fell's place.

negotiate

or

treat

upon being styled Captain-General.

with Drake,

Backhouse

still

replied that he

was

knew

the

ignorant of the Spaniards' statutes or laws, but that he

Anda thereupon

Governor was the Archbishop.

the British

Commander had forged

he could no longer hold out

insisted

spread the report that

the Preliminaries of Peace because

in warfare.

The

British necessarily had to

send to the provinces to purchase provisions, and

Anda caused

their

forage parties to be attacked, so that the war really continued, in spite

of the

news

30th of January, I76i.

of peace, until the

On

this

the Archbishop died, sorely grieved at the situation, and weighed

with cares.

He

had engaged

to

pay four millions

of

day

down

dollars

and

surrender the islands, but could he indeed have refused any terms

The

British were in possession

and these conditions were dictated at

the point of the bayonet.

Immediately after the funeral of the Archbishop, Anda received

despatches from the King of

Spain,

by Avay of China, confirming

the news of peace to his Governor at Manila.

Then

the British

MANILA EVACUATED.

BRITISH INVASION.
acknowledged Auda

as Governor,

and proceeded

but rival factions were not so easily set aside, and

107

to evacuate the citj,

ensued

fierce quarrels

betAveen the respective parties of Anda, Villa Corta and Ustariz as to

Avho should be Governor and receive the city

Anda, being actually

The

his hands.

Marinduque

Don

of

in

conflict

command

of

officially

from the British.

game

in

arrival

at

the troops, had the

was happily terminated by the

the newly appointed Governor-General from Spain,

La

Francisco de

Torre.

galley

was sent

there

by Anda

to bring

Anda

His Excellency to Luzon, and he arrived at Bacolor, where

him on the 17th of March, 1764.

La Torre sent a message to Backhouse and Brereton the commanding officers at Manila and Cavite, stating that he was ready
resigned the Government to

to take over the city in

due form.

La Torre

thereupon took up his

residence in Santa Cruz, placed a Spanish guard with sentinels from

that ward as far as the Great Bridge (Puente de Barcas,

now

called

Puente de Espaiia), where the British advance guard was, and friendly
Governor Drake was indignant at being

communication took place.

ignored in

withdraw

all

these proceedings, and ordered the Spanish Governor to

under threat of appealing to force.

his guards,

and Brereton resented

to an-est

this rudeness,

Backhouse

and ordered the troops under arms

Drake, whose hostile action, due to jealousy, they declared

unwarrantable.

Drake being apprised

of their intentions, escaped

the city with his suite, embarked on board a frigate, and sailed

La Torre was

Some

he did not

v.'ish

assert that

to arouse

him an opportunity

off.

be indisposed ou the day appointed for

said to

receiving the city.

from

he feigned his indisposition as

Anda's animosity, and desired to afford

of displaying himself as a delegate at least of the

highest local authority by receiving the city from the British, whilst

he pampered

As

his pride

by allowing him

to enter triumphantly into

it.

the city exchanged masters, the Spanish flag was hoisted once

more on the Fort

of Santiago amidst the hurrahs of the populace and

artillery salutes.

Before embarking, Brereton offered

do justice

to

any claims

which might be legitimately established against the British

authorities.

Hence a
Jesuits,

to

sloop lent to Drake, valued at ^4,000,

and the $3,000 paid

Brereton remarking, that

if

to

was paid

ransom Villa Corta's

the sentence against

should have been executed at the time, but

it

life

for to the

was returned,

him were

could not be

valid, it

commuted

108

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,

by money payment.
pardon was

At

and published to the Chinese, few of whom,

granted

however, confided

the instance of the British authorities, a free

in

and many

it,

Brereton, with his forces,

embarked

with

left

the

army.

retiring

after despatching

for India,

packet-boat to restore the Sultan of Sulu to his throne.

During

convulsed period, great atrocities

this

common

Unfortunately the
their prisons,
in alliance

murders and robbery

to perpetrate

with those always naturally bent that Avay.

so bold

committed.

were released by the English from

and used their liberty

become

this evil

felons

Avere

were the marauders, that

So great did

in time they

formed

large parties, infested liighAvays, attacked plantations, and the poor

peasantry had to
their power.

flee,

leaving their cattle and

The

for

Anda y

proceedings of the choleric Simon de

his

their opinions against his,

Sahizar were

impetuous disposition drove from

who were

his best counsellors, whilst those

bold enough to uphold

were accused of connivance with the British.

Communications with Europe

Anda

tyrannized them

British.

approved by his Sovereign, but

him

who had

Chinese, whether so-called Christians or pagans, declared

and aided the

The

Avere scant indeed in

those days, but

could not have been altogether ignorant of the causes of the war,

which terminated with the Treaty

On

his return to

of Paris.

Spain, after the appointment of

La Torre

Governor-General, he succeeded in retaining the favour of the

who

conferred several honours on

Castile, etc.

had

in

Several avenged themselves of the Friars for old scores

others settled accounts with those Europeans

of old.

their belongings

all

fallen

him, making him

In the meantime Jose Raou,

into disgrace,

who

as

kino-,

Councillor of

superseded

La

Torre,

and Anda was appointed to the Governor-

Generalship of the Islands.

There

is

perhaps no imperiousness so intolerant as that of an

who vaunts
Anda on
patron.

his authority

official

directions.
officials

He

imprisoned

and others

from the

his arrival

capital.

his irascible

reflected light of his poAverful

avenged himself of

his opposers in all

his predecessor, several judges, military

some he sent back

Thus he brought

sides hostile resistance increased.

when

by the

He

to Spain, others he banished

trouble upon

himself.

From

quarrelled with the clergy

temper had exhausted

itself

all

but

in the course of six

years, he retired to the Austin Friars' Hospital of

San Juan de Dios

REBELLION IN YLOCOS PROVINCE.

in Cavite,

where he expired

1776,

in

much

109
numerous

to the relief of his

adversaries.

Consequent on the troubled state of the Colony, a serious rebellion

arose in Ylogan (Cagayan Province), amongst the

who

flogged the

Timava

natives,

Commandant, and declared they would no longer pay

tribute to the Spaniards.

The revolt spread

to

Ylocos and Paugasinan,

but the ringleaders were caught, and tranquillity was restored by the
gallows.

rising far

more important occurred

was deposed, and escaped

in

The Alcalde

Ylocos Sur.

he had been forced to give up his

after

staff

The leader of this revolt was a cunning and wily Manila

named Diego de Silan, who persuaded the people to cease paying

of office.

native,
tribute,

and declare against the Spaniards, who, he pointed

The City

unable to resist the English.

The Vicar-General
troops, the rebels

of

Vigan was

parleyed with the natives

in great

The

commotion.

were dispersed, whilst some were taken prisoners

it

down

The

loyal natives fled before the flames.

house was taken, and the arras in

were

and then, collecting his

the bulk of the rioters rallied and attacked, and burnt

city.

out,

were seized.

but

part of the

Vicar-General's

All the Austin friars

within a large surrounding neighbourhood had to ransom themselves

by money payments.
large territory north

Silan

was then acknowledged

He

and south of Vigan.

as chief over a

appointed his lieutenants,

and issued a Manifesto declaring Jesus of Nazareth

to be Captain-

General of the place, and that he was His Alcalde for the promotion
of

King

the Catholic religion and dominion of the

of

He

Manifesto was wholly that of a religious fanatic.

His

Spain.

obliged the

natives to attend Mass, to confess, and to see that their children went
to school.

In the midst of

all this

exacted ransoms for the lives of

a tax of $100 on each

friar.

all

pretended piety, he stole cattle and

those Avho could pay

Under the pretence

them

Austin

friar of

north.

He

what

But Anda, though

transpired,

had not

he levied

of keeping out the

British, he placed sentinels in all directions to prevent

the terrible Simon de A.nda.

news reaching

fully informed

by an

troops to

march

sufficient

sent a requisition to Silan to present himself within nine

days, under penalty of

arrest as a traitor.

Whilst

this order

was

published, vague reports were intentionally spread that the Spaniards

were coming

to

Ylocos

in

great force.

Many

deserted Silan, but he

contrived to deceive even the clergy and others by his feigned piety.

110

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Silau sent presents to Manila for the British, acknowledsrinc: the Kino-

of England to be his legitimate Sovereign.

The

British Governor sent,

in return, a vessel bearing despatches to Silau, appointing

Major.

him Alcalde

Elated with pride, Silan at once made this public.

The

natives

were undeceived, for they had counted on him to deliver them from the
British
now, to their dismay, they saw him the authorized magistrate
;

He gave

of the invader.

orders to

make

all

the Austin friars prisoners,

saying that the British would send other clergy in their stead.
friars surrendered

The

themselves without resistance and joined their Bishop

The Bishop excommunicated

priests.
The Christian natives

near Vigau, awaiting the pleasure of Silan.

Silau,

and then he released some of the

having refused
this object,

a secret compact was being made, with

to slay the friars,

with the mountain

tribes,

when

a half-caste

obtained the Bishop's benediction and killed Silan

which had

Xot

lasted

and marched north

restored by March, 1765.

riots

rebellion,

had been fought were the numerous

The

the provinces quelled.

sections,

and the

from 14th December, 1762, to 28th May, 1763, ended.

until a score of little battles

riots in

named Vices

in

loyal troops were divided into

several

directions, until

peace was

Zufiiga says that the Spaniards lost in these

*******

about 70 Europeans and 140 natives, whilst they cost the rebels

quite 10,000 men.

The submission made to the Spaniards, in the time of Legaspi, of the

Manila and Tondo chiefs, was but of local importance, and by no means
implied a total pacific surrender of the whole Archipelago
district

had yet to be separately conquered.

for each

In many places a bold stand

was made for independence, but the superior organization and science
the European forces invariably brought them victory in the end.
Space

will

not permit

me

to cite all the

of

numerous revolutionary

protests registered in history against the Spanish dominion, to

show that

the natives from the beginning, and up to the present time, have only
yielded to a force which they have repeatedly, in each generation,

essayed to overthrow.

The Pampanga

few years afterwards they were

who, they alleged, took
corps,

their

in

natives soon submitted, but a

open mutiny against their masters,

young men from

their

homes

and busily employed the able-bodied men remaining

to cut timber for

the camp.

to

form army

in the district

Government requirements and furnish provisions

to

STRUGGLES FOR LIBERTY.

Ill

In 1622 the natives of Bojol Island erected an oratory

in the

mountain in honour of an imaginary deity, and revolted against the

They proclaimed

tyranny of the Jesuit missionaries.

to

their intention

regain their liberty, and freedom from the payment of tribute to

foreigners, and taxes to a church they did not believe in.

Several

towns and churches were burnt, and Catholic images were desecrated,
but the rebels were dispersed by the Governor of Cebu, who, with a

number

considerable

same

island a

more

of troops, pursued

serious rising

them

was caused

rights, ordering the apprehension of natives

and exercising

The

natives

brother's

those

resisted

body had been

coin.

to himself

who

left

abuses, and

The

Jesuit

governmental

did not attend Mass,

his sacerdotal functions according to

a certain

liis

own

caprice.

Dagohoy, whose

uninterred to decompose by the priest's

orders, organised a revenge party,

own

1744 by the despotism

in

named Morales, who arrogated

of a Jesuit priest

In the

into the interior.

and swore

to

pay the

was captured and executed, and

priest in his

his corpse

was

four days in the sun to corrupt.

left

Great numbers of disaffected natives flocked to Dagohoy's standard.

Their complaint was, that whilst they risked their
service for the sole benefit of their

lives in foreign

European masters,

their

homes

were wrecked and their wives and families maltreated to recover the
tribute.

Dagohoy, with

his

people, maintained their independence for the

space of 35 years, during which period

employ detachments of troops

property.
Friars
to the

On

went

was necessary

check the

to constantly

rebels' raid

on private

the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Colony, Recoleto

to Bohol,

and then Dagohoy and his partisans submitted

Government on the condition

In Leyte an insurrection was

rule,

to

it

of all receiving a full pardon.

set

on foot

in

1622 against Spanish

and the Governor of Cebu went there with 40

vessels, carrying

troops and war material to co-operate with the local Governor against

the rebels.

The

native leader

was made

prisoner,

on a high pole, to strike terror into the populace.

was

garrotted, four

and his head placed

Another prisoner

more were publicly executed by being shot with

arrows, and another was burnt.

In 1629, an attempt was made in the Province of Surigao (theu

Mindanao

called Caraga),

in

Spanish yoke.

Several churches were burnt, and four priests were

the east of

Island,

to

throw

off the

112
killed

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,
by the

and the rising was only quelled after three years*

rebels,

guerilla warfare.

In
in

men

Governor- General decided to supply the want of

164:9 the

the Arsenal at Cavite, and

increasing

the

necessity

troops,

for

by pressing the natives of Samar Island into the King's service.

Thereupon a native headman named Sumoroy killed the priest of
of Samar,

Ybabao, ou the east coast

burnt the churches along the coast.

too-ether a

to send

him a

few men, and sent them

him back the head

The

pig's head.

of

mob who

and led the

The Governor

sacked and

Catbalogan got

at

into the mountains with orders

Sumoroy, but instead of

revolt increased,

this

they sent

and General Andres Lopez

Azaldegui was despatched to the island with

full

powers from the

Governor-General, whilst he Avas supported ou the coast by armed

Sumoroy

from Zamboanga.

vessels

fled to

the

hills,

but his mother

was found in a hut and the invading party wreaked their vengeance
on her by literally pulling her to pieces.
Sumoroy was at length betrayed by his own people, who carried
his head to the Spanish Captain, and this officer had it stuck up on
;

Some

a pole in the village.

years afterwards, another rebel chief

surrendered, under a pardon obtained for

riots of

1649 extended

priests,

but the

hanged him.

military authorities imprisoned and then

The

him by the

to other provinces for the

In Albay, the parish priest of Sorsogon had to

same cause.

flee for his life

in

Masbate Island, a sub-lieutenant was killed in Zamboanga, a priest

was murdered in Cebu, a Spaniard was assassinated and in Caraga
;

(Surigao), and Butuan,

populace.

To

many Europeans

fell

victims to the fury of the

quell these disturbances, Captain Gregorio de Castillo,

was ordered to march agaiust the rebels with a

body of infantry, but bloodshed was avoided by the Captain publishing
a o-eneral pardon in the name of the King, and crowds of insurgents
came to the camp in consequence. The King's name, however, was
stationed at Butuan,

sullied
liberty.

for very

few

They were

of

those

sent

who

surrendered ever regained

prisoners

to

Manila,

their

where a few were

pardoned, others were executed, and the majority became galley slaves.
In 1660 there was again a serious rising in Pampanga, the natives

The
objecting to cut timber for the Cavite Arsenal without payment.
Andres Maloug
revolt spread to Pangasinan Province, where a certain
was declared King, and ke

in turn

gave

to another

Pedro Gumapos

STRUGGLES FOR LIBERTY.

the

title of

113

Messages were sent to Zambales and other adjacent

Count.

provinces, ordering the natives to kill the Spaniards, under pain of

King Malong's displeasure.

Three army corps were formed by the

incurring

rebels

one of 6,000 men,

under Melchor de Veras, for the conquest of Pampanga

another of

3,000 men, led by the titular Count Gumapos, to annex Ilocos, and

Cagayan, whilst the so-called King Malong took the

Pangasinan people

at the

field

head of 2,000 followers.

against the

Ilocos Province

declared in his favour, and furnished a body of insurgents under a

named Juan Manzano, whilst everywhere on the march the titular

King's troops increased until they numbered about 40,000 men. On
chief

the

way many Spaniards

priests

and laymen

were

The

killed.

Governor-General sent by land to Pampanga 200 Spanish troops, 400

Pampangos and half-breeds, Avell armed and provisioned, and Mount

Arayat was

fortified

six small vessels,

and four cargo launches

and half-breeds, and 30 Pampangos

Province.

hanged,

The

some

By

and garrisoned by 500 men.

sea

carrying

went

two

galleys,

700 Spaniards

to Bolinao,

in Zambales
were everywhere routed, and their chiefs Avere
Pampanga and others in Manila.

rebels

in

Almost each generation has

called

forth the strong

arm

of the

conqueror to repress native aspirations to liberty in one island or

another, whilst the flame of rebellion has as often been kindled by
sacerdotal despotism as

by

official rapacity.

In the present century, several vain attempts to subvert Spanish

authority have been made notably in 1823, when a body of disaffected
;

native troops, headed by their Captain

conspired
The

to seize the capital

rising

Creole

named Andres No vales

and assume Government.

was quickly subdued by the Governor-General

who, with Spanish troops, dispersed the

in person,

rebels, their chiefs

beino-

captured and executed.

In 1827 the standard of sedition was raised

towns of that

island,

and a few

but these disturbances were speedily

through the influence of the vSpanish

friars.

in

Negros Island, the Spanish Governor was

to

have been due

to the

in Cebii

stified

In 1844, durino- a nsinokilled.

The

cause

is

said

Governor having compelled the State prisoners

to labour for his private account.

In January, 1872, what

is

known

as

the

Cavite insurrection

occurred, the centre of the plot being Cavite Arsenal.

A number
H

of

114

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

native

were implicated in

soldiers

between the conspirators

in Cavite

this

and

who were

to fire off a rocket

ready for simultaneous action.

It

was agreed

it

their accomplices in

Manila

given by those in the

that the signal for the outbreak should be

capital,

and

affair,

on the night that they Avould be

happened, however, that those in

Cavite mistook the fireworks of a suburban feast for the signal agreed

upon, and they unwittingly commenced the revolt, unsupported by

their

comrades across the bay.

The

disaffected soldiers took possession of the Arsenal

and made a

The

firm resistance, whilst others attacked the influential Europeans.

loyal troops
rebels

who

were

called out, the Arsenal

was retaken, and

The

escaped death were taken prisoners.

tumult was native opposition to the

Spanish

all

the

origin of this

friars.

certain

Dr. Joseph Burgos (Philippine born) had headed a party which urged
the exclusion

of

Council of Trent decisions which prohibited

the fulfilment of the

friars

from parochial incumbencies, and called for

fi'iars

from holding benefices.

It appears that the friars, nevertheless,

secured these ecclesiastical preferments by virtue of Papal Bulls of

Pius V. and subsequent Popes,

priests,

authorized friars to act as parish

not in perpetuity, but so long as secular clergymen were

insufiicient in

number

The

to attend to the cure of souls.

consequently declared that

illegally

who

and by intrusion,

the friars
in

retained

view of the

their

native party

incumbencies

sufficiency of Philippinb

secular priests.

Had

out to the

undoubtedly the religious communities in the Philip-

pines were

letter,

doomed

the Council of Trent enactments been carried

to comparative political impotence.

Tho Spanish

monastic faction, therefore, insisted upon the extreme penalty of the

law being

inflicted

upon

their opponents,

three other native [priests (one of

and Dr. Joseph Burgos, and

whom was

a dotard of 80 years

of age), were executed on the Luneta, a fashionable

promeuado by the

sea-shore outside Manila, whilst several of the native clergy and

many

laymen were deported.

The real instigators of

who found in it a means

the Cavite tragedy were the Spanish friars,

of attainting Dr. Burgos, of striking terror

into the native clergy, and of procuring the

families

known

banishment of certain

to hold liberal ideas.

Colonel Sabas went over to Cavite and quelled the

the friars had secured their victims they caused a

bill

riot,

and when

of indictment to

CAVITE CONSPIKACY OF 1872.

be put forward by the public prosecutor in which

it

115

was alleged that a

revolutionary government had been projected.

Some

of the accused in this revolt,

were banished

the

to

a successful lawyer

living in

Hongkong

now

Of

in 1896.

In 1889 I

Colonia Agricola de San

my

stay at the director's house I

insurgents to

who was

these, personally

knowu

to me, one

residing near London, and three were

La

the native convict

protested their innocence,

Marianas (Ladrone) Islands, whence a few

escaped to foreign countries.

is

who

Ramon

in

still

visited a penal settlement

Mindanao

Island, and during

was every day served

at table

by

have been nominated by the Cavite

the Civil Governorship of Manila.
said to

^^^_

CHAPTER

I 1 1.

THE CHINESE.
Long

foundation

the

before

of

Chinese traded with these Islands.

Manila by Legaspi

1571 the

in

Their locus standi, however, was

invariably a critical one, and their commercial ti'ansactions with the

semi-barbarous Philippine Islanders were always conducted

afloat.

Often their junks were boarded and pillaged by the natives, but, in
spite of the

immense

risk incurred, the Chinese lacked nothing in their

active pursuit.

Legaspi soon perceived the advantages which would accrue to his

conquest by fomenting the development of commerce with these Islands
and, as an inducement to

severely punished

all acts of

the

Chinese to continue their

traffic,

he

violence committed against them.

In the course of time, the Chinese had gained sufficient confidence

under European protection to come ashore with their wares. In 1588,

Chinese were already paying rent for the land they occupied. Some
writers assert that they propagated their religious doctrine as well as
their customs, but I

and

my

knowledge

improbable.
as a

Romish

of

to confirm

priest carries his missal

There

is

when he

statement,

to think

it

most

travels.

The

natives

the Chinese religious rites years before the Spaniards

no evidence adduced to prove that they forcibly

proselytized the natives as the Spaniards did.

is

me

Chinese habits inclines

this

In their trading junks they frequently carried their idols

may have imitated

came.

have found nothing

On

the other hand, there

reason to believe that some idols, lost by the Chinese in shipwreck

and

piratical attacks,

have been, and

still are,

revered by the natives as

authenticated miraculous images of Christian Saints {vide " Holy Child

Cebu" and " Our Lady of Casaysay," Chap. XL).

The Chinese contributed, in a large measure, to bring about a
state of order and prosperity in the new Colony, with the introduction

of

THE ALCAYCERIA.

CHINESE.

of their small trades

and iudustry

with China, Avas really

the conquerors had in view.

that

it

was found necessary

modus Vivendi

and their

beneficial,

THE PARIAN.
traffic ia

117

the interior, and

in those times, to the object

which

So numerous, however, did they become,

growing commerce and the

to regulate the

of the foreign traders.

In the bad weather they were unable to go to and from their junks,
and, fearing lest under such

circumstances

the Government determined to

called the Alcayceria.

The

provide them with

contract for

any private person or corporation

terms, viz.

The

the trade would fall

its

a large

building

was

offered to

construction

Avilling to take

off,

up on the following

it

original cost, the annual expense of maintenance,

and

the annual rents received from the Chinese tenants were to be equally
shared by the Government and the contractor.
The contract was

accepted by a certain Fernando de Mier y Noriega, who was appointed

bailiff of the Alcayceria for life, and the employment was to be
hereditary in his family,

when

the plan

extensive,

at a salary of

was submitted

to the

$50 per month.

Government,

However

was considered too

it

and was consequently greatly reduced, the Government

The

defraying the total cost ($48,000).

bailiff's

salary was likewise

reduced to $25 per month, and only the condition of sharing rent and
expense of preservation was maintained. The Alcayceria was a square
of shops, with a
It

back

was inaugurated

store,

ia the year 1580, in the Calle

Binondo, opposite to where

under

fire

of the forts.

on the same

site

were wrecked

and one apartment above each tenement.

is

now

de San Fernando, in

the Harbour-Master's Office, and

In the course of years this became a ruin, and

Government Stores were

in their turn

built in 1856.

These, too,

by the great earthquake

of 1863.
In the
meantime, the Chinese had long ago spread far beyond the limits of
the Alcayceria, and another centre had been provided for them within

the City of Manila.

word

This was called the Parian, which

for market-place.

It

is

the Mexican

was demolished by Government order

in

1860, but the entrance to the city, at that part (constructed in 1782),
still retains the name of Puerta del Parian.

Hence

from the time of the conquest, and for

generations following, the Spanish authorities offered encouragement
and protection to the Chinese.
it

will be seen, that

Dr. Antonio Morga, in his work

on the Philippines, page 349,

writes (at the close of the 16th century)

'<It is true the

town cannot

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

118

" exist without the Chinese, as they are workers

in all

trades and

" business, and very industrious and work for small wages."

Juan de

la

17th century)
" these

Concepcion writes^ (referring

" Without the trade and commerce of the Chinese,

dominions

could

number

estimates the

beginning of the

to the

not have

The same

subsisted."

of Chinese in the

Colony

in

1638 at

writer

33,000.''

In 1686 the policy of fixing the statutory maximum number of

Chinese at 6,000 was discussed, but commercial conveniences outAveio-hed

Had

adoption.

its

proposed to lodge them

view

all

the measure been carried out,

in one place within easy

it

was

cannon range, in

of a possible rising.

In 1755

it

was resolved

to expel all non-Christian Chinese, but a

term was allowed for the liquidation of their affairs and withdrawal.
By the 30th of June 1755, the day fixed for their departure from
Manila, 515 Chinamen had been sharp enough to obtain baptism as
order

Christians, in

evade

to

edict, besides

the

1,108

who were

permitted to remain because they were studying the mysteries and

intricacies of

Christianity.

2,070 were banished from Manila, the

expulsion being rigidly enforced on those ncAvly arriving in junks.

Except a few Europeans and a score of Western Asiatics, the

Chinese who remained were the only merchants in the Archipelago.

The

natives had neither knowledge, tact, energy, nor desire to compete

with them.
Chinese

may

They

be considered a boon

would be

livino-

cannot, to this day, do so successfully, and the

far dearer

to the

commodities

Colony,

for,

and labour of

without them,
all

kinds more

The
and the export and import trade much embarrassed.
Chinese are really the people who gave to the natives the first notions

scarce,

of trade, industry

many

and

fruitful

work.

They taught them, amongst

other useful things, the extraction of saccharine juice from the

sugar cane, the manufacture of sugar, and the working of wrought

They introduced into the Colony the first sugar-mills with
iron.
vertical stone crushers,

The

history

and

iron boiling-pans.

of the last hundred-and-fifty

years shows that the

although tolerated, were always regarded by the Spanish

have learnt, from
colonists as an unwelcome race, and the natives
Chinese,

Gen. de Philipinas," by Juan de

pub. in Manila in 1788.
- Ibid., Vol. v., page 429.
'

Hist.

la

Concepcion, Vol. IV., page 53,

CHINESE: THEIR EXPULSION DECREED.

From

example, to despise them.

119

time to time, especially since the

year 1763, the feeling against them has run very high.

The
to the

public clamour for restrictions on their arrival, impediments

of

traffic

those already established here, intervention of

authorities with respect to their dwellings

and mode

a few have urged their total expulsion.

of living,

the

and not

Indeed, such influence was

brought to bear on the Indian Council at Madrid during the temporary

Governorship of Juan Arechedera, Bishop of Nueva Segovia (17451750), that the Archbishop received orders to expel the Chinese from
the Islands, but, on the ground

that to

have done so would have

he simply archived the decree.

jyrejtidiced public interests,

the close of Spanish rule, the authorities

in

Even up

to

power and the national

trading class considered the question from very distinct points of view,
for the fact

that only the mildest action

is,

was taken

appease the wild demands of the people.

always subject

to the

official

enough

to

Chinaman was
bounteousness,

be opened on the

as other foreigners.

The Chinaman
him u

ebb and flow of the tide of

the

Avere Chinese shops allowed to

and only since 1843

same terms

Still

just

is

always ready to

trifling nett gain,

any price Avhich

whereas the native, having earned

for his immediate wants,

except at an enormous

sell at

would stubbornly refuse

Avill

leave

sufficient

to sell his wares

profit.

Again, but for Chinese coolie competition,' constant labour from the
The native day-labourer would
natives would be almost unprocurable.

work two or three

Chinaman goes day
of the Chinese

upon

days, and then suddenly disappear.

after

day

himself.

In

to his task (excepting only at

New Year, in January or

thus the needy native

my

The

is

active

the time

February), and can be depended

pushed, by alien competition, to bestir

time, in the port of Yloilo, four foreign commercial

houses had to incur the expense and risk of bringing Chinese coolies
for loading

and discharging

vessels, whilst the natives coolly louno-ed

about and absolutely refused to Avork.

Moreover, the exactions and

avarice of the native are quite intolerable, and create a serious impedi-

ment

to the

of the labouring class will put their

'

About two per thousand

coolies.

Only a very small minority

hands to work without an advance

development of the Colony.

of the present resident Chinese

were not originally

rniLIPPINE ISLANDS.

120

wages, auJ men who earn $8 per mouth will often demand as
much as $25 to $40 advance without any guarantee whatsoever. If a
native is commissioned to perform any kind of service, he will refuse to

on

their

without a sum of money beforehand, whilst the Chinese very

Only the
rarely expect payment until they have given value for it.
stir

direst necessity will

weeks
is

work

at

make an

unskilled native labourer continue several

which

for a Avage

scarcely a single agriculturist

way

who has

legally

of

abandoned, hence
for the export

it

There

due.

who,

to his labourers,

to serve the capitalist,

that a large proportion of this

is,

employed must be considered

business which, Avithout the

when

not the burthen of having to

bound thereby

or whether they are or not, the fact

capital so

only to be paid

making advances

sink a share of his capital in

nevertheless, are in no

is

lost.

There are certain

lines

Chinese, Avould have to be

aid of

Avould be an unfortunate day for the Treasury, and

and import merchant

class,

when

the Chinese ceased to

co-operate in Philippine trade.

Taxes were

first

levied on the

a general reform of the fiscal laws

of Chinese dealers

was

Mongol

traders in 1828.

was introduced, and the

They

modified.

classification

Avere then divided into four

grades or classes, each paying contributions according to the

In 1886 the universal depression, which was

Colony

in 1884, still continued.

were suggested

in the public

In 1852

Remedies

of

first

new

tariff".

manifest in this

most original character

organs and private

circles,

spasmodic tirade Avas levied against the Chinese.

and a renewed
petition,

made

and signed by numbers of the trading class, Avas addressed to the

Sovereio-n, but it appears to have found its last resting-j)lace in the
Colonial Secretary's Avaste-paper basket.
States and

Mexico were

Governments
giitryi
its

ill

of

in

Australia

The Americans

in the

United

open rebellion against the Celestials

the

had imposed a capitation tax on their

British Columbia there

was

a party disposed to throw

off"

allegiance to Great Britain rather than forego the agitation against

the Chinese.

Why

should not

the

Chinese be expelled from the

Wong Yung

Hd, accompanied by a Chinese Justice of the High

Court, visited Australia in the middle of the year 1887. In a newspaper of that
Colony, it was reported that after these persons had been courteously entertained
and shown the local institutions and industries, they had the bold eifrontery
"
to protest against the State Laws, and asked for a repeal of the " poll tax
considered there the only check upon a Chinese coolie inundation
'

General

CHINESE AS COLONISTS.
Philippines,

it

Laguna

or at least be permitted

was asked,

agriculture in the Islands

121

In 1638, around Calamba and along the

and jealousy

shore, they tilled the land, but the selfishness

the natives

made

permanence

their

pursue

only to

intolerable.

of

In 1850 the Chinese

were invited to take up agriculture, but the rancorous feeling of the

them

natives forced

abandon the

to

idea,

and seek greater security

in

the towns.

The

chief accusation levelled against the

as an adventurer and

Chinaman

makes money, which he

carries

of

the lowest social class.

Is not the

adventurer, of the same or better class, to

be off to the land of his birth

than the Chinaman does,

is

abnegation and

it

The Chinaman

dream

make

of

the

European

his pile of dollars

he spends more money

in the

and

Colony

because he lacks the Chinaman's

self-

Is the kind of civilization taught in the

thriftiuess.

by low-class European

colonies

If

away, without

The Chinese immigrant

leaving any trace of civilization behind him.

is

comes

that he

is,

settlers

worth having

settled in the Philippines

under Spanish rule was

quite a different being to his obstinate, self-willed, riotous countryman

in
in

Hongkong

In Manila he was drilled past docility

or Singapore.

months he became even fawning, cringing, and

six

goaded

into

open

was nev^r addressed (as

but always " Chinaman

The

total

If

prejudicial to trade.

of the Chinese, nothing

" (" Chino

of
it

is

might attain

to,

he

Mr." or " Esqi^^"

").

Chinese would have been highly

suited the State policy to check the ingress

would have been

of the question in a Colony

which

the

To compel them

their personal safety

position he

in the British Colonies) as "

expulsion

a ^50 poll tax.

Whatever

rebellion.

servile, until

to

easier than the imposition of

take up agriculture was out

where there

Avas so little guarantee for

so long as the native, jealous of the prosperity

the reward of their industrial habits, bears tliem an innate

malice.

The

frugality, constant activity

and commendable ambition of the

Celestial clashes with the dissipation, indolence and

life of

the native.

or habit

There

is

absolutely no

harmony

want

of

aim

in

of thoiight, purpose

between the Philippine Malay native and the Mongol race,

and the consequence

of Chinese coolies

working on

coffee,

sugar or

other plantations would be frequent assassinations and open affray.

Moreover, a native planter could never manage, to his

own

satisfaction

122

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Chinaman

is

essentially of a commercial bent, and, in the Philippines at least,

he

worked with Chinese

or interest, an estate

labour.

prefers taking his chance as to the profits, in the bubble and risk of

independent speculation, rather than calmly undertake obligations to

labour at a fixed

wage which

affords

no stimulus to his

efforts.

Plantations worked by Chinese owners with Chinese labour might

have succeeded, but those who arrived

and the Government never

capital,

by gratuitous allotment

it

Government

title

colonist to follow

in so

it,

concession

many entanglements

intricate conditions, that

or Europeans took advantage of

this difficulty

A law relating to the

was enveloped

and encompassed by so many

overcome

offered to

of property.

of State lands existed, but

the Colony brought no

in

for the tardy

fe\v^

Orientals

process to obtain

deeds of the conceded lands compelled the needy

some other and

distinct occupation in the

meantime

in order not to starve.

the

History records that in

came

to

Chinese Mandarins

Manila as Ambassadors from their Emperor to the Governor-

General of the Philippines.

theirs

year 1603 two

had informed His

They

Celestial

represented that a countryman of

Majesty of the existence of a

mountain of gold in the environs of Cavite, and they desired

to see

it.

The Governor-General welcomed them, and they were carried ashore

by their own people in ivory and gilded sedan chairs. They wore
the insignia of High Mandarins, and the Governor accorded them the

He

reception due to their exalted station.

were

entirely misinformed respectiug

assured them that they

mountain of gold, which

the

could only be imaginary, but, to further convince them, he accompanied

them

to Cavite.

country.

The

The Mandarins

shortly afterwards returned to their

greatest anxiety prevailed in

Manila.

culated that a Chinese invasion was in preparation.

Rumours cirThe authorities

held frequent councils, in which the opinions were very divided.

feverish consternation overcame the natives,

ordered to carry their weapons constantly.

hauled.

who were armed, and

The armoury Avas over-

war plan was discussed and adopted, and

signalled out for each division of troops.

to the Chinese, that
fleet arriving,

The

whenever they saw the

they would murder them

all.

places were

natives openly

first

avowed

signs of the hostile

The Chinese were accused

of having arms secreted; they were publicly insulted and maltreated;

the cry was falsely raised that the Spaniards had fixed the day for

ST.

FRANCIS RESCUES MANILA FROM THE CHINESE. 123

saw weapons being cleaned and put
and they knew that there could he no immediate enemy hut

their extermination
in order,

tliey, daily,

There was,

themselves.

every circumstantial evidence that

in short,

the fight for their existence would ere long be forced upon them.

In

this

terrible

position

they

had

to reluctantly shoulder a

were

The
and

War and

traders.

safety.

them

abandon their adopted homes

to

their chattels, regardless of the future.

What

their despair,

many

of St. Francis'

Day, the Chinese openly declared

hoisted

fortified

Tondo

flags

Finally, on the eve

suicide.

assaulted

hostilities

the armed

by one hundred picked Spanish

of the

beat

soldiers

He was

joined

The

under Thomas de Acuna.

rallied

to the Spanish standard nearly all the flower of Castilian soldiery

The

and

natives,

Governor and the nephew of the Archbishop

hardly one was

their

and the next morning, Luis Perez Dasmarinas,

an ex-Governor-General, led the troops against them.

nephew

In

Houses were burnt, and Binoudo was besieged.

threatened the city.

They

them committed

their

a strange conception

Most Catholic Majesty

the Chinese must have formed of His

war-ffono-s

on the

revolution were quite foreign to their wishes.

Christian despots compelled

of

act

to

They raised fortifications

city, and many an unhappy Chinaman
weapon with tears in his eyes. They

offensive, simply to ensure their

in several places outside the

own

were constrained

left to tell

the tale

Chinese, encouraged by this

after a prolonged struggle, they

The bloodshed was

first

and

appalling.

victory, besieged the city, but

were obliged

to yield, as they could

not provision themselves.

The retreating Chinese were pursued far from Manila along the
Laguna de Bay shore, thousands of them being overtaken and
slaughtered

and drove them as

district.

The

unresisted

met

them on the way,

Batangas Province and into the Morong
Reinforcements

disabled.

or

far as

natives wove in high glee at this licence to shed blood

so

in

harmony with

their

natural

instincts.

It

is

calculated that 24,000 Chinese were slain or taken prisoners in this

revolt.

The

priests afiirm positively that during the defence of the city

Saint Francis
Christians

appeared

in

person

on the walls to stimulate the

thus the victory was accorded to

him.

This ruthless treatment of a harmless and necessary people

up

to this event

they had proved themselves to be both

^for

threatened

124
to

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

briug

skilful,

its

own

They were

reward.

the only industrious, thriving,

Avealth-producing portion of the population.

other artificers or tradespeople in the Colony.

Avere fearful lest their supplies

There were no

Moreover, the Spaniards

from China of food for consumption

in

Manila,' and manufactured articles for export to

Mexico, should in
future be discontinued.
Consequently, they hastened
to despatch

envoy to China

Much

to

to explain matters,

their

surprise, they

and

found

to reassure the

an

Chinese traders.

the

Viceroy of Canton little

concsrned about Avhat had happened, and the junks of
merchandise
again arrived as heretofore.

Notwithstanding the memorable event of 1603, thirty-six

years
afterwards another struggle was made by the
Chinese. In 1639,
exasperated at ihe

official

robbery and oppression of a certain doctor,

Luis Arias de Mora, and the Governor of the Laguna

Province, they
rose in open rebellion and killed these officials in
the town of Calamba.
So serious was the revolt, that the Governor-General went out
against

them

in person.

The

rebels

numbered about 30,000, and sustained, for

nearly a year, a petty warfare

were promenaded

all

in the streets of

around.

Manila

6,000 Chinese consequently surrendered.

was published ordering

The images
it

was

During

of the Saints

happy thought,

this conflict,

for

an edict

the Chinese in the provinces to be

slain.
In 1660 there was another rising of these people,
which
all

terminated

in a great massacre.

The Spaniards now began

bad bargain with the Mongol

to reflect that they

had made rather a

Government would have

traders in the beginning, and that

the
done better had they encour'aged

with the Peninsula.

to this time the Spaniards

Up

commerce

had vainly reposed

on their laurels as conquerors.
They squandered lives and fortunes
on innumerable fruitless expeditions to Gamboge,
Cochin China, Siam,
Pegu, Japan, and the Moluccas, in quest of fresh
glories, instead
of

concentrating their efforts in opening up this Colony

and fomenting
a Philippine export trade, as yet almost unknown,
if we exclude
merchandise from China, etc. in transit to Mexico.
From this period
restrictions were, little by little, placed on the
intromission of Chinese ;
they were treated with arrogance by the Europeans

and Mexicans, and

Just before the naval engagement of PJaya Honda between

Dutch and Spanish
(^vide page 80) the Dutch intercepted
Chinese junks on the way to
Manila, bringing, amongst their cargoes of food, as many
as 12,000 capons
'

ships

THE CPIINESE OK THE WAR PATH.

125

Chinaman
now be^an to be more openlj manifested. The Chinaman had, for
a long time past, been regarded by the European as a necessity and

the jealous hatred which the native at this day feels for the

henceforth an unfortunate one.

Nevertheless, the lofty Spaniard

who by

favour of the King had

arrived in Manila to occupy an official post without an escudo too

much

in his pocket, did not disdain to accept the hospitality of the Chinese.

It

was formerly

custom to secure the goodwill and personal

their

protection of the Spanish officials by voluntarily keeping lodging-houses

ready for their reception.

these

chronicled that

is

were well furnished and provided with

residences

all

gratuitous

the requisites

For a whole century the Spaniards were

procurable on the spot.

lulled

It

with this easy-going and felicitous state of things, whilst the

insidious Mongol,

whose clear-sighted sagacity was

sufficient to pierce

the thin veil of friendship proffered by his guest, was ever prepared
for another opportunity of rising against the

dominion of Castile, of

which he had had so many sorry experiences since 1603. The occasion
The
at last arrived during the British occupation of Manila in 1763.
Chinese voluntarily joined the invaders, but were unable to sustain
the struggle,

murdered

and

it

is

estimated that

in the provinces

(vide page

102).

by order

They menaced

some 6,000

of the notorious

the town of Pasig

and Fray Juan de Torres, the parish

priest,

of

them were

Simon de Anda

near Manila

put himself at the head of

300 natives, by order of his Prior, Fray Andres Fuentes, to oppose

them, and the Chinese were forced to retire.
On the 9th of October, 1820, a general massacre of Chinese and
other foreigners, including British, took place in Manila and Cavite.

Epidemic cholera had affected the capital and surrounding districts

great numbers of natives succumbed to its malignant effects, and they
accused the foreigners of having poisoned the drinking water in the
;

even

ships

lying in the bay had to sail off and anchor out afar for safety.

The

streams.

Foreign property was attacked and pillaged

outbreak attained such grave proportions, that the clergy intervened to

The High Host was

were only pacified when they

dissuade the populace from their hallucination.

carried through the streets, but the rioters

could find no more victims.

Amongst
colonists

other reforms concerning the Chinese which the Spanish

and Manila natives called for

in

1886, through the public

126

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
they should be forced to comply with the law

organs, was, that

promulgated in 1867, Avhich provided that the Chinese, like all other
merchants, should keep their trade-books in the Spanish language.

The demand had

the appearance of being baseil on certain justifiable

it

was a mere

difficulties of

the Chinese.

grounds, but in reality

augment the

The
most

British

ebullition of spite intended to

merchants and bankers

by

are,

The Spanish and

credit to the Chinese.

far,

those

who

give

native creditors of the

Chinese are but a small minority, taking the aggregate of their

credits,

and instead of seeking malevolently to impose new hardships on the

Chinese, they could have abstained from entering into risky transactions
with them.

All merchants are aware of the Chinese trading system,

and none are obliged to deal with them.

foreign house gives a

Chinaman credit for say 300 to 400 worth of European manufactured

goods, knowing full well, from personal experience, or from that of
others, that the

whole value will probably never be recovered.

The Chinaman

remains a standing debt on the books of the firm.

retails these goods,

and brings a small sum of cash

It

to the firm,

on the

understanding that he shall get another parcel of goods, and so he

Thus

goes on for years.i

amount

the foreign merchants practically sink an

Sometimes the

of capital to start their Chinese constituents.

acknowledged owner and responsible man in one Chinese retail

establishment Avill have a share in, or own, several others. If matters

go wrong, he absconds abroad, and only the one shop which he openly
represented can be embargoed, whilst his goods are distributed over
several shops under any
legal proof of this
is

in

name but

his.

It

is

always

difficult to

bring

the books are in Chinese, and the whole business

a state of confusion incomprehensible to any European.

these risks are well

known

beforehand.

It

is

But

only then that the

primitive credit must be written off by the foreigner as a nett loss

often small

when

set against several years of

accumulated

profits

made

in successive operations.

The Chinese have

protection, and

it is

guilds or

secret

societies

for

their

mutual

a Avell-ascertained fact that they had to pay the

Spanish authorities very dearly for the liberty of living at peace with

Since about the year 1885, this system, which has entailed severe losses, is
gradually falling into disuse, and business on casli terms has become more general.
'

THE CHINESE POPULATION.

their fellow

meu.

If tlie

the affair brought ou

127

wind blew against them from

the

official

was hushed up by a

tapis

gift.

quarters

These

peace-oiFerings were at times of considerable value, and were procured

by a tax privately levied ou each Chinaman by the headmen

of their

guilds.

In 1880-1883 the Governor-General and other high functionaries

used to accept Chinese hospitality,

etc.

In December, 1887, the Medal of Civil Merit was awarded to a

named Sio-Sion-Tay, resident iu Binondo, whilst the

Government for several years made contracts with the Chinese for the
Another Chinaman was christened in the name of
public service.
Carlos Palanca, and later ou was awarded the Grand Cross of Isabella
Chinaman

the Catholic with the

Many

title of

Chinese have adopted Christianity, either to improve their

be enabled thereby to contract marriage with

social standing, or to

native

Excellency.

women.

Their

since the time,

is

it

Pasig River, Avas

said,

in

intercessor

of

saved himself by praying to that

The legendary

turn into stone.

bank of the

to

983 men
the

in

One

to

be seen near the

In 1886 the

was a

statistician published that there

of

and

left

statistics

total of

which 51,348 men and 191 women

and suburbs, 1,154 men and 3 women

in Yloilo,

and

Cebu, the remainder being dispersed over the coast villages

interior.

provinces proved to

The most competent

me

in

two

that the figures relating to their districts were

able to procure, tends to

was imderrated.

authorities

local

inexact, and all other information on the subject

show

that the

number

which I have been

of resident Chinese

I estimate that there were 100,000 Chinese in the

whole colony of which upwards of 40,000 dwelt

its

alligator,

be no perfectly reliable data respecting the

men and 194 women,

lived in Manila

and

is still

into the

caused the monster to

saint, Avho

of Chinese residents in the Archipelago.

differed largely.

66,740

by an

being eaten

stone

fallen

river.

There appears

number

Saint J^icholcts

is

Chinaman, having

that a

danger

and patron

iu

the capital and

environs.

Crowds

of

Chinese passed to these islands via Sulu, which, as a

free port, they could enter without

resident colonists there, they

need of papers.

managed

Pretending to be

to obtain passports to travel

ou

328

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

business for a limited period in the Philippines, but thej were

never
seen again in Sulu.

In Manila and the wards, and

in several provincial

towns where

the Chinese residents were numerous, they had their own separate
" Tribunals " or local courts, wherein minor affairs were

managed by

own

nationality, elected bi-annually, in the

natives.

In 1888 the question of establishing

petty-governors of their

same manner as the

Chinese Consulates in the Philippines was talked of in official circles,

which proves that the Government was far from seeing the " Chinese
question " in the same light as the Spanish or native merchant class.
In the course of time they acquired a certain consideration in the body
politic,

and deputations

Chinese

of

were

present

in all

popular

ceremonies during the last few years of Spanish rule.

Wherever the Chinese

footing,

if

not to strengthen

Sarawak, their secret

prosperity of that

ment.

settle
it,

they exhibit a disposition to hold their

at all hazards,

by force

if

need

be.

In

which threatened to undermine the

had to be suppressed by capital punish-

societies,

little State,

Since the British occupation of

Hongkong in 1841, there have

been two serious movements against the Europeans. In Singapore, the
attempts of the Chinese to defy the Government have met with only
feeble measures of repression.
In Australia and the United States
enact

special laws

it

has been found necessary to

regulating the ingress of Mongols.

Under the

Spanish-Philippine Government the most that could be said against

them, as a class, was that, through their thrift and perseverance, they

outran the shopkeeping class in the race of

life.

Under a native Government the lot of the Chinese is not likely

be a happy one. One of the aims of the Tagalog Revolutionists is
exclude the Chinese from the islands.

---

to

to

CHAPTER

IX.

THE VARIOUS TRIBES AND RACES.

It

Island,

the population

about one-fifth of

estimated that

13

Luzon

of

and one-fourth of that of the Visayas group, are independent.

Space will not permit me

treatise

to

attempt an exhaustive ethnographical

on the various tribes and races dispersed over these regions,

and

for fuller information

on the subject of these notes, I would refer

my

readers to Wallace's "

Malay Archipelago."

The

chief of these tribes are the Aetas or Negritos, a mountain

and there over the whole group of

tribe to be found here

The

Gaddajies, Itavis, Igorrotcs, half-caste Igorrote- Chinese,

Thiguianes,
of

etc. in

Mussulmans
I

islands.

the

Northern Islands, and the various branches

the

South.

in the

have used only the generic denominations, for whilst these

tribes

^re sub-divided (for instance, the Buquils of Zambales, a section of the

Negritos

the Guinaanes, a sanguinary people inhabiting the mountains

of the Igorrote district, etc.) the fractious denote no material physical

-or

moral difference, and the local names adopted by the different clans

of the same race are of no interest to the general reader.

Aetas

or

Negritos

are to be

met with

in the

mountains of nearly

every peopled island of the Colony, and are supposed to be the

They

aboriginal inhabitants.

Astrakhan

fur.

New

The men

Guinea.

They have

as black

They

women

dress

are a spiritless and cowardly race.

not deliberately face white

numbers with warlike

curly matted hair, like

cover only their loins, and the

from the waist to the knees.

They would

some of them being

Their general appearance resembles that of the

as African Negroes.

Alfoor Papuan of

are dark,

men

in

intentions, although they

anything nearly equal

would perhaps spend

a quiverful of arrows from behind a tree at a retreating foe.

The Acta
arrows when

carries a

bamboo

lance, a

out on an expedition.

palm-wood bow and poisoned

He

is

wonderfully light-footed,
I

130

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

and runs with great speed

Groups

after the deer, or climbs a tree like a

community.

of fifty to sixty souls live in

to be a kind of cosmolatry and spirit-worship.

monkey.

Their religion seems

Anything which

for

the time being, in their imagination, has a supei'uatural appearance

is

They have a profound

deified.

respect for old age and for their

dead.

They

are of extremely low intellect, and, although

have been brought up by

of

them

civilized families living in the vicinity of the

Negrito mountainous country, they

who would

some

offer little

encouragement to those

Even when more

desire to train them.

or less domesticated,

the Negrito cannot be trusted to do anything Avhich requires an efiort

At

of judgment.
order,

and he

is

times, his

mind seems

to

wander from

all

social

apparently subject to an occasional overwhelming

eagerness to return to his native haunts, which disconcerts

all

one's

plans.

For a long time they were the

sole masters of

Luzon

Island,

wher

they exercised seignorial rights over the Tagiilogs and other immigrants, until these arrived in such numbers, that the Negritos

The

forced to retire to the high lands.

taxes

imposed upon the

primitive Malay settlers by the Negritos were levied in kind, and

payment was

refused, they

head of the defaulter.

of the white

swooped down

in

were

when

a posse, and carried off the

Since the arrival of the Spaniards, the terror

man has made them

take definitely to the mountains, where

they appear to be very gradually decreasing.

The Government have exhausted all their laborious endeavours to

implant civilised habits among this weak-brained race.
In 1881 I visited the Capas Missions in Upper Pampanga. The
authorities

had established there what

is

called a real

a kind of model

bamboo and palm-leaf huts, to each of Avhich a family was

assigned. They were supplied Avith food, clothing and all necessaries
of life for one year, which would give them an opportunity of tilling
village of

the land and providing for themselves in future.

their old habits

On my

second

when the year had expired and

visit,

But they followed

the subsidy ceased.

they had returned to their mountain homes, and I

could see no possible inducement for them to do otherwise.

attraction for

them during the

year,

was the

fostering of their inbred

indolence, and as soon as they had to depend on their

ought

to

The only

own

resources,

it

have been evident that they would adopt their own way of

NEGRITO

FAMII

Y.

NEGRITO MARRIAGE CEREMONY.

living

free

of taxes, military service and social restraint

more congenial
Being

as being

Bataan Province some years ago, I accepted the

mountain range

a Lieutenant-Colonel

son of

the

of

to their tastes.

in the

invitation

131

On

to the opposite coast.

ride

to

the

across

way we approached a
and extraordinary calls, we

Negrito Real, and hearing strange noises

our

stopped to consult as to the prudence of riding up to the settlement.

We

decided to go there, and were fortunate enough to be present

The young

at a wedding.

bride,

who might have been about

thirteen

years of age, was being pursued by her future spouse as she pretended

away, and

to run

it

need hardly be said that he succeeded in bringing

She struggled, and again got away, and a

her in by feigned force.

Then an old man Avitli grey hair came

forward and dragged the young man up a bamboo ladder. An old
woman grasped the bride, and both followed the bridegroom. The
second time she was caught.

aged

sire

of water,

then gave them a ducking with a cocoa-nut shell

and they

all

descended.

The happy

pair knelt

elder having placed their heads together, they

We

endeavoured to

married couple, but

had reappeared

find out

which hut was

we were given

were

full

down, and the

man and

allotted to the

wife.

newly-

to understand, that until the sun

they would spend their honeymoon in the

five times

mountains.

After the ceremony was concluded, several present began to

their usual

mountain

serves to bring

call.

home

make

In the low-lands, the same peculiar cry

straggling domestic animals to their nocturnal

resting-place.

There

is

something

picturesque about a well-formed,

healthy

Negrito damsel, with jet black piercing eyes, and her hair in one
perfect ball of close curls.

some

of

them have a

hale,

The men

are not of a

handsome type

swarthy appearance, but many of them

present a sickly emaciated aspect.

Negrito matron past thirty

is

perhaps one of the least attractive objects in humanity.

They live
often make a

To such an
several

principally on fish, roots and mountain rice, but they

raid on the

vicinal valleys

and carry

off the

herds.

extent was the crime of cattle-stealing pursued, that

semi-official

expeditions

have

been

made

to

punish the

marauders, particularly on the Cordillera de Zambales, on the west

side of

Luzon

Island.
I

132

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The husbandry

of the Negritos

is

the most primitive imaginable.

It consists of scraping the surface of the earth

forest

and throwing the

They never "

seed.

may happen

The Gaddanes occupy

made

that any attempt has been

nomades

to

of the north,

and

it is

mountain

and
of

"

their

is

the tree

appearance

is

war and celebrate

extreme north,
to the

in the

Gaddanes

popularly

The

in bloom.

men about

to

from their enemies, as proof

called

by the Spaniards " the

the signal for this race to collect their trophies

certain religious

tribe, I

When

rites.

was cautioned not

long

remain

was

made out

district to

and

in

the

my expedition

in the

the

Gaddanes

Gaddanes

lances with tridented tips, and

are used to kill both fish

inhabit the

to

The arms used by

carrying at the point two rows of teeth,

The Itavis

and

warlike and aggressive

country of the Ihanacs^ preparing

are frightful weapons

fruits

flowers of this tree are of a fire-red hue,

country until the fire-tree blossomed.

These weapons

game,

This practice prevails at the season

of their manliness and courage.

when

rice,

a fine

are of a very

the custom of the young

brides, all the scalps they are able to take

fire-tree

They have

in presenting to the sires of their future

marry, to vie with each other

of the year

Island,

I have never heard

subdue them.

roots,

Luzon

part of

civilization.

the only really

considered

are

N.W.

wear the hair down to the shoulders

dark colour, and feed chiefly on

They

to temporarily settle.

the extreme

and are entirely out of the pale of

fish.

clearance of

take up " a piece of land, but sow in the manner

described wherever they

physical bearing

without

arrows

of flint or sea-shells.

foe.

the

south of that territory

occupied by the Gaddanes, and their mode of living and food are very
similar.

They

assaults

are

are,

however, not so

occasionally

made on

fierce as

the

other tribes,

Gaddanes, and
it

may

be rather

attributed to a desire to retaliate than to a love of bloodshed.

skin

is

not so dark as that of their northern neighbours

or the partially civilized Ibanacs

The Igokrotes
principally from

N.

and their hair

is

the

if

Their

Gaddanes

shorter.

are spread over a considerable portion of Luzon,

lat.

16^ to 18.

They

are, in general, a fine race

of people, physically considered.

The Ibanacs are the ordinary domesticated natives inhabiting the extreme
north of Luzon and the banks of the Kio Grande de Cagayau for some miles up.
Some of them have almost black skins.

en
C3

O
z
o
>

9
o
H
Z
<

EXPEDITION AGAINST THE IGORROTES.

They wear

At

their hair long.

shoulders, whilst

it

cut shorter in front, and

is

it

the back,

Some

cover the forehead like a long fringe.

133

hangs down
is

to the

allowed to nearly

of them, settled in the

districts of

Lepanto and El Abra, have a

upper

lip.

Their skin

thick

lips,

high cheek bones, and their broad shoulders and limbs

seem

little

They have

of a dark copper tinge.

is

hair on the chin and

flat

noses,

to denote great strength.

Like

however.

all

the races of

the Philippines, they are indolent to the greatest degree.

Their huts

Their form

is

not at

all graceful,

and they creep

are built bee-hive fashion,

into

them

like quadrupeds.

Fields of sweet potatoes and sugar-cane are under cultivation by them.

They cannot be forced

civilization.

or persuaded to

Adultery

known, but

little

is

embrace the Western system of

if

it

occurs, the

dowry

is

Polygamy seems to be permitted, but

common, and if a member of one hut

returned and the divorce settled.

Murders are

practised.

little

or family

group

is

that family avenges itself on one of the

killed,

"
murderer's kinsmen, hence those Avho might have to " pay the piper
are interested in maintaining order.

In the Province of La Isabela,

the Negrito and Igorrote tribes keep a regular Dr. and Cr. account of
heads.

Their aggressions on the coast

centuries

From time

past.

mountain retreat

The

cated population.
inroads,

first

have been frequent

time they came

to

to steal cattle

settlers

and

effects

down from

regular attempt to chastise them for these

Avas

in the

Governor Arandia (1754-1759), when a plan was concerted

crops

were

laid

waste,

their

belonging to the domesti-

and afterwards gain their submission,

them simultaneously from

for

all sides

with 1,080 men.

time of
to attack

Their ranches and

and many Igorrotes were taken prisoners,

but the ultimate idea of securing their allegiance was abandoned as

an impossibility.
In 1881 General Primo de Rivera, at the head of a large armed
force, invaded their district

but

it

was

all

to

with the view of reducing them

to obedience,

no purpose, and the result of the expedition was

apparently more disadvantageous than otherwise to

the project

of

bringing this tribe under Spanish dominion and of opening up their

country to trade and enlightened intercourse.

forces

were not

Whilst the expeditionary

sufficiently large, or in a condition to successfully carry

on a war a outrance,

to

be immediately followed up by a military

134

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

system of government

on the other hand, the feeble

to conquer

them served only

Europeans.

This gave the

officers

tions

and

courage to defend

tribes

boasted of to

had merely the

displayed

demonstrate the impotence of

to

whilst the licence indulged in by the white

mountaineers

efforts

me

men

at the

their liberty,

expense of the

many Spanish

personally by

effect of raising the veil

from their protesta-

The

wishing to benefit the race they sought to subdue.

of

ignomiuiously

enterprise

failed

the

costly

the

undertaking was

inglorious and fruitless one, except to the General,

an

being under

who

Royal favour since at Sagunta in 1875 he " pronounced " for King

Alphonso

secured himself the

title of

Count of La Union.

Since this event, the Igorrotes have been

whom

Europeans,

they naturally regard with every feeling of distrust.

Rightly or wrongly

(if it

can be a matter of opinion), they

any manifestation of ultimate advantage

a troop of
it

approachable by

less

fail

to see

to themselves in the arrival of

armed strangers who demand from them food (even though

be on payment) and perturbate their most intimate family

ties.

They

do not appreciate being civilized to exchange their usages, independence

and comfort
provinces,

for

even the highest post obtainable by a native in the

which then was practically that of

district authority,

To roam

head servant to the

under the name of Municipal Captain.

at large in their

them than having

to

mountain home

wear clothes

not to habitually reside, in villages

they would get

local

little

return

more enjoyable

to

presenting themselves often,

if

is

far

having to pay taxes, for which

not even the boon

of

good high-roads

acting as unsalaried tax-collectors with the chance of

and ruin if they did not succeed

in bringing

fine,

and

punishment

funds to the Public Treasury.

As to Christianity, it would be as hard a task to convince them of

what Roman Catholicism deems indispensable for the salvation of the
soul as

it

would be

although Buddhism

Being

in

is

went

to visit the prisons,

of the worst types of Igorrotes.

to teach

to hear an Igorrote exclaim that

life

where I saw

I was told that a priest

them the precepts

explained to them the marvellous

saint.

Buddha

Tuguegarao, the capital of Cagayan Province, about

had endeavoured

man's

of

as logical a religion as Christianity.

60 miles up the Rio Grande,

many

England to the teachings

to convert all

of Christianity,

of Saint Augustine,

who

and had

was dismayed

no coloured man ever became a white

Nothing could convince him that an exception

to the

IGORROTE-CHINESE.
rule

might be

the

135

Could experience have revealed

possible.

established fact

TINGUIANES.
to

him the

remarkable anomaly, that the grossest forms of

immorality were only to be found in the

white man's civilization

highest order of

of the

trail

Specimens of the different tribes and races of these Islands were

on view

at the Philippine Exhibition held in

Madrid

in 1887.

Some

of them consented to receive Christian baptism before returning home,

but

was publicly

it

positively refused to

stated that the Igorrotes were

abandon their own

among

those

who

belief.

The Igorrote Chinese are supposed to be the descendants of the

Chinese who fled to the hills on the departure of the Corsair Li-ma-hong
from Pangasinan Province

1574 {vide page 49).

in

Their inter-

marriage with the Igorrote tribe has generated a species of people

quite unique in their character.

Their habits are much the same as

those of the pure Igorrotes, but with this fierce nature

is blended the
cunning and astuteness of the Mongol, and although their intelligence
may be often misapplied, yet it is superior to that of the pure Igorrote.

In the Province of Pangasinan there are numbers of natives of Chinese

descent included in the domesticated population, and their origin

is

evidently due to the circumstances described.

The TiNGUiANES
17 N.

lat.

inhabit principally the district of El Abra, about

by 120

43' E,

long.

(Greenwich meridian).

They
Spanish Government, who

were nominally under the control of the

appointed their headmen petty governors of villages or ranches on the

system adopted in the subdued

According to Father Ferrando

districts.

(58 years ago), the form of oath taken in his presence by the newly
elected
viz.

headmen on receiving the

" May a pernicious wind

staff

touch

of office

was the

me may a
me asleep if
;

flash

followino-

of lightning

may the alligator catch

I fail to fulfil my
" duty." The headman presented himself almost when he chose to
the nearest Spanish Governor, who gave him his orders, which were
"

kill

me, and

only fulfilled according to the traditional custom of the tribe.

the

headman on

council of

his return to the ranche, delegated his

elders,

and according

to

their decision

Thus,

powers to the

he acted as the

executive only.

Whenever
to acting

By

it

was

possible, they applied their

own laws

in preference

upon the Spanish Code.

their

laws, the crime of

adultery

is

punished by a

fine of

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

136
30

dollars value

divorce

is

and divorce, but

if

the adultery has been mutual, the

pronounced absolute, Avithout the payment of a

fine.

brought to justice on an accusation which he denies,

He is made to hold up an
a handful of straw is burnt in his presence.
earthenware pot and say as follows : " May my belly be converted
" into a pot like this, if I have committed the deed attributed to me."

When

man

is

If the transformation does not take place at once, he

is

declared to be

innocent.

They

are Pagans, but have no temples.

Like many other

the mountain cavities.

Their gods are hidden

in

they believe

in

religionists,

Hence,

the efficacy of prayer for the supply of their material wants.

if

there be too great an abundance of rain, or too

of

little

it,

or au

epidemic disease raging, or any calamity affecting the community in

general, the Anitos are carried round and exhorted (like the Saints of
Catholic Church), whilst Nature continues her uninterrupted course. The Minister of Anito is also appealed to when a child
The infant is carried into the woods, and the Pagan
is to be named.

the

Roman

priest pronounces the

name, whilst he raises a bohie knife over the noAv-

On

born creature's head.

the tree emits sap, the

ceremony

is

lowering the knife, he strikes at a

first

name

uttered stands good

repeated, and each time the

name

is

if

changed

tree.

If

not, the

until the

oozing sap denotes the will of the deity.

The Tinguianes

are monogamists, and generally are forced by the

parents to marry before the age of puberty, but the bridegroom or hi&
father or elder has to purchase the bride at a price mutually agreed

upon by the

relations.

These people

live in cabins

on posts or trees

sixty to seventy feet from the ground, and defend themselves from the

attacks of their traditional enemies, the Guinaanes, by heaving stones

upon them. Nevertheless, in the more secure neighbourhoods of the

Christian villages, these people build their huts similar to those of the

domesticated natives.
buffaloes and horses are

From
hung

the doors and

window

as amulets.

Physically, they are of fine form, and the nose

wear the hair

in

openings, skulls of

is

aquiline.

They

a tuft on the crown, like the Japanese, but their

features are similar to the ordinary low-land native.

They

are fond of

music and personal ornaments. They tattoo themselves and black their
and for these, and many other reasons, it is conjectured that
teeth
;

they descend from the Japanese shipwrecked crews who, being without

HINDOOS.
means

band with which

at

ALBINOS.

to return to

137

their country, took to

the

mountains inland from the west coast of Luzon.

I

have never seen a Tinguian with a bow and arrow

the lance as the

common

they carry

Aveapon, and for hunting and spearing fish.

Their conversion to Christianity has proved to be an impossible

A Royal

task.

Decree of Ferdinand VI,, dated

June, 1758, set forth that the

Aranjuez, 18th of

in

Tinguinnes, Igorrotes and

infidels called

by other names who should accept Christian baptism, should be exempt

all their

lives

oflfspring,

from the payment

of tribute

and forced labour.

Their

however, born to them after receiving baptism, would lose

these privileges as well as the independence enjoyed by their fore-

This penalty

fathers.

was afterwards extended

Many
but

future generations for becoming Christians

to

to all the

of these tribes did a

with

undomesticated races.

little'

barter traffic with the Chinese,

the hope that necessity would

down

bring them

to the

Christian villages to procure commodities, and thus become socialized

the Government prohibited this trade in 1886.

The Tinguianes appear to be as intelligent as the

They are by no means savages
natives.
they

ordinary subdued

strangers to domestic

many

life,

and

may

not

Abra and

entirely

and they have laws of their own.

Christian families of El

origin,

are

great

Ilocos Sur are of Tinguian

here mention that the IIocos dominated natives have

the just reputation of being the only Philippine industrious people.

For
to

this reason, IIocos servants

and workmen are sought for

in preference

most others.

There

known,
who,

it

is

another race of people whose source

but, according to tradition, they descend

is

said,

is

not distinctly

from Indian Sepoys,

formed part of the troops under British command

during the military occupation of Manila

in

The

1763.

legend

is,

that

these Hindoos, having deserted from the British army, migrated up

the Pasig River.
settlers in the

However

that

may

be, the sharp-featured, black skin

Barrio de Dayap, of Cainta

Town (Morong

are decidedly of a different stock to the ordinary native.

district),

The

notable

physical differences are the fine aquiline nose, bright expression and
regular features.

They

are Christians

are

far

more laborious than

the Philippine natives, and are a law-abiding people.

many

of

them personally

for years.

voluntarily present themselves to

They

are the only

pay the taxes, and

yet,

known
class who

I have

on the ground

138

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

that generations ago they were intruders on the

heavily laden with imposts

soil,

they were more

the

than their fellow neighbours until

abolition of tribute in 1884.

There are

also to be seen in these Islands a

few types

of that class

of tropical inhabitant, preternaturally possessed of a white skin and

extremely

fair hair

sometimes red known as Albinos.

physiologists to elucidate the peculiarity of vital

unfortunate abnormities of Nature.

Amongst

I leave

phenomena

it

to

in these

others, I once

saw

in

Negros Island, a hapless young Albino girl, with marble-white skin

and very light pink-white hair, who was totally blind in the sunny
hours of the day.

<

'

CHAPTER

X.

MOSLEMS AND SOUTHERN TRIBES.

Simultaneously with

the

Spanish

two Borneo

chiefs,

possessions,

and one of them had to

who were

and they emigrated

of

conquest

the Philippines,

of

brothers, quarrelled about their respective

flee.

His partisans joined him,

to the Island of Basilan,' situated to the south

Zamboanga (Mindanao

The Moros,

Island).

as they are called in

the islands, are therefore supposed to be descended from the Mussulman

Dyaks of Borneo.
They were a valiant,
in others,

had

warlike, piratical people,

who admired bravery

deep-rooted contempt for poltroons, and lavished

no mercy on the weak.

In the suite of

who was

Adasaolan,

and wished

withdrew

this

to

chief,

Paguian Tindig, came

called

captivated by the fertility

remain there, so

Tindig

left

him

his cousin

of Basilan Island

possession and

in

Sulu Island, where he easily reduced the natives to

vassalage, for they had never yet had to encounter so powerful a foe.
to

So famous did Paguian Tindig become,

that, for generations after-

wards, the Sultans of vSulu were proud of their descent from such a
celebrated hero.

After the Spaniards had pacified the great Butuan Chief on the
north coast of Mindanao,

Tindig

consented

to

acknowledge the

suzerainty of their King, in exchange for undisturbed possession of the

realm which he had just founded.

Adasaolan espoused the Princess

Paguian

Goan,

daughter of
Dimasangcay, King of Mindanao, by his wife Imbog, a Sulu woman,
and with this relationship he embraced the Mahometan faith.
'
According to Father Pedro Murillo, the ancient
Taguima, so called from a river there of that name.

name

of

Basilan

was

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

140

Adasaolan's ambition increased as good fortune came to him, and,

stimulated by the promised support of ihis father-in-law, he invaded
Sulu, attacked his cousin Tiudig, and attempted to murder

annex

his

fortified

kingdom.

short but fierce

The

dwelling was besieged in vain.

the upper story were greased with

oil,

to

Tindig's

ensued.

contest

him

which supported

posts

and an entrance could not be

effected.

Adasaolan, wearied of his failures, retired from the enterprise, and

Tindig, in turn, declared war on the Basilan king after he had been
to

Manila to

solicit assistance

from his Spanish suzerain's representative,

sent two armed boats to support him.

who

When

Tindig, on his return from Manila, arrived within sight of

Sulu, his anxious subjects rallied round him, and prepared for battle.
The two armed boats, furnished by the Spaniards, Avere on the way,
but, as yet, too far off to render help, so

Adasaolan immediately

fell

upon Tindig's party and completely routed them.

Tindig himself died bravely, fighting to the

last

moment.

Adasaolan, however, did not annex the territory of his defeated

Rajah Bongso succeeded Tindig in the Government of Sulu,
cousin.

and when old age enfeebled him, he was wont

scars inflicted on

The

him during the war

to

show with pride the

of independence.

Spaniards, having no one to fight for

when they

arrived,

made
returned to Manila with their armed boats. Adasaolan then
introduced the
alliances with Mindanao and Borneo people, and
Mahometan

religion into Sulu.

the Spaniards) has become the

The

-f

Since then, Sulu (called " Jolo," by

Mecca

earliest records relating to

of the Southern Archipelago.'

Mindanao

Island, since the Spanish

rich
annexation of the Philippines, show that about the year 1595, a
who had
Portuguese cavalier of noble birth, named Estevan Rodriguez,

had a wealthy
acquired a large fortune in the Philippines, and who
Dasmarinas the
brother in Mexico, proposed to the Governor Perez
conquest of this Island.

he offered his person and all his means, but

sanction to his
having waited in vain for four years to obtain the Royal

For

'

this purpose,

Mahomedanism appears

to have been introduced into the Islands of Borneo

and Mindanao by Arabian missionary prophets.

EARLY HISTORY OF MINDANAO ISLAND.

141

project,

he prepared to leave for Mexico, disgusted and disappointed.

He was

on the point of starting for

New

Spain

he had his ship laden

and his family on board, when the Royal confirmation arrived with the

new Governor,

Dr. Antonio Morga.

Therefore he changed his plans,

but despatched the laden ship to Mexico with the cargo, intending to

employ the

profits of the

ventnre in the prosecution of his Mindanao

enterprise.

With

the

title

of General, he

and

They put

chaplain priests, started in another vessel for the south.

at

Otong (Panay Island) on the way, and

Having reached the

went up

as far as

it

on

buckled

1596.

Mindanao River (Rio Grande), the ship

Buhayen, iu the territory of the chief Silongan.

Their delay
his

left there in April,

iu

great

party under the Maestre de

the environs.

with three

his family, together

shield,

Campo was

in returning

with

and,

sent ashore to reconnoitre

caused alarm, so the General

sword

in

hand,

disembarked,

accompanied by a Cebuano servant and two Spaniards, carrying lances.

On

way they met

the

a native,

who

which the General received on

Then they encountered

waist.

raised his campilan to deal a blow,

and cut down the foe at the

his shield,

another,

almost in two, causing his death

who

cleaved the General's head

The Cebuano

in six hours.

at once

This brave was discovered to be

ran the native through with a lance.

the youngest brother of the chief Silongan,

who had sworn

to

Mahomet

to sacrifice his life to take that of the Castillian invader.

The General's corpse was

sent

expedition led by the 3Iaestre de

to

Manila

Campo

for interment.

fared badly, one of the party

being killed, another seriously wounded, and the rest

The next day

river,

it

was decided

Juan de

la

Jara, the Maestre de

have been, that he made love

on board.

fled

to construct trenches at the

where the camp was established.

mouth

chief exploit seems to

to the deceased General's

widow and

proposed marriage to her, which she indignantly rejected.

was abandoned, and the

The

after the last priest died, the project

to

between the Sulu and Mindanao potentates

Piracy, which

hitherto had been confined

to the waters in the locality of those islands.

whole

of

Nothing

vessel returned to Cebu.

alliances effected

gave a great stimulus

of the

The command was taken by

Campo, whose

was gained by the expedition, and

The

fleets,

now

spread over the

was prosecuted with great

carrying weapons almost equal to

the Philippine Archipelago, and

vigour by regular organised

It

142

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
In meddling with the Mussuhnan

those of the Spaniards.

the Spaniards

may be

said to

territories

have unconsciously lighted on a hornet's

Their eagerness for conquest stirred up the implacable hatred

nest.

Moslem for the

upon their own heads

of the

Christian,
for

and they unwittingly brought woe

many

Indeed,

generations.

the

half

if

consequences could have been foreseen, they surely never would have

attempted to gain what, up to the present day, they have failed to

namely, the complete conquest of Mindanao and the Sulu

secure,

Sultanate.

For over two centuries and a half Mussulman war junks ravaged
every coast of the Colony.

Not a

Thousands

were murdered, whilst others were carried

of the inhabitants

Villages were sacked

slavery for years.

into

looted

local trade

was intercepted

was spared.

single peopled island

the churches were

the natives subject to Spain were

many even dared not risk their lives

The utmost desolation and havoc was

driven into the high lands, and

and goods near the

coasts.

perpetrated, and militated vastly against the welfare and development

of the Colony.

For four years the Government had

to

remit the payment of

Negros Island and the others lying between

tribute in

it

and Luzon, on

account of the abject poverty of the natives, due to these raids.

From

the time the Spaniards

there was

continual warfare.

interfered with the

first

Mussulmans

Expeditions against the pirates were

Piracy was

constantly being fitted out by each succeeding Governor.

indeed an incessant scourge and plague on the Colony, and

it

cost the

Spaniards rivers of blood and millions of dollars only to keep

it

in

check.

In the present century, the Mussulmans appeared even in the Bay

of Manila.

captivity.

There are persons yet living who have been

There are hundreds who

insecurity to

which

their

lives

still

in

Mussulman

remember, with anguish, the

The

and properties were exposed.

Spaniards were quite unable to cope with such a prodigious calamity.

The

coast villagers built forts for their

stone watch-tower

On

several

is

still

occasions

inducement of

spoil, to

indomitable marauders.

to be seen

the

Christian

own

defence, and

many an

old

on the islands south of Luzon.

natives

were

urged,

by the

equip corsairs, with which to retaliate on the

The Sulu

people

made

captive the Christian

natives and Spaniards alike, whilst a Spanish priest

was a choice

prize.

MUSSULMAN PIRATES.
And
nerve

EPOCH OF TERROR.

143

Spaniards in Philippine waters were straining everv

whilst

countrymen were diligently pursuing a

between the West Coast of Africa and Cuba

to extirpate slavery, their

profitable trade in

" It

is

an

it

wind which blows no one any good"

ill

and the Moslem

attacks certainly had the good political eiFect of forcing hundreds of

Christians up from the coast to people and cultivate the interior of

these islands.

Due

to the enterprise

of a

few Spanish and foreign merchants,

steamers at length began to navigate in the waters of the Archipelago,

and piracy by Mussulmans beyond their own

locality

was doomed.

In

the time of Governor-General Norzagaray, 18 steam gun-boats were

ordered out, and arrived in 1860, putting a close for ever to this epoch
of misery, bloodshed,

and material

The end

loss.

of piracy brought

repose to the Colony, and in no small degree aided the progress of

its

advancement.

social

During the protracted struggle with the Moslems,

(Mindanao

was

Is.)

and a penitentiary was

great burden

enemy, whose
1635

its

described

urged

its

to

After Cavite,

the Treasury

hostility

it

was the

also established there.

support close

at

maintenance was a

existence a great eyesore to the

its

proposed by

the

as only a sepulchre for Spaniards.

continuance,

Its

as

hand,

it

of the

chief naval station,

was much inflamed thereby.

abandonment was
it

and became the headquarters

fortified,

Spaniards in the south.

Zamboanga

About the year

military

The

Jesuits,

suited their interests to

and their

influence

who

party,

however,

have material

prevailed

in

Manila

bureaucratic centres.

In the year 1738 the fixed annual expenses of Zamboanga

equipment were $17,500,

and

the

incidental

and

fort

disbursements

were

These sums did not include the cost of scores of

which, at enormous expense, were [sent out against the

estimated at $7,500.

armed

fleets

Mussulmans

to little purpose.

Each new (Zamboanga) Governor

of a

martial spirit, and desiring to do something to establish or confirm his

fame

for prowess,

seemed to regard

it

as a kind of duty to pretext the

quelling of imaginary troubles in Sulu and Mindanao.

Some, with

patriotism than selfishness, found a ready excuse for filling their

pockets by the proceeds of warfare, in making feigned

rescue captives.

It

may

less

own

efforts

to

be observed in extenuation, that, in those

days, the Spaniards believed from their birth that none but a Christian

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

144
had

some were deluded by a conscientious impression

rights, whilst

that they were executing a high mission

myth

as

it

was,

Peace was

served to give them courage in their perilous undertakings.

made and broken over and over

Spanish forts were at times

again.

established in Sulu, and afterwards demolished.

devices to control the desperate foe.

new

headed the troops

in person

success, but without

made a solemn

Every decade brought

Several Governors-General

Mussulmans with temporary

and almost every new Governor

against the

any lasting

eiFect,

treaty with one powerful chief or another,

respected only as long as

it

at least

it

which was

suited both parties.

This continued campaign, the details of which are too prolix for
insertion here,

may be

qualified as a religious war, for

Roman

Catholic

an active part in the operations with the same fiendish

priests took

passion as the Moslems themselves.

Among

these tonsured warriors

may be mentioned Father Ducos, the son of a Colonel, Jose Villanueva

and Pedro de San Agustin. They all acquired great fame out of their
profession

the last being known, with dread, by the

beginning of the I7th century, under the

One
an

most renowned Kings

of the

astute, far-seeing chieftain,

his territory,

who

in

title

of the

Moslems

in the

Captain-priest.

Mindanao was Cachil

Corralat,

ably defended the independence of

and kept the Spaniards at bay during the whole

of his

manhood.

An

interesting event in the

Spanish-Sulu history

is

the visit of

and his
the Sultan Maharaad Alimudin to the Governor-General in 1750,
subsequent vicissitudes of fortune. The first Eoyal despatch addressed

bv the King

of Spain to the Sultan of Sulu,

was dated

in

Buen

Retiro,

12th of July, 1744, and everything, for the time being, seemed to augur
violently deposed
a period of peace. In 1749, however, the Sultan was

by an ambitious brother, Prince Bantilan, and the Sultan forthwith

went to Manila to seek the aid of his Suzerain's delegate, the Governorof Nueva
General of the Philippines who chanced to be the Bishop
In Manila, the Priest-Governor cajoled his guest with
horseback and on foot, with
presents, and accompanied him on
his religion in favour of
the design of persuading him to renounce
Segovia.

Christianity.

At

leno-th the

baptism.

Among

Sultan yielded, and avowed his intention to receive

the Friars an animated discussion ensued as to the

propriety of this act, especial opposition being raised

by the

Jesuits,

VICISSITUDES OF SULTAN

embraced the Christian

name

number

Sultan, with a

but iu the end the

The

faith.

of Ferdinand I. of Sulu

MAHAMAD

145

of his suite, outwardly-

Sultan at his baptism received the

at the

ALIMUDIN.

same time he was invested with

the insignia and grade of a Spanish Lieutenant-General.

Great ceremonies and magnificent feasts followed

He was visited and congratulated by

By proclamation, the festivities included

incident.
capital.

tion, three days' procession of the giants, three

this

all

unprecedented

the elite of the

four days' illumina-

days of bull-fighting,

four nights of fireworks, and three nights of comedy, to terminate with

High Mass, a Te Deum and

special

sermon for the occasion.

In the meantime, the Sultan had requested the Governor

the

Crown

to

have

Prince, Princesses and retainers escorted to Manila, to learn

Thus

Spanish manners and customs.

the Sultan with his male and

female accompaniment numbered 60 persous.

defrayed the cost of

maintenance

tbeir

The Governor-Bishop

out of

his private purse.

After the baptism, the Government supported them in Manila for two
years.

At

length

it

was

Sultan Ferdinand

resolved, according to appearances, to restore the

I. to his

throne.

With

that idea, he and his retinue

quitted Manila in the Spanish frigate "

San Fernando," which was

"
convoyed by another frigate and a galley, until the " San Fernando
fell in with bad weather ofF Mindoro Island, and had to make the
Thence he proceeded

Port of Calapan.

vessel and set sail for

to Yloilo,

where he changed

Zamboanga, but contrary winds

carried

him

to

Dapitan (N.W. coast of Mindanao Island), where he landed and put

ofi"

again

in

a small Visayan craft for Zamboanga, arriving there

on the 12th of July, 1751.

Thirteen days afterwards, the " San Fernando," which had been
repaired, reached

Zamboanga

Before Ferdinand

Muhamad
;

Manila, he had addressed a letter to Sultan

Amirubdin, of Mindanao, at the instance of the Spanish

Governor-General.

Arabic

I. left

also.

The

original

was written by Ferdinand

I.

in

a version in Spanish was dictated by him, and both were

signed by him.

These documents reached the Governor

by the " San Fernando," but

translated,

and found that

it

of

Zamboanga

he had the original iu Arabic

re-

did not at all agree with the Sultan's

Spanish rendering. The translation of the Arabic runs thus

" I shall be glad to know that the Sultan Muhamad Amirubdin
" and all his chiefs, male and female, are well. I do not write a
:

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

146

wish to give you to

as I inteuded, because I simply

'

lengthy

'

understand, in case the Sultan or his chiefs and others should feel

'

aggrieved at

'

under pressure, being under foreign dominion, and I

'

to

'

tell

'

in our style

'

writing you on

'

and I have nothing more

'

ninth day of the Eabilajer Moon, Ferdinand

'

seals

letter,

writing this letter in this manner, that I do so

obey whatever they

me

and language

my own

own

with his

behalf, but because I

to add.

pronounced

what they
Avrite to you

to say

ms

to

am

am

ordered to do so,

Written in the year II Gi on the

treasonable.

saw

T.,

King

of Sulu,

who

Impressed

or

with,

real or imaginary indications

on the part of the Sultan to throw

opportunity.

first

ordered

compelled

therefore, do not understand that I

idea, the Spaniards

feigning, this

have

to do, and I

am

seal."

was

letter

of a design

me

tell

Thus the Governor has

to say.

This

the

my

oiF the

foreign yoke

:it

All his acts were thus interpreted, although

no positive proof was manifest, and the Governor communicated his

suspicions to Manila.

There
all in

is

no explanation

why

the Spaniards detained the Sultan at

Zamboanga, unless with the intention

The
nothing was known

Sultan arrived there on the

him.

against

To suppose

that the Sultan could ever

return to reign peacefully as a Christian over

On

12th of July, and

he was detained in Zamboanga during these 13

days can only be conjectured.

utterly absurd to

up accusations

of the disagreement in the letter until after the

Why

25th of July.

of trumping

Mussulman

subjects

was

any sane mind.

the 3rd of August, the Sultan, his sons, vassals and chiefs were

all cast into prison,

without opposition, and a letter was despatched,

dated 6th of August, 1751, to the Governor in Manila, stating the

cause.

The Sultan was

first

about going to the

difficulty

brother,

the

who had

voluntaril]f

made no

individual arrested, and he

fort.

Even

the Prince Asin, the Sultan's

come from Sulu

in apparent

good faith

with friendly overtures to the Spaniards, was included among the

prisoners.

The

reason assigned was, that he had failed to surrender

Christian captives as provided.

The

prisoners, besides the Sultan,

Four sons

of the Sultan.

Prince Asin (brother).

Prince Mustafa (son-in-law).

were the following,

viz.

Princess Panguiau Banquiling

(sister).

Four Princesses (daughters).

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST SULTAN AND SUITE.

160 ordinary male and female

Dato Yamudin (a noble).

Seven Mussulman

retainers.

Five brothers-in-law.

One Mussulman
The political or

why

stated, nor

Concubines

Cherif.

priests.

with

32

female

servants.

other crime

(if

any) attributed to these last

is

not

they were imprisoned.

The few arms brought, according

Sultan who had come from Sulu to
him back

to his country,

of

Decree

147

to custom,

by the followers

of the

receive their liege-lord and escort

were also seized.

Governor-General

the

accusations against the pi'isoners, viz.

set

forth

the

followinsr

That Prince Asin had not surrendered captives.

2. That
"whilst the Sultan was in Manila, new captives were made by the party
who expelled him from the throne. 3. That the number of arms
brought to Zamboanga by Sulu chiefs was excessive.
4. That the
1.

letter to Sultan

the Spaniards.

were found

in

Muhamad Amirubdiu

insinuated help wanted against

That several Mahomedan, but no Christian booka,

6. That during the journey to
the Sultan's baggage.
5.

Zamboanga he had refused to pray in Christian form. 7. That he had

only attended Mass twice. 8. That he had celebrated Mahomedan
rites,

sacrificing

of being a

a goat

Mahomedan.

and had given evidence

9.

That

his

in

a hundred ways

conversation generally denoted

a want of attachment to the Spaniards, and a contempt for their

treatment of him in Manila,^ and 10. That he

still

cohabited with his

concubines.

The

greatest

Christians,
fleet

was

stress

was

laid

on

the

recovery

of the

captive

and the Governor added, that although the mission of the

to restore the Sultan to the throne (which,

by the way, he

does not appear to have attempted), the principal object was the rescue

He, therefore, proposed that the liberty of the

imprisoned nobles and chiefs should be bartered at the rate of 500
Christian slaves for each one of the chiefs and nobles, and the balance
of Christian slaves.

of the captives for Prince Asin and the clergy.

A subsequent Decree, dated in

the extermination of the

Manila 21st December, 1751, ordered

Mussulmans with

fire

and sword

the fitting

' The Sultan complained that

he had not been treated in Manila with dignity
equal to his rank and quality, and that he had constantly been under guard of
Boldiers in his reidenc8 (thia was explained to be a guard-of -honour).

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

148

out of Visayan corsaira, with authority to extinguish the foe, burn

was combustible, destroy the

that

make

captives,

and recover

Real quinto) was

(the

all

crops, desolate their cultivated land,

Chi'istian

One-fifth of the spoil

slaves.

to belong to the

King, and the natives were to

be exempt from the payment of tribute whilst so engaged.

Before giving
it

effect to

was thought expedient

such a

terrible,

to publish

but impracticable resolution,

a brochure, styled a " Historical

Manifest," in which the Governor-General professed to justify his acts

for public satisfaction.

However, public opinion

make

warfare, so to

payment

it

in

Manila was averse to the intended

more popular, the Governor abolished the

of one-fifth of the booty to the King,

they therefore lent or gave the following,

appeal was made

Manila for arms and provisions to carry on the

to the citizens of

campaign

An

viz.

26 guns, 13 bayonets, 3 sporting guns, 15 carbines, 5 blunderbusses,

7 brace of

pistols,

23 swords, 15 lances, 900 cannon

balls,

and $150

from Spaniards, and a few lances and $188 from natives.

Meanwhile Prince Asin died

of grief at his position.

Under the leadership of the Maestre de Campo of Zamboanga,

With several ships he proceeded to Sulu,
hostilities commenced.
When the squadron
carrying a large armament and 1,900 men.
'

anchored

off

Sulu,

white and a red flag were hoisted from the

principal fort, for the Spaniards to elect either peace or war.

Sulus approached the Fleet with white

flags, to

Several

enquire for the Sultan.

Evasive answers were given, followed by a sudden cannonade.

No

good resulted to the Spaniards from the attack, for the Sulus

defended themselves admirably.

The Captain and

and they were

all

Tawi Tawi

Island was next assaulted.

men Avent ashore, but their

slain.
The Commander of the
his

discouraged, that he

returned to

Zamboanga and

Gastambide then took command, but

after

retreat

was cut

off

expedition was so
resigned.

Pedro

having attacked Basilan

The whole campaign was

mistake to have declared a war of
means to carry it out. The result

Island fruitlessly, he retired to Zamboanga.

an entire

fiasco.

It

was a great

extermination without having the

was, that the irate Sulus organized a guerilla warfare, by sea and by

'

Maestre de Campo (obsolete grade), about equivalent to the modern General

of Brigade.

MUSSULMAN REPRISALS ON THE SPANIARDS.

land,

against

The "

responded.
straits, and,

which

the

were turned."

In

Christians, to

all

tables

wearied at the

and discussions were held

little

Spaniards
fact,

149

but

feebly

they were in great

success of their arms, endless councils

in the capital.

Meanwhile, almost every coast of the Archipelago was energetically

Hitherto the Spaniards had only had the Sulus to contend

ravaged.

by the Governor-General

with, but the licence given

excited

pillage

the

cupidity

unscrupulous

of

apparent right or reason, the Maestre de

a Chinese junk from

Mindanao, to be

Amoy,

seized.

Campo

carrying goods

to reprisal

Without

officials.

of

to a

and

Zamboanga caused
Sultan of

friendly

After tedious delay, vexation, and privation,

the master and his crew were released, and a part of the cargo restored,

Campo

but the Maestre de

for his

own

use.

insisted

This treachery

and undeceived the Mindanao

upon retaining what was convenient

to

an amicable Power exasperated

vSultan to

such a degree, that he at once

took his just revenge by making war on the Spaniards.

Fresh

fleets of

armed canoes replenished the Sulu armadillas, ravaged the coasts

hunted down Spanish priests, and made captives.

On
There
of

the north
is

coast

of

Mindanao

a legend that over 600

several

Mussulmans advanced

Lubungan, but were repulsed by the

their patron, Saint

Fray Roque de Santa Monica was

hidmg

in caves

threatened

villagers,

James, appeared on horseback

took

battles

who

place.

to the village

affirmed that

to help them.

chased from place to place,

Being again met by four Mussulmans, he

a blunderbuss and was left unmolested.

and rocks.

them

v/ith

Eventually, he was found by friendly natives, and taken by them to a

wood, where he lived on

Thence he journeyed

roots.

became raving mad, and was sent

frantic, in the

The

Linao,

where he died quite

convent of his order.

Sultan and his fellow prisoners had been conveyed to Manila

and lodged

in the Fortress of

Governor to allow
to

to Manila,

to

Santiago.

In 17o3, he petitioned the

his daughter, the Princess Faatima,

go to Sulu about his private

affairs.

and two slaves

permit was granted on

condition of her returning, or, in exchange for her liberty and that of

her two

slaves, to remit

50 captives, and, failing to do

either, the

Sultan and his suite were to be deprived of their dignities and treated

common
among the

as

slaves, to

work

in the galleys,

ordinary prisoners.

On

these

and to be undistinguished
conditions,

the

Princess

150

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
and forwarded 50 slaves and one more

left,

Montesinos

Spaniard, Jos^ de

as a present.

Princess Faatlma, nevertheless, did return to Manila, bringing

The
vrith her

of

an ambassador from Prince Bantilan, her uncle and Governor

who,

Sulu,

in

the meantime,

had assumed the

of Sultan

title

Mahamad Miududin.
The ambassador was Prince Mahamad Ismael Dato Marayalayla.
After an audience with the Governor, he went to the fort to consult
with the captive Sultan, and they proposed a treaty with the Governor,
of which the

An

main points were

and defensive

offensive

as follows, viz.
alliance.

Kingdom

All captives within the

of vSulu to be surrendered within

one year.
All objects looted from the churches to be restored v/ithin one
year.

On

the fulfilment of these conditions, the Sultan and his people

-were to be set at liberty.

The

was dated

treaty

March, 1754.

in Manila, 3rd of

The terms

were quite impossible of accomplishment, for the Sultan, being

prison, liad no

power

to enforce

The war was continued

little

commands on

on shore, and the

and with

whilst their operations were greatly

retarded by discordance between the

authorities

in

his subjects.

at great sacrifice to the State

benefit to the Spaniards,

still

officials

At

priests.

of the expedition, the

the

same

time, dilatory

proceedings were being taken against the Maestro de

Campo

of

Zamboanga, who was charged with having appropriated to himself

Siargao Island had been completely
others' share of the war booty.
overrun by the Mussulmans

the villages and cultivated land were laid

waste, and the Spanish priest was killed.

When

the Governor Pedro de Arandia arrived in 1754, the Sultan

took advantage of the occasion to put his case before him.

indeed, experienced

Arandia

had

some

confessed

and

took

spiritually

the

By

Arandia's

persuasion,

the

examined him, and then the Sultan

Communion.

Potenciana there was a Moslem

In

the

woman who had

College

of

Santa

been a concubine of

who now professed Christianity, and had taken the name

Rita Calderon. The Sultan's wife having died, he asked for this

the Sultan, but

of

had,

of the strangest mutations of fortune, and

compassion on him.

Archbishop visited and

He

MORE MUSSULMAN REPRISALS.

151

<BX-concubine in marriage, and the favour was conceded to him.

The

nuptials were celebrated in the Governor's Palace on the 27th of April,

1755, and the espoused couple returned to their prison with an allowance
of

$50 per mouth

In 1755

for their maintenance.

the

all

Sultan's

relations

and

suite

who had been

incarcerated in Manila, except his son Ismael and a few chiefs, were

The Sultan and

sent back to Sulu.

his chiefs

live freely within the city of Manila, after

were then allowed to

having sworn before the

Governor, on bended knee, to pay homage to him, and to remain peaceful

Indeed, Arandia

during the king's pleasure.

towards the Sultan

he was willing

him

The

so favourably disposed

Mahamad Alimudiu (Fernando

to restore

in collision

was

him

I.),

to his throne, but his

that personally

wish only brought

with the clergy, and he desisted.

British, after

the

military

occupation

of

Manila

in

took up the cause of the Sultan, and reinstated him in Sulu.

1763,

Then

he avenged himself of the Spaniards, by fomenting incursions against

them in Mindanao, which the Governor-General, Jose Raon, was unable
to oppose for

want

of resources.

The Mussulmans, however, soon proved

to friend

and foe

alike.

their

imtrustworthiness

Their friendship lasted on the one side so

long as danger could thereby be averted from the other, and a certain

Datto Teng-teng attacked the British garrison at Batambangan one

night, and slaughtered all but six of the troops.

The town

of

Sulu was formerly the residence of the Sultan's

This Sovereign had arrogantly refused to check the piratical

Court.
cruisiugs
locality

made by

his

people against the Spanish subjects in the

and about the Islands of Calamianes

therefore,

on the 11th

of February, 1851, General Urbiztondo (an ex-Carlist chief),

who had

been appointed Governor-General of the Philippines in the previous

year,

undertook

to

redress

his nation's grievances

by

force.

The

Spanish flag was hoisted in several places. Sulu Town, which was
shelled by the gunboats, was captured and held by the invaders, and
the Sultan

Muhamed

Pulalon

fled to

Maybun on

which place the Court was removed.

Still

the south coast, to

the Moslems paid the

Spaniards an occasional visit and massacred the garrison, which was

as often renewed by fresh levies.

In 1876 the incursions of the Mussulmans and the temerity of the

chiefs

had again attained such proportions, that European dominion over

152

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

the Siilu Sultanate and Mindanao, even in the nominal form in which
it

was

existed,

headed

Consequent on

sorely menaced.

by Vice-Admiral Malcampo, arrived

an expedition,

this,

the waters

in

the

of

Sultanate, carrying troops, with the design of enforcing submission.

The

chief of the land forces appears to have had no topographical

The

plan formed.

The

expedition

were marched

troops

turned out to be one of

into

without their

the interior,

knowing where they were going, and they even had

Naturally, they were often

guides.

in

officers

depend on Sulu

to

deceived, and

where the Mussulmans were awaiting them

discovery.

led

to

ambush,

precisely

the

result

being that great havoc was made in the advance column by frequent

Now

surprises.

and again would appear a iew juramejitados, or sworn

Moslems, who sought their way to Allah by the

blood, but

With

causing

considerable destruction

sacrifice

to

the

of their

own

invading party.

a kris at the waist, a javelin in one hand, and a shield supported

by the

other, they

would advance before the enemy, dart forward

and backwards, make zigzag movements, and then, with a war-whoop,

rush in three or four at a time upon a body of Christians twenty
times their number, giving no quarter, expecting none

conquer

The

expedition was not a failure, but

Spanish flag was hoisted in several places,

until the

in

it

to die, or to

gained

The

little.

some of which

it

remained

Spanish evacuation of the islands.

The Mussulmans
the whole of

(called

by the Spaniards Moros) now extend over

Mindanao Island, and the Sultanate

of

which

Sulu,

comprises Sulu Island (34 miles long from E. to W., and 12 miles in
the broadest part from N. to S.) and about 140 others, 80 to 90 of

which are uninhabited.

The

population of the Sulu Sultanate alone would be about 110,000,

including free people, slaves and some 20,000 men-at-arms under orders
of the Dattos.

The domains

of

His Highness reach westward as

far as

Borneo, where, until recently, the Sultanate of Brunei was more or less
nominally subservient to that of Suln.

The Sultan

of Sulu

is

also

feudal lord of two vassal Sultanates in Mindanao Island.

There

is,

moreover, a

southern half of

half-caste branch

of

these people in the

Palauan Island (Paragua) of a very subdued and

peaceful nature, nominally under the Sulu Sultan's rule.

153

COLONIZING COMPANY.

SULU SULTANATE.

In Mindanao, only a small coast

district

here and there was really

under Spanish empire, although Spain claimed suzerainty over

territory subject to the Sultan of Sulu,

never was respected to the

letter.

by virtue

of an old treaty,

all

the

which

After the Sulu war of 1876, the

Sultan admitted the claim more formally, and on the 11th of March,
1877, a protocol was signed by England

Germany recognizing

and

Tawi Tawi group and the chain of islands stretching

Borneo. At the same time, it was understood that

Spain's rights to the

from Sulu

to

Spain would give visible proof of annexation by establishing military

posts, or

occupying these islands in some way, but nothing was done

until 1880,

when they were

by a report that the Germans

scared

projected a settlement there.

convict corps at once took possession,

military posts were established, and in 1882 the 6th regiment of regular

troops

was quartered

Meanwhile

in the

group at Bongao and

title of

(Royal Charter 7th November,

1881).

rights

the Sultan

of

5,000 a year as feudal

hers, but could

company was formed in

British North Borneo Co."

in 1880, a foreign colonizing

the Sultanate of Brunei, under the

the suzerain

Siassi.

lord.

show nothing

"

The company

recognized

of Sulu, and agreed to

pay him

Spain protested that the territory was

to confirm the possession.

There was

neither a flag, nor a detachment of troops, nor auj thing whatsoever to

indicate that the coast

was under European

protection or dominion.

Notes were exchanged between the Cabinets of Madrid and London,

and the former relinquished for ever their claim to the Borneo

fief

of

Brunei.

The

experiences of the unfortunate Sultan Alimudin (Ferdinand I.)

taught the Sulu people such a sad lesson that subsequent Sultans have
not cared to risk their persons in the hands of the Spaniards.
was,

moreover,

a National

There

Party which repudiated dependence on

Spain, and hoped to be able eventually to drive out the Spaniards.

Therefore, in 1885,

when

the heir to the throne was cited to Manila to

receive his investiture at the hands of the Governor-General, he refused

to

comply, and the Government at once offered the Sultanate to another

chief.

to the

The

dignity having been accepted by him, he presented himself

Governor-General in the capital.

The ceremony
at

of investiture took place in the

Government House

Malacanan near Manila on the 24th of September, 1886, when Dutto

Harun took the oath

of allegiance to the

King

of

Spain as his sovereign

154

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

lord,

and received from the Governor-General Emilio Terrero the

of his Excellencj

title

Paduca Majasari Maulana Amiril Matcminin Sultan

Muhamad Ha run

Narrasid, with the rank and grade of a Spanish

Lieutenant-General.

The Governor -General was attended by

Interpreter,

and several

officers of

Sultan-elect were his Secretary

Tuan Sik Mustafa, and

his Secretary, the Official

high local rank.

Tuaji

Hagi Omar,

fez with a

and Chaplain appeared

and turbans.

Two

Sultan

months the

heavy

in

European costume,

tassel of black silk.

His Secretary

long black tunics, white trousers, light shoes

in

of the remainder of his suite adopted the

fashion, but the others

The

a priest Pandita

several dattos.

For the occasion, the Sultan-olect was dressed

and wore a Turkish

In the suite of the

wore

returned

rich typical

European

Moorish vestments.

to his country, and in the course of three

chiefs of the National Party openly took

up arms against

the nominee of the King of Spain, the movement spreading to the

adjacent

islands

of

Siassi

and Bongao, which form part of the

Sultanate.

The Mussulmans on

the Great Mindanao River, from Cottobatto

upwards, openly defied Spanish authority

and

in the spring of 1886,

the Government were under the necessity of organizing an expedition

against them.

The Spaniards had

Spanish

flag,

ordered that native

craft

should

carry the

otherwise they would be treated as pirates or rebels.

In

March, 1887, the cacique of the Simonor ranche (Bongao Island),

named Pandan, refused any longer

he was pursued and taken prisoner.

to hoist the Christian ensign,

He was

and

conveyed on the gunboat

" Panay " to Sulu, and on being asked by the Governor

why

he had

ceased to use the Spanish flag, he haughtily replied tuat " he would

only answer such a question to the Captain-General," and refused to

give any further explanation.
garrison

of

Within a month

after his arrest, the

Sulu Avas strengthened by an increase of 377 men, in

expectation of an immediate general rising.

The forces were led by Majors Mattos and Villa Abrille, under the
command of Brigadier Serina. They were stoutly opposed by a cruel
and despotic chief, named Utto, who advanced at the head of his
With the co-operation of the gunboats up the
subjects and slaves.
river, the

Mussulmans were repulsed with great

loss.

LU

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HOSTILITIES ON THE RIO GRANDE, MINDANAO.

Probably

this

would have

for a long time to convince the

sufficed

Mussulmaus that when they show

155

front, the

modern means

of warfare

are more effective than theirs.

Scores of expeditions have been led

against the Mindanao natives,

and temporary submission has been

usually obtained by the Spaniards, but on their retirement, the natives

have always reverted

on the

to their old customs,

The

settlers.

and have taken their revenge

history of the Colony would have proved this to

the Governor-General, but there were petty jealousies existing between

his highest officers in the south, which his presence, without warfare,

would have
hostilities

The

What

sufficed to tranquillize.

cry

was

raised that Datto

Dtto had avowed that no Spaniard

had, or ever should, enter his territory

It

was a small plea

of his

reason was there for further

an armed expedition, but from the example

predecessor in 1880, the General perchance foresaw in a little

war the

for

vision of titles

and more material reward, besides counter-

balancing his increasing unpopularity in Manila, due to the influence of

the Government Secretary
the

wake

of

Felipe Canga-Argiielles.

who had

those

in the previous

Don

Following

successfully checked the

spring, he took the

chief

command

in

in

Mussulmans

person in the

beginning of January, 1887, to force a recantation of the Chief Utto's

independence.

The

petty Sultans of Bacat,

Bnhayen and Kudaraugan

united their fortunes with that of Utto.

The

in

vain

stockades of cocoanut

trunks, palma-bravas and earth (called cnttas) were easily destroyed

the Spanish artillery, and their defenders fled under a desultory

There was very

slaughter on either side,

little

native infantry soldiers suffered from the

ground
the

dug

around

bamboo

stockades (called by the

the

enemy had not had time

to

A few

by

fire.

of the Christian

spikes set in the

Spaniards puas), but

cover with

brushwood the

pits

for the attacking party to fall into.

In about two months, the operations ended by the submission of

some petty

chiefs

spending so

much powder and

of

minor

importance

and

influence

and after

shot and Christian blood, the General

had not even the satisfaction of seeing either the man he was fighting
against or his enemy's ally, the Sultan of Kudaraligan.
This latter sent a

Pandita Kalibaudang, and Datto Andig to

sue for peace, and cajole the General with the fairest promises.
priest,

156

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Afterwards the son and heir of this

Rajah Muda Tambllanang,

chief,

presented himself, and he and his suite of 30 followers were conducted

to the

in the steam launch " Carriedo."

camp

Utto, whose residence had been demolished, had not deigned to

He

submit in person.
chiefs

Datto Siruilgang and the

sent, as emissaries,

Buat and Dalandung, who excused only the absence

who were

to Utto's servants,

delay, for despatches from the

them back signed without

told to bring

Home

Government, received four or five

weeks previously, were urging the General

speedily as

somebody

They were

possible.

else

drawn up and handed

Capitulations of peace were

prime minister.

and

that of his wife, the

stipulated for the

to conclude this affair as

returned

by Utto

signed

by

or

the same siguature and another, supposed to be

Ranee Pudtli

people) were also attached to a

The Spaniards

Utto'&

of

woman

(a

sway amongst her

of great

letter, offering

complete submission.

destroyed a large quantity of rice paddy, and they

payment

of a

war indemnity

in the

form of cannons,

buffaloes and horses, to be delivered at a period later on.

The General gave them some trifling presents, and they went their
way and he his, to Manila, where he entered in state on the 21st of

March, with

flags flying,

music playing, and the streets decorated with

bunting of the national colours, to give welcome to the conqueror of

whom he had
capitulations signed by whom

the Mussulman chief

As

usual, a

victories gained

Te

Deum was

ov^er

never seen

the

bearer of peace

celebrated in the Cathedral for the

the infidels

the officers and troops

who had

returned were invited by the Municipality to a theatrical performance,

Some

and the Governor-General held a reception.

left in
still

Mindanao,

farther

it

up the

having been resolved

river for the

of the troops

to establish

were

armed outposts

better protection of the port

and

settlement of Cottobatto.

Whilst the Governor- General headed the military parade

Cottobatto

district,

Spaniards

was

evident,

the

ill-feeling of

gradually maturing.

the

in the

Sulu natives towards the

An

impending

struggle

was

and Colonel Juan Arolas, the Governor of Sulu, concentrated

his forces in expectation.

The

Sulus, always armed, prepared for

events

in their cottas

Arolas demanded their surrender, which was refused, and they were
'

Datto Utto afterwards visited the Brigadier of Mindanao in October, 1887,

COLONEL AROLAS' VICTORIES IN SULU ISLAND.

Two

attacked.

loss to the Spaniards.

without serious

were ultimately taken, not

well defended,

cottas,

157

It

was reported that amongst

the slain was a captain.

Arolas then twice asked for authority to

attack the Mussulmans at

Maybun and was

length, acting on his

own

responsibility,

on the 15th of April, 1887, he

Maybun and open

ordered a gunboat to steam round to

At

each time refused.

break on the Sultan's capital, which was

fire at

day-

in possession of the party

At

opposed to the Spanish nominee (Harun Narrasid).

11 o'clock

the same night he started with his troops towards Maybun, and the

next morning, whilst the enemy was engaged with the gunboat, he
led

The Mussulmans,

the attack on the land side.

fought like

lions,

quite surprised,

but were completely routed, and the seat of the

Sultanate was razed to the ground.

It

was the most crushing defeat

ever inflicted on the Sulu National Party.

The news reached Manila

was

justly accorded to Colonel

on the 29th

of April, and great praise

Arolas, whose energetic operations contrasted so favourably with the

Cottobatto expedition.

It

was thought that Arolas would have come

to the capital to receive the congratulations of his companions-in-arms,

and

all

manner

of festivities in

his

honour were projected

but he

elected to continue the v.^ork of maintaining his country's prestige in

all

the

islands

of

the

group,

Notwithstanding

well-known

his

republican tendencies, on the 20th of September, 1887, the Queen-

Eegent cabled through her Ministry her acknowledgment

Arolas' valuable services, and the pleasure

it

gave her

to

of Colonel

reward him

with a Brigadier's commission.^

In 1895 an expedition against the Mussulmans was organised under
the supreme

known

command

as the

of

Governor-General

The

Marauit Campaign.

and the Marauit

district had, for

tribes

some time

on the Spanish settlement at Yligan, which

Malanao by a

river navigable only

property of Christians in

all

Ramon

by canoes.

It w^as

around Lake Malanao

past,
is

Blanco.

made

serious raids

connected with Lake

Indeed, the lives and

the territory adjoining Yligan were in

great jeopardy, and the Spanish authorities were set at defiance.

was, therefore, resolved, for the

first

It

time, to attack the tribes and

destroy their cottas around the lake for the permanent tranquillity of

'
By Royal Order of June, 1890, Brigadier Arolas was appointed Governor of
Mindanao.

158

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Spanish and

Yligau.

native troops alike suffered great hardships

and

privations.
Steam launches iu sections (constructed in Hono-kong), small guns and war material were carried up from
Yligan lo

the lake by natives over very rugged ground.

On the lake shore the
launches were fitted up and operated on the lake, to the
immense
surprise of the tribes.
From the laud side their cottas were attacked
and destroyed, under the command of my old friend BrigadierGeneral

Gonzalez Parrado.

The

operations,

which

lasted about three months,

were a complete success, and General Gonzalez Parrado was

rewarded
with promotion to General of Division. Lake Malanao,
with the
surrounding district and the route down to Yligan,
were in
possession of

the Spaniards, and

in order to retain

that possession

without the expense of maintaining a large military

establishment,
it
was determined to people the conquered territory with
Christian
families

Luzon

from

and

the

other

islands

situated

north

of

Mindanao.

It

which gave

significance to the Marauit Expedition and contributed

to

that

was the attempt

movement which,

in

to carry out this

1896, led to

colonizing scheme

the downfall of Spanish rule

in the Archipelago.

The

last

Spanish

Mussulmans was sent

General Buille.

The

punitive
in

expedition

February,

operations

against

the

Mindanao

under the command of

only a few days.
The

1898,

lasted

enemy was driven into the interior with great loss and
one chief
was slain. The small gunboats built in Hongkong for the
Marauit

Campaign the General

good

Blanco, Corcuero, and La?iao again did

service.

few years ago, we were

all

alarmed on Corpus Christi Day,

during the solemn procession of that feast in Cottobatto, by

the sudden
attack of a few Mussulmans on the crowd of Christians
assembled.
Of
course the former were overwhelmed and killed, as they
quite expected

They were of that class known as Jurameniados, or sworn

Mussulmans, who believe that if they make a solemn vow,
in a form

to

be.

binding on their consciences, to die taking the blood of

a Christian,
their souls will immediately migrate to the happy
hunting-ground,

where

they will ever live

in bliss, in the presence of the

Great Prophet.

This

the most dangerous sect of Mussulmans, for no exhibition

of force
can suffice to stay their ravages, and they can only be treated
like
is

mad

dogs, or like a

Malay who has run

afnok.

NATIVE COSTUMES.

SULU ARCHIPELAGO.
The Spaniards

(in

1898)

159

nearly half the Philippine Archipelago

left

Mussulman inhabitants ever took the

aggressive against them in regular warfare. The attempts of the
Jesuit missionaries to convert them to Christianity were entirely futile,
for the Panditas and the Romish priests were equally fanatical in
to be conquered, but only its

The

their respective religious beliefs.

and Sulu especially stipulated that

made between Spain

the Mussulmans should not be
last treaty

persecuted for their religion.

To

overturn a dynasty, to suppress an organised system of feudal

ancient belief, the principles of which had

laws, and to eradicate an

solidly

among

insinuated themselves

the populace in the course of

was a harder task than that

centuries,

of bringing under the

The pliant,

yoke detached groups of Malay emigrants.

of the

Luzon

settlers

although

religion,

and

condition

were
it

fact

credulous nature

that they professed no deeply-rooted

advanced from the nomad to the municipal

mere nominal

lieges

of their

puppet kinglings, were

the achievement of conquest.

facilities for

True

the

Spanish

that the dynasties of the Aztecs of

is,

Mexico and the

Incas of Peru yielded to Spanish valour, but there was the incentive of
untold Avealtb

here, only of military glory,

and the former outweighed

the latter.

The Sulu
and ascetic

Islanders, male

originality

and female, dress with far greater taste

than the Christian natives.

The women

are

fond of gay colours, the predominant ones being scarlet and green.

Their

nether

extremely tight

bifurcated

garment

and, with equally

contour of the bust and arms.

is

very

baggy

the

bodice

close-fitting sleeves, exhibits

They use

also a strip of stuff

is

every

sewu

together at the ends called the jabul, which serves to protect the head

The end of the jabul would reach nearly down to the

They have a passion
feet, but is usually held retrousse under the arm.
for jewellery, and wear many finger-rings of metal and sometimes of
from the sun-rays.

sea-shells, whilst their earrings

The
their

hair

is

are

gaudy and

of large dimensions.

gracefully tied with a coil on the top of the head, and

features

are

Philippine Christian

The men wear

more

attractive

than those of the generality of

women.
breeches of bright colours, as tight as gymnasts'

pantaloons, with a large

number

of buttons

up the

sides

a kind

of

160

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

waistcoat buttoning up to the throat

with close sleeves, and a turban.

and

of trinkets,

They

jacket reaching to the hips

chief's dress has

many adornments

quite elegant.

is

of

are robust,

medium

height,

often

superb physical

of

development, of a dusky bronze colour, piercing eyes, low forehead,

lank hair which

dressed as a chignon and hangs

is

The body

the neck.

is

agile, the

whole movement

down

the back of

and they

rapid,

is

They

have a wonderful power of holding the breath under water.

of

are

quick perception, audacious, extremely sober, ready to promise

everything and do nothing,

They

stranger's intentions.

and highly suspicious of a

vindictive

very

are

long-suffering

in

adversity,

They

hesitating in attack, and the bravest of the brave in defence.

disdain

work as degrading and only a

warfare

to their minds,

is,

fit

occupation for slaves, whilst

an honourable

Every male over

calling.

16 years of age has to carry at least one fighting weapon at

and consider himself enrolled

They have

all

times

in military service.

They manufacture

a certain knowledge of the Arts.

on the anvil very

fine

of their fighting

weapons are

Many

kris-daggers, knives, lance heads, etc.

inlaid with silver

and

set in polished

hard wood or ivory handles artistically carved.

In warfare they carry

shields,

and their usual arms on land are the

campilan, a kind of short two-handled sword, wide at the tip and

narrowing down to the

kris for thrusting

thrusting

the harong

combat

the straight

At

stroke.

sea they use a sort

hagsacay or simhilin, about half an inch

with a sharp point.

Some can throw

as

many

in diameter,

as four at a time,

make them spread in the flight they use these for boarding
They make many of their own domestic utensils of metal, also
;

mail of metal
not bullets.

The

v/ire

fins, etc.*

and buffalo horn which

The wire probably comes from

local trade

The

is

for

are dexterous in the use of arms, and can most

skilfully decapitate a foe at a single

of assegai, called

for close

and cutting, and the waved serpent-like kris

They

onlj'.

hilt

chiefly in pearls,

resist

and

vessels.

coats of

hand weapons, but

Singapore.

mother-of-pearl, shells, shark

Sultan has a sovereign right to

all

pearls found

which

According to Sonnerat, Sulu Island produced elephants xide " Voyages aux
Indes et a la Chine," Vol. III., Chap. 10. I have not seen the above statement
Certainly there is no such animal in these islands at
confirmed in any writing.
'

the present day.

RELIGIOUS RITES.

PANDITAS.

exceed a certain size fixed by law, hence

difficult to secure

largest vessels do not exceed seven tons,

and even down

going that distance, they are

Avell

gum,

I found that almost any coinage

market-places.

1 need

hardly add

that

if

their

Celestial cannot earn a living

it

is

the
it

for purchasing in the

Chinese small traders

would be an unfavourable

where the frugal

there, for

a bad look-out.

coins

(known

here,

and I think the most convenient of

as cash in the

which are exchanged

birds' nests.

was useful

way to these regions, and

a Chinaman were not to be seen

have found

&c.,

rifles,

and edible

pearls,

However, without

supplied with arms, for a foreign

ship occasionally puts in at Sulu with

for mother-of-pearl,

Their

and they go as far as Borneo,

Singapore on rare occasions.

to

an

trade at great distances in

small craft, for tiiey are wonderfully expert navigators.

their

sign

very

it is

The Mussulmans

extraordinary specimen.

161

Small Chinese

China Treaty Ports) are current money

copper coins,

all

a hole in the centre, they can be strung together.

having

for,

Chinese began to

trade with this island in 1751

The
Friday

root of their language

is

is

Sanscrit,

mixed with Arabic.

Each

dedicated to public worship, and the faithful are called to

the temple by the beatiug of a box or hollow piece of wood.

Iman

the

recite

Prophet

with a

slight

plaintive

gesticulation

is

reads a passage from the Mustah.

young women put

my

in

voice

in

honour of

then made Avhilst

It

seemed to

me

Great

the

the

All

Pandita

strange that no

an appearance at the temple on the occasion of

visit.

At

the beginning of each year, there

is a very solemn ceremonial,

and, in the event of the birth or death of a child, or the safe return

from some expedition,

conformity with their

month

it

is

rites.

repeated.

It is

a sort of

During a number

Te Deum

in

of days in a certain

of the year they abstain

of all kinds, and suffer

from eating, drinking and pleasure

many forms of self imposed misery. Strano-ers

are never allowed, I

it

is

was told, inside the Mosque of the Sultan, but

a rare thing for strangers to find themselves anywhere in the

Sultan's capital.

The higher

clergy are represented by the Cherif,

has temporal power also, and this post

is

Pandita means simply

priest,

the

Mindanao

Palauan Island.

as well as in

and

is

hereditary.

He

The

who

title

of

common word used

in

seems to be clmost the

chief in his districtnot in a warlike sense like the

Datto but
L

his

162

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

word

ha.g

He

gi-eat influence.

vow

receives the

performs

the functions of a priest,

all

of the juramentados, and

expounds the mysteries and

the glories of that better world whither they will go without delay

if

they die taking the blood of a Christian.

The Panditas

are doctors also.

intone a dolorous chant

the

Datto or chief

If a

dies,

they

family bursts into lamentations, which

are finally drowned in the din of the clashing of cymbals and beating
of gongs, whilst sometimes a

and

gun

is

down

join in the shouting, until all settle

body

is

There

the waist.

to

placing the body in the coffin and burying

by a wooden

tablet

Arabic.

sometimes by a

the

earth

front of

in

it.

stone, on

bamboo,

of board, or

slip

and a piece of wood, carved

in

quietly to a feast.

The

then sprinkled with salt and camphor, and dressed in white

with the kris attached

in

In rush the neighbours,

fired.

like

this

is

is little

ceremony about

The mortuary
which

is

is

marked

an inscription

placed around the spot,

is

the bows of a canoe,

stuck

is

placed a cocoa-nut shell

full

of

water.

The

old native

town

or cotta of vSulu

was a

collection of

bamboo

houses built upon piles and extended a few hundred yards into the

This

sea.

now

is

all

demolished, only the Military Hospital being so

re-constructed.

The

site is

a small bay formed by the points Dangapic and Candea,

and the modern town

The

sea-level.

is

situated on the plain a couple of yards

sea-beach

cleared,

is

above

and the native village put back

inland.

There
for a

is

Church

short

and

stone

brick

pier

splendid barracks, equal to those

Some

be more commodious.

at

rectangles,

well

drained

is

Avell

supplied

pipes, laid for the purpose

The

boulevards,

gardens formed, and the market-place

The neighbourhood
The town is
streams.

is

of the

town (once a fever

mainly due

simple edifice

Manila, and said to

streets are

and tasteful

squares

provided with water

with

marked

clean and orderly.

drinking

from

natural

water conducted in

from a spring about a mile and a quarter

distant, whilst other piping carries water to the

requirements of shipping.

in

very

of the houses are of stone or brick, others

of wood, and all have corrugated iron roofs.

out

end of the pier for the

This improvement, the present salubrity

focus), and its recent embellishment, are

to the intelligent

activity of its

late

Governors, Colonel

HIS HIGHNESS THE SULTAN OF SULU.

163

(now General) Gonzdlez Parrado and Colonel (now General)

Juan
Arolas.

The town
The outside

encircled on the land side by a brick loop-holed wall.

defences consist of two forts, viz.
The " Princesa
is

de Asturias " and " Torre de la Reina;' and within the

town those
of the '' Paerta Blockaics;' '' Puerta Espana;'
and the redoubt
" Alfonso

The

Xliy

this last

has a Nordenfeldt gun.

general aspect of Sulu

lively and attractive

the quaint
and energetic features of the native population adding
to the

attire

is

general picturesqueness.

The Spanish Government

was

of Sulu

entirely under martial law,

and the Europeans (mostly military men) were constantly

on the

alert

for the ever-recurring attacks of the natives.

By

a Decree dated 24th of September, 1877, all

the natives, and
other races or nationalities settled there, were
exempted from
all

kinds

of contributions or taxes for 10 years.

In 1887 the term was extended

for another 10 years, hence, no imposts being
levied, all the Spaniards
had to do was to maintain their prestige with peace.
In his relations with the Spaniards, the Sultan held
the title of
Excellency, and he, as well as several chiefs, received
pensions from the

Government

at the following rates

Sultan of Sulu

Do.

of

----.__
----__

Mindanao

Datto Beraduren, heir

to the

Paduca Datto Alimbdin,

Sulu Sultanate

of Sulu -

Datto Amiral, of Mindanao

Other minor pensions

$ per annum.
2 400

qqq

700

500

00

qqq
{^6,100

and an allowance of $2 for each captive rescued,

and $3 for each
pirate caught, whether in Sulu or Mindanao
waters.

The Sultan

is

the

Majasari (the

stainless, the spotless) the

Pontiff-king the chief of the State and the Church
but it is said
that he acknowledges the Sultan of Turkey
as the Padishah.
He is
the irresponsible lord and master of all life
and property among his
;

subjects, although in his decrees

he

is

advised by a Council of Elders.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

164.

seem
Nevertheless, in spite of his absolute authority, he does not
or chiefs, who are a
to have perfect control over the acts of his nobles
war among
privileged class, and are constantly waging some petty
organising a marauding expedition along the coast.
compelled, to a certain extent, to tolerate their excesses,

themselves, or

The

Sultan

as his

own

is

dignity, or at least his

dependent on their
tribute in the

wants
all

first

name

common

own

tranquillity,

is

goodwill towards him.

in a great

The

measure

chiefs collect

own

of the Sultan, but they probably furnish their

and pay differences

into the

Royal Treasury, seeing that

comes from their OAvn feudal dependents.

The Sultanate is hereditary under the Salic Law.

supported by three ministers, one of

whom

acts

as

The Sultan
Regent

in

it

is

his

previously
absence (for he might have to go to Mecca, if he had not
is Minister of
done so), the other is Minister of War, and the third
Justice and Master of the Ceremonies.

by birth
Slavery exists in a most ample sense. There are slaves
insolvent debtors,
and others by conquest, such as prisoners of war,
and those seized by
friend of mine,

piratical expeditions

Don A.

to

M., was one of these

other islands.
last.

A Creole

He had commenced

Negros coast
clearing an estate for cane-growing on the
carried off to Sulu Island.
ao-o, when he was seized and

some years
In a few

where he formed one

years he was ransomed and returned to Negros,
factories in the Colony.
of the finest sugar haciendas and
1884 a Mussulman was found on a desolate isle lying off the
In

document of
Antique coast (Pauay Island), and of course had no
confined in the jail of San Jose de
identity, so he was arrested and
the residence of
Bueuavista. From prison he Avas eventually taken to
Spanish Governor, Don Manuel Castellon, a very humane gentleman
the

and a personal friend

of mine.

There he worked

for

some

time

little

In Don Manuel's study there was a

with the other domestics.
of the Mussulman
one
collection of native arms which took the fancy
;

morning he seized a

kris

and

lance, and,

bounding into the breakfast-

brandished the lance in the air,

room, capered about, gesticulated, and
much to the amusement of the Governor and his guests. But in an

undoubtedly ^juramentado)
instant the fellow (hitherto a mystery, but
Public Prosecutor, and
hurled the lance with great force towards the
lodged in the side of the
the missile, after severing his watch-chain,
The Governor and the Public Prosecutor at once closed with
table.

THE SULTAN.

VISIT TO

165

the "woulcl-be assassin, whilst the Governor's wife, with great presence
of mind, thrust a table-knife into the culprit's

body between the shoulder-

blade and the collar-bone.

The man

supposed that he was

he suddenly jumped up.

so,

fell

as

when

dead, and,

if

No

all

one had

thought of taking the kris out of his grasp, and he rushed around
severely cut two of the servants, but

the apartment,

who

despatched by the bayonets of the guards

the

hearing
slio-ht.

life

been remarked by old residents, that

It has often

were granted

to

would recur

them

was

arrived on

The Governor showed me his woumls, which were

was saved by the valour of his wife Dona Justa.

scuffle.

but his

was ultimately

to

it

in all vigour.

Here was an

instance.

tied a rope to

through the town to a few miles up the

was thrown on the

The

sea-shore.

free licence

their barbarous instincts

by an excited populace, Avho

carried ofF

and dragged

domesticated natives,

the

if

The body

coast,

priests did not interfere

beat

it,

where

it,

it

like the

Egyptian mummies cast on the Stygian shores, the culprit was unworthy
of sepulture
besides, who would pay the fees ?

During

my

visit

first

Sulu

to

in

1881, I was dining with the

Governor, when the conversation ran on the details of an expedition

which was

to be sent out in a

day or so

to

Maybun,

to carry despatches

received from the Governor-General for the Sultan, and to transact

The Governor seemed

business anent the Protectorate.

when

I expressed

my

rather surprised

Avish to join the party, for the journev

unattended with risk for one's

[I

life.

may

a few days before I arrived, a young officer

is

not

here mention, that only

was

sent on

some mission

a short distance outside the town of Sulu, accompanied by a patrol

of

He was met by armed Moslems, and

two guards.

one of his hands cut

several

when

military

off.

officers

remember

were

also the

sitting outside

sent back with

news reaching

us, that

a cafe in Sulu Town,

a number of juramentados came behind

them and cut

their

However, the Governor did not oppose my wish on the

contrary, he jocosely replied that he could not extend my passport

throats.]

so far, because he could say nothing about

Europeans the

my

more

better.

Officials usually

went by sea

to

Maybun, and a gunboat was now

and again sent round the coast with messages

was none here

safety, yet the

at the time.

to the Sultan, but there

166

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Our

partj,

about thirty
horseback.

including

told,

all

aud we

Christians,

my

I carried

the

early

started

oi'diuary vv'eapon

would be no need to use

it

attendants,

native

numbered

the morning

in

on

a revolver hoping there

And

on the journey.

so

resulted

it

we

without being molested in any way, in about three hours,

arrived,

across a beautiful country.

We
S.W.

passed two low ranges of

to

hills,

which appeared

run from

to

N.E., and several small streams, whilst here and there was

a I'anche of

Each rauche was formed

Sultan's subjects.

the

of a

group of ten to twenty huts, controlled by the Cacique.

Agriculture seemed to be pursued iu

very

pristine

but doubtless owing to the exuberant fertility of the

soil,

fashion,

we saw some

very nice crops of Eice, Indian corn, Sugar cane, and Indigo aud Coffee
plantations on a small scale.

were some

of the largest

In the forest which we traversed there

Bamboos

I have ever seen, and fine building

timber, such as Teak, Narra, Molave,

Woods, page 367).

We

the island.

Mangachapuy aud Camagon

was assured that Cedars

number

saw a great

of

(vide

flourished

also

on

Monkeys, wild Pigeons,

Cranes, and Parrots, v/hilst Deer, Buffaloes and Wild Goats are said to

abound

in these parts.

On

our arrival at Maybun,

Chinaman

we went

the Sultan's brother-in-law where we

own provisions, and

we Avere told that the

bungalow

to the

first

refreshed ourselves

the gossip of the place.

with our

learnt

inquiry,

Sultan was sleeping, so

the Chinaman's.

I understood this

man was

no visible signs of his doing any business.

the siesta, and at about four o'clock

we

of a

we

On

waited at

a trader, but there were

Most

of our party slept

called at the Palace.

It

was a

very large building, well constructed, aud appeared to be built almost

entirely of materials of the country.

were used
I

am

in

it,

deal of

aud even the roof was made of

told that this

came

was replaced

to the throne.

The

];y

vestibule

open, and

we were

The

young Sultan

the

spacious,

was pleasantly decorated with loveiy shrubs aud

most mid-tropical regions.

bamboo, although

split

when

sheet iron

was very

bamboo and wood

and

all

around

plants j)eculiar to

entrance to the Palace was always

received by three Dattos,

who

saluted us in a

formal way, and without waiting to ask us any question, invited us,

with a

i^'^ive

of the hand, to follow into the throne room.

The Sultan was

when

seated ou our euteriug, but

the despatches approached with the

we

THE SULTANAS.

VISIT TO THE SULTAN

official interpreter

167

the bearer of

by

and

his side,

following, he rose in his place to greet us.

His Excellency was dressed

partly up the sides with

in very tight

showy chased gold

silk trousers, fastened

or gilt buttons

a short

Eton-cut olive -green jacket with an infinity of buttons, white socks,

ornamented

slippers, a red sash

a kris at his

around his waist, a kind of turban, and

One could almost have imagined him

side.

Spanish bull-fighter with an Oriental

We
his

hands

to his temples,

We

time.

He

bowed low, and the

all

finish off.

Sultan, surrounded by his Sultanas, put

and on lowering them, he bowed

at the

remained standing whilst some papers were handed

looked at them

few words were said

in Spanish, to

that the bearer saluted His Excellency in the

The Sultan passed

Sulu.

to be a

name

the documents to the

read or explained them in Sulu language

ensued, through the interpreter, and the

of the

to

same
him.

the effect

Governor of

who

official interpreter,

then a brief conversation

business was

really

over.

After a short pause, the Sultan motioned to us to be seated on floor

we

cushions, and

very comfortable.

complied.

The

cushions, covered with rich silk, were

Servants, in fantastic costumes, were constantly in

attendance, serving betel-nut to those

One Sultana was

who

fairly pretty, or

chew

cared to

had been

were heavy, languid and lazy in their movements

so,
;

but the remainder

and their

many compliments ou

teeth,

dyed

The Sultan made

black, did not embellish their personal appearance.

various inquiries, and passed

it.

us,

the Governor,

Governor-General and others, which were conveyed to us through the

interpreter.

Meanwhile, the Sultanas chatted among themselves, and

were apparently as much interested

were

in their style, features

and

our external appearance as

in

They

attire.

all

wore light-coloured

" dual garments " of great width and tight bodices.

was

we

carefully finished, but a part of the forehead

Their coiffure

was hidden by an

ungraceful fringe of hair.

We

had so

little in

common

to converse on,

be said through the interpreter, that

were asked

awkward

to

take refreshments.

It

we were

and that

little

rather glad

had to

when we

at least served to relieve the

feeling of looking at each other in silence.

Chocolate and

ornamental sweetmeats were brought to us, but what frightful mixture

the supposed chocolate was I could not

tell.

I believe

it

was made

168

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

with cocoanut

and

oil,

I decided to leave

We

to avoid a scene consequent

on an indisposition,

it.

were about to take our departure, when the Sultan invited us

The

to remain all night in the Palace.

leader of our party caused to

be explained to him that we Avere thankful for his gracious

that,

we

being so numerous,

His Excellency by

feared to disturb

intruding so far on his hospitality.

Still

and whilst the interpretation was

being transmitted, I

opportunity to

our chief

let

at the Palace for curiosity.

go anywhere, so our

leader,

know

the Sultan politely insisted,

found an

that I had a burning anxiety to stay

In any case,
in

but

offer,

we were

a large

number

to

reply to the Sultan, said, that he and

four Europeans of his suite would take advantage of His Excellency's

kindness.

We
town

withdrew from the Sultan's presence, and walked through the

company with some functionaries

There was nothing very striking in the town
in

There were some good bungalows

women, and

that men,

and had no

off to

visible occupation.

was

it

like

most others.

bamboo and thatching.

Many

I noticed

We

of the smaller dwellings

saw a number

and dive as deep as 100

were

of divers preparing to

They

get pearls, mother-of-pearl, etc.

this occupation,

Royal household.

children were smoking tobacco or chewing,

built on piles out to the sea.

go

of

of the

are very expert

in

Prior to the plunge,

feet.

they go through a grotesque performance of waiving their arms in

the air and twisting their bodies, in order

away

the sharks

as they

say

to frighten

then with a whoop, they leap over the edge of

the prahu, and continue to throw their arms and legs about for the

They

purpose mentioned.
a

often dive for the shark and rip

it

up

Avith

kris.

Five of us retired to the Palace that night, and were at once

conducted

to

our rooms.

strictly speaking,

every

hour, as

an alcove.

it

Duerme

el

limit of his

Senor

my room

to

During the night,

it

was,

at intervals of about

seemed to me, a Palace servant or guard came

SeTwr was sleeping, and

to inquire hoAV the

"

There was no door

" (does the gentleman sleep

knowledge

than the fact that the

if

of Spanish.

man was
who

?)

comfortable.

was apparently the

I did not clearly understand

more

a nuisance, and I regretted there Avas no

door with which to shut him out.

respects to His Highness,

I were

The next morning we

furnished us with an escort

paid

our

more as

A SUBUANO SETTLEMENT, MINDANAO

IN

169

ISLAND.

and we reached Suhi

*******

a compliment than a necessity

town again,

after

a very enjoyable ride through a superb country.

The

Government

Maybun that

Many

nominal.

of

so

are

subjects

Sultan's

from the centre of

spread

far

is

but

them residing near the Spanish settlements

are

some places

in

allegiance

their

quick at learning Castillian sufficiently well to be understood, but the

Spanish authorities have tried in vain to subject them to an European

order of things.

About 20 miles up the

going north from Zamboanga, the

coast,

Jesuits sent a missionary in 1885 to convert the Stibuanos, said to

be of the same caste as the Manohos of Caraga, the Guimbanos of

He

Sulu and the Samecas of Basilan.

They

people to form a village.

endeavoured to persuade the

way through

cleared a

the forest from

the beach, and at the end of this opening, about three quarters of a
mile long, I found a church half built of wood,

I had ridden to the place on horseback along the beach, and

leaves.

my

and baggage followed

food

roughly cleared that I thought

As

way.

the

who was

curious

to see the

to

of

my

in Spanish,

better to
in course

quarters there.

know

headman, so

wives and a young

some

my

the

They

girl.

of

visiting priest

and not

my

visit.

him

told

sat

on the

with

floor

make

me and

tasted

himself understood

The

chatted about the affairs of the town in posse.

had gone

personage arrived with one of his

food, and as the Cacique could

we

construction,

was followed by a Suhuaiio,

object of

this

The opening was so

dismount when I got half

a canoe.

in

it

church was only

consecrated, I took up

wished

bamboo and palm-

to the useless trouble of baptizing a

few

of

They appeared to be as much Christian as I was

Mussulman. The Cacique had more than one wife the word of the
Pandita of the settlement was the local law, and the Patidita himself

these people.

I got the

of course

had

his seraglio.

to direct

me

to the Pandita's house.

bright red tight

acrobat

first

man, who had followed me,

My

guide was gaily attired in

breeches, with buttons

up the

side,

and a

jacket like a waistcoat, with sleeves so close-fitting that I suppose he

seldom took the trouble to undress himself.

left

promising to visit his bungalow that day, and then

my

the

guide led

me

On

the

through winding paths, in a wood, to the hut of the Pandita.

way, I met a man of the

tribe,

Cacique,

carrying epriug-water in a bamboo, which

170

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

lie tilted, to

and

be

if

knew

the affirmative

Gods

me

give

To my

a driuk.

inquiries

when he answered " four,"

My

cleared plot of land facing the bungalow,

arrived,

at

least

I closed

my

investiga-

me by

guide was too cunning to take

He

the direct path to the Panditci's bungalow.

for

how many

continuing the interrogation, I asketl him

there were, and

us

he were a Cliristiau,

the Castillian Paudita (Spanish priest), he replied in

tion of his Christianity.

see

if

led

me

into a half-

whence the inmates could

When we

making our approach.

ten minutes

and after scrambling up the

staircase, Avhich

was simply a

notched trunk of a tree about nine inches diameter, I found that the

Pandita, forewarned, had

wives to entertain the

fled to

visitor.

the mountain close by, leaving his

was perhaps censurable

It

to

have

brought Dutch gin with me, when visiting a people of rightly famed
sobriety in their natural habits, yet
their loquacity

when

it

them

I found

was highly
all

efficacious in arousing

lounging and chewing betel-

nut: squatted on the lloor amongst them, with the big black square
bottle passing round, they

up

my

and went

bottle

this dwelling there

make

of primitive

to the

was a small

which were

These

of feathers.

bamboo rod

air.

and the most

entirely of
pistons,

I picked

In the rear of
effective bellows

Avhich I have ever seen in any country.

made

draught of

Cacique's bungalow.
forge,

double-action apparatus,

nately by a

Then

became remarkably chatty.

was a

It

bamboo, except the pistons,

working up and down

alter-

in each hand, sustained perfectly a constant

One man was

squatting on a

bamboo bench the height

of the bellows' rods, whilst the smith crouched on the ground, to forge
his kris

on the anvil.

The headman's bungalow was

with greater

care.

It

log-of-wood staircase,

The Cacique and one

built

was rather high up, and had the usual notched

which is perhaps easy to ascend with naked feet.
of his

wives were seated on mats on the

After mutual salutations, the wife threw

I reclined
affairs

of

doing
the

the same as the others, but

the dolce

Settlement.

me

three cushions, on

floor.

which

for niente whilst we talked about the

The

conversation

was growing rather

wearisome anent the Spanish priest having ordered huts to be

without giving materials

about

built

the scarcity of palm leaves in the

neighbourhood, and so forth, so I bade them farewell and went on to

another hut.
or four men,

Here the inmates were numerous

four

women, three

and two rather pretty male children, with

their heads

ACROSS PALATJAN ISLAND (pARAGUA).

171

shaven so as to leave ouly a tuft of hair towards the forehead

They

the size of a crowa piece.

bottle

had a grand

Avere all

aboiit

drowsy, but here the giu

Six copper tom-toms were brought out, and

effect.

placed in a row on pillows, whilst another large one, for the bass

accompaniment, was suspended from a wooden frame.

the bass with a stick, whilst the
the

floor,

A few

took

it

on

with a stick in each hand, to play a tune on the series of six.

words were passed between the three men, when suddenly one

arms and legs

left

beat

in turns to kneel

them arose and performed a war dance, quaintly twisting

of

women

man

and exultation.

in attitudes of advance, recoil

much

the bottle Avhich had done so

service,

his

There

and mounted

my

horse to leave the Settlement in embryo, called by the missionaries

Reus, which

The

is

the

name

town

in Cataluuia.

Island of Palaiiau (Partigua) formerly belonged to the Sultan

Borneo (Brunei

of

of a

but at

?),

the beginning

Spaniards had already settled in the north of

A movement was
and

set

a fort Avas

kept up, and

many

of

Spanish

at Labo.

the

nakedness, until 1720, Avheu

Some

settlers

it.

garrison

it

from Mussulman attacks

HoAvever, the supplies were not

died

of

hunger and

misery,

was abandoned.

years afterwards, the island Avas gratuitously ceded to the

Spaniards by the Sultan, at their request.

was

18th century

the

on foot to reduce the natives to submission,

in order to protect the

established

of

Captain Antonio Fabeau

sent there Avuth troops to take formal possession, being

the handsome salary of $50 per

of the ships, an officer

AA'as

month

sent ashore

On

for this service.

;

the arrival

the people fled inland, and the

formalities of annexation Avere proceeded Avith uuAvituessed.

only signs of possession left there were the corpses

and

sailors

awarded

of

But the

the troops

Avho died from eating rotten food, or Avere murdered by

Mussulmans who attacked the expedition.

Subsequently, a fortress Avas established at Taytay, where a number
of priests

and laymen,

in a

few years, succeeded

colony, which at length shared the fate of Labo.

in

forming a small

The

ouly Spanish

settlement in the island, at the date of the CA'acuation, Avas the colony
of Puerta Princesa. on the east coast.*

A few outposts had recently been established by Eoyal decree.

under the command of a Captain, vide Chap. XIII.

'

all

They were

172

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Before I started on

my

peregrination in Palauan Island, I sought in

vain for information respecting the habits and nature of the Taghanuas,

a half-caste Malay-Aeta

tribe,

southern half of the island.

Princesa that

was

able

was only on

It
to

little

my

more than the

arrival at Puerta

procure a vague

whom

people

peculiarities of the

disseminated over a

insight

the

into

The Governor,

1 intended to visit.

Don Felipe Canga-Argiielles, was highly pleased to find a traveller

who could sympathize with his efforts, and help to make known, if only
to the rest of the Archipelago, this island almost unexplored in the

He

interior.

constantly wrote articles to one of the leading journals of

Manila, under the

title of

" Echos from Paragua " (Palauan), partly

with the view of attracting the attention of the Government Depart-

ments to the requirements of the Colony, but also

of

enterprise

capitalists

in

favour of this

who might

Puerta Princesa

fertile

island

is

was

trading

The

ex-officio

two gunboats

visible eleven

the Commander

Governor of the Colony.

It

was

Penal Settlement for convicts, and those suspected by the

To

has

soil

slip for repairing vessels

There was a fixed white light

It Avas a naval station for

of the station

those

a good harbour, situated on a gulf.

has been constructed.

off.

among

feel inclined to cultivate its vast resources.

been levelled, trees have been planted, and a

miles

to stimulate a spirit

give employment

to

the

also a

civil

convicts

or

and

religious

authorities.

suspects,

a model sugar estate was established by the Government.

The

locality supplied nearly all the

raw material

working and

for

preserving the establishment, such as lime, stone, bricks, timber, sand,

firewood, straw for l>ags, rattans, etc.

The

aspect of the town

but there

is

drawback

a great

agreeable, and the environs are pretty,

is

in the

want

of drinking-water, which, in

the dry season, has to be procured from a great distance.

The Governor showed me great attention, and personally took

command of a gunboat, which conducted me to the mouth of the
Iguajit River.

This

the great river of the district, and

is

for about three miles.

I put off in a boat

rowed about two miles up, as

received

me

well,

some days on foot

My

luggage,

far as the mission station.

and I stayed there that night,

I had engaged to carry

of

manned by

my

navigable

marines, and

was

The missionary

Avith five

men,

whom

luggage, for Ave had a journey before us

to the opposite coast.

besides

provisions, included

is

the

ordinary

about ninety yards

travelling
of

requisites

and

printed stuffs of bright

PALAUAN ISLAND (pARAGUA).

common

colours, six dozen

weight of beads on

my

whilst

week

mid-day

the

in

were

nights

or more.

We

we reached

set out

on foot the next day,

the western shore.

was about

greatest height above the sea-level on our route

900 metres, according

at

with a few odds and ends of trinkets

strings,

days and a half

in three

The

handkerchiefs, and some twelve pounds

native bearers were provided with rice, dried fish, betel-nut,

tobacco, etc. for a

and

173

cold,

my

to

maximum

aneroid reading, and the

shade (month of January) was

comparatively

and

speaking,

heat

The

82 Fahr.

midnight

at

the

thermometer once descended to 59^ Fahr.

The
engaged

gum

in collecting

cutting and

down

We

natives proved to be a very pacific people.

to

making up bundles

of rattans.

them

not altogether

unknown

these products

Avhere Chinese traders

The

and other commodities.

stufis

and others

forest,

They took

Iguajit River mission station,

the

bartered for

from the trees in the

found some

in the mission village,

value of coin was

although the relative

value between copper and silver coinage was not understood.

interior they lived in great misery, their cabins

They

planted their

rice

edible

being wretched hovels.

ploughing at

and

all,

their

all

were made of wood or bamboo.

agricultural implements

The

without

In the

island produces

birds' nests, fine

many marketable

articles,

dried shell-fish, a

shells,

such as beeswax,

few

rope or paldsan of enormous

length, wild nutmegs,

which the Chinese obtain

barter

in

for

knives

bush-

pearls,

logwood,

and

other

etc.,

small

manufactures.

The

native dress

is

made

of bark of trees,

their waists
fibre of the

women wear

stones, to

In the cool Aveather they make tunics of

take out the ligneous parts.

bark, and the

smashed with

drawers of the same material.

They adorn

with sea-shell and cocoa-nut shell ornaments, whilst the

palm serves

They

for a waistband.

in their ears, in

which they place

intentionally.

Their

shells,

wood,

pierce very large holes

etc.

They never bathe

arms are bows and arrows, and

through a kind of pea-shooter.

They

darts

blown

are a very dirty people, and the);

eat their fish or flesh raw.

I had no difficulty whatever in getting guides from place to place

on payment in goods, and

my

instructions

straight to the coast, the nearest point of

were always

to lead

me

which I knew was due west

or a few points to the north.

We

passed through a most fertile country the whole way.

There

174

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

were no

of

rivers

any importance, but we

well

vv^ere

supplied with

drinking-water from the numerous springs and rivulets.

are very rich in good timber, chiefly Ipil
useful

I estimated that

would have given clean logs

if felled,

feet long.

Also ebony and logwood are found here.

of

timber

is

many

I presume the

abandoned by these natives on account

difficulties, or rather, total

want

of transport

remarkably beautiful, with the sea to the

grandeur of forest to the

From

means.

within half a day's journey of the opposite

of

the

a plateau,

coast, the scenery

Avest

of

seventy to eighty

of

these trees,

felling

forests

deca?idria), a very

{Eperma

hardwood (vide " Woods," page 367).

The

was

and an interminable

There were a few fishermen on the

east.

west coast, but further than that, there was not a sign of anything

beyond the

gifts of nature.

With an abundance of
One of my men
provisions.

fish,

fell

ill

we

Avere

able

economize our

to

with fever, so that

we had

to wait

two days on the west coast, whilst I dosed him with Edo's fruit salt
and Howard's quinine. Such a thing as a horse I suppose had never
been seen here, although I would gladly have bought or hired one, for
I

was very weary

of our delay.

foot nearly all the way,

We

all

went on the march again, on

by the same passes

to the Iguajit Eiver,

where

we found a canoe, which carried us back to Puerta Princesa.

The first survey of the Palaiian Island coast is said to have been
made by the British. A British map of Puerta Princesa, with a few
miles of adjoining coast, was shown to me in the Government House
It appears that the

of this place.

west coast

is

not navigable for ships

within at least two miles of the shore, although there are a few
channels leading to creeks.

Vessels coming from the west usually

pass through the Straits of BaUibac, between the island of that

the Borneo Island coast.

and the

islets

Island

very sparsely peopled.

is

ofi"

In recent years, the

Palauan Island, by

off'ering certain

Order, dated 25th

Mindanao were

Home Government

of

The

north

have made

name

of Palai'tau

efforts to colonize

advantages to emigrants.

By Royal

February, 1885, the islands of Palauan and

to be occupied in an effectual manner, and outposts

established, wherever necessary, to guarantee the secure possession of

these islands.
Island, were

The

points mentioned for such occupation in Palauan

Tagbusao and Malihut on the

Malanut on the west

coast.

east coast,

It also confirmed the

30th of July, 1860, granting to

all

and Colasian and

Royal Decree of the

families emigrating to these

newly

ROYAL DECREE ON EMIGRATION.

established military posts, and

might choose
for six

peaceful tribes of the Islands

all

exemption from the payment

to settle there,

The families would be furnished with a

years.

these

to

175

who

of tribute

free passage

and each group would be supplied with seed and

places,

implements.

subsequent Royal Order, dated 19th of January,

issued, to the effect

of

That

1886,

was

the Provincial Governors of the Provinces

North and South Ilocos were

to stimulate voluntaiy emigration of the

natives to Palauan Island, to the extent of 25 families from each of

the two provinces per annum.

the Public Treasury were to

any persons

That any payments due by them to

be condoned. That such families and

good character Avho might establish themselves

of

in

Palauan should be exempt from the payment of taxes for ten years, and
receive free passage there for themselves and their cattle, and three

hectares of land gratis, to be under cultivation within a stated period.

That two

chupas of

rice

(for rice measure, vide]

page 318) and ten

cents of a dollar should be given to each adult, and one chupa of rice
to each

minor each day during the

their embarking.

That

first

six

months from the date of

the Governor of Palauan should be instructed

respecting the highways to be constructed, and

opening free ports in that island.

be increased

and of the

those of bad

conduct

the land and sea forces should

a third-rate mau-o'-war should be

latter,

stationed on the west coast.

sent to Palauan, and the

That

That

convicts should continue to be

Governor should be authorized

public

in

works.

That

instruction should be established in the island

be considered convenient,

the convenience of

etc.,

to

schools

employ
of

all

primary,

wherever such might

etc'

August 20th, 1888, a concession of 12,000 to 14,000 hectares

to Felipe Canga-Argiielles y Villalba, ex-Governor
granted
of land in Palauan was
of Puerta Princesa, for the term of 20 years.
He covld work mines, cut timber, and till the land so conceded under the law
called " Ley de Colonias Agricolas," of the 4th September, 1S84, which was little
more than an extension to the Philippines of the Peninsula forest and agricultural
>

By Royal Order

law of June

of

3rd, 18(58,

ride

" Gaceta de

Madrid"

of

September 29th, 1888.

It

appears, however, from the C!olonial Minister's despatch No. 515, to the GovernorGeneral of the Colony, dated May 24th, 1890, that the concessionnaire had

endeavoured to associate himself with foreigners for the working of the concession.
The wording of the despatch shows that suspicion was entertained of an intention
The Government,
to eventually declare territorial independence in Palaiian.
nation,
unfortunately
embroilment
with
a
foreign
wishing to avoid the possibility of
the
concessionnaire
as to
thought it necessary to impose such restrictions upon
render his enterprise valueless.

176

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

In the Island of Bahibac there

be seen, unless

it

be a

little

absolutely nothing remarkable to

animal about the size of a big

shape a perfect model of a doe.'

No

is

I took one to Manila, but

daj we

arrived.

fertile)

appears to be cultivated, and even the

had

to get supplies

part of the island (which

from Manila,

Avhilst cattle

Island of Cuyo, one of the Calamiaues group.

arrived in BaUibac, an American

is

cat,
it

but in

died the

very mountainous and

officials

at the station

were brought from the

few weeks before I

three-masted ship had stranded in

the dangerous Balubac Straits,

but the Captain with his wife and

daughter managed

naval station of Balabac, where they

to reach the

were treated with every kindness by the Governor and

officials.

Alfred Marche calls this the Tragvhis BuncMl, and says it is also to be found
in Malacca, Cochin China, and Pulo Condor, vide " Lu(jon et Palaouan," par
A. Marche, Paris, 1SS7,
'

'

CHAPTEK

XI.

DOMESTICATED NATIVES. ORIGIN CHARACTER.

The

generally

which I

will tei-m " domesticated

from Madagascar
dissertations

room

not

we

assertions

are

left

still

work

this

in

that they

But

so

first

to

on the

Some have gone

field of

enter the

which have been made on the

many

learned

lists

conjecture.

There

many

strange

against

subject.

as far as Patagonia to trace the primitive source

" I dare affirm," says Zuniga,^ " that

of these people.^

migrated

on the descent of the Malays and the inhabitants

conflicting opinions

is

is,

race

the

origin of

emanated from distinguished men, propounding

have

of Malesia, that

natives,"

Malay Peninsula.

the

to

the

regarding

theory

accepted,

the Indians

" of the Philippines are descended from the aborigines of Chili and
'*'

Peru, and that the language of these islands derives immediately

" from

and feasible argument

been

Father Zuniga, at

the parent source,"

frequently

whilst no case

in

is

favour of his conclusions, that natives have

Westward by East winds

carried

the potent

least, uses

on record of their having drifted

and

currents,

in the contrary

direction towards this Archipelago.

However, the

popular

they

virtually supplanted the

dominion of the

the

is,

coasts

thoroughly radicated as

that

In the course of time

Malesia to these Islands.

generations

supposition

if

from

they passed

perhaps

aboriginal

after

many

population

in

and lowlands, where they became as

they had been proper autochthons of the

soil.

The descendants

of

the Spanish invaders had to subdue to maintain a footing.

'

whom

these emigrants, therefore, were those

Zuuiga's Hist, de Phil,, torn,

i.

To

Ibid,

the

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

178
are

they

present day

the only race,

islands, subjected, in fact, to civilized

light of Christianity fell

The

among

several

the

in

these

methods.

upon them, but,

to

them,

Avas

it

as

freedom would smoulder

burning embers, under which their cherished

The

and decay.

face from the Far

die

was

West

cast against their liberties,

where the pale

backed by the Inquisition.

trod,

it to be understood,
In treating of the domesticated natives I wish
the very large majority of the
that my observations apply solely to

niore or less five millions of

the

Id

Capital

and

them who inhabit these

the

ports

open

to

islands.

foreign

trade,

where

large towns, where

cosmopolitan vices and virtues prevail, and in
of domiciled Europeans, the native
is constantly a number

there

not here that a just estimate

has become a modified being. It is
at, even during many years sojourn.
of character can be arrived

The
in

native
localities

must be
where

studied

his,

or

by often-repeated

her,

domestication

established," imposing little restraint

exotic notions in no way obtain.

is

upon natural

casual

residence

only

"by law

inclinations,

and

where

depict the Philippine

Several writers have essayed to correctly
Dealing with such au
partial success.
native character, but with only

physiognomists would surely difiPer in

anomalism, the most eminent
the Philippine native of the present day.
their speculations regarding
countenance and solemn gravity of
That Catonian figure, with placid
deceive any one as to the true mental organism
feature,

within.'

would readily

The

late parish priest of

Spanish Franciscan

friar,

who

Alaminos, in Batangas Province

spent half his

life in

the

Colony left

the native character. I have read it.

a brief manuscript essay on
an incomprehensible phenomenon, the
In his opinion, the native is
and the guiding motive of whose
mainspring of whose line of thought
and perhaps never will be, discovered.
actions have never yet been,
satisfactorily for years, and then suddenly
native will serve a master
such hideous crime as conniving with a
abscond, or commit some
and pillage the house.
brigand'band to murder the family
mine a Frenchman who has lived in the Colony

friend of

servant with him for nearly forty years.

about half a century, had a
bringing with him a portmanteau
The son came back from a journey,
servant cut it open and extracted therecontaining 1 1,000. The old
He did not deny it. So my old
from about 20 or 30 dollars.

<
o5

z
o

o
o
<
<
I-

o
<
<

TRAITS OF NATIVE CHARACTER.

179

aged about 70, gave his domestic aged about 50, and still
called " boy "
as sound a thrashing as his years would permit for the
friend,

want

of smartness,

When

he

said, in not

taking the whole sum.

the hitherto faithful servant

is

remonstrated with for having

committed a crime, he not uufrequently accounts for the fact by saying,

my

" Senor,

Wheu

head Avas hot."

caught

on his

in the act

on highway robbery or murder, his invariable excuse

nof.

He
lache

to join the

is

fond of gambling, profligate, lavish

is

extreme as

the

in

company.

to

frankly and openly forward to

common

with

many

in his

He

their fulfilment.

make

it,

come

will never

until

non-European

other

promises, but

a clean breast of a fault committed

or even a pardonable accident, but will hide

generosity or a voluntary concession of justice

of

that he

a scoundrel himself, but that he was " invited " by a relation or

compadre

In

is,

first start

is

it

races,

is

found out.

an act of

regarded as a

sio-n

Hence it is, that the experienced European is often

be more harsh than his own nature dictates. In 1887,

weakness.

compelled to

the Director-General

of

and

the

lent

ear to

his

Civil Administration

native

visited the provinces,

complaints, with

the

intention

of

remedying certain inconvenient practices prejudicial to the people.

The result was, that on the 1st of March in the following year, a

body of headmen had the boldness

to present

themselves in Manila

with a manifesto demanding reforms which implied nothing

a complete revolution
large

number

in

the

less than
governmental system, consequently a

of the parties to the manifesto

were imprisoned.

one pays a native 20 cents for a service performed, and that

be exactly the customary remuneration, he will say nothing, but if a
If

feeling of compassion impels one to

loudly
native

protest
is

that

he ought to

pay 30
be

cents, the recipient will

paid more.

but in the

native dialect to a donor, and although this may, at

to be

In Luzon, the

Thank you " {saUimat-po) in his mother tongue,

South (Visayas) there is no way of expressing thanks in

able to say "

an insignificant

deduced from

it,

fact,

first

I think, nevertheless, a great deal

for the deficiency of the ^vord in the

appear

sight,

may be

Visaya vernacular

denotes a deficiency of the idea which that word should express.

If the native

be in want of a

trivial thing,

which by plain

he could readily obtain, he will come with a long

telling a

lie,

and whilst he invariably scratches

tale, often

his head,

askiu""

begin by

he will beat

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

180

about the bush until he comes to the point, with a supplicating tone

and a saintly countenance hiding a mass of

nothing to gain for himself, his reticence

may

for he

let

your horse die and

of rice paddy, or, just at the very

he

will tell

you "

I have

known

Uala-jio''''

natives

tell

is

if

he has

astonishingly inconvenient,

is

you afterwards

moment you want

there

But

falsity.

it

was

want

for

to use something,

not any.

whose mothers, according

have died several times, and each time they have

to their account,

tried to

beg the loan

of the burial expenses.

Even
for,

the best class of natives neither appreciate, nor feel grateful

nor even seem to understand

a spontaneous

gift.

Apparently,

The

thev onlv comprehend the favour when one yields to their asking.

lowest classes never give to each other, unsolicited, a cent's worth.

an European makes voluntary gratuities to the natives, he

If

considered a fool

they entertain a contempt

wants anything, never

lend him a

little less

one at once

lent, or

ofter

which developes

for him,

Therefore, to avoid this,

into intolerable impertinence.

it

voluntarily

than he asks

for, after

if

is

if

a native

he comes to borrow

a verbose preamble.

If

gave, the full value asked for, the native would

continue to invent a host of pressing necessities, until one's patience

was exhausted. The saying, " Give him an inch and he will take an
"

ell,"

can truly be applied to the Filipinos.

They

are void of all

feeling of magnanimity, and do not understand chivalry towards the

weak

or the fallen foe.

native seldom restores the loan of anything voluntarily.

On

remonstrated with for his remissness, after the date of repayment

or return of the article has expired, he will coolly reply " You did not
beino-

" ask

me

money

for it."

it

gives

distress of mind.

native considers

him no

it

no degradation to borrow

recurrent feeling of humiliation or poignant

Thus, he will often give a costly feast to impress his

neighbours with his wealth and maintain his local prestige, whilst on
all

sides

inconvenience, not as

morality

Were

it

At

he has debts innumerable.

is

a calamity,

most, he regards debt as an

and perchance

this

the cause of his inability to resist evil in

not for the fear of a

fine,

looseness of

many

forms.

no well-to-do native would willingly

contribute his legal quota to the expenses of the State.

Before entering another native's house, he

and sometimes three minutes' dialogue

is

is

very complimentary,

exchanged between the

visitor

TRAITS OF NATIVE CHARACTER.

181

When

before the former passes the threshold.

sind the native visited

a native enters an European's house, he generally satisfies his curiosity

by looking

around, and often puts his head into a private room,

all

asking permission to do so afterwards.

The lower
themselves,

it is

deliver

to

is

at

first

who comes

calls

along behind must steer clear

When

make way.

the one

in front,

is

One

of the

to step over a person asleep

with them, a very solemn matter

is,

on

a native steals (and I must say

rudest acts, according to their social code,

Sleeping

The

(among themselves),

is

they are fairly honest), he steals only what he wants.

floor.

among

him from a distance.

horsemen and canoemen

either side, does not

on the

call

told to tell another to come, he seldom goes to

the message, but

rule of the road for

that he

comes

never

native

of

usual to call five or six times, raising the voice each

If a native

time.

him

class

they are

very averse to awaking any one, the idea being, that during sleep the
soul

absent from the body, and that

is

if

the soul might not have time to return.

of the native,

when he

calls

not inquire further

the

an indefinite time

until

depart.

To

slumber be suddenly arrested,

upon him and

rest

is

person knowing the habits

is

told "

He

understood: that he

the sleeper wakes

up

so

is

asleep," does

may have to
he may as

get a servant to rouse you, you have to give

wait
well

him very

imperative orders to that effect: then he stands by your side, and calls
" Seiior, Seiior " repeatedly, and each time louder, until you are half
aAvake, then he returns to the low note, and gradually I'aises his voice

again until you are quite conscious.

The reasoning

of a native

and an European

the mental impulse of the two races

is

differs

so largely, that

ever clashing.

newly arrived generously disposed Provincial Governor

vSometimes a
will start a

reform solely for their benefit, and find his subjects quite indifferent

about

it.

With

the

majority,

without material

sympathy

no

profit, will

for the white

number

of

years

of

genial intercourse,

arouse in the native breast a perceptible

Exceptions

race.

to

this rule are

always

The Visaya native, in particular, exhibits a frigid

He bears his own misfortunes unmoved, and would look on

appreciated.
stoicism.

at another in imminent danger with solemn indifference.

Wherever I have been

in the

or five hundred miles from

it

whole Archipelago

near the Capital,

have found mothers teaching their

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

182
offspring to regard the
or, at least, as

European

as a demoniacal being

an enemy to be feared.

the exclamation " Castila

If a child cries,

" (European).

If a

white

an evil

spirit

hushed by

it is

man approaches

a poor hut or a fine native residence, the cry of caution, the watchword
for defence
retreat

Castila

and the children hasten their

from the dreaded object.

The
no

always heard

is

most Orientals,

Filipino, like

genius,

initiative

lie

not

is

a good imitator, but having

is

anything.

in

efficient

you give

If

him a model, he will copy it any number of times, but you cannot
get him to make two copies so much alike that the one is
He has no attachment for any
undistinguishable from the other.
occupation in particular.

To-day he

will be at the plough

to-morrow

or
a coachman, a collector of accounts, a valet, a sailor, and so on
he will suddenly renounce social trammels in pursuit of lawless
;

vagabondage.

Governor

The
still,

of

once

Avith

native

is

his

in exculpatory devices

silent,

Marques, acting

indolent in the extreme, and never tired of sitting

He

gazing at nothing in particular.

He

subjection.

Colonel

Cebu, whose valet Avas an ex-law student.

without an advance

but

travelled

will

do no regular work

word cannot be depended upon

he

is

momentarily obedient, but

feigns friendship, but has no loyalty

but can keep no secret

fails in resolution, if

he

he

he

be permitted with a native, there

is

docile,

A report emitted

is

averse to

calm and

is

wantonly unfeeling towards

If familiarity

no limit to his audacity.

but keenly resents an

Native superstition and

is

is fertile

daring on the spur of the moment,

is

reflects

is

he

animals, cruel to a fallen foe, but fond of his children.

Tagalog

he

The

injustice.

credulity are easily imposed upon.

facile

in jest, or in earnest, travels

with alarming rapidity,

and the consequences have not unfrequently been serious. He rarely

He never reveals anger,
sees a joke, and still more rarely makes one.
but he

will,

with the most profound calmness, avenge himself, awaiting

patiently the opportunity to use his bohie knife with effect.

tion of

a vanquished enemy

he recognizes a fault by his

is

common among

own

without resentment or complaint

Mutila-

these Islanders.

If

conscience, he will receive a flogging

;

if

he

is

not so convinced of the

misdeed, he will await his chance to give vent to his rancour.

He has a profound respect only for the elders of his household, and
the lash justly administered.

He

rarely refers to past generations in

TRAITS OF NATIVE CHARACTER.

his lineao-e,

and the lowest

do not know their own

class

183
njiei.

Families

how-

are very united, and claims for help and protection are admitted

may

ever distant the relationship

"hanger on" with

his host's family will be so remote

But the house

The

native

is

is

and doubtful,

tm poco pariente nada mas "

that he can only be recognized as "

sort of kinsman).

Sometimes the connection of a

be.

open to

(a

all.

a good father and a good husband, unreasonably

jealous of his wife, careless of the honour of his daughter, and will take

no heed of the indiscretions of his spouse committed before marriage.

Cases have been known of natives having

from their burning

fled

huts, taking care to save their fighting cooks, but leaving their wivea

and children

to look after themselves.

In February, 1H85, I was present in the

Town

Hall of Mariquiua,

a village six miles from Manila, when the petty Governor was hearing

a remarkable case of callousness.

native

had handed over the

corpse of his late wife to his brother-in-law for interment, and refused
to

pay any

of the expenses.

During the investigation, the husband

put forward the fantastic plea that his consort had been useful to him
in life,

but

he ought

now she was no

to

longer of any service, and he did not think

be compelled to incur any expense over a dead body.

He

was condemned to pay the costs of the burial, but alleging that he had
no money, he had to go to work in the village, husking rice, until the
sum was raised. I made him an offer on the spot to buy off his debt,
he to pay

me by

receiving lashes in the

Town

Hall at the rate of three

cents a stroke, but he would not accept the bargain.

If a question be suddenly put to a native,

he apparently loses his

presence of mind, and gives a reply most convenient to himself, to save

himself from trouble, punishment
perfect indifference to

as

the investigation

or

reproach.

him whether the

proceeds,

It

a matter of

reply be true or not.

Then,

he will amend one statement after

another, until, finally, he has practically admitted his

to be quite false.

is

One who knows the

first

explanation

native character, so far as

its

mysteries are penetrable, would never attempt to get at the truth of a

question by a direct inquiry
extract the truth bit by bit.
class in life,

he would
Nor do

" beat about the bush," and

the natives, rich or poor, of any

and with very few exceptions in the whole population,

appear to regard lying as a

sin,

but rather as a legitimate, though

cunning, convenience, which should be resorted to whenever

it

will

184

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

serve a purpose.

It

is

my

frauk opinion that they do not, in their

If the liar he

consciences, hold lying to be a fault in any degree.

discovered and faced, he rarely appears disconcerted

denotes surprise

rather

being foiled

his countenance

discovery or disappointment

at the

in the object for

which he

As

lied.

this is

have repeatedly discussed

it

with the

have assured me that the habit prevails even

The

native

priests, several

whom

of

in the Confessional.^

so contumacious to all Ijidding

Men and Avomen

force.

litigation,

spheres of

all

so averse

to social

he can only be ruled by coercion or by the demonstration

order, that

of

is

his

one of the most

remarkable characteristics of the natives of both sexes in

life,

at

alike

which many keep up

They have no

are tyrannical.

enjoyment

exaggerated

find

Among

for years.

real sentiment,

in

themselves they

honour or magnanimity,

and, apart from their hospitality, in which they (especially the Tagulogs)
far excel the European, all their actions appear to be only guided

by

fear, or interest, or both.

The domesticated Tagalog

natives of the North have

made

greater

progress in civilization and good manners than the Visayos of the

perhaps, in a measiire, due to the proximity of the

South.

It

Capital,

whence Western

is,

influence

and comely breeding are more

The Tagalog

easily spread, but not altogether so.

his southern brother in his true nature,

he

is

by

instinct cheerfully

an European wayfarer
villasre

which

at the

who

and

differs vastly

and that nature

more pliant

is

Invariably

less interestedly hospitable.

takes asylum in the

Town

from

Hall of a Tagalog

same time serves as a casual ward

is

invited

by

one or the other of the principal residents or headmen to lodge at his

house.

he stayed there several days no charge would be made for

If

accommodation, and

this

to

offer

payment would give

present of some European article might be made, but

looked

for.

Your Tagiilog host

accompanies you to any feast which

'

visit,

may

to this characteristic

be celebrated at the time of

among

aiiirms that the Chinese respect their writings

if

he has one.

the Chinese,

and

Sir

Spanish edition, page

iTli.

John Bowring

traditions, whilst they

and in some of their classical works

recommended, in rder to cheat and confuse foreign intruders.
to the Philippine Islands," by Sir John Bowring, ll.d., F.E.S.
believe a lie to be a fault,

all

to the houses of his friends,

and lends you his sporting gun,

With regard

not at

is

lends you horses or vehicles to go

about the neighbourhood, takes you round

your

it

offence.

do not

especially
Vifle "
Visit

it

is

Manila. 1876,

MANNERS OF THE VISAYOS.

The whole time he
superiority

you with the deference due

treats

He

which he recognizes.

will ask all sorts of questions about

he

no consequence
favours, and

you may
the

If,

this

remarkably inquisitive, and

is

your private

but that

affairs,

is

of

is

you

visit

wherever

in the capital, or

he accepts the invitation reluctantly, but seldom pays

reside,

visit.

to the

not intrusive, he never hints at corresponding

he be invited to

if

185

however, an intimacy should subsequently result from

casual acquaintanceship, theu the native

is

quite

likely to

be

constantly begging your assistance.

The Visaya

native's cold hospitality

is

much tempered with

avarice

quite a contrast the Tagalog.

he might admit you
house out of mere
On the
know
about you whence you come why you travel
how much you possess and where you are going. The basis of

or the prospect of personal gain

to

into his

first visit,

ciuriosity to

all

his

estimation of a visitor
in

power

trade, his

is

his worldly means, or,

to facilitate his host's

if

the visitor be engaged

schemes would bring him

He

a certain measure of civility and complaisance.

seeks, the patronage of
is

Europeans of

position.

more

uncouth and hrusquc, and

fond

is

any

fault,

he

is

and

In manners, the Visayo

conceited, arrogant, self-reliant,

ostentatious and unpolished than his northern neighbour.

strated with for

of,

If

remon-

quite disposed to assume an air of

impertinent retort or sullen defiance.

The women

too are less compliant in the South than in the North,

and evince an almost incredible avarice.

and at

of ornament,

They

feasts they appear adorned with

gaudy French jewellery, which, compared with

them a

lot of

are excessively fond

money

to purchase

an amount of

their means, has cost

from the swarm of

Jew

pedlars

who

invade the villages.

European

If an

calls

women

on a well-to-do Visayo, the

of the

family saunter off in one direction and another, to hide themselves in

other rooms, unless the visitor be well
If
not.

met by chance, perhaps they

They seldom

versation

altogether

known

will return a salutation, perhaps

indulge in a smile before a stranger

no tuition beyond music and the

impress the traveller

which chimes badly with the

I stayed for

to the family.

house of an European

who was

in

have no con-

lives of the Saints,

and

with their insipidity of character,

air of disdain

some months

which they

exhibit.

an important Visaya town,

in

the

married to a native woman, and was

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

186

much edified by observing the visitors from the locality. Tbe " Seiiora,"
who was somewhat pretentious in her social aspirations amongst her
own class, occasionally came to the table to join us at meals, but more
often preferred to eat on the floor in her bedroom, where she could

follow her native custom, at ease, of eating with her fingers.

The women

of the

North are

less reserved, a trifle better educated,

and decidedly more courteous and

and buoyant

lively, void of arrogance, cheerful

over the Islands the

But the Filipino

amends

extreme, remarkably

He

and seldom

canker of ambitious

may

serve as a pattern

other races in the tropical East.

all

make

only about providing

feels " the

In his person and his dwelling he

of cleanliness to

to

all

patient and forbearing in the

is

plodding, anxious

sober,

for his immediate wants,

thoughts."

However,

in tone.

women are more niggardly than the men.

has many excellent qualities which go far

shortcomings.

for his

Their manners are more

sociable.

He

has

little

thought beyond the morrow, and therefore he never racks his brains
about events of the far future in the political world or any other

He

sphere.

indifferently leaves everything to

happen as

it

may, with

surprising resignation.

The Tagalog
native,

The

has a genial, sociable nature.

go without food for many hours at a time

will

in general,

without grumbling

particular

in

and

fish, rice,

betel-nut and tobacco are his chief

wants.

When

an European

where or when

road-side,

down

about to

whom

he

and wherever he happens

to sleep.
fall,

He

to trouble

where he sleeps

about

he looks

a native travels, he drops in amongst any group

countrymen

of his fellow

he never needs

travelling,

his servant gets his food or

When

after that.

is

is

he makes

never long
fast

it

finds
to

having their meal on the

be at nightfall, there he

in a great

dilemma.

lies

If his hut

with bamboo and rattan cane.

is

If a

vehicle breaks down, a harness snaps, or his canoe leaks or upsets, he

has always his remedy at hand.

Pie bears misfortune of all kind

with the greatest indifference, and without the least apparent emotion.
Under the eye of his master he is the most tractable of all beings.

He

never (like the Chinese) insists upon doing things his

but

tries to

do just as he

is

told,

whether

it

be right or Avrong.

native enters your service as a coachman, and

paddle a boat, cook a meal,

fix

own way,

if

you wish him

A
to

a lock, or do any other kind of labour

NATIVE CHARACTER
possible to him, he

THE

occupation with efficiency, and he

a debt, although he
fair treatment,

may

never pay

187

the duties of no

perfectly willing to be a " jack-of-

is

Another good feature

all trades."

He knows

quite agreeable.

is

GOOD POINTS.

that he rarely,

is,

ever, repudiates

if

So long as he gets

it.

and his stipulated wages paid

his food

advance, he

in

is

and

content

to act as a general-utility-man.

If not pressed too hard, he will follow

his superior like a faithful dog.

If treated

Euro'pean notions, he

native never looks ahead

left to himself,

Lodging he

is lost.
;

he will do

he

is

On
The

in

captain,

if

is

was coming round the coast

of

it,

any cause.

a small steamer,

whom

but

" his head

when, as he puts

the loth of March, 1886, I

Zambales

imprudent things, from sheer want

all sorts of

to

The

will find for himself.

never anxious about the future

of reflection on the consequences,

hot" from excitement due

with kindness, according to

in

which I was the only saloon passenger.

had known

for years,

found that one of the

cabin servants had been systematically robbing him for some time past.

He

ordered the steward to cane him, and then told

him

to

go to the

upper deck and remain there. He at once walked up the ladder and
threw himself into the sea, but a boat was lowered, the vessel stopped,

and he was soon picked up.

Had

he would have become what

is

eventually a brigand, for such

is

The

he been allowed to reach the shore,

kuown

as a

remontado and perhaps

the beginning of

many

of them.

native has no idea of organization on a large scale, hence a

successful revolution

is

not possible

if

confined to the pure indigenous

population unaided by others, such as Creoles and foreigners.

brave, and fears no consequences
led

by

when with

or against his equals, or

his superiors, but a conviction of superiority

in the adversary depresses him.

overawes him rather than

irritates

An

He

is
if

moral or physical

excess of audacity calms and

him.

His admiration for bravery and perilous boldness is only equalled

by his contempt for cowardice and puerility, and this is really the secret
Under good European
of the native's disdain for the Chinese race.
officers

they

make

excellent soldiers

however,

if

the leader

fell,

they

would become at once demoralized. There is nothing they delight in

more than pillage, destruction and bloodshed, and when once they

become masters

of the situation in an affray, there

greed and savage cruelty.

is

no limit

to their

188

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Yet, detesting order of any kind, military discipline

is

repugnant

to them, and, as in other countries, all kinds of tricks are resorted to,

to avoid

On

it.

looking over the deeds of an

estate

which I had

purchased, I saw that two brothers, each named Catalino Raymundo,

were the owners at one time of a portion of the laud.

must have been some mistake,

were so named

but, on close inquiry, I found that they

dodge the recruiting

to

I thought there

officers,

who would

not readily

suppose there were two Catalino Raymundos born of the same parents.

Raymundo had served in the army and the other was

dead, no further secret was made of the matter, and I Avas assured that
this practice was common among the poorest natives.
In November, 1887, a deserter from the new recruits was pursued

As one

to

Catalino

Langca, a ward of Meycauayan, Bulacan Province, where nearly

the inhabitants rose up

Lieutenant

of

wounded.

When

his

in

defence, the

was

Cuadrilleros

the Civil

killed

being, that

result

and two of

Guard appeared on the

his

all

the

men were

spot, the

whole

ward was abandoned.

According

Spanish army regulations, a soldier cannot be

to the

on sentinel duty for more than

Cases have been

circumstances.

been

left at his

become

frenetic,

since expired,

had

to

post for a

hand

having

over that regulation time, and to have

In one case the

man

be disarmed by force, but in another instance the sentinel simply

rifle

to exhort

him

and bayonet, and defied

who

all

went with the colours

who approached

of the regiment iu

to surrender his arms, adding that justice

attend his complaint.

The

sentinel,

however, threatened to

would

kill

any

should draw near, and the brigadier had no other resource

open to him but to order an European

the

of a native sentinel

and that he had been forgotten.

Finally, a brigadier

him.

known

a time under any

at

under the impression that the two hours had long

refused to give up his

one

little

two hours

sentry-box with a revolver and

soldier

to

climb up behind

blow out the insubordinate

native's brains.

Some

years ago, a contingent of Philippine troops was sent to assist

the French iu Tonquin, where they rendered very valuable service.

Indeed, some officers are of opinion that they did more to quell the
rising of the Tonquinese than the

French troops themselves.

When

iu

the melee, they throw off their boots, and, barefooted, they rarely falter.

Even over mud and swamp,

a native

is

almost as sure-footed as a goat

PECULIARITIES OF NATIVE CHARACTER.

-ou the

brink of a quarry.

a hammock by four

have frequently been carried

189
for miles iu

natives and relays through morassy districts too

They are great adepts at climbiug

human being to scale a height
like

dangerous to travel ou horseback.

wherever

is

it

possible for a

monkeys, they hold as much with their feet as with their hands

any horse barebacked without fear

ride

jumping

among

into the sea

and

never

knew

who

a native

they meet with an accident, they bear

If

native

is

very slowly tempted

"

pa

resignation, simply exclaiming " desgracia

The

sometimes they will

could

There are natives Avho dare dive for the caiman and

not swim.
up.

they are utterly careless about

the sharks, which

intentionally attack with knives,

it

they

it

it

with supreme

was a misfortune.

abaudon the habits and

to

and his ambitionless

traditional customs of his forefathers,

rip

felicity

may

be envied by any true philosopher.

No

one

who

has lived in the Colony for years could sketch the real

moral portrait of such a remarkable combination of virtues and

The

domesticated native's character

vices.

The

a succession of surprises.

is

experience of each year brings one to form fresh conclusions, and the

most exact

of such a kaleidoscopic creature

definition

However,

hypothetical.

By

law.

the

surrounded, their vigour

power are

The

is

less

physical
of

with which

conditions

of

life,

and

they are
intellectual

influenced.

organic elements of the European

special environment.

The

its

own

of life into

diflfer

widely from those of

durability, requires its

own

half-breed partakes of both organisms, but

has the natural environment of the one.

mode

all,

dependent on themselves than on

motion, energy

the Philippine native, and each, for

the

after

to a certain degree, the characteristic indolence

of the Philippine Islanders

natural

is,

which he

is

Sometimes

artificial

forced by his European parent

counteract in a measure natural law, but,

left to himself,

will ever be towards an assimilation to the native.

new laws

of

will

the tendency

Original national

characteristics disappear in an exotic climate, and, in the

generations, conform to the

means

course of

nature to which they are

exposed.
It is

an ascertained

fact, that the increase of

energy introduced into

the Philippine native by blood mixture from Europe lasts only to the

second generation, whilst the

when

there

is

effect

remains

for several generations

a similarity of natural environment in the two races

190

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

crossed.

Hence the

peculiar

qualities of a Chinese half-breed are

preserved in succeeding generations, whilst the Spanish half-caste has

mersed

into the conditions of his environment.

The Spanish Government has

to counteract physical conditions

Nature

overcomes

man's

law,

vain against natural law

striven in

by favouring mixed marriages/ but

and

climatic

Indeed, were

conditions on the half-breed.

it

forces

influence

not for

new

its

supplies of

extraneous blood infusion, mongrel individuality of character would

become

indiscernible

among

the masses.

Treating even of Europeans, the

new

physical conditions

and

the influence of climate on their mental and physical organisms are

perceptible after

two

or three decades of years' residence in

tropics, in defiance of their

For the Education

of

own

the mid-

volition.

youth in the Colony, of

classes

all

conditions, the State contributed in 1888, according to the

that year, the following sums, viz.

Budget

and
for

cts.

Schools and Colleges for high-class education in

Manila,

including

Drawing,

Navigation,

Painting, Book-keeping, Languages, History,

Museum

Arts and Trades, Natural History

and Library and general instruction

86,450 00

School of Agriculture (including 10 schools and

-

model farms in 10 Provinces)

113,686 64

General Expenses of Public Instruction, includSchools in the Provinces

ing
'o National

38,513 70

$238,650 34
the banks of the River Pasig, there was a Training College for
Schoolmasters, who Avere drafted off to the villages, with a miserable

On

stipend, to teach the juvenile rustics.

But what

fell

somewhat hard

on the village schoolmaster Avas, that to recover his salary, the system
of centralization adopted by the Government obliged him to spend
a comparatively considerable amount of

it.

For instance, I knew a

Regulations for the advantages granted to military

women. Vide also page 53.
born
Philippine
marry
>

See the

Army

men who

191

EDUCATION.
schoolmagter

month

had

lie

and another

received $16 per

who

month

services, but every

for his

spend one dollar to travel to Manila to receive

to

dollar to return to his village,

it,

this expenditure equalled

twelve and a half per cent, of his total income. For such a wretched
pittance, great things were not to be expected of either the teacher

Other circumstances also contributed to keep the

or his teaching.

among the masses very low, in some places

The parish priests were cx-officio Inspectors

standard of education

to

abolish

of

totally.

it

Schools for primary instruction,

wherein

Spanish language was taught.

that the

it

was

The

their

duty to see

"Laws

old

the

of

Indies " provide that Christian doctrine shall be taught to the heathen

native in Spanish.*

Several decrees confirming that law were issued

from time to time, but their fulfilment did not seem

On

of the Friars.

to suit the policy

the 30th of June, 1887, the Governor-General

published another decree

with

same

the

object,

and sent a com-

munication to the Archbishop to remind him of this obligation of his

subordinates, and the urgency of

stri(}t

its

Nevertheless,

observance.

they persisted in striving to keep the rising generation (as they had

always done with past generations) from the knowledge of anything

further than Christian doctrine.

This they learnt only by

rote, for it

which

suited the Friar to stimulate that peculiar mental condition in

belief precedes understanding.

The

schoolmaster, being subordinate to

the inspector, had no voice in the matter, and was compelled to follow

the views of the priest.

Few

Spaniards took the trouble to learn

native dialects (of which there are about 30), and only a small per-

centage of the natives can speak intelligible Spanish.

literature in dialect.

who

As

no

Spanish

there

were other villages with no

all.

the poorest families generally depend on agriculture, living in

rural districts remote

such as

it

was

was

as untutored as

Home

when

discipline

from the

villages,

compulsory education

even

not possible, consequently the majority grew up

they were born.

and training of manners were quite ignored, even

in well-to-do families.

Children Avere

to do just as they pleased, hence they

'

is

There were many villages with untrained masters

could not speak

schools at

There

left

without control, and allowed

became ill-behaved and

Vide " Recopilacion de las Leyes de Indias," ley V.,

tit.

XIII.,

boorish.

lib, I.

192

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Planters of means, and others

and daughters

who

could afford

to private schools, or to the colleges

sent their sous

it,

under the direction

of the priests in Manila, Jaro (Yloilo Province) or Cebii.

few

sent
The

their sons to study in Europe, or in

few

very

Hongkong.

teaching offered to students in Manila was very advanced, as

will be seen

Athenajum

from the following Syllabus of Education

of the Jesuits

in the

Municipal

Latin Composition.
Mechanics.
Meecantilb Akithmetic.

Algebra.
Arithmetic.
Agkicultuee.
Commekce.
Commercial Law.
Commercial Geography.

Natural History,
Physics and Chemistry.
Philosophy.
Painting.

English.
French.
Geometry.
Greek.

Ehetoric and Poetry.

Spanish Classics.
Spanish Composition.
Topography.
Trigonometry.

History.

Latin Grammar.
In the highest Girls' School
following was the curriculum, viz.

the

Santa Isabel College

the

Arithmetic.

History of the Philippines.

Drawing.

Music.

Dress-Cutting.

Needlework.

French.
Geography.
Geometry.
Geology.
History of Spain.

Physics.

There were
Eosa,

La

Prose and Verse.

Spanish Grammar.
Sacred History.

Reading

also (for girls), the Colleges of

Santa Catalina, Santa

Concordia, the Municipal School, etc.

Hongkong.
known as Saint Thomas' was founded

few were sent

to

the Italian Convent in

college

Manila by Fray

in

Miguel de Venavides, third Archbishop of Manila, between the years

1603 and 1610. He contributed to it his library and $1,000, to which

was added

a donation by the Bishop of

Nueva Segovia

of $3,000

and

his library.

In 1620,
protection.

it

already had professors and masters under

It received three

Papal Briefs

for

Government

10 years each, permitting

students to graduate in Philosophy and Theology.

It

was then

to the status of an University in the time of Philip IV.,

raised

by Papal Bull

COLLEGES. UNIVERSITIES.
November, 1645.

of 20th

The

was Fray Martin Real de

rector of Saiut

first

University had been established.

Thomas' University

In the meantine, the Jesuits'

Cruz.

la

193

Until 1645,

it

was the only place

learning superior to primary education, and conferred degrees.

of

The

Saint Thomas' University (under the direction of Dominican Friars)

now

disputed the Jesuits' privilege to do so, claiming for themselves

exclusive right by Papal Bull.

law

and the Supreme

suit followed,

Court of Manila decided in favour of Saint Thomas'.

appealed to the King against this decision.

so that the

until the Jesuits

Jesuits

The Supreme Council

the Indies Avas consulted, and revoked the decision

Supreme Court,

The

two Universities continued

were expelled from the Colony

in

the

of

of

Manila

to give degrees

From

1768.

1785,

Saint Thomas' University was styled the "Royal University," and was
declared to rank equally with the Peninsula Universities.

There was

also the

Dominican College of San Juan de Letran,

founded in the middle of the

7th century, the Jesuit

Normal School,

the Convent of

Mercy for Orphan Students, and the College of Saint

This last was founded in 1601, under the direction of the
King Philip V, gave it the title of Royal College, and allowed

Joseph.
Jesuits.

an escutcheon

three prof essorial chairs with $10,000 each.

by the Rector

The same king endowed

to be erected over the entrance.

Latterly

it

was governed

of the University, whilst the administration Avas confided

to a licentiate in pharmacy.

At

the time of the Spanish evacuation, therefore, the only university

in the City of Manila

was that

of Saint

Thomas, which was empowered

to issue diplomas of licentiate in law, theology, medicine,

to all successful candidates,

and

to

confer degrees of

investiture (which the public were allowed to witness)

by the

rector of the university, a

Dominican Friar

and pharmacy

LL.D.

The

was presided over

and the speeches

preceding and following the ceremony, which was semi-religious, were

made

in the

Spanish language.

In connection with

Thomas' College

One

of the

this university,

there

for preparing students for the university.

most interesting and amusing types of the native, was

the average college student from the provinces.

three,

up

to eight years,

:Western manners
leather

was the modern Saint

After a course of two,

he learnt to imitate European dress and ape

to fantastically dress

shoes, jewellery, and a felt

his

hair

to

wear patent

hat d la dcr?u^rc mode adjusted

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

194

He went

carefully towards one side of his head.

to the theatre, drove

a " tilbury," and attended native reunions, to deploy his

He

the beau sexe of his class.

Baboo Bachelor

in fact, of the Calcutta

reminded one,

During

of Arts.

abilities before

he was

his residence in the capital,

supposed to learn, amongst other subjects, Latin, Divinity, Philosophy,

and sometimes Theology, preparatory,

father's occupation of planting

fields

in

many

cases, to following his

and

of sugar-cane

The

rice.

average student had barely an outline idea of either physical or political

geography, whilst his notions of Spanish or universal history were very
I really think that the Manila newspapers

chaotic.
-^vere

contributed very largely

poor

as they

to the education of the people in this

Colony.
Still there are cases of

Amongst

his race.

an ardent genius shining as an exception to

the few, there were two brothers

named Luna

the one Avas a notably skilful performer on the guitar and violin, who,
however, died at an early age. The other, Juan Luna, developed a
natural

ability

for

painting.

" Spoliarium," executed by

him

work

in

of his

Rome

own

conception

the

1884, gained the second

in

The Municipality of Barcelona purchased this chef (Tceuvre for the City HalL
Other famous productions of his are, " The Battle of Lepanto," " The

prize at the

Death

Madrid Academy Exhibition

of Oil Paintings.

and " The Blood Compact."

of Cleopatra,"

This

last

master-

was acquired by the Municipality of Manila for the City Hall,

but was removed when the Tagalog Rebellion broke out, for reasons
which will be understood after reading Chapter XXVI. This artist, the
son of poor parents, was a second mate on board a sailing ship, when
his gifts were recognized, and means were furnished him with which

piece

to study in

Rome. His

talent

are not an artistic people.

the most lovely

scenery

was

They

quite exceptional, for these Islanders

(in general)

have no admiration for

and beautiful forms

in Nature, nor

their

provinces

They form a decided contrast to the Japanese in this

Paete, in the Laguna Province, is the only place in the
I know of where there are sculptors by profession. The

Academy

(in Manila)

reproduction.
respect.

an ex-student, under

is

its

open to

all

professors

comers of

all

nationalities, and, as

Don Lorenzo Rocha and Don Agustin

Saez, I can attest to their enthusiasm for the progress of their pupils.
I was personally acquainted with a native Jose Rizal who went

to

Germany and Spain

to study,

and returned with his

titles of

doctor in

EINE

NATIVE TALENT.

ARTS.

MUSIC.

195

medicine, philosophy, and arts.

novel, entitled

as an oculist,

Calamba

In 1886 he wrote a very readable

"Noli me Taugere," and other works. Also in 1887,
he performed a difficult operation very successfully in

(Laguua

minutely referred

Province).

to in

Chapter

His

biography,

however,

is

more

XXVI.

In the General Post and Telegraph Office in Manila, I was shown

an excellent specimen of wood-carving a bust portrait of Mr. Morsa
of telegraphy)

the work

native, Vicente Francisco, exhibited

some good

(the celebrated inventor of the

Morse system

of a native sculptor.

Another promising
sculpture

work

the Philippine Exhibition, held in Madrid in 1887

in

the jury recommended that he should be allowed a pension by the

State, to study in Madrid and Rome.

But the native

of cultivated intellect, on returning from Europe,

found a very limited

If he returned a lawyer or a doctor, he

capital

was

own

circle of friends of his

swarmed with them

class

and training.

was one too many,

for the

he had learnt a trade, his knowledo-c

useless outside Manila, and in his native village his previous
;

if

technical acquirements were usually profitless.

The

native has an inherent passion for music.

be found in every village, and even

There was scarcely a parish without

was laudably encouraged by the

among

its

priests.

Musicians are to

the very poorest classes.

orchestra, and this natural taste

Some

of these bands acquired

great local fame, and were sought for wherever there vras a feast miles
away. The players seemed to enjoy it as much as the listeners, and

they would keep at

strength lasted.

for hours at a time, as long as their bodily

it

Girls from six years of age learn to play the harp

almost by instinct, and college girls quickly learn the piano. There
are no native composers
they are but imitators. There is an absence
of sentimental feeling in the execution of set music (which is all

European), and this

instrumentalists.

is

the only drawback to their becomino- fine

For the same reason,

music is very little in

vogue among the Philippine people, who prefer dance pieces and ballad
accompaniments. In fact, a native musical performance is so void of
soul

classical

and true conception of harmony, that at a feast

it

is

not an

uncommon

thing to hear three bands playing close to each other at the

same time and the mob assembled seem to enjoy the confusion of the
melody. There are no Philippine vocalists of repute.
;

196

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Travelling through the Province of

first

of

Laguna

was, for the

in 1882, I

time, impressed with the ingenuity of the natives in their imitation

I had, just an hour before,

European musical instruments.

from a dense

forest,

where majestic

emerged

abundantly adorned with exquisite foliage, and

flourishing

trees,

in

gorgeous profusion, afforded a

Not

gratifying shelter from the scorching sun.

was heard but

a sound

the gentle ripple of a limpid stream, breaking over the boulders on

Neither the axe nor the plough

course towards the ravine below me.

had thus
the

Nature

far outraged

moment

to

in this lovely spot.

But

it

was hardly

ponder on the poetic scene around me, for fatigue and

hunger had overcome nearly

I could to the

its

first

sentimentality, and I got as quickly as

all

This I found to be the plantation

resting-place.

of a well-to-do native cane-grower.

bmigalow

There was quite a number

of the meeting was, that the

of persons assembled,

and the occasion

sugar cane mill on the plantation had

that day been blessed and baptized with holy water.

Before I was near enough, however, to be distinguished as an

European

for

it

was nearly sunset

music floating through the

place excited

my

heard the sound of distant

So strange an occurrence

air.

curiosity

immensely

mystic strains of dying melody

might

the surrounding scene

it

of

it

all

meant.

was a bamboo orchestra returning

from the feast of the " baptism of the

made

the

well have entranced a more

romantic nature, and I determined to find out what

succeeded, and discovered that

in such a

mill."

Each instrument was

bamboo, and the players were farm labourers.

Being naturally prone

without doubting,

taught them.

all

to superstitious beliefs, the islanders accepted,

the fantastic tales which the early missionaries

Miraculous crosses healed the sick, cured the plague,

and scared away the

locusts.

Bangi, relieved them of

all

Images, such as the Holy Child of

worldly sufteriugs.

To

this

day they

many of these objects, which are still preserved.

The most ancient miraculous image in these Islands appears

revere

the Saiito

Ni7w de Cebu

the Holy

Child of Cebu.

It

is

to be

recorded that

on the 28th of July, 1565, an image of the Child Jesus was found on
Cebu Island shore by a Basque soldier named Juan de Camus. It was
venerated and kept by the Austin Friars.

In 1627. a

fire

occurred in

THE HOLY CHILD OF CEBU.

tiiat City,

were
in

when

the Churches of Saint Nicholas and of the

The image was

burnt down.

charge of the Recoleto

the

first

Legaspi

priests.

cross erected on the island

landed, and

this

although made of

cross,

There now stands an Oratory, wherein

Close by

room where the wonderful image

the

is

The

kept.

Saint

me

to the strong

of wood, about

is

high, and laden with silver trinkets, which have been

fifteen inches

When

presented on different occasions.

the honours of field-marshal accorded to

is

is

Holy Child.

of the

In June 1887, the Prior of the convent conducted

It

site of

by Fray Martin de Rada, the day

exposed the original cross on special occasions.

modern Church

on the

also took place

fire

Holy Child

and temporarily placed

saved,

that

said

is

it

bamboo, was not consumed.

is

197

exposed to public view,

so

different

from the lovely

During the

Child presented to us on canvas by the great masters.

feast held in its honour (20th of January), pilgrims
island

souls at the shrine of "

In the same room

has

it.

a mystic deity with ebon features

districts of the

it

from the remotest

and from across the seas come to purify their

The Holy

Child."

a beautiful image of the

is

Madonna, besides two

large tin boxes containing sundry arms, legs, and heads of Saints, with
their robes in readiness for adjustment

of

Cebu City

is

It

The patron

Saint Vidal.

The legend
interesting.

on procession days.

the

of
is

celestial

protector of

Manila

related that in Dilao, near Manila, a

of Saint Francis de Assisi,

which was

in the

is

not less

wooden image

house of a native named

Alonso Cuyapit, was seen to weep so copiously, that many cloths were
moistened by

its tears.

The image, with

its

hands open during three hours, asked God's

Then, on closing

blessing on Manila.

its

skull so firmly, that these appeared to

Vows were made

to the

Capital, and the said

Church, under

the

Saint,

image

is

appellation

hands,

it

grasped a cross and

be one and the same thing.

who was declared protector of the

now to be seen in the Franciscan
of

Saint

Francis

of

Tears

Sail

Francisco de las Idgrimas.

Our Lady of Casaysay^ near Taal, in Batangas Province, has

been revered for many years both by Europeans and natives. So
enthusiastic

was the

belief in the miraculous

power

of this image, that

198

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

the galleons

when passing

the Bataugas coast on their

from Mexico were accustomed

to fire a salute

it

iii

a cave, where

it

to

and

from their guns.

This image was picked up by a native in his fishing

placed

wnj

and he

net,

by other natives, who

v/as discovered

imagined they saw many extraordinary lights around

According to

it.

the local legend, they heard sweet sonorous music proceeding from the

same

and the image came forward and spoke

spot,

who had brought

The

her companions to adore the Saint.

history of the

a volume

many

shrines all over the Colony would v/ell

however, by far the most popular one

is

Nuestra Senora de Buen Viaje y de

of Good Voyage and Peace."
of Antipolo

This image

woman,

to a native

said to have

is

that of the Virgin

la

Paz, " Our Lady

wrought many miracles.

brought from Aeapulco (Mexico)

1626

in

The

Saint,

it

It

in the State galleon,

Nino de Tabora, who was appointed Governor-General

by King Philip IV.

is

alleged,

fill

was

first

by Juan

of these Islands

had encountered

numberless reverses between that time and the year 1672, since which
date

in the

Church

safely lodged in the Parish

is

it

Military

District of

Morong

of Antipolo

a village

custody of the Austin

in the

Friars until the year 1898.

In the month of May, thousands of people repair to this shrine

indeed, this village of

pilgrims

for

Antipolo

is

its

all

also did a very

sale of

3,809 inhabitants chiefly depends upon the

existence,

The

by

good trade

in prints

visitors

The

in extent.

The

priests

of Saints, rosaries, etc., for the

total

feast inside the convent

amount

of

money spent

in the

during the pilgrimage has been roughly computed

They came from

all

parts of the islands

legends of the Saint are best described in a pamphlet published

in Manila,^

The

land within the jurisdiction of

the

which tbey opened a shop during the

be ^30,000,

to

for

mountainous and very limited

just in front of the entrance.

village

from which I take the following information.

writer says that the people of Aeapulco (Mexico) were loth to

part with their

Holy Image, but the

saintly Virgin being disposed to

succour the inhabitants of the Spanish Indies, she herself smoothed

all

difiiculties.

'

" Historia de Nuestra Senora

1886.

La Virgen de Antipolo," by M.

Piomero, Manila,

199

THE VIRGIN OF ANTIPOLO.

Baring her

voyage

first

in the

month

of

March, 1626, a tempest

which was calmed by the Virgin, and all arrived safely at the
shores of Manila. The Virgin was then taken in procession to the
Cathedral, whilst the church bells tolled and the artillery thundered
arose,

forth salutes of welcome.

solemn

Mass

was

civil authorities,

communities,

which

at

celebrated,

the

all

and a multitude of people

religious

assisted.

Six years afterwards, the Governor-General Tabora died.

By

his Avill

whilst a church

he intrusted the Virgin

was being

often

care of

built under the direction of

descended from the altar and

amongst the flowery branches

of a tree, called

the Jesuits,

Father Juan

of this church,

During the erection

Salazar for her special reception.

the Virgin

to the

displayed herself

by the natives Antipolo

(^Arfocarpus incisd).

The

tree itself

who,

natives,

leaf

was henceforth regarded as a precious relic by the

by leaf and branch by branch, were gradually carrying

Salazar decreed that the tree should serve for a

" Virgin of
pedestal to the Divine Miraculous Image hence the title

Then Father

it off.

Antipolo."

In 1639 the Chinese rebelled against the Spanish authority.

In their furious march through the ruins and the blood
victims,

and amidst the wailing

of the

Sanctuary wherein reposed the Virgin.

cast

into the flames,

it

and when

all

ol"

their

crowd, they attacked the

Seizing the

Holy Image, they

around was reduced to ashes,

there stood the Virgin of Antipolo, resplendent with her hair, her lace,

her ribbons and adornments intact, and her beautiful body of brass

without wound or blemish

Passionate at seeing frustrated their designs to destroy the deified

protectress of the Christians, a rebel stabbed her in the face, and all

the resources of art have ever failed to heal the lasting wound.
Again the Virgin was enveloped in flames, which hid the appalling
sight of her burning entrails.
fell

upon the

Now

the Spanish troops arrived, and

heretical marauders with great slaughter

then, glancing

with trembhng anxiety upon the scene of the outrage, behold

with

astonishment they descried the Holy Image upon a pile of ashes

unhurt

With renewed enthusiasm, the Spanish

infantry bore

away

the

Virgin on their shoulders in triumph, and Sebastian Hurtado, the

200

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Governor- General at the time, had her conveyed to Cavite to be the

patroness of the faithful upon the high seas.

A galleon arrived at
commander anchored

Then

Cavite, and being unable to go into port, the

off at a distance.

the Governor-General, Diego Fajardo, sent the Virgin on

by her

board, and,

help, a passage

was found

for the vessel to enter.

Later on, twelve Dutch war ships appeared off Mariveles, a point
to the north of the entrance to

Cavite, and in

to

flee,

affray, the

a complete victory over the

Dutchmen, causing

with their commander mortally wounded.

During the

Virgin had been taken away for safety on board the " San

Diego," commanded by Cepeda.

pious

to attack

hour of danger the Spaniards appealed to the

who gave them

Virgin,

them

their

They had come

Manila Bay.

prelate,

Jose

Millan

In 1650

Poblete,

this vessel returned,

thought

he

and the

perceived

clear

indications of an eager desire on the part of the Virgin to retire to

her Sanctuary.

The

people too

calamities with

which they were

from their shores.

Dutch, lamenting the

many

clamoured for the Saint, attributing the

afflicted at that period to her

absence

Assailed by enemies, frequently threatened by the

loss of several galleons,

and distressed by a serious

earthquake, their only hope reposed in the beneficent aid of the Virgin
of Antipole.

But the galleon " San Francisco Xavier " feared to make the
journey to Mexico without the saintly support, and for the sixth time
the Virgin crossed the Pacific Ocean.

In Acapulco the galleon lay at anchor until March, 1653, when

the newly appointed Governor-General, Sabiniauo Manrique de Lara,

Archbishop Miguel Poblete, Fray Rodrigo Cardenas, Bishop-elect of

Cagayan, and many other passengers embarked and

set sail for Manila.

Their sufferings during the voyage were horrible.

Almost overcome
Rain poured

ia

were washed by the surging waves, and

all

oy a violent storm, the ship became unmanageable.

torrents, whilst her decks

was on the point

of utter destruction.

exhorted, and not in vain, for at her

the wind calmed, and

all

In this plight the Virgin was

command

the sea lessened

the horrors of the voyage ceased.

its

fury,

Black

threatening clouds dispersed, and under a beautiful blue sky a fair wind

wafted the galleon safely

to the port of Cavite.

THE VIRGIN OF ANTIPOLO.

These circunistaBces gained

Good Voyage and Peace

"

Saint the

for the

aud the

SHRINES.

sailors

and military chiefs

ecclesiastical dignitaries

retreat in Autipolo (8th September, 1653),

who acknowledged

followed

carried the

where

it

However, deprived

should permanently remain.

that

by the

image

to her

was intended she

the

of

succour of

Three of them

the Saint, misfortunes again overtook the galleons.

lost,

of " Virgin of

title

were saved by her sublime intercession

their lives

were

201

and the writer of the brochure to which I refer supposes

(Chap. IV.) that perchance the sea, suffering from the number of
furrows cut by the keels of the ships, had determined to take a

revenge by swallowing them up

therefore, the Virgin condescended to

Once more,

fierce

accompany a

galleon to Mexico, bringing her back safely to these shores in 1672.

This was the Virgin's

voyage.

last sea

Again, and for ever, she

to her resting place in Antipolo

was conveyed by the joyous multitude

Church, and, on her journey thither, there was not a flower, adds the
chronicler,

which did not greet her by opening a bud

not a mountain

pigeon which remained in silence, whilst the breezes and the rivulets

pom-ed forth their

silent

the soul, dispersing

murmurings

mundane

evils

Saintly guardian of

of ecstacy.

no

can paint the animation of the faithful

colours, the historian tells us,

no discourse can describe the

consolation of the pilgrims in their refuge at the Shrine of the

Holy

Virgin of Antipolo.

village of Antipolo and

Yet the

neighbourhood

its

is

the centre of

brigandage, the resort of murderous highwaymen, the focus of crime.

What

a strange contrast to the sublime virtues

Divinity enclosed within

The most

its

and no possible

these " Miraculous Saint

native Father

At

G-

late

Colony

Among

loss.

Shows " was

,

the

immortal

lucrative undertaking in the

It yields all gain

Island.

Sanctuary

of

is

that of a shrine.

the most popular of

that of Gusi, belonging to a

parish priest of Ihig, in Negros

Gusi, half-an-hour's walk from the Father's parish church,

was enthroned San Joaquin, who, for a small consideration, consoled

His spouse, Santa
the faithful or relieved them of their sufferings.
Ana, having taken up her residence
Province),

was

said to

in

the town of

Molo (Yloilo

have been visited by San Joaquin once a year.

202

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

He was

absent on the journey at least a fortnight, but the waters in

the neighbourhood of the Shrine being sanctified the clientele was not

Some

dispersed.

have dared

sceptics

saintly wife,

really paid this visit to his

was feigned,

make

firstly to

At

his presence

longed

the time of

was the petty Governor

my

of the

for,

and secondly

every devotee

leaving

pilgrimage there, the holy Father's

same town

of

to

and give him a wash and

It paid well for years

brush up for the year.

whether San Joaquin

and alleged that his absence

his hallowed brow,

remove the cobwebs from

his mite.

to doubt

son.

Hug.

Shrine-owners are apparently no friends of free trade.

In 1888

was a great commotion amongst them when it Avas discovered

that a would-be competitor and a gownsman had conspired, in
there

Pampanga
an imasre

Province, to establish a Miraculous Saint, by concealing

in

a field in order that

it

should "

make

itself

manifest to

the faithful," and thenceforth become a source of income.

church near Manila a few years ago, an

It is notorious that in a

image was made

exhorted

it

to

move

the parts of

its

body

in the course of his sermon.

as the reverend preacher

When

he appealed to the

wagged its head or extended its arms, whilst the female

Such a scandalous disturbance did it
audience wept and Availed.
provoke, that the exhibition was even too monstrous for the clergy
But religion has many
themselves, and the Archbishop prohibited it.

saint,

it

(J

of

In

branches.

wealth-producing

January, 1889, a

me an

Negros) showed

friend

of

mine

account rendered by the

Superior of the Jesuits' School for the education of his sous, each of

whom was
him

to

charged with one dollar as a gratuity to the Pope, to induce

canonize a deceased

member

of their order.

Nevertheless, I

have been most positively assured by friends, whose good faith I

ought not to doubt, that San Pascual Ballon really has, on many
occasions,

them

had compassion on barren women

(their friends)

and given

offspring.

On

the other hand, the holy waters transported to Negros Island

from the Coucepciou

" Eiipido "

days of

my

was

district

(Pauay Island),

for

which the steamer

specially chartered from Yloilo, failed to prolong the

late friend

of

Bago.

Trading upon the credulity of devout enthusiasts by

and shrine quackery

layman named

is
,

fetichisna

not altogether confined to the ecclesiastics.

in Yloilo,

some few years ago, when he was an

known

of tlie prison,

official

203

PENITENTS.

SHRINES.

the " Cotta," conceived the idea oH

as

declaring that the Blessed Virgin and Child Jesus had appeared in the

When,

at

went there

to

well of the prison, where they took a bath and disappeared.

became popular, hundreds

length, the belief

get water from the well, and

who

of

the best

at

of natives

imposed a tax on the pilgrims.

one time possessed a modest fortune, and owned two

houses

the Square

in

subsequently became

of Yloilo,

miserably poor.

The Feast

Tigbauaug

of

place in January,

much

also

is

few miles from Yloilo), which takes

(a

frequented, on account of the miracles

The

performed by the patron Saint of the town.

of this minor divinity to dispel bodily suffering

members

that

the most

of

faith in the
is

enlightened families

power

so deeply rooted,

of Yloilo

and the

neighbouring towns go to Tigbauang simply to attend High Mass,

and go back home

from

at

with passengers, that there was only

crowded

feast so

this

I have seen steamers return to Yloilo

once.

standing room for them.

An

opprobrious form of

most contemptible

which

religious

imposture

and

judged the

frequently offended the public eye, was the

practice of prowling about with doll-saints in the streets and public

highways.

vagrant,

procured a licence from the monks to

doll or print inside

earn

lazy to

too

an

hawk about

and a pane of glass

boon

of kissing the glass

subsistence,

bos

a wooden

in front.

hold before the nose of any ignorant passer-by

for the

honest

Avith a

This he offered to

who was

willing to

pay

During Holy Week, a few years ago, the captain of the Civil

Guard
natives
*'

in

Tayabas Province went

in the streets

for the

wounds

selves with

flails,

to the

They were
which were made of

Our Lord."

of

some

which he gave

of

me

to

by

reason, bring one

The

result

of

and

Alas

penitent castigation.

of

Atimouan, and saw

almost in a state of niidity

of rope with thongs of rattan cane.

of

town

He

doing penance

actually beating themiron chain,

confiscated the

and others
flails

one

effectually assisted the fanatics in their

to

what excesses

will faith, unrestrained

tuition

in

mystic

influences

veloped in the appearance of native Santones,

is

sometimes

indolent

de-

scamps who

never cut their hair, and roam about in remote villages and

districts,

feigning the possession of supernatural gifts, and the faculty of saving

204

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

souis and curing diseases, "with the object of living at the expense of

I have never happened to meet more than one of these

the ignorant.
creatures

an

escaped convict named Apolonio, said to be a native of

Cabuyao (Laguna Province), who, assuming the character

and worker of miracles, had

them

I have often heard of

village.

neighbourhood of San Pablo

to the

fled

in

of a prophet

other places, notably in Capis

was

Province, where the pursuit of the Santones by the Civil Guard

for a while the local

The

theme

Masses

sale of

Catholic Church, but

of conversation.

a very old-established custom of the

is

when

business-like a light as,

me

never appeared to

it

in

so

in

Roman

Pasacao (Province of Camarines Sur),

on the 23rd of December, 1886, I heard a certain Father Carlos,

was going

to

to his friend a

Nueva

ham from

who were

to

immeasurable

orders he received

once proceeded to

the value of the fees of ten Masses,

in perspective.

other

of

which would only

doctrines

Hence

bewilderment.

Spanish dominion,

entirely under

Roman

the indigenous

all

i.e.,

the natives

all

independent and semi-independent tribes,

Catholics.

This blind obedience to one system of Christianity, even

exaggerated form, had the

grossly

effect desired

bringing about social unity to an advanced degree.

have

observed,

extremely

He

is

little

so material

abstract, that his

it

of

appears
the

and

evident

" inward

realistic, so

ideas rarely,

and

spiritual

devoid of

ever, soar

if

all

He

and the observance of religious

also

because
shirt,

confounds
it

is

morality

the custom.

he abstains from going

town was
"ministry."

compelled to

go

to

to

if

its

State, of

Yet, so far as I

understands

grace "

of

religion.

conception of things

beyond the contemplation

rites are to

with religion.

Often

in

native

the

that

by the

of the " outward and visible signs " of Christian belief.

of faith

send

clergy were justifiably zealous in guarding the native

population, excepting the

are

Mass

accepted, he at

ham and

from the knowledge

them

lead

priest proposed to

Gallicia for every ten

chuckling over the nett profits

The Spanish

The

Ciiceres.

The bargain being

calculate the cost of the

classes

who

Spain on a special mission, strike a serious bargain with

a Spaniard residing in

from him.

and

practical

him

The symbols
religion itself.

Natives go

to

church

a native cannot put on a clean

Mass.

The

petty Governor of a

High Mass, accompanied

In some towns, the Barangai/

Chiefs

were

by his
fined or

NATIVE CONCEPTION OF RELIGION.

beaten

were absent from church on Sundays

they

if

205
antl

certain

Feast Days/

As
them

women,

to the

to attend

Mass

little

or

many

of

no pressure was necessary

them pass

to oblige

half their existence

between

adoration of the images, Mariolatry and the confessional.

Roman

Undoubtedly,

Catholicism

appears

to

the form

be

Christianity most successful in proselytizing uncivilized races,

are impressed

more with

The pagan

idols,

primitive times,

still

uncultivated minds.

of

which

their eyes than their understanding.

Avhich

reappeared

in the

gratify the instinctive

The heathen

form of martyrs

want

of visible deities to

originally

rites,

in

adopted by the

Catholic Church to appease the pagans in the earliest ages, such as

pompous

ritual, lustrous

gold and silver vases, magnificent robes, and

where

glittering processional shows, serve,

intellectual reasoning

would

fail, to

convince the neophyte of the sanctity of the religious system

and the

inf.illibility of its professors'

The

precepts.

parish priest of Lipa, a town in Batangas Province, related

to a friend of mine, that having on one occasion distributed all his

stock of pictures of the Saints to those

who had come

him on

to see

parochial business, he had to content the last suppliant with an

raisin box,

without noticing that on the

of Garibaldi.

it,

empty

there was a coloured print

Later on. Garibaldi's portrait was seen

of the suburbs with candles around

lid

in a

hut in one

being adored as a Saint.

curious case of native religious philosophy

was reported

in

A milkman

was accused by one of his customers of

having adulterated the milk which he supplied. Of course he denied
it at first, and then yielding to more potent argument than words, he conManila newspaper.^

fessed that he had diluted the milk with holi/ water from the
fonts, for at the same time that he committed the sin he

was

Church

penitent.

'
A Decree issued by Don Juan de Ozaeta, a magistrate of the Supreme Court,
in his general visit of inspection to the provinces, dated 2(5th May, 161)6, enacts
the following, viz.
" That Chinese half-castes and headmen shall be compelled
:

" to go to the church

and attend Divine

Service,

and act according

to the

customs

and the penalty for an infraction of this mandate by

the public highway and two months' labour in the Eoyal

" established in the villages,"

a male was " 20 lashes in

"

Eope Walk

(established in Taal), or in the Galleys of Cavite."

If the

delinquent

were a female, the chastisement was " one month of public penance in the church,"
whilst the Alcalde or Governor of the Province who did not promptly inflict
the punishment was to be mulcted in the sum of " $200, to be paid to the Royal
" Treasury."
2

"Diario de Manila," Saturday, July 28th, 1888.

206

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Although slavery was prohibited by law

Philip

II.,* it

Rarely,

natives.

if

back as the reign of

exists in an occult

still

form among the

law

ever, do its victims appeal to the

for redress,

because of their ignorance, and secondly, because the untutored

firstly,

have an innate horror of resisting anciently established custom,

class

and

nevertheless

as far

it

would never occur

to

them

On

to do so.

the other hand, in the

time of the Spaniards, the numberless procuradores and pica-pleitos

touting

solicitors

had no

interest in taking

Under the pretext

themselves.

up cases

of guaranteeing a loan, parents readily

children (male or female) into bondage

sell their

over to work imtil the loan

the advance never arrives, neither does

Among

victim.

themselves

the child

repaid, but as the

is

so profitless to

it

is

handed

day of restitution of

the liberty of the youthful

was a law, and

is

a practised

still

custom, for the debts of the parents to pass on to the children, and, as
I have said before, debts are never repudiated by them.

However, one cannot closely

criticise

the existence of slavery in

when it is remembered that it was in vogue in educated

much over half a century ago. Before the 1st of August,

the Philippines,

England not

1834, negroes Averc caught in public highways and shipped off to the
colonies, whilst press

gangs seized quondam free

citizens to serve in the

army and navy forces. When the case of the negro James Somerset
was first brought before Lord Mansfield by Mr. Granville Sharp, that
high legal authority,

in

agreement with

all

the contemporary lawyers

of note, virtually decided that the slave trade could be legally carried

on

in the streets of

London and Liverpool, and

devotion of Clarkson, Wilberforce,

ensure equality of freedom to

Labour seems

women
sphere
as

"

it

and

was

this

in Scotland

and

if

Brougham and Fowell Buxton,

to

British subjects.

each sex, as a

may compare

rule,

amongst men and

working

strictly in its

favourably with the state of rural society

some years ago,

The hard work was

" v/omen

needed the persistent

to be about equally distributed

in the Philippines
;

all

it

for

chiefly done,

a cotter lost a horse,

Mr. Samuel Smiles remarks^

and the burdens borne by, the

it

was not unusual

for

him

to

According to Concepcion, there were headmen at the time of the Conquest

as many as 300 slaves, and as a property they ranked next in value
Vide " Hist. Gen. de Philipinas," by Juan de la Concepcion, pub. in
to gold.
Manila in 1788, in 14 volumes.
= Smiles' " Self Help."
Edition of 18G7, page 376.
'

who had

PREVALENT DISEASES.
*'

marry a wife as the cheapest substitute,"

207

And

again, in the north

being laden with

Spain, I have, hundreds of times, seen ships

of

mineral, brought

down

on the heads of Basque v.'omen.

in baskets

All the natives of the domesticated type have distinct Malay

features

prominent cheek bones, large

with dilated

They

nostrils.

and lively eyes, and

noses

flat

on the average, of rather low stature,

are,

Most of
Some there

very rarely bearded, and of a copper colour more or less dark.

the

women have no

on the forehead.

distinct line of hair

are with hairy-down on the forehead within an inch of the eyes, possibly

a reversion to a progenitor (the

Macacus radiata),

had not become quite naked, leaving the

The

the forehead undefined.

from the skin

birth,

like bristles,

in

whom

between the scalp and

limit

hair of both males and females stands out

and

is

very coarse.

Children, from their

of the vertebrae, thereby supporting the

have a spot at the base

theory of Professor Huxley's AnthropidcB sub-order

"

An

Introduction to the

the forehead

Classification

of

or

man

(vide

Animals," by Professor

Huxley, 1869, page 99).

Consanguine marriages are very common, and perhaps

low

for the

intellect

and mental debility perceptible

Great numbers die annually of fever

although, in general, they

may

in

this accounts

many

families.

especially in the spring

and

be considered a robust, enduring race,

they are less capable than the European of withstanding acute disease.
I should say that quite oO/o of the native population are affected by

cutaneous disease, said to be caused by eating fish daily, and especially

known

It is

shell -fish.

in the

Colony as Sarnas.

In 1882, Cholera morbus

population, carrying

ofi*

epidemic form ravaged the native

in

thousands of victims, the exact number of

The

which has never been published.

priests

on

this occasion, viz., prayer to St.

to stay the plague.

Colerin

preventive recommended by the

Roque, proved quite ineiFectual

Annually many natives

sufi'er

from what

mild form of Cholera, but not epidemic.

is

called

In the spring,

deaths always occur from acute indigestion, due to eating too plentifully
of

new

rice.

a disease

Many who have recovered from

known

the legs.

complaint.

as Beri Beri, of

Cholera become victims to

which the symptom

is

Small-pox makes great ravages, and Jleasles

Lung and Bronchial

fearful disease

in

the

Colony

is

a swelling of
is

affections are very rare.

Leprosy.

common
The most

To my knowledge

it

is

prevalent in the Province of Bulacan (Luzon), and in the islands of

208

.PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Cebu and Negros. There is an asylum for

Chaps. V. and XXII.) and at Mabolo, just

near Manila (vid^

lepers

outside the City of Cebu,

but no practical measures were ever adopted by the

Cebu

eradicate the disease, which, in

The Spanish

at least,

tion of leprosy to establish a

known

to

to be spreading.

indifferent about the propaga-

were always too

authorities

is

Spaniards

home on one

island for all male lepers

Some

another home on another island for female lepers.

and

years ago I

read a series of well-written articles on this question published in the

Boletin de Cebu, by Dr. Manuel Rogel.^

In Baliuag (Bulacan) there

known to me, who are allowed to mix with

In Cebu and Negros Islands they are permitted to

are leper families, personally

the general public.

roam about ou the high roads and beg.

The Colony abounds

in valuable medicinal herbs

many

the natives are acquainted with

and

trees,

and

remedies for current

efficacious

maladies.

Marriages between natives are usually arranged by the parents of

The

eleven years.

The

families.

respective

the

nubile age of females

parents ofthe young

man

is

from about

those of the maiden,

visit

to approach the subject delicately in an oratorical style of allegory.

The
is

response

is

in like

manner

slirouded with

only thrown off the negotiations

parties agree.

If the

stipulated that he

sliall

woman
tation,

The

and

the veil

becomes evident that both

to offer,

it is

frequently

serve on probation for an indefinite period in the

as

and not a few drudge

Sometimes,

it

young man has no dowry

house of his future bride

wife

when

mystery

Jacob served Laban

for years

with

this

to

make Rachael

hope before them.

in order to secure service gratis, the elders of the

will suddenly dismiss the

young man

and take another Catqjad, as he

old colonial legislation

is

his

young

after a prolonged expec-

called,

" Leyes de Indias,"

in

on the same terms.

vain prohibited this

barbarous ancient custom, and there was a modern Spanish law which
permitted the intended bride to be " deposited " away from parental
' Author of " Lepra eu Visayas," pnb. in Manila 1897.
Referring to Leprosy,
" The Charity Record,'" Loudon, Dec. 15th, 1898, says
" Reliable estimates place
*'
the number of lepers in India, China, and Japan at one million. About half a
" million would probably be a correct estimate for India only, although the
" official number is less, owing to the many who from being hidden, or homeless,
*'
or from other causes, escape enumeration."
:

NATIVE MARRIAGES.

209

cmstodj, whilst the parents were called upon to

union should not take place.

Cupid has already shot

However,

show cause why the

arrow into the virginal

his

when

often happens, that

it

breast,

and the

betrothed foresee a determined opposition to their mutual hopes, they

anticipate the privileges of matrimony, and compel the bride's parents
to couutenauce their legitimate aspirations

family.

Ho)ii soil qui

mal y pense

and

if,

on the part of the

if

the

the hand of a

are mercenary in the extreme,

and her people, there be a hitch,

girl

generally on the question of dollars,

course,

save the honour of the

they simply force

The Avomen

dictatorial mother-in law.

to

when both

is

Of

parties are native.

be European, no such question

suitor

it

is raised
the
ambition of the family and the vanity of the gu-1 being both satisfied

by the

alliance itself.

When

the proposed espousals are accepted, the donations propter

nuptias are paid by the father of the bridegroom to defray the Aveddino-

and often a dowry settlement, called

expenses,
*'

higaycaya^''

property

is

is

made

settled

in

favour of the bride.

on the husband.

in

Tagalog dialect

Very

rarely the bride's

I never heard of such a case.

Spanish laws relating to married persons' property are quaint.

husband be poor, and the wife

Avell-off,

standing the marriage.

He, as a

of her possessions, and,

if

rule,

so they

may

The

If the

remain, notwith-

becomes a simple administrator

honest, often depends on her liberality to

supply his OAvn necessities.

If he

which he employed also her

becomes bankrupt

in a business in

capital or

possessions, she ranks as a

"
creditor of the second class under the
Commercial Code." If she
dies, the

poor husband, under no circumstances, by legal right (unless

under a deed signed before a notary) derives any benefit from the fact
of

his

having espoused a rich wife,

legitimate issue or,

The

destitute, whilst the

her nearest blood relation.

law compels him to render a

them of the administration of

A married Avoman often

"rfe

to

in default thereof

property passes to their

children might be rich, and, but for their generosity, their father

might be
to

her

strict

account

their property during their minority.

signs her

maiden name, sometimes adding

" (her husband's surname).

If she survives him, she again

amongst her old

circle of friends,

takes

up her nomen ante imptias

and only adds " Avidow of

show who she is to the public (if she be

only known her as a married Avoman.

in trade), or to those

" to

who have
O

210

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

offspring use the surnames of both father

coming

latter

after

the former, hence

is

it

and mother, the

the more prominent.

Frequently, in documents requiring the mention of a person's father

and mother, the maiden surname of the

Thus marriage,

as I understand the spirit of the Spanish law, seems

to be a simple contract to legitimize

Up

to the year

certain harsh ejaculations,

among

and license procreation.

1844, only a minority of the Christian natives Lad

that date,

known by

classification of families "was

uneared for

They were,

family names.

distinctive

latter is revived.

and

the majority of the population.

before

Therefore, in that year a

surnames was sent to each parish

of Spanish

priest,

list

and every native

family had to adopt a separate appellation, which has ever since been

Hence one meets natives bearing illustrious names, such

Juan Salcedo, Juan de Austria, Rianzares, Ramon de Cabrera, Pio

perpetuated.
as

many Legaspis.
wedding among natives was determined

Nono Lopez, and

When
went

to the

a great

priest

not

necessarily together

kissed

There was a

informed him of their intention.

upon, the betrothed

his hand,

and

marriage fees,

tariff of

but the priest usually set this aside, and fixed his charges according to

This abuse of power could hardly be

the resources of the parties.

resisted, as

the natives

have a radicate aversion

to

being married

elsewhere than in the village of the bride. The priest too (not the
The fees
bride) usually had the privilege of " naming the day."

demanded were sometimes

many

common

enormous, the

result being that

couples merely cohabited under mutual vows because they could

not pay the wedding expenses.

The banns were

verbally published after the benediction following

the conclusion of the Mass.

after the first

Mass, between

In the evening, prior

The ceremony almost invariably took

five

and six

in the

place

morning.

to the marriage, the couple

had

of course to

confess and obtain absolution from the priest.

Mass having been said, those who were spiritually prepared presented
themselves for Communion in the sacrifice of the Eucharist de saiiguine
Then an acolyte placed over the shoulders of the
et corpore Domini,
The priest recited a short formula
bridal pair a thick mantle or pall.
of

about

five

minutes' duration, put his interrogations, received the

muttered responses, and

all

was

over.

To

the church, was tendered a bowi of coin

the espoused, as they left

the bridegroom passed a

NATIVE DANCING.

handful of the contents to the bride,

who

211

accepted

and returned

it

it

to the bowl.

This act was symbolical of his giving to her his worldly-

possessions.

Then they

the church with their friends, preserving

left

common

that solemn stoical countenance

was no

visible sign of

matter-of-fact

emotion as tbey

indifference,

custom under the Spaniards

Then

the

to

allied families,

paternal

abundance.

and any Europeans who

The

This was the

abode.

To

table

is

may happen
spread

Russe, with

la

d,

same time

at the

After the early repast, both men and

being offered betel-nut to masticate, or

is

this the vicar

to be resident or

Imported beer, Dutch gia, chocolate,

Meanwhile the company

with the most

off,

immediate friends and relatives of the

good things procurable served

predominating.

There

natives.

the Revolution decreed civil marriages.

villages, the

sojourning, are invited.

a time

walked

all

the feast called the Caiapusav} begins.

and headmen of the

the

Malay

to all

ciirars

sweetmeats

etc. are also in

women

and

all

are constantly

ciirarettes.

Two

entertained by native dancers.

a young man and woman stand vis-d-vis and

at

alternately sing

a love ditty, the burthen of the theme usually opening by the regret
of the

young man that

his

amorous overtures have been disregarded.

Explanations follow, in the poetic dialogue, as the

parties

dance

around each other, keeping a slow step to the plaintive strains of music.

This

is

called the Balitao.

Another dance
executed,

it

is

is

It

is

most popular

in

woman

performed by a young

The

extremely graceful.

Visayas.

girl

only.

If well

begins singing a few

words in an ordinary tone, when her voice gradually drops to the

diminuendo, whilst her slow gesticulations aud the declining vigour of
the music together express her forlornness.

Then

momentarily to lighten her mental anguish

notes gently return

action energetically

sorrow,

and so on

the tone of

quicken

spirited

the melody swells

until

alternately.

the

a ray of joy seems

her step and

she lapses again into

Coy

in

repulse,

crescendo

resigned

and languid in

surrender, the danseuss in the end forsakes her sentiment of melancholy

for elated passion.

'
Catajmsan signifies in native dialect the gathering of friends, which
terminates the festival connected with any event or ceremony, whether it be
a wedding, a funeral, a baptism, or an election of local authorities, etc. The
festivities after a burial last nine days, and on the last day of wailing, drinking,,

praying and eating, the meeting

is

called the Cataj]usan.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

til2

The

Another

native danses are numerous.

most

of the

typical,

is

that of a girl writhing and dancing a pas seul with a glass of water on

This

her head.

There

is

known

is

as the Comitan.

however remote,

scarcelji a Christian village in the Islands,

which has not a band

music of some kind with which the natives

of

display their natural talent.

When

Europeans are present, the bride usually

into the

retires

kitchen or a back room, and only puts in an appearance after repeated

The

requests.

meeting

there

conversation

rarely

upon the event

turns

not the slightest outward manifestation of affection

is

between the newly united couple, who, during the

together by mere accident.
is

served three times

If there

firstly for

Neither at the

and

only seen

European guests, the repast

lastly for the

women.

nor in the drawing-room, do the

table,'

mingle, except for perhaps the

arrival, or whilst

are

feast, are

the Europeans and headmen, secondly

for the males of less social dignity,

women

the

of

first

men and

quarter of an hour after the

dancing continues.

About an hour

after the

mid-day meal, those who are not lodging

at the house, return to their respective residences to sleep ihe siesta.

On

an occasion like

outsiders,

it is

As

at a

Catapusan given for any reason

from anywhere, always invade the kitchen

around doorways,

and

this

fill

up

corners,

and drop

usual to be liberally complaisant to

in

all

comers.

a rule, the married couple live Avith the parents of one or the

members

of the families

come under the protection

ones quite as a matter of course.

seldom

a mob, hang

in for the feed uninvited,

other, at least until the family inconveniently increases.

elder

native

reside

alone.

Relations

In old age, the

of the younger

In any case, a newly married pair

from

parts flock in.

all

Cousins,

uncles and aunts, of more or less distant grade, hang on to the recently
established household,

if

it

be not extremely poor.

European marries a native woman, she

vagabond

relation

a drone

unless

inevitable,

the

is

be a

some

certain to introduce

to hive with the bees

husband

Even when an

man

of

condition quite

specially

determined

character.

Death

at childbirth

is

very common, and

it is

said that 2o/o of

the

new-born children die within a month.

Among
closes

all

the lowest classes, whilst a

the

windows

woman

is

lying-in, the

to prevent the evil spirit {asuaii)

husband

entering

MIXED MARRIAGES.

213

sometimes he will wave about a stick or bohie knife at the door, or

on top of the

roof,

Even among

the same purpose.

for

enlightened, at the present day, the custom of shutting the

the most

windows

is

inherited from their superstitious forefathers.

honour than otherwise

It is considered rather an

a priest, and

little

secret

is

made

In October, 1888, I was

when

a sick friend,

having called

of

it.

in a village near Manila, at the bedside of

He

the curate entered.

earlier,

excused himself for not

by explaining that " Turing " had sent him a

message informing him that as the vicar

(a native)

had gone
" Is

he might take charge of the church and parish.

assistant curate

have children by

to

" I inquired.

My

to Manila,

Turing

'

'

an

and the pastor were so

friend

convulsed with laughter at the idea, that

it

was

quite five minntes

before they could explain that the intimation respecting the parochial
business emanated from the absent vicar's bonne amie.

Parents

to

offer their girls

Europeans for a loan of money, and

they are often admitted under the pseudonyme of

sempstresses

Natives among themselves do not kiss

housekeepers.

each other, or rather, they place the nose and

lip

they

smell

on the cheek and

draw a long breath.

Marriages between Spaniards and native women, although
frequent than formerly,

still

take place.

an alliance so incongruous, there being no

condition in
Christianity.

It

is

or

difficult to

affinity of ideas,

less

apprehend

and the only

common is, that they are both human beings professing

The European husband is either drawn towards the level

of the native

by

heterogeneous relationship,

this

in

or,

despair

of

remedying the error of a passing passion, he practically ignores his

wife in his

own

social connections.

of friends of his, or her,

own

Each forms then a

selection, whilst the

to mental improvement, and, in manners,

own

her

class

is

Avoman

Europeans married

most frequently observed

to native

women

is

refractory

but slightly raised above

There are some

by European influence and contact.

exceptions, but I have

distinct circle

in

the houses

in the provinces, that the

of

wives

take up their chief abode in the kitchen, and are only seen by the
visitor

when some domestic duty requires them

to

move about

the house.

Familiarity breeds contempt, and these mesalliances diminish the

dignity of the superior race
to a

common

by reducing the

level in their children.

birth origin of both races

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

214

Spaaisli half-breeds and Creoles constitute a very influential

The

A great number of

body.

them

are established in trade in Manila and

European descent, more or less distant,

the half-breeds are of quicker perception, greater tact, and gifted with

Due

the provinces.

to

their

Chinese half-breeds

indigenous

than the

wider intellectual faculties

a caste

Also,

class.

the

and Philippine mothers

of Chinese fathers

who form

about one-sixth of the Manila population, are shrewder

than the natives of pure extraction. There are numbers of Spanish
half-breeds fairly well educated, and just a few of them very talented.

Many

of

them have succeeded

in

making pretty considerable fortunes

in their negotiations, as middlemen,

between the provincial natives

and the European commercial houses. Their true social position is

often an equivocal one, and the complex question has constantly to
be confronted whether to regard a Spanish demi-sang from a native
or

Among

European standpoint.

themselves, they are

continually

struggling to attain the respect and consideration accorded to the

and purely native relations

superior class, whilst their connections

link

them

In

to the other side.

this perplexing

mental condition, we find them on the one hand

striving in vain to disown their affinity to the inferior races,

other hand,

their

jealous of

the natural

outcome.

disposition

generally

is

evasive and vacillating.

litigation,

and constantly seeking subterfuges.

dissatisfied

with their

against Avhoever

lot in

may be

true-born European acquaintances.

morosity of

is

and on the

life,

They

are

Their character
captious,

fond of

They appear always

and inclined to foster grievances

in ofSee over them.

Pretentious in the extreme, they are fond of

and some have, years ago, aspired

to

pomp and

paltry show,

become the reformers

the

of

Colony's institutions.

The Jesuit
on

this

result of

"

Father, Pedro Murillo Velarde, at page 272 of his work

Colony, expressed his

mixed marriages

we have

opinion of

political-economical

the

to the following eflfect

" Now," he

says,

a querulous, discontented population of half-castes, who,

" sooner or

later, will

bring about a distracted state of society, and

" occupy the whole force of the Government to stamp out the discord."

HoAV

far the

prophecy was

fulfilled will

..

be seen

in

another chapter.

CHAPTER

XII.

THE MONASTIC ORDERS.

History
rule, the

attests that at least during the first

Plus ultra."

two centuries

of Spanish

new

subjugation of the natives and their acquiescence in the

the subtle influence of the

order of things were obtained more bj

missionaries than

by the

State.

the soldiers of Castile carried war into the interior and forced

As

its

inhabitants to recognise their King, so the priests were drafted off from

the Capital to mitigate the

new

of bloodshed

and

to

mould Spain's

subjects to social equanimity.

In many cases, in
the Spanish

difficult

the whole task of gaining their submission to

solely to

the dictates of Western civilization

the pacific

medium

The

of persuasion.

mission of holding in check the natural passions and instincts

race

fact,

Crown and obedience to

had been confided

of

memory

which knew no

successors of Urdaneta.

laAV

but individual

Indeed,

it

will,

was

the

left to

was but the general policy

of

Philip II. to aggrandize his vast realm under the pretence of rescuing

benighted souls.

The

efficacy of conversion

moment, however suddenly

it

might come

cavalier conscientiously felt that he

the Banner of the Cross.

was never doubted

to pass,

for a

and the Spanish

had a high mission to

fulfil

under

In every natural event which coincided with

their interests, in this respeot, the

wary

priests descried a providential

miracle.

In their opinion the non-Catholic had no rights in this world no

prospect of gaining the next. If the Pope claimed the whole world
(such as was

known

of it) to be in his gift

how much more so heathen

was imposed by the Pope, and was

an inseparable condition of the conceded right of conquest. It was
The Pope
therefore constantly paramount in the conqueror's mind.*
lands

The

obligation to convert

Navarrete's Coleccion de los Viajes y Descubrimientos, Madrid 1825, torn.

Nos. 12, 18.

II.,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

216

away the right of any sovereign prince " si vet

paulum dcfiexerity The Monarch held his sceptre under the sordid
condition of vassalage, hence Philip II, for the security of his Crown
could depose and give

could not have disobeyed the will of the Pontifi, whatever his personal

might have been regarding the spread of Christianity. If

he desired it, he served his ends with advantage if he were indifferent
to it, he secured by its prosecution a formidable ally in Rome. America

inclinations

had already drained the Peninsula of her able-bodied men to such an

extent, that a military occupation would have overtaxed the resources
of the

Mother Country.

The power

was recognized

of the Friars

Philippine authorities,

who

to the last

by the Spanish-

continued to solicit the co-operation of the

parish priests in order to secure obedience to decrees affecting their

parishioners.

Up

1896

to the Rebellion of

day of Spanish

rule

Luzon

in

the placid word

and elsewhere

the last

till

of the ecclesiastic, the superstitious

veneration which he inspired in the ignorant native community, had a

greater law-binding effect than the

The gownsman
touched the

iised those

sensibilities

commands

of the civil functionary.

weapons appropriate

and won the adhesion

to his office

Go where

being above

common humanity.

he inspired

in

The

to regard his tutor as

feeling of dread reverence

the hearts of the most callous secured

immunity from the violence

In the State

God.

awful and the

he would, the convert's imagination was so

pervaded with the mystic tuition that he came

of

to

which

man
man who

of brigands, Avho carefully avoided the

official

the native saw nothing but a

Decree or the sound of the cornet would not have been half so

became an easy prey

him even

strove to bend the will of the conquered race to suit his own.

as the elevation of the

The

of a rude audience.

priest appealed to the soul, to the unknoAvn, to the

mysterious.

which best

Holy Cross before the

Royal

effective

fanatical majority,

who

to fantastic promises of eternal bliss, or the threats

of everlasting perdition.

Nor

is

this assertion

by any means chimerical,

for

it

has been proved

on several occasions, notably in the attempt to raise troops to drive out

the British in 1763, and in the campaign against the Sultan of Sulu in
1876.

But, since the monastic Cavite conspiracy of

undoubtedly, been losing ground amongst a certain

were driven

to

emigrate,

whilst

others

872, the Friars had,

class.

Many natives

were emerging yearly by

PREPONDERANCE OF THE FRIARS.

217

Ah-eady the intellectual struggle

hundreds from their mental obscurity.

from mystic enthralment had commeuced without injury

for freedom

to faith in things really divine.

Each decade brought some reform

parish priest and the people.

the

in

Link by

between the

relations

the chain of priestcraft

link

encompassing the development of the Colony was yielding to natural

The most

causes.

enlightened natives themselves were beginning to

understand that their spiritual wants were not the only care of the
priests,

and that the aim of the Church, through

monopolize

common
its

power

of its

beyond

their mystic circle.

to the uniformity of precept

members, and

political Spain,

was

to

the Avorld worth having, and to subordinate to their

all in

will all

satellites,

its

it

The Romish Church owes

and practice of the vast majority

was the reverse

precisely because this

is

where statesmen are divided into a dozen

or

in

more groups

with distinct policies

that

In the same way,

the friars of a corporation are so closely united,

all

them brought the enmity and opposition

that a quarrel with one of

his

whole community.

ecclesiastical

the Church was practically unassailable.

The

Progressists,

of

who combated

therefore,

preponderance in the Philippines, demanded the retirement

of the friars to conventual reclusion or missions, and the appointment

of clerigos, or secular

clergymen belonging

and curacies.

to the vicarages

By

to

no order or association,

such a change

was anticipated

it

abuses could have been remedied, for a misunderstanding with a cUrigo

vicar

would only have provoked a single-handed encounter.

That a
his locality

priest should

have been practically a Government agent

would not have been contested

in the abstract,

had he

in

not,

assumed the powers of the old Roman Censors, who

exercised the most dreaded function of the Regium Morum.
Spanish

as a consequence,

opinion, however,

was very much divided

as to the political safety of

strictly confining the friars to their religious duties.

It

was doubted by

some whether any State authority could ever gain the confidence
native, or repress his inherent inclinations like the friar,
stitious teaching,

abstract
felt

medium

of the confessional.

then

its

desirable to give

benefits.

However

existing

intelligence of the minority, in the

long claim

led

by super-

and held the conscience by an invisible cord through the

that a change in the

Government was

who

of the

this

might

be, it

was

system of semi-sacerdotal

more vigorous scope

to the

budding

hope that the majority might ere

218

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Emerging from the lowest ranks

whatever but that of the seminary,

of

was natural

it

with no

society,
to

training

suppose that these

Spanish priests would have been more capable, than ambitious political

men
of

of the world, of blending their ideas

with those of the native, and

forming closer associations with a rural population engaged in

own

agricultural pursuits familiar to themselves in their

Before

youth.

the abolition of Convents in Spain, the priests were allowed to return

there after ten years' residence in the Colony

since then they usually

new lives for the remainder of their days, so that

strove to make the best of their social surroundings.

entered upon their

they naturally

The

Civil employe, as a rule, could feel no personal interest in his

temporary native neighbours, his hopes being centred only in rising in

the Civil Service there or elsewhere

or

where the

wheel of fortune placed him.

ministerial

The younger
entered

just

Cuba or Porto Rico

narrow-minded and
Provincial
were

priests

into

curacies

biased

those who

frequently

had

greater

the

Enthusiastic in their calling, they pursued with ardour their

bigots.

They

mission of proselytism without experience of the world.

entered

the Islands with the zeal of youth, bringing with them the impression

imparted to them in

details,

to participate in the affairs of

of

their rigidity

principle

tolerant towards those with

The Spanish

relaxed,

whom they

parish priest

everyday

make

or

to build the

mend

paramount

roads,

necessarily

came

was consulted by the native

church in his adopted village

and

in his

in all

to

an

Hence

it

was

matters

become an
engineer, to

His word was

residence he dispensed with that

which he had been accustomed

stern severity of conventual discipline to

in the Peninsula.

life in all its

in contact.

and more frequently a doctor.

in his parish,

rebuffs,

and they became more

he was, by force of circumstances, often compelled

architect

a moral

In the course of years, after repeated

conquest of savages.

and the obligation

make

Spain, that they were sent to

really here that his

mental capacity

was developed his manners improved and that the raw sacerdotal
peasant was converted into the man of thought, study and talent
occasionally into a gentleman.

European

residents,

Government and
theological
subjects.

In his

own

vicinity,

when

isolated

he was practically the representative

of the white race as

knowledge was brought

to

of

well as of social order.

from
the

His

bear upon the most secular

His thoughts necessarily expanded as

the

exclusiveness

IMMORALITr AMONG THE CLEEGT.

219

of his religious vocation yielded to the realization of a social position

and

political

importance of which he had never entertained an idea in

his native country.

So large was the party opposed

continuance of priestly

the

to

influence in the Colony, that a sis months' resident

hear of the

many

would not

with which the Friars in general were

iniquities

If self-indulgence is to be accounted a sin, then they

reproached.

And

sinful indeed.

would be contrary

it

to

fail

were

pretend that

to fact too, to

the bulk of them supported their teaching by personal example.

I have

been acquainted with a great number of the priests and their offspring
too, in spite of their

vow

of chastity

luxury, notwithstanding their

parish.

his

many

Archbishop

The

parish

late

whom

priest of

son,

my

friend,

Bugason, had a whole

of

had

The

frequently seen on the Paseo de Santa Lucia.

of Lipa, Father

lived in comparative

whose

of Malolos,

Father S

a prominent lawyer.

family living in

whilst

of poverty.

There was Father Juan

was

vow

I knew, had a son

daughter

late parish priest

whom

saw

Santa Cruz, Father

his spiritual flock to petition against his being

made

in 1893.

prior of his order

in Manila so that he should not have to leave his

women.

intimately acquainted and resided more than once with a very

up family

in the south of

secular clergyman
friar

his wife

this sister-in-law

who was

Negros Island.

the wife of a foreigner.

come

of the celibate rule, I

mixed

host was the son of a

friar's

of a friar

my

host had a son

daughter, and a daughter

In short, bastards of the

everywhere in the Islands.

was

and sister-in-law were the daughters of a

was the mistress

married to another

My

got

Regarding

this

friars are to

who was
be found

merely as the natural out-

wish thereby to show that the pretended

was an absurdity and that the

than mankind in common.

sanctity of the clergy in the Philippines

monks were

The

in

no degree

less frail

mysterious deaths of General Solano (in August, 1860), and of

Zamora, the Bishop-elect of Cebu

(in

1873), occurred so opportunely

for Philippine monastic ambition that little doubt existed in the public

mind

as to

who were

Manila, nearly

commented

on.

the real criminals.

When

twenty years ago, a fearful crime was

Father Piernavieja,

formerly

arrived in

first

parish

still

priest of

Miguel de Mayumo, had recently committed a second murder.

victim

was a native youth,

his

second a native

being

woman

His

San
first

enceinte.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

220

public voice could not be raised very loudly there against the

The

priests,

but the scandal Avas so great that the criminal

another province

Cavitewhere he

was

met with a

in captivity,

terrible

was

sent to

celebrated the holy sacrifice

Nearly two decades afterwards

of the Eucharist.
this rascal

still

friar

in

January 1897

He

death at the hands of the rebels.

and having been appointed " Bishop

diocese, to save his life he accepted the

mock

"

in a rebel

dignity, but unfortunately

captors and collected

for himself he betrayed the confidence of his

and strongholds for

information concerning their movements, plans,

remittance to his community.

In expiation of his treason he was bound

to a post under the tropical sun

and

in

Spain are gulled

left there to die.

In a Malaga newspaper

See how the public

this individual

referred to as a " venerable figure, worthy of being placed high

" an altar, before which

all

was

up on

Spaniards should prostrate themselves and

" adore him. As a religieux he was a most worthy minister of the

" Lord as a patriot he was a hero."
;

my

Within

recollection, too, a

Island parish with a large

sum

Friar absconded

from a Luzon

of parochial funds, and

Avas never

heard of again.
I well
orders.

remember another

He had

interesting

character of the monastic

been parish priest in a Zambales province town, but

intrigues Avith a soi-disa7it consine brought

arrest at the convent of his order in Manila.

came over

He

told

to

Hongkong, where

me he had

made

started life in an honest

him under

ecclesiastical

Thence he escaped, and

his acquaintance in 1890.

way

as a shoemaker's boy,

but was taken away from his trade to be put in the seminary. His
mind seemed to be a blank on any branch of study beyond shoemaking

and church

kong

ritual.

He

pretended that he had come over to Hong-

to seek work, but in reality he

he rejoined on the way

gargon de cafe

to

was awaiting

his cousine,

whom

Europe, where, I believe, he became a

in France.

In 1893 there Avas another great public scandal brought about by

the Friars, who Avere openly accused of having printed the seditious
proclamations whose authorship was attributed to the natives.

The

plan of the Friars was to start the idea of an intended revolt, in order
that they might be the first in the field to quell it, and thus be able to
again proclaim to the most Catholic nation the absolute necessity of
their continuance in the Islands for the security of Spanish sovereignty.

DELINQUENCIES OF THE CLERGY.

But the

was discovered

plot

the actual printer, a

221

friar,

mysteriously

and the courageous Governor- General Despujols was,

disappeared,

throusrh monastic influence, recalled.

In June, 1888, some cases of personal

were consigned

to the care of

effects

belonging to a friar

an intimate friend of mine, whose guest

They had become soaked with sea-water before he

them, and a neighbouring priest requested him to open the

I was at the time.

received

packages and do what he could to save the contents.

amongst the

friend in this task, and

surprised
of

prints

saints,

etc.,

about

morals

in

This same

most

dozen

friar

obscene

disgustingly

What an

double-picture slides for a stereoscope.

guide

we were

personal effects

with prayer-books, scapularies, missals,

find intermixed

to

friar's

my

I assisted

entertainment for a

had held a vicarage before

in

another province, but having become an habitual drunkard, he was

removed
had

to Manila,

just been again sent to take charge of the cure

knew

announced

a money-grabbing parish priest

raffles

at

of souls.
friar

who

pul)licly

from the pulpit of the church from which he preached

morality and devotion.

$500

From Manila he

and there appointed a confessor.

On

one occasion a $200 watch was put up for

another time he raffled dresses for the women.

Under the

pretext of being a pious institution, he established a society of women,

San

called

the Association of St. Joseph {Cofradia dc

whom

he imposed the very secular duties of domestic service in the

convent and

raffle-ticket

a friend of mine
gifts

hawking.

Don Leandro L
and when the planter was

he

stirred

petty

the value of the

he conspired with a Spaniard

of his estate, alleging that he

was not the

at length wearied

to deprive

real owner.

my

unfavourable sentence, the

to

litigation,

priest,

malicious intrigues, actually

friend

Failing in this,

up the petty Governor and headmen against him.

Governor was urged

upon

the audacity to dictate to

planter,

he was to make him,

of his importunities,

He had

Jose),

The

and M^hen he received an

enraged at the abortive result of his

left his

vicarage to accompany his litigious

protege to the chief judge of the province in quest of a reversion of

the sentence.
I

remember only too well a

priest in Visayas,

who was

that of having murdered a

I arrived at the

Town Hall

certain native Father

a parish

accused of several crimes, one of which was

man
of

for lust.

On

the 17th of August, 1881,

Marayo, and demanded horses

to continue

222

my

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Whilst I was waiting there, a crowd assemhled and

journey.

my

threatened to take

my

was

back, but I

sneaked

life.

One man

him with

in time to face

when

raised his knife

my

I turned

revolver, and

he

off.

After a deal of wrangling and shouting, I managed to clear the

Town

Hall, and

it

was only the next day that

cause of the tumult.

It

had been commissioned

I could get to

appeared that a Spanish

know

the

named Perdigon

officer

to capture the delinquent Father

and

the priest's family, in order to subvert justice, had basely spread the
report that Perdigon

was possessed

incited the natives to kill

Hence the family

of an evil spirit.

any European who chanced

to travel along

that coast in case he should turn out to be the officer in question.

After midnight I
hospitality

left

the

had been refused

Town
me by

Hall and took refuge in a hut, as

On

the parish priest.

arriving at

the sugar plantation of a Spanish acquaintance, this person facetiously

enquired of the guide
stranger

" "

who had

back the horses

to take

Perdigon " replied the man.

The wicked

taking any special precautions.

happened

when Father L

to be

he was

being a native,

(Negros) later on

in Valladolid

was landed from Guimarriis

the

keep out of his

to

priest,

is

he did not eat

it

is

not, myself, perceive that

way," rejoined the native, but I did

How

"Well, I managed

you?" continued the Spaniard.

was pursued, and

"

" Who

Island,

where he had

been captured in company with a mistress.

A priest of evil propensities brought only misery

to his parish

aroused a feeling of odium against the Spanish friars in general.

incumbents they held the native

parishioner

contempt.

was treated despotically

property, and

that power

in

civil

was not

He who

life,

liberty,

rights Vv^ere in his sacerdotal lord's power.

iiufrequently exercised, for

if

As

should be the

whose

as the subject

and

a native

And

refused

to vield to his demands, or did not contribute with sufficient liberality to

a religious feast, or failed to come to Mass, or protected the virtue

of his daughter, or neglected the genuflection and kissing of hands, or

was out
or

in

of the priest's party in the municipal affairs

of the parish,

way became

grata at the

any other

trivial

a pcrso?ia

no/i

" convent," he and his family would become the pastor's sheep marked
for sacrifice.

As Government agent

it

to attach his signature to or withhold

From

time to time he could give

full

was within

it

his arbitrary

power

from any municipal document.

vent to his animosity by secretly

THE JESUITS.

INTRIGUING FRIARS.
denouuciug to the

whom

all

those

an

official

it

" inconvenieut in the

civil authorities as

he wished

get rid

to

223

He

of.

had simply

advice to the Governor of the province,

to the Governor-General, stating that he

town
send

to

who forwarded

had reason to believe that

the persons mentioned in the margin were disloyal, immoral or whatever

it

might

named suddenly found

native so

who
up

and recommend their removal from the neighbourhood.

be,

at his door a patrol of the civil

guard

escorted him, with his elbows tied together, from prison to prison,

to the capital

sentence, ho

town and thence

was banished

to

Finally, without trial or

to Manila.

some distant

island of the Archipelago.

He might

one day return to find his family ruined, or he might as often

spend his

last

days

in

Sometimes a native who had

misery alone.

privately heard of his " denunciation " became a remo7itado, that

to say he fled to the mountains to lead a bandit's life

a debased

civilization

could not reach

him.

where the

Banishment

is

evils of

in these

circumstances was not a mere transportation to another place, but was

attended with

all

an eye witness.

the horrors of a cruel captivity, of which I have been

From

the foregoing

may be

it

readily understood

how

conduct of the regular clergy was the primary cause of the

the

Rebellion of 1896.

The Hierarchy

of the Philippines consists of

one Archbishop

Manila, and four Suffragan Bishoprics, respectively of

in

Nueva Segovia,

Cebu, Jaro, and Nueva Ciiceres.

The

Jesuits were expelled from these Islands in the year 1768,

by virtue

of an Apostolic Brief

of

Pope Clement XIV., but were

permitted to return in 1852, on the understanding that they would

confine their labours to
of missions

scholastic

amongst uncivilized

refounded their school

the

education

tribes.

Consequently, in Manila they

Athensum
whilst in many

Municipal

and a Meteorological Observatory,

and the establishment

mission house

parts of

Mindanao

Island they have established missions, where they are under the belief
that they have converted Mussulmans to Christianity.

compared with the members

The

Jesuits,

of the other orders, are very superior

men,

The Royal Decree setting forth the executioa of this Brief was printed in
Madrid in 1773. This politic-religious Order was banished from Portugal and
Spain in 1767. In Madrid, on the night of the 31st March, the Royal Edict was
read to the members of the Company of Jesus, who were allowed time to pack up
their most necessary chattels and leave for the coast, where they were hurriedly
embarked for Rome. The same Order was suppressed for ever in France in 1764.
'

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

224
and

their f rater uitj iucludes a few, but the ouly, learned ecclesiastics

who came

to this

Several Chinese also have been admitted to

Colony.

holy orders, two of them having become Austin Friars.^

The first native Friars date their admission from the year 1700,

when

since

there

have been sixteen

of

Subsequently they were excluded from the corporations,

Augustine.

and were ouly admitted

to holy orders as curates to assist parish vicars,

Up

as chaplains, and in other minor offices.

priests

were appointed to vicarages, but

implication
as they
tions

Saint

the Corporation of

in the

consequence of their alleged

Cavite insurrection of that year, their benefices,

became vacant, were given

to Spanish Friars,

whose corpora-

in Manila.

were established

The Austin

in

to the year 1872, native

Friars were the religious pioneers in these Islands

followed the Dominicans

and

after

them came the Franciscans.

then

The

were the Recoletos, who, however, are merely a branch of

Augustine Order, the Recoletos being known as the unshod, and

last to arrive

the St.

their confrtres as the shod fathers of the

same

institution.

In Cebu,

employed
the Paul Fathers, or followers of Saint Vincent de Paul, were
In 1886,
Manila.
in scholastic work, the same as the Jesuits were in

the

lowest type of European Catholic sacerdotal

The immediate
orders in the East were sent to the Caroline Islands.

Capuchin Friars

result of their arrival

The Church

is

alluded to in Chap. III.

Avas financially supported

by the State

to the extent

dollars per annum.

of about three-quarters of a million
The following are some of the most interesting items taken

The Budget for 1888," viz. :

Sanctorum or Church tax of 18|

from

"

cents

{i.e.

reales)

Cedulas
on each Cedilla personal, say on 2,760,613
in

The

888, less 4/o cost of collection

Friars appointed

to

^496,910.00

incumbencies received in former times

natives computed
from the Spaniards, and a Church tax from the
payment {Diczmos prediales)
by the 'amount of tribute paid. Tithe
the Sanctorum tax on
by the Spaniards became' almost obsolete, and
Treasury.
Cedulas was paid to the Church through the
parishes, where
There were priests in missions and newly formed
the Sanctorum tax on the
the domiciled inhabitants were so few that
These
Cedulas was insufficient for their support.
tithes

ao-<rreo-ate
too
to
>

of the

Agustin," pub. Manila 1864.

Vide " Catalogo de los Eeligiosos deN. S. P. San

CHURCH REVENUES.

THE HIERARCHY.

225

$600 to $2,200 per

Vergara, Davao Province,

missionaries were allowed salaries ranging firom

annum

(the parish priest

or missionary of

for instance, received $2,200 a year).

project

classify

them

was under consideration

(like the

By

income payable by the Treasury

Church

for the exact

amount

in lieu

of the Sanctorum.

Decree of Governor-General Terrero, dated November 23rd,

1885, the State furnished free labour (by natives

Church

tax, vide page 247) for

made

and

Courts of Justice, vide page 262), with the view

of apportioning to each a fixed

of accounting to the

to value the incumbencies,

who

did not pay poll

architectural works, provided

it

clear that the cost of such labour could not be covered

was

by the

surplus funds of the Sanctorum.

Cathedral in Manila.

----..

^^^

Archbishop's salary

12,000 00

Other

40,300 00

salaries

3,000 00

expenses

$,55,300

00

Bishoprics.

Nueva Segovia
Cebu
Jaro (Yloilo)

Nueva Caceres

(Ilocos)

Four Bishops, each with

cts.

6,000 00

-.-..-

5,000 00

120 00

a salary of

(Caraarines)

Court of Arches (amount contributed by the State')

Chaplain of Los Bafios

Sulu Mission

1,000 00

------

1,700 00

For the Caroline and Pelew Islands, there were 12

Capuchins paid by Government 6
$300 each
and 6
$500 each per annum

4,800 00

Capuchin Friars.
Mission House in Manila

Transport of Missionaries estimated at about, per annum

The

10,000 00

anticipated total State outlay for the support of

the Church, Missions, Monasteries, Convents, etc.,
including the above and all other items for the
financial year of

'

1888 was

724,634 50

For any further expense this might incur, 37o was deducted from the parish
emoluments.

priests'

226

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Moreover,

the

Tbeir

revenues.

Hongkong

investments in

Austin and Dominican Friars

in

private

large

possessed

Corporations

religious

The

extensive.

are

particular held very valuable real

property in the provinces near Manila, which was rented out to the
native agriculturists

Bay

on

On

conditions.

tyrannical

the

shore the rent was raised, as the natives, at their

own

expense,

Leases were granted for the nominal term

improved their holdings.

of three years, but the receipts given for thy rent

Some have been shown

v.'orded.

Laguua de

to

me

were very cunuingly

neither the

amount

paid, nor the extent of the land rented, nor its situation

of

money

was mentioned

on the document, so that the tenant was constantly at the mercy of the
The native planters were much incensed at the treatment
owners.
they received from these landowners, and their numerous well-founded
complaints formed part of the general outcry against the priesthood.

The

bailiffs of

They

the Order.

were unordained brothers of

these corporation lands

resided in the Estate Houses, and

by courtesy were

They were under

certain religious

styled "fathers" by the natives.

vows, but not being entitled to say Mass, they were termed "
or ignorant men, by their

own

legos,'*

Order.

clergy also derived a very large portion of their incomes from

The

commissions on the sale of cedulas, sales of Papal Bulls, masses, pictures^

books, chaplets and indulgences, marriage, burial and baptismal fees,
benedictions, donations touted for after the crops were raised, legacies
to

be paid for in masses, remains of

wax

candles

left in

the church

by

The

the faithful, fees for getting souls out of purgatory, alms, etc.

surplus revenues over and above parochial requirements were supposed

to

augment the common Church funds

in

Manila.

were consequently immensely wealthy, and

were

in

power and influence

consonance with that wealth.

Each Order had

in

their

The Corporations

its

procurator in Madrid,

who took up

the cudgels

defence of his Corporation's interest in the Philippines whenever this

was menaced.

On

the other hand, the Church, as a body politic, dis-

pensed no charity, but received

above

civil

laws and taxes

and inculcated

Most

all.

It

was always begging

always

claimed immunity, proclaimed poverty,

in others charity to itself.

of the parish priests

Spanish

table to travellers, and treated

or native

were

them with great kindness.

very hospi-

Amongst

them, there were some few misanthropes and churlish characters,

who

EIVALEIES OF THE FRIARS.

did uot care to be troubled
tion,

227

by anything outside the region of

their voca-

but upon the whole I found them remarkably complaisant.

In Spain there were training colleges of the three Communities in

Valladolid, Ocafia and

Monte Agudo,

respectively, for

young novices

intended to be sent to the Philippines, the last Spanish Colony where

Friars held vicarages.

They were usually taken from the peasantry and families of lowly
station.
As a rule they had llLLle or no secular education, and regarding them apart from their religious training, they might be considered a

very ignorant

of the

Amongst them the Franciscan

and the Austins the most polished

be the least

The

class.

ecclesiastical archives of the Philippines

and tenacious

strife sustained, not

authorities, but

even amongst the

bitter

and Church

of

Friars appeared to
all.

abound with proofs

only ],etween the civil

communities

religious

themselves.

Each Order was

so intensely jealous of the other, that one

is

almost

led to ponder whether the final goal of all could have been identical.

All voluntarily faced death with the same incentive, whilst amicable fellowship iu this world seemed an impossibility.
(vide page 55) struggled in vain to

The

create a religious

first

Bishop

monopoly

the Philippines for the exclusive benefit of the Augustine Order.

has been shown iu

Jesuits and the
other.

Each

Chap. V.

how

in

It

ardent was the hatred which the

other religious orders mutually entertained for each

sacred fraternity laboured incessantly to gain the ascen-

dancy in the conquered

territories,

and their divine calling served for

nothing in palliating the acrimony of their reciprocal accusations and

recriminations.

For want

of space, I can only refer to a

The Austin
Mussulmans

of

tested against

ment, adopted

So

distinct

few

of these disputes.

Friars attributed to the Jesuits the troubles with the

Mindanao and Sulu, and,

what they conceived

in their turn, the Jesuits pro-

to be the

bad policy of the Govern-

under the influence of the other Orders in Manila.

were their

interests, that the

Augustine chroniclers

refer-

to the other Orders as different religions.

In 1778, the Province of Pangasinan was spiritually administered

by the Dominicans, whilst that

letos.

The Dominicans,

of

Zambales was

allotted to the

Eeco-

therefore, proposed to the Recoletos to cede

22S

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Zambales

to them, because

it

was repugnant

have

to

Recoleto territory going from Manila to their

through

to pass

own province

The

Recoletos were offered Mindoro Island in exchange, which they refused,

until the

Archbishop compelled them

Disturbances then arose

to yield.

in

Zambales, the responsibility of which was thrown on the Dominicans

by

their rival Order,

their old province

and the Recoletos

by

succeeded in regaining

finally

intrigue.

During the Governorship of Count Lizurraga

Aragonese and Castillian

priests quarrelled

(1709-1715), the

about the

ecclesiastical

preferments.
the beginning of the 18th century,

At

Fray Pedro Saez de

Vega Lauzaverde,

la

because the nomination was

the Bishop-elect of Cebu,

refused to take possession,

He objected

partibus.

also that the

The See

Bishopric was merely one in perspective and not yet a reality.

remained vacant whilst the contumacious priest lived

in

Mexico. Fray

was subsequently appointed to administer the

refused, until he was coerced into submission by the

Sebastian de Jorronda
Bishopric, but also

Supreme Court (1718).

In 1767 the Austin Friars refused to admit the episcopal

visits,

and

Pope Benedict XIV. was

exhort them to obey, admonishing them

exhibited such a spirit of independence, that

constrained to issue a Bull to
for their insubordination.

The
vincial

Friars of late years were subject to a visiting priest

in all

matters de vita et morihus

to the

Bishop

the Pro-

of the diocese

in all affairs of spiritual dispensation, and to the Governor-General as

vice-royal patron in all that concerned the relations

Church

of the

to

the Civil Government.^

An

observant traveller, unacquainted with the historical antecedents

by the

of the friars in the Philippines, could not fail to be impressed

estrangement of religious orders, whose sacred mission,

ought to have

genuine,

if

formed an inseverable bond of alliance and good

fellowship.

'

" Recopilacion

de

and members
Government.

priests

of

ias

Leyes de Indias,"

any

body

religious

'

Ley

to

take

4G,

tit.

U,

lib.

1,

part in matters

forbids

of

Civil

CHAPTER

XIII.

GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.

"

After

the

occupation of these Islands, the Supreme rule has

first

been usually confided

for indefinite periods

to

circumstances have frequently placed naval

Supreme

MaFiana."

and even

Court,

ecclesiastics

officers,

but

magistrates, the

the head

at

men

military

the local

of

government.

Of

late years the

common practice has been

to appoint a Lieutenant-

General as Governor, with the local rank of Captain-General during

his three years' term of office.
The first exception to this recent rule was

made (1883-1885) when Joaquin Jovellar, a Captain-General

was specially empowered to establish some notable reforms

in

Spain

the good

policy of which

was doubtful.

In 1897 another Captain-General in

Spain, Fernando Primo de Rivera, held office in Manila.

Since the conquest, the Colony has been divided and sub-divided
into provinces and military districts as they gradually yielded to the

Spanish sway.

Such

districts, called

out to Encomenderos, Avho exercised

exactions

from the natives.

Some

Encomiendas,^ were then rented

little

of

scruple in their rigorous

the Encomenderos acquired

wealth during the terms of their holdings, whilst others became victims
to the revenge of their subjects.
They must indeed have been bold
enterprising

men who,

districts distant

in

those days, would have

from the Capital.

to aid the Central

Government with

They were
vessels,

taken

charge of

frequently called upon

men, and arms against the

common enemies. Against the incursions of the Mussulmans

necessity made them warriors
if they were not so by taste
civil

attacks of

engineers to open communications within their districts

administrators,

' In the early days

of Mexican conquest, the conquered land was apportioned
to the warriors under the name of Repartimentos, but such divisions included the
absolute possession of the natives as slaves. Vide La vlda y escritos del P. Fray

Bartolovie de las Casus, Obispo de Chiaim, by j^ntonio Maria Fabie, Colonial

Minister in the Canovas Cabinet of 1890, Madrid.

230

PIIILirPINE ISLANDS.

judges and

all

Encomioidas were some-

that represented social order.

times given to Spaniards as rewards for high services rendered to the

commonwealth,^ although favouritism, or

later

(in

purchase

years)

money more commonly secured the vacancies, and the holders were
quite expected to make fortunes in the manner they thought most
convenient to themselves.

The Encomenderos

were, in the course of time, superseded by Judicial

Governors, called Alcaldes,

who

received small salaries, from

annum and upwards, but they were allowed

trade

" indnlto

called

de

comercio "

The

to trade.

was

sold

to

60 per
right to

Alcaldes-

the

Governors, except those of Tondo (now Manila Province), Zamboanga,

Cavite,

Nueva

was included

Ecija, Islas Batanes and Antique,

in the

emoluments

of office.

In 1840 Eusebio Mazorca wrote thus^

" Chiefs of Provinces

who

whose trading right

"The

enjoy the right of trade

is

salary paid to the

more or

less

$300

" per annum, and after deducting the amount paid for the trading
" right, which in some provinces amounts to five-sixths of the whole

" as in Pangasiuan and in others to the whole of the salary as in

" Caraga
and discounting again the taxes, it is not possible to
" honestly conceive how the appointment can be so much sought
;

" after.

There are candidates up

*'

relinquish a $3,000 salary

" Governorship."

to

to the grade of Brigadier

who

pursue their hopes and projects

in

This system obtained for many years, and the abuses went on
increasing.
districts,

to

The Alcaldes

unduly taking advantage of their Governmental position

hinder the profitable

their

own

hands.

arbitrarily fixed

Due

practically monopolized the trade of their

traffic

of the natives

and bring

it

all

into

They tolerated no such thing as competition they

their own purchasing prices, and sold at current rates.
;

to the scarcity of silver in the interior, the natives often paid

their tribute to the

Royal Treasury

in

produce

chiefly

rice

which

was received into the Royal Granaries at a ruinously low valuation,

and accounted for to the State at its real value the difference beinjr
;

Juan Salcedo, Legaspi's grandson (r/<? Chaps. II. and IV.) was rewarded
with several Encomieridas on the west coast of Luzon, where he levied a tribute
on the natives whom he subdued.
^ ' Noticias de Filipinas," by Don Eusebio Mazorca. Inedited MS.
dated 1840,
in the Archives of Bauan Convent, ProYince of Batanga'.
'

PKOVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
the

illicit profit

made by

THE
Many

the Alcalde.

exercised their power most despotically in their

own

unfrequently for their

ends,

imbued the native with a feeliug

invoking

of these functionaries

own

circuits, disposing

of awe, as

the King's name, which

if

supernatural being.

His Majesty were some

"In order to be a Chief

In 1810 Thomas Comin wrote as follows
of a Province in these Islands, no training or knowledge or special
:

^'

231.

and chattels without remuneration, and not

of the natives' labour

*'

ALCALDES.

services are necessary

all

persons are

fit

and admissible

" It is quite a common thing to see a barber or a Governor's lackey, a

" sailor or a deserter, suddenly transformed into an Alcalde, Admin is
"

trator,

and Captain of the forces of a populous province without any

" counsellor but his rude understanding, or any guide but his passions."
After centuries of such misrule, the Filipino lost respect for the white
face and disloyalty to the dominant power was checked more by fear

than by esteem.

By

Royal Decree

of 1844,

strictly prohibited to trade

Government

were thenceforth

officials

under pain of removal from

office.

In the year 1850, there were 34 Provinces, and two Political

Military Commandancies.

Province under

Until June, 1886, the

civil rule still

remained

in

Government

of a

the hands of the Chief

This created a strange

Judge cf the same the Alcalde Mayor.
for in the event of the Judicial-Governor issuing an edict
anomaly
prejudicial to the commonweal of his circuit, an appeal against his
;

measure had

to

be made to himself as Judge.

to the central authority in Manila,

it

was

Then

if

it

to the Judge-Governor, without independent inquiry being

instance, hence protest against his acts

first

Under the Regency

of

Queen Maria

were taken

sent back for " information "

was

made in the

fruitless.

Christina, a great reform v/as

introduced by a Decree dated in Madrid on the 26th of February,

to take effect

on the

1st of

886,

June following.

" Para

de Provincia en estas islas no se

determinados, todos son aptos y
' admisibles
comun ver d un peluquero 6
bastante
Es cosa
" lacayo de nn gobernador, d un marinero y d un deserter transformado de repente
'
en Alcalde-Mayor, sub-delegado y Capitan d guerra de una Provincia populosa,
" sin otro consejero que su rudo entendimiento, ni mas guia que sus pasiones."
Thomas Comin was an employe of the " Compania de Filipinas" (vide page 283),
'

The text reads thus

' requiere

ser jefe

carrera, conocimientos ni servicios

and subsequently Spanish Cousul-General in Lisbon,

232

nilLIPPINE ISLANDS.

Eighteen Civil Governorships were created, and Alcaldes' functions

Avere confined

to

their

ruler of a province

Judgeships

thus the anomaly of the chief

and the arbiter of legal questions raised therein

Under

being one and the same person henceforth disappeared.

recent law, the Civil Governor

was

assisted

this

by a Secretary, so that two

new official posts were created in each of these provinces.

The Archipelago, including Sulu, was divided into 19 Civil Provincial
Governments, 4 Military General Divisions, 43 Military Provincial
Districts,

and 4 Provincial Governments under Naval

Officers,

forming

a total of 70 Divisions and Sub-Divisions.

GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.

The Governor-General

40,000 00

Central Government Office, called Gobierno General "

with its Staff of Officials and all expenses -

43,708 00

received a salary of

The

'^

The General Government

Centre was

assisted in

the

General Administration of the Islands by two other

Governing Bodies, namely
:

The General
The

-----

Direction of Civil Administration

Administrative Council

29,277 34

28,502 00

The Chief

of the General Direction received a salary of

$12,000, with an allowance for official visits to the

Provinces of $500 per annum.

of three Members, each at a
a
Secretary and officials.
besides
salary of $4,700,

The Council was composed

The above-mentioned 70
the following, namely

divisions

and sub-divisions were

Civil Governments.

Manila P^^ Salary

of Civil

Governor $5,000. Total cost 20,248 00

Carried foricard

$161,735 34

GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.

233
Sp

Brought forward

Albay P^^
Bataxgas BULACAN Ilocos Nokte
Ilocos Sur
La Lagdna
Pampanga -

Eight First Class Governments

CCS*

161,735 34

Salary of each Civil Governor $4,500

Total cost of each Government 8,900

Pangasinan
8 First Class

Governments

71,200 00

cost

Bataan
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur -

MiNDORO

Seven Second Class Governments

):

nueva ecija
Tayabas
Zambales

Salary of each Civil Governor $4,000

Total cost of each Government 7,660

7 Second Class Governments cost

Cagayan

Three Third Class Governments

53,620 00

Salary of each Civil Governor $3,500

ISABELA

NuEVA VizcAYA

Total cost of each Government 6,700

3 Third Class Governments cost

20,100 00

3Iilitary General Governments.

General Division of

S.

Visayas, under a Brigadier and

10,975 00

Staff

General Division of N. Visayas,

under a Brigadier and

10,975 00

Staff

General Division of Mindanao, under

...

General Division of Cavite, under

Staff

a Brigadier and
-

Staff

17,825 00

a Brigadier and

6,596 66

Carried forward

353,027 00

234

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Brought forward

353,027 00

Military Provinces and Districts.

- Under
SULU
Yloilo
cotobatto
East Carolines and

a Colonel and Staff

55

Ceb6

Cipiz
MiSAiiis

Ladrone Islands
Zamboanga

5,970 00

55

55

55

3,500 00

55

55

55

3,500 00

55

55

4,816 66

55

55

55

4,975 00

Major and

5)

55

55

4,156 66

55

55

2,692 00

55

55

2,692 00

Dapitan
ZUCURAN

La Union, Antique, SAmar,

Abra,
Leyte,
Tarlac, Negros,

Bojol,

Morong

Batanes, Calamianes, Romblon, Benguet, Lepanto,

SiASSi,

(Mindanao),
Vt7<^ava

"NTttpva

BONGAO, Tatoan

Major.-

@ $3,040

27,360 00

Each under a Captain.

Ten Districts
$1,980

19,800 00

Districts

vj^

-tp

) _^
/

irZ:^;[

Districts

^^^^^ ^

^.^^

BONTOC, CONCEPCION

Infante,

j,^^j^

Prin-

occupied
Palauan)

3,856 66
4,356 66

Davao

ITJlT

Staff
55

TiTTTTvxr.

4,900 00

55

Cagatan

5,426 68

55

CIPE,

5?

5)

55

SURIGAO

BuRiAS,

4,410 00

55

?5

Lieut.-Colonel and Staff

Pelew Islands j
West Carolines and]
Peleat Islands

7,240 00

of

Each under

r^
a Captain.
.

Five Districts dsi 792

end of Chap. X.)

^e

8,960 00

'

Each under a Captain.Three

6,096 00

Carried forward

477,735 30

Districts

$2,032

GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ADMINISTBATION.

Brought forward

cts.
$
477,735 30

1,525 00

Cavalry Sub-Lieutenant -

1,450 00

Escalante' under a Lieutenant

Masbate

235

Provincial Governments under

Naval

Charge of Naval Stations as

Officers, Officers in

Governors,

-----...
------ex-officio

corregidor Balabac
IsABELA DE Basilan

PalatJan (Puerta Princesa)

3,821 00

3,960 00
5,276 66

6,910 00

Total cost of General Government of the Islands $500,677 96

Deduct
Officers'

Salaries,

&c. included in

Army

Estimates
Officers'

Salaries,

$145,179 96
&c. included in

Navy

Estimates

14,640 00
-

159,819 96

$340,858 00

As

it

was intended,

in

due course, to appoint a Civil Governor to

every province in the Islands,

it

may be

interesting to note here the

principal duties and qualifications of this functionary.

He was

the representative of the Governor-General, whose orders

and decrees he had

to publish

and execute

at his

own

discretion.

could not absent himself from his province without permission.

He

He had

' Transferred to Bais in January, 1889, in consequence

of the rise of brigandage
in the S.E. of Negros Island.

The brigands, under the leadership

of a native named Camartin and another,

declared themselves prophets, plundered the planters along that coast, and
committed such notorious crimes that troops had to be dispatched there under
the command of the famous Lieutenant-Colonel Villa-Abrille.
The GovernorGeneral Valeriano Weyler went to the Visayas Islands and personally directed
the operations.

who

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

236

to maintaiu order, veto petitions for arms' licences, hold under bis orders

and dispose

He

Guard, Carabineers and local guards.

of the Civil

could suspend the pay for ten davs of any subordinate official who failed
He could temporarily suspend subordinates in their
to do his duty.
fanctions with justifiable cause, and propose to the Governor-General
He had to preside at all elections of native petty
their definite removal.

discretion

whom

he could also remove at his

to decree the detention on
to bring dehnquents to justice

Governors and town authorities,

suspicion of any individual, and place

him

at the disposal of the chief

villages

judge within three days after his capture

government

of

the

towns and

to dictate orders for the

to

explain to the petty

Governors fhe true interpretation of the law and regulations.

He was

chief of police,

tion of judicial authority

and could impose

up

$50

to

and

fines

without the interven-r

the event of the mulcted

in

person being unable to pay, he could order his imprisonment at the rate
of one day's detention for each half-dollar of the fine

it

was provided,

however, that the imprisonment could not exceed 30 days in any case.
He had to preside at the ballot for military conscription, but he could
him, to the Administrator.

delegate this duty to his Secretary,

or, failing

Where no harbour-master had been

appointed, the Civil Governor acted

as such.

He had

the care of the primary instruction

and

it

was

his

duty specially to see that the native scholars were taught the Spanish
improvements tending to increase the
language. Land concessions
;

wealth of the province

of excise

taxes were

permits for felling timber

all

under his care.

He

and the collection

had also

to

furnish

draw up the provincial budget ;

render provincial and municipal accounts, etc., all of which must be
counter-signed under the word Intervine by tbe Secretary. He was
statistics relating to

provincial
charities,

the labour poll-tax

postmaster-general,

chief

of

telegraph

service,

prisons,

board of health, public works, woods and forests, mines,

agriculture and industry.

Under no circumstances could he dispose

were

in the care of the Administrator

entitled to

which

and Interventor, and he was not

any percentages (as Alcalde-Governors formerly were), or any

emoluments Avhatsoever

of the public funds,

fui'ther

than his fixed salary.

Governor must be a Spaniard over 30 years of age. It is curious

to note from its political significance, that among the numerous classes

237

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
of persons eligible for a Civil Governorship,

Members

were those who had been

Senate during one complete

of the Spanish Parliament or

session.

whole, a Provincial Governor passed

Upon the

very comfortably

life

he did not go out of his way to oppress his subjects and create
discord.
His tranquillity, nevertheless, was always dependent upon his

if

maintaining a good understanding with the priesthood of his district,

and his conformity with the demands of the friars. If he should have
the misfortune to seriously cross their path,
of

and

woe,

There

downfall.

his

finally

it

would bring him a world

Provincial

been

have

who in reality maintained their posts by clerical influence,

who have
others who have exercised a more independent spirit

Governors
whilst

set aside

Church

were intrusted

interests to serve those of the State,

have

fallen victims to

with which they

intrigue;

sacerdotal

for the

subordinates of the hierarchy had power to overthrow as well as to

support those

appear

who were

appointed to their districts.

have been made

to

in the provinces

by the

Few

improvements

initiative of the local

Governors, nor did they seem to take any special interest

in

commercial

This lack of interest was somewhat

and agricultural advancement.

excusable and comprehensible, however, seeing that after they were

appointed,

and even though they governed well within

of

attributions
ministerial

from

their

change or the

fall of

their posts, or that the

constantly expecting

they were

office,

the

strict

that

a single minister might remove them

undermining influence of favouritism might

succeed in accomplishing their Avithdrawal,

It

was

natural, therefore,

that they should have been indifferent about the fomenting of

agricultural enterprises, of opening tracks for bringing

resources of a province

never

down

when

new

timber, of

any way stimulating the development

facilitating trade, or of in

of the

the probability existed that they would

have the personal satisfaction of seeing the result of their

efforts.

Some Governors with whom

am

spite of all discouragement, studied the

no purpose.

personally acquainted have, in

wants of their provinces, but

to

Their estimates for road-making and mending, bridge-

building and public works generally, were shelved in Manila, whilst the
local funds {Fo7idos locales),
localities

where they were

have been expended

in the

were seized by the authorities

in the

which ought

collected,

Capital and applied to other purposes.

to

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

238

annual statement of one province will be

example, to illustrate the nature of this local tax

An

sufficient,

an

as

LOCAL FUNDS.i ALBAY PROVINCE.

Provincial Revenue.
JjS

2,490

Stamps on Weights and Measures

Billiard

Tax

Live stock credentials and transfers

90

/o

of

labour

Tax

_.----.-.---

fines

imposed for shirking forced

in lieu of forced labour

Vehicle tax

I'lS*

*'

to

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
In 1887 the parish

priest of

239

Bauan (Batangas Province)

me

told

that although there must have been about $300,000 paid into this fund

up

1882 by his parish alone, yet financial aid was refused

to the year

by the Government during the cholera epidemic

There was not a

dollar at the disposal of the Provincial

for local improvements,

years

ilf

a bridge broke down, so

whilst thousands of travellers had to

in that year.

it

Governor

remained for

wade through the

river

unless a raft were put there at the expeube of the very poorest people

by order

of the petty

The " Tribunal,"

Town Hall and Dak Bungalow for

Governor of the nearest

which served the double purpose

wayfarers, was often a hut of

of

village.

bamboo and palm

leaves, whilst others

which had been decent buildings generations gone by, lapsed

wretched state of dilapidation.
at

all,

and the

official

Governor's house.

In some villages there was no Tribunal

business had to be transacted in the municipal

I first visited

Calamba (on the Laguna de Bay

shore) in 1880, and for fourteen years, to

had

to

meet

my

knowledge, the headmen

sugar store in lieu of a Tribunal.

in a

In San Jose de

Buenavista, the capital town of Antique Province, the

commenced
some one
to the

half

in

good style and

left half finished

for pity sake, or the

headmen

Town

during 15 years.

for their

own

Either

convenience, went

This

therefore saved from utter ruin, Avhilst all but the stone walls

away.

of the remainder rotted

So

Government authorised a portion

it

continued until 1887,

when

the

of this building to be restored.

to the roads connecting the villages, quite 20/^ of

only for travellers on foot, on horse or on buffalo back at

in the

Hall was

expense of thatching over half the unfinished structure.

was

As

into a

wet season certainly 60

/o

of all the Philippine

them serve
any time, and

highways are

in

too bad a state for any kind of passenger conveyance to pass with
safety.

In the wet season, many times I have made a sea journey in a

prahu, simply because the high road near the coast had become a
track, for

want

for transport

of

by

mud

macadamized stone and drainage, and only serviceable

buffalo.

In the dry season the sun mended the roads, and the
the baked clods reduced

them more

or less

traffic

over

to dust, so that vehicles

could pass.

Private property owners expended

much time and money

in the

preservation of public roads, although a curious law existed prohibiting

repairs to

highways by

non-official persons.

240

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Every male adult inhabitant

had

or resident (with certain exceptions)

aunum, or redeem that

to give the State fifteen days' hxbour per

Of course

labour by payment (vide "Fiscal Reforms," page 248).

thousands of the most needy class preferred to give their fifteen days.

This labour, and the cash paid by those

were theoretically supposed

The Budget
in

for

to be

who redeemed

employed

their obligation,

improvements.

in local

1888 showed only the sum of $120,000 to be used

road-making and mending in the whole Archipelago.

Works with a

It provided for a Chief Inspector of Public

salary of

$6,500, aided by a staff composed of 48 technical and 82 non-technical

subordinates.

As

a matter of fact, the Provincial and District Governors were

often urged by their Manila Chiefs not to encourage the

employment

of labour for local improvements, but to press the labouring class to

pay the redemption tax to swell the central coffers, regardless of the
corresponding misery and discomfort and loss to trade in the interior.

But labour at the disposal of the Governor was not alone sufficient.
There was no fund from which to defray the cost of materials or, if
these could be found without payment, some one must pay for the
;

transport by buffaloes and carts

How

labourers' use.

had rotted away

find

implements for the

the

could labourers' hands alone repair a bridge Avhich

To

and

cut a log of

wood

for the public service

would

have necessitated communications with the Inspection of Woods and

Forests and other centres and many months' delay.

*****

Sf

The system

of

controlling the action of

one public servant by

appointing another under him to supervise his work, has always found

favour in Spain, and was adopted in this Colony. There were a great
many Government employments of the kind which were merely
sinecures.

In many cases the pay was small,

Avas often of

With very few

it

is

true,

proportionately smaller value compared Avith that pay.

exceptions, all the

Government

Offices in

closed to the public during half the ordinary working day

and many

but the labour

of the Civil Service officials

made

their

Manila Avere

the afternoon

appearance at their

desks about ten o'clock in the morning, retiring shortly after mid-day,
AA^hen

they had smoked their habitual number of cigarettes.

The

croAvd of office-seekers were indifferent to the fact that the

true source of national vigour

is

the spirit of self-dependence manifested

EFFECTS OF FAVOURITISM.
Vj the

individuals

who

constitute the nation.

Government employment tends only

what

destroys the stimulus, or

acting for one's

all material

which

National progress

of greater worth, the necessity of

is

is

looks to the

He

will tell

an empleado

a State dependent.

but the aggregate of personal activity and

weakens as a whole

component parts become dormant or as the majority rely upon

its

the

for

you with pride rather than

rightly directed individual energy, and a nation

as

Government

temporal calamities could be washed away

wants supplied.

with abashment that he

and

the Public Treasury were a natural spring

if

all

Constant clamour for

to enfeeble individual effort,

The Spaniard

self.

active and direct aid, as

at the waters of

is

241

efforts of the

The

few.

and nothing by them"

Ca3sarism

spirit of

must

"

all for

the people

tend not only to political slavery and

to render social enfranchisement impossible, but to reduce commercial

prosperity and national power and influence amongst other States to

The Spaniards have

nullity.

The

indeed proved this fact.

best laws themselves were never intended to provide for the

people, but to regulate the conditions on which they could provide

themselves.

for

Amongst

the

wealth are far too numerous

only

is

Spaniards, the

consumers of public

in proportion to the producers,

hence not

the State constantly sorely pressed for funds, but the busy bees

who form the

nucleus of the nation's vitality are heavily taxed to provide

for the dependent office-seeking drones.

Against

this state of things,

the industrious populations of Biscay and Catalunia have protested.

It is the fatal delusion that liberty

and national welfare depend

upon good government, instead

good government depending

solely

of

upon the joint action of independent individual exertion, that has

brought the Spanish nation to its present state of deplorable impotence.

The
,

Government

governed.
struggles to
it

By

itself

official

the aid of servile speculators, a

come

to the front

only be for a week,

.retirement.

but the

is

when

counterpart

man

of

in political circles

to hold a portfolio in the ministry

his pension for life

Merit, ability and long service have

proteges of the outgoing minister must

.next lucky ministerial pension-seeker,

the

is

little

make room

if

assured on his

weight, and the

for those of the

and so on successively.

This Colony therefore became a lucrative hunting-ground at the

.disposal of the Madrid Cabinet
wherein to satisfy the craving

demands of their numerous partisans and

friends.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

242
They were

own

their

risk of

course like the

London with the injunction from

if you can, but make it."

From

make what they could at

country lad who was sent up to

sent out with a salary and to

the Conquest up

his father "

to 1844,

when

Make money,

honestly

trading by officials

was

was a matter of little public concern how Government

Only when the jealousy of one urged him to
servants made fortunes.
denounce another was any inquiry instituted so long as the official was
Real Haher (the
careful not to embezzle or commit a direct fraud on the
Treasury funds). When the Real Haher was once covered, then all

abolished,

it

that could be got out of the Colony

was

for the benefit of the officials,

:'
" Each
In 1840, Eusebio Mazorca wrote as follows
" chief of a province is a real Sultan, and when he has terminated his
" administration, all that is talked of in the capital is the thousands

great and small.

" of dollars clear gain which he made in his Government."

Up

to thirteen years ago, whilst taxes of a province

were

in the

custody of the Administrator, the Judicial Governor had a percentage

work.
assio-ned to him to induce him to control the Administrator's

The Administrator

himself had percentages, and the accounts of these

two functionaries were checked by a third individual styled "the

Interventor," whose duties appeared to be to intervene in the casting up
From June, 1886, the payment of percentages
of his superiors' figures.
both to Governors and Administrators ceased.
time to time one saw published in the Manila journals a
Province to appear
citation to the Administrator and Interventor of a
and such interviews have
at the Audit Office to justify their accounts,

From

not unfrequently been followed up by long legal proceedings.

: "The Governor receives

In 1840, Eusebio Mazorca wrote thus''
" payment of the tribute in rice paddy, which he credits to the native
>
The text reads thus :" Cada Jefe de Provincia es un verdadero Sultan y
" cuando acaba su administracion solo se habla en la Capital de los miles de pesos
" que saco Umplos de su alcaldia." " Noticias de Filipinas," by Don Eusebio
Convent, Province
Mazorca. Inedited MS. dated 18i0. In the archives of Bauan

of Batangas.

The text reads thus : " Cobrando el Alcalde en palay el tribute, solo
introduce en cajas reales su importe
" abona al indio dos reales plata por caban
" en met^lico y vende despues el palay en seis, ocho ya veces mas reales fuertes
" plata cada caban y le resulta con esta sencilla operacion un doscientos 6
Ahora recientito
" trescientos per ciento de ganancia
2

FAVOURITISM.
" at two reals in silver per caban.

ABUSES,

243

Tlien he pays this

sum

into the

" Royal Treasury in money, and sells the rice paddy for private account
" at the current rate of six, eight or more reals in silver per caban,
" and this simple operation brings him 200 to 300 per cent, profit."

The same
" Zamboanga

writer adds
is

" Now

quite recently the Interventor of

accused by the Governor of that place of having

made

" some $15,000 to $16,000 solely by using false measures

" The same Interventor to whom I refer, is said to have made a fortune
" of $50,000 to $60,000, whilst his salary as second official in the
" Audit Department^ is $540 per annum." According to Zuniga, the
salary of a professor of law with the rank of magistrate

was $800 per

annum.
Could the peculations by the Government employes from the highest
circles downwards have been arrested, the inhabitants of this Colony

would doubtless have been several millions richer per annum.

frequently heard of

officials

leaving for Spain with sums far exceeding

the total emoluments they had received during their term of

Some

One
office.

provincial employes acquired a pernicious habit of annexing

what was not

theirs

knew a Governor

by

all

manner of

pretexts.

To

cite

some instances

Negros Island who seldom saw a native pass the

Government House with a good horse without begging it of him thus,

of

under fear of his avengiug a refusal, his subjects furnished him

little

with a large stud, which he sold before he

left,

much

little

by

to their

disgust.

In another provincial capital there happened to be a native headman

imprudently vain enough to carry a walking stick with a chased gold-

knob handle studded with brilliants.

Governor,

who

repeatedly

It took the fancy of the

expressed

his

admiration of

it,

Spanish

hoping

headman would make him a present of it. At length the

Governor was relieved of his post, but prior to his departure he called

that

the

" est^acusado el Ministro Interventor de Zamboanga por el Gobernador de aquella

" plaza de haberse utilizado aquel de $15,000 a .$16,000 solo con el trocatinte de
" la medida
Se cuenta al mismo interventor a que merefiero
" $50,000 d $60,000 cuando el sueldo de su empleooficial 2 de la Contaduria
" es de $540 al aiio." " Noticias de
Filipinas," by Don Eusebio Mazorca.
Inedited MS. dated 1840. In the Archives of Bauan Convent, Province of

Bantangas.
'

The Audit

Office

1st January, 1889.

was suppressed and

reviverl,

and again suppressed on the

.THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

244.

together the headmen to take formal leave of them, and at the close of

a flattering speech, he said he would willingly hand over his

as a

remembrance

of his

followed, he added,

command.

"and

official stick

In the hubbub of applause which

my

I will retain a souvenir of

loyal subordi-

Suiting the action to the word, he snatched the coveted stick

nates."

out of the hand of the owner, and kept

recently

made

in another

it.

General,

who

has quite

for himself a world-wide notoriety for alleged cruelty

Spanish colony, enriched himself by peculation to such an

extent that he was at his wits' end

how

to remit his

army Captain over

Finally, he resolved to send an

clandestinely.

ill-gotten gains

to

Hongkong with $35,000 with which to purchase a draft on Europe.

The Captain left, but he never returned.
The cases of official swindling are far too numerous to come within

******

the space of this volume.

In the whole of the Colony there are about 725 towns and 23 missions.

Each town was

locally

Chinese half-caste
doj-cillo,

governed by a native

who was

whilst his popular

in

some cases a Spanish or

styled the petty Governor or

title

was that

of

Capitan.

Goberna-

This service

was compulsory.

The

elections of Gober^iadorcillos

every two years, and the term of

and

office

their subordinates took place

counted from the 1st of luly

following such elections.

There were a few towns where the Gohernadorcillos were able to

make considerable sums, and here the appointment was energetically
souo"ht for, but as a rule

know

several

who have

it

was regarded

paid bribes to the

as an onerous task, and I

to rid

officials

them

under the pretext of illhealth, legal incapacity, and so on.

of

it

The

Gohcrnadorcillo was supported by what was pompously termed a

ministry, the " ministers of justice " being two lieutenants of the

town, suburban lieutenants of the wards, the chiefs of police,

plantations,

and

of live stock.

The Gobernadorcillo was nominally

the delegate and practically

the servant of the Governor of the Province, through

his instructions

of

and

In his town and

its

to

whom

he communicated

all

whom

official

he received
information.

wards he might be regarded as the counterpart of

the Governor in his Province.

He was

the arbiter of local petty questions, and endeavoured to

adjust them, but

when they assumed

a legal aspect, they were taken

up

NATIVE PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES.

by the local Justice of the Peace,

who was

245

directly subordinate to the

Chief Judge of the Province.

The Gobernadorcillo was

the collection of taxes

of criminals,

and

Church, and

(if

He was
collected,

Chief of the Civil Guard for the capture

to the

to the priest of his parish for the interests of the

he were a Friar) the private ends of

often

made

its

representative.

personally responsible for the taxes to be

he was at times imprisoned, unless he

throwing the burden on the actual collectors the Cabezas

and on

succeeded in

also subservient to the Administrator for

this score

de Barangay,

The Gobernadorcillo was

often put to considerable expense in the

course of his two years, in entertaining and supplying the wants of

officials

To

passing through.

cover this outlay, the loss of his

time, the salaries of writers in the

to exact funds

calls

upon

his private

from the townspeople.

disbursements legally, he could receive,

own

Hall, presents to his Spanish

and other

chiefs to secure their goodwill,

he naturally had

Town

To

cover these

he chose (but few

if

income

did), the

munificent salary of $2 per month, and an allowance for clerks equal to

about one-fifth of what he had to pay them.

Some

of these Gobernadorcillos

anxious for the

local prestige

which the

often so poor, that

if

if

title

it

cost

they had not pilfered this compulsory service

would have ruined them.

rarely out of pocket

them money, on account of the

"
of
Capitan " gave them, but others were

even

office,

were well-to-do planters, and were

by

However, a smart

One

his service.

Gobernadorcillo was

of the greatest hardships to

the Gobernadorcillo was that he often had to abandon his plantation or

other means of living to go to the capital of the province at his

Many

expense whenever he was cited there.

own

them did not speak or

pay and be at the mercy

of

understand Spanish, in which case they had to

of a Secretary (Directorcillo).

When

there

townspeople

was any question on the

(such

as

tapis of general interest to the

serious innovation in the existing

the annual feasts, or the anticipated arrival of a very big

headmen (principalia) were

expected to assemble

cited to the

there

every

Town

Sunday and

(three-cross Saint days in the Calendar), to

carried his stick of authority

official)

the

They were

also

Great Feast Days

march thence in procession to

the church to hear Mass, under certain penalties

Each one

Hall.

law, or

if

and the

they failed to attend.

official

dress

was a

246

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Eton lacket

sliort

hung outside the

Some

of black

shirt, the

over the

cloth

which

of

tail

trousers.

Gohernadorcillos, imbued with a sense of the importance and

solemnity of

office,

ordered a baud, playing lively dance music, to head

the cortege to and from the church.

After Mass thoy repaired to the convent, and on bended knee kissed

Town

the priest's hand.

Some

then discussed.

affairs w^ere

were chided, others were commended by the holy

friar.

Durino- the sowing and harvesting seasons, some of the

were only seen

in

present

headmen

their lands being so distant, or

town on Sundays,

the roads so bad that they went ofF there from the

Monday

to the

Saturday of each week.

For the

direct collection of taxes

was sub-divided

into

what were

and contributions, each township

families

groups of forty or

fifty

respective head, Avho

was responsible

turn

made

the

payment

Barangays, which were simply

called
;

each group having to pay

to

the petty Governor,

who

its

in

Administrator of the Province for

to the

remission to the Treasury {Intetidencia) in Manila.

This Barangay chiefclom system took

by the

its

origin from that established

natives themselves prior to their conquest, and in

the Colony the original

title

was

of datto

still

some parts of

applied to the Chief.

This position was amongst themselves hereditary, and continued to be

The appointment was then
so for many years under Spanish rule.
sought for by the natives, as

it

gave the heads of certain families

a birthright importance or superiority over their

were chosen
but

if

class.

Later on they

like all the other native local authorities every

they had anything to

order to be included in the

lose,

two years,

they were invariably re-elected.

headmen

town

of the

In

(the principalia) a

Barajigay chief had to serve for ten years in that capacity unless
he Avere, meanwhile, elected to a higher rank, such as Lieutenant
or Gobernadorcillo.

The

obligations of a 5ora?2^o!3/ chief

and repugnant

of

all.

v,^eve

The Government

perhaps the most irksome

rarely recognized

any bad

debts in the collection of the taxes, until the chief had been made
bankrupt and his goods and chattels sold to make good the sums which

he could not collect from his group, whether

death or from their having absconded.

it

arose from their poverty,

I have been present at the sales by public auction of the live stock

COKRUPT FISCAL ADMINISTRATION.

247

i.

of these chiefs to supply taxes to the

some

of

Many Barangay

admitted no excuses or explanations.

gone to prison through their inability or refusal

On

the other hand,

characters

Government, which

to

have

chiefs

pay others' debts.

among them some profligate

collected taxes.
Even in that case

true there were

it is

who misappropriated the

the Government had really

little

right to complain, for the labour of

tax-gathering was a forced service without remuneration for expenses

or loss of time incurred.

In many towns, villages and hamlets there were posts of the Civil

Guard

criminals

established for the arrest of

and the maintenance

moreover, there was in each town a body of guards

called " Cuadrilleros " for the defence of the town and the persecution
of public order

of bandits and criminals within the jurisdiction

They did
one who

of

the

town

only.

not appear to be specially chosen for their loyalty, indeed no

higher vocation would accept

could hopefully aspire to a

to be a Cuadrillero.

There were frequent cases of Cuadrilleros passing over

Some

opposite side, to join a band of brigands.

body appertaining

to the

town

of

suddenly took to the mountains

Maubau,

to

the

years ago the whole

in the Province of

Tayabas,

and whilst, on the other hand, many

have rendered valuable aid to society,

this

uncertainty of character

vastly diminishes their public utility.

From

the

time the

administration

first

organized up to the year 188-i,

Latterly
five

it

amounted

pence per annum

to

all

the Philippines was

in

the subdued natives paid tribute.

the nominal

sum

of

four shillings

(one dollar and 17 cuartos), and those

and

who

did not choose to work for the Government during forty days in the

$3 per annum.

year, paid also a poll-tax (fallas) of

of fact, thousands were declared as workers

But, as a matter

who never

did work, and

whilst roads were in an abominable condition and public works abandoned,

not

much

secret

was made

of the fact that a great portion of the poll-

tax never reached the Treasury.

These

were known

pilferings

caidas or droppings

and

in a certain

provincial chief judge, the

who openly
much

nephew

Spanish

local authorities as

province I have met at table a

of a General,

and other persons

discussed the value of the different Provincial Governments

(before 1884) in

so

to the

for fees

Luzon

Island, on the basis of so

and caidas.

much

for salary

and

248

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,

However, as good

depends on the individual and not on

faith

system, the above arrangement

may

be said to have worked as well as

any other would under the circumstances, but

known

to the authorities,

was

it

the*

abolished.

was proposed, obliging every inhabitant

some reason, best

for

In

lieu thereof

in the Philippines,

a scheme

excepting

only public servants, the clergy and a few others, to work for fifteen

days per annum without the right of redeeming

payment.

Indeed, the Decree to that effect was actually received from

Home Government by

the

by

obligation

this

the Governor-General in Manila.

palpably ludicrous, that the Governor-General did not give

He had

sufficient

common

sense to foresee in

its

It

was so

it effect.

application the

European prestige and moral influence over

extinction

of

natives

Spanish and foreign gentlemen of good family were seen

if

sweeping the

all

streets,

one lighting the lamps, another road-mending,

another guiding a buffalo cart with a load of stones, and so on.

measure therefore, regarded by some as a practical joke

the conception of a lunatic theorist

Perhaps

to subside.

own

the-

it

may be

was withdrawn,

said to have fallen

This-

by others

as

or at least allowed

by the weight

of its

absurdity.

Nevertheless, those in power were bent on reform, but the greatest

blunder of

all

the

abolition

of

tribute

was

not

The

remedied.

Peninsular system of a document of identity {Cedula personal), which

works well amongst Europeans, was then adopted

nationalities

possession

which was

and

for all classes

above the age of 18 years Avithout exception, and

was compulsory.
of

nine

The amount
from

classes,^

$25

paid

value

for

this

its

document,,

downwards,

varied

according to the income of the holder or the cost of his trading licences.

Any

person holding this document of a value under $3^ was subject to

fifteen days' forced labour per

annum,

or to

pay 50 cents

day

for each

he failed to work. The bolder of a document of $3^ or over paid also

$li " Municipal Tax " in lieu of labour. The " Ckliila " thenceforth
served as a passport for travelling within the Archipelago,
exhibited at any time on

demand by the proper

to

be

authority.

There was also a tenth class gratis for the clergy, army, and navy forces and
convicts, and a ^^ privUeged" class gratis for petty Governors and their wivesj
'

chiefs
and their
" primog^nitos " (primog^nito

Barangay
would

" assist " his father).

wives,

means

and Barangay

first

born

perhaps

chiefs'
it

assistants,

called

was anticipated that he

MUNICIPAL REFORMS.

No

249

document was valid unless the interested

leo^al

produced their Cedulas, the details of which were noted

instrument.

could be

No

made

petitions

in the

document of

this

would be noticed

Government

identity.

most ambiguous Spanish

in the legal

and very few transactions

The Decree

relating to this reform, like

edicts, set forth that

any person was

at liberty

document than that corre-

sponding to his position, without the right of any

this

had

Offices without the presentation of

to take a higher valued personal identity

reason why.

parties

official to

ask the

This was highly prejudicial to the public welfare,

for, in

way, thousands of able-bodied natives become exempt from labour

for public

improvements which were so imperatively necessary

provinces.

The

in the

labour question was indeed altogether a farce, and

gimply afforded a pretext for levying a tax.

In 1890 certain reforms were introduced into the townships, most

of which were raised to the dignity of Municipalities.
The titles of
Gobtrnadorcillo and Directorcillo (the words themselves in Spanish
bear a sound of contempt) w^ere changed to Capitan Municipal and
Secretario

respectively

(Municipal

nominally extended powers.

For

were empowered

for

to

disburse

Manila, a few hundred dollars

cases,

from

empty

public

Captain

Secretary)

with

instance, the Municipal Captains

public

works, without appeal to

in the year

coffers,

(to

or private

established obligation to supply travellers, on

certain necessaries cf life

and

be drawn, in some

The

old-

thereof,

with

purses).

payment

and means of transport, was abolished.

The

amplified functions of the local Justices of the Peace were abused to

such a degree that these

officials

became more the originators

than the guardians of peace.

--'^

of strife

CHAPTER

XIV.

PHILIPPINE FINANCES.
The

secession

of

Mexico from

Spanish Crown in the second

tiie

decade of this century brought with it a complete revolution in

Philippine affairs. Direct trade with Europe through one channel or
" or subsidy
the other had necessarily to be permitted. The " Sitnado
received from Mexico became a thing of the past, and necessity nrged
the home authorities to somewhat relax the old restraint on the

development of
In 1839 the

this Colony's resources.

first

Philippine Budget

Cortes, but so little interest did the

it

provoked no discussion

the Budget

There

was adopted

is

was presented

afifairs

of this

in the

Spanish

Colony excite, that

excepting only the amendment of one item,

in silence.

apparently no record of the Philippine Islands having

been at any time in a flourishing financial condition. Of late years

the revenue of the Colony has invariably resulted much less than the
estimated yield of taxes and contributions.
three years, prior to the

thus

FiNANCIAIi

Yeak.

Budget

of

The

figures of the last

1888, which I give in

full,

stand

THE PHILIPPINE BUDGET.

251

Anticipated Revenue, Year 1888.

--

Direct Taxes

cts.

5,206,836 93

Customs Dues

2,023,400 00

Government Monopolies (stamps, cock-fighting, opium,

gambling,

etc.)

--------.-.-

Lotteries and Raffles

Sale of State property

1,181,239 00

513,200 00
153,571 00

War

and Marine Department (sale of useless articles.

Gain on repairs to private ships in the Government
-

Arsenal)
Sundries

15,150 00

744,500 00

9,837,896 93

The

Anticipated Expenditure, year 1888

9,825,633 29

Anticipated Surplus

$12,263 64

Budget

actual deficit in the last previous

for

which there was

no provision, was estimated at $1,376,179.56, against which the above

There were some remarkable inconsistencies

balance would be placed.

in the

1888 Budget

The

Woods and

Inspection of

institution under a Chief Inspector

Forests

was an

with a salary of $6,500, assisted by

a technical staff of 64 persons and 52 non-technical subordinates.

total cost for the year

was estimated

at

$165,960, against which the

anticipated income derived from duties on felled timber

hence a

loss to the

The

was $80,000

Colony of $85,960 was duly anticipated

to satisfy

Before the Budget appeared, economists hoped that

office-seekers.

this institution

would have been abolished and a Foresters' Corps

created under one Chief for the due preservation of forests and the

re^ulatiou of felling in season.

Those who wished

to cut timber

were

subjected to very complicated regulations, which severely taxed one's

patience.

The

of

modified

capriciously

whatever.

tariff

and

duties

from time

to

mode

of

calculating

it

time on no commercial

Merchants who had contracted

to

supply timber at so

were
basis

much

per foot for delivery within a fixed period, were never sure of their
profits

for

the

dues

might,

meanwhile,

consideration for trading interests.

Beyond

be raised without
all

any

doubt the primordial

252

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

element

of

civilization

communication.
interior of the

establishment

the

is

Yet, whilst this

islands, the

was

sadly

so

easy

of

means

neglected

Budget provided the sum

in

of
the

of $113,686.64

School of Agriculture in Manila, and ten model farms and

for a

Schools of Cultivation in the Provinces.

It

was not the want

of

farming knowledge, but the scarcity of capital and the scandalous

neglect of public highways and bridges for transport of produce which

The one hundred and

retarded agriculture.
if

disbursed on roads, bridges,

have benefited the Colony

to

needy Spaniards.

it

was

halls,

this

and

landing-jetties,

sum went

would

to furnish salaries

following are a few of the most interesting items of the

The
Budget

as

town

thirteen thousand dollars

Revenue.
**

cts.

2,760,613 Document? of Identity {Cedulas personales)

.
4,401,629 25
.
gross value
costing 4 7o to collect

Tax on

the above, based on the estimated local consump-

tion of

Chinese Capitation

Tax on

222,500 00

Tobacco

236,250 00

Tax

the above for the estimated local consumption of

11,250 00

Tobacco
Recognition of vassalage collected from the unsubdued

mountain

tribes

12,000 00

Industrial and Trading Licences (costing \

"
gross value

Yield of the

Opium Contract

(rented out)

% to

collect)

1,350,000 00

483,400 00

149,039 00

Cock-fighting Contract (rented out)

Lotteries and Raffles, nett profit say

501,862 00

Lauds worked by miners

Sale of State Lands

100 00

State

1l[\xxi

50,000 00

Profits on the manipulation of the bullion, less

expensesof the Mint ($46,150), nett

Stamps and Stamped Paper

Convict labour hired out

330,350 00
548,400 00
50,000 00

THE PHILIPPINE BUDGET.

253

Expenditure.

maintenance of Fernando Po (by Decree of

.
.
5th August 1884) -

68,618 18

Share of the -pension paid tc the heir of Christopher

Columbus,the Duke of Veragua ($23,400 a year) -

3,000 00

3i

/o

of the

Share of the pension paid to

Marquis of Barboles

The Marquis

Ferdinand

Columbus,
1,000 00

Bedmar

is the heir of the assayer and

Mint of Potosi (Peru). The concern
was takea over by the Spanish Government, in
return for an annual perpetual pension, of which this
Colony contributes the sum of

of

^^**

caster in the

The

Consular and Diplomatic Services, Philippine Share

Postal and Telegraph

persons)

Services

(with

1,500 00

66,000 00

a staff of 550

406,547 17

The Submarine Cable

Co. Subsidy (Bolinao to Hong_

.
kong) payable up to June 1890

48,000 00

Charitable Institutions partly supported by Government,

including the " Lepers' Hospital " $500 -

26,887 50

The Treasury.

The

salary of the Treasurer-General

was $12,000.

The Branches of the Treasury or Administration in

the Provinces were the following, viz.
:

3 of the First

Class

254

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
The Army and Ar7ned Land Forces.

Eauk and

File and Non-commissioned Officers as follows

--------------

Infantry, Artillery, Engineer and Carabineer Corps-

Cavalry Corps

Disciplinary Corps (Convicts)

(Non-commissioned
Officers)

Three Civil Guard Corps (Provincial Constabulary)

Veteran Civil Guard Corps (Manila and Suburban Military
-

9,470

407

630
92
3,342

400

Police)

Total number of

men

14,341

ARMY PAY.
OFFICERS'

255

PAY PER ANNUM.

When
Ordinary comm.vkdinq
Pay.
A Corps.

BANK.

When

WnF.N
IN OlVILi

Guard.

Extra.

IN

Veteran
Civil

Guard.

Captain-General was paid as Gov-1

ernor-Genera] of the Colony -/
Lieutenant-Gcneral (local rank),"\
Sub-Inspector of Ai-my CorpsJ
Brigadier

12,000

4,500

800

3,450

600

4,200

.-----

2,700

400

3,288

2,400

2,520

1,500

1,584

1,125

1,242

1,485

975

1,068

1,275

Colonel-

Lieutenant-Colonel

Major

40,000'

Captain-

Lieutenant

Sub-Lieutenant

2,880

This was not included in Army Estimates, but in Civil Government. Officers from Captain
upwards " lu expectation of Service" and "In excess of Active Service requirements,"
recelTed only 4/5tbs of ordinary pay.
>

(Inclusive)

After 6 years' and up to 9 years' service, an

officer

could claim

a free passage back to the Peninsula for himself, and his family

if

married.

After 9 years' service, his retirement from the Colony for 3 years

was compulsory. If he nevertheless wished to remain in the Colony,

he must quit Military service. If he left before completing 6 years'
service, he would have to pay his own passage unless he went " on
commission " or with sick leave allowance.

Estimated Annual Disbursements for

The

Civil Guard, composed of Three Corps

and 156 Officers

The Veteran
400

Civil

Men and

= 3,342 Men

Guard (Manila Police) One Corps

cts.
%
638,896 77

13 Officers

Disciplinary Corps, Maintenance of 630 Convicts and

Material
(For the Disciplinary Convict Corps) 92 Non-commis.
.
sioned Officers and 23 Officers

73,246 88

The

56,230 63
47,909 51

$104,140 14

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

256

Army

Estimate.

Estimate according to the Budget

cts.^

3,016,185 91

Plus the following sums charged on other estimates,

viz.

--------

Disciplinary Corps, maintenance of 630 Convicts and

material

The

Civil

638,896 77

Guard

The Veteran

56,230 63

Civil

73,246 88

Guard

Pensions

Transport and maintenance of Recruits from Provinces

117,200 00

6,000 00

Expeditions to be made against the Natives of Mindanao

Religious ceremonies to celebrate Victories
Island.

gained over Mahomedans, Maintenance of

War
11,000 00

Prisoners, etc.

Total cost of

Army and Armed Land

Forces

$3,918,760 19

Before the walls were built around Manila, about the year 1590,
each soldier and officer lived where he pleased, and, when required, the

by the bugle

troops were assembled

At
up

call.

the close of the 16th century barracks were constructed, but

to the middle of last century the native troops

irreo-ularly paid, that

were so badly and

they went from house to house begging alms of

the citizens (vide page 52, King Philip II.'s Decree).

Last century, in the Fort of Yligan (north of Mindanao Island),

when
Governor, generous reforms were made

troops died of

sheer want, and

this

was represented

to

to better their position.

the

The

Spanish soldiers were in future to be paid $2 per month and native

soldiers $1 per month to hold the fort, at the risk of their lives, against
attack from the Mussulmans.

In the Forts of Labo and Taytay, in the north of Palauan Island,

the soldiers' pay was only nominal, rations were often short, and their
lives altoo-ether

most wretched.

by the military

chiefs,

could

when

Sometimes they were

and they had

to seek

totally overlooked

an existence as best they

provisions were not sent from the Capital.

MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
Mexican
order

soldiers arrived

no barracks

for them,

at all for their board

257

in nearly every ship, but there

was no
no regular mode of living, no regulations

and lodging,

etc.,

hence

many had

to subsist

by

serving natives and half-breeds, nuich to the discredit of the Mother

Country, and consequent loss of prestige.

Each time a new expedition Avas organized a fresh recruiting had

be made at great cost and with great delay. There was practically

to

no regular army except those necessarily compelled to mount guard,

etc.

in the City.

Even

the officers received no pay with regularity and punctuality,

and there was some excuse for stealing when they had a chance, and
for the total absence of enthusiasm in the Service.
When troops were
urgently called for, the Governor-General had to bargain with the
officers to

the minor posts by promises of rewards, whilst the high

fill

commands were eagerly sought

for,

not for the pay or the glory, but

for the plunder in perspective.

In 1739 the Armoury

in

Manila contained only

25 Arquebuses of native manufacture.

120 Biscayan muskets.

40 Flint guns.
70 Hatchets.

40 Cutlasses.

The

first

regular military organization in these Islands

time of Pedro Manuel de Arandia (1754),

formed of

was

in the

when one regiment was

companies of native soldiers together with four companies

of troops which arrived with the Governor from Mexico.
This Corps,
five

afterwards

known

was divided

into

as the " King's Regiment' " {Regimiento del

two

battalions, each of

which was increased

Rey)

to

ten

companies as the troops returned from the Provinces.

The 20 companies

Avere each

composed as

folloAvs

Captain,

2 Drummers,

Lieutenant,

6 First Corporals,

Sub-heutenant,

6 vSecond Corporals,

4 Sergeants,

88

Rank and

File.

In 1888 the " King's Regiment" was divided into two regiments, under new
denominations, viz., " Castilla, No. 1," (3rd April), and
EspaSa, No. L" (ISth
June).
'

'

258

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

guard of Halberdiers was reformed,

under a Captain and a Corporal.
and thenceforth consisted of 18 men,

The Governor-Geaerars

The monthly pay under

STAFF 0FFICKB9.

boclj

these reforms

was

as follows

NAVAL FORCES.

THE NAVY AND MARITIME FOUCES.

Year 1888.

Armed

Vessels.

259

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

260

IN PHILIPPINE WATERS.
Year 1898.
Class.

Name.
" Reina Cristiua "

Cruiser

" Castilla "

"

Don

"

Don Juan de

" Isla

UUoa "

Ant. de

de Cuba

" Isla de

Austria

"

"

Luzon

"

Gunboat

" Velasco "

" Elcano
" General

"Argos"

Lezo

"

Tons.

H.P.

3,500

3,950

3,2G0

4,400

1,200

1,523

1,130

1,600

1,018

2,200

1,048

2.20a

1,152

1,500

560

600

520

600

508

600

500

550

1,900

750

1,200

1,000

532

600

" Marques del Duero"

Transport

"Manila"

" General Alava "

"Cebu"

"Callao"

Gunboat and 4 others very small, besides 3

armed steam launches built in Hongkong, viz.
"Lanao," " Corcuero," and "General Blanco."
:

NAVAL
STATIONS.

DIVISIONS.

NAVAL FORCES.

HARBOUR-MASTERS.
STATION.

261

262

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

JUDICIAL STATISTICS.
Civil

The

and

and Criminal

Civil

Criininal

Law

Law

Courts.

Courts were as

2 Supreme Courts in Manila and

Cebu

follovv'f. viz.

quite independent of each other,

(called "

4 First Class Courts of Justice in Manila

in the

10 Second
19 Third
7 Provincial

Provinces

,,

Governments with

c?e icrmino.'''')

de

"'

termino.^'')

" de ascenso.^'')

de enCrada.^'')

'^

judicial attributions.

Judges'' Salaries.

President of the Supreme Court of Manila

Judge

..

^7,000

6,000

4,000

3^000

2,000

Cebu

of each of the 12 First Class Courts

10 Second

19 Third

Laio Courts Estimate for 1888.

Supreme Court

All

of

cts.

Manila

90,382 00

Cebu

49,828 00

minor Courts and allowances

Governors with judicial attributions

to Provincial

the

Estimated total cost for the year

Penitentiaries

and Convict

192,656 00

$332,866 00

Settlenieiits.

Manila (Bilibid Jail) containing on an average - 900 Xative Convicts.

3 Spanish
And in 1S8S there were also
Cavite Jail contained

Zamboanga

Jail contained in 1888

51 Native

93

Agricultural Colony of San Ramon, worked by

- 164
convict labour, contained in 1888

1888 101

Ladronelsland Penal Settlementcontained

In the

Army and Navy

Services

in

3 Spanish

730 Native

2,045 Convicts.

Total estimated disbursements for Penitentiaries and Convict

- $82,672.71
maintenance in the Settlements for the year

BRIGANDAGE.

263

Moreover, an allowance of $2,000 was made for rewards for the

capture or slaughter of brigands.

Brigandage

first

came

into

prominence

Governor Arandia's

in

time (175*1-1759), and he used the means of " setting a thief to catch
a thief," which answered well for a short time, until the crime

became

more and more an established custom as provincial property increased

in value

and capitals were accumulated there.

Spanish

rule,

brigandage, pillage and murder were treated with such

them

leniency by the judges, and often condoned by

was

that there

When

little

its

its

and assassins

The

Civil

attacked a village or a

inhabitants, and carried off booty, the Civil

at once scoured the country,

arrested.

for a consideration,

hope for the extinction of such crimes.

a band of thieves

residence, murdered

Guard

Yet, up to the end of

and ofteu the malefactors

Guard was an excellent

institution,

Avere

and performed

duty admirably well, but as soon as the villains were handed over to
legal functionaries, society lost hope.

tlie

Instead of the criminals

being garrotted according to law after the charge was proved, as the
"
some were let
public had a right to demand, they were " protected

loose on the world again, whilst others were sent to prison,

whence

they were often allowed to escape, or they were transported to a penal

settlement to Avork

comfortable as
plantation.

if

and where they

Avithout fetters,

Avere

just as

they Avere Avorking for a private employer on a

I record these facts

AA'anderings in the Islands brought

conditions of men.

for

my

into contact with all sorts

and

from personal knowledge,

me

I have been personally acquainted Avith

many

brigands, and I gave regular employment to an ex -bandit for years.

At Christmas 1884

Avent to

Laguimanoc

in

the

Province of

spend a few days Avith an English friend of mine.^ On

the way there, at Sariaya, I stayed at the house of the Captain of the
Civil Guard, when a message came to say that an attack had been

Tayabas

made

to

the night before on

had been

killed,

my

and many others

The Captain showed me

a

as

friend's house,

volunteer to

in the village

his

Avouuded.

hunt doAvn the murderers.

of Essex,

England.

me

to join

him

and

we

agreed,

Within half an hour

This gentleman has since retired from luBiness and

county

manager, a Swede,

the despatch, and invited

succeeded in capturiug several of them.

'

and

is

now

Ave Avere

residing in the

PIIILirPINE ISLANDS.

264
mounted and on

It

night, and the rain poured

was a dark

We

had four native

jumped over

ditches, through

in torrents.

We

track.

tlieir

nut plantations, and then forded a

with us following on

soldiers

paddy

rice
river,

fields

foot.

and across cocoa-

on the opposite bank of which

was the next guards' post in charge of a lieutenant, who joined us with
That same night, we together captured five of the
eight foot soldiers.
wretches, Avho had just beached a canoe containing part of their spoils.
The prisoners were bound elbows together at their backs and sent

forward under escort.

We

rode on

night

all

till

five

o'clock

the

next morning, arriving at the Convent of Pagbilao just as Father

Jesus was going down to say Mass. I had almost lost my voice
through being ten hours

and we went on

to us,

in the rain,
in a

prahu

but the priest was very attentive

the village where the crime

to

In another prahu

had been committed.

prisoners were sent in

tjje

charge of the soldiers.

In the meantime, the Chief Judge and the Government Doctor of

-tiie

On

Province had gone on before us.

way we met

the

a canoe

going to Pagbilao, and carrying the corpse of the murdered Swede for
When we arrived at the village, we found one native dead and
burial.

many

natives and Chinese badly wounded.

My

friend's

house had the front door smashed in

box had been

forced,

were

The

stolen.

and a few hundred

dollars,

furniture in the dining-room

an iron strong

with some rare coins,

was wantonly chopped

and hacked about with bohie knives, with no apparent object further
than a savage love for mischief. His bedroom had been entered, and
there the brigands began to
apparel,
lo

the

jewellery

make

their harvest

and other valuables were already

Virgin herself appeared,

casting

my

and

fled in terror

from the

tied

a penetrating

of

wearing

up,

when

glance of

The brigands abandoned

And when
saintly apparition.

disapprobation upon the wicked revelry

their plunder,

the bundles

friend returned to his house and crossed the bloodstained floor of

the dining-room to go to his bedroom, the cardboard Virgin, Avith a

trade advertisement on the other side,
of the door to

which she was

was

still

nailed, Avith the

peeping round the jamb

words " Please to shut

the door," printed on her spotless bust.

The next day

the Captain remained there whilst I went on with the

Lieutenant and a few Guards

we made

in a sailing

prahu down the coast, where

further captures, and returned in three days.

I will relate an

BRIGANDAGE.

incident of our journey in the prahu.

thought

would be prudent

it

to

strong wiuel got up, and

we

beach our craft on the seashore instead

of attempting to get over the slioal of

We

265

ran her ashore under full

John's River.

tlie St.

and just at that moment a native

sail,

with a bar of iron in his hand rushed towards

us.

In the gloom of

eventide he must have mistaken us for a party of weather-beaten native

or Chinese traders
rifle their

baggage.

whose

He

halted,

Guards jumped forward with

Then we got

out, took

might smash

skulls he

him

in at a stroke

and

however, perfectly amazed when two

their bayonets fixed in

and the uext day he was

prisoner,

him.

front of

let ofE

with a souvenir of the lash, as there was nothing to prove that he was
a brigand by profession.
Fortunately, the second leader of the brigand gang was shot through

the lungs a week afterwards as he was jumping from the window-

opening of a hut, and there he died.

The Captain

of the

where the

statino:

Guard received au anonymous

Civil

was

bri":and chief

knowledge of the cuadrillero

officer

This

hiding.
(a

native)

came

who had

letter

to

the

hitherto

supplied his friend, the brigand, with rice daily, so he hastened on

before the Captain could arrive, and imposed silence for ever ou the
fugitive

bandit by stabbing him

in

the

In this

back.

way

the

cuadrillero avoided the disclosure of unpleasant facts which would

have implicated himself.

The

prisoners were conducted to the ProvincialJail, and three years

afterwards

two

of

when

made

them had died of

inquiries about these fellows, I found that

their

wounds, whilst not a single one had been

executed or even sentenced.

The most

ignorant

classes

superstitiously

believe

that

certain

persons are possessed of a diabolical influence called aiitmg-anting,

which preserves them from

a

man

all

harm.

They

believe that the

body of

so affected is even refractory to the eff"ects of bullet or steel.

Brigands are often captured wearing medallions of the Virgin Mary or

the Saints as a device of the anting-anting.

In Maragondon, Cavite

Province, the son of a friend of mine was enabled to go into any remote
places

with impunity,

possessed of this charm.

because

he was generally supposed to be

Some highwaymen

too have a curious notion

that they can escape punishment for a crime committed in

Week, because the

thief ou the Cross

was pardoned

his sins.

Easte

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

26Q

when

It frequently happened, that in the course of time,

somewhat abated, criminals who ought

indignation had

public

have been

to

extinguished from society were transferred to the Manila Jail, whence

they were permitted to decamp.

In 1885 I purchased a small

estate,

where there was some good wild

boar-huntiug and snipe-shooting, and I had occasion to see the

who was

tenant previous to

my

He was

purchase, in Manila Jail.

accused of having been concerned

man

an attack upon a village near

iu

the Capital, and was incarcerated for eighteen mouths without being

Three months

definitely convicted or acquitted.

prison

lie

was appointed petty Governor

the dis"-ust of the villagers,

who

of his

he came out of

after

own

village,

in vaiu petitioned against

it

much

to

in writing.

I visited the Penal Settlement, kuovv^n as the Agricultural Colony

of

San Ramon,

about fifteen miles north of Zamboanga,

situated

where I remained twelve days. The Director of the Settlement was

D. Felipe Dujiols, an army captain who had defended Onate, iu the
vSpanish Province of Guipuzcoa, against the Carlist attack in the last

war

civil

so,

we were

as

experiences of the Spanish

As

friends.

his guest,

able

civil

was

war

to

mutually relate our personal

at that period,

we

speedily

alForded an excellent

became

opportunity of

acquiring more ample information about the system of convict treatment.

With

the 25 convicts just arrived, there Avere in

most desperate

class

They were

Within a few yards

working on

avcU fed, fairly well lodged, and

worked with almost the same freedom

labourers.

150 natives of the

assassins, thieves, conspirators, etc.,

Penal Settlement.

this

all

as

any other independent

of the Director's

bungalow were the

barracks, for the accommodation of a detachment of 40 soldiers

the

command

of a lieutenant

day and mounted guard

v.'ho patrolled

at night.

During

under

the Settlement during the

my

stay,

one prisoner was

chained and flogged, but that was for a serious crime committed the

day

before.

suffer,

my

The

and the

sole

only severe hardship which these convicts had to

punishment which they endureil under the rule of

generous host D. Felipe, was the obligation to

men

in other countries

would be willing

v,'ork like

honest

to do.

same Penal Settlement some years ago, a party of convicts

attacked and killed three of the European overseers, and then escaped
The
to the Island of Basilan, which lies to the south of Zamboanga.
In

this

leader of these criminals

was a native named Pedro Cuevas, and there

AN ENCOUNTER WITH TIRATES.

he became a

Paidima, amongst the

sort of petty chief, witli the title of

Easilan Mussulman inhabitants, and living

267

was

perfect security he

in

able to defy the Government.

Within half a day's journey from Manila there are several well-

known

marauders' haunts, such as San Mateo, Imus, Silan, Indan, the

of the Plagouoy River

mouths

which empties

itself into

the Bay, etc.

In 1881 I was the only European a-mongst 20 to 25 passengers in a

canoe going to Balanga on the west shore of Manila Bay,

when about

mid-day a canoe, painted black and without the usual outriggers, bore

down upon
upon

called

ns,

to

and suddenly two gun-shots

faces bedaubed

their

The

surrender.

white and

There was great commotion

women
all

pirates

numbered eight

we were

they had

canoe ballasted with stones.

tlieir

our craft

in

Avere fired, whilst

got into a heap over me, reciting

Ave

men shouted and

the

the

Marias, and calling upon

the Saints to succour them.

Just as I extricated myself and looked out from under the palm-

awning, the pirates flung a stone which severely cut our

leaf

pilot's

They came very close, brandishing their knives, but our crew
managed to keep them from boarding us by pushing ofT their canoe

face.

Avith the paddles.

enemy came within range of my revolver, one of their

party, Avho was standing up waving a bohie knife, suddenly collapsed
This seemed to discourage the rest, who gave up the
into a heap.

When

pursuit,

the

and

we went on

In consequence of
Province oi'dercd that

to

this attack,
iu future

coast should carry a swivel

Xo

Balanga.

gun

the Judicial Governor

a criminal or

the postal service boat leaving that

at the

for Avhoever

bows and

lances on board.

law

civil

suit

in

might be the legal adviser retained,

the Philippines was one of the worst

calamities that could befall a man.

solicitors,

barristers

fleeced of his

Between

Even

it

was

then,

money, often worried into a bad

as hard to get

when

notaries,

and the sluggish process of the

it

executed as

procurators,

courts, a litigant

state of health,

it

vt^as

to

win the

If

case.

the question at issue was supposed to be settled, a

defect in the sentence could always be concocted to re-open the

affair.

and

When judgment was

kept in horrible suspense and doubt for years.

given,

Bataau

one experienced in the Colony ever thought of prosecuting

a captured brigand

was

of

the case had been tried

whole

and judgment given under the

PHILirPINE ISLANDS.

268
Civil CoJo, a

way was

and when apparently

often found to convert

settled

the Indies, or the Siete Partidas,

Laiv, or the jVovisima Recopilacion, or the Antiguos

Roman

or the

fueros, Decrees, Royal Orders,

Ordenanzas de

biien Gobicrno,

by which the case could be re-opened.

knew a man in Negros Island a planter

forth,

into a criminal case,

under the Criminal Code, a flaw could

Laws of

be discovered under the

it

The judge

with homicide.

who

and so

was charged

of his Province acquitted him, but fearing

that he might be again arrested on the same charge, he came up to

Manila with me

to procure a ratification of the sentence in the

The expenses

Court.

he was compelled
he had spent

of the legal proceedings

mortgage

to fully

money without

all his

later on,

for fees

my

satisfied that

were so enormous, that

Weeks

his plantation.

The

an end.

planter returned to

he should be no further troubled, but

the newly appointed judge in that island, whilst prospecting

by turning up old

planter acquaintance

came across this, and

cases, unfortunately

was sentenced

to

eight years' imprisonment,

although the family lawyer, proceeding on the same

of finding defects in the sentence to reverse

hope

passed, and

getting justice, so I lent his notary

40/. to assist in bringing the case to

Negros apparently

Supreme

it

lines,

in

had

still

favour of his

client.

Availing one's
possible for a

man

self of the dilatoriuess of the

to

occupy a house, pay no

Spanish law,

was

and refuse to quit

rent,

on legal grounds during a couple of years or more.

it

person w4io had

not a cent to lose, could persecute another of means by a trumped up

accusation, until he

was ruined by an "i/ormoc?o?i de

declaration of poverty

which enabled the persecutor

going as long as he chose without needing money for

case of this kind

lawyer.

When

it

was often got up

had gone on

to

pohreza'"'

keep the case

fees.^

at the instigation of a native

for a certain time,

the prosecutor's

adviser proposed an "extra-judicial arrangement," to extort costs from

his victim, the wearied

and browbeaten defendant.

About the year 1886

the

firm of

there

was a cause

celebre, the parties

being

Jurado and Co. versus The Hongkong and Shanghai

Under British law, a litigant is not allowed to bring and conduct an action
in forma j^attperis until it is proved that he is not worth U. after his debts are
paid and, moreover, he must obtain a certificate from a barrister that he has good
'

eanse of action.

LEGAL DILATORINESS.
The Bank

Banking Corporation.
goods

the

In due

Bank.

Bank

He was

reason

firm's

doubt the

to

Avas imprisoned, but

official

post of

Goods, as they

$4,000 a year.

were seized and stored pending

firm,

the

for

dismissed from bis

second chief of Telegraphs, worth

arrived for his

had

Mr. Jurado

genuineness of certain documents.

shortly released on bail.

exchange

in

subject to six mouths' notice from

the

course

make advances on

agreed to

firm

The agreement was

acceptances.
the

by

imported

be

to

liad

269

litigation,

and

His firm was

deteriorated to only a fraction of their original value.

forced by these circumstances into liquidation, and Jurado sued the

Bank

The

damages.

for

which time the Bank

case was

coffers Avere

open for several years, during

once sealed by judicial warrant, a

sum of cash was actually transported from the Bank premises, the
Bank manager was nominally arrested but really a prisoner on
Several sentences of the Court were given in

parole in his house.

Years after

favour of each party.

Mr. Jurado went

appeal to Madrid.

they were

this

quashed on

all

Spain to fight his case.

to

1891 I accidentally met him and his brother (a lawyer)

in

The

Madrid.

amounted

me

brother told

to $935,000,

a fortnight thence.

in

the claim against the

In

the street

Bank then

and judgment for that sum would ba given

years

Still,

after

that,

when

was again

in
in

Manila, the case was yet pending, and another onslaught was

there to

Then

Aveek.

open the
I

number

One

Malolos.

of

acquaintance of mine
the case

was

in the

to see with

the

in its first

Escolta

the

partners, a Spaniard,

man

do so a mechanic Avas
laboured in vain for a

syndicate had

been

formed and

Philippine capitalists to fleece the

my own

through

my

most energetic members of

natiA-e private

was an

it

banker in Manila.

stages I happened

Whilst

to be discussing

principal business street

Don Enrique Navarro,

asked

Avhen
me

if

it

at a

one of the

I should like

eyes the contending laAvyers putting their heads

together over the matter.

of

of

to

to

I had all the particulars from one of the syndicate resident

Bank.

shop

This

safes.

manager

the

his refusal

learned that

subscribed to by

in

called on

On

the Bank.

the funds of
sent

The Court

Bank.

on the

made
deliver up

" If so," said he, " you have only to go

shop and up the Avinding back staircase, from the landing

which you can see them any day you

more than once, and

there, indeed,

o'clock."

I did so

rival advocates

laughing

like at

were the

PHILIPPINS ISLANDS.

270

and gesticulating and presumably cogitating bow tbej could plunder

who bad most money to spend. At one stage of the

proceedings the Bank specially retained a reputed Spanish lawyer
(Mr. Godinez), who Avent to Madrid to push the case. Later on a
British Q.C. was sent over to Manila from Hongkong to advise
The good
The Prime Minister was appealed to.
the Bank.

tbe litigant

of

offices

time the

our Ambassador in

Bank was

placed in a most

other side contended that the

or

itself,

Bank

terms of that charter

Manila, and that

it

in

it

was supposed

may now

great

to

be

Manila

own

it

had

that in view of

the

its

at all

retifistered as

had no legal existence

finally settled,

charter

in the

Bank

Half-a-dozen times over the

but again re-opened.

Happily

be regarded as closed for ever.

many

native doctors

well-to-do natives have a mania for seeing their sons

who made

a scanty living, and a

popularly called " abogadillos,"

beginning of the

who were

Avere

publicly

swarm

mob

of

of half-lawyers,

Up

a pest to the Colony.

18th century, the offices of solicitors and

notaries were filled from Mexico,

Manila

Philippines.

launched into the " learned professions," hence there was a

to the

The

legal dilemma.

could not be heard, or appear for

This was merely a technical quibble.

case

awkward

had never been legally

it

For a long

solicited.

by proxy, on the ground that under

no right to be established

in

Madrid were

where the licences

Since

sold.

then,

the

to practise

Colleges

and

in

the

University issued licences to natives, thus keeping up the supply of

native pettyfogging

advocates

who

stirred

up

availing themselves of the complicacy of the law.

-^

strife

to

make

cases,

CHAPTER XV
TEADE OF THE ISLANDS.
Its

From

Avithiu a

Eaklt History.

year after the foundation of the Colony up to the

second decade of this century direct communication with Mexico was

The

maintained by the State galleons, termed the JVaos de Acapulco.

sailings

first

of

the

centuries Acapulco

and

this

was the port

it

Navidad, but for over two

to

Mexican

of destination on the

inter-communication with

before that Colony threw oiF

But

were

galleons

its

New

Spain only ceased a few years

allegiance to the

was not alone the troubled

side,

state

of

Mother Country.

political

afFairs

which

])rought about the discontinuance of the galleons' voyages, although the

subsequent secession of Mexico would have produced this

effect.

The

expense of this means of intercourse was found to be bearing too

heavily upon the scanty resources of the Exchequer, for the condition
of Spain's finances had never, at

The Commander

of the State

salary of $40,000 per

year.

The

annum.

quarter-master was

of the merchandise shipped,

sum per voyage.

The last State
last sailing

and

any period, been so lamentable.

Nao had
The

the

for

of General, with a

chief officer received $25,000 a

remunerated with 9
this

amounted

galleon left Manila for

from Acapulco

title

Manila was

to

a very considerable

Mexico

in 1811,

appearance, being considerably elevated

and the

in 1815.

These ships are described as having been short

but of great beam, light draught, and,

on the value

fore

and

aft

when afloat, had a half-moon

at bows and stern.
They were

of 1,500 tons burden, had four decks, and carried guns.

The Governor-General,
prisoners,

the clergy, the civil functionaries, troops,

and occasionally private persons, took passage

to and from the Philippines.

in these ships

It was, practically, the Spanish Mail.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

272

This Colony had no coin of

of

Mexico

and

that

all

it

its

own.^

brought in

was simply a dependency

tribute and taxes to its Royal
It

Treasury belonged to the Crown, to be disposed of at the King's

For many years these payments to the local treasury were made
will.
wholly

and afterwards

Stores.

As

partially

in kind,

and were kept

in the

Royal

the junks from China arrived each spring, this colonial

produce belonging to the Crown was bartered for Chinese wares and

These goods, packed

manufactures.

in precisely 1,500 bales, each of

exactly the same size, constituted the

to

Mexico by the annual

galleon.

official

The

cargo, and were remitted

surplus space in the ship

was

at

who formed the " Consulado^''

each member to have resided in the

the disposal of a few chosen merchants

a trading

ring which required

Colony a stipulated number of years, and to be possessed of at

least

eight thousand dollars.

of the Philippine administration

For the support

back

Mexico remitted

to Manila, on the return of the galleon, a certain percentage of

the realized value of the above-mentioned

official cargo,

in

any case

whether the Philippine Treasury were

certain

sum was

flourishing or not

absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the

Colony, this remittance, kuoAvu as the "i?eaZ

was, from time to time, fixed

The

but seeing that

Situado'''' or

royal subsidy,

.^

Colony was therefore nominally self-supporting,

Philippine

and the Situado v/as only a guaranteed income, to be covered, as far as

it could be, by shipments of foreign bartered manufactures and local
But, as a matter of fact, the Mexican subsidy

produce to Mexico.
seldom,

if

ever,

By Royal
Philippines

was

so covered.

Decree of 6th of June, 1665, the Mexican subsidy to the

was

fixed at $2,500,000, of

which $2,000,000 was remitted

coin and $500,000 in merchandise for the Royal Stores.

was remitted value

in

goods (Philippine taxes and tribute)

so that the net Subsidy, or donation, from

Mexico was

in

Against this
$176,101.40'

73,898.60

$250,000.00

According to Zuniga {Hist, dc Pldl.), the ancient inhabitants of Luzon

This statement needs
kind of shell-money the Slguey shell.
confirmation, as Sigucy shells are so very plentiful that, at the present day, they
are used by children to play at Sunca.
* Situado is not literally " Subsidy," but it was tantamount to that.
'

Island had a

LLl

O
<
o

u]

<
C3

I
z
<

CO

Q.

CO

O
o
<
O

cfi

z>

I
<
cc
a.

THE MEXICAN SUBSIDY.

Hence,

in the course of time, coin

THE GALLEONS.

Mexican

dollars

273

found

their

way in large quantities to the Philippines, and thence to China.

The yearly value of the merchants' shipments was first limited
$250,000, whilst the return trade could not exceed $500,000

to

coin
or stores, and this was on the supposition that 100 per cent, profit

would be realized on the

The
by the

sales in

Mexico.

allotment of surplus freight room in the galleon was regulated

issue of boletas

money

as paper

documents

in fact,

which, during a long period, served

for the holders

were entitled

them

to use

shipping goods, or they could transfer them to others

do

in

who wished

for

to

so.

The demand

was

for freight

far greater than the carrying

power

Shipping warrants were delivered gratis to the members of

the Consulado, to certain ecclesiastics, to members of municipality and
provided.

Indeed,

others.

it

is

asserted by

some

writers, that the

Governor's

favourites were served with preference, to the prejudice of legitimate

trade.

The

Spaniards

were

not

allowed

go

to

China

to

to

fetch

merchandise for transhipment, but they could freely buy what Avas
broixght by the Chinese.

Indian and Persian goods uninterruptedly found

their

way

to

Manila.

The

mail galleon usually sailed in the month of July in each year,

and the voyage occupied about

Very

strict

be steered,

but

five

months.

regulations were laid

many

calamities

down regarding

befell

the

nnfrequently lost through the incapacity

of

course to

Avhich were not

ships,

the

the

officers

who had

procured their appointments by favour.

For a century and a half there was practically no competition.

All was arranged beforehand as to shape, quantity,

size,

etc. of

each

There was, however, a deal of trickery practised respecting the

declared values, and the boletas were often quoted at high prices.
bale.

Even

the selling price of the goods sent to Mexico was a preconcerted

matter.

The day

of the departure of the galleon or its arrival

of millions of dollars or more,^ and

'

The values

of shipments

new

faces,

by law established were

with a couple

was naturally one of

little

regarded,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

274
rejoicing

chanted in the churches, the bells

of the year.

was almost the event

it

Te Detim was

and musicians promenaded

tolled,

the streets, which were illuminated and draped with bunting.

So

commercial

as

far

very easy lives

passed

merchants
sometimes

tvv'O,

Saint-days

to

were

affairs

in

concerned,

days in the week were set

down

hence

be strictly observed,

palmy

those

an

in

Philippine

the

One,

days.

the calendar as
business

active

life

would have been incompatible with the exactions of religion. The

only misadventure they had to fear, was the loss of the galleon.

Market

and

rises

falls

were unknown.

was nothing

galleon, there

for the

arrival of the Chinese junks in the

and prepare

was

special tact.

it

merchants to do but to await the

mouths

March, April and May,

of

For a century and a half

their bales.

lucrative;

During the absence of the

this sort of trading

required no smartness, no spirit

of

enterprise

Shippers were busy for only three months in the year,

and during the remaining nine months, they could enjoy

thought

fit

Some

cut

ofF

from the

life

as they

rest of the world.

there Avere who, without

means

of their

own, speculated with

the Obras Pias funds, lent at interest.^

By

or

disasters

at

sea

shipwreck

and seizure by

enemies

the

Philippine merchants often lost the value of their shipments in the

Mexico frequently lost the Philippine remittances to
State galleons.
her,

and the specie she sent

made only one voyage

it

were

lost,

to

the Philippines.

a year there and back,

The

if all

the shipment had to be renewed, and

State galleon

went
it

well, but, if

often

happened

that several galleons were seized in a year by Spain's enemies.

by pious persons. Two-thirds of

and one-third was
the capital were to be lent at interest, to stimulate trade abroad,
interest on the
accumulated
the
When
losses.
possible
cover
to
to be reserved,
the payment
applied
to
to
be
was
it
amount,
certain
a
reached
original capital had
'

The Ohras Phis funds were

legacies left

of masses for the repose of the donors' souls.

The peculations of the Governor-General, Pedro Manuel de Arandia (1754-1759),
permitted him to amass a fortune of a quarter of a million dollars in less than five
On the separation of Mexico, (in
years' service, which sum he left to pious works.
Government appropriated the Ohras Pias funds, on the pretext of

1819) the
administering them. This measure was quite just, if, as there is reason to believe,
many of the donations were the fruits of the corrupt administration of the
country's wealth by high officials.
The institution existed up to the close of Spanish rule and lent money to
six per
private persons on house property and lands in and near the capital at
bank.
as
a
operated
it
times
olden
In
cent, interest per annum.

THE GALLEONS INTERCEPTED.

SMUGGLERS.

275

The abortive attempt to annex the British Isles to the Spanish

Crown iu 1588, brought about the collapse of Spain's naval supremacy,
The

America.
just

come

havoc with her galleons from

Philippine Islands, as a colony, had, at that date, only

but during the

existence,

into

which

wars

to play

English mariners

enabling

preceded

Compact"

"Family

the

series

of

Anglo- Spanish

page

(vide

94),

Philippine-Mexican galleons laden with treasure became the prey of

commanders,

British

infested with

numerous councils were held

to decide

captured galleon " Pilar "

enemy

to the

rise

what

to

to

consternation, and

do to get

rid of

Governor sent out

by beacons

orders to signal

if

him.

gave one-and-a-half million dollars

the " Covadonga " was an immense prize.

All over

the Islands the Spaniards were on the alert for the dreaded foe
provincial

were

coasts

the terror of the Philippines

His exploits gave

from the year 1743.

The

He was

Anson's Fleet.

The

Admiral Anson.

notably

his

spies

to

every

high promontories with

the daring Britisher's ships wei'e seen

hovering about, whilst, in Manila, the citizens were forewarned that,

at

any moment, they might be called upon

Not only

in

fleets

of

to repel the

gold-laden vessels

enemy.
Spain

did

and

her

dependencies lose immense wealth through her hostile ambition, for in

view of the

restrictions

on Philippine trade, and the enormous

profits

accruing to the Spanish merchants on their shipments, English, Dutch,

French, and Danish traders entered

into

competition against them.

Shippers of these nationalities bought goods in Canton, where they

own

established their

three millions of

factories,

Mexican dollars

or collecting stores.
Avere taken there for

and these foreign ships landed the

American

ports,

etc.,

in

making purchases,
contraband at the

where Spaniards themselves co-operated

The Rights of Man

trade.

stuffs,

In 1731, over

in

the

conscientiously asserted themselves above

the merciless restraint imposed by His Catholic Majesty on his

subjects,

As

who had

illicit

own

a natural right to trade.

the Southern (Peninsula)

Spanish' merchants were helpless to

stay this competition, which gradually annihilated their profits, their

made them clamour against the Philippine trade, to

Avhich they chose to attribute their misfortunes, and the King was
petitioned to curtail the commerce of this Colony with Mexico for their
exclusive benefit.
But it was not Spanish home trade alone which

rancorous greed

suffered

Acapulco was so beset with smugglers, whose merchandise,

S 2

276

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

surreptitiously introduced, found

its

way

Mexico City,

to

that, iu latter

days, the Philippine galleons' cargoes did not always find a market.

Moreover,

all

kinds of frauds were practised about this time in the

quality of the goods baled for shipment, and the bad results revealed

themselves on the Mexican

The

side.

shippers, unwisely, thought

Mexicans by sending them

possible to deceive the

became partly due

old prices, hence their disaster

ambition that o'erleaps

itself

and

falls

it

inferior articles at

" the vaulting

to

The Governor

on t'other side."

commissioned four of the most distinguished Manila citizen traders to

sorting and

inspect the

These

classification

citizens distinguished themselves

merchandise shipped.

tbe

of

so effectually to

OAvn

their

advantage, that the Governor had to suppress the commission and

abandon the

control, in despair of finding honest colleagues.

goods were taken to A.capulco

this fraud, contraband

Besides

in the galleons

themselves, hidden in water jars.

In the time of Governor Pedro Arandia, 1754, the hundred per cent,
fixed

was

profit

no

longer

Merchants came down

possible.

to

Acapulco and forced the market, by waiting until the ships were
obliged to catch the monsoon back, or

lie

up

often the goods had to be sold for cost,

for another season, so that

or a little over.

returns were so reduced, that the Consulado Avas

owing

In 1754,

Obras

to the

Pias over $300,000, and to the Casa Misericordia 0147,000, without

any hope
then at

The Casa Misericordia

of repayment.

35/o,

and

in

1755 at

20%

interest,

lent

money

at 40

o>

made

but the state of trade

capital hardly acceptable even at this last rate.

As

early as the beginning of last century, the

Cadiz merchants

began to evince jealousy towards the Philippine shippers, alleging that

was much injured by the cargoes carried to Mexico in

Philippine bottoms.
So effectually did they influence the King in their

the

home

trade

favour, that he issued a decree prohibiting the trade between China and

the Philippines of

except the

all

woven

finest linen.

stuffs,

skein and

woven

silk

and clothing,

Manila imports from China Avere thereby

limited to fine linen, porcelain,

wax, pepper, cinnamon and

cloves.

At

the expiration of six months after the proclamation of the decree,

any remaining stocks

Thenceforth trade
illicit,

in

of tbe

proscribed articles were to be

such prohibited

and such goods arriving

confiscated.

in

articles

Mexico

was

burnt

to be considered

after that date

were

to be

KESTRICTIONS ON PHILIPPINE TRADE.

277

By Royal

Decree dated 27th of October, 1720, and published in

Mexico by the Viceroy on the loth of February, 1724, the following

was enacted,

viz.

That

should be two galleons per

in future there

annum, instead of one as heretofore, carrying merchandise to Acapulco,

each to be of 500 tons. That the value of the merchandise, sent in
the two,

was

to be $300,000, to

pepper,

porcelain, cloves,

containing

be precisely in gold, cinnamon, wax,

but not

etc.,

informer, and perpetual

any kind

Judge intervening, and the

banishment from the Indies of

That

concerned in the shipment.

to

of

under pain of confiscation, to be allotted in three equal

silk,

parts, namely, to the Fiscal officer, the

was

or stuffs

silks,

the

number

of

persons

all

Manila merchants

be fixed, and any one not included in that number was to be

prohibited from trading.

Ko

ecclesiastic,

or professor of religion, or

foreigner could be included in the elected few

That

were non-transferable.

if

whose

rights to ship

the proceeds of the sale happened to

exceed the fixed sum of $600,000, on account of market prices being

higher than it Avas anticipated, only that amount could be brought

back

in

money, and the

difference, or

excess, in goods.

If

it

turned

out to be less than that amount, the difference could not be added and
remitted in money, under

penalties

of

confiscation

and two years'

banishment from the Indies.

By Royal

Decree of the year 1726, received and published in

Manila on the 9th of August, 1727, the following regulations were

made known, viz.

That the prohibition relating to silk and all-silk
goods was revoked. That only one galleon was to be sent each year
:

(instead

of

two) as formerly.

containing some
certain

stuffs

silk,

of

That

and a few other

fine

linen

the

prohibition

articles,

on clothing

was maintained.

ware permitted

for

five

years

That
to

be

shipped, to the limit of 4,000 pieces per annum, precisely in boxes

containing each 500 pieces.

The Southern Spanish traders in 1729 petitioned the King against

the Philippine trade in woven goods, and protested against the five
years' permission granted in the
it

would bring about the

above decree of 1726, declaring that

total ruin of the

and that the galleons, on their return

Spanish weaving industry,

to the

Philippines, instead of

loading Spanish manufactures, took back specie for the continuance of

their traffic to the extent of three to four millions of dollars each year.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

278
The King, however,
five years

refused to modify the decree of 1726 until the

had expired,

after

which time, the Governor was ordered to

load the galleons according to the former decree of 1720.

The Manila merchants were

The Governor,

in great excitement.

imder pretext that the original Royal Decree ought to have been
transmitted direct to the Philippines and not merely communicated by
" its conditions.
the Mexican Viceroy, agreed " to obey and not fulfil
From the year 1720, during the period of prohibitions, the Royal

Treasury

lost

about $50,000 per annum, and many of the taxes were

not recovered in

Besides

full.

this,

tbe donations to Government by

the citizens, which sometimes had amounted to $-10,000 in one year,

double loss was also caused to Mexico, for the people there
ceased.

pay much higher prices for their stuffs supplied by Spanish

(home) monopolizers, whilst Mexican cofFers were being drained to
make good the deficits in the Philippine Treasury. The Manila

had

to

merchants were terribly alarmed, and meeting after meeting was held.
A Cono-ress of Government officials and priests was convened, and each
priest

was asked

to express his opinion

Commercial depression
marked, and the position of
petition,

which

elicited the

in

the

affairs

on the state of trade.

Philippines

never been

had

was made known

Royal Decree dated 8th

to the

King

so
in

of April 1734.

a
It

provided that the value of exports should henceforth not exceed

$500,000, and the amount permitted to return was also raised to

$1,000,000 (always on the supposition that 100/o over cost laid down
would be realized). The dues and taxes paid in Acapulco on arrival,

and the dues paid

in

Manila on

million expected to return.^

'

It

happened

starting,

amounted

to

17%

of the

This covered the whole cost of main-

at this date that the dues, etc. equalled 17% on the anticipated
they were not computed by per centage. The Royal Dues

million dollars, but

one
were a fixed sum since about the year 1625, so that when the legal value of the
shipments was much less, the dues and other expenses represented a much higher
per centage. These charges were as follows, viz.

----:

Royal Dues
Port Dues at Acapulco

Disbursements paid in Manila on the ship's departure

Port and Anchorage dues on arrival in Philippines

$160,000
2,000

7,500

500
$170,000

EESTRICTIONS ON PHILIPPINE TRADE.

tenance of ships, salaries, freight and charges of
paid by Government in the

The

number

fixed

first

all

279

kinds which were

instance.

of merchants

was

be decided by the merchants

to

themselves without Government intervention.

Licence was granted to allow those of Cavite to be of the number,

and both Spaniards and natives were

professional

men, except

ecclesiastics,

eligible.

Avas not to be transferable, except to poor

of the shipment

was

to

be sent to the Royal

The

right to ship (boleta)

widows.
officials

sworn invoice

and magistrate of

the Supreme Court in Mexico for the value to be verified.

was ordered

in charge, or supercargo,

to

make

of the fortress in Acapulco, with a copy of the

official
list

commander

same for the Viceroy.

copy to the Audit Office to be again

to send his

copied, and the last copy

The

a book containing a

of the goods and their respective owners and iiand this to the

The Viceroy was

and other

could henceforth be of the

Foreigners were strictly excluded.

number.

Military,

was

to

be forwarded to the Royal Indian

Council.

Every

soldier, sailor

and

officer

was

at liberty to

disembark with

a box containing goods, of which the Philippine value should not

exceed $30,
All

in addition to his private effects.

hidden goods were to be confiscated, one half to the Royal

Treasury, one fourth to the Judge intervening, and one fourth to the

such confiscated goods amounted to $50,000 in value,

the Viceroy and Mexican Council were to determine the sum to be
awarded to the Judge and the informer.
informer, but,

if

If the shipment

met a good market and

realized

million dollars, only one million could be remitted in

more than one

money, and the

excess in duty-paid Mexican merchandise.

If the shipment failed to fetch one million, the difference could not

be sent

The
trading

in

money

making new purchases.

these measures was to prevent Mexicans supplying

for

object of

capital to the

manufactures.

Philippines instead of purchasing Peninsula

It Avas especially enacted that all goods sent to

Mexico

from the Philippines should have been purchased with the capital of
the Philippine shippers, and be their exclusive property without lien.
merchandise was
If it were discovered that on the return journey
carried

to

the

Philippines belonging to

Mexicans,

it

was

to

be

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

280
confiscated,

and a

imposed on the interested parties of three times

fine

the value, payable to the Royal Treasury on the

second conviction entailed confiscation of

all

first

The

conviction.

the culprits' goods, and

banishment from Mexico for ten years.

The weights and measures were

wax was

to be Philippine, and,

to be sent precisely in pieces of the

by custom

above

same weight and

all,

size as

established.

The Council

for freight allotment in

Manila was

comprise the

to

the Minister
and failing
his
of the Supreme Court next below him also the Archbishop, or
stead the Dean of the Cathedral an ordinary judge, a Municipal

Governor, the senior Magistrate

this

latter,

in

Councillor, and one merchant as commissioner in representation of the

who formed the Consulado of merchants.

The expulsion of the non-Christian Chinese

eight

page 118) caused a

deficit in

(vide

the taxes of $30,000 per annum.

The

produce at this date were cacao, sugar,

only exports of Philippine

wax and sapanwood.

1755

in

Trade was

in

quently the Treasury was the same.

a deplorable state, and

To remedy

matters, and to

conse-

make

up the above $30,000, the Government proposed to levy an export

This tax was to be applied to the cost of armaments fitted
duty.
Before the tax was approved of by the King,
out against pirates.
some

priests

loaded a vessel with

lutely refused to

The

in trade concerns.

rotted,

merchandise and abso-

pay the impost, alleging immunity.

argued that there could

disapproved of

export

The Governor

be no such thing as religious

priests appealed to vSpain,

meantime, most of

pending the solution of the

the goods

immunity

and the tax was

and the vessel

question, by the

itself

Royal Indian

Council.

There have been three or four periods during which no galleon

arrived at the Philippines for

two or three consecutive years, and coin

became very

scarce, giving rise to rebellion on the part of the Chinese

and misery

to the Philippine population.

"Covadonga" by

After the capture of the

the English, six years elapsed

before a galleon

brought the subsidy; then the "Rosario" arrived with 5,000 gold
ounces (nominally $80,000).

However, besides the Subsidy, the Colony had

of public revenue, as

Avill

be seen by the following

certain other sources

:

COMMERCIAL

281

CRISIS.

Philippine Budget for the year 1757.

Income.

Slamped Paper
Port and Anchorage Dues...
Sale of Offices, such as Notaries, Public Scribes, Secre-

5,839
4,718
28,500
4,195

taryships, etc
Offices hired out

Taxes rented out

Expenditure.

cts.

12,199 87
25,938 00

12^
75
00

Excise duties
00
Sale of EncumiendaK, and 22
provincial govts. hired out 263,588 00
Divers taxes, fines, pardons,
etc
18,156 00
Tribute, direct tax
4,477 00
Subsidy from Mexico
250,000 00
Deficit
79,844 00

cts.

Supreme Court
34,219
Treasury and Audit Office ... 12,092
University
800
Cost of the annual Galleon... 23.465
Clergy
103,751
Land and Sea forces all over

75

00
00
00
00

Philippines
Staff
and
Material
*312,864 00
Salaries, Hospitals and Divers
expenses
70,158 00

Remittance in Merchandise
on account of the Subsidy 140,106 00

697,455 75

697,455 75

* Including cost of expeditions and defence against the Mussulmans.

When

donations to the
raised

made

the merchant citizens of Manila were in clover, they

Government

to

cover the

deficit,

and loans were

to defray extraordinary disbursements, such as

amongst them

expeditions agaiust the Mvissulmans, etc.

In the good years,

and

tlie

too, the valuation of

the merchandise shipped

returns Avere under-rated in the sworn declarations, so that an

immensely profitable trade was done on a larger scale than was legally
permitted.

Between 1754 and 1759,

view of the reduced

in

to the circumstances already mentioned, the

due

merchants

profits,

Manila

in

prayed the King for a reduction of the Royal dues, which had been
originally fixed on the basis of the gross returns being equal to double

the cost of the merchandise laid

To meet

down

in

Acapulco.

the case, another Royal Decree was issued confirming the

fixed rate of

Royal dues and disbursements, but

in

compensation the

cargo was thenceforth permitted to iuchide 4,000 pieces of

fine liuen,

without any restriction whatsoever as to measure or value

the sworn

value was abolished, and the

maximum

return value of the

shipment was raised to one and-a-half millions of dollars.

total

dues and disbursements became equal to

lU

whole

Hence the

per cent, instead of

17 per cent., as heretofore, on the anticipated return value.

In
returns,

1763,

the

amounted

(vide page 96).

Subsidy, together with the

in

Consulado shippers'

one voyage to two-and-a-half millions of dollars

After the independence of Mexico, tribute

iu

kind

282

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

(tobacco) was, until recently, shipped direct to Spain, and Peninsula

coin began to circulate in these Islands.

Consequent on the banishment of the non-Christian Chinese in

what Spain had

of

The

became stagnant.

trade

1755,

now experienced
when the expulsion
crippled her home

Philippines

the reign of Philip III.,

felt since

900,000 Moorish agriculturists and artisans

which

industries,

it

took a century and a half to revive.

was

Tlie Acapulco trade

were anxious

company

shop was

breeds, the total

30 per

number

and a joint-stock

order,

$500 each.

of

shopmen being

company was

object of the
all

by

closed

hands.

Stores were opened in the

under the control of two Spaniards or half-

business quarter, each

goods of

own

Spaniards and half-breeds was formed with a

of

capital of $76,500, in shares of

The

on the wane, and the Spanish element

to get the local trade into their

Every Chinese
trading

fast

to

21.

purchase clothing and staple

kinds required in the Islands, and to

Out

cent, over cost price.

30 per

of the

sell

cent,

the same at

were

to be paid

an 8 per cent, tax, a dividend of 10 per cent, per annum to the shareholders,

and the remainder was to cover

fund for new investments.

and form a reserve

salaries

The company found

it

impossible to

make

the same bargains with the Chinese sellers as the Chinese buyers had
done, and a large portion of the capital was soon

The funds

at that date in the

lost.

Obras Pias amounted

and the trustees were applied to by the company

which they refused.

The Governor was

$159,000,

to

for financial support,

petitioned

theologians and

magistrates were consulted on the subject.

The

were overruled by the

judicial arguments,

and the Governor ordered

$130,000 of the Obras Pias funds

should be loaned to the

that

company on debentures

nevertheless,

theological objections

within a year the company

failed.

A
cle

commercial company, known as the " Compania Guipuzcoana

Cardcas,^''

privileges.

was created under Royal sanction, and obtained certain

During the term of

its

existence,

it

almost monopolized the

Philippine-American trade which was yet carried on exclusively

State galleons.

On

renewal

of

monopolies

Corporation, to be

its

charter, about the year 1783,

Home

Government, prayiug for a

the expiration of

a petition was presented to the

and

in the

privileges

in

founded on a modified

favour
basis.

of

Trading

Consequently, a

THE "eeal compania de filipinas."

283

was granted on the 10th March, 1785, to a newcompany, bearing the style and title of the " Real Compania de
Filipinasr Its capital was $8,000,000, in 32,000 shares of $250 each.
charter {Real Cedula)

King Charles

III. took

for the Friars

up 4,000 shares

3,000

shares were reserved

and the Manila residents, the balance being allotted

in

the Peninsnla.

The defunct company had engaged

employing the galleons

and proposed
"

To

to trade

the

'

solely in the

the present one

American

trade,

sphere of commerce,

left that

with the East and Europe.

Real Compania

de

Filipinas

'

was conceded the

" exclusive privilege of trade between Spain and the Archipelago,

" with the exception of the traffic between Manila and Acapulco. Its
" ships could fly the Royal Standard, with a

signal to

distinguish

" them from war vessels.

It was allowed two years, counting from
" the date of charter, to acquire foreign-built vessels and register
" them under the Spanish flag, free of fees. It could import, duty
"

any goods for the

free,

" could take into

its

" were so employed,

"

respects

all

" serving

in

fitting out of

its

ships, or ships' use.

service Royal naval officers, and, whilst these

their seniority

would continue

to count,

would enjoy the same rights as

they

It

the navy.

It could

engage foreign

in

they were

if

sailors

and

and

officers,

" always provided that the captain and chief

officer were Spaniards."

" All existing decrees and Royal orders, forbidding the importation

" into the Peninsula of stuffs and manufactured articles from India,
" China and Japan- were abrogated in favour of this company.
" Philippine produce, too, shipped to Spain by the Company, could
" enter duty free."
"

The

on direct traffic with China and India was

" henceforth abolished in favour of all Manila merchants, and the
prohibition

" Company's ships

"

in particular could call at

The company undertook

" to spend, with this object,

to

Chinese ports."

support Philippine agriculture and

4/o of its nett profits."

In order to protect the company's

interests, foreign ships

were not
allowed to bring goods from Europe to the Philippines, although they
could land Chinese and Indian wares.

By

the Treaties of Tordesillas and

76), the Spaniards

'

"

Antwerp

had agreed that to reach

La Libertad

del comercio de Filipinas,"

(vide pages 19 and

their Oriental possessions

by Manuel Azcarraga.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

284

they would take only the Western route, which would be via Mexico
These Treaties, however, were virtually
or round Cape Horn.

quashed by King Charles III. on the establishment of the Real

Holland only lodged a nominal protest when the
Compania.

Cape

Good Hope

of

to sail to the Philippines

were authorised

company's ships

for

Spaniards' ability

the

vid the

compete had,

to

meanwhile, vastly diminished.

With such important immunities, and the credit which ought to be

procurable by a company with $8,000,000 paid up capital, its operations
However, its balance sheet, closed
miglit have been relatively vast.
to the 31st October, 1790 (5| years after it started), shows the total

The working account

assets to be only $10,700,194.

Although

immense

Avas never,

it

in

itself,

a flourishing concern,

profit,

brought

sums

of

money, distributed

and expended

development

in the rural

to those

commercial prosperity.

for the Colony's future

These advantages operated in two ways.

to agriculture, which thenceforth began
large

it

benefit to the Philippines (at the expense of its shareholders)

by opening the way

By

not set out.

is

germs

of

in

to

gave great impulse

make important

anticipation of the

districts,

husbandry

it

imparted

such

indigo, pepper,

sugar-cane, tobacco, cotton,

It

1.

life,

4%

strides.

on nett

vigour and

as the cultivation of

which,

etc.

for a long

time since, were, and to a certain extent are still, the staple dependence
2. It opened the road to final extinction of all
of many provinces.
those vexatious prohibitions to trade with the Eastern ports and the
Peninsula which had checked the spirit and energy of the Philippine

merchants.

It Avas the precursor of free trade

commercial liberty

The
as

it

to

all

more

manner

stepping-stone to

in these regions.

decline are not difficult to trace.

Established

semi-official basis, all kinds of intrigues

were resorted

causes of

was on a

the

its

of favouritism

or less lucrative, in the

was besought,

to secure appointments,

Great Company.

prevailed over knowledge and ability, and the

Influential incapacity

men

intrusted with the'

direction of the company's operations proved themselves inexperienced

unfit to cope

and quite
world.

Their very exclusiveness was an

contrabandists.

monopoly
the

way

with unshackled competition from the outer

in

temptation to

Manila private merchants, viewing with displeasure

any form,

of the

irresistible

lost

company.

no opportunity of putting obstacles in

Again, the willing concurrence of native

FREE TRADE. ^-MANILA OPENED TO THE WORLD.

labourers in an enterprise of magnitude

then as

now.

was

285

as impossible to secure

The

native had a high time at the expense of the

company, revelling in the enjoyment of cash advances, for which some

gave

it is

others nothing.

Success could only be achieved by forced

labour and this right was not included in the charter.
little,

In 1825, the company was on the point of collapse, when, to

support the tottering fabric, its capital was increased by
$12,500,000
under Real Cedula of that year, dated 22nd June. King Charles IV.
took 15,772 ($250) shares of this new issue. But nothing could
save
the wreck, and finally, it was decreed, by Real Cedula of
28th May,
1830,

that the

Filipinas "

privileges

had expired

conceded

and

the

Compania de
Manila was then opened to Free Trade
to

''Real

with the whole world.

In

1820

the declared

independence of Mexico, acknowledo-ed

subsequently by the European Powers, forced Spain to a decision, and
direct trade

between

reluctant necessity.

tlie

Philippines and the mother country became a

No restrictions

were placed on the export

of Colonial produce, but value limitations

Chinese goods.

The export from

were fixed with

When

the galleons

fell

into

to

reo-ard to

$750,000 at that date.

third of all the

disuse,

Manila export trade

communication was

established with Spain by merchant sailing ships via the

Hope, whilst the opening

Spain

the Philippines to Acapulco, Callao

and other South American ports was limited

Twenty-two years afterwards, one

was done with China.

to

definitely

Cape

of

Good

Canal has now brouo-ht the

Philippines within 32 days' journey by steamer from Barcelona.
The voyage via the Cape of Good Hope occupied from three to six

months

of the

Suez

the sailings were less frequent than at the present day, and
the journey was invariably attended with innumerable discomforts.
;

few old Spanish residents now compare their privations, when they
journeyed from the Peninsula, with the travelling facilities of these
times.

What

to-day a pleasure, was then a hardship, consequently

the number of Spaniards in the Islands was small
their movements
is

were always known.

It

was hardly

possible for a Spaniard to acquire

a sum of money and migrate secretly from one island to another,
and
still less easy was it for him to leave the colony
clandestinely.

The Spaniard of that day who settled in the Colony usually became
well known during the period of the service which brought
him to the

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

286
Far East.

If, after his

retirement from public duty, ou the conclusion

of his tenure of office, he decided to remain in the Colony,

due

it

was often

being able to count on the pecuniary support and moral

to his

Hence

of the priests.

protection

that

is,

it

the majority of needy

Spaniards in the Philippines, in the course of time, came to entertain

socialistic notion that those

a kind of

who have

nieaus,

ought

to aid

up those who have nothing, without guarantee of any kind

" Si huhicra quieii me proteja ! " was the common sigh the outcome
of CsBsarism nurtured by a Government which discountenanced

and

set

Later on,

individual effort.

paternally

philanthropic institutions,

The

unsecured capital.

natives seemed to think that

employing large

the foreign firms, and others

become

many

too,

capitals,

might well

assisting

them with

natives were bred in this moral bondage

they had seen trading companies, established under royal sanction,

benefit the fcAV and collapse they had witnessed extensive works,

undertaken por via de administracion, miscarry in their ostensible

objects, but prosper in their real intent, namely, the providing of berths

for those

The

who

lived

by their wits.

patriarchal system

merchants
themselves.

(Russell and

They

a wealthy firm of

was essayed by
Sturgis)

with most

disastrous

American
results

to

distributed capital all over the Colony, and the

natives abused their support in a most abominable manner.

native,

on the pretext that he had opened up a plantation, would present

himself to the firm, and procure advances against future crops Avith
every

Having once advanced,

facility.

doing so to save the

first

Negros was

first

was necessary

to continue

loans.

Under the auspices of the

was given to the commerce of
of

it

late

Mr. Nicholas Loney, great impulse

Yloilo, and, due to his efforts, the Island

His memory

opened up.

is

still

revered, and he

often spoken of as the original benefactor to the trading

is

community

of that district.

Messrs. Eussell and Sturgis subsequently extended

their operations

to

that locality.

The

result was, that

they were

deceived in every direction by the natives who, instead of bringing in

produce to pay

off advances,

sent their sons to colleges, built fine

houses, bought pianos, jewellery,

etc.,

and

in a

hundred ways

satisfied

and love for outward show in a manner never known before,

As bankers, the firm
at the expense of the American capitalists.
enjoyed the unlimited confidence of those classes who had something
their pride

CONCESSIONS TO FOREIGN MERCHANTS.

to lose as well as to gain.

Hence,

it

having withdrawn

money

interest,

their

287

said that the original partners

is

the

endeavoured to

firm

continue the business with a Avorking capital chiefly derived from the

funds deposited by private persons at

per annum.

8/^^

All might have

gone well, had not the unprincipledness of the native agriculturists,

who had

all

failure of the

was, for the

had

for

and extremely

to gain

brought about the

The news amazed everybody. Trade

moment, completely paralysed.
The great firm, which
house in 1875.

years been

enterprise,

to lose,

little

had

failed

the

mainspring

of

Philippine

all

mercantile

But whilst many

individuals

many

interest) fifty times as

suffered

(principally depositors

owe

families to-day

at

their financial position

to the generosity of the big firm, and I could mention the

names of

half-a-dozen real estate owners in Yloilo Province who, having started

with nothing, somehow found themselves possessing comparatively

large fortunes at the time of the liquidation.

Consequent on the smash a reaction

beneficial to tiae

Colony at large.

set

in

which soon proved

Foreign and Spanish houses of minor

importance, which had laboured in the shade during the existence of

the great firm, were

now

able to extend their operations in branches of

trade which had hitherto been practically monopolized.

Before Manila was opened to foreign trade, even

in

a restricted

form, special concessions appear to have been gi'anted to a few traders.

One

writer mentions that a French mercantile house

was founded

in

Manila many years prior to 1787, and that an English firm obtained
permission to establish

itself in

1809.

In olden times, the demand for ordinary commodities was supplied

by the Chinese traders and a few Americans and Persians.

During

the latter half of the last century, occasionally a Spanish man-o'-war

arrived, bringing

European manufactures

for sale,

and loaded a return

cargo of Oriental goods.

Fifty years ago the Philippine Islands were but
foreign markets and commercial centres of Europe.

little

known

in the

Notwithstanding

the special trading concessions granted to one foreigner and another

from the beginning of

was

this century,

it

was not

until the Port of

Manila

unrestrictively opened to resident foreign merchants in 1834 that

288

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

a refular export trade with the whole mercantile world gradually came
into existence.
It is said that before this time (during the existence of the "

Compal a de

Filipinas''^) a

Mr. Butler

Real

solicited permission to reside

and open up, a trade between Manila and foreign ports, but his
petition was held to be monstrous and grievously dangerous to the
in,

political security of the Colony,

same

spirit

of

exclusiveness

it

was

No

rejected.

doubt the

and abhorrence of foreign intercourse

obtained at this time as in 1738,

with England

hence

when

to the fulfilment of the

the Spaniards preferred a

war

Asiento contract entered into

under the Treaty of Utrecht.^

Subsequently the American firm already mentioned

made

Sturgis

similar request, which, having the support of

Then Mr.

Governor-General of that day was granted.

advantage of
house

in

Russell and

this recent precedent,

Manila.

the

Butler, taking

succeeded in founding a commercial

Since then a great number of foreigners have

followed their example, so that in the ports of Manila, Yloilo, and

there were about a dozen British and a dozen

German and Swiss

Cebu
firms,

a few smaller merchants of divers nationalities, trading with

besides

Europe, America, China, Australia,

The same

distrustful

etc.

sentiment of olden times, in the Spanish

commercial and colonial policy, continued up to the

posed reforms

and

solicitations

for permission

improvements were by no means Avelcomed.

opposition

was

last

day.

to introduce

In the provinces,

cast against all liberal innovations,

and

in the

Pro-

modern
clerical

Government

The Peace of Utrecht, signed in 1713, settled the succession of Philip, the
French Dauphin, to the Spanish thi'one, whilst among the concessions which
England gained for herself under this treaty, was a convention with Spain, known
as the Asiento contract. This gave the English the right, which had hitherto
'

been denied them, of trading with the Spanish colonies of America.

Nevertheless,

the exercise of this right was disputed in 1738. An

Spaniards lost several galleons in a naval combat, undertaken by Admiral Vernon
and Commodore Anson, who attacked Peru and Chili.
So prejudicial to the vital interests of Spain was the ceded right held to be,
that the earliest efforts of the first new Cabinet under Ferdinand VL were
engaged in a revision of the commercial differences between that country and

armed contest ensued, and the

England. England was persuaded to relinquish the Asiento contract in exchange

for advantages of greater consideration in another direction.
Less than a century ago England took over from Spain Nootka Sound, a
station on the Pacific coast, where a flourishing fur trade was carried on by British
the cession was accorded under a solemn promise not to trade thence
settlers
with the Spanish colonies of South America.
;

BENEFITS FROM FOREIGN CAPITAL.

289

bureaux they Avere eucompassed with obstructive formalities, objectious

and delays.^

By
iuterior

Royal Ordiuauce of
iu 1857,

strangers were excluded from the

1844:,

unrepealed decrees were brought forward to urge the

prohibition of foreigners to establish themselves iu the Colony

as late as 1886, their trading here

was declared

" material interests of the country."

The
tiling

to be prejudicial to the

support of the Friars referred to in these pages

of the past.

had increased tenfold

Colonists

and,

the

became a

means

of

communication and of exit were too ample for the security of the

who, as members of religious communities, could not seek

redress at law, and, moreover, those " lucky hits "
which were made
lenders,

by penniless Europeans iu former times by pecuniary help " just

nick of time "

were

no longer possible, for every known channel of

lucrative transaction was, in time, taken

It

was the

up by

entirely

indirectly

is

due

of position

capital.

in trade

Negros Island

In Manila, many of the

and some Spaniards, who at

and standing, commenced

through

of the Colony,

engaged

to foreign enterprise.

opened up by foreign

half-castes, pure natives,

men

commerce

of the present wealth of the inhabitants

and agriculture

was

capitalists.

capital brought originally to the Philippines

foreign channels which developed the modern

and much

in the

this

day figure as

their careers as messengers,

warehouse-keepers, scriveners, etc. of the foreign houses established.

There were a great many

whose funds on

The

'

first

Avell-to-do

starting Avere brought

Spanish steamer-0A\'ner

For example

C'omercio de Manila,

vide "

Don

Memoria

iu

Spaniards in trade, but few

by them from the Peninsula.

the Colony

leida

por

el

AA^as

a baker by trade,

Secretario de la

F. de P. Rodoreda, en 28 de

Marzo de

Camara de

page 6,
(pub. Manila 18!)0 by Diaz Puertas y Campania).
El expediente siguio la penosa peregri" Jurado Mercantil
It says thus
" nacion de nuestro pesado y complicado engi'anaje a^lministrativo y Uevaba ya
" muy cerca de dos aiios empleados en solo recorrer dos de los muchos Centros
:

IS'JO,"

consul tivos a que debia ser sometido, etc."

- The following
is an extract from the text of the preamble to a Decree,
dated 19th March, 1886, relative to the organization of the Philippine Exhibition

'

held in Madrid

signed by the Colonial Minister, Don German Gamazo

" Con ^1 se lograra que la gran masa de numerario que sale dc la Metrdpoli
" para adquirir en paises extranjeros algodon, azdcar, cacao, tabaco y otros
'
productos vaya a nuestras posesiones de Oceania donde comerciantes extranjeros
'
loi acaj)aran con dano evldente de los intereses inateriaJes del pais"

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

290

and, due to the support of Eussell

&

Sturgis,

made

lie

One

liis^way.

1894) once kept a little

Sturgis, he developed
grocer's shop, and after the failure of Russell &
now considered the
Lto a merchant and shipowner, his firm being
Spanish house operating in hemp and other produce.

(who died

of the richest Spanish merchants

in

largest

in

Bank Agencies
There are two foreign Bank Branches^ and three
About fourteen
Manila also one foreign Bank Branch in Yloilo.
;

in Manila, Yloilo
Spanish firms of a certain importance were established
and there on the
and Cebu in addition to the Europeans trading here

In Manila there was a Spanish private banking

which was instituted
house also the " Banco Espanol de Isabel IL,"
shares of $200 each.
1852, with a capital of $400,000, in 2,000

coasts of the Islands.

;

in

The

capital

charter,

The

it

to $600,000.

was subsequently increased

Authorised by

demand from $10 upwards.

Note issue was $1,200,000, whilst

issued notes payable to bearer on

maximum

legal

the actuarcirculation

limit of

was about $100,000 short

This

of that figure.

secure business, and

it

has

bank did a very limited amount

of very

paid dividends of 12 to 15/o

hence the shares were always at a

stock was
In 1888, when 12/o dividend was paid, this

premium.

quoted at $420

1895

in

its

it

rose to $435.

(1833-1868) Philippine coin was

less than
Thirty-five years ago gold coin really obtained

During the reign

issued.

value

nominal

exchange an

were worth

o?iza

of Isabella II.

in

silver,

of gold

and

much

as

($16) for

silver.

their nominal relative values

as

lO";^

was paid

to

In 1878 gold and silver

Gold, however, has gradually

been exported to
disappeared from the Colony, large quantities having
gold was 2/^,
China. In 1881 the current premium for purchasing

and at the close of 1884 or beginning

premium was paid for Philippine gold
previous coinage.

was always

of

1885, as

of the

much

as

Isabella II. or

10%
any

gold currency of Alfonso XII. (1875-1885)

the
intrinsic value than the coin of earlier date,

The

of less

Corporation," incorporated in
Reserve fund, $10,000,000
Present position: Capital paid up, 10,000,000.
1867
1,000,000, invested|in Consols and other
(held in London at Ex. 2*. per $
proprietors, $10,000,000.
Sterling securities). Reserve liability of
Bank of India, Australia, and China," incorporated in
2 "
1

JO

rpj^g u

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

The Chartered

185:5.'

Capital paid up, 800,000.

proprietors, 800,000.

Reserve fund, 500,000.

Reserve

liability of

MONETARY NOTES.

291

averaging about

diflPerence

2%. At the present day, gold could only

be obtained in very limited quantities
at about the same rate as
sio-ht
drafts on Europe.
Philippine gold pieces are
rare.

In 1883 Mexican dollars of a later

coinage than 1877 were called
m, and a term was fixed after which
they would cease to be le^al
tender.
In July 1886 a Decree was published
calling in all foreign
and Chinese marked coins (chop dollars i)
within six months, aft^r
which date those not brought in would
cease to be legal tender, and
any person who introduced such coin
into the Colony would be
subject
to the penalty of

a fine equal

to

20%

of

the value imported-the

obligation to immediately re-export

the

coin-and civil action for the

the expiration of the six months,
the Treasury was
not in a position to eff^ect the conversion
of the foreign medium in
private hands prior to the publication
of the decree.
The term was
extended, but in time the measure
became practically void, so far as
the legal tender was concerned.
However, the importation
misdemeanour.

dollars

was

still

At

of Mexican
prohibited, but as they remained
current in Manila at

par value, whilst in

8 to

12%

(and

in

Hongkong and Singapore they

1894, 25%) less than Manila

could be bouo-ht for

dollars,

large'quan-

were smuggled into the Colony.

It is estimated that
year 1887 the clandestine introduction
of Mexican
titles

dollars into

in

the

Manila

averaged about $150,000 per month.

I remember a Chinaman was
caught in September, 1887, with
$164,000, imported in cases declared
to contain matches.
In 1890 there was a -boom" in
the silver
market. Owing to the action of the

American Silverites, the Washington Treasury called for a monthly

supply of four millions of silver
dollars, consequently sight rate on
London in Hongkong touched 3/101
and in Manila rose to 3/1 Oi, but a rapid
reaction set in when the
Treasury demand ceased.

In 1895 we heard in Manila that

the

Government were about to coin Philippine dollars

and absolutely
demonetize Mexicans as a medium in the islands.
But this measure
was never carried out, probably because the
government had not the
necessary cash with which to effect the
conversion.
In June 1893, the s.s. Bon Juan, owned
by Francisco
L. Rojas,

of Manila, took on board in

'

Chop doUars

Hongkong about $400,000 Mexicans

are those defaced

by private Chinese marks,

for

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

292

Ou board there were

the purpose of smuggling them into Manila.
and a crowd of Chinese coolies.
also, as passengers, a Senor Eodoreda
The

vessel caught fire off the

W.

coast of Luzon.

The

captain, the

ship in boats, leaving

crew, and the Spanish passenger abandoned the
steam launch was sent alongside
the Chinese to their awful fate.
became victims
and saved a few dollars, whilst the despairing Chinese

to the flames

and sharks.

Manila Bay.

The remaining

The

ship's

dollars

and chief engineer were prosecuted.

The universal monetary crisis due

burnt-out hull was towed to

were confiscated, and the captain

to the depreciation of silver

was

matters still worse by

experienced here, and the Government made
had not the intrinsic value
coining half-dollars and 20-cent pieces, which
exchange consequently fell still lower. In September,

and

expressed,

1887,

Madrid

periodical,

Correo

de

Espaua,

stated

that

the

in Madrid both by moneyPhilippine 50 cent pieces were rejected

In May, 1888,
offices.
changers and merchants in the Government

below nominal value), and

suffered considerably by the
shippers to the Colony, who had already
interests still further impaired by the
loss ou exchange, had their

the dollar

was quoted

at 3/2| (over

19%

iniquitous action of the Treasury.

ExciiAXGE Fluctuations.

Sight

PKOVINCIAL PORTS OPEJVED.

Exchange Fluctuations.
Sight on LONDON.

continued.

293

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

294

None but wooden sugar-cane mills were employed at that time,

but since then, many small steam-power factories have been erected,
although they are

all far

behind the

latest

apparatus relating to this industry.

is

modern improvements

The produce shipped

principally carried to the United States in

The

American

in the

in Yloilo

sailing ships.

following figures will serve to show the commercial importance of

this district

Chief Exports from Yloilo.^

TRADE STATISTICS.

od

iz;

Ch
-)

w
Ph

EH

O
CO

O
'A

O
H
O

295

296

PHILirriNE ISLANDS.

EXCISE AND CUSTOMS.

The

total

Values

SMUGGLING.

297

declared in the Customs Houses were as follows,

VIZ,

In
In
In

In
In

In
In

1841$ 3,230,000
1885 $19,171,468
1888 $21,208,445
1891 $24,860,000
1892 $27,000,604
1896 $17,740,010
1897 $16,350,328

Imports.

$ 4,370,000

5>

$24,553,685
$26,358,640

11

$25,751,843

11

$33,478,924

11

11

$28,210,032

11

11

No official returns procurable.

The Excise and Customs Revenue

Custom House
OF

J?.r;jor^5.

in

1889 was as follows,

viz,

298

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

circumstances which directly led to the. opening of Zamboanga,

as a port of commerce, are interesting, Avheu

island

remembered that the

is

inhabited

bj races

by the Sj)aniards, and where agriculture, by

civilized

(Mindanao)

indomitable

it

is

independent in the interior

It appears that the free

yet nascent.

settlers, is as

and open Port of

Sulu had been, for a long time, frequented by foreign ships, whose
officers (chiefly British)

owners or

unscrupulously supplied the Sulus

with sundry manufactured goods, including arms of xcarfare^ much to

the detriment of Spanish interests there, in exchange for mother-of-pearl,

The Spaniards claimed

suzerain rights over the

pearls,

gums,

island,

but Avere not strong enough to establish and protect a Custom

etc.

House, so they imposed the regulation that

ships

loading in Sulu

The

should put in at Zamboanga for clearance to foreign ports.

who

foreigners

on

carried

this

illicit

traffic

sailing-ship being required to go out of her

120 miles

Zamboanga,

to put into

A British ship (and

clearance.

for the

protested

against a

homeward course about

mere formality of customs

many before her) sailed straight

Spaniards, who had naturally sought

perhaps

away from Sulu, in defiance of the

The matter was then brought to the notice of
their own protection.
the British Government, who intimated that either Sulu must be
declared a free port or a Custom House must be established there.

The former alternative was chosen by the Spaniards.

Zamboanga would have been a convenient port of
coming" from Australia

The supreme

if

the harbour dues had not been so excessive.

control of merchant shipping

vested in the same high

vessels

call for

No

official.

foreigner

and naval forces was

was permitted

to

own a

vessel trading between Spain and her colonies, or between one Spanish

colony and another, or doing a coasting trade within the Colony.

difficulty

was

ineffective

however readily overcome, and reduced

formality,

by foreigners employing Spaniards

This

to

a mere

to

become

Thus a very large portion of the

steamers was virtually conducted by

nominal owners of their vessels.

inter-island

foreigners,

carrying

who were

trade

in

chiefly British.

Mail steamers, subsidized by the Government, left the Capital

every fortnight for the different islands, and there was a quarterly
Pacific Mail Service to the
*

Ladrone Islands.^

Manila to Yap, 1,160 miles.

880 miles.

Yap

Regular mails arrived

to Ponapd, 1,270 miles.

Ponape

to Apra,

from, aud left

MAIL SERVICE.

MIDDLEMEN.

Europe every

fortnight, but there

for,

299
were frequent

intermediate opportunities of remitting aud receiving correspondence,

so that there were really about three mails received and three despatched

every mouth.

The mail

route for Europe

were some seven or eight

sailings of

is

via Singapore, but there

steamers per month between

Manila and Hongkong (the nearest foreign colony

640 miles), whence

mails were forwarded to Europe, Australia, Japan, United States, etc.

Between the Capital and

there

several ports in the adjacent provinces,

was a daily service of passenger and

light cargo steamers.

Between Yloilo and the adjoining Province of Antique, the District

of Concepcion and the Islands of Negros and Cebii, there were some
half-dozen

small

steamers,

belonging

to

Filipinos

and

Spaniards,

running regularly Avith passengers

sugar-producing

season

and merchandise, whilst in the

from January to May they were fully

freighted with cargoes of this staple article.

The
in the

carrying trade in sailing craft between the Islands Avas chiefly

hands of natives and half-castes.

sailing ship-owners,

and

There were also a few Spanish

above-mentioned Port of Yloilo, a few

schooners (called lorchas), loading from 40 to 100 tons of sugar, were
in the

the property of foreigners, under the nominal ownership of Spanish

subjects, for the effects of the law.

The

principal exporters

employ middlemen

for the collecting of

produce and usually require their guarantee for sales at credit to the
provincial purchasers of imports.

These middlemen are always persons

of means, born in the Colony, and understanding both the intricacies

of the native character

and the European mode

they serve as very useful

It

of transacting business,

almost indispensableintermediaries.

was only when the

crisis in

the Sugar trade affected the whole

world, and began to be felt in the Philippines in 1884, that the majority
of the natives

engaged

in that industry slowly yielded to the conviction

that quotations depended upon circumstances quite beyond the control

of

the foreign buyers and exporters.

Until that period, the idea

obtained amongst the small planters, that the current price of produce
fluctuated according to the caprice of the foreign buyer, instead of

supply and demand

hence

many have

refusing to take advantage of market rises.

lost

money by

perversely

Before transactions were so

thoroughly in the hands of middlemen, small producers used to take their

samples to the purchasers, " to see

how much they were

disposed to

300

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

pay " as they expressed

it

the

term " market price " seldom being

used or understood in the provinces.

Accustomed

deal,

to

during the

Spanish

the

centuries of

first

occupation, with the Chinese, the natives, even amongst themselves,

rarely have fixed prices in retail dealings, and nearly every quotation
in small traffic

is

taken only as a fancy price, subject to considerable

The Chinese understand

rebate before closing.

they study his likings, and they so

fix

the native pretty well

that an enormous

their prices

made for his satisfaction.

He goes away quite
contented, whilst the Chinaman chuckles over having got the best of
the bargain. Even the import houses, when they publish their goods
reduction can be

for sale, seldom state the prices

it

seems as

if all

regarded the question

of price as a shifty one.

The system

few

of giving credit in the retail trade of Manila, and a

provincial towns,

was the ruin

of a great

many

Without

shopkeepers.

a dollar in his pocket, and often unworthy of credit, a person Avent into
a shop and expected to be served with whatever he might select against

There were few

his I.O.U.

most

of

them

tradesmen

retail

who had

fluctuated according to the race, or nationality, of the

intending purchaser.

The Chinese

price being merely nominal.

move away, he would

made no

dealer

If on the first

call after

ofier

U.

4(.

Avere about to

you and politely invite you

*'-

*"-

'.<

secret about his

you

with him^ over what you were to pay for the chosen

The

fixed prices

only real basis of Avealth in the Colony,

obtained by Agriculture and Forest produce.

haggle

article.
M.
tf

"'
'A-

1^

'-.-

to

is

the raw material

Nothing was done by

the conquerors to foster the Industrial Arts, and the Manufacturing

Trades were

of

insignificant

mamtfactiired export staple,

importance.

Avhilst a little

Cigars were

the

only

cordage, and occasionally a

bamboo hats were shipped.

Bulacan and Pampauga, split cane and Nito

a parcel of straw or finely-split

In the Provinces of
{lygodiuni)

hats,

straw mats, and cigar cases are made.

the finest worked cigar cases require so

they cost up to $20 each.

much time

Hats can only be obtained

for

Some

of

making that

in quantities

by

shippers through native middlemen.

In Yloilo Province a rough cloth called Sinamay

1

yd cuidado de regatear."
Weaving was taught to the natives by a Spanish

is

woven^ from

"I

priest about the year 1595,

RAILWAYS.

MANUFACTURES.
selected

hemp

Island),

Pina muslin

ia this province

and that of Antique (Pauay

of pure pine-leaf fibre

and Husi of mixed pine-leaf

Also

fibre.

Ilocos Province has a reputation in these

and hemp filament are made.

Islands for

Taal, in Bataugas

woollen and dyed cotton fabrics.

its

301

make of cotton stuffs. Pasig, on

name, and Sulipan iu Pampanga, are locally known

Province, also produces a special

the

river of that

for

their

rough pottery.

Paete, at the extreme east of the

Laguua de Bay,

white wood furniture and wood-carving.

wooden
in

is

nearly

Santa Cruz, a ward

The

the gold and silver workers' quarter.

all

the

hide leather,

1890,

in

wax

caudles, soap, etc.

The

scale.

first

have

Mats

to sleep

upon

their centres of manufacture

Philippine brewery was opened 4th October,

San Miguel (Manila) by Don Enrique Barretto.

capital alone supports these manufactures.

being entirely

local,

The

traffic

Native

and consumption

the consequent increase of wealth to the Colony

the economized difference between them and imported articles.

industries bring no fresh capital to

they contribute to check

chansrinsT

women

straw bags (bayones), alcohol, bamboo furniture, bufFalo-

on a small

native

provinces produce some very handsome

civilized

specimens of embroidery on European patterns.

(^petates)

the centre for

In Mariquina, near Manila,

clogs and native leather shoes are made.

of Manila,

is

its

the Colony, by

egress

way

is

These

of profits, but

by the returns of agriculture

hands to the local manufacturer instead of

to the foreiffu

merchant.

Want
drawback

of cheap

means

of land transport has, so far, been the chief

to Philippine manufactures,

which are

of small importance

in the total trade of the Colony.

Philippine Railways were

first officially

projected in 1875,

when

Royal Decree of that year, dated 6th of August, determined the

legislative basis for

Works was

works of that nature.

The

Inspector of Public

instructed to form a general plan of a railway system in

was undertaken

On the 11th of November following, this task

by Don Eduardo Lopez Navarro, an engineer personally

known

The

the Island of Luzon.

to

me.

projected system included (1) a line running north

from Manila through the

Pangasinan.

(2)

A line

Provinces

of

Bulacau,

Pampanga and

running south from Manila and then along

Laguna de Bay shore eastwards through Tayabas, Camarines and

Albay Provinces. (3) A branch from this line on the Laguna de Bay

the

302

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

shore to run almost due south to Batangas.

were classed under two heads,

iitility

down

to be laid

viz.

Those

2.

of

general public

of

by the State or by subsidized companies

either

the concession in this case being given by the

and

be constructed

lines to

Those

1.

private

the construction of

interest, for

Home Government,
which

concessions could be granted by the Governor-General.

In 1885 the Government

first line

solicited teuders

Manila

of railway from

to

Dagiipan

for the laying of the

port on the Gulf of

Liugayeu, and the only practicable outlet for produce from the Province

The

of Pangasinan and Tarlac District.

distance by sea

is

216 miles

the railway line 196 kilometres (say 120 miles).

The

subsidy offered by the Government amounted to about $7,650

per mile, but on three occasions no tender was forthcoming either

from Madrid or

in

Manila, where

Subsequently a modified

on a

of 8/o

offer

maximum

was simultaneously

it

was made

solicited.

of a guaranteed annual interest

outlay of $4,964,473.65, and the news

was

received in Manila in October, 1886, that the contract had been taken

up by a London
Railway

The

firm of contractors.

Co., Limited,"

was

prospectus of

issued in February, 1888.

to be completed within four years

"The Manila
The

rolling

The

Government without compensation.

rails,

stock

revert

The

Terrero on the 31st of July, 1887.

Hett, Mayler

opened to

&

Co., failed,

traffic

Many other

the

for bridges,

stone of the Central Station in

first

Manila (Bilibid Road, Tondo) was

to

locomotives (36 tons

and 12 tons each), tenders, coaches, waggons, and ironwork

came from England.

was

from the 21st of Jidy, 1887, and at

the end of 99 years the railway aud

all

line

laid

by Governor-General Emilio

In 1890, the contractors, Messrs.

and only the

first

section of 28 miles

was

on the 24th of March, 1891.

circumstances, however, contributed to delay the opening

of the whole line.

Compensation claims were very slowly agreed

ment engineers

slightly altered the plans

the

to

the

Govern-

Company's engineers

could not find a hard strata in the bed of the Calumpit River (a branch
of the

Rio Grande de Pampanga) on Avhich

bridge

and

lastly,

the Spanish authorities,

to build the piers of the

who had

direct intervention

in the work, found all sorts of excuses for postponing the opening of

the

line.

Probably the Company did not choose to " grease the palm "

any further.

When the

Civil Director

was applied

to,

he calmly replied

FIRST PHILIPPINE RAILWAY OPENED.

that he

was going

to the baths aucl

would think about

it.

SOS
Finally, on

appeal to the highest authority, Governor-General Despujols himself

went up

to

Tarlac, and

in

an energetic speech, reflecting on the

dilatoriuess of his subordinates,

way open

to traffic

he declared the

on the 23rd of November, 1892.

and a half passengers and goods Avere

River in pontoons. Large caissons had

which

sum

of

Philippine Rail-

first

For about a year

Calumpit

across the

ferried
to

be sunk in the river in

to build the piers for the iron l)ridge,

which cost an enormous

money

in excess of the estimate.

a partial inundation of the

line,

the

the accumulated mass of water, and

Later on heavy rains caused

embankment
traffic to

of Avhich yielded to

Dagupan was temporarily

The total outlay on the line turned

Company had originally calculated, and

suspended.

out to be far more

than the

to avert

collapse, fresh capital

had

to be raised

by the

issue of 6/o Prior

Mortgage Bonds, ranking before the debenture

official

quotations on the

a financial

stock.

London Stock Exchange

will

The

following

show how the

Manila Railway Company's shares and bonds were appreciated

Official Quotations.

December.

Lien

304

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Including the termini in Mnuila (Toudo) und Dagupan, there are

29 stations and, along the

whole

From the Manila terminus there is

running down to the quay in Binondo for

traffic only.

The country through which

line passes

this

natural resources, the development of Avhich

been feasible owing to the ranges

not

Cordillera of Zambales

which run

Manila

without

of

and has vast

a railway

mountains

had

chiefly

the

by a British commercial firm

to lay a 21-mile line of railway,

without subsidy, from Manila

basis of the anticipated traffic

to the Shrine of

Our Lady

but, moreover, the

(4,380 pop.), Santa

of

Antipole

Luzon Railway."

was the conveyance

Good Voyage and Peace

of pilgrims

{vide page 198),

proposed line connected the Parishes

Ana

(3,800

Dilao

of

(2,115 pop.), Mariquiua (10,000 pop.), Cainta

(2,300 pop.), Taytay (6,500 pop.)

with

flat,

for

to Antipole, to be called the " Centre of

The

is

parallel to the coast.

In 1887 a concession^ was applied

in

journey over the

line occupies eight hours.

a short line (about a mile)

goods

The

16 bridges.

line,

branching
The

pop.).

Pasig and Angono

to

estimated

outlay

was

about

$1,000,000, but the concession was abandoned.

W

There

'^

is

^I*

a Telegraph Service from Manila to

Luzon Island

also in

Pauay Island from

'tc

Si-

all

civilized parts of

Ciipiz to Yloilo,

and

in

Cebu

Island from the City of Cebii across the island and up the west coast
as far north as

Tuburan.

There

is

a land line from Manila to Bolinao

(Zambales), from which point a submarine cable was laid in April 1880,

by the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company,

Limited, whereby Manila was placed in direct telegraphic communiFor this service the Spanish
cation with the rest of the world.

Government paid the Company $4,000 a month for a period of 10

years, which expired in June, 1890. In April, 1898, the same Company
detached the cable from Bolinao and carried

it

on to Manila,

Sherard Osborn, 207 nautical miles having been added

s.s.

cable

for

the

purpose.

In

return

for

this

service

the

in the

to the

Spanish

Government gave the Company certain exclusive rights and valuable

concessions, which, up to the end of the year 1898, had not been
This concession was granted to Messrs. Smith, Bell & Company, Manila, for
99 years, under Koyal Order No. 508, dated June lltb, 1890. The work to be
commenced within one year and finished in two years.
>

SUBMARINE TELEGRArHS.
ooufirmeJ by the American Government.

TOURISTS.

In May, 1898, the American

Admiral Dewey ordered the Manila-Hongkong cable

the connection was

made good again

305

to be cut, but

after the Preliminaries of

with Spain were signed (12th of August, 1898).

was suspended, therefore, from the 2nd

August of that year.

of

Peace

Cable communication

May

until

the 21st of

In 1897 another submarine cable was laid by the above Company,

under contract with the Sixanish Government, connecting Manila with
the Southern Islands of Panay and Cebii (Tuburan).

The ManilaPanay cable was also cut by order of Admiral Dewey (23rd of May,
1898), but after the 12th of August, under an arrangement made with
the American and Spanish Governments,

it

was re-opened on a neutral

basis, a claim for

compensation against the Government of the United

States having been lodged by the Telegraph Company.
Under the

above arrangement, the Company's own staff worked direct with the
Manila public, instead of through the medium of Spanish officials.

Owing

to their geographical position,

none of the Philippine ports

are places of call for regular lines of vessels en route elsewhere, hence,

unlike Hongkong, Singapore and other Eastern ports, there

profit to

little

be derived from a floating population.

Due, probably, to the tedious Customs regulations

the

of every person to procure, and carry on his person, a

identity

is

the

requirement of

a passport

to

enter

obligation

document of

and complicated

formalities to recover the passport on leaving the Islands

the absence

of railroads and hotels in the interior and the personal insecurity and

Colony, during the Spanish regime, was

apparently outside the region of tourists and " globe-trotters."
difficulties of travelling

this

Indeed the Philippine Archipelago formed an isolated settlement in

the Far East which traders or pleasure-seekers rarely visited en passant
to explore

and reveal

to the

was a Colony comparatively

world

its

so little

natural wealth and beauty.

known, that old

residents

It

on

and Hongkong were often highly amused by the

extravagant notions which prevailed, even there, concerning the Philipvisiting Singapore

pines.

But the regulations above

referred to were an advantage to the

respectable resident, for they had the desirable effect of excluding

of those nondescript wanderers and social outcasts

who

many

invade other

colonies.

''
U

CHAPTEE

XVI.

AGRICULTURE.
In years gone by, before so many colonies were opened np

all

over

the world, the few who, in the Philippines, had the courage to face

made
Sugar and Hemp.

the obstacles to agriculture in a primitive country

fairly large

fortunes in the main staple products,

Prices were

then treble

they have since been

vv'hat

labour was cheaper, because

the necessities of the labouring class were fewer, and, owing to the

what they

limited demand, buffaloes for tilling were worth one-fifth of

Although the amount

cost at the present day.

those natives engaged in

class generally

Within the

is

were

it

in

of trade Avas vastly less,

sounder positions than the same

now.

last

few years, there are hundreds who have embarked

in agricultural enterprises with only one-tenth of the capital necessary

to

make them

a success.

man

will start planting

hundred dollars and a tract of cleared land, without

In the

consequently of no negotiable vahie.

falls

into the

hands of money-lenders,

who

first

with only a few

deeds, and

title

year he inevitably

reasonably stipulate for a

very high rate of interest in view of the want of guarantees.

The

rates of interest on loans under such circumstances vary as a rule

from

12 to 24 per cent.

know a Visayo

native who, by

way

commission and charges, demanded as much as 30 per

not refer to the isolated cases which have come to

over 100 per cent, being charged.

As

in the Philippines does not yield

30 per

of interest,

I need

cent.

my knowledge

of

at the present day, agriculture

cent, nett profit, it naturally

follows that the money-lender at that rate has to attach the estate upon

which he has made

loans,

meantime, the colonist

and

who has

finally

becomes owner of

directed the labour of converting a

tract of land into a plantation, simply gets a living out of

few are able

In the

it.

to disencumber their property

it.

by paying, year by

Some

year, not

only the whole of the nett returns from the plantation, but also the

VALUE OF ARABLE LAND.

profits

on small

which they may have speculated.

traffic in

happens, however, that the native planter

do

financial supporter to

this

on the contrary, although he may owe

amount

to be paid for after the next crop, an

hawker who passes

his

way, or

hands at the cock-pit or the gambling

Even the most

fortunate seem to

and the consequence was, that

that

if all

buy on

will

credit,

of paltry jewellery

from

the cash slip out of his

let

table.

make no

provision for a bad year,

may

in 1887, I think I

safely assert,

the Philippine planters had had to liquidate within twelve

50%

months, certainly

them would have been

of

the most hazardous businesses in the Colony

the native planters, unless

is

One

insolvent.

of

that of advancing to

be done with the express intention of

it

eventually becoming owner of an estate, which

The

and undertake

feasts,

He

fresh obligations of a most worthless nature.

first

It seldom

sufficiently loyal to his

is

thousands of dollars, he will spend money in

the

307

is

really often the case.

value of land suitable for sugar-cane growing varies con-

siderably, being dependent on proximity to a port, or sugar market,

and on quality,

drainage, transport,

facilities for

boundaries, etc.

site,

In the Province of Bulacan, which adjoins that of Manila, land,

which

in a

great measure

21 tons of cane per acre,

Capital, at

$115 per

is

exhausted and yields only an average of

is

valued, on account of

In

acre.

Pampanga

its

nearness to the

Province, a

little

farther

north, the average value of land, yielding say 30 tons of cane per acre,
is

$75 per

acre.

Still

whence transport

farther north, in the Province of

to the

sugar market

is

difficult,

Nueva

Ecija,

and can only be

economically effected in the Avet season by river, laud jjroducing an

average of 35 tons of cane per acre will hardly fetch more than $30
per acre.

In

Railroads will no doubt eventually level these values.

reality,

Bulacan land

ascertained by yield, and

everywhere

are,

estate inherited
first

in

is

priced higher than

economy

its

intrinsic value as

The

of produce transport.

the Colony, more or

natives

less averse to alienating real

from their forefathers, and as Bulacan

is

one of the

provinceswhere lands were taken up, centuries ago, an attachment

to the soil

is

particularly noticeable.

In that province, as a

rule,

only

genuine necessity, or a fancy price far in excess of producing-worth,

Avould induce an

owner

Land grants were

to sell his land.

obtainable from the Spanish Government by

proving priority of claim, but the concession was only given after

9.

08

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Then

wearisome delay.

perty, the clearance often costing

was a most

eviction of squatters

was

large capital

requisite to utilize the pro-

more than the virgin

difficult

undertaking

the

tract, whilst

" J'y

stcis et

fy

reste," thought the squatter, and the grantee had no speedy redress at

On

law.

the other hand, the soil

the sl;udy of geoponics and

The

finest

area of the island

capital, is only

it

is

so wonderfully rich

manuring

producing

district,

is

island

and

fertile,

that

never thought essential.

the Archipelago

in

between N. latitudes 9 and 11.

about equal to that of Porto

about one-half opened up.

E.ico,

is

The

but for want of

Nevertheless,

it

1892 over 115,000 tons of raw sugar

Yloilo market in

crop

artificial

Sugar-cane

Negros, in the Visaya

is

sent to the

the

largest

has yet produced.^

The

price of uncleared land there, suitable for sugar-cane cultivation,

in accessible spots,

is

may be
sugar-cane may

say $35 per acre, and cleared land

considered worth about $70 per acre.

The

yield of

be estimated at 40 tons per acre on the estates opened up Avithin the

last ten years, whilst the older estates

of cane, but of a quality

produce per acre nearer 30 tons

which gives such a high-class sugar that

it

compensates for the decrease in quantity, taking also into account the

economy

of manipulating

Otaheiti cane

most common

The

in the

folloAving

useful, viz.
1

is

and transporting

less bulk.

generally planted in Luzon, whilst

Java cane

Southern islands.
equivalents

of

Philippine land

measure may be

Quinou

=
=
Balita
=
=
Loan=
Square Braza =
=
Square Vara =
=
=
Acre
=
-

>

is

40,000 square varas

10,000 square brazas.

= 6*9444 acres = 2*795 hectares.

4,000 square varas = 1,000 square brazas.
"69444 acre = '2795 hectare.
400 square varas = 100 square brazas.
-06944 acre = '02795 hectare.
5 cabans

3*3611 square English yards.

4355*98

inches.

-8402

yards.

1088*89

5760 square varas

'72 caban

inches.

= 1*44 balitas.

= *404671

hectare.

In the year 1850 Negros yielded 625 tons of sugar.

CANE SUGAR STATISTICS.

c3

00

CO

o
o

02

o
a.

H
O

309

PHILirriNE ISLANDS.

310

00

be

*s-<

o
e4H

o
o

w
H

CANE SUGAR STATISTICS.

The average
viz.

yield of sugar per acre

is

311

approximately as follows,

Pampanga

Province, say

6^

Other Northern provinces, say

% extraction
@

5J

/o

extraction

= 1*95

= 1-65

= 2"75

Tons of Sugar.

Negros Island (with almost exclusively European

mills), say

From

Yloilo

where there

is

7i 7o extraction

sugar

tlie

dcmaud

is

for

chiefly exported to the

raw material only from the Philippines

the purpose of refining, whilst from Manila

crystal grain sugar

is

employed.

In 1890 there were

refinery, near

five private estates,

of

for

quantity of

certain

Island of Luzon, a higher class

the

and one

consumption, to Spain.

sent, ready for

quently, in

erected,

United States,

Conse-

machinery

is

with vacuum pans

Manila (at Malabon).

Also

1885 the

in

Government acquired a sugar machinery plant with vacuum pan for

the
their model estate at San Ramon in the Province of Zamboanga
sugar turned out at the trial of the plant was equal to 21 D. S. of that
;

year.
It

Convict labour was employed.

is

European

a rare thing to see others than

mills in the Island

of Negros, whilst in every other sugar-produciug

made

vertical cattle-mills of

wood, or stone (wood

stone in the north), as introduced by the Chinese, arc

triple effect refining plant is altogether

The sugar estates

unknown

generally are small.

province roughly
in the

south and

still in

use.

The

in this colony.

There are not a dozen

estates

in the Avholc

colony which produce over 1,000 tons of raw sugar each,

per season.

An

a large one.

estate

know

turning out 500 tons of sugar

considered

is

of one estate Avhich yields 1,500 tons, and another

1,900 tons in a good season.

In the Island of Negros there

suitable for loading ships of large tonnage, and the crops

is

no port

have

to

be

carried to the Yloilo market, in small schooners, loading from 40 to 100

tons (vide page 299).

From

the estates to the coast there are neither

canals nor railroads, and the transport

is

by

bufftilo cart.

Five-year-old

Negros Island about $30, and

labourers' wages are about a doUar-and-a-half per week.
In Luzon
buffaloes, in

good condition, are worth

Island, especially in Camarines

in

and Tayabas, good buffaloes can be

purchased for half the above price.

The

highest

table-lands

are

used

for

imperatively require a good system of drainage.

cane-planting,

which

In Luzon Island the

312

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

output of Sugar would be far greater

The cane

the seasons.

more attention were paid

if

to

should be cut in December, and the milling

The new

should never last over ten Aveeks.

cane-point setting should

be commenced a fortnight after the milling begins, and the whole

operation of manufacture and planting for the
finished

by the middle

each branch of the

of

March.

new

deal of sugar

crop should be

is lost

by delay

in

field labour.

In the West Indies the planters

set the canes out widely, leaving

plenty of space for the development of the roots, and the ratoons serve

up

from

to

cane-points

twenty years.

five to
is

In the Philippines the setting of

renewed each year, with few exceptions, and the planting

comparatively close.

is

Bulacau sugar land, being more exhausted that Pampanga land,

will not admit of such close plantings hence Bulacan land can only find
nourishment for 14,300 points per acre, whilst Pampanga land take?
17,800 points on average computation.
In Negros, current sugar

is

raised from

new

(among the

lands

best) and from lands which are hardly considered suitable for cane

Good

planting.

lands are called "

during that period the planting

its

new "

is close,

for three crops in Negros,

to

choke the cane and prevent

becoming aqueous by too rapid development.

the Northern

In

massecuite,

"clayed" sugar

Philippines

when drawn from

containing about 150

lbs.

the pans,

weight.

is

When

allowed to remain over the

original weight, but

it

is

jar,

it

made.

is

The

turned into earthenware pots

the mass has

placed over a jar into which the molasses drains.

if

and

will

set,

the pot

is

In six months,

drain about

usually sold before that time,

20\^ of its
if

prices are

favorable.

The molasses
there

is

is

sold to the distilleries for

a certain demand for

it

for

making Alcohol,^ whilst

mixing with the drinking water

given to horses.

From
capacity,

nine tests which I

in

different

places

made with steam machinery,

in

the

Northern

provinces,

of small

without

Molasses is sold by the Tinaja, which is an earthenware jar measuring

19 inches in height and 17^ inches at the maximum diameter; it contains 16'
48 litres.
gantas (liquid measure)
'

The

sale of alcohol

was a Government monopoly

until the year 1862.

SUGAR PLANTING AND MANUFACTURE.

313

interfering with the customary system of manipulating the cane or the

adjustment of the mill

rolls, I

found the

to be Moisture in the megass on leaving the mill

Amount of dry megass'

Average juice extraction

56*37 /

23-27

20-3fi

100-00

The average density

of juice in the cane

In Negros the process

is

worked

off as

the pan battery to a higher point of

in

above was 10| Beaume.

The

very diiFerent.

i^

juice

is

evaporated

concentration, so that the

molasses becomes incorporated with the saccharine grain.

It is then

turned out into a wooden trough, about eight feet long by four feet
wide, and stirred about with shovels, until

it

unable to form into a solid mass, or lumps.

lumps

visible are pounded,

Sugar packed

(bayones).

and the whole

in this

way

has cooled so far as to be

When
is

quite cold, the

packed

in

few

grass bags

deliverable to shippers, whereas

is

" clayed " sugar can only be sold to the assorters and packers (farda-os)
who sun-dry it on mats and then bag it after making up the colour and
quality to exporter's sample.

The Labour system

from that adopted

in

in the

Northern Philippines

The

the South.

worked on the co-operative

is

quite distinct

plantations in the North are

principle (sistema de inquilinos).

The

landowner divides his estate into tenements, each tenant being provided
with a buffalo and agricultural implements to work up the plot plant

and attend

to the cane

growth as

if it

were his own property.

When

the cutting season arrives, one tenant at a time brings in his cane to the
mill,

much

and when the sugar

is

worked

off,

usually one-third, but often as

as one-half of the output, according to arrangement, belono-s to

the tenant.

The

tenant provides the hands required for the operations

of cane-crushing and sugar-making

establishment

is

the cost of machinery and factory

for the account of the landowner,

who

also has to take

the entire risk of typhoons, inundations, drought, locusts, &c.

from sugar-cane fibre were granted to Berry

inl838, Johnson in 1855, Jullion in 1855, Euckand Touchein 1856, and Hook in 1857.
- Since about the year 1885, a weed has been observed to
spontaneously germinate
around the roots of the sugar-can j in the Laguna Province.
The natives have
given it the name of Bulaclac nang tuho (Sugar-cane flower). It destroys the
saccharine properties of the cane. The bitter juice of this weed has been found to
be a useful palliative for certain diseases.

British patents for paper-making

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

314

During the year, whilst the cane

maturing, the tenants receive

is

advances against their estimated share, some even beyond the full
value, so that, in nearly every case, the full crop remains in the hands
of the estate owner.

day labour

is

In the general working of the plantation hired

not required, the tenants, in fact, being regarded, in every

sense, as servants of the owner,

who employs them

Interest at ten to twelve per cent, per

he may need.

upon the advances made

in

money,

rice,

whatever service

for

stuffs, etc.

annum

is

charged

during the year;

and on taking over the tenant's share of output, as against these

advances, a rebate on current price of the sugar

is

often agreed to.

In the South, plantations are Avorked on the daily wages system,

{sistema dejornal), and the labourer will frequently exact his pay for
several

weeks

in advance.

Great vigilance

exceeding certain dimensions,

it

is

is

requisite,

and on estates

often necessary to sub-divide the

manao'ement, apportioning it off to overseers, or limited partners, called

" Axas." Both on European and native owners' estates these axas were
The axas' interest varies on different properties, but
often Spaniards.
o-enerallv speaking,

he

is

either credited with one-third of the product

and supplied with necessary capital, or he receives two-thirds of the

yield of the land under his care and he finds his own working capital
for its tilth, whilst the

sunk capital

land, machinery, sheds, stores,

in

the account of the owner.

etc. is for

In 1877 a British Company the "Yengarie" v,-as started with

a laro-e capital for the purpose of acquiring cane juice all over the
Colony and extracting from it highly refined sugar. The works, fitted

with vacuum pans and all the latest improvements connected with this
class of apparatus, were established at Mandaloyan, about three miles

from Manila up the Pasig River. From certain parts of Luzon

Island the juice was to be conveyed to the factory in tubes, and the
promoter,
fitted

who

visited

with tanks,

project

was an

shareholders
realised

The

at

Cebu

Island, proposed to send schooners there

to bring the defecated liquid to

from the beginning

entire failure
least),

and

in

Mandaloyan.
(for

the

The

ordinary

1880 the machinery plant was being

and the company wound up.

classification of the

the North.

sugar

In the former market

in

it is

the South differs from that in

ranked as Nos.O,

1, 2,

o Superior

For the American market these qualities are blended,

"Assorted Sugar," in the proportion of
to make up what is called
and Current.

Q.
Q.

I
Q.

a:
UJ

I
I-

O
ul
CO

O
X
LLl

I-

<
H
05
1X1

tr

<
o

03

COST OF SUGAR MAKING

No.

one-eightli of

1,

two-eighths of No. 2 and five-eighths of No. 3.

In the North the quality

No. 9 D.

S.

London markets

The

determined on the Dutch standard, and

is

about equivalent to No.

is

fix

The New York and

Yloilo.

the prices, which are cabled daily to Manila.

following pro

(the final result depends on

forma Estimates

may

the selling price of the day)

serve for comparison with the nett

cost of production in other sugar- yielding Colonies

Estimated

300 cabans of land

(=

Sugar,

cost of producing Philippine

market as " Yloilo Superior,"

420 acres) taken -up

acres) being planted at one time

known

in

the

Negros.

in the Island of

in the fourth

which

clearance, suitable for cane planting, the half of

(= 210

315

ESTIMATE.

year of

150 cabans

the other half lying fallow.

=

Each caban producing an average of 61*60 piculs of sugar

3-85 tons of sugar per caban
9240 piculs (@ 7j/o extraction
2-75 tons per acre = 577^ tons yield from the 210 acres or 150

cabans.

customary to plough

It is

five times in

Negros.

Invested Capital,
$

300 cabans

of cleared land purchased

Machinery

for milling cane, sugar

150 buffaloes

For making

etc.

= $4,500, fencing $500

$30 each

roads, draining dykes and canals $1,000,

For say 20 three

40 carts

vehicles and six horses

Advances

$98 per caban

pan battery,

Machinery shed, and sugar store

Manager's residence

$350

@ $50 = $2,000

$500

29,400 00

6,000 00

1,500 00

1,500 00

5,000 00

two
-

1,350 00

400 00

40 cottages $800

1,300 00

feet diameter culverts under roads

to labourers unrecoverable

ds.

20 oxen and cows

@ $25 =

$500

2,500 00

50 ploughs, 100 spare shares, 60 wood knives, 60 shovels,

100 yokes, 60 pairs steel wire rope traces, spare bolts
and nuts,

tar,

general stores, etc.

Small band saw and bench $150

portable forge $25

Smith's tools $125, carpenter's tools $25

1,500 00

175 00

250 00

_
General shop for smith and carpenter
Transport by land or by sea of above requirements to the

estate

from the place of purchase

Total Invested Capital

500 00

275 00

$51,650 00

316

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Working Expenses.

CANE SUGAR OUSTED BY BEET-EOOT.

317

EICE.

selling price in the year of greatest depression in the trade (1885)

was

say 15/o on the total capital employed. With the present data the
profit can be easily estimated by comparison with the current quotation
of the

day; laking "assorted " sugar at say ^3'25 per picul

price, the profit

by me

would be

From

21f/Q.

I find that to produce only

up

a series of estimates compiled

down

to 7,000 piculs, the cost laid

would be say $2.00 per picul ($32.00 per ton)

in Yloilo

selling

manner, the smaller the output the larger

is

and

in like

the prime cost.

Fortunes have been made in this Colony in cane sugar, and until
the end of 1883 sugar-planting paid the capitalist and
to the borrowing planter

now

it

pays only interest on

the year 188'i the subsidized beet-root

something

left

From

capital.

sugar manufacturers on the

continent of Europe turned out such enormous quantities of this article

that the

total

yield

of

sugar, at length, far

exceeded the world's

requirements.

The consequence was

that the

cane-sugar manufacture declined

almost at the same ratio as that of beet-root advanced, as will be seen

from the subjoined

figures

Tons.

The

world's production in 1880, cane sugar

beet

3,285,714

1,443,349

4,729,063
Tons.

The

world's production in 1887, cane sugar

beet

2,333,004

2,492,610
4,825,614
Tons.

Beet sugar

Cane

The
by reason

The
more or

_
-

world's output

was only

Increase

Decrease

952.710

Increased

96,551

1,049,261

of the beet-root sugar competition.

staple food of the native being Rice, this grain

less largely in

every province of the Colony.

fluctuates considerably according to the stocks in

of the year.

It appears to be the only

Its

is

cultivated

market value

hand and the season

branch of agriculture

in

which

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

318

the lower classes of natives take a visible pleasure and which they

In 1897 about 80,000 tons were raised.

understand thoroughly.

The
fractious

natives measure and sell rice and paddy by the caban and
;

the caban dry measure

4 Apatans

Chupa

is

as follows, viz.

Chupas

Ganta

the equivalent of which in English measure

1

Atapan

Chupa

Ganta

Caban

=
=
=
=

25 Gautas

thus, viz.

is

its

Caban.

'16875 of a pint.
675 of a pint.

2 quarts. If pint.

16 gallons, 3 quarts,

Rice of foreign importation

1 piut.

weighed and quoted by the picul

is

of 133^ lbs. avoirdupois.

16 Taels

Catty

10 Catties

Twenty-five years ago

now

not even sufficient

commodity

is

Chinanta

10 Chinantas

Picul.

was exported from the Philippines, but

rice

is

produced for home consumption, hence this

imported in large quantities from Siam, Lower Burmah,

and Cochin China

to

supply the deficiency.^

Sual, to the north of

Paugasinan Province, on the Gulf of Lingayen, was, thirty years ago,

a port of importance, whence rice was shipped to China.
that period, declined to the rank of

It has, since

an insignificant village.

This

falling otF of rice production does not, however, imply a loss to the

population.

Land which,

in

many

provinces,

was used

for rice-growing,

turned to better account for raising other crops which pay better

is

now

in

a fairly good market.

The

natives everywhere continue to employ the primitive

treating rice

paddy

husked by them

for domestic

and local

in a large mortar

other hard wood, in which

it

is

use.

hewn from

The

grain

beaten by a pestel.

or

women with wooden

This mortar

is

termed, in Tagalog dialect, Luzon, the

However,

the largest island of the group.

Candava, Province of Pampanga

pestles

work

at the

have seen

in Naig,

generally

Sometimes two

same mortar.

name given
in the

Pagsanjan, Province of

near Calamba in the same Province

is

a block of molave, or

men

or three

method of

to

towns of

La Laguna

Province of Cavite

in

Camarines Province, and a few other places, an attempt to improve

upon the current system by employing an ingenious wooden mechanical

'

In 1897 nearly 65,000 tons of rice were imported.

KICE CULTIVATION.
apparatus worked, by buffaloes.
which

319

It consisted of a vertical shaft

on

was keyed a bevel wheel revolving horizontally and geared into

a bevel pinion

fixed,

upon a horizontal

In this shaft were

shaft.

adjusted pins, which, at each revolution, caught the corresponding pins

in

vertical

thereby raised

allowed to

and.

pins had passed

on

placed below them.

These columns

columns.

sliding

acted,

fall of their

or

(five

OAvn weight

when

pounders, or pestles, in

as

six)

being

the raising

the mortars

Subsequently, unexampled progress was made in

Camarines Province by Spaniards, who,

in 1888,

whilst in Pagsanjan the animal motive power

employed steam power,

was

substituted by that

owner having purchased a small engine and accessories

from a planter of Santa Cruz de la Laguna. Also near Calamba, water
of steam, the

power was eventually employed

village

of

to advantage.

In Negros, near the

Candaguit, I have seen one small rice machinery

worked by steam power,

Valencia in Spain.

plant

having been brought by a Spaniard from

I presume it was not a success, as it remained
it

only a short time in use.

Finally the Manila-Dagiipan Railway gave a great stimulus to the

husking and pearling industry, which was taken up by foreigners.

There are now important rice steam power mills established at

rice

Calumpit, Gerona, Moncada, Bayambang, and other places along the

from Calumpit towards Dagupan which supply large quantities of

cleaned rice to Manila and other provinces, where it is invariably more

line

highly appreciated than the imported

Also, at

article.

(Camarines) in 1896 a large steam-power

Hongkong for the transport of his output to

The average yield of cleaned rice from
no special use

is

found for the remaining

The customary charge

paddy
rice,

is

specially constructed in

the provincial markets.

the paddy

50%

of

is

oO/o, whilst

paddy bran.

husking and winnowing a cabau of

12^ cents, so that as two cabans of paddy give one caban of
for

the cost of this labour would be 25 cents per eaban of rice.

The average amount

is

was being worked

rice mill

by Don Manuel Pardo, who had a steamer

Nueva Caceres

estimated at

consumed by a working man per day

four chupas, or say close upon eight cabans per annum
of rice

and taking an average price

caban of

rice,

of

$1 per caban of paddy, equals $2 per

plus 25 cents for cleaning

= $2.25

per caban of clean

rice,

amounting to $18 per annum.

fish,

an occasional piece of

betel-nut, tobacco,

buffalo,

native's further necessities are

six yards of

S20

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

cotton print-stufF and pajraent of taxes,

amounts to say ^50

in the year, so that

during 300 days, can live

in

of

all

man

which (including

rice)

earning 20 cents per day

luxury, provided he has no unforeseen

misfortunes.

There

are, it

over twenty different kinds of rice paddy.

said,

is

These are comprised

two common groups

in

the

Arroz de Semillero) Avhich

rice (in Spanish,

one

called

is

Macan

raised on alluvial soil

is

on the low lands capable of being flooded conveniently with water, and
the other has the general denomination (in

Spanish, Arroz Secano) and

Avhere inundation

The

to 25/o of red grain.

rice, is

Bulacau Province the average crop of

Macan

may

rice

Province, in the neighbourhood of Arayat, Magiilang and

villages, the yield is still higher, giving, in a

may be taken

to one

good year, as

In Negros a return of 50 cabans

as 100 cabans for one of seed.

much

be taken at

In the east of

province the return reaches only one-half of that.

Candava

In the north

In the south of the same

caban of seed.

of grain for one

Pampanga

(in

much the finer quality, the grain

although Macan rice is to be found containing
The white grain is that most esteemed. The

Macan., or low land

80 cabans

Paga

cultivated on high lands and slopes

yield of grain varies according to the quality of the soil.

of

of

impracticable.

is

being usually very white,

up

is

Luzon Island)

as a fair average.

Paga. rice always shows a large proportion of red grain, and the
return

at the most, half that of

is,

than one crop per

takino- the

of

Paga

average

rice

annum
in all

is

Macan

yield,

obtained from low lands

the islands

in

frequently attacked by
called in

to three crops

flies

Tagalog

Avhicli rice cultivation is

itself.

which suck the flower

dialect Aluiangia,

The Paga

whisk

off these insects

and the person

are sometimes

as Talibaiab,

which

is

in

charge

among

the

with a bunch of straws on the end of

a stick, or catch them with a net to save the grain.

Paga

rice

just before seeding.

of the plantation has to stroll in the evenings and mornings

setting to

rice)

can be got.

exposed, a special danger often presents

is

{Macan

most places up

Besides the ordinary agricultural risks to

This

but whilst rarely more

damaged by an

insect,

known

Both 3Iacan and

in Ilocos

Province

eats through the stalk of the plant, causing the

head, or flower, to droop over and wither, but this does not happen

with regularity every season.

RICE PLANTING.

To

Macan

plant

June on a piece
it

MACAN

321

sown

rice the grain or seed is

in the month of
of land called the " seeding plot," where, in six weeks,

attains a height of about one foot, and, provided the rains

failed, it is

Each

field

is

embanked with earth

pildpil) so that the water shall not run

commenced, the plough

ofT,

and

and stick the stalks

in the soft

just before the setting

one by one.

seem a tedious operation, but the natives are so used

quickly cover a large
the rice

is

ripe,

but as at the end of November there

usually

is

to

would

It

that thej

it

In four months from the transplanting

field.

rain falling, the harvest

Then men,

with their bundles of

fields

mud

Tao-uloo-

(\\x

passed for the last time.

is

Avomen and children go into the inundated

rice plant

have not

then pulled up bj the roots and transplanted, stem by stem,

in the flooded fields.

is

PADDY.

commenced

at

tiie

is

still

a risk of

end of December,

after the grain has

hardened and the dry season has fairly set in. If,
at such an abnormal period, the rains were to return (and such a
thing has been known), the cropped harvest, Avhich is put in heaps in
sheaves for about a month to dry, would be greatly exposed to mildew

owing

to the

January

the paddy,

Mandald).
and

this

begins

damp atmosphere.
still

After the heaping

in the straw,

is

In six weeks more the grain

made
is

at the

into stacks (in

end of

Tagalog

separated from the straw,

operation has to be concluded before the next Avet season

say about the loth

On

of April.

the Pacific coast (Camarlues

and Albay), where the seasons are reversed

(ivV/e

page 16),

rice is

planted out in 8epteml)er and reaped in February.

The
it

separation of the graiu

out with their feet, others

common

is

efiected in several ways.

flail it,

Some

whilst in Cavite Province

it

beat
is

practice to spread the sheaves in a circular enclosure within

which a number

of ponies

and

In Negros Island there

is

foals are trotted.

Avhat

is

termed

Ami

lice

small crop

Avhich spontaneously rises in succession to the regular crop after the

first

ploughing.

It

seldom happens that a " seeding plot "

to run to seed for

it is

want

is

obliged to be allowed

of rain for transplanting, but in such an event

said to yield at the most ten-fold.

Paddy-planting, commercially considered,

taking, and

few take

it

up on a large

employing steam power

There

is

this

are,

at

the

scale.

same

is

not a lucrative under-

Kone

of the large millers

time, graiu

cultivators.

advantage about the business, that the grower

is

less

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

322
likely to

he coufroutecl with the lahour

planting out and gathering in the crop

is,

difficulty, for the

to the native

and

work

of

his family,

a genial occupation.

Rice harvest time

is

a lively one

among

the poor tenants, who, as

a rule, are practically the landowner's partners Avorkiug for half the
Therefore,
crop, against which they receive advances during the year.
cost of labour

annum

on a

taken at 50j^ plus 10/o stolen from the owner's

After further deducting cost of transport to market and $750

share.

per

may be

for

manager's (or owner's) living expenses, the nett return

employing some $11,000

rice plantation,

presuming an average yield

130/0,

of

capital,

fifty-fold

would be

say,

$1 per caljau of

with sugar-cane planting (which takes a larger

amount of invested capital of doubtful realization), it must be
remembered that rice producing has maintained its normal state of
prosperity, whilst sugar, at the lowest price known here, gave a larger
paddy.

profit

the

To compare

on outlay than

maximum
Nothing

profit

in

rice does.

on

Nature

The minimum

rice to the
is

profit

on sugar exceeds

grower.

more lovely than a valley

ripened rice paddy, surrounded by verdant

hills.

of

green half-

CO
LiJ

O
<
01
a.
UJ

O
z
\-

z
<
UJ

CHAPTER

XVII.

MANILA HEMP (ABACA).

Hejip {Musa

textilis)

referred

to

by some writers as

troglo-

31.

di/tarumis a wild species of the plantain {M. imradisaicci), found

growing in many parts of the Philippine Islands. It greatly resembles
the

M, paradisaica,

Avhich bears the well-known and agreeable fruit

the edible banana.

Only connoisseurs can perceive the

colour and size of the green leaves

somewhat darker hue, and

Musa

is

difference

the density of

in

those of the hemp plant being of a

The

shorter.

used for weaving, cordage,

a number of species of

fibre of

etc. in tropical countries.

This herbaceous plant seems to thrive best on an inclined plane,

hemp which I have seen has been found on

even far away down the ravines.

for nearly all the wild

slopes of mountains,

The

plant, although requiring a considerable

will not thrive in

swampy

amount

of moisture,

and to attain any great height,

land,

the

must

it

be well shaded by other trees more capable of bearing the sun's rays.

A
is

great depth of
to

soil

is

be seen flourishing in

its

Mayou Volcano.
The hemp tree
It

is

grows on the

when

The hemp

hemp

of

the

is

enclosed in

extracted from these

The bow

is

at one

end by a

hino-e

suspended to the extremity

tends to raise the knife, and a cord,

attached to the same end of the knife and a treadle

the

declivities

an average height of

fibre is

drawn under a knife attached

of a flexible stick.

it

cut down, are separated into strips, five to six

wood, whilst the other end

by a movement

development, as

an endogenous plant, the stem of which

inches wide, and

to a block of

it

in the Philippines reaches

layers of half round petioles.

petioles which,

its

natural state on the slopes of volcanic

In Albay Province

formation.

ten feet.

not indispensable for

is

so arranged, that

of the foot, the operator can bring the knife to

petiole with the pressure

work on

he chooses.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

324
The

drawn through between the knife and the block, the

wood or his
twisting the fibre, at each pull, around a stick of

bast

operator

is

other side of the

arm, whilst the parenchymatous pulp remains on the

There

knife.

no use for the pulp.

is

should be without teeth or indentations, but nearly

serrated
everywhere in Capis Province I have seen it with a slightly
The fibre is then spread out to dry, and afterwards tightly

The

knife

edge'.

packed

in bales

with iron or rattan hoops for shipment.

finer fibre

than the ordinary

hemp

is

sometimes obtained

in

of the petiole, and

small quantities from the specially selected edges
The quantity
natives for weaving.
this material is used by the

procurable

is

limited,

difficulty in obtaining

and the

it

consists in the

drawn, due to its comparafrequent breakage of the fibre whilst being

ordinary
Its commercial value is about double that of
tive fragility.
first class

The

cordage hemp.

stuff

made from

this fine fibre (called in

ladies' dresses.
Bicol dialect Lupis), suits admirably for
of coarse native
is used for the manufacture
fibre

Ordinary
stuff;

hemp

known

in

large
classes of natives
Manila as Sinamay, much worn by the poorer
In Panay Island, a kind of texture
quantities of it come from Yloilo.
pine- leaf
Husi is made of a mixture of fine hemp {lupis), and
;

called

fibre.

this fabric

Sometimes

is

palmed

on foreigners as pure

off

;'y7a

filament by the touch

but a connoisseur can easily detect the hemp
certain amount of stiffness, and a tendency
of the material, there being a
in horsehair, which, when
fibre as
to spring back, in the hemp
the stuff from retaining
compressed into a ball in the hand, prevents
stuff,

Pina

that shape.

Many

fibre is soft

attempts

have

machinery, but in spite of

and yielding.

been

made

all

strenuous

to

draw the
efforts,

hemp

fibre

by

no one has hitherto

districts a satisfactory mechasucceeded in introducing into the hemp

of bast could
If the entire length of fibre in a strip
nical apparatus.
of having to w-iud it around a
bear the strain of full tension, instead
of the operator's hand and stick
cylinder (which would take the place
machine could be contrived to
under the present system), then a
cylinders to reduce the tension
accomplish the work. Machines with
so far as the
constructed, the result being admirable

have

been

extraction of ihe fibre

fibre

coiled,

the material.

as

it

is

came

trial

concerned, but the cylinder upon which the

from under the knife, always discoloured

was made with a

glass cylinder, but the

same

HEMP MACHINERY.
On

inconvenience was experienced.

EXPERIMENTS,

another occasion the cylinder was

and a reciprocating motion clutch drew the

dispensed with,

running to and fro the whole length of the

fibre

gripped by a pair of steel parallel bars on

its

places, as

might be necessary,

however, always
diminished

its

passage in one or two

These

to lessen the tension.

a transversal black

left

bast,

frame, the fibre being

steel bars,

on the filament, and

line

marketable value.

In Gubat, Province of Albay, there was a machine

which

325

partially

met the special requirement.

in the

In the same year the most

perfect mechanical contrivance hitherto brought out,

was

by the inventor, a Spaniard, Don Abelardo Cuesta

satisfaction of those

who saw

it,

year 1886

it

tried in

Manila

worked

to the

but the saving of manual labour was

so inconsiderable that the greater bulk of

hemp shipped

is still

extracted

by the primitive process.

Musa

has been planted in British India as an experiment,

textilis

but the result has not been satisfactory, evidently owing to a want of

knowledge of the
report

'

extraction.

One

says
"

"

essential conditions of the fibre

The

first trial

at extracting the fibre failed

no proper machine to bruise the stems.

" mill,

but as

it

We

on account of our having

extemporized a two-roller

had no cog-gearing to cause both

" the only one on which the handle or crank

rollers to

was

turn together,

fixed turned, with the

" result of grinding the stems to pulp instead of simply hruisbig them."

In the Philippines one

would weaken the

fibre

is

careful

and discolour

7iot

to bruise the stems, as this

it.

Another statement from British India shoAvs that Manila hemp

requires a very special treatment.
"

It runs thus

The mode of extraction was the same as practised in the locality with
(brown hemp) and sunn hemp, with the exception that the stems

" Avihadi

" were, in the

first place,

passed through a sugar-cane mill which got rid of

The stems were next rotted in

water for ten to twelve days, and afterwards M'ashed by hand and sunThe out-turn of fibre was 1| lbs. per 100 lbs. of fresh stem, a per
dried.

" sap averaging 50 per cent, of the whole.

"
'

" centage considerably higher than the average

" experiments

>

it

was however

of

shown in the Saiddpet

bad colour and defective

in strength."

Extract from a letter dated 29th September, 1885, from H. Strachan, Esq.,

Superintendent, Government Experimental Farm, Hyderabad, Sindh and Extract

from a letter dated 13th February, 1886, from A. Stormont, Esq., Superintendent,
Gravernment Experimental Farm, Khandesh vide " The Tropical Agriculturist,"

Colombo, June

Ist,

1886, page 876 et eq.

326

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

same manner

If treated ia the

would ensue

result
fibre,

Philippines, a similar had

the pressure of mill rollers would discolour the

and the soaking with

weaken

in the

48/o of pulp, before being sun-dried,

would

it.

Dr. Ure, in his " Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Miues,"

page

thus describes Manila

1,

"
"

Some

"

Anim

Hemp :

species of fibre obtained in the Philippine Islands in abundance.

palm

authorities refer these fibres to the

tree

There seems indeed to be several

textllis.

" fibre included

under

" most delicate

and

name, some so

this

costly textures,

known as the Abaca or

well known varieties of

fine that

mixed with

they are used in the

fibres of the pine-apple,

" forming ^i/la muslins

and textures equal

"

mats, cordage and sailcloth are made.

Of the coarser

fibres,

to the best muslins of

Bengal.

M. Duchesne

" states that the well-known fibrous manufactures of Manila have led to the
"

manufacture of the

" ture and dress.

fibres themselves, at Paris, into

many articles of furni

Their brilliancy and strength give remarkable fitness for

" bonnets, tapestry, carpels,

network, hammocks,

etc.

The only manu-

" factured articles exported from the Philippine Islands, enumerated

by

Thomas de Comyn, Madrid, 1820 (translated by Walton), besides a few

"

" tanned buffalo-hides

"

and 200,000

lbs. of

and

skins, are 8,000 to 12,000 pieces of light sailcloth

assorted

Abacd, or Manila Hemp,

Mr. Craufurd
as being "

refers to

known

to

" Manila rope and

is

it

Abaca cordage."
is

quite a speciality of these Islands.'*

in his "

"
History of the Eastern Archipelago

our traders and navigators under the

name

of

equally applicable to cables and to standing and

" running rigging."

Manila hemp rope

Hemp

is

very durable, but Avauting in fiexibility.

growing, with ample capital, appears

to

be the most lucrative

least troublesome of all agricultural enterprises in staple

and

produce

in the

Planted in

Colony, whilst
vii-gin

soil,

it is

quite independent of the seasons.

each shoot occupies, at

ground thirty-six Spanish square

feet.

first,

the suckers come up anywhere, spontaneously, from

'

The extremely
is

made

fine

a space of

In the course of time, this

regularity of distribution disappears as the original plant

Pifia

is felled,

muslin of delicate texture known in the Philippines as

cxclnsively of pine-apple leaf fibre.

British patent for

in 1852.

and

its root.

When

those fibres are

together with the slender filament drawn from the edges of the hemp
manufactured article is called Husi.

Newton

export

woven

petiole, the

paper-making from Manila hemp was granted to

HEMP-PLANTING STATISTICS.
The
years

if

plant requires three years to arrive at cutting maturity, or four

raised from the seed

most planters, however, transplant the

six-months suckers, instead of the seed,

The

327

when forming

new plantation.

stem^should be cut for fibre-drawing at the flowering maturity

no case should

it

be allowed to bear

weakened, and there

as the fibre

fruit,

in

thereby

is

sometimes even a waste of material in the

is

drawing, as the accumulation of fibre with the sap at the knife

is

greater.

The average weight

of dry fibre extracted

from one plant equals 10

ounces, or say 2/^ of the total weight of the stem and petioles, but as
in practice there is

a certain loss of petioles, by cutting out of maturity,

whilst others are allowed to rot through negligence, the average output

from a carefully managed estate does not exceed cwts. 3*60 per acre,
or say 4 piculs per

The
in

feet 6 inches.

The weight
from the

stem

is

first

itself

iuefticieut

wet

of moisture in the

bast, averages o6/o.

hours

The

of land.

length of the bast, ready for manipulation at the knife, averages

Albay 6

five

Caban

To

fibre,

immediately

it is

drawn

thoroughly sun-dry, an exposure of

necessary.
petioles forming the outer covering,

around which they

method

cluster, are

and the slender central

Due

thrown away.

of fibre-drawing, or rather the

want

to the

of mechanical

appliances to effect the same, the waste of fibre probably amounts to as

much

as 30/o of the

whole contained

in the bast.

In Sugar-cane planting, the poorer the

planted, whilst the

hemp

plant

is

soil is

the wider the cane

on virgin land

set out at greater space

than an old worked land, the reason being that the

is

hemp

plant in rich

throws out a great number of shoots from the same root, which
If space were not left
require nourishment and serve for replanting.
soil

for their development, the

its

full

choked

main stem would flower before

height and circumference, whereas sugar-cane

in virgin soil to

check

its

it

had reached

is

purposely

running too high and dispersing the

saccharine matter whilst becoming ligneous.

great

advantage

to

the colonist,

in

starting

hemp-growing

in virgin forest land, consists in the clearance requiring

to

be only

newly opened up land is preferable, as, on it, the young

The
plants will sometimes throw up as many as thirty suckers.
largest forest trees are intentionally left to shade the plants and
partial, whilst

328

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

jouug

only light rooting

shoots, so that

In caue-phmting, quite

The

tlie

reverse

is

imperatively necessary.

is

the case.

great drawback to the beginner, with limited capital,

is

the

impossibility of recouping himself for his labour and recovering profit

on outlay before three years at

small,

After that period the risk

least.

damaged by

hurricanes, from

they are fairly well protected by the density of the forest

out on high land, they are extremely seldom inundated
not attack the foliage, and

do very

beetles

little

locusts do

harm,

There

petioles.

is

no special cropping season as there

of sugar-cane, which,

if

naturally do not all mature at precisely the

extraction can be performed with

the year round.

it

is

either left to the

of

highly

mercy
paid

precipitation,

all

loss,

fibre,

the case

the plants

and more or

less

whilst a whole plantation of

cut Avith the least possible delay.

No

when weeding

no costly machinery has to be purchased and

of inexperienced

hands or be placed under the

Europeans, whilst there are few agricultural

implements and no live stock to be maintained for

The hemp

sappy

time, and the fibre

necessary, although the plant thrives better

carefully attended to

care

same

any.

at times, the stage of maturity be overlooked,

sugar-cane must be

ploughing
is

If,

little

only represents a percentage of

ripe

is in

neglected, brings a total loss of crop

if

which

being set

conflagration could not spread far amongst green leaves and

all

The

drought being the only natural calamity to be feared.

plants are only at rare intervals

is

when

field labour.

dry, runs a greater risk of

fire

than sugar,

but upon the whole, after comparing these estimates with those of sugar
(^vide

hemp

preceding chapter) the advantages of

cultivation over

sugar-cane planting appear too obvious to need further illustration.

Hemp

fibre is classified

firms as of

first,

in treating

second and third qualities.

with the small native

take delivery of
,( corrieiite )

by the large provincial dealers and Manila

The

dealers, or acopiadores,

collectors, or their

hemp under two

classes

own workpeople,

only, viz.,

The

first

quality

hemp

is

with which the European hemp cultivator has

to

and second quality (colorada).

first-class

the whitest, aud has a beautiful silky gloss.

The
contend

difficulties
all

hence there

centre to the
is

same

origin

the

indolence of the native

a continual struggle between capitalist and labourer in

the attempt of the former to couuterbalance the native's inconstancy

and antipathy

to honest toil.

OBSTACLES TO HEMP COLLECTION.

Left

himself, the native cuts the plant at

to

When

maturity.

he

is

329

any period of

hard pressed for a dollar or two, he strips a few-

them, for days, exposed to the rain and atmosphere

petioles, leaving

its

to

soften and render easier the drawing of the fibre in which putrefaction

The

commenced.

has

result

prejudicial

is

the

to

dealer

Then he

plantation owner, because the fibre discolours.

and the

passes the bast

down

to the

village with his bundle of discoloured coarse fibre with a certain

amount

under a toothed knife, which

of dried sap on

the delivery,

is

easy to work, and goea

He

to increase the weight.

it

because the acopiaclor

firstly,

chooses night time for

may

be deceived iu the

colour upon which depends the selection of quality, and secondly, iu

order that the

absorbing the dew,

fibre,

the tricks of the trade well

The

known

may weigh

to the native.

large dealers and plantation owners use every effort to enforce

the use of knives without teeth, so that the fibre

clean and white, to

come under the

on the ground that he loses

first

quality to be quoted in ^Manila

$7.25, even though the

class price

would

fall

class

may be

For

fine,

perfectly

the native opposes

weight, whilst he

in

appreciate his gain in higher value.

These are

heavier.

instance,

is

too

thi.s

dull

presuming the

to

first

$8,50 per picul and the third quality

first class

basis price remained firm, the third

as the percentage of third class quality iu the

supplies went on increasing.

Here and there

fibre

are to be found

plants

which give a whiter

than others, whilst some assert that there are three or four kinds

hemp plant, but, in general,

(Abaca corrie?iteJ, and if the
of

at maturity

day

hemp

draw
it

commercial

first

class

hemp

native could be coerced to cut the plant

the fibre under a toothless knife during the same

of stripping the petioles

and sun-dry

all will yield

on the

lodge the

first

fibre as

drawn on a clean

opportunity, then

(the

place,

proprietors and

dealers positively assert) the output of third quality need not exceed
five to six per cent, of the

quality in

Abaca has

whole produced.

1886,

was present

when

short, the question of

vastly less relation to the species of the plant than

to the care taken in its extraction

In

in the

and manipulation.

Government House

the complaints

against

the

of

Albay

in

December,

native hemp-drawers were

formally stated to the Governor, whose authority was appealed

to, to

commission an inspector to travel about the province and put pressure

on the natives, in the hope of remedying this state of affairs.

330

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Chinese

very actively collect parcels of

hemp from

enter into contracts

class of native owners, but they also frequently

which bring
producing

For a small sum

district.

work

from a native the right

to

Having no proprietary

interest

immediate

he

gain,

Chinaman acquires

in cash, a

plantation during a short period.

his

and looking only

stake,

at

indiscriminately

strips

plants,

to

his

regardless

of

and the property reverts to the small owner

maturity,

dilapidated condition.

drawn may be white,

The market
it is

hemp-

a province as a

reputation of

the

to

discredit

the smallest

result

a sorely

in

that although the fibre

is,

weak, and dealings with the Chinese require

special scrutiny.

labourer on an " estate " (called in

Each

remunerated by receiving one-half of

half belongs to the " late " owner.

labourer

is

employer,

almost

who

it

the fibre he draws

The

delivered

invariably

purchases

all

Albay Province Late)

is

the other

share corresponding to the

at

the

same time

at the current local value

often

the

to

at

much

less.

In sugar-planting, as no sugar can be hoped for until the fixed

"rinding season of the year, planters have to advance to their workpeople during the whole twelve months.
six or eight months, he loses half or

more

If, after so

advancing during

of his crop

by natural causes,

he stands a poor chance of recovering

There

is

hemp

no such risk in the case of

he can work

for

it,

and bring

his
;

advances of that year.

when a man wants money

bundle of

in his

and receive his

fibre

half-share value.

In Manila the export houses estimate the prices of second and

third qualities

by a rebate from

necessarily fluctuate.

go on increasing
to the market,
class)

is

When

first

These

rates

the deliveries of second and third qualities

in their proportion to the quantity of first class sent

the rebate for lower qualities on the basis price

consequently augmented.

estimate, I

class quality price.

have taken the price

For example,

in

the

(first

subjoined

of $8.50 per picul for first class,

with

the rebates of 75 cents for second class and $1.25 for third class.

If

the total shipments to Manila began to show an extraordinary large

proportionate increase of lower

would be made wider, and

to

qualities,

in this

bear upon the provincial

using every effort to send as

manner

shippers

much

these differences of prices

indirect pressure

by increasing

first class

is

brought

their interest in

quality as possible.

HEMP-TRADING STATISTICS.
The

labour of young

calculated

@ $3 per

planting out,

plant-setting

1,000 plants

from 50 cents

is

have frequently

proprietors

Albay Province may be

of shoots two feet high, for

in

the cost

331

one dollar per 100.

to

been

However,

as

by natives who, haviuo-

cheated

accepted to plant out the land, have not dug holes sufficiently deep and

have

without roots,

set plants

$10 per 100

live

now customary

is

it

in

Luzon

to

pay

plants, to be counted at the time of full growth, or

say in three years, in lieu of paying for shoots and labour at the prices

The

stated above.

In virgin
(vide

soil,

contractor, of course, lives on the estate.

2,500 plants would be set in one pisoson of land

Albay land measure,

A hemp
from 12|

at

page 333), or say 720

men and

press employing 60

to

each acre.

wages varying
50 cents per day, should turn out 230 bales per day.

to

boys, with

Freights by mail steamer to Manila in the year 1890 from Albay ports

beyond the San Bernadino

west of the

Straits,

Straits, Avere

strips the bast, whilst

fair

and

from ports

37 1 cents per bale.

In the extraction of the

man

50 cents per bale

fibre

his

work

the natives

companion draws

it

in

couples

one

under the knife.

week's work for a couple, including selection of the mature plants

felling,

would be about 300

lbs.

However, the labourer

is

not

able to give his entire attention to fibre-drawing, for occasionally a

day has to be spent

in

weeding and brushwood clearance, but

his half-

share interest covers this duty.

The

finest quality

and Marinduque, and

of

hemp

is

produced

in the districts of

in

the Islands of

Leyte

Sorsogon and Gubat of the

Province of Albay (Luzon).

The whole Province

tons

it is

of

Albay

the most important

yields annually an average of 30,000

hemp

district of

Previous to the year 1825, the quantity of

islands
tons.
to

was

The

insignificant
total

in

1840

it

is

Luzon

Island.

hemp produced

said to

in these

have exceeded 8,500

shipments in 1870 amounted to 30,535 tons

in

1871

28,984 tons, but the export of subsequent years has largely increased,

as will be seen

by the following

figures, viz.

Total Hemp Shipments

1872.

in

the Years.

332

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Hemp Shipments.
Ship-

ments

HEMP
The

PLANTING ESTIMATES.

STATISTICS.

highest Manila quotation for

first

hemp

quality

333

(corrietite)

during the years 1882 and 1896 inclusive, Avas $17*21^ per picul, and
the loAvest in the same period $6*00 per picul (16 piculs

2 piculs

Marinduque fetched a certain advance on these

Manila export firms usually admit up to 5
in a parcel delivered as

does not exceed

first

class, and,

ton;

figures.

low quality hemp

^ of

the amount of low quality

if

in a lot so supplied, a

2/^,

from Sorsogou aud

bale), whilst specially selected lots

premium

paid for this

is

superior proportion of " Corrisnte.''^

The

subjoined j9ro/brwa Estimate of an Albay Estate, will give a

production and the result of the venture.

fair idea of the cost of

Albay Province
1

312^

=
Topones =
=

Topon

500

16 square Brazas

of an

Pisosones

two years planted

Land Measure.

^ o3'776 English square yards.

= 5,000 square Brazas.

^ of Quiiion = 2J Cabanes = 3'472

,,

Estimate

(local)

Pisoson

Ahacd (Hemp) Plantation

1,250

Cabanes

Avith shoots

No

from time of purchase.

(=

in

Albay Province.

1,736 acres)

and therefore ready

ploughing.

No

acres.

of laud,

over

to cut in one year

falloAV land.

Each Pisosonr^ 2J Cabanes (=3*472 acres) producing per

annum 10 piculs of Ahacd (= per acre, cwts. 3*60 = yield from the

= total

1,736 acres, 31 2|- tons)

output 5,000 piculs

= 2,500

bales iu

the assumed proportion of

80

Corrientc.

lO^/g

10%

Segunda.

Shipment by steamer from Tobaco

Colorada.

to Manila.

Invested Capital.
$

500 Pisosones

of land over

Store for 5,000 piculs of

two years planted

hemp

Avith

$100

ample spare space

Bale Press and Shed for pressing lOO bales per day

50,000 00

3,00030

2,500 00

-------

Plot of land for Store and sun-drying ground

2 horses and vehicle

men

eta,

700 00

300 00

say $10

1,000 00

Total Invested Capital

$57,500 00

Unrecoverable advances to 100

(a)

334

PHiLirriNE islands.

Working Expenses.
$

4 Plantation Overseers
Salaries

$20 per mouth each

Manager (or owner's

as Manager)
European

living expenses

and book-keeper

----..
@

600 00

for pressing 2,500 Bales

plus 2 mats per bale

rattans per bale

Waste

(@

(@

$8 per month each

$1.75 per 100) and 14

and divers odd expenses

Keep

of 2 horses, per

annum

of all kinds payable to the

@ 5 cents per bale

Insurance to Manila @

\l^

value, plus say 15/o)

163 50

200 00

per

200 00

on
-

110

_
.

Government

@ 25 cents per picul

Loading

2/o

Office expenses, telegrams, postages, stationery, etc.

Freight to Manila

468 75

Travelling expenses about the province

Taxes

8/q
-

Fire Insurance on Store, Bale Press and Shed,

$5,500

rattans,

Maintenance or Depreciation of Press value

192 00

split

hemp, mats,

Stolen by labourers on the plantation, say

@ 18| cents (=1^ reales)

$1.75 per 1,000)

@ $30 and $20 per month

in shipper's provincial store of

annum

acting

if

1,800 00

2 Native Messengers

cts.

960 00

1,500 00

2 Native Storekeepers

Labour

Office clerk

respectively

125 00

on $31,200 (Manila selling

-

156 00

Manila Broker's commission, including landing, discharging,

etc.

2'o

Manila storage

month

on

sale value

541 25

@ 3 cents per bale per month, say for half a

-

37 50

HEMP ESTIMATES.
Sale

Half

planter

MANILA HEMP.

335

above output of 5,000 piculs belongs to the

the other half is purchased from the labourers, therefore,
of the

2,500 piculs sold thus

2,000 piculs

$^".25

Gain

in price

$8.50

250 piculs
-

@ $7.75

...@
250 piculs

on 2,500 piculs (labourers' share) bought

$1.50 per picul under Manila market price

Manila firms pay $1 per bale for pressing

ets.

20,750 00

@
-

3,750 00

2,500 00

$27,000 00

Result.
Sale in Manila

Deduct Working Expenses

^27 000

9 750
^$17,250

on Total Capital.

25^/.

During the decade prior

to the

commercial dej^ression of 1884,

enormous sums of money were lent by foreign firms and wealthy hemp
staplers to the small producers against deliveries to be effected.

But

experience has proved that the natives have not sufficient sense of honour
to endeavour to gradually clear off" their debts, for, on delivery of the
produce, they expect to be again paid the full value and pass over
the sums long due. Hence, capital which might be employed, to

the mutual advantage of

The

all

concerned,

natives complain that there

is

is

no money,

now

partially Avithheld.

Avhilst the collectors find

themselves in an embarrassed position, for the native prefers to live in

misery rather than work without payment beforehand. Speakino- on
this subject with several of the largest

said he

Albay

had no hope whatever of recovering one-half of

Fortunately for the Philippines, the fibre

is

staplers,

known

one of them

his loans.

as

Manila hemp

a speciality of the Colony, and the prospect of over-production,

almost annihilating profits to producers

as

in the

sugar colonies

is

at present remote, although the competition with other fibre is severe.

In 1881, the Abaca plants presented

to the

Saigon Botanical Gardens

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

336

were flourishing during the management of Mons. Coroy, but happily

for this Colony the experiment, which was to precede the introduction
of "

Manila

Hemp

" into French Cochin China,

was abandoned, the

plants having been removed by that gentleman's successor.

In 1890

was cultivated in British North Borneo by the

"Labuk Planting Company, Limited," and the fibre raised on their
Kope Works in
estates was satisfactorily reported on by the

"Manila

Hemp"

Hongkong.

----

CHAPTER

XVIII.

COFFEE {COFFEA ARABICA).

Coffee-planting was commenced

century.

few

known

well

the Colony early in the prc?eut

of the original plants still bear fruit

1889 plantation owners

trees possessed

in

by

in

many

were

coffee

that the

to revive this

would soon cease

to be

it is

quite exhausted.

branch of agriciilture

an

article of

seems

it

export from these

In the year 1891 the crops in Luzon began to

islands.

it is

coffee-producing colonies the tree bears profit-

Unless something be done

if

me

flourishing, whilst

still

ably only up to the 2oth year, and at the 30th year

as

Up to

the province of Batangas assured

their grandfathers

that in

each year.

very

fall off

considerably, in a small measure due to the trees having lost their

vigour, but chiefly

owing

1892-93 the best and

annihilated.

to the ravages of a

oldest-established

Nothing could be done

in the stems.

plantations

were

to stop the scourge,

of the wealthiest coffee-owners, personally

their land

worm

and started sugar-cane growing

known

to

In

almost

and several

me, ploughed up

in place of coffee.

In 1883 nearly 7,500 tons of coffee were shipped, whilst

in

1896

the total export did uot reach 90 tons.

The

best Philippine Coffee comes from the Provinces of Batangas,

La Laguna and
of caracolillo,

which

most esteemed.

The most
and

is

Cavite (Luzon Island), and includes a large proportion

is

the nearest shape to the

The Batangas

Mocha bean and

coffee centre is Lipa.

inferior Philippine coffee is

produced

in

Mindanao

Island,

sent up to Manila containing a quantity of rotten beans.

consequently always fetches a lower price than Manila (Luzon)

which

is

the

It

coffee,

highly prized in the market.

338

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Manila Quotations fo)-

the two qualities.

Average Prices throughout

Per Picul.*

the Years

COFFEE-TRADING STATISTICS.
general estimate showing the nett cost hiid

The manner

of acquiring the produce

down

339
Manila market.

in

and the conditions of purchase

many peculiar local

vary so greatly, and are subject to so

circumstances,

that only an approximate computation can be arrived at.

Some
property

of the provincial

others have

the produce of their

month

collectors

not, whilst

own

none of them depend entirely upon

trees for fulfilling the contracts in the capital

March,

About
money

as advances against the succeeding harvest

natives

who have

the

of

own

have plantations of their

after the crop is got in, they distribute

among

the poorer

patches of coffee plantation, and who, like

all their

race, like to live in anticipation of their means.

The

rate per picul of coffee for advances depends chiefly

competition amongst the collectors in the same locality.

just been

worth about $11 per picul

in

Manila,

upon

the-

If coffee has

money

for the

next

crop might be loaned at say $7 to $8 per picul, and the provincial

dealer has to take his chance.

the

Luzon

districts is

The

Manila from

cost of transport to

about 50 cents per picul ($8 per ton), and he

may

when the crop is gathered in December and.

January following, or he may (unless he has mortgaged or sold his
stocks beforehand) make a small fortune, as in the 1886 crop, when
barely recover his advances

Manila

coffee reached

$31 per picul and then declined very gradually.

has been shown in the preceding chapter
about 25 'o profit to the estate owner and

In the case of hemp,

that the business gives
dealer

when

intelligently

it

managed.

Coffee, however,

is

much more

fluctuating concern, as the purchase rate (although perhaps low) is

determined out of season several months before

market

will stand for the

sale of that coffee

(there being practically no season for

is

it

in

seen

hemp

how

the

transactions

hemp) the purchase money need

only be paid on delivery of the produce by the labourer at rates

proportionate to Manila prices, unless the dealer be simply a speculator,
in

which

case,

must advance
coffee,

having contracted

a provincial collector

capital.

as

is

friends, or

Manila

to deliver at

to secure deliveries to fulfil his contract.

transactions or he

own
men

in

If

may

something

may make an enormous

profit, if

in

price, he-

Therefore, in

the total year's

he works with his

he borrows the capital from Manila dealers middle-

may make

a fortune for his Manila

lose another year's interest

on the borrowed funds,

often the case, then he

he may

which he cannot

lose

at once reimburse.

310

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

In Cavite Province

The

speculations.

coflEee

dealer,

way

another

districts there is

of negotiating

with capital, advances at say $6 or $7

The

per picul "on joint account up to Manila."

then binds himself to deliver so

many

plantation owner

piculs of coffee of the next

gathering, and the difference between the advance rate and the sale
price in Manila

is

divided between the two, after the capitalist has

deducted the charges for transport, packing, commission in Manila,

All the risk

fails,

of course, on the part of the capitalist, for

is,

etc.

the crop

if

the small plantation owner has no means of refunding the advance.

On

a carefully managed plantation, a caban of land (8,000 square

Spanish yards)
coffee, or

is

calculated to yield 10'40 piculs

say 9 cwt.

a plantation, in

full

growth,

is

The

to give

trees begin

selling value of

about $250 per caban, or say $180 per

Since 1896 this land value

acre.

13 cwt.) of clean

The

quarter 11 lbs. per acre.

{=

is

nominal.

marketable coffee

in the fourth

year of

growth, and flourish best in hilly districts and on high lands, where the
roots can be kept dry,

exceed 70 Fahr.

and where the average temperature does not

CaracoliUo

is

found

in greater quantities

on the

highest declivities facing East, where the morning sun evaporates the
superfluous moisture of the previous night's dew.

In the Province of Cavite there appears to be very

of

culture

the

the

coffee

selection of shading trees,

very fine coffee

less

Sllau, Alfonso,
in Manila,

is

Batangas

hence the Indan product

little

much

care taken in the

neglected.

Neverthe-

coffee has the best reputation

is

sometimes brought to that

coffee.

usually shaded by a tree called

coffee plant is

(Gliricidia maculatd).

Madre Cacao

is

is

system in

brought from the neighbourhood of ludan,

and Aniadeo.

In Batangas the

On

starting a plantation, this

placed in rows, each ti-unk occupying one Spanish yard, and

is

when

There

and pruning

market and sold as Batangas

tree

tree.

little

it

has attained two or three feet in height, the coffee shoot

planted at each angle.

Between the

third and eighth years of growth,

every alternate shading tree and coffee plant

for development becomes necessary.

is

The

is

removed, as more space

coffee plants are

pruned from

time to time, and on no account should the branches be allowed to hang

over and meet.
coffee estates

Around the wealthy town

of Lipa,

some

of the

many

were extremely well kept up, with avenues crossing the

plantations in different directions.

COFFEE TREE AND CULTURE.

At

341

the end of eight years, more or less, according to

how

the

quality of soil and the situation have influenced the development, there

would remain say about 2,400 plants

Comparing

plants per acre.

this

would therefore give 9*69 ounces

where the

coffee tree

is

each caban of land, or 1,728

in

with the yield per

each tree

acre,

of marketable coffee, whilst in Peru,

planted at an elevation of five to six thousand

above sea level, each tree is said to yield one pound weight of beans.

feet

Tn the Philippines, the fresh ripe berries, when thoroughly sundried, lose

The

an average weight of o2'o moisture.

sun-dried

berries

ready for pounding

an

give

(husking)

average of 33'70 of their Aveight in marketable coffee-beans.

For those who intend

shipment,

reckoning

it
:

may be

It

visiting the coffee districts to purchase for

useful to have the following data in Philippine

takes

eight

measure

cabanes

page

(vide

of

318)

fresh picked ripe berries to turn out one picul weight of clean beans.

The

cost to the

the fruit gathered,

owner

is

of

having the plantation looked after and

one-half of the produce, which, however, almost

invariably becomes his again, for, as a rule, he has advanced against

it

during the year.

Supposing the average selling price of coffee in Manila

per picul, the nett profit to the capitalist grower

may

to

be

$11

be taken at about

18/Qupon his total invested and working capital, allowance being made
for the fact that one year in every five gives a short crop,

due either

to the nature of the plant or to climatic variations, but, in either case,

inevitable

therefore,

it

pays better

to collect coffee

growers rather than sink capital in large

The

is

grow up

The

estates.

coffee plant imperatively requires shade

pruning

prejudicial.

to 15 to

it

is

common

two

is

is

semi-elliptic seeds of a

and enveloped
seed

is

in

and much

The flowers are small, and

They are somewhat similar to the

delightful, whilst the odour

of a dark scarlet colour,

would

laurel.

Spanish jasmine, and being snow-white, the

bloom

it

usually kept at 7 to 10 feet.

leaves are evergreen, very shining, oblong, leathery,

cluster in the axils of the leaves.

ripe,

and moisture, and over-

If allowed to run to its natural height,

25 feet high, but

resemble those of the

in

from the very small

is

effect of

fragrant.

and the ordinary

a coffee plantation

The

fruit,

when

coffee berry contains

horny or cartilaginous nature glued together

a coriaceous

membrane

found covered with a silver-grey

when

pellicle.

this

is

removed, each

342

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

Caracolillo coffee berry contains only one seed, with a furrow-

in the direction of the long axis,

which gives

it

the appearance of being

a geminous seed, with an inclination to open out on one side.

In Arabia Felix, where coffee was first planted in the 15th century,

and

cultivation

its

by spreading

is still

extensive, the collection of the fruit

cloths under the trees,

shaken, the ripe berries

fall,

effected

from which, on being violently

and are then placed upon mats to dry,

which, the beans are pressed out under a heavy

In the Philippines,

is

women and

children

after

roller.

sometimes men go

into

the plantations with baskets, and pick the berries from the trees. The
truit is then heaped, and in a few days, washed, so that a great portion

Then they

of the pulp is got rid of.

until the inner

nowed from the

and

is

membrane and

are dried and pounded in a mortar

pellicle are separated,

and these are win-

clean bean, which constitutes the coffee of commerce,

sent in bags to Manila for sale.

The Philippine plantations give only one crop yearly, whilst in the
West Indies, beans of unequal ripeness are tobe found during eight mouths
of the twelve, and, in Brazil, there are three gatherings annually.
*
*
*
*
*
*
ill

the

The seed of the Tobacco plant {Nicotiana tabacuni), was among

many novelties introduced into the Philippines from Mexico by

Spanish missionaries, soon after the possession of the Colony by the

From this Colony it is said to
Spaniards was an accomplished fact.

have been taken

where

its

iu the

16th or 17th century into the South of China,

much abused,

use was so

that the sale of this so-called noxious

long time, prohibited under penalty of death.

During the first two centuries of Spanish dominion, but little direct

article was, for a

attention

was paid

to the

Tobacco question by the Government, who

only nominally held, but did not assert, the exclusive right of traffic in
this article. At length, in the year 1781, during the Governor-Generalsale
ship of Jose Basco y Vargas (a naval officer), the cultivation and

was formally decreed a State monopoly, which lasted up to

In the meantime, it became an important
the end of the year 1882.
item of public revenue. In 1882, the profits on the Tobacco Monopoly
of tobacco

amounted

to half the

Colony's Budget expenditure.

few years before that

date, a foreign

Company

offered to gua-

Budget (then about $15,000,000), in exchange for the

Tobacco Monopoly, but the proposal was not entertained, although in
that same year the Treasury deficit amounted to $2,000,000.
rantee

the

TOBACCO UNDER MONOPOLY.

By Rojal

Decree of

with the firm of O'Shea

1st

&

343

July, 1844, a contract was entered

Co., renting to

them the Monopoly, but

The annual profits from tobacco

was suddenly rescinded.
Government at that date were about $2,500,000.
Year.

into
it

to the

Government
Profit ox Tobacco.

1840

$2,123,505

1845

2,570,679

1850

3,036,611

1855

3,721,168

1859

4,932,463

1860

over 5,000,000

bale of tobacco contains 4,000 leaves in 40 bundles (;mano/i) of 100 leaves each.

In the

financial year

1868-1869, the figures stood thus,

Leaf and (Manila) Manufactured Tobacco

25,000 quintals (cwts.) exported to Spain

viz.

$6,717,635

@ $20

2,000,000

$8,717,635

Less Woi-king Expenses, waste, wrecks,

Net

The

profit to the

3,487,054

etc.

Treasury -

classification of the deliveries

5,230,581

depended on the

district

where

the crop Avas raised and the length of the leaf.

According to Art. 9 of the " Real Instruccion," dated 2nd December,

1858, the following

District.

tariff Avas established, viz.

344

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The
this

tobacco trade being also a

Governmeut couceru

Colony was under an obligation

Spain,

in

supply the Peninsula State

to

Factories with 90,000 quintals (cwts.) of tobacco leaf per annum.

Government Monopoly was

in

Luzon Island

force in

The

ouly.

tobacco districts of that island were Cagayau Valley (which comprises

La

Isabela),

In no

La Union, El Abra,

other

part

Iloeos Sur y Norte and

enforce.

tribes,

Ecija.

Luzon was tobacco planting allowed, except

of

by undomesticated

for a short period on the Caraballo range, inhabited

mountain

Nueva

upon Avhom prohibition would have been

In 1842 the Igorrotes were allowed

difficult to

to plant, and, in the

year

1853, the Governmeut collection from this source amounted to 25,000

The

bales of excellent quality.

in

1882 (the

last

The Visayas
crops

was,

year of Monopoly), about 785,000.

Islands, or South Philippines, were never under the

Monopoly system.
other

total population of these districts

The

natives there were free to raise tobacco or

on their land.

It

was

not until

1840 that tobacco

Government Factories

planting attracted general attention in Visayas.

or Collecting Centres Avere established there for classifying and storing

such tobacco as the Visayos cared to bring

in for sale to the

the Southern planters were at liberty to

sell

or in the public markets.

They

their

State, but

produce privately

also disposed of large quantities

by

contraband to the Luzon Island Provinces.'

Antique Province never yielded more tobacco than Avhat could be

consumed locally, but, in the hope of obtaining higher prices, an

Manuel

enthusiastic Governor,

1843, to send a

trial

parcel to the

however, unclassed and rejected.

was valued

Iturriaga, encouraged the growers, in

Governmeut Collectors

it

was>

In 1841 the Antique tobacco crop

at $80,000.

Mindoro, Lucban, and Marinduque Islands produced tobacco half

a century ago, and in 1846 the Government established a Collecting
Factory in Mindoro, but the abv.ses and cruelty of the officials towards
the natives, to force them to bring in their crops, almost extinguished
this class of husbandry.

During

the

period

of

Monopoly

in

the

production was very carefully regulated by the

Luzon

Home

districts,

the

Government, by

enactments revised from time to time, called "General Instructions

Vide Instructions re Contraband from the Treasury Superintendent, Juan
"
Manuel de la Matta, to the " Intecdeute de Visayas in 1843.
1

TOBACCO MONOPOLY SYSTEM.

Direction, Adiniuistration

the

for

the northern provinces of

Goverumout

tlie

Luzon Island who wished

(the property of the State),

for title deeds

never applied for by the natives

In

of

Compulsory labour was authorized, aud those natives

Monopolies."

tobacco.

and Control

315

the land

till

were almost unknown and

were compelled

no other crops were allowed

fact,

to

to

to give preference to

Moreover,

be raised.

they were not permitted to peacefully indulge their indolent nature

scrape up the earth and plant

Government

when and where they

Each family was coerced

subsistence.

to raise 4,000 plants per

The

event of failure.

iu

liked for a

contracting

into

annum, subject

to

mere

Avith
fine

to

the

in the

planter had to deliver into the State stores all

the tobacco of his crop

not

a. single

leaf could

he reserve for his

private consumption.

Lands

who
to

left

uncultivated could be appropriated by the Government,

put their

own nominees

to

work them, and he who had come

consider himself owner, by mere undisturbed possession, lost the

usufruct and

was not

fact,

all

other rights for three years.

freehold, but tenure

Emigrants were

North and South

sent

Ilocos.

by

His right

to the land, iu

villein socage.

north from the west coast provinces

The

first

time I went up to Cagayan, about

200 emigrant families were taken on board our vessel at North

en route for the tobacco
natives in general.

districts,

They were

and appeared

the

Government

to be as

happy

Ilocos,

as other

well supplied with food and clothing,

and comfortably lodged on their arrival

In

of

at the Port of Aparri.

Eegulations referred

to^

the

old

law of

Charles III., which enacted that a native could not be responsible at

law

for a debt exceeding $5,

was

revived, and those emigrants

debts were only required to liquidate

tobacco district up to that legal

As

them out

maximum

of their earnings in the

value.

soon as the native growers were settled on their lauds, their

condition was by no means an enviable one.

1880, depicts the situation

he happened

to be

Nueva Ecija land

in a letter to

was only allowed to

aerating sheds which were usually erected on the
says,

El Liberal (Madrid) in
in the following terms
The planter, he
smoke tobacco of his own crop inside the

owner and tobacco grower,

"

who had

fields

under

tilth.

If

caught by a carabineer only a few steps outside the

Instruccion General

Rentai Estancadas, 1849.

para

la Dlreccion, Administraeion

y Intervencion de

las

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

346
shed with a cigar

and adding

own

in his

to these

crop came to cost

mouth, he was fined $2

sums the

him

a cigarette, 50 cents

if

costs of the conviction, a cigar of his

The

and a cigarette $1.87^.

$7.37i-

fines

Nueva Ecija amounted to an annual average of $7,000 on a

population of 170,000. From sunrise to sunset the native grower was
in

domiciliary

to

subject

search

concealed

for

tobacco

his

trunks,

furniture and every nook and corner of his dwelling were ransacked.

He

and

all his

and often an

family

irate

wife and daughters were personally examined

husband, father or brother, goaded to indignation by

the indecent humiliation of his kinswoman, would lay hands on his

wanton

bohie-knife and bring matters to a bloody crisis with his

The

persecutors
selected,

and only such as came under

grower.

The

leaves were carefully

classification

were paid for

to the

rejected bundles were not returned to him, but burnt

a despairing sacrifice to the toiler

page 245) had, under penalty

their

the families fulfilled

The Cabezas de Barangay

and hard labour,

of arrest

onerous

contract

imprisonment and amercement resulted

corporal

(vide

to see that

punishment,

of frequent occurrence

were

those fearful scenes which culminated in riots such as those of Ilocos in

1807 and 1814, when many Spaniards

fell

victims

the natives'

to

resentment of their oppression.

Palpable injustice too was imposed by the Government with respect

The Treasury

to the payments.

paid loyally for

many

years, but as

generation succeeded generation, and the native growers' families came

to feel themselves attached to the soil they cultivated, the Treasury,

reposing on the security of this constancy, no longer kept to the

The

compact.

officials failed to

pay, with punctuality, to the growers

the contracted value of the deliveries to the State stores.

exactitude
remissness.

from

the native

the

Government

The consequence was

appalling.

They required

the

set

Instead

example
of

of

money,

Treasury Notes were given them, and speculators of the lowest type
used to scour the tobacco-growing districts to buy up this paper at an

enormous discount.
distrust

of

the

The misery

of the natives

Government so

radicate,

was

so distressing, the

and the want

of

means

of

existence so urgent, that they were wont to yield their claims for an
insignificant relative specie value.

realization

some day

The

speculators held the bonds for

the total amount due by the Government at one

time exceeded $1,500,000.

Once the Treasury was

so hard pressed

TOBACCO MONOPOLY ABOLISHED.

ready in Manila for shipment to Spain

for funds, that the tobacco

had

to be sold

347

on the spot and the 90,000 quintals could not be sent

hence purchases of Philippine tobacco had to be made by tender in

London

At

for the Spanish factories.

Government

length, during the

(1877-1880),

it

was resolved

to listen to the

from the Korth, and pay up

always

overwhelming complaints

to date in coin.

in a state of chronic bankruptcy,

The funds

measure of disloyalty.

Domingo Moriones

of General

But, to do

had to resort

to

this,

Spain,

an abominable

Bank {Caja de

of the Deposit

Depositos) were arbitrarily appropriated, and the deposit notes bearing

8/q interest per

Government

annum, held by private persons, most

clerks, etc.,

were dishonoured

at

due date.

(cesantes),

and who, on

were

This gave

rise

whose term

of service

their return to Spain,

naturally

to great clamour ou the part of those individuals

had ceased

whom

of

wished to take their accumulated savings with them.

The Governor-

General had no other recourse open to him but to reinstate them iw

their old positions, on his

and the

As

own

responsibility,

receipt of instructions

pending the financial

crisis

from the Government at Madrid.

already stated, the Government

Monopoly ceased on the 31st

of

December, 1882, when the tobacco cultivation and trade were handed

At

over to private enterprise.

Cigar and Cigarette Factories,

that date there were five

viz.

Government

Malabon, Arroceros,

Meisig, El

Fortin and Cavite, giving employment to about 20,000 operatives.

For a long time the question

of

abolishing

the

Monopoly had

been debated, and by Royal Order of 20th May, 1879, a commission was
appointed to inquire into the convenience of renting out the tobacco
traffic.

The

natives were firmly opposed

to

it

they dreaded the

prospect of the provinces being overrun by a baud of licensed perse-

they preferred State to private Monopoly.

cutors,

and of the two

Warm

discussions arose for and against

Manila newspapers.

evils

The

through the medium of the

" Consejo de Filipinas," in Madrid, gave a

favourable report dated 12th

Gazette, 13th July, 1879.

it

May, 1879, and published in the Madrid

The clergy defeated the proposal by the

Corporations of Friars jointly presenting a Memorial against

and

it

was thenceforth abandoned.

The Tobacco Monopoly was

it

the

largest source of public revenue, hence the doubt as to the policy of

free trade

and the delay

in granting

of the Treasury sustaining an

it.

There existed a

immense and

possibility

irretrievable loss, for a

348
return to

Monopoly,

after

free

trade had been

of.

It

moment be thought

for

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Government, and

was

it

feared,

would considerably

labour,

Up

was then a

allowed, could

safe income to the

by many, that the industry, by free

fall off.

to within a year of the abolition of

smokeable cigar could be purchased

Monopoly, a very good

in the estancos

penny and upwards, but as soon as the

The

filled

was
work off

definitely

their old

the estancos with cigars of the worst quality.

Treasurer-General

Colonial

from one half-

free trade project

decided upon, the Government factories, in order to

stocks of inferior leaf,

not

at

time

the

of

reform

this

entertained very sanguine hopes respecting the rush which Avould be

made

for the

believe

Govern tnent brands, and the general public were

that a scarcity

months, at

least,

With

idea in view,

this

manufactured tobacco would,

of

some

for

follow the establishment of free trade in this

Government stocks

led to

article.

sold at auction aroused

competition and fetched unusually high prices at the close of 1882, and
the beginning of the following year, in some cases as

as 23/-

However, the Treasurer-

per cwt. being realized over the upset prices.

General was carried too far

much

He was unfortunately

in his expectations.

induced to hold a large amount of Government manufactured tobacco

in anticipation of

high

offers,

the result being an immense loss to the

Treasury, as only a part was placed, with

the remainder shipped to Spain.
in

to

Little

by

little,

sale

Finally, in the course of 1884, the

and

of tobacco

crop,

throughout the year,

On

the 29th of

by auction was announced at

reduction on their already low prices, but the

meagre.

prices,

about 100 tons of 1881

the upset prices had to be lowered to draw buyers.

December, 1883, a Government

low

In January, 1883, the stock

Government hands amounted

besides the whole crop of 1882.

difiiculty, at

demand was

Government got

still

50/^

very

rid of the

bulk of their stock, the balance being shipped to the mother country.

The

colonial authorities continued to

to Spain, and the

first

pay the ancient Tobacco

contract, Avith this object, Avas

tribute

made during

that

year with a private company for the supply of about 2,750 tons.

During the

first

were rapidly started

some eight

or

ten

year of Free Trade, cigar and cigarette factories

in

Manila and the provinces, but up

factories

1897 only

had improved the quality of the manu-

factured article, whilst prices

'

to

have risen so considerably that the

Licensed depots for the sale of monopolized goods.

TOBACCO FREE TRADE.

STATISTICS.

general public have probably lost by the reform.

sold in the estancos in 1881, cannot
price, but at higher prices

small tax

announced
closure of

in

on

much

the

now be

Cigars, like those

got so good for the same

better brands are offered.

cigar

and

tobacco

August, 1883, had the beneficial

some

349

of the very small

trade,

leaf

effect of

manufactories,

officially

causing the

and reduced the

probability of a large over-supply of an almost worthless article.

Export houses continued

and cigars

until

tobacco in 1883,

the

and

foreign
in

to

make

large shipments of leaf tobacco

markets were glutted with Philippine

the following years the export somewhat

decreased.

The

subjoined table will

show the

total

shipments of this

during and after the period of Monopoly.

Tobacco and Cigar Shipments.

Year.

product

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

350

leaf of the Vuelt a de

with those made from the famous

and

in the

European markets they have very

justly failed to

Cuban

the same favourable reception as the

Abajo (Cuba),
meet with

cigars generally.

much cheaper than Cubans, for in

pay twice as much for a cigar equal to the best Manila

price, Philippine cigars are

I always had to

Cuban

article.

cigars are not

old

that

surprising

in this

sold

enthusiastic

Colony,

and

not

is

it

have

should

Philippine residents

Manila brands as

so accustomed to their favourite

become

As to
Havana

to consider

them incomparable.
During

my

first

was

journey up the Rio Grande de Cagayan, I

some years ago the Government made earnest efforts to

improve the quality of the plant by the introduction of seed from
Cuba, but it was unfortunately mixed up with that usually planted in
told that

the Philippine provinces, and the object in view failed completely.

On my renewed visit to the tobacco districts, immediately after the

aboHtion of monopoly, the importance of properly manipulating the

green leaf did not appear to be thoroughly appreciated. The exact
deoree

was

fermentation

of

with

ascertained

not

the

skill

Some

a well-prepared article.

perseverance necessary to turn out

and

which I tested were over-heated (taking the Java system as my

standard), whilst larger quantities had been aerated so long in the shed,

piles

after cutting, that they

The

best

quality

had

lost their finest

Philippine

of

Nueva

Ecija and even

Pampanga Provinces
is

on the east coast of Negros Island

also

generally

is

to

limited

Pauay Island and

Escalante) and Cebu

cultivated in

(district of

such rubbish that

of which, in fact,

how

a profit can be expected from

the

Ilocos Sur y Norte,

The Visaya

extent in Mindanao.

some

in

yield tobacco.

inferior in quality, particularly that

is

produced

is

Nueva Viscaya,

In the south (Visayas) tobacco

Island

tobacco

the choicest selections coming

northern provinces of Luzon Island,

from Cagayan and La Isabela.

aroma.

its

it is

leaf

of Yloilo Province,

difficult to

cultivation.

understand

The Escalante

(Negros E. coast) and the Barili (Cebu W. coast) tobacco seemed to me

to be the fullest flavoured and most agreeable leaf in all the Visayas.
1883 a company, styled The General Philippine Tobacco
Company (" Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas "), was formed
In

iu Spain

and established

in this

It -^ave "-reat impulse to the trade

Colony with a capital of 3,000,000.

by soon starting with

five factories

MANILA CIGARS AND CIGAEETTES.

351

San Antonio," " Santa Isabel," " San

Luis," and " La Concepcion "), with buying agents in every tobacco

and purchasing four

Up

district.

hands of

this

to

estates ("

1898 the baled tobacco leaf trade was chiefly

Company.

Little

by

little

into other branches of produce purchasing,

of

money

the

and

in the provinces in its unsuccessful

in

the

Company launched

out

lost considerable

sums

attempt to compete with

the shrewd British merchants.

Prices

and

TVelghts of some of the best Cigars

Manila packed
Pee Thousand,

in

Manufactured

Boxes ready for Use or Shipment.

in

CHAPTER

XIX.

SUNDRY FOREST AND FARM PRODUCE.

Maize
In a limited uumber

Cocoa Copraii,

particularly

of districts,

("Indian Corn") forms the staple

although as a

Many
it

is

of food in

article

Maize
of

lieu

rice,

rule, this latter cereal is preferred.

does not impoverish the land to any appreciable extent.

no great demand for

is

iu the south,

agriculturists alternate their crops with that of Maize, which,

said,

There

etc.

this grain,

and

it

is

generally cultivated

rather as an article for consumption in the grower's household than for

Planted in good land

trade.

= 400-fold

the year

gives about 200-fold, and two crops in

per annum, but the setting out of one caban of

maize grain occupies

same measure

of the

it

five times the surface required for

of rice grain.

An

the planting

ordinary caban of laud

is

8,000 square Spanish yards (vide " Land Measure," page 308), and
this superficie derives its

denomination from the fact that

it

is

the

average area occupied by the planting out of one caban measure of rice

The maize caban

grain.

equal to 5 rice cabans.

paddy

to

superficie,

is

is

quite a special measure, and

Estimating therefore the average yield of

is

rice

be 50 cabans measure per ordinary caban of land, the same

were

400-fold per

The

of land

it

suitable

annum

for maize-raising,

would give

one-fifth of

= 80 cabans of Maize per rice caban.

current price of maize, taking the average in several provinces,

same measure, whilst it is often

the demand, which is influenced by the custom of

rarely above that of

lower, according to

paddy

for

the natives in the vicinity where

the

it is

offered for sale.

CULTIVATION OF CACAO.
It

is

353

eaten after being pulverized between stone or hard

with the surfaces

set

In many village market

stationary.

is

places one sees heads of maize roasted and exposed for sale.

grown

of a special quality,

which overflow

in

alluvial

soil

the

proportionately large

when

The Cacao Tuee

it),

no

all

the

is

therefore

demand.
*

Cacao (or "Food of the gods," as

a native of Central America, flourishes in these

damp

districts.

have been imported into the Philippines towards the

end of the l7th century from Mexico, v/here

use.

constant

the profit

s^

Thcohroma

Islands in the hot and

It is said to

local festivities create a

Linnteus called

is

raw maize-heads to the market sellers is

which they retail out roasted at one cuarto

equal about one penny)

(3^ cuartos

rivers

price of the

about 60 cuartos per 100,

each

is

Three crops per annum

at certain seasons of the year.

The

This

interval of

are obtained on land of this kind, so that the supply

year round.

slabs

upper one being caused to

horizontally, the

revolve on the lower one, which

wood

it

has been in very ancient

Outside the tropics, the tree will grow in some places, but gives

fruit.

The

Philippine quality

is

very good, and compares favourably

with that of other countries, the best being produced between latitudes
11 and 12 N.

The cultivation of Cacao is an extremely risky and delicate business,

as, often when the planter's hopes are about to be realized, a slight
storm will throw down the almost ripened fruit in a day. A disease
sometimes attacks the roots and spreads through a plantation.

It is

natural, therefore, that no one should dedicate his time exclusively to

the cultivation of this product at the risk of almost instantaneous ruin.

Usually, the Philippine agriculturist rightly regards cacao only as an

useful adjunct to his other crops.

Small quantities of

Spain, but the consumption in the Colony,

by adding

sugar, vanilla,

bitterness of the bean,

is

large quantity of sugar

is

to equal parts, whilst one

cinnamon,

etc.

considerable.

when made
to

it

are sent to

into chocolate*

counteract the natural

To make

chocolate paste, a

added, varying from one-third of

pod

of vanilla

is

sufficient

for

its

weight

\}f lbs.

of

' The
word chocolate is derived from the Mexican word chocolatl. The
Mexicans, at the time of the conquest, used cacao beans as money. The grandees
of the Aztec Court ate chocolate made of the ground bean mixed with Indian
corn and rocou, vide W. H. Prescott's " Hist, of the Conquest of Mexico."

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

354
As a

cacao.

beverage,

and the better

half-castes

is

it

with the Spaniards and

in great favour

class of natives.

a fruit something like a gherkin,

reddish
about five iuches long and three inches diameter, and of a dark
The fruit contains from 15 to 25 beans, in regular
colour when ripe.

The

lie in

cacao beans or kernels

The
rows, with pulpy divisions between them, like a water-melon.
one
kernels are about the size, shape and colour of almonds, obtuse at
their
end, and contain a fatty or oily matter to the extent of one-half

make "

In order to

weight.

fatty substance

is

soluble cocoa " as sold in Europe, this

extracted.

are planted out at short distances in orchards, or in the

The beans

The

garden surrounding the owner's dwelling.

usually up

does not attain a great height

natural soil

grows up

it

annual yield of a

would be about three

ready

30 feet at

Like

least.

tree,

pints

Colony,

whereas

coffee,

it

in its

bears fruit

The

the sixth year.

year, and reaches maturity in

in the fourth
fair

to

10 feet

to

this

tree, in

damaged by storms or insects,

measure of beans, which always find a
not

if

sale.

If all

went

and present

well,

prices,

more

or less,

large profits might accrue to the cacao planter, but

were maintained,
it

rarely happens

(perhaps never) during the six months of fruit ripening that losses are
not sustained by hurricanes, disease in the tree, the depredations of rats

and other vermin,

etc.

Practically speaking, cacao-plauting should

who have
make up for it

only be undertaken in this Colony by agriculturists

afford to lose a crop one year to

capital,

and can

next.

The venture pays handsomely

in fortunate seasons,

but

spare
in the

it is

the line of planting to be taken up by hand-to-mouth colonists

must seek immediate

The tree itself is

usually make their own

attractive.

not pretty.

fruit,

chocolate at

fire,

skins), they

pound them with wet sugar, &c.

into chocolate at once, as

Chocolate

is

is

nothing specially

The natives who grow the

home by roasting the beans

and after separating them from

of rolling-pin on a concave block of Avood.

made

almond

into a paste, using a kind

The

by exposure

their husks (like

roasted beans should be

to the air they lose flavour.

often adulterated with roasted rice and Pili nuts.

roasted Pili nut alone has a very agreeable almond taste

bean

itself, in

its

who

returns.

In the aspect of a cacao plantation there

over a slow

not

pure state,

is

The

the cacao

extremely bitter and unpalatable.

In

MONKEY NUTS.

ESCULENT ROOTS.
Manila, there

BETEL.

a steam-power manufactory which partly supplies the

is

good chocolate.^

capital with

Castor Oil is obtained in a few places from

Pahna Christi or Ricmus Communis^ but the plant
and the

355

the seeds of the

is

not cultivated,

has not yet become an article of current trade.

oil

Besides the general land produce already detailed, the cultivation

of

which

is

open to the

taken up by the large proprietors, a good source of income

is

small patches

of

tillers

now

husbandry, to which I will

which quickly spreads out

common

tubers, like the

the sweet potato or Yam, the foliage

like a carpet over the soil

potato.

It

is

the natives, and in nearly every island

gardens

it is

of

briefly allude.

Camote [Convolvulus batatas),

of

the minor branches

in

and forms

a favourite article of food

it is

also found wild.

among

In kitchen

planted like the potato, the tuber being cut in pieces.

Gabi iCaladiuin)

another kind of esculent root, similar to the

is

and throws up stalks from one to three feet high, at the end of
which is an almost round leaf, dark green, from three to five inches
turnip,

diameter at maturity.

Potatoes

Negros Island

Cebu

in

With very

than walnuts.
in

grown

are

Island, but they are rarely

special care, a larger size

also potatoes of excellent flavour

colour are cultivated in the district of Benguet

certain

demand

Mani, the
It

is

in

has been raised

and of a pinkish
Manila there

is

for this last kind.

fruit of

of " Monkey nut,"

places.

any larger

much

which

is

is

well

known

in

England under the name

a creeping plant, which grows wild in

cultivated, however, partly for the sake of the nut

or fruit, but principally for the leaves and stalks, Avhich,

serve as an excellent and nutritious fodder for ponies.

large quantity of

many

oil,

and

in

some

districts

it is

when

dried,

It contains

preferred to the fresh-cut

zacate grass, with which the ponies and cattle are fed in Manila.

BuYO
as
is

its leaf,

used to

{Piper Betel)

when
coil

'

in

much

made from

care in every province,

oyster-shells

and folded up,

round the areca-nut, the whole forming the bui/o

Chocolate was

and

cultivated with

coated with lime

which the natives

1657,

is

(betel),

of these Islands, as in British India, are in the habit

first

Germany

used in Spain in 1520; in Italy in 1606

in

England

in 1700.

in'

356

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

of chewing.

he has his betel

habit
is

in

chewing

it

To

have

nut and

this

its

leaf

it

The

hiiyo plant

is

In

The

leaf

is

it

appear

on raised beds and

grows

to a height

and only slightly

Areca Palm

two

or three sides

by rows

{Areca Catechu), the nut of which

betel

when

split into slices

is

of the

used to

make

about one-eighth of an inch

The

one of the most beautiful palms.

nuts cluster on

stalks under the tuft of leaves at the top of the tall slender stem.
is

said that one tree will

culture,

produce, according to

The nut

from 200 to 800 nuts yearly.

a fibrous

shell, like

is

especially in Manila, one frequently

sees the native cottages enclosed on

is

set out

lips

brought fresh every day.

Going through the provinces,

This

very displeasing to

of a bright green colour,

is

great sale of this leaf, which

thick.

is

market places, including those of Manila, there

all

up the chewing

it

which

trained (like hops) straight up on sticks, on

of about six feet.

years of

use cannot, with safety, be suddenly

with a native betel-eater, whose teeth and

to be smeared with blood.

pointed.

many

After

becomes almost a necessity, as

the newly-arrived European,

to converse

of hours without food if

said to be stomachical.

is

the case with opium, and

abandoned.

number

native can go a great

the cocoa-nut.

age, situation

itself is

It

and

enveloped in

In Europe, a favourite dentifrice

is

prepared from the areca-nut.

Cocoa-nut (Cocos nucifera) plantations pay very well, and there is

a certain demand for the fruit for export to China, besides the constant
local sales in the iianguis.^

Some

tap the tree by making an incision in

fruit-bearing) stalk, under

which a bamboo

hung

This

to receive the sap.

beverage amongst the natives.

vessel, called a

known
As many as

liquid,

the flowering

as tuba^

is

bombon,

of pulverised
taste

is

placed about as

four stalks of the

much

The

incision

same

tree.

In

as a desert spoonful

Tongo bark (^Rhizophora Longissima)

and bright colour to the tuba.

is

a favourite

trunk can be so drained simultaneously Avithout injury to the

the bottom of the bombon

(or

to give a stronger

renewed each time

made with a very sharp knife, to which a

keen edge is given by rubbing it on wood {ErythrincL) covered with, a
The sap drawing of a stalk continues
paste of ashes and oil.
incessantly for about two months, when the stalk ceases to yield and

r
the bombon

is

replaced,

is

~~

'

Tiangui, from the Mexican word Tlangne:, signifies " small market."

COCOA-NUT PALMS.
The bombons

dries up.

357

containing the liquid are removed, empty ones

being pat in their place every twelve hours, about sunrise and sunset,

and the seller hastens round

to his clients

with the morning and evening

draught, concluding his trade at the market place or other

If the tuba

centres of sale.

is

allowed to ferment,

known

not so palatable,

it is

From the fermented juice the disliquor, known locally as cocoa-wine.

and becomes an intoxicating drink.

tilleries

The

manufacture a spirituous

tuba extraction do not produce nuts, as the

trees iset apart for

fruit-forming elements are taken away.

The man who

gets

down

the tuba has to climb the

trunk of which notches are cut to place bis toes

two bamboos

tuft of leaves,
tree,

first tree,

on the

From under

in.

the

are fastened, leading to the next nearest

and so on around the group which

is

thus

The

connected.

bottom bamboo serves as a bridge and the top one as a handrail.

Occasionally a

man

and breaks

neck.

his

falls

from the top of a trunk 70 or 80 feet high,

The

occupation of tuba drawing

is

one of the

most dangerous.

When

the tree

is

allowed to produce

fruit,

instead of yielding tuba,

They

the nuts are collected about every four months.

down

either

pole or

are brought

by a sickle-shaped knife lashed on to the end of a long

by climbing the

tree

with the knife

When

in hand.

they are

collected for oil extraction, they are carted on a kind of sleigh,' unless

there be a river or creek providing a water-way, in which latter case,

they are tied together, stalk to stalk, and floated

like a raft,

upon which the man

The water

in

a compact mass,

in charge stands.

or milk found inside a cocoa-nut

is

very refreshing to

the traveller, and has this advantage over fresh water, that
to

quench the

thirst of a

person

who

is

perspiring, or

it

serves

whose blood

is

highly heated, without doing him any harm.

Well-to-do owners of cocoa-nut palm plantations usually farm out
to the poorer people the right to extract the tuba, allotting to each

family a certain number of trees.

and although the returns

owner about the same,

more
,

closely

watch

Span,, Carroza

as

his

Others allow the trees to bear

are, theoretically, not so good, it

he

own

is less

fruit,

pays the

exposed to robbery, being able to

interests.

At seven

years' growth, the

Tagdlog, Hila or Pardgus ; Visaya, Gang as or Dagandan.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

358

cocoa-nut palm-tree seldom

fails to yield

an unvarying crop of a score

of large nuts monthly.

In the Prorinces of Tayabas, La Laguua, E. Batangas and

of

La Infanta,

the cocoa-nut palm

purpose of extracting the

extensively cultivated, solely for the

is

The

from the nut.

oil

district

cocoa-nut

oil factories

are very rough, primitive establishments, usually consisting of eight or

ten posts supporting a nipa palm-leaf roof, and closed in at

with

concentrate the

a rope

is

nuts are heaped for a while to dry and

Then they

the fruit.

oil in

A man

in half.

The

bamboos.

split

all sides

are chopped,

more or

less,

on a board with his feet on a treadle, from which

sits

passed over, and works to and fro a cylindrical block, in

the end of which

He

fixed an iron scraper.

is

picks

up the

half-nuts,

one at a time, and on applying them to the scraper in motion, the

white
are

then pressed between huge blocks of

and the mass

is

wood

allowed to simmer and draw out the

is

remaining fatty particles, which are skimmed

it is

to express the oil,

afterwards put into cast-iron cauldrons, of Chinese

make, with water, which

cold,

These scrapings

out into a vessel underneath.

fruit, or pith, falls

When

off the surface.

sent off to market in small, straight-sided kegs, on ponies

which carry two kegs

one slung on each

side.

Small quantities of Cocoa-nut Oil are shipped from the Philippines,

but in the Colony

Every dwelling,

itself it

or poor,

rich

For

nightly for lighting.

full of water,

on which

it

As

bending the

tin

the

floats,

oil

an important

is

is

downwards.

or hut, without a light of

It

is

oil

consumed, the wick

There

is

oil

when

machinery, for

is

pith, called tinsin,

is

tlie oil

by a

lowered by slightly

scarcely a single dwelling-house,

some kind burning during the whole night

it

quite fresh.

and the vast majority use

it

some out-of-the-way

It is largely

finds a medicinal application.

is

is

places,

and

is

employed as a lubricant

which purpose, however,

a white solid, and

in the tropics

this oil

poured into a glass half

suspended in the centre of

also in use for cooking in

Occasionally

of consumption.

because of the economy.

not unpalatable
for

is

and a wick, made of

in expectation of a possible earthquake,

cocoa-nut

article

consumes a certain amount of

this purpose, it

introduced by the Chinese,

strip of tin.

is

it

is

very

inferior.

In Europe, cocoa-nut

used in the manufacture of soap and candles

seldom seen otherwise than

in a liquid state, as

it

COPRAH.
fuses a

little

above 70 Fahr.

modern appliances, was

It

is

only in

the

SHELL.

359

COIR.

In 1891 a cocoa-nut

oil factory,

with

started near Manila.

last

few years that Coprah has acquired

importance as an article of export.

CopRAH Shipments.

360

FHiLirriNE islands.

According to tho Court Journal (London) of May, 1888, the

French Government were about

new

to build a

raan-o'-war,

to effect a complete revolution in naval architecture.

a product of cocoa-nut

was calculated that

up by

In this Colony

when

decks

the nut

and

coir covering,

Cellulose

Amorphe,

form the sides of the ship, and

to

it

being riddled by shot, or ripped

this material, after

would not

colliding with rocks,

close up.

was

fibre,

which was

sink, as the holes

would

at once

often serves for cleaning floors and ships'

it

cut into two equal parts across the grain of the

is

Avith

a very high polish

it

can be put on to hard

woods.

The stem

palm

of the Cocoa-nut

with a single horn at the top of

and slightly injures the

died

its

head.

It bores

the rhinocerous beetle, and

through the bark

but I have never heard that any had

tree,

In some colonies

consequence.

in

attacked by a very large beetle

is

this insect is

said to belong' to

is

the

described as

family of the

J)7/nastidce.

In the Philippines, the poorest

the Cocoa-nut palm

as close to the sea as

it

thrives best on, or near, the sea-shore,

where the beach

The common Cocoa-nut palm

tide.

feet,

indeed,

but there

is

seems to give nourishment to

soil

fringed by the surf at high

is

attains

a height of about sixty

dwarf palm with the stem sometimes no taller

growth, which also bears fruit, although less

also a

than four feet at

full

plentifully.

Sir
to

Emerson Tennent,

have

stated^

that

referring to these trees in Ceylon,

the

is reported
"
Cocoa-nut palm
acts as a conductor in

" protecting houses from lightning.

" were struck in

As- many as 500 of these trees

a single pattoo near Pattalam during a succession of

" thunderstorms in April 1859."

ISiPA

Palm (Nipa

marshy

flooded

lands.

frutilans)

(Colombo Observer.)
is

found

in

mangrove swamps and

It has the appearance of a gigantic fern

thrives best in those lauds

which are covered by the sea

in the same manner as the cocoa-nut palm, the sap

incision

made

in the fruit-bearing stalk,

and

is

at hifh tide,

extracted bv

used for

known as Nipa wine, which, however, should

a spirit. The leaves, which are very long, and about
liquid

is

distillino-

Vide

"The

one

may go many

properly be termed
three to five inches

wide, are of immense value in the country for thatched roofs.

not to be found everywhere

and

Kipa

is

miles without seeing

Tropical Agriculturist," Colombo, August 2nd, 1886.

COTTON.

COGON.
it,

marshes and swampy low-lands.

in districts devoid of

(Luzon Island) Nipa

district

another material supplies

CoGON

PALMA BRAVA.

DITA.

its

unknown.

said to be

is

want

for thatching, viz.

(^Saccharum KocJiigii), a sort of

361

In El Abra

In such places,

jungle grass with a

tall

very sharp edge, plentifully abundant precisely where Nipa caimot be

expected to grow.

I have ridden through Cogon five feet high, but a

fair

average would be about three to four

cut

and sun-dried and

is

It has simply to be

feet.

ready for roof thatching.

The Cotton Tree (^Gossypium herbaceum'?) is found growing in

an uncultivated state in many islands of the Archipelago. Long staple
cotton was formerly extensively cultivated in the Province of Ilocos

Norte, whence,

many

were exported.

years ago, large quantities of good cotton stuffs

This industry

still

staple was, however, discouraged

The

exists.

by the

cultivation of this

local governors, in order to

urge the planting of tobacco for the Government supplies.

become

difficult

pamphlet form

to revive the cotton production,

(for

although an essay, in

which a prize was av/arded

gratuitously distributed

over

is

reduced scale, in the Ilocos provinces (Luzon

W.

is

in

Madrid), was

the Colony in 1888 Avith that object.

Nevertheless, cotton spinning and weaving

Wild Cotton

It has since

still

carried on, on a

coast).

practically useless for spinning, as the staple

extremely short, but perhaps by hybridisation and careful attention,

culture might

The pod
maturity,
It

is

is

become valuable
is

elliptical,

snow-white.

common

is

it

at

used for stuffing pillows and mattresses.

thing to see (wild) cotton trees planted along the

high road to serve as telegraph posts

ripe,

its

to the Colony.

and the cotton which bursts from

It

is

by the time the seed

is

fully

every leaf has fallen, and nothing but the bursting pods remain

hanging

to the branches.

The
known

DiJ'A Tree, said to be of the family of the Apocynese and

to

cinchona.

botanists

The

as

Alstonia scholaris,

possibly a species of

is

pulverized bark has a bitter taste like quinine, and

saccessfully used by the natives to allay fever.

is

Manila chemist once

extracted from the bark a substance Avhich he called dltaine, the yield
of crystallisable alkaloid being

Paljia
Avliich is of

Brava (Coripha

two per

minor)

is

cent.

a species of palm, the trunk of

great value in the Philippines.

will resist the action of

water for years.

It

is

These

immensely strong, and

trees are

employed as

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

362

quay and pier making

piles for

works where strength,

in

elasticity,

When

combination.

much resembling

coir,

to

and

in

and

found in the centre

is

flexibility,

any

water are required

but the ligneous shell of the stem

retains its qualities of strength

shafts, coolies' carrying-poles,

and resistance

a fibrous pith

split,

cocoa-nut

for bridges, stockades,

and

still

used for wheel

is

and a variety of other purposes.

Bamboo {Bambusa Arundinacea)

is

a graminifolious plant

one

most charmingly picturesque and useful adornments of nature

bestowed exuberantly on the Philippine Islands. It grows in thick
of the

tufts in the
rable,

and

it

woods and on the banks of rivers. Its uses are innumehas not only become one of the articles of primary necessity
but of incalculable value to

to the native,

There are many kinds

The most common

of

to a height of

diameter varying up to eight inches, and

to its round shape

strengthened by a

It

inside.

is

it

even when

easy to

split.

It

on any surface,

split

about 60

feet,

size.

with a

of wonderful strength, due

its

Each

joints.

joint is

singularly flexible, light, elastic,

is

and of matchless floating power. The

straight,

is

and the regularity of

web

the Colony.

bamboos, distinct in formation and

grows

species

all in

fibre is

tough, but being perfectly

has a smooth glazed surface, and

it

takes a high polish by simple

It has a perfectly straight grain.

friction.

Three cuts with the bohie-knife are sufficient

largest bamboo of this kind, and the green leaves,

hew down

to

in case of

the

extreme

necessity, serve for horses' fodder.

There

is

another variety also hollow, but not so large as that just

It

described.

is

covered with a natural varnish as hard as

also used for native cabin building

A third
is

species,

much more

solid,

is

When
it

required

the

It

is

and many other purposes.

seldom found more than

five inches in diameter,

having no cavity in the centre divided by webs.

It cannot be applied to so

strength

steel.

it is

many

purposes as the

first,

but where great

incomparable.

bamboo plant

is

cultivated with the view of rendering

annually productive, the shoots are pruned in the dry season at a

height of about seven feet from the ground.

In

the

following wet

clump germinate a number of young shoots, which,

six or eight months, will have reached their normal

season, out of the

in the course of

height, and will be

fit

for cutting

when

required.

felled in the dry season before the sap begins

Bamboo

to ascend

should be

by capillary

BAMBOO.
attraction.

but this

The

is

If cut out of season

not

it

is

36a

prematurely consumed by grub,

much heeded when wanted

in haste.

bamboo and nipa palm-leaves

native builds his hut entirely of

or cogon for thatching, whilst in the Province of Yloilo, I

have seen

hundreds of huts made entirely of bamboo, including the roofing.

make bamboo
after the

roofing, the hollow canes are split longitudinally, and,

webbed

joints inside

bamboo frame-work,

Don Manuel Montuno,

my

to stay at

have been cut away, they are

so that the eaves

If necessary, a rural

came

bungalow can be erected

in

a week.

When

for a shooting expedition, I got a

joiner's

skill

wing

finished.

is

needed

two-thirds

are notched out on one side, and the other third

rectangle, thus

on the

the late Governor of Morong, with his suite,

bungalow

In frame-work, no

laid

have the following aspect

added in three days, perfectly roofed and

bamboo

To

is

of

the

bent to

364

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The
after

made by

walls of the cabin are

removing the webbed

splitting the

each half

joints,

is

bamboo,

beaten out

flat.

bamboo

and,'

Even

in houses of certain pretensions, I

have often seen

which

is

always clean and takes a beautiful

polish

when rubbed over a few

highly effective, as

is

it

split

times with plantain leaves.

parish church of the village of Las Pinas, near Manila, there

an organ made

of

In the

still exists.

bamboo, of excellent tone.

furniture of

Rafts,

flooring,

all

.-;:.;

kinds, scaffolding, spoons, carts,

baskets,

and liquid measures,

sledges, fishing traps, fleams, water-pipes, hats, dry

cups, fencing, canoe fittings, bridges, carrying-poles for any purpose,

pitchforks, and a thousand other articles are

Here

material.

in Europe.

bamboo

it

and serves for

in water,

Bamboo

are immensely strong.

of this unexcelled

which the

serves all the purposes to

It floats

made

salad

fuel.

value of bamboos in Manila

is

from ^5

Ropes made

of

prepared from the

is

very young shoots cut as soon as they sprout from the

The

osier is applied

to

root.

^12'50 per 100,

according to the season of the year and length of the bamboo, the

diameter of course being proportionate,

BoJO

another kind of cane, somewhat resembling the bamboo in

is

It has very

appearance only.

few knots

is

brittle

perfectly smooth

on the outer and inner surfaces hollow, and grows to about 25 feet
hi"-h by two inches diameter, and altogether is not nearly so useful as
the bamboo.

It

is

used for making light fences, musical instruments,

fishing rods, inner walls of huts, fishing traps, torches, etc.

Bejuco,

found in lengths up to say 100

inch to one and a quarter.

The

Calamus family,

or bush-rope, belonging to the

thickest Bejuco

is

feet,

It

is

maximum

and a

of

is

commonly

diameter of one

enormous strength and pliancy.

used for raft cables for crossing rivers, stays

bamboo suspension bridges, and a few other purposes. Its uses are
more numerous when of a smaller diameter, as when split longitudinally,

for

it

takes the place of rope for lashing anything together, being immensely

strong.

Europe.

Indeed

When

skin outside,
furniture

it

is

just as useful here

so employed,

otherwise

it

it

will

and bedstead making.

rattan supplies the

want

If

in

China

as rope

is

in

must always be bent with the shiny

snap.

infallibly

Amongst
is

It also serves

for

the natives, split bejuco-

Every

of nails or bolts.

hut, his canoe, his fence, his cart, etc.

material.

and

joint in the native's

lashed together with this

any woodwork breaks, he binds

it

together with split

BEJUCO.
rattan with which he

GUM.

makes

parcels of all kinds are tied

The

made.

which

is

WAX.

CINNAMON.
Hemp

fast everything.

up with

split rattan, of

ring through a buffalo's nose

made

is

bales, sugar bags,

which hats are

of

whole

often attached a split strip for a guiding rein.

were to break down

in the street

Therefore the demand for this article

many

purposes far too numerous to mention.

an

article of small

exports, the supply being very limited.

exist, but as

it is

and uncivilized

rattan, to

a carriage

same material would be sought

for.

is

If

also

(whether in Manila or the Provinces),

or anything, in short, give way, this

Gum Mastic

365

large and constant for

is

importance in the Philippine

It is said that large quantities

only to be procured in almost inaccessible mountainous

districts, first-hand collectors in

the Provinces, principally

Chinese, have to depend upon the services and goodwill of unsubdued

tribes.

It

is

chiefly obtained

from them by barter, and

which can be worked up systematically.

The

is

not a trade

exports of this product

fluctuate considerably in consequence.

Gu3i Mastic Shipaients.

366

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

mastic,

can oulj be procured in

it

sniall quantities,

caprice or necessities of the mountain tribes.

depending on the

Going along the sea

shore in Zamboanga Province, on one occasion, I met a mountaineer on

his "Nvay, with a bundle of cinnamon, to

distant

load, the half of

satisfy

bark to the Chinese

to sell the

my

which

curiosity

many miles

@ $8 per picul.

I bought his

I sent to Spain, requesting a friend there to

by getting a quotation for the sample

He

Barcelona market.

Zamboanga Port

in the

reported that the quality was so low that only

a nominal price could be quoted, and that

it

stood nowhere compared

with the carefully cultivated Ceylon product.

Edible Bird's Nest

esculenta Bonap.')

purchase
in

is

an

article of trade

at high prices.

it

CoUocalia Troglodytes.

nodifica

with the Chinese, who readily

made by a kind

It is

Coll:

of sea-swallow,

and

appearance resembles vermicelli, variegated with blood-coloured

spots.

The

engaged

nests are found

in-

high

collection, reach

in their

by the

clifts

sea,

and the natives

them by climbing up ropes (bush-

rope) or bamboos with the branch knots left on to support themselves

with their

toes.

dangerous occupation, as the nests are

It is a very

always built high

in almost inaccessible places.

In the Philippines

the collection begins in December, and the birds deprived of their nests

have then

to build a

second nest for laying their eggs.

nests are gathered about the end of

fourth collection.

and the

last

one

Each successive
is

January and so on up

hardly worth the risk of taking.

wet season fortunately

Bird's nest soup

propagation.

These nests are

particularly in

chiefly

Busuanga

is

who would

sets in

hence the bird

to their being reached,

to about the

nest decreases in commercial value,

there might be venturesome collectors

nests, the

These second

Even though

dislodge the last

and becomes an impediment

is

at length able to continue

a delicacy.

found in the Calamianes group of islands,

Island.

The Sulu Archipelago and

Palaiian Island also furnish a small

quantity of edible bird's nest.

Balate

is

a species of sea-slug, for which the natives find a ready

sale to the Chinese at

good

prices.

The

fish is

preserved by being

cooked, dried and smoked, and has a shrimp taste.

It is

found in

greatest quantities off the Calamianes and Palauan Islands.

Sapan-Wood

{CcBsalpina Sapan) of an inferior quality compared

with the Peruambuco wood,

is

a Philippine product found in most of

SArAN-WOOD.
ike large

islands.

It

is

SAPS.

small and sparse.

The wood

knots.

It sinks in water,

whitish

when

and

straggling
is
is

WOODS.

unattractive

short,

branches spreading out in a

HARD

hard,

tree,

manner.

heavy,

367

with epigeous

The

leaves are

crooked and

susceptible of a

fine

full

polish.

of

It is

fresh cut, but assumes a deep red colour on exposure

to the air.

The

only valuable portion

is

the heart of the branch, from which

taken a dye known in the trade as false crimson, to distinguish

the more permanent cochineal dye.

can be extracted with boiling water.

The whole
It

is

it

is

from

of the colouring matter

usually shipped from Manila

and Yloilo as dunnage, a small quantity coming

also

Sapan-wood Shipments.

from Cebu.

368
to

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Mr. H. G. Brown

proprietors in

(oi

&

H. G. Browu

Co. Limited, i steam saw -mill

Tayabas Province), admitted

to

l)e

the most experienced

person in this branch of Philippine trade.

Aranga {Homalium)

up

gives logs

75 feet long by 24 inches

to

specially used for sea piling

and

kinds of marine work

square.

It

which

subject to the attacks of sea-worm (teredo navalis).

is

is

Acle {Mimosa acle) gives logs up to 32

It

strong, tenacious

is

difficult to

burn, and

and durable, whilst

is

much

iised in

feet

is

18 feet long by 16 inches square.

has the speciality of being

it

is

wanted and not exposed

Benih?)

It is

made

is

light

and general

up to

sometimes used for house

where a

gum

works well, and

light durable

which incense

of

is

will serve for furniture

joiner's purposes.

A?2tipolo (Artocarpus incisci)

planking, keels, etc.

is

much esteemed

seasoned, and

is

for vessels' outside

sea-worm {teredo

It is light, very strong, resists

navalis) entirely and effects of climate.

It does not

warp when once

a most valuable Avood.

Anobi?tg (^Artocarpus ovata)

Molave

gives logs

Miq.) gives logs up to 70 feet

It contains a

when seasoned

polishes well,

to sun or rain.

Apiioii (Dipferocarpus Griffiihi.

long by 24 inches square.

it

supposed to be identical

is

furniture and fittings and for other purposes,

wood

by 28 inches square.

house building

much prized by the natives. It

with the Payengadu of Burmah.
Anagap (^Pithecolobium montanum.
and

all

does, but

it

is

is

said to

damp

resist

as well

not appreciated as a good hard wood.

Laguna de Bay.
Payena Betis ?) gives logs up to 65

as

It is

plentiful, especially in the district of

Betis (Azaola.

20 inches square.

It

is

proof against sea-worm

fresh water piling, piers, wharves, etc.

is

also for keels

parts of ship-building and where a (irst-class

somewhat

wood

is

feet long

used for

by

salt or

and many other

u^cessary.

It is

scarce.

1 This Company was formed in Hongkong and incorporated 16th of May, 1889,
with a capital of $300,000 divided into 6,000 $50 shares, to take over and work the
business of Mr. H. G. Brown, which had paid splendidly for many years.
Its
under
the
three
years'
able
continued
management
prosperity
of Mr. Brown.
During that period it paid an average yearly dividend of 8^%, and in 1890 its
shares were freely dealt in on the Hongkong market at 50% premium. On the
retirement of Mr. Brown in March, 1891, the Company gradually dwindled down
to a complete wreck in 1894.
It is still in liquidation.

HARD WOODS.
{Lager sir c&mia hatitlnan) gives logs up

Btititinan

by 18 iuches square.

tough and

Is very strong,

for ships' outside plankiug above water.

when

properly seasoned

is

wood

any purpose, except interment

for

369

This wood

of sea-worm.

be used to advantage

much

40

It stands the

climate well

and can be used

ground or exposure to ravages

stronger than Teak, and could

in its place for almost all purposes.

good substitute for Black Walnut

feet lono-

generally used

of the first quality,

in the

very

is

elastic

to

makes a

It

in furniture.

Banaba {Munchaustia speciosa. Lager stremis Speciosa?)

strong and useful wood much used in house and ship-building
it is
thoroughly reliable when seasoned, otherwise it shrinks and warps
;

considerably.

Bansalague {Mimusops

by 18 inches
wood.
it is

Lin.) gives logs up to 45 feet Ion"-

clengi.

It seems to be

square.

It can be driven like a bolt,

known

Europe as Bullet-tree

in

and from

this fact

and

its

durability

frequently used for treenails in ship-building in Manila, etc.

axe and other

also used for

account of

purposes

compact close grain,

its

lasts well in the

it

tool handles, belaying plus, etc.

it is

This wood

is

It is used for general joiner's

is

and on

admirably adapted for turning

ground.

Bancal {Nauclea gluberrima) gives logs up

inches square.

It

of a yellow colour

work

to

24

feet long

and very easy

to

by 16
work.

in house-building, etc.

Cedar (^Cedrela odorata), of the same natural order as Mahogany

(Lin.), gives logs up to 40 feet long by 35 inches square and is used
principally for cigar boxes.
It

makes very handsome

Camagon

or

In the Colony

is

it

known

as Calantds.

inside house fittings.

Mabolo

(a variety of

Diospyros philosliantera)

is

procured in roughly rounded logs of 9 feet and upwards in length, by

up

to

12 inches in diameter.

a good polish

its

colour

is

It is a close-grained, brittle

wood

black with yellow streaks, and

takes

it is

used

for furniture making.

Duiigon

(a variety of

long, giving logs

wood

is

up

to

Herculia ambiformis) grows up

20 inches square.

very hard and durable

It is

to

50 feet

sometimes called Iro)i

specially strong

in resisting great

transverse pressure, or carrying such weight as a heavy roof.

used for keels on account of

sea-worm

it is

applied to

its

all

great strength

it

It is

does not resist the

purposes in Manila where more than

A A

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

370
ordinary strength

required v/hcu

is

sufficiently great lengths

and Tpil

is

Molave cannot be procured in

unattainable.

Dinglas {Eugenia Sp.) gives logs up

occasionally even larger

very
Black Walnut
it is

Ebony

{Diospijros nigra)

strong, hard
is

30

feet

This will also

sizes.

for

to

by 16 inches square,

sei've

as a substitute

and durable.

also found in very limited quantities,

Guijo {Dipterocarpus guijo) gives logs up to 75 feet long by 24

inches square
is

is

very strong, tough and

In Manila, this wood

elastic.

In Hongkong

invariably used for carriage Avheels and shafts.

it

is

used for wharf decks or flooring, amongst other purposes.

Ipil (Eperma decandria) gives logs up to 50 feet long by 26 inches
It has all the

square.

sea-worm
relied

which respect

(in

qualities of 3Iolave, except resistance to

good

it is

the same as Teak) and

on for duration under ground

for sleepers

Lanete {Anaser laneti) gives logs up

square.

It

is

to

it

may be

as

much

equals Molave.

25 feet long by 18 inches

useful for sculptm-e, musical instruments, decoration,

turning and cabinet purposes.

Lauan {Dipterocarpus
Guijo.

thurifera)

It is a light, useful

is

obtained in sizes the same as

wood, and easily worked.

It is said that

the outside planks of the old Philippine-Mexican galleons were of this

wood because
Molave
inches

it

did not split with shot.

Vitex geniculata) gives logs

square.'

It

resists

up

sea-worm {Teredo

to 35 feet long
tiavalis),

by 24

white ants

{Termes), and action of climate, and consequently is specially valuable

for work on the surface of or under ground, and generally for aU
purposes where an extra strong and durable wood is required. Often
growing crooked, it is commonly used (where produced and in adjacent
countries)

for

Owing

frames of vessels.
it

such pu^'pDses as railway sleepers.

This wood

is

its

imperviousuess to

cannot possibly be surpassed for

ligniperdous insects and climate,

and

to

is

practically everlasting,

deservedly called by the natives, " Queen of the Woods."

Mr. Thomas Laslett, in his work on timber,^ says, in reference ta

Molave, " It can be recommended to notice as being fit to supplement
" any of the hard woods in present use for constructive purposes.'*
pays better to sell Molave in baulks or logs, rather than sawn to specifiof being subject to heart cap.
cation, because this tree has the great defect
Laslett (Timber luspcctor to the
Thomas
by
Trees,"
"Timber and Timber
'

It

Admiralty), London, 1875.

HARD WOODS.
From

the

same

work

MOLAVE

TESTS.

have extracted the foUoAving record of

experiments made by Mr. Laslett with this wood

Tensile Experiments.
Dimensions
of

each piece.

371

Average

of Five Specimens.

372

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Narra {Pterocarpus palidus santaUnus) gives logs up to 35 feet

long by 26 inches square. It is the Mahogany of the Philippines, and
is

always employed

notwithstanding
prettily

Manila

iu

somewhat open

its

There

marked.

in the

is

manufacture of furniture, for

grain,

however, equally esteemed.

it is

Palo Maria de Playa

is

a variety of shades in difierent logs varying

from straw colour to blood red, the former being more common
In the London market

and

polishes well,

it

It

is

classed with the

is

wood

a first-rate

all are,

for general purposes.

Padouk

of

Burmah.

greatly appreciated for crooks and curves,

but as a rule cannot be found of suitable dimensions for large vessels.

It

is

Molave

better than

for this purpose, for,

acrid juices, iron bolts do not corrode in

it.

due to the absence of

It

is

exceedingly tough

and not so heavy as Molave.

Supa

(^Sindora Wallichii.

by 28 inches

square.

general purposes

Benth.^ gives logs up to 40 feet long

wood

for

and can be used advantageously

for

about the same as Acle in

its

It produces an

polishes well

oil,

and

is

a strong

house decorations and furniture.

Tiiidalo {Epcrna rhomhoided)

is

principal features, but not notable for resisting

fire.

It is useful for

general purposes, and in particular for decorations and furniture.

somewhat

brittle,

and takes a high

and tenacity, and

It
is

their

practical

proof against white ants

much valued

The approximate
by

is

is

polish.

Yacal {Dipterocarpus plagatus) gives logs up

22 inches square.

It

in

Manila

to

50 feet long by

has great

strength

for house-building, etc.

order of resistance of the best woods, estimated

employment and not by

experiments, would be as follows, viz.

Hard Wood
Tensile Strain.

theoretical comparative

Strains.

TIMBER TRADE.
The hard woods

of

373

ERUITS.

Philippines, suitable

the

for

building

and

trade requirements as described above, are those in general use only.

Altogether, about

kinds exist, but whilst some are scarce, others do

fifty

DOt yield squared logs of sufficient sizes to be of marketable value.

To

successfully carry on a timber trade in this Colony, with ability

to fulfil contracts,

is

it

necessary to employ large capital.

Firstly, to

ensure supplies by the cutters, the trader must advance them sums
in the total to thousands of dollars, a large per centage of

amounting

which he can never hope

future profits

secondly, he must

model suited to
the

little

to recover, except

own

this class of business.

money they had by having

by placing them against

several sailing ships, built on a

Several Europeans have lost

to freight

unsuitable craft for

transport to the place of delivery, and by only advancing to the native

fellers just

when they wanted

of keeping

them constantly

however, a handsome

So

far Philippine

down to the beach,

under advance. With sufficient
logs brought

profit is to

be realised

woods have not met

instead
capital,

in this line of business.

London with the appre-

in

ciation due to their excellent qualities, possibly because they are not
sufficiently well

known.

In China, however, they are in great demand,

in spite of the competition

from Borneo (Kudat and Sandakan) and

Australian shippers.

Licence had to be obtained from the Inspection of Mountains and

Forests before trees could be felled, and prior to export or employment
of the logs, a
^

Government duty had

J.

Fruits.
pines,
in this

if

<7

->(.

M.

'S-

.34,

really choice, luscious fruits in the Philip-

we compare them with

the finest European species.

Nothing

Colony can equal our grape, peach, cherry, or strawberry.

about

manguifera indica {pentandrie. Lin.) ranks

oblong oval shaped
on

in

first

It

these Islands.

is

to be paid.

-4^

'^

There are few

The Mango,
sides

.IL

.Ifc

-if

flattened slightly

is

five inches

long and of a yellow colour

when

both
It

ripe.

very luscious, and has a large stone in the centre from which fibres

run at angles.

To

thick end, otherwise

Mangoes

cut
it

the knife must be pressed

it,

will

come

in contact

with the

down from

fibres.

the

Philippine

are considered far superior to those of the Straits Settlements,

or perhaps any in the East.

The

trees are very large

and majestic

the leaves are dark green, and the whole appearance strikingly noble.

Great care

is

needed to rear the

fruit.

The

natives cut notches in the

374

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

trunk, and from the time the tree begins to flower until the fruit
half matured, they light fires on the ground under

smoke

its

is

branches, as the

said to hasten the development.

is

The

Mangoes

first

of the season are forced,

they are ripe, so that they

may more

brought to the Manila market

The

12i cents each.

and even picked before

quickly turn yellow.

February, and fetch as

in

natural ripening time

is;

They are
much as

from the end of March.

In the height of the season they can be bought for one dollar per
hundred.

Many

persons eat as

this fruit is considered harmless.

produce more Mangoes than the

eight

mango

trees in

Morong

many as ten to a dozen a day, as

Luzon and Cebu Islands appear to
rest of the Archipelago.
From my

district I got annually

one year three pickings from two

trees.

The Banana (Afusa paradisaical

It

at all seasons.

two pickings and

grows wild, and

is

is

plentiful all over the Islands

also largely cultivated.

It

is

the

an herbaceous endogenous plant of the natural order musncea.

fruit of

name paradisaica is derived, either from a

supposition that the plantain was the forbidden fruit of Eden,' or from
an Arabic legend that Adam and Eve made their first aprons of the
leaves of this tree, which grow to a length of five to six feet, with
a width of twelve to fourteen inches. Some ten to twelve distinct
varieties of bananas are commonly to be seen, whilst it is asserted that
The kinds
there are over fifty sorts diiFerihg slightly from each other.
known in Tagalog dialect as Lacatan and BoWgidan of a golden or
It

said that the specific

is

orau^-e tinge

when

apple flavour,
is

cut

down

Renewal

removed and possessing a slight pineThe stem of the banana-plantain

are the choicest.
the skin

after fruiting,

of the tree

eighteen years.

The

is

and the

from the seed

fruit is

tree is
is

it

is

is

As

the suckers do not

of the

a constant supply

all

all rise

young fruit-bearing

the year round.

trees

Moreover,

customary to cut down, and hang up in the house, the stalk

sustaining the fruit before

'

only necessary every twelve to

borne in long clusters on strong stalks

which bend over towards the earth.

simultaneously, the stages of growth
vary, so that there

propagated by suckers.^

it is

ripe, so that

each fruit can be eaten as

Clavigero's " Storia Antica del Messico."

British patents for paper-making from banana fibre were granted to Berry
Burke in 1855 ; and Hook in 1857. In
Jullion in 1855
Lilly in 1854
in 1838
these Islands a cloth is woven from this fibre.
-

<
a.
\-

<
o
o
o

u
UJ
a:
I-

<
ui

<
a.
<
a.

z
< H
Iz c
<

ra
ra

_]
CL

(U

375

FRUITS.

it

matures.

glossy leaves of the banana plantain are amongst

The

the most beautiful.

The Papaw
growth

{Carlca "papaya) flourishes wild

20

attains a height of

to

25

feet,

and

is

is

of prolific

very picturesque.

leaves emerge in a cluster from the top of the stem, and are about

The
20

tree

They can be used

30 inches long.

to

washing

The

linen.

or poultry tender
olive green,

in shape

although more insipid,

quantity of pepsine,

persons with

weak

Besides these

The fruit is of a rich

maturity, when it quickly turns

Citrons

it is

is

it is

something like a melon, but,

Containing a

refreshing in this climate.

often

recommended by doctors

as a dessert for

digestive organs.

fruits, there are

Pomelo oranges, about four times the

European orange

size of the largest

sorts

and flavour

it

making meat

in the branches.

and remains so almost to

Both

yellow.

foliage has the peculiar property of

hung up

if

as a substitute for soap for

ordinary sized Oranges of three

Shaddocks; Jack fruit

Breadfruit; Custard apples

a
Lomhoy (Calyptrantes jambolana icosandrie. Lin.) which looks

damson Santol {Saiidoricvm ternatum decandrie. Lin.) a species of

like

wild Straicherry, very inferior

extremely sweet,
sapota

Chico (the Chico Sapoti of Mexico),

the size and colour of a small potato

is

hexandrie. Un.) a curious kind

and acid flavour combined.

The

of fruit of

pericarp

is

Lanzon (achas

an agreeable sweet

impregnated with a white

viscous fluid, which adheres very tenaciously to the fingers.

inner

membrane

is

removed the edible portion

is

When the

exhibited in three

which envelopes a very bitter stone.

very fine quality, from which jelly is made, are found

divisions, each of

Guavas

of

wild in great abundance.

They

have never seen them cultivated.

are so plentiful on waste lands that I

Lemons^

of

two kinds

are

grown

sometimes as many as a dozen of the small species, about the size of a

walnut, may be seen hanging at one time on a tree only 18 inches high.
Mangostecns, the delicate
in the islands of

fruit of the

Mindanao and Sulu.

Straits

Settlements, are found

In Mindanao Island, on the

neck of land forming the western extremity, the Durien thrives. It is

about as large as a pine-apple, white inside, and when ripe it opens out
in three or four places.

It is very delicious eating, but has a fetid

To express juice from the small species of lemon, the fruit should be cut from
the stalk end downwards. If cut in the other direction the juice will not flow
'

freely.

37

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The

smell.

The

beaus, are good to eat

seeds, as large as

tree bears fruit about every

when

roasted.

20 years.

In the Southern Islands Pine-apples abound, especially in Panay,

Cebu, and Leyte.

20 cents

paid

In the Province of Antique (Panay Island) I have

32 pines, including

for

They

from the place of purchase.

and Cuban
as

miles

away

are not so fine as the Singapore

fruit is in little

justly considered dangerous to eat

is

it

This

species.

seven

delivery

demand

much

of

in the Philippines,

It

it.

cultivated

is

for the sake of the leaves, the delicate fibres of whicli are used to

manufacture the

known

fine costly texture

as Piiia, already referred to.

Attempts have been made to acclimatize the Grape'm the Philippines,

but Avith very mediocre results.

Cebii seems to be the island most

suitable for vine culture, but the specimens of fruit produced can bear

In Naga (Cebu Island), I have

no comparison with the European.

eaten green Figs grown in the orchard of the house where I sojourned.

There are a great many other kinds

which are

quality,

Tamarinds

chiefly used

of fruits of a comparatively inferior

by the natives

to

make

preserves.

Tagulog Sampaloc) are never planted

(in

The

wild in abundance.

fruit

resembles a beau.

Picked whilst green,

used by the natives to impart a flavour to certain

it is

When
colour

the fruit

is

is

they grow

fish sauces..

allowed to fully ripen, the pod takes a light brown

and cracks

brittle,

all

over under a slight pressure of the

The whole of the ripe fruit can then be drawn

The ripe Tamarind appears to be little
bean-stalk.

fingers.

out by pulling

the

appreciated by

any one, and

it is

extremely seldom seen, even in the form of preserve,

in a native dwelling.

Containing, as

it

does, a large quantity of tannin,

sometimes used by the Manila apothecaries, and I once heard that

it is

a small parcel was being collected for shipment to Italy.

The Mabolo
It

is

but

is

a fruit of great external beauty and exquisite aroma.

about the size of a large peach, the skin being of a

is

it

found

not very good eating.

in a wild state.

Island,

Sago

where the sago palm

sun-dried, and then pounded.

4b

is

fine red colour,

Chillies, Ginger, and Vanilla are

produced in small quantities

The pith
The demand for this

flourishes.

is

in

Mindoro

cut out, washed,

nutritious article is

very limited.

It

is

-'t

'T

^,

.U.
'IT

'A-

0.

"W

.,
'yf

a remarkable fact that there are very ie^v specimens of sweet-

smelling Flowers.

Among

the few

is

the

Sampaguita (probably a

ORCHIDS.

FLOWERS.
corruption of the

Manila made up

A fine perfume
tree

and an

oil

Spanish name Santa Paquita), which

in necklet
is

377

MEDICINAL HERBS.
is

sokl in

form on cotton.

distilled

from the flowers of the Ylang-Ylang

thoroughly effective

in

healing wounds

is

extracted

from the root and branches of a plant called TagulatJay.

Many varieties of flowering Orchids and other parasites are
found in great profusion on the trunks of

where the sun-rays hardly penetrate.

to be

the highest forest trees

There are usually two or three

professional orchid collectors rambling about the islands for the account
of

European nurserymen.

Medicinal Herbs,

roots

and leaves

curandcros (native doctors) commonly

abound everywhere.

find vegetable

anticachectics,

aphrodisiacs, antiaphrodisiacs, pyretics and cures provided

for dysenteric, strumatic, scorbutic

and many other diseases.

--'--

The

by Nature

CHAPTER

XX.

MINERAL PRODUCTS.
Coal.

Owing

Gold. Iron. Copper. Sulphur, etc.

manufacturing industries

to the scarcity of

the consumption of Coal

exceeded 25,000
found

quantity

Newcastle

tons

is

annum.

per

(New South Wales)

1897 to 89,798

tons.

hardly

it

1892 nearly double that

In

1896 the

In

Colony,

tliis

very limited, and np to 1889

market here.

in

alone amounted

coal imported

65,782

to

small proportion of this

is

from

tons

employed

in

in the

forges and foundries and a few factories using steam-power, most of

them

by

situated around Manila, but

Wood

coaling steam-ships.

fuel

is still

far the greater

demand

for

is

so abundant in rural districts

that coal will probably not be in general request for the steam sugar
mills for a century to come.

Australia, Great Britain and

Japan supply

1892 Borneo traders sent several cargoes of

in the

s.s.

Vincr

time to time

The
was

in

coal to this Colony

up

inferior coal

to

in

Manila

nevertheless, local capital has been expended from

endeavours to work up the home deposits.

Island of

Cebu

contains large beds of coal, which, since

1869,

The mines of Compostela are estimated

and of medium quality. They were owned by

free of duty on export.

very rich in quantity

the late Isaac Conui, who, for want of capital, was unable to fully

open them

out.

The means

of transport

by

buffalo carts

mines to the coast were very deficient and costly.

was frequently

my

guest in Manila in 1883,

sought to raise capital for constructing a

collieries to

whom

for coaling the gunboats.

the

when he

line of

late

owner

unsuccessfully

railway from the

They were then taken

Spanish Government made contracts

Compostela village (E.

up by a Spaniard, with

The

from the

tram

coast).

line to

the pits

was

laid

down, but

there

was a great lack

379

ANTHRACITE.

COAL.

have heard

of promptitude in deliveries, and I

of ships lying off the coaling wharf for several hours waiting to start
coaling.

The

by no means given an adequate return

enterprise has

for the over $100,000 invested in

mine of Danao, on the same

was

up

it

was hardly

coast,

The Revista Minera

there in 1896.

The coal
more prosperous when I

to the year 1897.

(a

mining journal of Madrid),

1886, refers to the coal of the Alpaco mountain, in the district of Naga
in Cebu, as being pure, dry, of easy combustion, carrying a strong flame,

and almost free from sulphur

heating powers are

less,

is

said to be of better

products, but

Labuan and Australian

quality and cleaner than the

its

Cebii coal

pyrites.

and

therefore does not serve so well for

it

long sea voyages.

Anthracite has been found in some parts of Cebu,' and satisfactory

trials

have been made with

mixed with British bituminous

it,

Perhaps volcanic action may account

coal pits were sunk in

Cebu

for the volatile bituminous oils

original deposits.

off the

and gases having been driven

in the

coal.

The

first

Valle de Masanga, but the poor

abandonment about the year 1860.

There are also extensive unworked coal deposits, a few miles from
the W. coast village of Asturias, which I visited in 1896 with a

commercial results led

their

to

planter friend, Eugenio Alonso,

who was endeavouring

form a coal-

to

mining syndicate.
In the Province of Albay, the Sugod Collieries were started by a

company formed

in

There were some

the year 1874.

each of Avhom subscribed a capital of $14,300.

Mr. C. de

One

fifteen partners,

of these partners,

told me, that for a while the result

was

so good, that

a Manila banking firm offered to take over the concern from the share-

holders at a

premium

of 20;o

"pon the

tons of coal were extracted, most of which

in the

hope

of large contracts resulting

said that the consumption

was too

with Cardiff coal.

Seven

pits

until the year 1881,

when

its

The

failure

is

About 4,000

original capital.

was given away

from the

rapid,

and that

trials,
it

although

had

to be

it is

mixed

were sunk, and the concern lingered on

working was relinquished.

attributed to the shallowness of the pits,

only 30 metres deep, whilst

as samples,

it

is

supposed that

if

which were

the excavation had

For more ample details ride " Rapida descripcion de la Isla de Cebu,"
Enrique Abella y Casariega, pub. by Eoyal Order in Madrid, 1886.
'

by-

380

rniLippiNE islands.

beeu continued before these pits were flooded, shale and limestone
strata could

have been removed, which would have exposed a

valuable seam, in which case

pumping machinery.

So

it

still

more

might have been worth while providing

far as the extraction

was proceeded with the

estimated cost price of the coal delivered on the coast was 75 cents of

a dollar per ton, whilst " Cardiff" coal in Manila was worth about
eight dollars per ton, and the Australian product ranged usually at one
to one-and-a-half dollars

below that

figure, port tax unpaid.

In January 1898 " The Philippine Mining and Development Co.,

Limd." was formed

Hongkong with

in

a capital of $1,600,000

in.

160,000 $10 shares for the development of Philippine coal deposits and
other industries, under the

management

of

Mr, Niel Macleod, a Scotch

merchant of long standing and good repute

American

conflict

which arose four mouths

The Spanish-

Manila.

in

later

has impeded active

operations by the Company.

*

From

the earliest period of the Spanish occupation of these Islands,

attention has been given to GoLD-seeking,

It

is

recorded that in the year 1572, Captain Juan Salcedo went

to inspect the mines of Paracale, in the Province of Camarines

in the

same

district the

In the time of

Mambulao has long enjoyed fame

village of

for the gold-washings in

and

its vicinity.

Pedro Manuel Arandia (1754-1759), a certain

Francisco Estorgo obtained licence to work these Paracale mines, and

five veins are said

to

The

have been struck.

first

was

in the

Lipa

"
mountain, where the mine was called " San Nicolas de Tolentino
the second, in the Dobojan mountain, was called " Nuestra Senora de la
;

Soledad de Puerta
las

Animas " the

;

name

of "

Vaga

fourth, in the territory of

San Francisco," and the

fifth, in

named " Nuestra Senora de los Dolores,"

near the village of Mambulao.

The

was named " Mina do

San Antonio, took the

" the third, in Lipara,

the

all in

Minapa mountains was

the district of Paracale,

conditions of Estorgo's licence Avere, that one-fifth (i-eal quinto)

of the output should belong to the

to construct,

King

arm and garrison a

that Estorgo was authorised

fort for his

own

defence against

anticipated attacks from Mussulmans, and that he should have the

title of

It

Castellano, or guardian of the fort.

was

found

necessary

to

establish

the

smelting

works

in

GOLD DEPOSITS.
Mambulao,

so he obtained a liceuce to erect another fort there on the

conditions, and this fort

same

whole

time the

381

enterprise

was named " San Carlos." In a short

came to grief.
Estorgo's neighbours,

by native legal pettifoggers in Manila, raised endless lawagainst him his means were exhausted, and apparatus was

instio-ated

suits

wanted

work the mines,

to

so he

abandoned them.

the same time, the Gold mines of Pangotcotan, near Benguet,

About

were worked

to

advantage by Mexicans.

During the Government of Alonso Fajardo (1618-1624)

to the

knowledge

deposits and traded in the

Therefore Francisco Carreno de Valdes, a military

product.

commanding the provinces

of

mission from the Governor to

and appropriate

came

of the Spaniards that half-caste Igorrote-Chinese in

Luzon peacefully worked gold

the north of

it

officer

Pangasinan and Ilocos, obtained per*

make

a raid upon these Igorrote-Chinese,

their treasure-yielding territory.

After a seven days'

march, the Spanish gold-seekers and troops arrived at the deposits,

where they took up

their quarters

The

without resistance.

held aloof whilst mutual offers of peace were made.

natives

When

the

Spaniards thought they were in secure possession of the neighbourhood, the natives attacked and slaughtered a number of them.

commander

among

of the district

provisions ran short, and the

back
the

to the coast

spoil iu

and the leader of the native troops were

Then they removed

the slain.

the

The

the

wet season

camp

to a safer place, but

set in, so the survivors

marched

with the resolution to renew their attempt to possess

following year.

In the ensuing dry

season they

returned and erected a fort, whence detachments of soldiers scoured the

neighbourhood to disperse the Igorrote-Chinese, but the prospectors do

much gold.
Spanish Company was formed

not appear to have procured

Many

years ago a

mine near the mountain of Malaguit,

Norte, but

At

it

in

to

work a gold

the Province of Camarines

proved unsuccessful.

the beginning of this century, a

Company was founded under

Queen Christina

of Spain (great-grandmother

the auspices of the late

King Alfonso XIII.) which was also an utter failure.

It has been recited to me how the company had spacious offices
established in Manila whence occasionally the employes went up to the

of the present

mines, situated near the Caraballo mountain, as

pic-nic.

When

they arrived there,

all

if

they were going to a

denoted activity

for the feast,

382

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

but the mining

work they did was

quite insignificant compared with

the squandered funds, hence the disaster of the concern.

The coast of Surigao (N, E. extremity of Mindanao Island) has

been known for centuries to have gold deposits. A few years ago it
was found in sufficiently large quantities near the surface to attract the

attention of capitalists.

sample of the washings was given to me,

but gold extraction was never taken up in an organized

A friend of mine,

district.

French merchant

way

in Manila, told

in that

me

in

1886, that for a long time he received monthly remittances of A^ to 5^

from the Surigao coast, extracted by the natives

alluvial gold

lbs. of

on their own account.

In the same

district

a Spaniard attempted to

organize labour for gold-washing on systematic principles, but he met

with such opposition from the

friars,

who

influenced the natives, that

he could only have continued his project at the

gave

risk of his life, so

he

up.

it

In an independent way, the natives obtain gold from earth-washings

in

many

where

Island,

particixlarly

districts,

quite a

it is

the

in

common

unsubdued regions of Luzon

Theproductiis bartered

occupation.

on the spot to the Chinese ambulant traders for other commodities.

Several times, whilst deer-stalking near the river, a few miles past

Montalban (Manila Province),

have fallen

with natives washing

in

the sand from the river bed in search of gold, and they have

me some

of their findings,

In other places
quantities

in

which they preserve

Luzon Island

it

is

shown

in quills.

procured in very small

by washing the earth from the bottom

of pits

dug from 20

to

25 feet deep and three feet wide.

The
natives.

Then

extraction of gold from auriferous rock

The rock

is

is also

known

to the

broken by a stone on an anvil of the same material.

the broken pieces are crushed between roughly

hewn

stone rollers

put in motion by buffaloes, the pulverized ore being washed to separate

the particles of the precious metal.

was

of

much

I should hardly think the yield

account, as the people engaged in

its

extraction seemed to

be miserably poor.

Gold probably

exists in all the largest islands of the Archipelago,

but in a dispersed form

large pockets of

it

far as discoveries

for the fact

is,

that after centuries of search,

have never been traced to defined

up

to the present demonstrate, this

considered rich in auriferous deposits.

localities, and, so

Colony cannot be

383

GOLD DEPOSITS.

lu 1887 a Belgian correspondeut wrote to me inquiring about a

company which, he stated, had been formed for working a Philippine

mine

His

of Argentiferous Lead.

" It

is

letter read thus

estimated that there are 500 tons of Argentiferous

Lead

ore,

" to obtain which, no other working expenses would be incurred than

" those for collecting the mineral.
It is alleged to be worth 250

" francs per ton c. i. f. in Antwerp, against a cost of 100 francs

" per ton delivered, thus yielding a nett profit of 150 francs per
" ton."

Then he

come

Belgium

to

splendid

naturally goes on to inquire

to raise capital for

On

aj0fair ?

Panoypoy, close

is

necessary to

it

working such an apparently

investigation I learnt that the mines referred to

the

at Acsiibing, near

were situated

why

Talamban

to the village of

became the property

of a

Consolacion, and at

village of
in

Cebu

They

Island.

Frenchman^ about the beginning

of 1885,

and so far no shipment had been made, although the samples sent
to Europe were said to have yielded an almost incredibly enormous

amount
and

of gold, (!) besides being rich in galena

went down

silver.

on the owner

in

Cebu Island

to

Mandaue with the

(sulphide of lead)

in June, 1887,

and called

object of visiting these extraordinary

mines, but they were not being worked because the financial arrange-

ments

the

of

unsatisfactory,

company
and he

he

was

forming,

or

Europe the same

left for

had

formed,

were

year, the enterprise

being finally abandoned.

In 1893

London

Philippines

to scientifically

referred to.

by

"The

Avork the

1 shares were

all classes,

Mineral Syndicate" Avas formed in

Mambulao Gold Mines

offered in these Islands

already

and subscribed to

from the British Consul at that time down to native

commercial clerks.

Mr. James Hilton, a mining engineer, had reported

favourably on the prospects.

After the usual gold mining period of

disappointment had passed away an eccentric old gentleman was sent

out

as

an expert to revive the whole concern and

prosperous basis.

I had

many

conversations with

him

set
in

it

up on a

Manila before

he went down to Mambulao, where he soon died. Heavy machinery

came out from Europe, and a well-known Manila resident, not a mining
engineer, but an all-round smart man,

>

was sent

Monsieur Jean Labedan, who had been the

La Escolta, Manila.

" Eestaurant de Paris" in

to

Mambulao, and due

original proprietor of

the

384

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

to his ability, active operations

in Philippine gold

Golcouda

As

not,

This most recent venture

however, so far proved to be a

to the shareholders.

a general rule, failure in most Philippine mining speculations

no doubt was due

European

to the unwillingness of the native to co-operate

and

capitalists,

who were

friars,

mining has

commenced.

in rural districts,

in this

they found encouragement from the

The

averse to innovation of any kind.

would not submit

The

class of natives

whom

native, too,

and methodical

to constant organized

labour at a daily wage, to be paid periodically

his work.

with

when he had

finished

one had to employ in the

neighbourhood of the mines was nomadic and half-subjected, whilst

there was no legislation whatsoever in operation, regulating the rela-

between workers and

tions

mercy

at the

of the former,

capitalists.

Indeed, the latter were quite

whose indolence

entirely

overcame

cupidity, so long as their immediate necessities were satisfied.

their

Some

suggested the employment of Chinese, but apart from the consideration

of the cost of passage

money from China

to the site of operations, there

were greater obstacles which have been pointed out in Chapter VIII.
Again, the wretched means of communication provided by the Spanish

Government obliged the few enterprising capitalists to spend their

money on the construction of roads which had been paid for in taxes.
It

much

calculated that in the working of mines in the Philippines, as

is

as $1,300,000

was spent from the beginning

of the century

up

to 1876, without the least satisfactory result.

Spanish writer

asserts that

on the coasts of Taal and Bauan,

the Province of Batangas, there were

and remarks

"

We

in

traces of old gold mines,

are already scared in this enlightened century at

" the number who have spent their

" mines

many

in

silver

and their health

the Philippines, only to undeceive

in

excavating

themselves, and find

" their miserable greed punished."

Iron mines,

situated a

few miles from Manila, were worked

in the

middle of the last century by Government, but the result being disastrous, a concession of the right of extracting the mineral

to public auction.

Spaniard named Francisco

was put up

Salgado took up

the concession, engaging to pay annually to the State $20,500 in gold,

" Hist, de la Provincia de Batangas," por D. Pedro Andres de Castro y
luedited MS. in the archives of Bauau Convent, Batangas
Amades, 1790.
1

Proviuce.

THE ANGAT MINES.

IRON.
and 125 tons of

The concern was an

iron.

385

entire failure, cliiefiY on

account of the cost and difficulty of transport to the Capital,

Salgado

afterwards discovered an iron mine in a place called Santa Ines, near

Bosoboso, in the district of Mdrong, and obtained a concession to work

it.

The

ore

is

said to

have yielded

75/ of

The

pure metal.

obstacle which Salgado had to contend with

greatest

was the indolence

of the

was overcome by employing Chinese in

their stead.
All Avcut well for a time, until the success which attended
the undertaking awoke envy in the capital.
Salgado found it desirable
natives, but eventually this

to erect his smelting furnaces on the banks of the Bosoboso River

to obtain a

be

good water supply.

solicited of the

For

this, a special

permission had to

Governor-General, so the opportunity was taken to

induce this authority to put a stop to the whole concern on the ground
that the Chinese workmen Avere not Christians
Salgado was ordered
to send these Chinese to the Alcayceria, in Binondo (Manila), and ship
!

them thence

to

China

at his

own

expense.

Moreover, on the pretext

that the iron supplied to the Royal Stores had been

worked by

infidels,

the Government refused to pay for the deliveries, and Salgado became

a ruined victim of religious fanaticism.

The

Angat,

old parish priest of

Bulacan Province, once gave me

the whole history of the rich iron mines existing a few miles from that
village.

It appears that at

Englishmen made vain

in

about the beginning of

efforts

to

this century,

work these mines.

They

twt

erected

expensive machinery (which has since disappeared piece by piece), and

engaged

all

the

headmen around,

at

fixed

salaries,

simple duty of guaranteeing a certain number of

there daily.

They were very smart

them having the audacity

miners diminished,

them

to

little

by

little,

The

resume work.

had spent a fortune

to ask for

of

at receiving
it

to

perform the

men each

to

their pay,

some

of

number

of

in advance, yet the

work

and no reasonable terms could induce

priest related that, after the

Englishmen

about 40,000, and seeing no result, in despair

they hired a canoe, telling the native in charge to paddle out to sea,
where each one blew his own brains out with pistols.

Afterwards a Spaniard,
office as

who had made money during

years

of

Chief Judge and Governor of the Bulacan Province, thought

he could, by virtue of the influence of his late position, command the

services of all the labourers he might require to work the mine.
It

was a vain hope

he

lost all his savings,

and became so reduced

B B

in

386

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
was a pauper, accepting charity

circumstances, that for a long time he

in the parish convents of the province.

The Angat
up

stated

of metal,

to 85/o

Campanil

They

iron mines undoubtedly yield a very rich ore

ore,

are

worked on a small

still

hills,

Chinaman who went

scale.

In 1885, at the foot of

at a fixed

minimum

price to a

Biuondo (commercial quarter of Manila)

to

to sell

In the village of Malolos I met one

to the Chinese ironmongers.

of the partners in this little business

it

famous

of the

These were delivered

heing made.

that

is

saw a rough kind of smelting furnace and

a dilapidated shed, where the points of ploughshares were

foundry in

me

more than that

is

it

found near Somorrostro, in the north of Spain.

these ferruginous

them

which

a Spanish half-caste who

told

paid well in proportion to the trifling outlay of capital.

the natives chose to bring in mineral they were paid for

it

If

when they

did not arrive, the works and expenses were stopped meanwhile.

In the village of Baliuag, a few miles from Angat, where I have

stayed a score of times, I observed, at the threshold of several houses,
slabs of iron about eight feet long

thick.

me

about the origin of

inquired

respectable natives,

by two

whom

I have

that their elders had told

known

feet

wide and

this

novelty,

five

inches

and several

for years, could only inform

them about the

foreigners

who worked

the Angat mines, and that the iron in question came from there.

Appearing

to

belong to no one in particular, the slabs had been

appropriated.

Both the nomades

of the

extract small quantities

own

utensils for their

of

use.

North and the Mussulmans of the South

Copper with which they manufacture

From the North, half-worked copper is

obtained from the Igorrotes, but the attempt of a company to work

the

copper deposits in Mancayan, in the district of Lepanto, has

hardly been more

successful

than

all

other

mining

speculations

undertaken on a large scale in this Colony.

It

is

well

of Bataan,

known

that large beds of

which forms the west coast

in the Island of

Romblon,

one cared to risk capital

in

Marble
to the

occur in the Province

Bay

of Manila,

and also

but, under the circumstances explained,

opening quarries.

no

In 1888, surface marble

was being cut near Montalban (Manila Province) under contract with
the Corporation of Dominican Friars to supply them with it for their
church

in Manila.

It

was

of a

motley whitish colour, polished well,

and I sent a sample

on

it

SULPHUR.

GYPSUM.

STONE.

of

it

MINERAL

marble importer in London,

to a

387

OIL.

who

reported

very favourably.

Granite

is

not fonnd in these Islands, and there

Some

of hard stone for building purposes.

up the Lake

of

Bay, and

it is

the Manila Port Works.

is

is

a general want

procurable at Angono,

from here that the stone was brought for

Granite

brought over from Hono^kons" for

is

works of any importance, such as the new Government House in

Manila City, in course of construction when the Spaniards evacuated

For ordinary building operations there

the Islands.

is

a material

kind of Stone called Adobe, so soft when quarried that

out in small blocks with a hand-saw, but

exposure to the

In a small

it

it

can be cut

hardens considerably by

air.

island

opposite

the village

to

of

Culasi (Antique

Province) on the west coast of Panay, called Marilisan, there are

deposits of

Gypsum.

The superincumbent marl has been removed

in

several places where regular workings were carried on for years by

natives,

and shiploads of

prohibited

its

were sent to Manila until the Government

free extraction and export.

Sulphur

exists

in

it

many

sometimes pure, in unlimiteJ

islands,

and often mixed with copper, iron and arsenic. The cratei
of the Volcano in the Bombon Lake, near Taal, opened out in 1
745,
and from that date, until the eruption of 1749, sulphur was extracted
quantities,

by the

These deposits were again worked in 1780, and durin"a few years following. Bowring states* that a well-known naturalist
natives.

once offered a good sum of money for the monopoly of workiuo- the
Sulphur mines in the Taal district.

of

Some five years ago Mineral Oil was discovered in the mountains
Cebu Island, a few miles from the W. coast village of Toledo

A drill

near the sugar estate of Calumampao.

was shown a sample

of the crude Oil.

An

made and I
Irishman was then conboring was

ducting the experimental works.

Subsequently a British engineer

visited tbe place and reported favourably on the prospects.
In 1896 I

was again up

at the borings.

working the

Some

small machinery had been erected

Dutch mining engineer was in charo-e of

the work which was being financed by a small British syndicate, but
so far a continuous flow had not been obtained, and it was still
doubtful

for

'

"A

Visit

to

drills.

the

Philippine

Islands,"

by

Sir

John Bowring,

Spanish

translation, p. 67, Manila, 1876.

B B

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,

388

The Dutchman was succeeded

who, when the Spanish- American war was

whether a well had been struck or

by an American engineer
on the point of breaking

out,

had

not.

to quit the place

and the enterprise

has since remained in suspense.

There

is

a tendency, in most

new and unexplored

visionary wealth in unpenetrated regions

to cast the

into the forest depths and the bowels of the earth

countries, to see

eye of imagination

and become fascinated

with the belief that nature has laid vast treasures therein
of mystery constitutes a tradition until rent

-'

by

and the

veil

scientific investigation.

CHAPTER

XXI.

DOMESTIC LIVE STOCK.PONIES, BUFFALOES,

The

Philippine

Pont

is

not an indigenous animal.

originated from the small

etc.

have

It is said to

Andalusian horse and the Chinese mare.

I have ridden more than 500 Philippiae ponies, and, in general, I have

found them swift, strong, and elegant animals when well cared

Highways being
are plentiful

so deficient in this Colony,

and purchaseable at a low

it

is

fortunate that ponies

figure.

Fancy

sometimes demanded, but the value rauges from $25

failure,

to

prices

$150

are

for a

Geldings are rarely met with.

sound animal.

The

for.

importation of Spanish and Australian horses has resulted in

as they cannot endure the climate.

time to time, urged the

improvement of

to

interest

themselves

iu

the breed, and during the acting-Governorshir)

the
of

was sent with a commission to British

purchase breeding horses and mares.
A number of fine

Senor Molto
India to

authorities

Lnthusiasts have, from

in 1888, his son

animals was brought to Manila by the commissioners, but the newlyappointed Governor-General

Wenceslao Weyler disapproved

measure, and the stock was sold to the public.

bought two

stallions

and two mares

of the

Lipa friend of mine

for $2,600, the prices of the others

ranging about $700 each.

Pony races took place

They were organized by "

at

Santa Mesa, near Manila, every

sprint-.

the Manila Jockey Club," usually patronized

by the Governor-General of the day, and the great meet lasted three
days, when prizes were awarded to the winners. Ponies which had

won

races in Manila fetched from

$300

to $1,000.

In Cebu also there were pony races every autumn on the racecourse
facing the Cotta and the Government House.

The

ordinary native has no notion of the proper treatment

of

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

390

ponies, his idea being, generally, that this highly nervous animal can

be managed by brute force and the

heavy punishment.

of

infliction

Sights, as painful as they are ridiculous, often present themselves of a

native avenging himself of his pony because the poor beast cannot
guess the will and pleasure of the rider, or (hiver, who does not know

how

Unfortunately, the lower class native feels

to teach him.

attachment to any animal but the Buffalo, or Carabao, as

it is

little

called

here and the family pig.

At

six years old a buffalo

and

beo-inning work,

will continue at hard labour,

buff"alo will still

At 12

an amphibious animal, and if

third of its life in water or mud,

When

bathe every day.

its

which follow

it

left

its

head

would pass quite one-

it

for

by

in perfect security,

insects brought to the surface

by

its

it

roam

will

two minutes

below the sm-face.

usually accompanied

its trail

in

to itself

It

Avhilst it is indispensable to allow it to

neck, and immerse

is

well pastured

years of age a carefully

grazing near flooded land,

searchino- for vegetable food

in the field

when

for

life

serve for light labour for about five years.

is

water up to

considered in the prime of

for another six years.

and bathed,

worked

is

into the

at a time,

Whilst undisturbed
six white herons,

five or

and feed on the worms and

It

foot -prints.

seems also to

enjoy the attentions of a small black bird, which hops about on its
back and head to cleanse its skin and ears of vermin. I have often

watched
receive

this bird

flying towards the buffalo,

which

raises its

head to

it.

and the buffalo are familiar companions, and seem to

understand each other perfectly well. There is a certain connaturalness
between them in many ways. When a peasant is owner of the animal he

The

rustic

works, he treats
docile,

slow in

it

its

almost like one of the family.

movements, and easy to

It is very powerful,

train.

Many

times I have

seen a buffalo ridden and guided by a piece of split rattan attached to

a string in its nostril by a child three years of age. It knows the
voices of the family to

which

it

belongs, and will approach or stand

by any one of them. It

and cannot support hard work in the sun

still

when

called

hours without rest and bathing,

Europeans cannot manage

if

is

for

not of great endurance,

more than a couple of

water be near.

buffaloes,

and very few attempt

peculiar
requires the patience, the voice, and the

native to handle this animal.

movement

it

it

of the

BUFFxVLOES.

It

subject to

is

laronchial tubes

it

DOMESTIC

391

LIVE-STOCK.

a disease called garrotillo, or

affection

the

of

and more

rarely recovers from a serious sprain,

rarely from a broken leg.

In 1887-1888, an epidemic disease, previously unknown, appeared

amono-st the cattle, and several thousands of them died. From the
inside

had

Agriculturists suffered great losses.

In

autopsy of some diseased buffaloes,

become converted

into blood.

it

was seen that the

the poor neighbourhood of .Antipolo alone, 1,410 head of cattle died

within four months, according to a report which the Governor of

mine

old acquaintance of

in

lost 85'o of his live stock in the season, whilst the

Province

were more or

The

An

to me.

Morong showed

remainder

less affected.

In Albay, for

value of a buffalo varies in different districts.

instance,

Bulacan

where hemp

the chief agricultural product, and ploughing

is

seldom necessary, a buffalo can be got as cheap as $10, whilst in

the sugar-yielding Island of Negros $30 would be considered a very low

is

price for an average trained animal.

Wild

buffaloes

are

met with, and, when young, they are

Buffalo-hunting, as a sport,

tamed.

is

a very dangerous diversion, and

rarely indulged in, as death or victory

beast or the chaser.

may be

almost

all

labour of

required for a short time.

buffalo,

Nueva

the infuriated

Ecija.

considered the most useful in the

the

on

its

kind where great strength

is

A peasant

possessed of a bohie-knife, a

and good health, need not seek far to make an independent

I

living.

owe a

have pulled

my

certain gratitude to buffaloes, for

carriage out of the

could get along no farther.

article of food

relished.

when nothing
flesh, like

Its

Tapa and

in

mud

Finally, buffalo
better can be got

make what

meat

is

is

where horses

an acceptable

by natives

is

it is

much

sometimes cut into

called in the Philippines

Cuba Tasajo.

In the Visayas Islands, oxen are

frequently as buffaloes,
all

more than once they

in the provinces,

that of deer and oxen,

thin slices and sun-dried, to

In

is

to

It serves for carting, ploughing, carrying loads

Philippines.

back, and

must come

A good hunting-ground

Altogether this animal

easily

my

sometimes even

travels in this

as

draught-animals

as

for carriages.

Colony, I have seen only five Donkeys,

and they were imported simply as

Sheep do

used

curiosities.

not thrive in this climate.

They

are often brought from

392

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Shanghai, and, as a

Oxen, goats, dogs,

geese are

among

rule,

they languish and die in a few months.

pigs,

cats,

monkeys, fowls, ducks, turkeys, and

Both the dogs and

the ordinary domestic live stock.

the cats are of very poor species, and the European breeds are eagerly

sought

The

for.

better class of natives

have learned

to appreciate the

nobler qualities and higher instincts of the European

Many

dog.

Chinese dogs with long, straight hair, pointed noses, small eyes, and
black tongues are brought over from Hongkong.
Philippine cats have a twist in their

tails,

All thoroughbred

and are not nearly

so fine as

the European race.

Natives do not particularly relish mutton or goat's

they say

is

heating to the blood.

flavour here as in

Europe

which

have found stewed monkey very

good food, but the natives only eat

as a cure for cutaneous diseases.

flesh,

it

No

on very rare occasions, solely

flesh, fish or

poultry has the same

sometimes indeed the meat of oxen sold in

Manila has a repulsive taste when the animal has been quickly fattened
market on a particular herb, which

for the
it

eats readily.

it

be procured so tender as in a cold climate.

loses flavour

The

if

seas

hung up

in cool air

If

only beast of prey

known

tracts.

in the Philippines is the Avild cat,

abound with insects and

villages

lizards, snakes, iguanas, frogs,

reptilia,

and other batrachian species, land-

crabs, centipedes,^ tarantulas, scorpions,

queen

of sharks,

to be feared is the buffalo.

Both the jungles and the

beetles,

swarms

are numerous, whilst crocodiles are found in most of the

and the only wild animal

such as

it

becomes flabby and decomposes.

it

deep rivers and large swamps in uncultivated

The

kept in an ice-chest

are teeming with fish, and there are

whose victims

Neither can

bettles (elator noctilucus)

huge

spiders, hornets,

common

and others of the vaginopennous

order, red ants (^formica smaragdiva)^ etc.

Ants are the most common

nuisance, and food cannot be left on the table a couple of hours without

a hundred or so of them coming

ants,

from the

trees a

size of a pin's

to feed.

head to half an inch long.

bag of a thin whitish membrane,

full of

seen hanging, and the traveller, for his

not to disturb

An

own

young

On

ants, is

the forest

sometimes

comfort, should be careful

it.

effective cure for a centipede bite

juice flows.

There are many species of

The

plaster

is

a plaster of garlic smashed until the

must be renewed every hour.

Boa Constrictors

are also found, but they are rare, and I have

They

never seen one in freedom.

are the most harmless of all snakes

Sometimes the natives keep them

in the Philippines.
in cages, as pets.

393

INSECTS, ETC.

REPTILIA.

Small

Pythons

The snakes most

common.

are

in their houses,

to

be dreaded are called by the natives Alupo7ig and Daghong-pnlmj

(Tagulog

met with

latter is

Their bite

dialect).

rice blades,

hence

infested with

in the deep

Leeches.

fatal

mud

if

The

not cauterized at once.

of rice fields

and amongst the

tall

Stagnant waters are nearly everywhere

name.

its

is

In the trees

in

dense forests there

is

also a

diminutive species of leech which jumps into one's eyes.

In the houses and huts

in

Manila, and a few of the large low-lying

villages, mosquitos are troublesome, but

thanks to a kind of lizard with

a disproportionately big ugly head called the chacon, and the small

house newt, one

is

Newts

tolerably free from crawling insects.

are

quite harmless to persons and are rather encouraged than otherwise.

If one attempts to catch a

away

leaving

it

its

tail

it

shakes

ofF

it

Rats and mice are numerous.

behind.

myriads of cockroaches

newt by

but happily

fleas,

house

flies,

and runs

There are

and bugs are

scarce.

In the dry season evenings certain trees are illuminated by swarms

of fire-flies, which assemble and flicker around the foliage as do moths
around the flame of a candle. The effect of their darting in and out
like so

many

bright sparks between the branches

There are many very beautiful

I brought

is

very pretty.

Moths and Butterflies.

home about 300 specimens

In 1897

of Philippine butterflies for the

Hon. Walter Rothschild.

The White Ant

formidable insect in

(termes),

its

known

here as Anai/,

destructive powers.

It is also

is

by far the most

common

in

China.

through most woods (there are some rare exceptions, such

as Molave, Ipil, Yacal, etc.), and indeed some persons assert, although
I am unable to confirm it, that even the surface of iron is afi"ected by

Here

it

eats

these insects

if left

long enough where they are.

If white ants earnestly

take possession of the wood-work of a building not constructed of the

I have seen deal-wood packing
finest timber, it is a hopeless case.
cases,

which have come from Europe, eaten away so

far that they

could not be lifted without faUing to pieces.

Merchants' warehouses have had to be pulled down and rebuilt

owing

to the depredations of this insect, as,

even

if

the building

itself

394

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

"were not in danger, no one "would care to risk the storage of goods

The

inside.

there

is

many traders have

no doubt that

having had

by anay

destruction caused

to realize, at

any

is

possibly exaggerated, but

wares into Avhich

price,

sums through

lost considerable

had

this insect

penetrated.

Very
from

large

Bats

are seen in this colony, measuring

tip to tip of their

beautiful soft skins,

which generally

Bat shooting

home.

Small bats frequently

to five feet

are caught for the value of their

Europeans returning

find a sale to

a good pastime, and a novelty to Europeans.

is

the houses in the evening.

fly into

Deer and Wild Boars

In Morong

huntsman.

They

wings.

up

are plentiful, and afford good sport to the

district

Negros Island

in

and

in

Manila

Province, on and in the vicinity of the estate Avhich I purchased

Monkeys,

I have had some good runs.

In

forests.

all

the islands there

is

too,

abound

in

many

of the

enjoyment awaiting the sportsman.

Pheasants, snipe, a dozen varieties of wild pigeons, woodcocks, wild

ducks, water-fowl, etc. are common, whilst there are also turtle-doves,
(bitceros hydrocorax),

calaos

hawks, cranes, herons, crows, parrots,

cockatoos, kingfishers, parroquets, and

many

others peculiar to

Archipelago which I will leave to ornithologists to describe.^

curious species of pigeon (calanas nicobarind)

Paloma de punalada because

which look exactly

as

if

is

the

One

called in Spanish

of the crimson feathers on

its

breast,

they were blood-stained from a dagger stab.^

In 1898 I saw some specimens of

this

pigeon in the

Hamburg

Zoological

Gardens.
It

is

a curious fact that these Islands have no singing birds.

In 1851, the Government imported some Martins from China with

the hope of exterminating the locusts.

When

the birds arrived in the

port of Manila, they were right royally received by a body of troops

band of music accompanied them with great ceremony

where they were

set at liberty,

them under severe

of locusts
^

among

A good dish

penalties.

the crops.

to

Santa Mesa,

and the public were forbidden

to destroy

At that date there were countless millions

The Locust plague is one of the great

can be made of the rice-birds known locally as Maya (^Mtmia

amandava, Gray) and the Bato-Bato and Punay pigeons

oryzivora, Bonap.; Estrelda

(^Ptilwiopus roseicoUis, Gray).

^ According to
Edouard Verreux, cited by Paul de la Gironniere in his
" Aventures d'un centilhomme Breton aux lies Philippines," p. 394, Paris 1857,
there were at that date 172 c'assified birds in this Archipelago.

THE LOCUST PLAGUE.

These winged

risks the planter has to run.

millions at a time, and

how

to exterminate

seen a mass of locusts so thick that a

of

them could not be

been cleared by

had

fertile

For the moment I thought

plateau.

settled

but on nearing

fire,

on several

We

fields.

Whenever

in a cloud.

it

it

to scare

them

put

by the

away

is

I have

shore, a large brown-coloured

was a

tract of land

in

which had

quite close to them, and I

to

move

slowly

off

foliage being consumed,

field,

whilst others light

One

of the

most

fires

and at

In the day time, when

the natives rush out with

which serve as drums, bamboo clappers, red

fuel to raise smoke.

farther

a problem.

of

of large trees the other side

be seen.

fields of stalks are to

off,

swarms

I noticed that myriads of locusts

the locusts are about to attack a planted

their tin cans,

is

in

locusts settle on cultivated lands, miles of crops

are frequently ruined in a night

daybreak only

them

which caused them

fired off a revolver, the noise of

come

insects

Sailing along the Antique coast

distinguished.

one evening, I observed, on the

row

395

in

flags, etc.,

open spaces with damp

methods

effective

to drive

them

to fire off small mortars, such as the natives use at

feasts, as these insects are sensitive to the least noise.

The body of a locust is similar in appearance to a large grasshopper.

The females are of a dark brown colour, and the males of a light
reddish-brown. The female extends the extremity of her body in the
form of an augur, with which she pierces the earth

Every few days the females lay eggs,

insects,

cannot be driven
the crops, where

number

young

locusts

of

it is difficult

men

to beat

in

to

round the three sides of the

pit.

I do not

know

as

60 miles across the

field until

the

I have heard planters say

the

sea.

much

maximum

locusts can fly in one continuous journey, but they

locusts

old,

dig a pit in front of the barrier, and

heaps into the

of locusts in one season.

much

The

make great havoc among

extinguish them. The method employed

that they have succeeded, in this way, in destroying as

to travel as

settle.

to place a barrier, such as sheets of corrugated

is

jump

allowed to

and, in the meantime they

iron roofing, at one side of a field

get a

if

having no wings until they are about ten days

off,

to get rid of them,

depth of an

In two or three weeks the eggs hatch.

inch, there to deposit her eggs.

newly-born

to the

as

20 tons

distance that

have been known

Millions of unwinged

have been seen floating down river streams, whilst, however,

the winged insect cannot resist the heavy rains which accompany a
hurricane.

396

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

It is said that the

as

it

aud that

eats,

ment, or to a small

its

food passes through the body of a locust as fast

natural death

worm which

due, either to

is

forms

in

the

want

of nourish-

body and consumes

it.

It is also

supposed that the female dies after laying a certain number

of eggs.

Excepting the damage

to vegetation, locusts are perfectly

harmless insects, and native children catch them to play with

when

fried,

assured,

they serve as food for the poorest classes

on good authority, that

in

a certain

also,

in fact, I

village

was

Tayabas

in

Province, where the peasants considered locusts a dainty dish, payment

was

offered to the parish priest for

continuance of the luxury.

many

In the

to devastate the

mud

dialect TaJiga,

tlieir

is

Colony during six consecutive years.

found, and

much

have

destruction, these insects

of stagnant waters, a kind of beetle, called

the dry season, as

much

in

Visaya

relished as an article of food.

as fifty cents a dozen

Molo (near Yloilo) by well-to-do

insects, highly

say mass and pray for the

to

In former times, before there were so

agriculturists interested in

been known

him

is

In

paid for them in

There are many other

natives.

repugnant to the European, which are a honyie bouche

for the natives.

In

all

tlie

rice-paddy

fields,

small fish (^Ophiocephalus vagus) are

caught by the natives, for food, with cane

the

fields are flooded.

Where

nets, or rod

this piscatorial

and

phenomenon

dry season no one has been able to satisfactorily explain.

line,

wheu

exists in the

CHAPTER

XXII.

MANILA UNDER SPANISH RULE.

Manila, the Capital
Luzon
at

N.

mouth, and on the

at the

left

is

situated in the Island of

(south) bank of the River Pasi"-

14 36' by E. long. 120 57'.

lat.

encircled

of the Philippines,

by bastioned and battlement

It

a fortified city, being

Avhich were built in the

Avails,

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,

time of Governor

is

about the year 1590.

It

said that the labour employed Avas Chinese.

These walls measure

about two miles and a quarter long, and bear mounted old-fashioned
is

The

cannon.

may rank

fortifications are

of stone,

and

their solid construction

as a chef (Vmuvre of the 16th century.

1880 caused an arch of one of the entrances to

The earthquake

fall in,

of

and elsewhere

These defects were never made good. The city

surrounded by water to the N. the Pasig River, to the W. the sea

cracks are perceptible.

is

and the moats

sluices

around.

These moats are paved

at the bottom,

perhaps not in good working order at the present day

provided for

The

all

filling

them with water from the

and

are

river.

demolition of the Avails and moats has frequently been debated

bj commissions

specially appointed

said that a commission once

the

last in October, 1887.

recommended the cleansing

which were half full of mud, stagnant

It

is

of the moats,

water, and Aegetable putrid

matter, but the authorities hesitated to disturb the deposit, Avhich might

have emitted

These

fetid odours,

producing fever or other endemic disease.

city defences, although quite useless in

a foreign Power, might any

Europeans

The

in the

modern warfare with

day be serviceable as a refuge for

event of a serious revolt of the natives or Chinese.

garrison consisted of one

European and several native regiments.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

398

There are eight drawbridge entrances

some Government

Offices,

to the CitadeU wherein

Telegraph

branch Post and

Custom House (temporarily removed

during the construction of the

to

new

Binondo since

were

Offices, the

May

4th, 1887,

harbour). Colleges, Convents, a

Meteorological Observatory, of which the Director was a Jesuit priest.

The little trade done

In the month of April or May, 1603,

Artillery Depot, a Cathedral and eleven churches.

in the city

a great

was exclusively

fire

retail.

destroyed one-third of the city, the property consumed

being valued at one million dollars.

Manila

city

is

a dull capital, with narrow streets, bearing a heavy,

sombre, monastic appearance.

It

had no popular

cafes,

or theatre, indeed absolutely no place of recreation.

religious processions relieved the

(walled) city and

its

monotony

no opera-house

Only the numerous

of city

life.

The whole

environment seems to have been built solely with

a view to self-defence.

Since the year 1887,

it

had been somewhat

embellished by gardens in the public squares.

The
(north)

great trading centre

bank

established.

of

On

is

the Island of Binondo, on the right

the Pasig River, and here the foreign houses

are

the city side of the river, where there was scarcely

any commerce and no export or import trade whatever, a harbour was

in course of construction, without the least

completed by the Spaniards,

was

its

ever being

All the sea wall visible of these works

away by a typhoon on the 29th September,

cost of making this harbour, a special duty (not

carried

defray the

hope of

1890.

To

included in

the Budget) of one per cent, on exports, two per cent, on imports, ten
cents per ton on vessels (besides the usual tonnage dues of eight cents

per register ton), and a fishing craft tax were collected since June 1880.

Sixteen years' dues collection of several millions of dollars served only

to

fill

the pockets of engineers and contractors, for the scrap of sea wall

The City Walls were undoubtedly a great safeguard for the Spaniards against
the frequent threats of the Mindanao and Sulu pirates who ventured into the Bay of
Manila up to within 50 j'ears ago. Also, for more than a century, they were any day
subject to hostilities from the Portuguese, whilst the aggressive foreign policy of the
Mother Country during the 17th century exposed tliem to reprisals by the Dutch
Formerly, the drawbridges
fleets, which in 1643 threatened the City of Manila.
were raised, and the city was closed and under sentinels from eleven o'clock at
'

night until four o'clock in the morning. It continued so until 1852, when, in
consequence of the earthquake of that year, it was decreed that the city should
thenceforth remain open night and day.

MANILA BAY.

399

PASIG RIVER.

fourteen
1896 was of no use to trade or anyone. In 1882
from Angono were
barges for the transport of stone

to be seen iu

huge

iron

engineer, Mr.

constructed by an English

W.

S. Richardson, under

$82,000.
contract with the Port Works, for
extend for 27 miles
Port of Manila was officially held to

The

westward from the mouth of the Pasig River.

The anchorage of the port is in the bay two

to two-and-a-half

of the river, in
S.W. from the red light, at the entrance
locality reserved for war
about six fathoms. There was no special

miles

ships.

shore by their own

Ships at the anchorage communicate with the
and discharging of vessels is
boats or steam launch, and the loading
river mouth, by
in the bay, one to three miles off the
chiefly effected

means

of lighters.

and
Manila Bay has a circumference of 120 nautical miles,

is

far

too large to afford adequate protection to ships.

ships and one
the 20th October, 1882, a typhoon drove 11
another, and
steamer ashore from their anchorage, besides dismasting

On

causing three more to collide.

two passages by the small

showing a revolving
Island of Corregidor, on which was a lighthouse
also a signal station,
bright light, visible 20 miles off. Here was

The

entrance to the bay

is

divided into

the opposite
communicating by a semaphore with a telegraph station on
Luzon coast, and thence by wire with Manila.
The entrance to the Pasig River is between two moles, which run
the
westward respectively from the citadel on the S. bank and from

out

N. bank. At the outer extremity of

fixed red light, visible
the northern mole was a lighthouse, showing a

business suburb of Binondo on the

eight miles.

In the middle
Vessels drawing up to 13 feet can enter the river.
along the quays from the
of 1887, a few electric lights were established
mouth to the first bridge, and one Kght also on that bridge, so
river

The
can enter the river after suuset if desirable.
wholly occupied by steamers and sailing craft trading

that steamers

wharfage

is

within the Archipelago.

fall at

Up
now

springs

The

may be taken

to

tides are

be 5

is

The

rise

and

feet.

to 1887, ships requiring repairs

there

very irregular.

had

to

go

to

Hongkong, but

a patent slip at Canacao Bay, near Caviter, seven miles

400

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

southward from the Manila Bay anchorage.

the hydraulic hauling power of the slip

At

is

The

Avorking capacity of

2,000 tons.

was a Government Arsenal and

having a hauling power of about 500 tons.

Cavite, close by CaRacao, there

a small

slip,

Up

1893 the

to the year

badly lighted

petroleum

(The paving

\ised.

Manila City and suburbs were

streets of

and sometimes cocoa-nut

lamps,

Avas pei'haps

more defective than the

oil,

being

In

lighting.)

1892 an Electric Light Co. Avas formed, with a share capital of

$500,000 ($350,000 paid up) for illuminating the city and suburbs and
private

Under

lighting.

Company

received

the

fishermen,

The

Ward

the

in

Tondo, where dwellings

of

drainage

AA^as

Many

were erected.
iinder

them

cut

ditch

its

around each

live

hence

maximum

it

pollution.

square

Avherein

full

of

class

principally

dry season,

this Avard

The only
the

huts

stagnant water
mortality from

Avas there that the

ratio in the

in

thatched roofs were

had pools of

huts

of these

for mouths,

fever Avas at

Avith

simply a mass of

the city Avas

to

etc.

In the wet season the part of

alloAVd to be constructed.

nearest

Avorking

poorest

day labourers,

canoemen,

Municipality the

the

The concern was

a grant of $60,000.

working order the following year.

Manila

with

contract

when evaporation

commenced.
Biuondo presents an aspect of great activity during the day.

largely in the hands of British merchants,

import and export trade

is

and the

to a great extent,

retail traffic

is,

Their tiny shops, grouped together in

counter
still

monopolized by the Chinese.

roAvs,

form bazaars.

At each

a Chinaman, casting up accounts, with the ancient abacus^

sits

serving him for practical reckoning.

counter

The

strike

to

entrance to

the

bargain,

tout for custom.

whilst a

Another
third

is

ready |at the

lounges

about

the

Sometimes a whole bazaar of ten

tweh'e shops has only one owner.

In such a case,

if

a purchaser

to
is

not satisfied, after haggling over the price of an article, he fares no

better

by passing on

to

the next seller.

The

discarded

Chinaman

at the

first

counter runs by a back Avay to the adjoining opening, and,

in his

own

language, advises the counterman there of his lowest^offer.

Hence

'

the purchaser, wearied of going from one to another, and finding

The Abacus

consists of a

counting-beads are strung.

frame with a number of parallel wires on which

It is in

common

use in China.

<
_]

<

tr
LU
Icn

<

a
o
tr
UJ

O
O
X

1LiJ

LiJ

tr

<
Q-

Q.
UJ

o
o
U
(73

CHINESE TRADERS AND WORKERS.

all

401

quote alike, closes the bargain, protesting against the obduracy of

the crafty Celestial.

There
centre

is

not a street without Chinese dealers, but their principal

is

the Rosario, whilst the finest European shops,

by Spaniards,

are to be found in the Escolta.

In 1881 a great
property

of

class

street,

occurred in the Escolta, and since then the

fire

that

in

important thoroughfare

In October, 1885, a second serious

improved.

owned generally

and on the

buildings occupied

by the Central Post

and a row of good shops

in

European

During the M^orking hours are

coolies, half naked,

running in

much

took place in this

now

stands a fine block of

Office

and Telegraph Station,

the ruins there

site of

fire

has been

style.

be seen hundreds of smart Chinese

to

all directions

with loads, or driving

carts,

whilst the natives dreamily propel themselves along the streets, following
their

numerous occupations with enviable

women

here and there are native

tranquillity.

In the doorways

squatting on the flag-stones, picking

vermin from each other's heads, and serving a purchaser between-times

with cigars, betel-nut, and food, when occasion

offers.

Certain small handicrafts are almost exclusively taken up by the

Chmese, such as boot-making, furniture-making, small smith's work

and casting, tin-working, tanning, dyeing,
occupied as

silversmiths, engravers,

were almost exclusively Germans

whilst the natives are

saddlers, water-colour

furniture polishers, bookbinders, etc.

etc.,

now

painters,

few years ago, the apothecaries

the profession

is

shared with

natives and half-castes.

thoroughfares are crowded with carriages during the whole

The

day drawn by pretty native ponies.

The

were excellent.

public conveyance regulations

rates for hiring Avere very moderate,

calculated by the time engaged.

almost unknown.

The

Incivility of drivers

Their patience was astonishing.

and were

was a thing

They would,

if

required, wait for the fare for hours together in a drenching rain with-

Having engaged a

out a murmur.

towns)

it

is

usual to guide the driver, by calling out to

he has to take.
(hand)

is

Thus,

if

the word used

This custom originated

drive,

vehicle (in Manila or provincial

when a

him each turn

he be required to go to the right

if

to

in the

postilion rode

the left

silla (saddle)

is

maiio

shouted.

days before natives were intrusted to

the left (saddle) pony and guided his

right (hand) animal with a short rein.

C C

402

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Through the City and suburbs

drawn by

ponies,

nm

lines

tramway with

of

oars

and from Binondo (since the 20th October 1888)

the cars are carried on by steam power to the village of Malabon.

week brought two days of rest every year for

the ponies, namely, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. As in Spain
also, with certain exceptions, such as doctors, urgent Government
Fortunately, Easter

service, etc., vehicles

were not permitted

Soldiers, passing

on those days.

and highways

in the streets

through the streets on service, carried,

their

guns with the muzzles pointing to the ground.

were

tolled

The church

bells

with muffled hammers, hence, the vibration of the metal

many

tin cans.

practicable, every

outward

being checked, the peal sounded like the beating of so

The shops were

closed, and, so far

as

was

appearance of care for worldly concerns Avas extinguished, whilst

was customary

for the large

well as Europeans
black.

avIio

On Good Friday

celebration

of Mass.

as

streets

to be attired

in

afternoon there was an imposing religious

procession through the city and suburbs.

morning (^Sdhado de

natives

majority of the population

went through the

it

there

GJoi'ici)

On

was a

the following Saturday

scene

lively

after

the

In a hundred portals and alleys, public con-

veyances and private vehicles were awaiting the peal of the uumuffled

ehnrch

When

bells.

in all directions

this

was heard,

the clanking

in

an instant there was a rush

of a thousand ponies' feet

the rumbling

sound of hundreds of vehicles; the shouts of the natives and the

Chinese coolies together, showed with what abated anxiety and forced
subjection material interest and the affairs of this

check and made subservient

to

life

had been held

in

higher thoughts.

was computed on official returns in the year 1885, that the

average number of vehicles which passed through the main street of
through the Escolta,
the city {Calle Real) per day, amounted to 950
It

the principal street of Binondo,

5,000

and across the bridge, con-

necting Binondo with Manila City (where the river

is

350

feet wide),

6,000.

John Bowring, in the accoimt of his short visit to Manila in

1858, says, that he was informed on good authority that the average
number of vehicles passing per day at that date through the Escolfa,
Sir

amounted

to

915

across the bridge, between Binondo and Manila,

1,256; so that in 27 years the number of vehicles in use appears to

have increased oy about

five to one.

BRIDGES. THEATRES.

The River Pasig

constructed steamers

BULL RING.

403

navigable by steam launches, and speciallv

is

with

bottoms of light draught and pro-

flat

beam, which go up the whole distance iuto Ihe

portionately great

The

Laguua de Bay.

river

three bridges, one of which

is

is

crossed at Manila and suburbs

and

of stone

iron,

and sadly

in

bv

want

of repair.'

In the suburbs there are four Theatres,

in

none

dramatic company of auy note would consent to perform.

which a

of

In one, the

performance could be partly seen from the street (the Teatro Fil/puio)
the other (the Teatro de Tondo)
in a

low quarter

was

situated in a dirty thoroughfare

the third (the Teatro del Principe') usually gave an

entertainment in dialect for the amusement of the natives

fourth, located in the Calle de Bilibid,

and the

constructed to serve as

M^as

theatre or circus without the least regard to

its

acoustic properties,

hence only one-third of the audience could hear the dialogue.

There

was permanently a Spanish Comedy Company, and occasionally a troupe

of foreign

strolling players,

Company came

to

Manila

a circus, a concert or an Italian Opera

to entertain the public for a

few weeks.

In 1880 there used to be a kind of tent theatre, called the Carrillo,

where performances were given without any regard

stage regulations.

The

to histrionic art or

scenes were highly ridiculous, and the gravest

spectator could not suppress laughter at the exaggerated attitudes and

comic display of the native performers.

full licence to call to

tcnante

The

the actors and criticize

them

often to join in the choruses, and

home during

public were permitted

smnce

in loud voices

make themselves

quite at

the whole spectacle.

About a year afterwards, the Carrillo was suppressed by the

authorities.

In the

suburb of

generally attract the

upon

Paco there was a

elite,

as a bull fight there

this national sport as seen in Spain.

espada hang on

bull ring,

to the tail of his victim,

which did not

was simply a burlesque

have witnessed a Manila

and a banderillero meet the

Dish of the bull Avith a vault over his head, amidst hoots from the

shady class of audience who formed the habitues of the Manila ring.

On the site of this last bridge the Piienta de Barcas (Pontoon Bridge) existed
from 1632 to 1863, when it was destroyed by the great earthquake of that year.
The new stone bridge was opened to traffic in 1875, and called the Pvente de
'

C C

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

40-i

The

Civil

Governor of the Province had

full arbitrary

authority before

any part

of

it

The programme had

fine.

was published, and

it

to

to

was
be sanctioned by

enforce the regulations relating to public performances,

seldom he imposed a

power

l)ut it

could neither be added to nor

it

omitted, without special licence.

The performance was

given under the censorship of the Corregidor or his delegate, whose

duty

M^as to

it

guard the interests of the public, and to see that the

spectacle did not outrage morality.

At

every annual feast

rejoicing

all

over the Colony, the basis of the public

was the attendance

at

High Mass, and

which was intended

religious procession,

the view of the

impress on the minds of

to

Vast

the faithful the virtue of the Saints by ocular demonstration.

sums of money were expended from time to time in adornment of the

images, the adoration of which seemed to be tinctured with pantheistic
symbols were part of the Divine essence.

feeling, as if these

Each

village,

the villages,

is

and indeed each suburb, both

Capital and

of the

supposed to be specially cared for by

its

patron Saint,

even though the proof be lacking that the Saint has accepted the
patronage. Among the suburban feasts of Manila, that of Biuondo

was

particularly striking.

It took place in the

An

month of October.

imposing illuminated procession, headed by the clergy, guarded by

troops, and folloAved up by hundreds of native men, women and children
carrying candles, promenaded the principal streets of the vicinity.
miglit indeed

were

it

have commanded the iuAvard respect

not for one ridiculous feature

accompanied the cortege, dressed

representation of the

ceremony

in

in

mob

of all religionists,

men who

of native

gowns and head wreaths,

Jews who persecuted Our

of these fellows rushing

after the

the

It

Saviour.

about the streets in tawdry

The

in

sight

attire before

and

such apparent ignorance and carelessness of the

real intention, annulled the sublimity of the Avhole aftair.

All Saints'
to

Day

the

1st

of

November

brought a large

the priests in the most frequented parish churches.

the days on which souls can be got out of Purgatory.

flocked in

mobs

place a lighted

to the popular shrines,

wax

This

income

is

The

one of

faithful

where a struggle was made to

candle at the foot of the altar, and on bended

knee to invoke the Saints' aid

in benefit of their

departed relatives

But the crowd was so great, that the pious were not
permitted this consolation for more than two or three minutes.

and

friends.

LEPERS.

NEW

made them move

Sacristans

their candles
infidel

CHINESE

YEAR.

COCK-FIGHTING.

to leave

ou,

room

for

were then extinguished and collected

coolies

new

405

comer.?,

and

Chinese

in heaps,

being sometimes employed to carry away the spoil to

the parish priest's store.

The wax was

afterwards sold to dealers.

One chm-ch is said to have collected on the 1st Xovember,

much as 40 cwts., valued at $37 per cwt. This day was
holiday, and in the afternoon and evening

it

1887, as
a public

was the custom

to visit

the last resting places, to leave a token of remembrance on the tombs

of the lamented.

The Asylum

Dalumbayan,

for Lepers, at

in

Cruz, was also visited the same day, and whilst

many

there to see their afflicted relations and friends,

tastes satisfied their curiosity.

ment

to the extent of

Ward

of

naturally

others,

Santa

went

morbid

of

This Asylum, subsidized by Govern-

$500 per annum, was,

under the care of Franciscan

the

in the

time of the Spaniards,

friars.

In January or February the Chinese celebrate their

and suspend work during a week

or ten days.

The

New

Year,

authorities did not

permit them to revel in fun to the extent they would have done in
their

own

indulged

The
and

country, nevertheless, Chinese music, gongs and crackers Avero

in, in

the quarters most thickly populated by this race.

natives generally have an unbounded passion for cock-fighting,

in the year 1779,

it

occurred to the Government that a profitable

From

source of revenue might be derived from a tax on this sport.

was only permitted under a long code of

regulations on Sundays and feast days, and in places officially
designated for the " meet " of the combatants. In Manila alone the
that date,

therefore,

it

permission to meet was extended to Thursdays.

tlie

Gallera,

is

called

and the tax was rented out to the highest bidding

who bound himself to pay a

Government, and make the best he could

contractor,

gross proceeds from

amount.

The cock-pit

fixed

sum per annum

to the

for himself out of the excess

entrance fees and sub-letting rents over that

In like manner the Government farmed out the taxes

ou

horses, vehicles, sale of opium, slaughter of animals for consumption,

bridge

tolls, etc.,

also brought a

and, until 1888, the market dues.

good revenue, but

it

Gambling

licences

would have been as impossible

to

suppress cock-fighting in the Islands as gambling in England.'

'

The favourite game

of the Tagalogs

is

Panguingv,ioi the Chineae Chapdiki.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

406
The Spanish Laws
were specially

ou the 21st of March, 1861.

decreetl

maximum amount

that the

were very

the cock-pit

relating to

to

strict,

was euacted

It

be staked by one person on one contest

That

That each cock should wear only one metal spur.

should be $50,

aud

the fifht should be held to be terminated ou the death of one or both

However, the decree contained
cocks, or Avhen one of them retreated.

hundred clauses, which

in all a

Cock-tighting

discussed

is

which horse-racing

among the

cocks for several years, bestOAviug

same enthusiasm

natives with the

The majority of men rear

upon them as much tender care as a

When

infant.

enumerate.

to

England.

calls forth in

mother Avould ou her

would be tedious

it

the hope of the connoisseur has

arrived at the age of discretion and valour,

combat, perhaps to perish in the

it is

put forward in open

And

encounter.

first

the patient

native goes on training others.

Within twenty minutes' drive from Manila, at Nagtajan, on the

right bank of the Pasig River, there is a good European club, of

which the majority

in

The

commercial houses.

subscription

$5,

is

are English-speaking people employed

members

of

entrance

fee

and $1 per month extra

$30

is

monthly

the

for the use of a fairly

good

library.

The
Binoudo
rooms

hotel

principal
in

the

January 1889.

for the public service,

It

" Hotel
is

Oriente "

de

was

The

board are good.

" Hotel Ingles "

is

in

a large two-storied building, with 83

and stabling

for

25 horses.

building specially erected in the Colony for an hotel.

dation' and

opened

It ranks

It

is

the

first

The accommo-

with the best hotels

in the East.

also pretty good.

In Manila City and Binondo there are several other Spanish hotels

where the board

There

able.

is

is

tolerable, but

the lodging and service are abomin-

a telephone system established throughout the city

and environs.

The
"

La

press

was represented by

five dailies

Manila,''''

Oceania Espanola,^'' three evening papers, " El Comercio,^^ "

Voz de

Espana,''''

de Manila "

also

and (since March

a bi-v/eekly, "

strictly so-called, the information

strict

Hovrcvcr,

censorship
if

exercised

we review

3rd,

La

appeared at times in the three dailies

the

" El Diario de

in

1889) "

Opinion.''''

first

all

jointly

Za

La

Correspondencia

Some good

articles

mentioned, but as neAvspapers

was remarkably
by a

the attainments of

priest

the

scant,

due to

and a layman.

motlicr

country

in

BOTANIC GARDEN.

JOURNALISM.
this branch,

it is

doubtful whether

much was

407
by

lost to the public

this

"censorship.

lu Manila there Avas also a purely

official

organ

the " Gaceta

Newspapers from Spain were not publicly exposed

Manila.^^

those which were seen came by private subscription, whilst

de

for sale

many were

proscribed as inculcating ideas dangerously liberal.

The

first

news-sheet published

Manila appears

in

to

have been the

" Fildntropo" in the year 1822, and existed only a few years.

The

followed and failed in a short time.

the

^'-

Estrella,'"'

which started

first

Manila daily paper was

1846 and lasted three years.

in

then several dailies have seen the light for a brief period.
de Manila,''' started in
at the

18-48,

Others

was the

oldest

newspaper

Since

The " Diario

of those existing

end of the Spanish regime.

In Spain journalism began in the l7th century by the publication

of sheets called " jRe/acoc^,"

which appeared

at irregular intervals,

and contained accounts of important incidents.

The

newspaper, correctly speaking, was established

only last century.

first

Spanish

was only one regular periodical journal iii

After the Peninsula War, a step was made towards political

Seventy years ago

Madrid.

journalism.

there

This led to such an abuse of the pen that in 1821

all,

"
except the " Gaceta de Madrid,^' " Gaceta de Baijona^'' the Diario'''

and a few non-political papers Avere suppressed.

Madrid has now about

The

very readable.
late

fifty

extraordinary

It

appeared

about the streets.

events

in

me

as a Montpensier organ, used to aiFord

great amusement in Madrid.

it

by the

" Correspondcncia de Espana,'" founded

Marques de Santa Ana

newsboys cried

newspapers, of which half-a-dozen are

short

in the evening,

It contained

and scores

of

columns of most

paragraphs (gacetillas), and became

highly popular, hundreds of persons waiting with eagerness to secure a

copy.

In a subsequent

paragraphs in

issue,

the same

a few days afterwards,

columns were merely

many

corrections

of the
of

the

statements previously published, but so ingeniously interposed that the

hoax took the public

for a long time.

neglected, although

it

stock of specimens

was

scanty,

and the grounds were deserted by the general public. It was at

least of

There

is

a botanical garden, rather

Colony about $8,600 per annum.

general utility in one sense,

that

The

cost the

bouquets were supplied at once to

purchasers at cheap rates, from 25 cents and upwards.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

408

In the environs of Manila there are several pleasant drives and

promenades, the most popular one being the " Luueta," where a military baud

The Governor-General's

frequently played after sunset.

and the residences of the foreign European population and

well-to-do natives and Spaniards were in the suburbs of the city
palace

and of the commercial quarter. Some of these private villas were

extremely attractive, and commodiously designed for the climate,
but

little

attention

was paid

quite recently

until

architectural

to

beauty.

house property tenure were very great on account of

the earthquakes and typhoons, whilst the laws relating to ownership
were so peculiarly onerous in practice that rents were fixed at a high

The

risks of

compensatory

Very few

figure.

of the best private residences

above the ground

The ground

floor.

have more than one storey

floor is either

uninhabited or used

for lodging the native servants, or as a coach-house, on account of the

damp.

The upper

the family resides,

floor,
is

which constitutes the house proper, where

usually divided into

a spacious hall {Calda),

leading from the staircase to the dining and reception rooms

or

two

rooms.

sides of these apartments are the dormitories

The

kitchen

is

on one

and other private

often a separate building, connected with the

house by a roofed passage

level, is a

and by side of the kitchen, on the same

yard called the azo^ea here the bath-room

is

erected.

The

most modern houses have corrugated iron roofs. The ground floor
exterior walls are of stone or brick, and the whole of the upper storey
is

of

wood, with sliding windows

all

around.

Instead of glass, opaque oyster shells are employed to admit the

light whilst obstructing the sun's rays.

Formerly the walls up to the

roof were of stone, but since the last great earthquake of 1880 the use
of

wood from the

capital

first

storey upwards

and suburbs for public

there are

still

safety.

some comfortable,

was rigorously enforced

in the

Iron roofs are very hot, and

spacious, and cool residences in the

environs, with the primitive cogon grass or nipa palm-leaf thatching,

very conducive to comfort although more exposed to

fire.

The Government House, located in the city, which was thrown down in the
earthquake of 1863, was never rebuilt by the Spaniards. Its reconstruction was
only commenced by them in 1895. The Governor-General therefore has resided
since 1863 at his suburban palace at Malacaiian, on the river side.
'

DWELLING-HOUSES.
The main

SPANISH

entrance of a dwelling-house

the family retires for the night.

HOSPITALITY.
is

409

invariably left open until

Mosquitos abound

in

Manila, coming

from the numerous malarious creeks which traverse the wards, and few

To

persons can sleep without a curtain.

is

The

indispensable.

March

to June,

sleep the siesta

hour

heat from twelve to four p.m.

The

o'clock.

oppressive from

is

noon precisely, and dinner at about eight

visiting hours are

from

five to

seven in the evening, and

and musical soirees from nine.

reunio7is

The

is

and most persons who have no afternoon occupation,

from one to three o'clock. The conventional lunch

over the Colony

all

be at one's ease, a daily bath

different social classes

less

divided here than in the

There was not the same

British- Asiatic Colonies.

in British India

were far

on account of one's

rigid line

drawn

as

Spaniards

birth, origin, or position.

of the best families in the capital endeavoured in vain to Europeanize

the people of the country, and imauy of them exchanged visits with

and

half-breeds,

in

some cases with wealthy pure

amongst Spaniards

in the Philippines

Avas far

Hospitality

natives.

more marked than

in

Europe, and educated foreigners were generally received with great

courtesy.

Since the year 1884 the city and suburbs are well supplied with

good drinking water, which

is

one of the most praiseworthy improve-

ments undertaken by the Spanish Government within the

To

years.

named Carriedo a
a sum of money last

philanthropist,

galleon

last

few

ensure this beneficial work being carried out, a Spauisli

left

late

commander

of

an Acapuico

century, in order that the capital

and accumulated interest might one day defray the expense. The
water supply (which comes from Santolau, on the Pasig River), being
more than sufficient for general requirements, the city and suburbs
were,

by

little

Manila

lies

personal

little,

adorned with several public fountains.

Ioav the

climate

observation

have

is

Although

healthy, and during several years of

found

the

maximum and minimum

temperatures at noon in the shade to be 98 and 75 Fahr. respectively.

The

climate of Manila

may

be generally

summed up

December, January, and February, a delightful spring

and May, an oppressive heat

heavy rains
sometimes
reside in.

October and

fairly dry.

June,

as follows, viz.,

March,

July, August, and

November, doubtful

Briefly, as to climate,

it

is

April,

September,

sometimes very wet,

a pleasant place to

410

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

lu 1593 Manila already had a coat-of-arms, with the

title of

" Mui/

Cludad^'' aud iu the begiuuiug of the 17th

Insigne y siempre leal

King Philip III. conferred upon it the title of "Xa muy noble
Ciudad" (the very noble city), hence it Avas latterly styled " X mi(i/
noble y siempre leal Ciudad " (the very noble aud always loyal city).

century

According

was

18-io

to Gironniere,' the civilized population of this

as follows,

namely

Colony

in

Europeans (including 500 Friars)

4,050

Spanish-native half-breeds

8,584

180,000

Spanish-native- Chinese half-breeds

Chinese

Pure natives

-------Total civilized population

In the

last census,

which was taken

inhabitants, including Europeans

in

9,901

3,304,742

3,507,27'

1876, the total number of

aud Chinese, was shoAvn

to

be a

under 6,200,000, but a fixed figure cannot be accepted because

little
it

is

impossible to estimate exactly the number of unsubdued savages and

mountaineers,

was

who pay no

rated at about

Acta

tribes,

two per

taxes.

The

cent, per

which are known

In Manila City and Wards

increase of native population

annum, except

in the

Negrito or

to be decreasing.
it is

calculated there were iu 1896 about

340,000 inhabitants, of which the ratio of classes was approximately

the folIoAving, namely

Pure natives

-----------------------

PER CENT.
68*00

Chinese half-breeds

16*65

Chinese

12*25

Spaniards aud Creoles

1-65

Spanish half-breeds

1'30

Foreigners (other than Chinese)

0*15

100*00

'

" Aventvu-es d'un yentiikoir.me Eretou aux lies

Gironniere, Paris. 1S57.

Philippines," par Paul de la

TrPHOONS.
The City

EARTHQUAKES.

411

alone coutaiued a population of about 16,000 souls.

Typhoons

Manila more or

affect

severely about once a year,

less

nearly always between April and middle of December, and sometimes

cause immense destruction to property.

Roofs of houses are carried

the wooden upper-storey frontages are blown out ships are torn
moorings small
from
laden with merchandise are wrecked,
away

craft

their

and the inhabitants

flee

from the

streets to

make

fast their premises,

await in intense anxiet}^ the conclusion of the tempest.

A hurricane

of this description desolated Manila in October 1882, and, at the

wind

time, the

damage

accompanied by torrents of

Avas

to the interior of the residences,

small house, entirely

made

of wood,

who had taken

the natives

rain,

who thought

offices.

was blown completely

over,

were

floor

Two

without a moment's notice, with the sky for a roof.

same

which did great

warehouses and

refuge on the ground

and

and
left,

Chinamen,

take advantage of the occasion and economically

to

possess themselves of galvanized iron roofing, had their heads nearly

severed by sheets of this material flying through the

dead bodies were picked up

busy

all that

day

to fasten the
forces.

in

my

in the Rosario the

air,

and their

next morning.

was

house, with the servants, in the vain attempt

windows and

was overcome by superior

doors, but I

Part of the kitchen was carried away

water came

in every-

where, and I had to patiently wait, with an umbrella over me, until the

storm ceased.

Manila

The most

is

also in constant danger of destruction

from earthquakes.

serious one within this century occurred in June, 1863.

The

shock lasted half a minute, and the falling debris of the upheaved
buildings caused iOO deaths, whilst 2,000 persons Avere wounded.
total loss of

property on that occasion was estimated at $8,000,000.

Official returns

show, that 46 public

28 were nearly destroyed

Cavite

the

were thrown down

Simultaneously, an earthquake occurred

Port and Arsenal at the S. point of Manila Bay

destroying several public buildings.

earthquake are

edifices

570 private buildings were wrecked, and

528 were almost demolished.

in

The

still

left

Many

of the ruins caused

this

undisturbed within the City of Manila.

that time, the best buildings had heavy tiled roofs, and
so, in spite of the severe lesson, until after

when galvanized

by

many

At

continued

the shock of the year 1880,

corrugated iron fcame into general use for roofing,

and, in fact, no one in Manila or Binoudo

now

builds a house' without

it.

412

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

la 1880 no

lives

were

lost,

but the damage to house property was

The only person who

considerable.

suffered

physically from

was an Englishman, Mr. Parker, whose arm was

that it was found necessary to amputate it.

calamity,
injured

this

so severely

Prior to 1863, the most serious earthquakes recorded, happened in

November 1610

November 1645

August 1658

in

1675

Consequent on the shock of 1645,

in 1796 and in 1852,

1699

in

all

but one

monastery and two churches, of the public buildings, Avere destroyed,

600 persons were

and the Governor-General was extricated from

killed,

the ruins of his Palace.

'According to the Jesuit Father Faura, Director of the Manila

Observatory, the following slight quakes occurred in 1881, viz.

July

iu

August

10

in September,

and 3 in October.

3 iu

Earthquakes,

almost imperceptible, are so frequent in these islands, that one hardly

heeds them after a few months' residence.

In a cosmopolitan city like Manila and

many

humanity assemble,

races of

it is

with the coat buttoned up

The

national dress

the most

The pure

outside the trousers.

It

natives and

it is

expensive material, called

/>2v7a

own

peculiar

the pig-tail coiled iuto

'witli

made

drill,

with a narrow

preserve their

many

off

half-breeds wear the shirt

usually white, with a long

cut European fashion, but often

tinted

and finished

The Chinese

logical of all

is

majority of the Spaniards

the British generally dress in white

to the neck,

same material.

collar of the

a chignon.

surroundings, where so

interesting to observe the varied

costumes and modes of attire in vogue.

wear the European costume

its

stiff front,

and

of an extremely fine yellow

a texture manufactured from

Some few of the native jeunesse doree of Manila dou

the European dress, much to their apparent discomfort. The official
attire of the headman of a Manila ward and his subordinates, was a shirt
pine-leaf fibre.

with the

tail

outside the trousers, like other

but over which was worn the

natives or half-breeds,

official distinction of

a short Eton jacket,

reaching to the hips.

A native woman wears a flowing

green, and white being the

common

whether the garment be of cotton,

skirt of

choice.

silk,

gay colours

The

bright

length of train, and

or satin, depends on her means.

Corsets are not yet the fashion, but a chemisette, which just covers

red,

iier

"Terremotos de Nueva Vizcaya eu 1S81," by Enrique Abella y Casariega,

pub. Madrid,

A HALF-CASTE MANILA BELLE.

41 o

NATIVE COSTUMES.

and a starched neckcloth (pcmuelo) of pma, or Just (pine and

breast,

hemp

common

filament mixed) are in

being folded triangularly,

hangs

it

The panuclo is square, and,

point down the back, stands

use.

in

very high up at the back of the neck, in 17th century style, Avhilst the
other two points

brooched where they meet at the top of the

are

To

chemisette decoUetee.

Her

short sleeves.
parting,

hair

brushed back from the forehead, without a

is

and coiled into a

extravagant desire to possess "jewellery

is

sometimes

figured,

women have an
who never wear it.

Native

lost.

even those

covered with a white mantle of very thin material,

more

but

Native

embroidered.

In her hand she carries

tight, flat chignon.

a fan, without which she would feel

The head

added immensely wide

this chemisette are

women

often

and

this

neckcloth

the

are very clever at embroidering.

the toes of her naked feet arc partly enveloped in chinclas

slipper, flat like a shoe sole

to put

two

are

Finally,

a kind of

with no heel, but just enough upper in front

or three toes inside.

Altogether, the appearance of a Philippine

family dressed on a gala-day

whilst her slouching gait

is

is

curious, but

woman

of Avell-to-do

by no means engaging,

a severe contrast to that air gracieux which

distinguishes the majority of Spanish ladies.

On

the other hand, there

is

the simple costume of a peasant

something picturesque and typical

woman

flowing gown, but a short skirt, which

of cotton.

It

red or black.

is

It is

woman

She has no

enveloped in a tains, generally

simply a rectangular piece of

stuff'

as a rule, all blue,

tucked in at the waist, drawn very tightly around

the loins, and hangs over the skirt a

of a peasant

is

going to market.

in

is

erect

and

little

stately,

below the knees.

due

to her habit

The

figure

from infancy

of carrying jars of water, baskets of orchard produce, etc. on her head

with a pad of coiled cloth.

At

times the better class wear the more becoming short skirt and

t&pis of silk or satin, with gold-lace embroidered chinclas.

is

This dress

pretty.

The Visaya woman wears

sarong,

which

is

the jmtallon

robe like the Javanese

kept in place by being drawn tightly around and

tucked in at the waist.

It just reaches her feet.

put the tdpis over

On

Venuses

known

this.

feast days

times she will

and special occasions, the dusky

of high degree sport the gaudy-flowing

as the say a suelta.

At

gown

of silk or satin,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

414

"

first class

it^norance

in the

pompous

There was a hideous bier with rude

worth seeiu^ once.

savagism

relics of

" Manila funeral was a whimsical display of

A native driver,

shape of paltry adornments.

" chimney pot " hat, full of salaried mournfulness, drove

The bier was headed by a band of music playing
the white team.
the
a lively march, and followed by a line of carriages containing
The burial was almost
relations and friends of the deceased.

with a

tall

invariably within twenty-four hours of the decease

sometimes within

six hours.

There

is

nothing

strikingly national,

in

Manila which at

whether

it

scnlpture or even diversions.

be in

once

impresses

artistic handicraft,

one as

music, painting,

peculiar traditional customs of an

The

Eastern people, their native dress, their characteristic habits, constitute,

by their originality and variation, the only charm to the ordinary

European
of this

traveller.

he

is

The Manila

native, in particular, possesses none

but a vivid contrast to his vivacious Spanish model

expressionless, immobile being

a striking caricature of

both his

an

own

picturesque aboriginal state, from which he has departed, and of his

Western master, whose grace and easy manners he unsuccessfully

assumes.

In short, he

is

neither one thing nor the other in

its

true

representation, whilst the genial, genuine, unalloyed and natural type

is

to be found in the provinces.

-^--

CHAPTER

XXIII.

TOURING IN LUZON ISLAND,

The charm

Manila consists

of

in the picturesqueness of its suburbs,

where Nature plays so great a

native customs

contrast so

part,

and

in

strangely with

the town proper, where

Spanish fa^on de faire.

There, for eleven years, spreading over a period of seventeen, I had

home

nominally, hoAvever,

in the Colony,

and

for

my programme was

hundreds of journeys I carried

in

to
it

my

go everywhere
out,

excepting

only a portion of the northern Pacific coast of Luzon and east coast
of Samar.

With the
the'little

least

luggage possible, I drove

off in a carriage to catch

steamer which, every morning, went up the Pasig River into

the^Laguna de Bay.
It

was

just

one minute to seven when I reached the Ayala bridge.

I could see the

smoke from the steamer's chimney

whistle had just warned

me

to

hurry on, and

still

a blast of her

my driver

walked the

pair of ponies at an exasperatingly slow pace, seeming not to care one

iota

whether I arrived

time or not.

in

him, but he was inexorable.

At

last

menaced him and entreated

he explained something

prehensible Castillian, and turned off the bridge

side at

full gallop.

We

Nicomedis had placed

my

were

in

time.

down

in

incom-

to the steamer

In an instant

my

servant

belongings in the cabin, and I ascended a

tiny ladder to the hurricane-deck to join the skipper in the look-out.

The

skipper was a half-caste, somewhat advanced in years, with a

round head, his white hair clipped

all

over as short as scissors would

permit, and his face clean shaven.

We

exchanged a mutual "good morning," and stood gazing

silence at the

commotion alongside the steamer.

Laguna town.

It

was market day

in

in

Scores of natives were crowding in with baskets of

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

41

wareswomen

squatting to re-arrange their

goodsporters

shouting

on board with their loads, whilst a line of carromatas^

was perceptible on the bridge, coming at a walking pace, but evidently
bound for the steamer. It was a quarter past seven.

and

scuffling

"

At what

time does the steamer leave

" I inquired of the captain,

thinking I had mistaken the hour.

" At seven o'clock every morning,"' was the reply.
"

But

it is

already a quarter past seven," I rejoined.

" Yes, but I see carromata-loads of passengers

the bridge."
" Well, they don't seem at

all in

still

arriving from

a hurry," I remarked.

Of course they can't hurry it would be against the regulations

is a
even to trot a pony on the bridge. Don't you know that there
"
sentinel posted there to see that they go al paso ?
"

the
This dialogue explained everything. My driver was no longer
time was
citizen
obstinate fellow I thought him, but a law-abiding
departure was
not money in this colony, I cogitated, and the hour of
;

only nominal.
I went below

the main deck was crowded with natives going to

the Santa Cruz market.

on

liliputian

tkmgui, or

bamboo

They covered every

stools,

and

buffet, presided over

available space, sitting

in the centre of the

by a

fat

woman, who,

group was the

half reclining,

plantain leaves
served out hard-boiled eggs, boiled rice folded up in
poto), rice sticks (poto scco), betel-nut {bui/o), sweetstuff

{suman and

(jnatamis) cakes, bananas, etc.

It

was 7.30 when we weighed anchor, leaving a throng

vehicles and native carriers on the quay.

To

our

left

we

of

empty

passed the

Admiral
Convalescent Hospital and Mad-House, the residences of the
private
and the Govern or- General, the European Club and a number of
on our right the villages of Pandiican, Santa Ana, Guadalupe,
of historic interest in the Chinese riots, etc.
The morning sun was already oppressive, so the captain offered me
on
beside his under an awning which served for a wheel-house

villas

a chair

the hurricane-deck.

I thought I

was the only cabin passenger,

but, as

The carromata is a two-wheeled spring vehicle with a light roof to keep

and by all classes
the sun and rain. It is commonly used by the natives in Manila
and useful
light,
strong
it
is
a
comfort,
in
wanting
in the provinces. Though
>

conveyance.

off

UP THE PASIG RIVER.

we were
ou

seated,

417

up came a Chinese half -caste, a man apparently verging

The

sixty, Avho took a chair near us.

stranger turned out to he a

partner in one of the richest native merchant houses in Manila.

" This

the sort of navigation I should like were I a captain,"

is

"

I observed.

At

can be none of those heartrending scenes

least there

one experiences at sea."

The

captain,

Don Bruno,

" Don't you believe

took

me up

so easy

it is

it

the vessel through this tortuous river.

high and dry

Why,

" Tie-in

Tie-in

requires all one's skill to get

And

then the chance of running

"

dry season I have had to

in the

But the conversation was

at once.

inteiTupted.

" shouted the captain,

and half-a-dozen natives

rushed to the port side of the steamer to push her off from the right

bank with long bamboos, iron-spiked

bend

We

The

in the river.

were

still

at the tip, to ease her

was running very strongly against us.

and the streams feeding the lake had

current

in the Avet season,

been converted into torrents by the recent heavy

"

To

sell

rains.

" inquired the Chinese half-caste.

"

Where are you going ?

" To Calamba or Viiian

round a

it's all

jewellery, I suppose

the same to me."

"

" No," I rejoined,

" Well,

me

if

you

if

"I neither sell it nor wear it."

you don't know anyone in Calamba, you can accompany

like."

"Thanks very much,

and thus an acquaintanceship was

I Avill,"

struck up Avhich lasted for years.

We

had got safely round the

Bruno's provision of

tic-ins,

first

and the

bend, thanks to good old

sailors

were

still

Don

hanging about in

expectation of having to push off at the point called Maldpat-na-hato,

an immense boulder jutting out

into the river,'

greatly obstructed navigation.

But we cleared

on the
it

Avith

matting

sails set,

bank, Avhich

well,

and just in time

kind of Noah's

to save a collision Avith a large 2o-ton cargo-boat

Ark

left

taking advantage of the light breeze and

current.

Don Bruno

Avas

ou his

legs,

and always on the look-out.

He

bleAv

the steam-whistle, and the cargo-boat men, by the use of their bamboos,

got their craft near the bank to

'

let

It has since

us proceed.

been cut away.

We

passed by the

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

418

we neared
Pasig. Passengers were waiting there in canoes ready to come np
Then
alongside and embark as the steamer kept slowly on her course.

"Mariquina affluent, and then slowed

we went
current

again

speed

quite

whistled as

an hour against the

miles

three

and Don Bruno seemed once more

We

"

full

down and

at his ease.

have passed Pasig, so I suppose you can take a

now,

rest

captain," I remarked.

" JVo Senor,^'' rejoined the old man, " one never

happen

but, I forgot to ask

You, Senor
of beer

Ingles,^''

beer for the Senor

bottle of

German

my

dear

Don

one has slowed

boy

the

sir,

bata, with a half-

always looking out for those wretched"

Bruno.

They hear

down and shouted

the whistle and don't

one's self hoarse.

" but the rest of the sentence

think

just turned a bend,

through by our stem.

and was

It just

I really

was cut

short

by

A raft of cocoa-nuts from the lake

the deafening sound of the whistle.

had

0?/ hata ! a glass of

lager.

canoe-men," continued
until

his

" a glass

in particular,

like beer.

and up came

Ingles,^''

you Avould take anything^

me

addressing himself to

" Well, here I am,

budge

either of

know Englishmen

Yes, I

if

knows what may

in

imminent danger

being cut

of

shaved past our paddle-box by a

breadth, amidst the vociferations of our sailors,

who had been

hair's-

standing

ready to pole off the floating mass.

Here and there was a canoe made fast in the stream to receive
There is a
river-bed sand brought up, by native divers, in baskets.
great

demand

we saw

for

it

in

Manila for making mortar.

men, women, children aud

cattle

All along the banks

bathing together

women

washing clothes and men fishing with large hand nets.

When we got near Pinagbuhiitan, at the mouth of the Cainta
I thought

we were

about to enter the lake, so I congratulated

Bruno on having got out

"

Ca 1 "
is

ejaculated the old mariner, " this

a flood.

The

is

just

dry season and you will see

how

different

where the trouble

of the route as I do.

river course is lost to vicAV.

We appeared at least

Don

of his trouble for that journey.

would begin for one who did not know every inch
This

river,

Come again

in the

it is."

to be crossing a lake, but, iu effect,

it

was

only a fluvial inundation due to the late rains in the mountain district.

"

Do you

see that steam-launch belonging to

draws only two feet of water and

is

Senor

not in the river at

all

well,

it is

it

now

THE FLOODS.
crossing

swamped

paddy

rice

LAGIINA

fields to

DE BAY.

make a

419

short cut and save the

turns."

But Don Bruno

It

seemed strange

rows of huts and

did not deviate from the track he

to

me

knew

for the first time to be gliding along

so well.

between

bamboos emerging from the water.

clusters of

Beino-

almost an annual occurrence, the natives become quite accustomed to

it, and not in the least alarmed.
The communication between the huts

was by canoe, although a few low-built shanties had been abandoned

where the water had reached the top storey.

To

get to the steamer by seven o'clock in the morning,

we

taken coffee so early that

felt it

was eleven

We

we had

o'clock without lookinoo

had crossed the Barra de Naplndan, and were

the Laguna de Bay when breakfast was announced.
at om- watches.

After

my

iu

had discussed sugar crops with the

captain, the conversation became more general.
Our worthy host, the
genial Don Bruno, could not have been jmore complaisant or attentive.
half-caste

friend

The wind was freshening from the

side, and Don Bruno, like a veritable
been

in the

lost

lake,

north, the steamer tilted to one

old salt, told us

how

had
which was not exempt from the fury of
lives

typhoons.

There

nothing grand in the view of the lake from the regular

steamer, because to call at Vinan and Calamba we ran down the west
is

coast with a vast plain always before us.

To

Pasig was unfavorable.

The

contrast to the beautiful

Mdrong side, are low

mountain ranges, of which one sees only the outlines, whilst before ua
were high peaks in the distance.

At

1.30

we

cast anchor

the east, on the

between an

islet

and the shore of Calamba,

Don Bruno, I got into a prahu

Avhich was being washed and bumped up against the steamer side.
My half-caste friend followed, and we filled up with a crowd of natives,,
and, after bidding farewell to good old

baskets and luggage.

Off went the steamer to Santa Cruz, whilst

were paddled and poled

grounded.

Then

to

within

fifty

yards

the water came rolling in at

we
of the shore, where we
the stern, until we and

our portmanteaux were fished out by natives, almost naked, whose

shoulders we mounted, as if they were horses, to get to the beach.

We

were not at Calamba

drive from the town.

yet, but at a fishing village

Carromatas were

some twenty minutes*

Avaiting for us, and

away we

drove to the convent-the half-caste and I with our servants.

There

D D2

PHiLirriNE islands.

420

made the acquaiutance

Lopez, who,

it

Father Leoncio

of the uativc parish priest,

my half-caste friend.
priest whom I have

appeared, was related by marriage to

Father Leoncio was the most intelligent uativc

ever met. He was really a man of learning and practical knowledge,

How

one of the exceptions of his race.

were destined
lot

to

to

become intimate

little

friends,

did I then think that

and that

would be

it

we

my

comfort him on his death- bed at the house of his wealthy

who had

relation

me

introduced

to

him

The Town Hall was merely a sugar

There are three
shed the streets are always either muddy or dusty.
The market, held on
or four large houses of well-built exterior.
Calamba

is

a very dreary town.

Fridays,

of

is

considerable

Nearly

all

coming there

importance, natives

The market-place

from great distances.

disorderly.

local

is,

however, always dirty and

the landed property Avithin the jurisdiction of

Calamba, and as far as the town of Los Banos, belonged to^ the

Dominican Corporation, whose administrators resided in the casa

hacienda, or estate-house, in the town. The land was rented out to
In the vicinity there

native planters, chiefly for rice and sugar crops.

are several

European steam and

cattle

the inhabitants are comparatively well

power
off.

sugar-mills,

Calamba

is

and many of

situated at the

foot of the Maquiling mountain, once an active volcano.

Following the lake shore

with the lake on the

left

in a

carromata

in

an easterly direction,

and cultivated plains on the

right, I arrived

an hour along a pretty road at the town of Los Banos, or the Baths.
The town owes its origin to the hot springs flowing from the Maquiling
in

from time immemorial

when the place was called Maynit, which signifies " hot."

mountain, which have been

At

known

to the natives

the close of the 16th century, these mineral waters attracted the

attention of

Fray Pedro Bautista (one

of the martyrs

of Japan),

sent a brother of his order to establish an hospital for the natives.

brother went there, but shortly returned to Manila and died.

who
The

So the

Afterwards
matter remained, and nothing further was done for years.
a certain Fray Diego de Santa Maria, an expert in medicine and the
healing

art,

was sent there

to test the waters.

He found they

contained

properties which rendered them highly beneficial in curing rheumatism

and certain other maladies, so since then many natives and Spaniards
went there to seek bodily relief. But there was no convenient

abode for the

visitors

no arrangements for taking the baths.

The

JALAJALA.
Goverument
chaplain to

nothing.

did

LOS BANGS.

Franciscan friar was sent there as

sick visitors, but his residence

tlie

421

and inadequate for the lodging of patients.

was very incommodious

The

priest declared the

project of establishing an hospital impracticable for

returned to Manila.

gave

hospital,

of

bamboo and

and consented

and convent.

church

straw, and dedicated to

The hospital was constructed

Our Lady of Holy Waters.

The whole

the charge of the hospital.

many

and

to the establishment of

Fray Diego de Santa Maria was appointed

the

of funds,

In 160^, the Governor-General, Pedro de Aeuua,

his attention to this place,

an

want

sick persons Avho

went

and

to the vicarage

by

Avas supported

from

gifts

there, but the greatest difficulty

was

made donations of lands, with the

produce of which the hospital was to be maintained. These gifts,
however, proved insufficient. The priests then solicited permission
to procure food.

Several natives

from the inhabitants of the village of Pila (on the lake shore near
Santa Cruz) to pasture cattle on the tongue of land on the opposite
coast called Jalajala, and

given, and

building

was

and the place was

erected,

Then

to

them.

Their consent was

ranche was established there

cattle

de Jalajala.

which belonged

the permission

time

in

was asked

subsequently, a

known
for

as the Estancia

and obtained from

the Pila natives to plant cocoa-nut palms, fruit trees, and vegetables.

Later on, the Austin and Franciscan

of dominion over the place

the former gave

and

way and ceded

friars quarrelled

district

about the

riglit

called Maynit, but in the end

their alleged rights in perpetuity to the

Franciscans.

In

Austin
to

164:0

Los Banos (formerly a dependency of Bay, under the

friars)

was constituted a " town."

beg one concession after another,

buildings were

commenced

numbers

to these baths,

and

until

at length, in 1671, stone

church, convent, hospital, bathing-pond,

vapour-house, etc. being constructed.

in

The Franciscans continued

it

is

Natives and Europeans flocked

said that people even

came from

India to be cured.

The property

lent

and

belonging

to

accumulated funds, and the live stock had

value, that the

all

establishment,

increased so

Government appointed an administrator.

the place declined

its

popularity vanished

matters so particularly for his

scarce,

the

own

in

Henceforth

the administrator

benefit, that food

much

the

managed

again became

and the priest was paid only $10 per mouth as

salary.

In

422

PHILirPINE ISLANDS.
a large house

Jalajala

cultivation

was

built

tenants were admitted

the laud was put uuder regular

but when the property was declared

a Royal demesne, the Pila inhabitants protested, and nominally regained

But the administrators re-opened
possession of the lent property.

and contested the question

in

pending these

and,

the law-courts,

During

proceedings, they rented Jalajala from the Government.

this

long process of legal entanglements, the property had, several times,

been transferred to one and another until the

it

last

holder regarded

as his private estate.

The Bathing Establishment was

gradually falling to decay, until

complete ruin was brought about by a

of walls.

The

fire,

priest continued there as

which

left

only the remnant

nominal chaplain of The Baths,

with his salary of $10 per month and an allowance of

establishment was

not restored until the

Government

Moriones (1877-80).

A vapour -bath-house

but the hospital was

left unfinished, so that in

still

rotting

away from

The
Domingo

rice.

of

and residence were

built,

November, 1888,

it

was

,000

neglect.

Three hours' journey from Los Banos, on the

above sea-level, there

feet

its

is

river Malauin,

a boiling lake called Natung-os.

Laguua de Bay, about 1,800 yards from Los Banos

In the

shore, there

is

small island in which is an oval-shaped lake 4,000 feet across at the

depth
widest part, called " crocodile lake " {Laginm dc caimanes)

unknown, but ascertained

The

to be over

200

feet.

portion of the Hospital of Los

Banos which

the house attached, which the natives call " the palace,"

accommodate

invalids

who go

to take the hot baths.

should only be taken in the dry season

Besides the convent and church,

row

of dingy

of the

bungalows on

December
the

side.

still

and

serve to

These baths

May.

town simply

either side of the

same on the mountain

to

intact,

is

consists of a

high road, with a group

On subsequent occasions

I have had

some good wild duck shooting on the lake between Calamba and Los
The lake here forms a kind of bay, in which thousands of
Baiios.
aquatic plants, like cabbages
collect

and cover

called quiapos

this inlet, giving

Leaving Calamba

in a

it

drifting about the lake,

the appearance of a floating lawn.

canoe about 5 o'clock in the morning, one can

paddle up to the vegetable mass, and pole into

it

by

sunrise.

Then one

must be ready with the gun, for the ducks are very shy, and raise their
heads from under the qiciajws only for an instant. There is only sport

SANTA CRUZ.

DON
As

to be gained in this.

FRANCISCO DE YRIARTE.

be got from them, they are so

to the food to

bony, that half-a-dozen barely

make

423

a scanty meal.

After 8 o'clock

Hcarcely a duck will be seen, and, in order not to weary himself, the

swamp amongst

tiportsmau should pole through the quiopos into the

tall trees,

find plenty of native birds

where he will

hac-bac and

tlc-lin,^ all

From Los

modern

my

the principal port of the

hurricane has not blown

dealers.

all

It

is

away.

It is

Laguna Province, the

old

comparatively a large town

There

lake.

a carromata as far

in

bamboo

is

when a

jetty

an important local centre

the

the neighbouring cocoa-nut, nut-oil, and live stock

The Town Hall

called the Escolia,

is

it

journey

capital of the

provincial centre being Pagsanjan.

meeting-place for

hato-bato pigeons,

very fleshy and excellent eating.

Bafios I continued

as Santa Cruz, the

the

is

named

well built.

The

principal thoroughfare

On market

after that of Manila.

days there

The church

no town more lively within 50 miles of Manila.

is

is

a very

large stone building, which suffered severely from the earthquake of

1880, quite half of

it

having been reduced

to ruins.

At that date chief judges were Governors of provinces. I took

with me a letter of introduction to H. E. Don Francisco de Yriarte, the
Alcalde-Governor, whom I found at home in the Government House.
Due to the refined taste of His Excellency, the official residence was a
very

fine building, the

inside

edifice,

and outside, as imposing as an earthquake country under a

tropical sun

Had
more

facade elegantly adorned, and the whole

would permit.

Don

I been a prince,

cordially.

He had

Francisco could not have welcomed

me

that easy grace and noble bearing typical of

the Spanish cavalier of the old

school.

He showed me

over the

Government House, which contained spacious saloons furnished in the

most modern style a very fine round table, the top of which was one
:

solid

piece of

wood 21

feet in

circumference

native-carved chairs

from Paete, and several paintings, especially one of the Madonna and
Child
fitted

extremely beautiful. The

out one of them entirely

sleeping rooms were

in

Japanese

although far from perfect according to British

style.

ideas,

all

elegantly

The

stables,

were comparatively

excellent for this Colony.

"

You have

taken possession of your house," said His Excellency,

using the customary Spanish compliment, " and now I leave you, whilst
'

Rallus torq7iatus. Lin,

424

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

I despatch business in

my bureau. The

waiting at the door,

so, till

presently

carriage

we lunch

is

and

at your disposal

at

noon you know

the conventional hour."

I drove off to the house of a notary and sugar-cane planter and

presented

He

my

introduction.

wished to see his

I was welcome to go out there,

me

told

letter of

from town, but he could not accompany me

Then

o'clock.

appointed 3

estate.

twenty minutes drive

on the petty-governor,

called

we

until the afternoon, so

and

having sent back the Governor's carriage, we went out together in a

carromata to his plantation. Just off the high-road was his mill Avi^h
vertical stone rollers

and molave wood teeth

to gear

one into the other.

most primitive kind, such as the Chinese made for the

The mill was being driven by two buffaloes,
natives centuries ago.
part of the expressed juice running through a bamboo conduit Iso

It

was

of the

Chinese boiling-pans for concentration, and the residue going off with
The old man listened to my suggestions
the crashed cane to waste.
that he should use at least an European cattle-power mill, if not a
I pointed out to him the great saving it would bring, but
steam-mill.

he yielded nothing to my arguments. " I have no capital," he

" and then if the iron mill broke, what should I do ? Take

Manila to be mended

No, our old

style

may

Avhilst

my

cane

be wasteful, but

is
it

beiug parched in the

costs less,

said,
it

to

fields ?

and we have our

remedies against breakages on the spot."

The mill was sheltered by a nipa palm-leaf thatching, on Ijamboo^

The cattle,
makino- now and again

supports.

rascal,

abreast, trudged round

at a very slow pace,

a sudden spurt as the lata, a

switched them with a rattan.

Each

little

six-year old

jerk brought a great strain

but fortunately the roll-gearing held out. The battery

stoker
of Chinese pans was in a line, in a pit, where the half-naked
with sun-drietl
Avas constantly feeding the pan-furnace underneath

on the

mill,

megass.

Alongside of this pristine sugar factory was the bungalow,

as
the eround floor of which served as a temporary store for the sugar,
was turned into burnt clay-pots {pilones). There they drained on

it

estate
the ollas until some Chinese broker, making his rounds from one
to another,

would buy the sugar.

appointment with the notary, and then returned to the

Government House, where I took chocolate at about half -past four
A cool breeze was coming across the river
o'clock with the Governor.
I kept

my

PAGSANJAN.

SCENES IN SANTA CRUZ.

we

as

smoking and chatting,

sat

low

sufficiently

we

six

the

time,

kill

an open carriage.

to venture out in

thoroughfares.

was

BetAveeu five and

was near sunset

It

everybody was up and about

The

the roads.

women and

the siestas were

the children were gambolling in

shanty stores presented a scene of activity

little

their small purchases for the evening

men were

generally loafing or arranging their

Old men and

gambling-tables and cards for the licensed patiguingui.

women, who had been

resting all the sunny hours

taking their legs out for a

sullenly stared without

We

trial

making

hats

or

cloths

evening

whilst

who had come

at their devotion

he

was too used

to

it

Senores

" Adios

us.

and we returned

!"

to the

padre

concerned

least bit

his natural right of course

so he Avent on mechanically dispensing his benedictions

he chatted with

out of

the hand of the parish priest as he took his

His Reverence did not seem the

stroll.

women

the

salute or curtsey.

stopped once before a group of natives

their dwellings to kiss

day, were

of the

Wherever we passed, the men

trot.

head-gear

politely doffed their

making

children were

meal, and the young

as

the sun

until

drove through the Escolta, doAvn to the lake, and back through

principal

over

to

425

"

on the

faithful

exclaimed " Adios

we

Government House, Avhere we dined

at 8 o'clock.

There were several invited

and other

officials

agreeable as

shooting

came.

possible

to dinner

All seemed bent on making themselves as

to

the foreign

Not

I,

was begged
It

is

to wait a

but

few days.

twenty-four hours'

visit, so

Monte

go duck-

to

vSan Cristobal

for all these pleasures in

A few

hardly a place to spend days

was

visitor.

I was to hunt deer at the foot of the

I was to visit the Cascade of Botocan

store, I

the notary, the administrator

in.

days
It

in

is

Santa Cruz

amusing

for a

I frustrated all their plans by asserting the

imperative necessity of continuing the route I had planned out, but I

would return another day.

Pagsanjan

in the

The next morning

Governor's carriage.

It

is

I took myself off to

a forty minutes' drive

from Santa Cruz through groves of cocoa-nut palms.

to the old provincial capital

is

The approach

guarded by a massive stone entrance

through which one enters into the town. Pagsanjan has the appearance
of a once flourishing

when much
half-castes

and important

centre.

And

of the present Manila- Chinese trade

when

all

so

it

was

was.

At

in the

a time

hands of

one side of the Rosario was occupied by mestizo

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

426
stuffs

of

sellers

Pagsanjan

was

home, the repository of their

tlieir

They formed a clique they had little competition to

fear outside their own circle, and their conservative system of mutual
protection founded their fortunes. The houses of the main thoroughfare
trade earnings.

High

the

Street

are built in the old style of stone with tile roofs,

and here and there a modern wooden innovation. One side of the town
back, one can get a
is on a slope, and, from a rising ground still farther
fine cotip (Tceil of

now

the country around

extensive

valleys, once sylvan

There were two

of cocoa-nut palms.

artificial forests

Avilds,

but

Town

Halls, one for half-caste and another for pure native affairs, each

with

petty-governor and contingent of

its

I alighted at the native

Town

officials.

Hall.

knew no one

but strolling about I happened to drop into a

in the

store

little

town,

where

European canned meats and preserves and bottled refreshments were

There I lunched. The owner, a young half-caste, was very
sold.
obliging,

and I accepted his

ground.

His family were

offer to

of

land,

cultivated

in

Santa Cruz
the

whilst

to his

house on the rising

His father was a clerk

fairly well to-do.

one of the Government Offices

plots

me

take

in

they had also a few

served as a profitable

store

amusement.
*'

you

If

can

like to stay here to-night, I

you a couch, and

offer

to-morrow morning we will shoot down the river as far as Lumbang.

Then after sending our guns and game to the house, we will turn back

up the

river

and

visit

the cascade."

I accepted, so at five the next morning

we were

in our canoe

with

two paddles, a bata, provisions, guns, ammunition, and a net. The

and from
river was thickly wooded down to the banks on either side,
iguanas
sunrise until half -past seven there was no lack of birds and

We

(a kind of lizard from one to four feet long).

afloat,

and then sent the bata

victims, the guns, etc., whilst

We
The
until at

to the house with the net full of our

we

proceeded up stream.

passed by a small cocoa-nut

rouo-her apparatus,

took our breakfast

oil

where almost as much

factory
oil

was

rough shed with

lost as

was gained.

was becoming stronger and the river more shallow,

length our men had to wade it, to lighten the canoe and pull it
current

over the boulders.

On

either side

were gigantic rocky

thousand feet to the top, and

in

cliffs,

computed

to

be over a

an houraud-a-half Ave were at the

BOTOCAN CASCADE.
cascade.

It

was not a

plating

it

we

the bottom of this deep chasm

an hour.

for half

427

an irregular

clear sheet of water, but

At

boulder to boulder.

MAJAYJAY.

The marvellous grandeur

fall

sat contem-

of the locality

the powerful rush of water, and the immensity of the ravine

my own

feel

We
Town

made me

relative insignificance.

From

returned to town, having taken a bath on the way.

the

Hall I got saddle and pack ponies to go on to Majayjay, via

Magdalena, but whenever I saw a cocoa-nut

not arrive at Majayjay until the evening.
picturesque villages in the Colony.
clefts,

the

sides

of

is

so that

we

is

one

did

one of the most

crossed and re-crossed

There

and there.

stone, cottage here

of dwellings stands the church

foliage,

street,

by

and are

properly so

In the centre of

and convent

reminding one of the ancient English abbeys

Majayjay stands on high ground.

has passed from the

flat

often

swamped

side,

me

banks

the eye

The view from

noble old edifice,

its

lofty

to ascend.

is

of the

to

carried

comparatively colossal mountain peaks

the San Cristobal.

group

In three hours the traveller

Bay, the waters of which can just be discovered,

on the other

fine

this

the church, with

tower and belfry which the priest kindly allowed

profile of

chimney

being short rows of bungalows with a wooden, or

called, the others

sea-level, whilst,

is

which are covered with

connected by massive stone bridges.

wood and

it,

Majayjay

It

or the

oil factory,

of a sugar-boiling house, I went off the route to visit

deep

from

the church

600
still

the
is

Laguna de

feet

above the

farther to the

Banajao and

superb.

All the

surrounding villages can be descried like specks in the midst of a

thickly matted palm forest

an endless profusion

of verdure.

I had lunched with the amiable parish priest, and our ponies were

ready for the journey to the Cascade of Botocan and thence to Lugbang.

The

road on the mountain ridges

is

covered

stones about the size of one's head.

have

My

to pick out

poor

little

The

all

the

way with roundish

ponies are used to

it,

a stepping very carefully to avoid breaking their

but

legs.

animal floundered about so much, that I expected any

minute he would come on his knees, but experience had made him
cautious.

Nowhere was
before us, so that
into a

there a couple of hundred yards of straight road

we seemed

mass of lovely

vegetation

to

be constantly descending and ascending

foliage.

gigantic ferns,

tall

On

either side there Avas a luxi^riant

buri palms, the fibres of whose leaves

428

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

serve for plaiting a hundred useful

other species

and graceful festoons

on

of leafage

tlie

at our sides, with dense forest on the

here aud there palms of

a rich undergrowth,

slopes

down the deep ravine

mountain heights, forming a

Everything around us denoted an exuberant

charming background.

which gave a dazzling splendour

fertility

abundance

Avild strawberries in

articles

There were

to the spectacle.

perhaps a dozen streams on our way, three or four of which Avere

exquisite landscape

At each

bamboos.

rustically bridged over with

rivulet there

was an

the rippling currents beating over smooth boulders

lietween two high beds of tropical plants to find their outlet under

Who

our feet doAvn the ghyll.

without emotions of rapture

my

I left

me

guiding

little

nag

could gaze on such beauties of Nature

to himself.

We

than I him.

found he was more capable of

turned sharp off to the

steep mountain path leading to Botocau.

murmur

the distant

Hearing a

little

some hurl

famous Waterfall of Botocan.

One

grandly fascinating.

The

could

never-ceasing silvery stream.

was no

to our stony

shelter

certainly, but

Town

computed

is

to be about

At Niagara
in

to

It

the

600

was

watch the

Falls I did so, but here

half-an-hour

we

turned back

town the road was good

The

able to get our ponies into a trot.

We

some 800

Terraced

fields

muddy
land was

were planted

of rice

could see the whole of the toAvn before us, for

We

feet higher than Majayjay.

arrived at the

Hall, a large well-built stone edifice, with a spacious saloon and

private rooms, to

accommodote

travellers.

Lugbang

town, with concrete canals on both sides of the

every crossing.
tidy.

we were beholding

unwearied for hours

sit

this side of the

for cultivation.

out on either side.

is

fall

were

The women rushed

cutters lived.

from the sun, so

we were

enough

Lugbang

We

path and continued the journey to Lugbang.

About a mile
just flat

could hear

unbroken sheet of water, some 60 feet wide.

feet in an almost

there

we

In ten minutes

In ten minutes more

out to ask for money.

and up the

torrent forming the cascade.

of the

hut, Avhere

left,

The main

street,

streets,

is

a very clean

bridged over at

where the native shops

are, is

very

There are scores of good houses, and the large stone church and

convent stand in the centre of the plaza or square.

At

the

Town

Hall I met some foreigners Avho had arrived from the

south, and were going the road I

had come.

They were

to leave

the next morning very early in hammocks, so the AlguacU, the

official

who

429

PAGBILAO.

TAYABAS.

hammock -bearers

attended to travellers' wants, had the twenty-four

locked up below, otherwise they Avould not have been forthcoming at

the hour of starting.
jolly Biscayan,

Having
well,

at the

I called

convent to see the

and yielded to his persuasion to pass the night there.

lived for years in his native province,

we

and he gave me a very hearty Avelcome.

who accompanied me,

ponies and a guide,

Cocoa-nut

very

priest, a

oil

got along admirably

The next day

to visit the plantations.

my

seems to be the chief trade, and

We

to several factories.

did not return

me some

peregrinations took

I hired

till

guide took

the evening, for

my

distance up the Banajao mountain,

me

day's

whence

I obtained a magnificent view of the surrounding country.

With
Tayabas

we

fresh ponies

left

Liigbang for Tayabas and Pagbilao.

which we entered

the capital of the province of that name,

is

on leaving Majayjay.

very

It differs

little

from Lugbang.

It has

some good houses and a large church and convent on high grovmd.
Streams of clear water from the Banajao run through the street canals.

At

heavy dews

night,

in the

open

air

fall here,

and

after sunset

it

is

imprudent to be

without extra clothing or an umbrella, for fever seizes

the incautious.
I called on the provincial governor,

He

long before in Bulacau,

invited

whose acquaintance I had made

me

to dinner

and

to

accompany

him, his wife and two charming daughters to the annual feast of

He

Sariaya.

and his family went

Europeans

all

formed a cavalcade, each having

We

coachman's box.

The

Avere a

carriage stuck in the

with bamboos.

We

The

to the skin.

in their carriage,

merry party

adieu to

my

ball,

which

lasted

friends and trotted

parish

evening Avalk

was

at last lifted out

Our boys washed our

priest

called in

till

down

arrangements for a prahu to convey

the

it

every house was open to receive the

wretched hovel, which served as a

when

his clean suit in the

entered the village of Sariaya grimy and drenched

rain ceased

went dry to the

of us

until the rain fell in torrents.

mud, from which

Senor Gobernador and his party.

"we

and a dozen

the early hours.

to Pagbilao.

clothes and

Then

I bid

I alighted at a

Town Hall, and was making my

me the next day to Laguimanoc

Franciscan

friar

and kindly invited

who

me

was taking

to his convent,

his

where I

supped and stayed the night.

There

is

nothing remarkable in the dreary village of Pagbilao,

which stands about a mile up the

river.

The next morning

embarked

430

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

in the praliu with

two paddlers and a

We

pilot.

descended the river,

bordered on both sides with mangrove swanip^ to the open sea, where

we

set sail,

and

through the channel

after a pleasant three hours' run

we landed at Laguimanoc, which is a

The village is on a promontory, very

to the north of Pagbilao Island,

ward

Atimouan town.

of

It consists of one street,

prettily situated in front of Capuliian Island.

formed by two rows of Avretched huts, with a wooden cottage dotted

here and there

down

There was also the

the slope.

house,

office,

timber-yard and establishment of Mr. Henry Brown, an Englishman^,

who had been many

was

liked

is

in the

me
a

of call for the subsidized mail steamers.

The

only trade

buildiug timber and fircAVOod, by far the greater part being then

hands of Mr. Brown.

my

a sailing-boat for

islet

Laguimanoc has a very good harbour, and

by everybody.

was a port
here

years resident in this out-of-the-way corner, and

and he generously lent

his guest,

excursions around.

and brought down a few

little

was

went over

to a small

and then, returning to the mainland,

birds,

north of the village, I went ashore and succeeded in shooting a

Laguimanoc

couple of monkeys.

choose for a long residence, unless

peak there

is literally

is

The road

a dependency,

freighted a prahu with five

Bocboc

were to make money.

it

Upon

no space to ride or drive, and a walk

obtainable under difficulties.

which Laguimanoc

hardly a spot an European would

is

at midnight, to

men and

to the

town

abominable at

is

is

this

only

of

Atimouan, of

all

seasons, so I

arranged to leave for Sau Juan de

have the advantage of the moon and the early

morning breeze.

down

I got

baggage

in the little cabin,

but only one

The

to our craft,

and Nicomedis,

which was

man was on board

lieutenant of the village

they were secured.

We

just large

servant, stoAved the

enough

the others were about in

made a

had

my

for

it

and me,

all directions.

search for them, and, one by one,

just started,

two hours

late,

when

perceived that one of the fellows was drunk (a rare occurrence by the

way), so I

hatl to

put back and send him ashore in exchange for

another.

'

There are three

framing,

etc.

kinds of

swamp

tree

Tangll, useful

Bacauan, the best kind of firewood,

for fencing,

roof

and LalUjary, an inferior kind

of firewood.
2

His business was subsequently taken over by a Limited Liability Company

incorporated in

Hongkong 16th May,

1889.

TO SAN JUAN DE BOCBOC.

At

3 a.m.

we were

fairly

431

on the run, but the wind only favourediUS

intermittent gusts, so that

"by little

(bATANGAS.)

we were twelve

hours sailing along

the S.E. coast of Tayabas.

In front of San Juan de Bocboc the sea

is

very shallow

we were

constantly running aground, and passed half an hour, in vain, trying to

into the water

whilst I

From

At

we gave

up

as a

and waded through with

my

find the channel.

straddled

the beach

we

last

on the

it

shoulders

of

bad

job.

Nicomedis got

saddle-bags on his head

rode

native

shore.

to

took a path in the direction of San Juan, but as

our progress was soon interrupted by a large morass, I waited whilst

Nicomedis went back to hail the other men.

of the prahu, whilst the others

We

formed a single

came

One remained

procession of six, one

line

in charge

to our assistance.
in

advance to

discover the route for the march through the black pestiferous slime

two carrying respectively

one

me

for

again Ave

to

could

mangrove

trees

ride

my

and

saddle and leather saddle-bags and wallet

hear the dull thump of

which were being

halted, but no one could be seen.

relay to relieve

him and

Now

another behind as his relay.

after

felled

bohie-knife

the

around us for

Then my biped

a deal of fumbling,

in

on the

fuel.

called

and

upon

We
his

which I nearly

took a header into the mire, I was transferred to the reserve carrier.

His collar-bone was sharper than the other man's, and I felt how little
dignified Avould be my entry into San Juan if we had to continue in
this fashion.

HoAvever,

we were soon

out of

it,

coming on

to

an open

green plot Avhence a good road, Avith a broken bridge, led to the town.

San Juan

lies

very Ioav

in a

hole in fact

and

it

has several times

been so completely inundated, that the inhabitants have had to get

from house to house on rafts. The country all around is planted Avith

There are half-a-dozen substantial houses in the toAvn

besides bungalows of Avood, bamboos and palm-leaf.
The church
sugar-cane.

looked like a barn, Avith a dilapidated convent of Avooden boards and

Xot knoAving a soul in the place, I took up my

quarters in a tumble-down wooden building Avhich AA'as pointed out to
me as the Town Hall. Some question of local interest was being discussed by the headmen Avhen I entered
but they all turned their

thatched roof.

attention to the Castila as I Avas called.

After the usual questions

" Where did I come from, Avhere Avas I going, and what was my

business

"

was

invited,

out of

pity

undoubtedly, to shift

my

432

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

My

lodging to a private house.

phmter

richest

built of stone

and he took me

here,

and

host happened to be the son of the

fine

best house in the town,

to the

timber and covered with an iron roof.

The next day my host hud to visit his sugar estate. " Would you
"Certainly;" and Ave were provided with
like to go?" he inquired

We

splendid ponies for the excursion.

reached his plantation, lunched

bungalow, and, with a man he lent

at the

me

as

guide, I scoured the

The owners

country around, from estate to estate, for two days more.

were there

numerous

and they were

On

inquiries.

all

very hospitable, and satisfied

all

my

Saturdays they usually go to San Juan to

hear mass the next day and return on the

Monday

to their labours.

got back to San Juan in the afternoon, three days after I had set out.

My

host conjectured I was

here

" I asked

we

tired,

"

will look

Very

and water

a rough-and-tumble shed

They

rustics after

visit

When

once

The

mass on Sundays.

ofi"

conducted, and from

the sun.
is

the surface.

The

announced vespers.

We

continuous peal from the belfry burst forth to

My

closed.

priest

wherever

stopped too, until a

us that another day

" good night," and

way the same greeting

naman Ave both replied.

townspeople on our
gahi-p6

tell

villagers,

host and I looked at each other simultaneously

saluted with a " buenas noclies,'"

The

is

they are securely l)auked up until the dry product

full,

angelus-bell had

salt fields are close by.

past sunset Avhen Ave Avere crossing the square of the tOAvn.

AA'-as

gahi-p6

So

the salt fields."

Avith a Avooden table, Avhieh served to

they might be, stood, facing the church.

had

you are not too

obtained by evaporation in the heat of

is

veadj to be taken
It

if

then Ave Avent to the public billiard-

are terraced flats into Avhich sea-water

Aidiich the salt

The

replied, " but

he

little,"

there to be seen about

is

headmen's houses, Avhere I Avas courteously offered

cigars, beer, or sugar

amuse the

" What

round the village and then

Ave called at several

room

lost.

in

as avc passed the

native dialect met us

Avatching us from the Avindow of his convent

AA'as

" Shall
" Buenas noches, padre''' I exclaimed, " Buenas noches.''''
we go up ? " I said in a low voice to my host. " Oh, you go alone,
I'll

see

you

called out

at

home

The

presently."

" Won't you come up

host Avent his Avay

convent steps.

AA^hy

The holy

not Avith
friar's

"

priest, perceiving

our hesitation,

" Yes, Father, thanks "

me ?

I reflected, as I

so

my

mounted the

reception was very cordial, and Avhea

SAN JUAN DE BOCBOC.

we had

settled into chairs

(bATANGAS.)

433

lighted our cigarg and he had

me

invited

He

to take chocolate, conversation turned on all sorta of subjects.

seemed

have an European

reallj pleased to

We

to talk to.

touched on

me

everything and discussed nothing earnestly, until he disclosed to

He

his

mind

to

remove the town of San Juan to

another place, on high land, where

it

would be

hobby.

townspeople

had made up

the house

his

They urged

The

floods.

had formed

that their interests would greatly

by such a reform, but what were these compared with the

suffer

Church and the health

the

of

interests

of

way

priest's

table,

We

of thinking.

to

We were

my

me

let

when down came the rain

oyster shell window panes.

A nice journey you

padre^ " but there

we

will

have to-morrow

are in the

wet season

day may be the same, but you are welcome

least

you

here, I will send a

The

was not

of the

was on the

No, he would send a

go.

in torrents,

beating with

to Rosario,"

remarked the

at table,

At

host

So the

"i

lodging to say that I was goiug to sup at the convent.

fury against the

please.

pastor

sat chatting until the supper

and the kind padre would not

message

the

my

shepherd and his flock were at variance, and

my

from

and lauded proprietors rather

clique to oppose him.

"

free

can't

message

hospitality

was

go through

to-morrow and the next

to stay here as long as

this rain to

your lodging

you
stay

them know."

to let

so genuine

the

good father so

As we smoked we

comfort, that I willingly yielded.

solicitous

of

talked of local

crops and religion until the ten o'clock bell reminded

affairs, politics,

us that each had better go his

The next morning

chocolate, and I

went

way

for the night.

the father had said mass

to see

my

we had taken

our

planter friend to say good-bye and

thank him.

The

my

ponies, hired for the journey, I sent to the convent door with

luggage.

It

the heavy rains

was 7

o'clock

was only

the day

too visible.

''

was

Adios, padre,''^ I exclaimed.

" Adios, Don Juan^ and a pleasant journey

We were

on the

way

to Rosario.

on his pony, and the guide threw

whilst
river,

my nag

followed in the rear.

which we had

to

shoes and socks around

wade up

my

bright, but the effect of

to you."

Nicomedis took the saddle-bags

my

waterproof wallet across

We trotted for five

minutes to the

to the ponies' bellies, so I strung

pony's neck, and put on

my

his,

sandals.

B B

my

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

434

We

route was no longer a road

The

were up

the other in Indian

file.

that was the main point.

But they kept on

At

to a slight descent.

and I

halted

to

the

see

The guide was

it

by a desperate

until,

revolver to

my

about
part,

of

came

It

and I calculated

my

landed on the other

effort, it

My poor little

luck.

it

only got up to
if

bolt,

bags.

So

so, to liberate

myself from his plunging, I

his stable, but

although there was no fear that he

way

to the other side again to fetch

luggage was safe

As we were

reflecting
to

well-to-do peasant,

on what should be done

become a

fixture

came along

in

a couple of splendid buffaloes.

much concerned about my

me

seemed

tall

this direction

hack.

for

my pony

native Avoman, apparently a

sledge

a jmrdgusdrawn by

She addressed me

as

It turned out that she

before.

fell,

she had

this

left

Don
was

the house to visit

which she was having drained.

taken out of the sledge and yoked to

Whilst

to

She accosted me, and seemed very

really very anxious about me,

force.

saddle-

native planter friend in San Juan, and that the day

previous, before the heavy rain

fields in

predicament.

Juan, and evidently had seen

my

my

how Nicomedis was going

cross was, as yet, problematical.

some

Nicomedis kept

and there he stuck.

far the

the mother of

I looked

felt his

seemed destined

doubt

and he

dip,

and scrambled along somehow.

tied iip his animal,

and

was a regular

It

he would willingly return to

The guide

in

my

saw my pony's head such a pitiable object I had

my waist in mud. My pony cast a longing glance

off the idea,

would

into the pool

around, and just

behind as

hung

it,

steed had walked clean into the deepest

and forthwith took a mud bath.

made a jump

side.

neck and tried a new place, but was not long

was completely submerged

by

up

toss

on the pony.
fro,

mud

of

middle of

in the

was a "

It

result.

when

sinking, but the native flapped his legs, shouted, and urged

was

him

was a large pool

haunches, then wavered to and

its

Our ponies

and advanced

their legs

the bottom

ha'penny " whether he would get out of

down on

track.

couple of miles more were covered,

obstructing our passage altogether.

H,

was a mud

it

knees in mud, struggling as best they could, one after

to their

we came

and then our troubles began.

for about five miles,

weut oa

and had one of her buffaloes

my

pony, which was hauled out

was going on, one

''Are you really going

She

of her rustics arrived on a

onto Rosario

" she asked.

"It

is

o
<
z
CQ

z
o
N
3

<

<

>
<

ON THE MUD TRACK TOWARDS LIPA.

435

" Yes," I said, " I never like to turn

" But there are brigands on the way
sixteen of them have

ten leagues from San Juan."

back."

just turned off the high road towards the plantations,

see you.

I will

send

my man

accompany you on ponies

proprietor in Lipa).

whilst he led

my

back to

six of

as far as the estate-house of

I thanked her and

animal, which

was

bungalow close by.

riding, to a

tell

and thej will

my

people to

Don Juan "

(a

mounted her man's pony,

in too indecent a condition for

Nicomedis' pony was attached by a

piece of bush-rope to the buffalo, so that, by hook or

to get through the pool.

At

we

the hut,

by crook, he had
the ponies and I had

a wash down, the natives kindly throwing cocoa-nut shells full of

water over

Then, following the good old woman's orders, six of

her men, mounted on tiny nags, escorted me to the estate-house of Don
us.

Juan, where I rested for an hour and lunched.

" This is really awful," said Don Juan's nephew, a young Basque
;
" I have to be day and night on the qui vive for the bandits roaming
about here.
country

him

have made up

is safer,

so

I'll

my mind
you

trouble

to return to Lipa until the

to take a letter to

my

uncle telling

so."

Fortunately there was a pardgus sledge going to Rosario, and I

hired it for the journey.
The ponies were completely used up for that

The

day.

hour, and

sledge,

we

drawn by a

moved

buffalo,

at about three miles

an

reached Rosario towards five o'clock in the afternoon.

The Town Hall is very good. I went there to order a carromata and
bullock to take me to Lipa, where I arrived in an hour.
Lipa^

is

the centre of the Bataugas

province coffee trade.

It

is

a rich town, perhaps the wealthiest in the Colony, excepting the ports

open to foreign

trade.

In 1888

it

and ranked between a town and a

quite

unique,

ground-floor.

site,

The

first

Lake.

raised from a pueblo to a villa^

city.

The

general aspect of Lipa

is

many of the houses having two storeys above the

The temperature there is exceptionally cool, the town

lying very high above the

healthy

was

on account of the

sea-level,

damp

but residents say

attracted

by the

it

not a

is

coffee plantations

town of Lipa was formed in I6O0, on the shore of the Bombon

it was destroyed by the eruption of the Taal Volcano.
The second

In 1754,

town was established in a place called Paninsiilguin, but the scacrity of water
obliged the inhabitants to move on to its present site, which is about 17 miles
from Batangas. The population of Lipa in 1885 was about 40,600 souls.

E E

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

436
around.

The church aud convent

together form an immense structure.

the town, crossed by

a deep ravine at the north entrance to
ponies and a few horses are to be
a massive stone viaduct. The finest
them. The
but it is not a good market for purchasing

There

is

seen in Lipa,

others to secure handsome,

wealthy inhabitants will pay more than
part with them even at
sound animals, but they will reluctantly

exorbitant prices.

The

exceptions) badly
two-storied houses are (with two or three
estates
a little sugar-cane grown on the

There was

designed inside.

due

reverse,

Up

to

the

worm

chiefly

occupied by

for several miles around.

which extended

plantations,

was

land

belonging to Lipa, but the

the

in

coffee

plants

Now

(vide

coffee
it is

the

page 337).

wheat were produced in this

quite
this cereal seems to have

of
to the year 1760, large quantities

The

neighbourhood.

cultivation of

fallen into disuse in the Colony.

now took
Lipa coffee-planter in Calamba, and
him on my arrival. It was
advantage of his invitation to call upon
seemed delighted at my visit, and
I had

met

He

seven o'clock in the evening.

wished me to stay several days.

day
At least we count upon you for to-morrow ; we have a great
and the feast of the baptism will
I have a new nephew
before u^.
about
my brother-in-law's." Then he went on talking
;

take place at
his son, the
to

hope

Hongkong

Manila

ManUa

family-how much he should like to send bim

He was only wasting money m
learn English.

of the

to

but
and amusements, and learning nothing
for his becoming
semi-European manners, which were ill-suited
forth
Later on, in a quiet corner, he poiu-ed
dealer.
in dress, ponies

a coffee-planter or
his troubles to me.

"spotted ones" by the parish

a
day, fall a victim. He pointed to
priest, to whom he might, any
the friar had had built to shut
high wall just outside a house which
How long his
the church door.
the family off from the sight of

He was

of the

personal liberty would last was doubtful.

Put yourself aZ/resco, Don Juan
;

he

said, for it

out the

tail of

make

yourself comfortable,

^^

jacket and pulled

was a sultry evening, so I took off my
fro-there
my China shirt. His wife was going to and

the prevalent custom for

only with their own respective
the Philippine Islanders to associate
necessity. If three
They are only together quite en famille by

was always something

sexes.

to do

moreover,

it is

MY RECEPTION
men and women go
together, and the men follow
or

four

IN LIPA,

for a walk, the

like poodles.

437
women

take the lead

If relations of the

two

sexes visit their friends, the

woman visitor frequently remains in a

separate room with the women of the family
visited, and the two
sexes only rejoin each other on leave-taking.
The womenmaidens
or

matronsgo

mass unaccompanied

to

by their male

relations

or

husbands, and, in the church, the women, in a

body, separate from the
men. At a meal, whether at home or as
guests, the women get
together
they do not understand being alternated with
male guests.
;

Supper was

laid

on the table at once.

that

it

my soup the

wag not a connoisseur

host

was out

first to last

course

themselves, but

knew

was served with a glass of

For my host, wine was winehe

so I

iijiola.

of sorts.

early the next morning

sponsors at the baptism.

yourself at home,

the dishes from

They never drank wine

was an European custom,

moscatel after

My

Russcall

d la

he was

to be

one of the

he called out " Make

I will return for you after the ceremony

Just on leaving,

Don Juan

with the carriage."

Everybody but the poorest rustic has some kind

of vehicle and ponies, or a saddle pony,
whilst many, who can only just

make two ends meet by

hacks.

It

is

the produce of a plot of land, will keep their

not a luxury in this climate, but a necessity,

and a

hardship to have to go on foot.

I took

who we

my

chocolate and glass of water and waited for

will call Captain B.i for

returned shortly, and off

Captain G.i
It

was a large

we drove

residence, with a

plantain leaves for the occasion.

staircase.

No

presentation

my

he was an ex-petty-governor.
to the

host,

He

house of his brother-in-law.

wide staircase highly polished with

Captain G. was at the top of the

was necessary

or usual.
He had heard all
about the Castila's arrival from his
brother-in-law.
He relieved me of
my hat and conducted me to the salaa large
drawing-room about
thirty feet wide and forty feet
My Seiiora," said he, as a
long.
stout
Chinese mestiza advanced towards us.

''Buenos dias tengan

Frf*." good day to you all I said, on

rieemg a group of

young women seated in arm-chairs and a half-dozen

young men lounging together in a corner.
There was a faint response

B.

and

are only assumed initiala.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

438

women were too much preoccupied with

I was
audible reply.
their gala dresses and adornments to make any
do not know any
not introduced to any one. It is not usual and I
One has to find out by himself who he is
of their names to this day.
from the men

the young

men were dressed in black trousers with pina

with
muslin shirts fastened down the front with enormous studs, some
The young men the high life of
diamonds, others with pearls.

talkinf to.

The

elderly

were attired either

X,ipa

black or white trousers, one or two with

in

European shirts and black jackets, others with muslin shirts. The
women were in the usual costumes (described at page 412), with a
cost some thousands of
laro-e amount of jewellery, which must have
dollars

between them.

was a very awkward position to be in. The young women were

apparently petrified by my presence. Not one spoke a word, and even
had I been a native acquaintance it would have been a most terrible
violation of their habits to have seated myself amongst them.
It

men and lighted a cigar,

Then the Seriora
smoking.
to do something, as I saw they were
approached, and silently held before me cigars and buyo on a silverSo I wandered

carelessly over to the

I took

plated salver.

it

as a compliment, but declined the offer, for

Europeans do not chew, and I was smoking. With the men we

managed to get up an edifying conversation about my journey, the

bad roads, the difficulties attendant travelling, etc.

There was a bustling in the caida the entrance hall. A peasant
evidently
messenger had arrived. Captain G. was angry there was
laying down the law
something amiss. He seemed to be vigorously
For the want of something better to do, I
his brother-in-law.

to

sauntered towards them.

"Excuse me, Don Juan," he

" Oh,

"No,

my
I'll

buffaloes,

and I

am

going

accompany you," I

no,"

"but

I shall

have

to leave

you

I just learn that the brigands have stolen eight

for a couple of hours.

or ten of

said,

insisted

deprived of pleasure on

about

it."

said at once.

Captain G.,

my

off to the estate to see

"I

don't

want any one

to

be

account."

don't mind," I
I would like to see your hacienda, \l you
I came back the feast might have
continued, thinking that by the time

"But

acquu-ed a little more life. As

" Well, if you like, come."

it

was,

it

was remarkably slow.

THE BAPTISMAL FEAST.

"Most happy," I

SUDDEN INTEREUPTION. 439

replied, " for I

wish to see the country as well

as the town."

In the dry season he could go to his plantation in a carriage, but

the road was bad at this time, and we started off in a earromaia with a

The

couple of horses.

night had been

sun, had just dried the

Each clung

to the rail

mud

little

rails, until

make

with the morning

the road very heavy.

The

vehicle.

animals and exerted every nerve to pull

We were jolted

out of the mire.

against the

sufficiently to

this,

which supported the roof of the

ponies were high-blooded

lis

and

fine,

we came

and bumped against each

to a standstill in a bog.

other,

The

and

off-side

pony was impatient he reared and plunged so that the driver had to
jump down to quiet him. Some field labourers coming along took hold
;

of the wheels and lifted us bodily out of the

ponies, and snap

The

went one

Iiole,

and

off started the

shaft.

At once the driver got from

the bushes, alongside of the road, a kind of leaf, the fibres of which he
native

is

ever fertile in resource.

twisted into a rope, and lashed the broken shaft with

else

appeared to have yielded.

We laboured on

it.

Nothintv

for another half -hour,

we had to stop to rest them.

We were approaching a better road. By an extraordinary effort they
reached this, and we were going along at a good pace, when suddenly
until the ponies

were so fatigued, that

the cord, passing from shaft to shaft under the pony's belly, gave way.
Up tilted the vehicle the driver rolled off the ponies plunged the
;

shafts

were up

in the air,

We

inside the carromata.

the conveyance, and

got into a
belly-rope.

without

field

we jumped

out and held the ponies, whilst he

and found another twig with which to fasten the

The road

further

and Captain G. and I were on our backs

were not hurt in the least. Our man righted

before us

was

misadventures, near

fairly

to

and we arrived,

good,

Captain

walked from the road along the pildpil of a terraced

G.'s

estate.

rice field

We

towards

the bungalow^.

"We

had better return mounted

if

you don't mind," suggested

Captain G., and, as I quite agreed, he gave instructions to his driver

The usual native hut is of bamboo and palm leaves in Luzon Island, and all
bamboo in Visayas. Their bed is a simple mat {petate, a Mexican word) spread
on the split bamboo floor, whilst a pillow is hardly a luxury some use th em'

others rest their heads on a block of wood.

440

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

back the conveyance and bring us a couple of saddled ponies.

Meanwhile the native in charge was advancing ^towards us from

to take

the bungalow.
'^

Arao-p6"

"good day" he

he politely pressed
knee

his right

said to each of us in his dialect as

hand on

and bent the

his forehead

left

to salute.

Captain G. opened his inquiries cautiously, putting questions and

cross-questions, followed by remonstrances, which flowed one after
another, each time less patiently, until he lashed himself into a fury

which seemed, however,

pen

have

upon the passive pertinacity

little effect

The man had

of his caretaker.
to their

to

and they were no longer

last night,

home

neglected to drive the buffaloes

to be found.

" Tumble down there," cried Captain G. when he saw that the

Then he calmly went

recognized his fault.

great factor of civilization

more smarting than

the bejuco a

to a corner to look for the

fine rattan

cane which made

bruises.

" I shall give you twenty-five, and we'll see

and I shall add the buffalo

whilst the

the rattan,

man

Thereupon he

your debt."

to

culprit

on the

lay

this occurs again,

if

floor,

set to

with

bellowing at each

stroke.

He

Captain G. looked at me.

away the

evidently thought he must explain

necessity of such harshness.

could he guess what I thought of

" There

is

We were almost strangers how

;

it ?

no other remedy but the lash," he observed.

fellow already owes

without scruple.

It

me
is

to these

The

go on borrowing

forty dollars, and he will

no use talking

"

men."

" I have been long enough in the Colony," I replied, " to understand

But what a sad compulsion

that they have no sentiment to appeal to.

is

the appeal to brute force between

The

ponies had arrived.

We

man and man

!"

could hear them neighing in the

high road, where they stood ready caparisoned, with the bridle hanging
at the saddle bow, so we walked back past the rice fields and mounted.

They were

sturdy, graceful

In ten minutes
it

we were

little

at the

creatures,

mud

so I

went

to

let

them have

rein.

again, but they bounded through

with an energy which conquers greater

&11 directions,

and we

difficulties.

and when we arrived at Lipa,

my

Splashes flew in

white suit was piebald,

Captain B.'s to change, and then rejoined the

feast.

WE RETURN
Several Europeans
bottled beer

ad

libitum

had

TO TPIE FEAST.

arrived

they

441

were drinking German

some had had as much as

it

was prudent

to take.

There was a sugar broker, two government

officials,

an

officer of

the civil guard, and a Swiss pedlar standing around the glasses

when

I entered.
" Senor Ingles" they exclaimed, " a glass of beer."
"

Where have you been

officer,

from

whilst

all

"

a loquacious Andalusian.
the flower of Lipa beauty

all

the fun

How

going on

is

" asked the

can you tear yourself away

"

" There's time for everything," I replied.

" I saw the flower of

beauty, as you rightly say, this morning, and was loth indeed to quit

such fragrance."

So we chatted aud quaffed

Everybody did

to be seen.

least necessary to the

gives

The person

as he liked.

company present

The boys were

it.

Captain G., our host, was not

beer.

least visible

he who

at a Philippine feast, is

at our orders, and they

and

would bring us what

we might want.

We

were

far animated that

glasses,

and went

Some

and the

in the Caida,

we

drawing-room were so

girls in the

distinctly heard a giggle.

We

had finished our

in to join the ladies.

of the jeuncsse doree had approached within a yard of the

As we

entered, there

was

young men recovered

their hilarity

somewhat

girls' chairs.

perfect silence.
;

In time the

each girl had resumed

her natural solemnity of countenance.

I was not going to tolerate this any longer.

I deliberately seated

myself near the women, and tried to open a conversation.

doubt a violence of their canons of good taste and manners.

seriously

and ended with

frivolities,

or "

no" when something went wrong with

had

to pin her

or apologies whatever, off

went the two

I began

and had actually succeeded

raising a smile on the faces of two, and extracted a

panuelo and must needs

was no

It

retire.

girl's

in

whimpering "si"
coiffure

another

Without any ceremony

to a private room, the others

following one by one, like a flock of sheep, until

we men were

left

alone.

A band of music
of the house.

One

had started playing the " Bella Filipina "

of the girls in the private

in front

room had undoubtedly

442

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
was heard

said somethiug very funny, for a series of screeches

The Andalusian who had

drawing-room.

in the

talked himself dry, but

could not be inactive for a moment, began whistling, and then, seeing

a barrel-organ in the corner of the room, he turned the handle, and

competed with the band.

smile of satisfaction

illuminated the

visage of

the

Senora.

" Here's

," she exclaimed, in a suppressed voice, as she passed

Padre
through the drawing-room and hastened on to the Avoraen's refuge.

" Matilde, Matilde!" she called out, "here's Padre

haste," and the devout matron
kiss the

hand

of the priest

was

who

madali

just out into the caida in time to

entered.

was the vicar of a neighbouring town

Father

showed no contempt

for the

^make

good things

of this world.

who

Friar

Always

" in

round belly with good capon lined," he strove to iiarmonise his

taste for liberal living with his teaching, that heaven could be gained

fair

by starvation and bodily

One

suffering.

after another the girls

and the old fogies had kissed

the young men had wished him

" buenos

dias,^''

we

had

ihis

hand

all

made

our obeisance.

The company was

henceforth

divided into three factions

Europeans, whose figure-head was the padre

the

the native men, and the

beau sexe. Captain G. made his appearance at last.

" Hola Captain Gr. " cried the padre, " where have yon been hiding
!

all this

while

"

" Nowhere, father," meekly replied the captain, as he kissed the

hand automatically extended towards

his lips.

" Come, come," continued the priest jocosely, " there's something
what is it ? "
in the wind
" Nothing, father," said Captain G. timorously, " as to-morrow is

was

was

just seeing that everything

"
so there are heavy bets on, eh ?

cock-fighting day I

" Ah,
" I think the red cock has a chance, father "
anxiously awaited the

first

in order."

and Captain G.

pause to withdraw, and so avoid further

confessions.

The soup was on

the table

the chairs were arranged in order

the young dudes were lounging at the window-sills, smoking cigarettes

and spitting

at

every few puffs.

The women

guests were in the

AN IMPOKTANT

GUEST.

bed-rooms and the kitchen

we Europeans

whilst

THE

sat together, discussing

took the lead and placed himself

Come

young

who showed

dandies,

" And the

girls ?

the news which the

" exclaimed the priest,

who

the seat of honour.

in

he

along, youngsters,"

443

where guests should not be

every-vvhere

Manila periodicals had brought us.

" To the table, to the table, Senores
"

PEDLAR's CHARM.

addressing himself

cried,

to the

a certain diffidence at seating themselves.

" inquired the Andalusian as he saAv Captain G.

enter giving his orders to his servants.

" They're coming," he replied. " Oy

Where's Angelina

Why

niiias,

come

don't they

ninas

where's Matiide

The padre is

seated."

But the soup was already served out all around, when, with an air
of peevish reluctance, the young women slowly drew near to occupy
the vacant chairs. There was a little shuffling and re-arranging of
places

the damsels objected to be separated.

Captain

G. shouted from

window

the

to the

band \o resume

playing, and then continued to busy himself with the service of the
table.

The

Sefiora

was keeping the cook up

a kitchen in the East would

girls

were mute

among
jests

and

Andalusian

mirthful
officer,

made

we were kept

controversies

work

the sight of

any European's appetite.

spoil

the young gallants

themselves, whilst

to his

tlieir

little

The

jokes quietly,

convulsed in laughter at the

raised

principally

betv/een

the

the sugar broker, and the Friar.

The dinner was over

guests, who were used to

it

had been an hour

of trial for the native

eating with their fingers

it

was a day

of

triumph for Captain G., whose house was honoured with the visits of so

many Castilas.
The women
The pedlar had
re-enter, laden

retired to their

rooms

the

men

vanished, but no one perceived

it

to the arm-chairs.
until

we saw him

with a number of small boxes, followed by a native

carrying a trunk.

With

his eye

always to business, he had correctly

judged that this hour, between two and three o'clock, was leisure time
for

all,

and

that, bored

by the

heat,

we

should at least amuse ourselves

by examining his stock if we did not make purchases. The Senora

was apparently in the secret, for she closely followed him into the
drawing-room with eyes beaming curiosity. The best householders in
the provinces seem to have no objection to converting their salooniinto bazaars, for the convenience of itinerant vendors.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

444

The goods were spread

hair-pins

lockets, rings,

French gold watches, chains,

pearls set in gold, as tiaras,

There were

on the centre table.

out

sprays,

etc.

diamonds and

even shoes,

silk

gowns,

musical boxes and silver-plated candlesticks formed items of the pedlar's

wares.

He

kept his eye on

The padre was

watch priced

with apparent unconcern.

driving a bargain

he

$120

offered

for a gold

One-hundred-and-fifty dollars was the very

$200.

at

all

lowest figure.

Ay I

"

Dios mio

.'

small diamond and gold tiara, and

Matilde was
"

women.
"

" Come,

How

What

come " she

I

room where her

young

to the

cried

"
!

" inquired Matilde.

Don Benjamin with such

"Here's

to the

rushed

you,

of

all

pretty

nanay

is it

Senora as she picked up a

" vociferated the

beautiful jewellery," shouted

the Senora.

In ten minutes the

girls

gems had actually moved them

sight of the

The

had forgotten they were sleepy.

They cackled and haggled and

to enthusiasm.

fluttered

around the table with

evident rapture and with such peals of laughter, which more than

compensated for their previous obmutescence.

The tiara was purchased the Friar's bargain was closed at $130";
;

the Senora got her term of credit

Don Benjamin

when

the priest would pay cash

passed through his town.

Captain B. was going home, so I went with him. I understood

Captain G. had his
that everybody was anxious to take the siesta.
dinner comfortably with his wife, in their

He

usin"- fino-ers.

my

hat,

We

and said "

"

my Senora

A dance,
will

siesta

come

was

I suppose

B's.
?

fashion

on the

to the staircase, politely

Till presently then

were walking to Captain

inquired.

The

accompanied us

own

floor,

handed

me

we shall expect you to-night."

" What is there to-night ? " I

" Yes," he rejoined, " and I think

"

too."

over,

and we went

for a drive.

At every doorway

the native Avas fondly caressing the pugnacious chanticleer, which was
called at a headman's
to show his prowess at the pit the next day.

We

house,

my

foUowiuo-

friend,

day.

the

captain, having

He had

vanquish the vaunted

some wagers

to

fix

for

the

heard that the puti cock was expected to

hdlic.

Just then the angelus-bell

one took any notice of our entry.

They were

tolled,

and no

a devout family, and

all

THE BALL.

THE ELITE OF LIP A.

its

members who were

one,

the

servants also, came up one by

who

Senora,

of the

the train

in

home

at

445

Ave

intoned an

3Iaria, and

dropped on her knees before the images of the Holy Virgin and Saints

Paul and Peter, which stood on a raised sideboard

We

oratory.

The Scnora took

did likewise.

all

the altar of an

like

the lead, and the

auditory chanted the responses.

In

five

minutes

was

it

"

over.

Bucnas

noches,^''

good night

exclaimed the heads of the family, whilst the children and the bevy of
servants, male and female,

came and knelt before us

After supper at Captain

There was quite a crowd.

The

dance.

place

was

B.'s,

we

to kiss hands.

returned to Captain G.'s house.

The band

of music

brilliantly lighted

was playing an habanei^a

the gauze covers had been

taken off the chandeliers for this special occasion.

There was a

side

table with lemonade, bottled beer, cigars, etc., etc.

The powder

women's faces gave them a more

lavished on the

appearance than ever.

exsanguious

countenances was a novelty for me.

The

sight of so

Their jet-black

many
hair,

spectral

bedecked

with diamond and gold pins, contrasted wonderfully with their chalkwhitened

The

cuticles.

typical tapis Avas not to be seen

wore

all

long flowing skirts of silk or satin {saya suelta), so irksome to waltzers

they seemed, indeed, to have vied with each other in the length of their

The dancing was over about two

gowns.

The young

native swells were in agonies under their cloth coats

were wiping

their perspiring faces

like dish-cloths.
pitiable

collected

the

of the

The

In

young women was

my

white

drill suit, I

imagine I suffered the

who had come simply

and they found no pleasure

a mid-tropical clime, to their

I left Lipa for

to

enjoy

Tanauan

own

in a

in

silk

least.

iSome

themselves, had

but

they were

discomfort.

carromata.

we had
found Padre Jose busy, when I

dreary, uninteresting place, but

We

more

aping European cuBtoins

begins again and extends up to the lake coast.

where I

still

down their cheeks and necks had

on their way and converted it into pellets

brought with them mestizo shirts of pina and

in

they

sweat-drops rolling

Spaniards

Spaniards,

with handkerchiefs, already looking

condition of the

the blatic de perle

of paste.

o'clock in the morning.

Here sugar-growing
Tanauan is a most

a lively time at the convent,

entered, receiving

mass

fees.

were near Saint Nicholas' day, and the relations of the defunct

Nicholases were crowding in to purchase the father's intervention for

PIIILirPINE ISLANDS.

446

One after another the devout timorouslydown the dollar, gave the name of the
hand, made a genuflection before us, and

tho repose of their souls.

approached the

table, laid

deceased, kissed the priest's

retired to the

on the

to squat

end of the hall

and watch

floor

us.

was not the only guest. The Colonel of the Civil Guard was there
ere ^assa??^, making his tour of inspection; a well-known pedlar, Don
the
Benito, was on his rounds, and the parish priest of Santo Tomas

next village

had

come

few words

to whisper a

Colonel about the rural police.

We were

all

well

in the ear of the

known

to

each other,

so that at the dinner table, the mutual chaff, the dry jokes of the
Colonel,

merry.
siesta,

and the anecdotes of the Alsatian jeweller kept us pretty

Of course the reverend fathers were bent on taking their usual

Tomas and

I occupied one

room

priest of

Santo

Father Jose had his own, and the

The Colonel

Colonel and the pedlar another.

we

The

but the Colonel decided they should not.

turned us off our mats, so

barricaded ourselves, but sleep was out of the question.

We

found

a number of Taal riding-whips in the corner of the room with which

armed

ourselves,

and the end of

He

open warfare.

and challenged us

The

their room.

it

was

that the Colonel invited us to

and the pedlar piled up the chairs across the

to break

priest of

deserter's

barricade

legs

hall,

through them and drive our opponents into

Santo Tomus deserted us and went over to

the adversary, but I had a stock of whips, of which I

on the

we

made good use

I broke through the

when Father Jose and

but I got so Avaled myself that I had to beat a retreat, and

Father Jose surrendered. After the fight Ave induced the pedlar, who
had shut himself up, to open the door, and we all gave him a sudden
After 5 o'clock chocolate, the

douche bath with basins of water.

pedlar

made

his calls in the village

the good padre went to take

and the Colonel and I went for a stroll until supper time,
when I bid them all " good-bye," for I had my ponies ordered for 5.30

confessions,

in the morning.

From Tanauan
couple of hours.

to

Suplan

is

There was a deal

of

mud, but the distance was

and our ponies were comparatively good.

Suplan

is steep,

I arrived there in a

a pretty ride.

but very picturesque,

The

as, little

a height which overlooks the country for

many

short,

half of the road near

by

little,

one ascends to

miles round.

I could not say exactly where Suplan village begins or ends.

saw a hut here and

there,

and continued the route

until I arrived at

BOMBON LAKE.

TALISAY.

447

the outpost of the civil guard, standing quite isolated

Looking from

ground.

this

place, there

on a rising

few landscapes more

are

To

delightful within a week's journey of Manila.

the south, one has

Bombon Lake, Avith the volcano in the centre

around.
To the N.E., there is the Lao-una de

a bird's-eye view of the

and volcanic

Bay;

at

islets

Suilgay mouutain,i about 2,500 feet hi"h,

In the valley, on the Bombon Lake border,

one's back, the

covered with dense forest.

one discerns the church of Talisay village.

Having arrived

at Suplan in the afternoon, I

and at sunrise the next morning

the

was there

at sunset,

best hours to scan this grand

panorama.

Spanish corporal was in charge of the outpost, and he at

once invited me to share his room. As I had plenty of provisions with
me, I did not hesitate to accept his generous

my

next day, he mounted

village,

After breakfast the

offer.

guide's pony, and accompanied

going through the mountain paths, downhill

me

all

to Talisay

the way, to

Bombon Lake shore. It was very muddy, but our ponies were
fresh, although we had to take them very carefully down the slipperv
descent until we came to the high road connecting Talisay with
the

Banadero de Sala.

Talisay consists of a well-built church and convent

an outpost of the civil guard, a collection of native huts and a couple
of houses properly so called.

There
lake

is

is

nothing to be seen in the village

the only attraction.

commanding the

outpost.

itself; the

was the guest

view of the

of the sub-lieutenant

I had not bathed that morning, so I went

with him for a swim in the lake.

There are some legends of crocodiles

having been seen in these waters. In the meantime, I was having a
canoe prepared for my visit, two days hence, to the volcano, and whilst
this

was going

on,

I w^ent off with a

Spaniard, just arrived from

Batangas, to take a run round the sugar estates.

There was a laro-e

acquaintance was interested, but which had
been taken possession of by " squatters " natives who ignore property
laws, erect huts and claim all the land they care to till in defiance of

tract of land in

my

which

rights and owners.

when

I was there

Fortunately the Spaniard did not enforce his rights

when he did so

Being benighted

We

far

had a small bag of

on

it

cost

away from Talisay, we

rice,

him

tin of salmon,

I was cook, whilst

Sungay means Stag

his life.

slept in a squatter's hut.

some dried sausages, a

leather bottle of wine with us.

'

later

in native dialect.

my

and a

companion

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

448
up the native

stirred

some bauana

to get us

with plantain leaves

fruit

for dishes.

The next

several groups of huts and small sugar-cane fields,

by Calauan, passed
Europeans
and me

in the place

my travelling

we were

had obliged a host

They

shower came

of

flies,

native

all

the

moths, winged ants,

It

was

sit in

our

on.

The

fashion.
etc. to

The lamps were covered with

the dining-room.

in

invited

glad to follow our host's suggestion to

shirts Avith the tails outside our pants

rain

priest

companion, the sub-lieutenant

A heavy

to the convent to supper.

very hot, and

The

same evening.

in Talisay the

arriving

we descended

the Tagaytay Cordillera,

day, following

beating

take refuge

these insects.

darted at our eyes and attacked the dishes, hundreds coming to

an untimely end

in the gravies or in the

boys relieved us somewhat with paper

they whisked about to keep

Each

one went

his

ofi"

The

lamp globes.

flails,

gummed

on canes, which

the enemy.

way about

ten

o'clock.

slept

The next day my canoe and men were ready

guard-house.

serving

the

at

the canoe

had an awning of nipa palm leaves, and was gaily decked out with
festoons of buri.

The

petty-governor, to

his respects

he

whom

had a red and white

we

started for the volcano island.^

We

is

to

pay

evidently thought I was a distinguished personage.

He

Talisay

had not yet spoken, came

flag stuck

up

at the

bows

when

the best point to start from

were ashore on the island

me

lieutenant offered

in

of the canoe,

and

off

visiting the crater.

an hour aud a quarter.

The

native

make the ascent, but I

two canoe-men who followed me. On

a mare on which to

preferred going on foot with the

when we were near the bald crest of the Volcano, about

every twenty feet distance we saw steam spurting through the lava.
The crater was too steep where I arrived to make the descent, so I
the way, and

had

to

walk about

an easier slope.
in half

five

an hour.

hundred yards round to the

went down the

It

was bubbling on the

vapours were oppressive.

again as

my

my exit.

The

where there

is

edge of the green lake,

surface,

imagined I could

under me, so I set about making

as the descent,

crater, to the

left,

and the sulphurous

feel the lava

ascent

was not

moving
so easy

and I was fully an hour getting to the top of the crater

sunk into the

feet
'

Vide Chap.

I.

scoria.

for description of the crater.

 TAAL.

PANSIPIT RIVER.

449

down the lava mountain by the same path by which I had

The petty-governor had, I presume, sent a message from

I came

ascended.

Talisay to the lieutenant concerning me, for I found that, during

up an awning

tAVO-and-a-half hours' absence, he had fixed

my

bamboos

of

and leaves, and had brought a table and a chair from his hut for my
accommodation. So Nicomedis got out the provisions, and I breakfasted
prior to continuing

About

my

journey in the same canoe to Taal.

We

ten o'clock I started for Taal.

coasts of the Volcano Island, and

with Tagaytay mountain range

rounded the N. and

our right was the lake shore,

to

in the

Had

distance.

there been a

breath of wind, the journey would have been very enjoyable.

hours

we were

at the

town

of the old

unnoticed.

Taal

of

In

mouth

Here

of the Pansipit River.

(;vide

Chap.

W.

In three

lie

the ruins

but they might often be passed

I.),

the alternate excessive wet and heat play

this clime

havoc with the works of man.

Nature asserts

superior potence,

its

and, forcing decay into structures of wood, stone and iron alike, muffles

up with
its

its

flowery mantle the ruin which

existence, as

shallow,
corrals

and navigation

bamboo

rendered

is

produces, and annihilates

The

were, to the vulgar eye.

it

still

with the lake, but

more

These cut

my men

and then closed

it

dived and opened a

The

again.

by

difficult

Wooded

fields of

sugar-cane reach to the water's edge.

perpendicular

cliifs

ofi"

is

very

fishing

the communication

way

for our canoe to

lake end of the river

pretty.

we

Pansipit River

fencing reaching from the river bed to the Avater's

surface to prevent the escape of fish.

pass,

it

is

extremely

from the banks, and farther down

In oue-hom*-and-a-half

could see the church of Taal, which stands on a hill

in half-an-

hour more we were at the town.

Taal

is

situated on the left bank,

and Lemeri town

bank, near the mouth of the Pansipit.

Lemeri

parishes.

there

is

is

on a plain, and has a

is

on the right

bridge connects the

fine

nothing else worthy of attention.

two

church and convent, but

It

is,

comparatively, of

quite recent foundation.

Taal

is

a very old town.

It

was removed from the lake end

the river in 1754, after the great eruption of the volcano (vide Chap.

Up

to that date

it

was the

now

called Batangas.

and

untidy.

thoroughfare

There
is

either

capital of the Province of Taal

The
is

up

not
or

present town of Taal

down

single

good

a steep

hill,

is

street

of

I.).

y Balayan,

extremely dirty
in

it.

Every

on the summit of which

F F

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

450

From

stands the church.

there

the river-side up to the centre of the town

The

an immense staircase.

is

descendants of Japanese

settlers.

original Taal people are said to be

It is the only Philippine

the inhabitants will not tolerate a single Chinese resident.

trade

is

sugar,

" Taal

known

sugar " being an article

town where

The

staple

foreign

in

markets as a speciality of the Colony. About fifty per cent, of it is

crystallizable, the remainder of the bulk being molasses, dirt and
rubbish.

The sugar-cane

plantations in this neighbourhood can hardly

be termed estates, the laud being divided into such small

the cane-mills have stone crushers, but,

Taal cotton

are finding their Avay there.

and the market

population,

is

by

little

little,

lots.

stuffs are also

1790 Avas 9,000, was

in

Small coasting steamers from Manila

in

there

call

of

European mills

an important centre in the surrounding

which

Most

a speciality,

The

locality.

1896 about 56,000.

two

or three times a

week

From Taal

I took a carromata and drove on to Batangas, passing

Batangas

through Bauan.

is

the modern capital of the province of

that name, and although situated only half-a-mile from the sea coast,
is

extremely hot.

environs are not at

wood, stone and iron

ffood houses of
is

The

all pretty.

roofs.

There are some

The Government House

well built, and commodiously designed inside.

residence of the Spanish officials of the province

This town was the

the Governor, the

Chief Judge,^ the captain of the civil guard, the administrator,

There

is

a pleasant drive

down

it

to the jetty at the sea-side,

and

etc.

the

it is

custom for the European residents to meet there from about five or six
The church
in the evening to promenade and enjoy the sea-breeze.
"
and convent are very large buildings of stone and wood. The " square
is laid out as a public garden with a kiosk in the centre.

Across the

river,

about half-au-hour from the town, there

is

sugar factory employing a vacuum pan for making crystallized grain

One-fourth of
sugar, but it did not seem to be very flourishing.

Batangas has,

in

my

recollection,

been three times desolated by

I lodged at a planter's house, and the schoolmaster

came to
who was

fire.

visit

me.

After a lengthy preamble he told

me

had an antojo (a craving wish).

She had seen me pass by his house,

bear my features, would I be kind

that his wife,

and as she wanted her child to

enough to honour his humble home and
>

let

her gaze upon

me

enceinte,

I was

In 1888, the acting Chief-Judge of Batangas was a Chinese half-breed.

LU
tr.

h\-

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9
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X

a:

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I

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o
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BALAYAN.

MARAGONDON.

so surprised, that whilst I paused, he added, " Oh,

thing for a married

turned out to be a

woman

girl ?

to

have an

" I inquired.

451
quite a common
" But suppose it

it is

antojo!'''

" Never mind,

it

will satisfy her,

Senor," said the schoolmaster, so I consented to visit him that afternoon

and

for

sit

my

on the coming

portrait to be impressed

A local steamer

left

me

Balayau on her way

at

infant.

I went

to Manila.

out to see a sugar factory belonging to a half-caste.

The cane-mill
was driven by water-power, and a vacuum pan was used to make
crystal grain sugar.
The owner, however, was not highly satisfied with
the financial results.

Balayau

wood and

houses of stone,

is

Avell -built

iron roofs.

Up

to the

had been three times burnt by Mussulmans.

and they are cheaper than

to be seen here,

had a beautiful

little

for a miserable nag,

Nasugbii.

It

me

animal lent

was a very pretty

ride.

clever musicians, and after

all

end of

Some

in Lipa.

go to Tuy.

century

last

it

splendid ponies are

I rode several, and

There I changed

and went over some low ranges of mountains

but the half-caste parish priest and his

were

to

town, with several good

to

Nasugbu is a wretched place,

sisters made me welcome.
They

my

ride with the -padre,

we had

concert.

The

greater part of the cultivated land around

several miles to the south, belongs

name

Eojas, whose

to a

rich

Nasugbu and

for

Manila native, Pedro

figured very prominently years later in the rebellion

of 1896.
It being the

was not

wet season, the mountain path leading north from Nasugbu

passable, so I started in a canoe for

Fuego a storm came

on,

Maragondon. Off Punta del

and we were obliged to take refuge

in

a creek,

protected by rocks, against which the surging billows lashed with fury,

whilst

it

poured with rain.

a fisherman's

we put

hut,

was wet through.

where I changed

to sea again.

It

was

still

Fortunately

we found

my clothes, and in a couple of hours

rough my legs Avere bathed with
;

breeze

The monsoon was on the eve of changing, and a N.E.

was opposing us, so it was midnight before we reached the

mouth

of the

sea-water.

and there I

Maragondon

settled for the night.

sugar estate.

bamboo were

I had a letter to a half-caste resident,

The next day I rode out

to visit a

was a venturesome journey our ponies were up

mud, but the ride was pretty. Gorgeous clusters

It

their knees in

and there

river.

to
of

gracefully reclining over us on one side, forming a bower,

Avas a precipice

down

to the river on the other slope.

F F

We

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

452

uphill, to the mountain,

were going

the slippery rise

he

slid

when my pony

back, and landed

me

in a pool of

which I scrambled, leaving him to manage for himself.

We rode over the estate, and returned by another
flowed.
US to the ravine where the mill-stream
sound
over the rocks in the gorge, was the only

screeching of the birds on the

tall trees.

It

as

we

mud, out

route,

of

which led

The water, bounding

we heard besides the

was a lovely

we had

should have liked to have lunched there, but

on

lost his footing

retreat

nothing with us,

for 12
young planter and I) were invited to the convent
We sent a man back by the ridge leading our ponies, whilst

(the

o'clock.

water and followed the

stepped over to the other side through the
There we had a bamboo
bank until we came to the unobstructed river.
and on it we floated down stream, towards the town,

we

raft

made

for us,

continuing the short distance thence on foot.

had to go up
lunched with the native priest, who, that afternoon,
on an European cattle-power mill
to the mountain to confer his blessing
rode
him.
newly erected. I accepted his invitation to accompany
with a servant in front
out about 4 o'clock on very quiet strong ponies,
At 5 o'clock we were there, when a
of us to remove any obstacles.
kissed his hand,
rough-looking native quietly approached the father,
were
permission to come down with his companions. They

We

We

and begged
a briga'Ld

party it was

the best policy to say

of an hour six ruffians kept us

company.

"Yes,"

They

so in a quarter

said they

had seen us

path, and could have sent a

turn off the high road into the mountain
superstitiously respected the
bullet into us very easily, but they
sacerdotal habit

supplied

so
they were hungry too, and wished to eat,

them with

we

rice, fish, betel-nut, etc.

One
at our request.
After the meal they showed us their weapons
anting-antingt\x^t
man armed with an ancient pistol said he had the
harm. The priest said he was the same,
is to say, he was proof against
pistol, putting the bullet first
and as he talked, he quietly loaded the
and the powder afterwards.
the priest stuck

up

brigand hit

The

it.

The man did

not perceive the trick.

Then

and bid the

a white handkerchief on a bough,
smoke
bandit smiled disdainfully and fired the

as he lowered the weapon.

puffed out, and the bullet fell at his feet
has the
"Ah " cried the priest, " you're helpless with him who
!

from the holy man,

antmg-antingr and the brigand turned away

dumbfounded.

SANTA CRUZ DE MALABON.

NOVEL

RICE-MILL.

453

After passing the next day in and around Maragondon,

I went on
The road is pretty in the wet season on account of

to Naig.

Jawn-Iike

the fine

fields of

green rice on either

Around Naig most of the

land belonged to the Dominican Corporation, whose
estate-house was
an imposing building, well constructed, with a
large high-walled
enclosure in front, occupying all one side of the
public
side.

square.

river runs to the north of the town, and

arched bridge.

is

The

crossed by a massive single-

never very safe travelling about here,

and'' all
the rest of the journey up to Cavite is dangerous,
owing to the bands
It

is

of outlaws constantly infesting this locality.

The road from JSTaig to

Santa Cruz de Malabon (Tanza it is called by the
natives) was sim^ply
a mud trail, and my guide advised me to turn
off on to the sea-shore.
It was very heavy work for our ponies,
who could not get a good
footing.
On our left was the sea, and in the far distance we
could
descry Corregidor Island and the peaks of the
Mariveles Cordillera ;
to our right was mostly barren land overgrown
with heather. There
was nothing attractive in this run, and we stopped only
once to quench
our thirst with cocoa-nut milk. When one is within
half-an-hour
of

Santa Cruz, some rocks jut out into the sea very
awkwardly, obliging
the rider to take a foot bath at high tide, but
they are passed in^'five
minutes.

Santa Cruz de Malabon

is a neat little place.

The square and the
native shops are tidy, and there are a few fairly
well-to-do natives
living here.
The chief produce is rice. The arable land, upon
which
the town depends, belonged to a religious
corporation.
There are
several water-power rice-husking mills in the
locality.
I stayed

at

the house of an ex-petty-governor,

was excavating

at the

it

was

my

told

me

that a friend of his

river-side,

perpetual-motion rice-mill.

model and have

who

preparatory to the erection of a

His friend was anxious for me to see the

opinion on

it,

so I

went round

to the shed

where

set up.

A water-Avheel

was

be placed with the shaft at land level.

This
wheel was to be put in motion by a stream of
water flowing from a
reservoir.
The motion of the water-wheel would be communicated
to
two wheels, one at each end of the same shaft.
Over these wheels a
series of buckets were to revolve.
These buckets were to bring up
water from the river, and empty themselves into
a canal leading to^the
reservoir, to replace the water which had
fed the driving- wheel.Hence,
to

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

454

was expected to go on
provided the river did not dry up, the machine
I
to a rice-husking mill.
perpetually and transmit its motive power
the mechanical defects in the
explained to him, as far as I knew,
spend, and preferred to find out the
contrivance, but he had money to
errors of his theories

The

by experience.

country around

for rice-growing.

and just suited

a vast plain, lying low,

is

It is generally refreshing to the traveller to see fields

of green rice, but here

its

cultivation

so extensive that

is

it

becomes

monotonous.

My

son procured ponies for me, and accompanied me to

passed the civil guard outpost of Quintana. There was a

host's

We

Indan.

rice fields all around, until two miles

great sameness in the immense
leading through a
further on when we entered a horsepath

journey

plantation to the high road near Indan.

cofi"ee

of the Cavite coffee district.

The headmen
had come

in the

to

Town Hall

There was nothing

were discussing

buy that product,

crop.

We

rode on to Silan.

of the

way

to Silan, there

We

were

in

the heart

Indan town.

to see in

coffee prices,

and thought

or offer advances against the

On

coming

leaving Indan, and about one-third

were so many

rises

and

falls in

the road that

the journey in a vehicle, but the route

I suppose no one ever attempted
good for riding. The last two-thirds of the road are better
is

very

still

and we went

at a fast trot all the

way

to Silan.

There was

fields out of tilth to

nothing but coffee plantations, or waste land, or
road this side of Silan were
be seen on the way. Two miles of the
I was in the heart of that region which, in 1896, became the
splendid.

centre of the Tagalog rebellion.

Silan stands high

up, and

time in this Colony, I really

about coffee prices.

it

was

cold and

felt chilly.

damp.

For the

first

There was some excitement

There had been a market

rise in

Manila, and several

I
the next deliveries.
brokers had come to adjust bargains for
town, with a
mistaken for one of these persons. Silan is a large

was
few

good houses, a large church and convent, a very hospitable priest,

happened to be celebratingand a civil guard station. The townspeople
Here and there were groups of fighting-cock owners
their annual fete.
fairly

one side of the church there was a big fair. At

by every householder
ni^ht the principal streets were illuminated

and sportsmen.

On

windows were wide

hanging out paper lanterns of varied colours. The
open the neighbours were paying mutual visitswayfarers from afar

^r^T,^ ,r^T^/^ "

THE <i
**MORO
MORO
DANCE.

SILAN.

were welcome everywhere.

la each dwelling a table was spread with

and

confectionery, sweetmeats, drinks

Town Hall,
As I passed

455

bui/o.

had alighted at the

but was at once kindly invited by a headman to his house.

along with

my

host

we were

repeatedly called upon by the

Sometimes we thanked the

townfolks to "honour their houses."

inviter

and passed on, but at three or four places we entered and accepted
sweets, cigars, and betel-nut as a matter of compliment.
Nowhere had
I witnessed such a display of disinterested hospitality.

In the square

a temporary theatre had been erected, before which a good-humoured

mob stood gazing with delight at the " 3Ioro Moro " performance.
All was gaiety

prince

after

tyrant was eating the dust

prince

was being

slain

the

piratical

the Christian cavaliers were winning

their

laurels.^

The next day we

Carmona
fields,

de

to

Vinan

rode on from Silan with the same ponies through

an

uneventful journey by beaten paths through

only enlivened by a magnificent bird's-eye view of the

Bay when we were

near to Carmona.

begin again, and from the high road

we

From Carmona,

Laguna

sugar estates

turned off several times to see

The burthen of a native play in the provinces is almost invariably founded

on the contests between the Mussulmans of the South, and the Christian natives
under Spanish dominion.
The Spaniards, in attaching the denomination of Moras to the Moslems of
Sulu, associated them in name with the Mussulman Moors who held sway over a
large part of Hispania for over seven centuries (711-1492).
A ''Moro Moro"
performance is usually a drama occasionally a melo-drama in which the native
'

actors, clad in all the glittering finery of

Moslem

nobility

and Christian

chivalry,

assemble in battle array before the Moslem princesses, to settle their disputes

under the combined inspirations of love and religious persuasion. The princesses,
one after the other, pining under the dictates of the heart in defiance of their
creed, leave their fate to be sealed by the outcome of deadly combat between the
contending factions. Armed to the teeth, the cavaliers of the respective parties
march to and fro, haranguing each other in monotonous tones. After a longwinded, wearisome challenge, they brandish their weapons and meet in a series
of single combats which merge in a general mel& as the princes are vanquished
and the hand of the disputed enchantress is won.
The dialogue is in the idiom of the district where the performance is given,
and the whole play (lasting from four to six nights) is brief compared with
Chinese melo-drama, which often extends to a month of nights.
Judged from the standard of European histrionism, the plot is weak from the
sameness and repetition of the theme. The declamation is unnatural, and void of
vigour and emphasis. The same tone is maintained from beginning to end,
whether it be in expression of expostulatory defiance, love, joy, or despair. But
the masses are intensely amused, thus the full object is achieved.
They seem to
never tire of gazing at the situations created, and applauding vociferously the
feigned defeat of their traditional arch-foes.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

456

We

cattle-power mills.
the cane-crushing at the several steam and
rest our ponies.
were glad to arrive at Vinan on the lake shore to

We

in a comparatively rich

were now

There

Chinese half-castes.

is

quite a

town, inhabited by a great

number

of

many

good stone and wooden

The river runs

roofs.
houses, some with tiles and others with iron
stands the old
through the centre of the town, and near its left bank
1880.
church which was ruined by the earthquake of

The

lands

the planters being

around were the property of a religious corporation,
they received from
tenants who complained bitterly of the treatment

the landlords'

agent.

There are several steam cane-mills

neighbourhood, and clayed sugar

We

returned to

is

Carmona and

in

the

the chief article of trade.

I Avent to the civil guard station to

Perez Dasmarifias. The

ask for an armed escort over the mountains to
of native guards to protect
officer at once furnished me with a couple
through
me on the journey. Vf e started in the cool of the afternoon,
The dells were
all the way.
the mountain paths, np hill and down dale
It was a very
very muddy, but we got through without mishap.
thick of the forest,
agreeable ride, sometimes between tall trees in the
bushes about ten
then along a path leading through a grove of guava
feet high.

us to see the
Night came on, but there was moonlight sufficient for
cai/min fires^ in the mountain
way. "it was deliciously cool, and the
we came to an outpost
made the scene poetic. In about three hours
Here we changed escort, and took the opportunity
of the civil guard.
The native guard in charge was kind enough
of having our supper.
Cruz companion and my servant Nicomedis some
to give

my

Santa

two potatoes of my provisions were being

There was no hurry the ponies
beef.
boiled, we turned out a can of
might as well do so here, so we
would have to rest somewhere, and they
saddle-girths whilst we supped.
took out their bits and slacked their
and I fear an epicurean would be quite
It was not a sumptuous meal,

rice,

and whilst the

last

melancholy in these parts.

we were on the high road

In half-an-hour after leaving this place,
and then a long dreary hour's ride
from Silan to Perez Dasmarinas,
quite dark, and we were all tired.
brought us to the latter town. It was
quarters, and at 11 o'clock
The guards who escorted us went to their
turned in at the

we
>

Cayinin (Tagdlog

Town

Hall, where everybody

dialect), a land clearance

made by

was

asleep, but the

firing the

undergrowth.

PEREZ DASMARINAS.
Alguacil

stirred about after a while

CAVITE VIE JO.

457

and brought me a large mat and

pillows to sleep on the floor.

commotion.

In the earlj morn there was a great

was awakened by loud voices and stamping
of feet

over the loose floor planks.

The night

before, a party of brig^ands

had

committed some atrocity close by, and the

cuadrillero guards were
being called out to assist the civil guard in
giving

them chase.

were buckling on

their bohie-knives and clicking

the

hammers

They

of their

archaic muskets.

down

in

my

Hearing the tramp of ponies' hoofs below,

I went
sleeping suit to see that our mounts
were not appropriated

amidst the bustle.

Perez Dasmarinas

a large quiet town, with a good

church and
convent, and here and there a house in
the square with the usual group
is

of huts.

Being up so early we started betimes for

Imus, famous as a
brigand centre. The road was pretty,
with large trees along on both
sides, amongst them being hundreds
of mango trees, which bring
a
regular income to the owners.
The only novelty which we encountered
on the road was a bamboo and nipa bungalow
moving towards us, with
some hundred naked legs dangling beneath it.
It was going to take
up new quarters close by its old resting-place,
and was being removed
by hayanin (labour given gratis to a neighbour).

From Imus we went on

to Cavite Viejo, a dirty fishing

town
strewn with nets, canoes, sails, bamboos,
etc., on the seaside.
There
were a few rows of rough-and-tumble shops,
and in the middle of this
uninteresting group is the large
church and convent. The only
amusement here was to listen to the townsfolk
disputing amono-st
themselves in broken-Spanish, a mongrel
jargon invented by the Cavite

coast natives

philological treat.

Passing through Novaleta and Rosario

Cruz de Malabon. The ponies were very
recognized their

we were

again in Santa

fatigued, but

when they

home they

required no urging to arrive at a

hard trot
at the finish of the sixty-mile journey.

From Santa Cruz

is

established.

I took a carromata to Cavite, where

the Arsenal

Cavite

is

fortified

o^bnck, stone, &c., as in Manila.^

town, with streets of houses built

It has its theatre, caf^s,
hotels,

beginning

*^'
of the 17th century, the houses in
Cavite were built of
JJll^
wood w.th napa palm roofing. At that period a
great
occurred
fire
which con^Ld
Eoyal Granaries and much ca
'o
The town and Arsenal were afterward

three-fourths of the buildings, including

the

which was awaiting shipment

to Mexico.

re-constructed with more solid materials-stone,

bricks,

etc.,

and

tL

roofsTei^

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

458
jetty, sea-wall, etc.,

but

Government Naval

is

not considered healthy.

Station, there

Being then the chief

was a large European

floating

Here, and especially in San Roque, fifteen minutes' drive

spoken by the natives.
from Cavite, a very amusing broken-Spanish is
capital and Cavite,
There was a bi-daily steamboat service between the
population.

on the morning boat at

the run being about 6^ miles, so I embarked
Manila the so-called " Pearl of the
7.30, and in one hour was again in
Orient," or the " Venice of the Far East."

-'

CHAPTEE XXIV.

TOURING IN THE SOUTH.

Constant

rains, coinciding witli the

ramblings in the

S.W. monsoon, had delayed my

South the Visayas Islands so, as soon as the dry

season had fairly set

in,

I exhibited

my

passport

at the ship-brokers,

and booked for Yloilo in the fortnightly mail

steamer going
Mindanao, but calling at several ports on the way.

to'

The

berths were below the main deck, and I secured

a good one,
notwithstanding there were several cabin passengers
for
;

subsidized mail steamer.

Government employes were

being

a'

carried at a special

reduced rate.

The

vessel

was advertised

to leave the river at 4 p.m., but

those

experienced in Philippine procrastination evinced

a certain surprise
when they saw the crowd of leave-takers hastening towards
the quay
gangways as the anchor was about to be raised at 5 o'clock.

As

yet no one had concerned himself about his fellow

travellers.
The excitement of the departure the waving of handkerchiefs
the
last adieux shouted to those on the wharf,
and the placing of one's

baggage, had dispersed the passengers in all directions.

dozen to twenty Chinamen had settled down between

Only the

decks, on grass
mats spread over their packages, waiting to get fairly
under way before
they sought dreamland in the fumes of opium.

By
too

the aid of cable stays

much

we

turned round in the river, which was

blocked with shipping for a mail steamer to attempt
to strike

a half-circle with the steering-gear alone.

were now in the stream,
our bows facing the river mouth. The last canoe,
bringing office boys

We

with

'

248)

late letters to

be scrambled into the post-box, had

left us.

The

Since July, 1884, passports are not required

within the Colony (vide page

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

460
hawsers were thrown

off,

and

minutes

in ten

house at the end of the mole and were

had struck it was 5 o'clock and

It

hastening to lay the tahle.

to

was

in

we had passed the lightThe dinner-hour

the hay.

and the steward's hoys were

dinner that the passengers were

past,
at

know who was who.

There was a major, a

and two

civilian

Government

employes,

officials,

two suh-lieutenants, one merchant

Spaniards, besides two half-breed

lieutenant,
all

a Chinese half-breed broker or middleman, with

who occupied two cabins and took their meals there

an Austrian polyglot Jew pedlar, and a young Englishman.

his family of five,

day before that this last person would be with us.

in
He was a commercial clerk, of gentlemanly mien, who had been
employers to their
Manila four months, and was now transferred by his
We should undoubtedly be company for each
Yloilo branch house.
I

was

told the

other on the voyage I concluded.

Our captain was a Basque a frank, genial man,

who made

himself

had already been chatting on the bridge,

placed me on his left, the major
so when we went below to dinner, he
we will call Mr. X., to
on his right, and invited the Englishman, who
the pleasure it would
take his seat by my side, probably conjecturing
same language. The pedlar
give us to be together, as we spoke the
any one
self-possessed class who need no intimation from

agreeable to everybody.

was

We

of that

seated himself vis-d-vis to Mr. X.,

to put themselves forward, so he
vacant places as they chose.
the rest of the company filling the

The

order thus established

was maintained by apparently mutual

of the voyage.
but unspoken understanding to the end
could not dispense with
There was a fresh breeze outside, but we

the punka-fans in the saloon.

" So about noon to-morrow we shall be at Romblon," remarked the

Major inquiringly.
Yes," said the Captain, " if the weather be fine."
Oh, this is splendid weather," continued the Major, " and when
shall

we anchor

off

Capis

"
?

" All depends upon the weather,"

from Romblon
the barometer
Santiago.

insisted the Captain.

"

The run

eight hours, but I see

to Capis should take us seven to
is

falling,

and we may have

it

However, when the harbour-master

the gale
and shows no storm signals I suppose

Punta

pretty fresh off

is

lets

us leave Manila

very far away."

MY FELLOW-TRAVELLERS.
"

When

we be

shall

off

Punta Santiago, Captain

461
?

" I inquired.

" About one o'clock in the moruine:."

I turned to Mr, X., and remarked that

we had

better be prepared

for a roll in our berths.

"Indeed !" he exclaimed.

*'

Have you heard what

thinking that Mr.

sort of

place Yloilo

X. must be

somewhat
which he barely understood.
" No," he murmured.

is

.?

bored

" I

continued,

by the

foreio-n

colloquialisms

"I

am

going to make

my

it

centre for a

few months whilst I

travel

over Panay, Negros, and the islands about there."

" Ah " muttered Mr. X.
!

" Mr. Blank told

be taking up your

me you were coming down

new

to Yloilo.

You

will

residence under favourable circumstances with

the most pleasant season before you."

" Yes."

My

talk with

been indiscreet

Mr. X. had been so one-sided, that I feared I had

indeed, having lived abroad since I was a youth, it

me that we had not been introduced, so I

joined in the general conversation with the Captain, the Major, and the
did not, at

first,

Lieutenant,

occur to

when Mr. X. was attacked by

his vis-d-vis the pedlar.

" Veer are you going ? " asked the itinerant vendor.
" I ? " said Mr. X., looking surprised.

" Yes, veer are you going

" To Yloilo."

"

" Oh, zair are plenty of Eengleeshman

zee plaise.

in

Yloilo, but I don't like

In zee vet vedder you lose yourselve een zee mud, and

zair are no public carriage as een

plentie dust

Manila.

In zee try zeezon zair ees

and too much hot."

Mr. X. did not seem

the pedlar had roughed

to care one jot

it

too

much

whether

in the

it

was

so or not, but

world even to perceive a

slight.^

"

May

it

do you good,"

we

all

(except Mr. X.) mutually exclaimed,

"Anything

is better than the deadly taciturnity of an English traveller.

often have I been whisked along for miles and hundreds of miles with one
" of the latter species without a, single interchange of thought to enliven the
" way, with no return to any overture of sociality but defensive hems
and
'

'

How

" predetermined monosyllables

pub. (Hurst

&

"

Curran's Sketches of the Irish Bar, Vol.

Blackett), London, 185S.

I.,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

462

we

following the Spanish formula of politeness, as

and each one went

his

way, the Captain

rose from the table

to the bridge, the passengers

to their cabins or to the deck.

There were no lady passengers, so each could be attired at his ease.

The military officers had thrown off their uniforms the lieutenant and
I had discarded my white
sub-lieutenants occupied chairs on the poop.
;

jacket for a cotton pyjama shirt, and was leaning over the stern-rail,
It was a
fascinated by the bright phosphorescent track of the vessel.

dark night, and

we

could only just distinguish Corregidor Island before

men and women on

the heaps of native

who had

below,

human

sauntering about, studying

The Major was

us.

among

nature

the deck and the Chinese

Mr. X. was on the other

turned in for the night.

side,

The pedlar was

The lieutenants
musino- in an armchair with his feet up on the rail.
were energetically discussing some military service question, when the
taking a solitary constitutional in his flannel pyjamas.

Major approached.
"

me

he exclaimed, as he drew up a

fine breeze,"

standing, he at once offered

it

to

me.

It

chair, but seeing

was the only one

near, so

I declined with thanks, and fetched another.

"I'm glad

A trip

"

myself.

he continued, when I had seated

to get out of Manila,"

there

now and

purchases and clear up questions raised in the

well, but
office

what a time

the reply

always

is

takes.

it
'

Dios mio

to-morrow

week has passed away with some

settled in

to

wear uniform

to

And

an hour.

pay a

visit

in

official centres is all

and again

'

trivial

'

matter which might be

!

It is

grow apples on the

ae:ain,

"I

and the obligation

equator.

if

one wishes

a great folly to attempt to

One might

generalize European customs under a tropical sun.

try to

to-morrow,' until a

and put on a black coat

the evening.

very

In every Government

then the heat, por Dios

in the daytime,

make

again to see old companions, to

I'm glad to be

off to the

as well

provinces

where one can dress as he chooses with decorum."

tell

you

it

warmly pursuing

is

his

no use," broke out the lieutenant, who was

still

argument with the subs.

" What's that ? " inquired the Major.

" I was saying that it is all nonsense for a
capture brigands at the risk of his

own

life,

civil

guard

officer to

when by some manoeuvring

or the other, they get free of the law-courts and the prisons too, and

we

are pestered with the

same

villains again

and again."

WE
*'

EXPERIENCE A GALE.

But I thought that

highway

murderers

463
were garrotted," I

interposed.

"

Ca

" ejaculated the lieutenant as a roar of

laughter from all
succeeded mj remark, " such a thing happens once in a while,
but in
the meantime the brigand has been in and out of prison
over and
!

over

again.
rid

For the public

have the satisfaction of being permanently

of him, an European must have fallen a victim."
It was 8 o'clock, and we were oflf Corregidor
with its
to

bright

revolving light.
five hours

One by

one, each passenger took to his berth.

more the wind blew hard

In

the steamer rolled tremendously,

one or two passengers came on deck, because they could

find no rest
below with the motion of the vessel and the heat.

We

were rounding Punta Santiago. There was a great

swell on,
and the wind increased until it became furious. The steward
and all
his boys were up
the glasses and plates and dishes were flying
about
in the pantry.
No one could make a step forward without holding on
to something.
A tremendous lurch almost submerged one side, and
;

as the vessel righted herself

we heard a crash

lamp shade which had been jerked

The

succeeding

over the deck.

oE its

in the cabin.

It

was the

frame and broken to atoms.

wave had just met the righted broadside, and broke

The natives, sleeping on the decks, were aroused the
;

men looked forlorn, and were hanging on

who were not seasick were appealing to the
whilst ever and anon the exclamation "
roll of

to the rail

those

women

saints to

Naku

check the storm,

susmariosep " followed a

the vessel, which had cut short their orations.

the chief officer had been on the bridge

now came down

to see

how we

fared

all

the

The Captain and

time.
The Captain

for everyone

he had a cheerino-

word.
" Oh,

it's

nothing," he said, as Mr.

X. was shot

into his

arms

like

a ball from the other side of the saloon, and the wine
decanters were
playing at skittles with the glasses on the marble-top
sideboard.
I
was clutching on, disconsolate, to a saloon window-frame,
whilst the
other passengers were on the sofas, trying

all

sorts of

dodges to keep

their places.

We

in,

or near, a

typhoona bagvio

as

it

is

called

There seemed no probability of getting out of it for

a while ;
was increasing, and every pitch of the vessel was
followed by a

here.
it

were evidently

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

464
terrible vibration

from stem to stern whilst the waves lashed her sides

with fearful violence.

So

continued

it

night, and, as at

all

7 o'clock in the morning

should take refuge in

matters had not improved, the Captain told us he
In an hour we were
Maestre de Campo until the storm subsided.
there.

It

is

a well-protected

little

we
now

harbour, and

steered in and let

laugh at the wind

go the two anchors. We were safe, and could
surrounds the creek.
whistling through the mountain forest which
but
The Captain at last confessed that he had expected a rough time,

been falling since

not quite so bad, although the barometer had
Manila.

left

Relieved from
dejected

ns

we

who

air,

all

peril,

and was ready

still felt

each one,

little

by

little,

for breakfast at 10 o'clock.

threw

off his

One

two

or

of

squeamish, opened our appetites with a plate of garlic

sea
had a good supply of flying-fish, which the troubled
smash up amongst the
had washed on board. There had been a great
After breakfast several of
crockery, but the viands were not wanting.
is a small village a group
us went on shore with the Captain. There

We

Boup.

and plaiting grass into sugar

enclosed on three sides
and rice bags, called hayones. The harbour is
meduscB were floating
by mountains, and in its still waters, scores of
well-built stone and
around us. There is the relic of what was once a

where the natives

of huts

live

by

fishing

was told that it formerly belonged to a Spaniard, who

by establishing a
had sacrificed his life and money to civilize the island
He had a large number of cattle there at one time, and
cattle ranche.
jealous of his prosperity,
everything went on well, until some official,

wooden house.

entangled him in

he had dared to

settle

formalities required
jail.

It

We
At

with the Government, on the pretext that

himself there without heeding some tedious

difficulties

by law.

was a caution

to

was assured that he

would-be

6 p.m.

we

arrived at

in

colonists.

Campo at 2 o'clock
Romblon. The entrance is

steamed out of Maestre de

finally died

that afternoon.
pretty,

and

we

and pay our respects to the Governor, an

The Governor regaled us with cigars, and showed us
infantry captain.
mottled marble found in the
some polished samples of creamy-white and
not pay any
has large marble deposits, but it would

went ashore

island.

to see the place,

Romblon

one to work them.

The

island

is

a series of mountain peaks.

There

FROM ROMBLON AND THROUGH THE SILANGA.

no high-road leading out of Eomblou town.
I have had to get round to the coast villages in
is

465

In subsequent

visits

a canoe.

Besides the

Governor's residence, the church and

the convent,
one large well-built stone and wood house,
worthy of j\lanila[
owned by a Spaniard who has a shop on the ground
floor.
there

is

There is'
and here and there a decent wooden
house
At 7.30 we left Romblon, and were anchored

also a public stone fountain,

among

the rows of huts.

in front of Cupis about 3 or 4 o'clock

the next morning.
were
quite a mile off the shore, and the mails were
sent to the^ town up the
river by the chief officer in the ship's boat.
Here several Chinese left

We

When

us.

the boat returned, in an hour,

morning was very

about

fine.

was

It

we

started for Yloilo.

The

quite enjoyable, after the tumbling

we had

had, to lounge in bamboo long chairs,

gazing at
beautiful scenery on the N.E. coast of Panay
Island.

About 9
miles

o'clock

we were

from Yloilo.

at the entrance to the Silanga,

We

tl-^

some 70

passed quite close to a group of trachytic

con^iform island peaks the chief of which
is Pan de azitcar, or
Sugarloaf.
The landscape is beautiful. Looking between
these abropt
elevations, one can see the fertile valleys of
Concepcion
district,

which

are about half cultivated with sugar-cane.

"

What

the Major.

a beautiful country

Vrai pays dc Cocagne

" There's enough wealth here to

make

of Europe rich."

But how are they

stepped up behind us.
"

"Ahl

all

" exclaimed
the begc^ars
"^^

to get here.?" interposed the

lieutenant as

he

just so," cried the Major,

own thoughtlessness.
come we are, fortunately,
at his

who could not suppress a lau-h

" Anyhow, I did not suggest
they shoidd

not troubled with the beggar question

in

this country."

"A
nature.

circumstance which

is not due to the native's

industry, but to
She makes him independent of work by supplying
his wants "

rejoined the lieutenant.

" The forest gives him

material to build his
cottage and weave his clothes-fuel,
fruits, game, medicine-in
short
furnishes gratis all his first necessities.
He has, at his fingers' ends^
an infinity of things which he can barter
for rice
if

his meal, he can fish in the rivers

or the sea.
at his ease when he only just fulfils
fail to

see that

the native

needs

he wants to vary

As

to dress, he is best
the requirements of modesty.
I
us or oiu- Government at all.

G G

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

466
Independent of

all

what we do do

we

him.

for

masses here will never

to use their wits

We
we

sat

meal.

can do for him, he

'

quite indiiferent about

is

Paupertas omnes artes perdocet 'the

rise in the social scale until

poverty urges them

and energy."

Negros on our left when

could just perceive the coast line of
It was very hot after the
breakfast at 10 o'clock.

down to
Each smoked and lounged about

the deck, or dropped off to

sleep in his chair.

" Siete pecados " some one called out as we passed between a
wooded to the
seven small madreporous islets thickly

cluster

water's

of

edge and

steep forest-covered

named the "Seven

cliffs, was on our

sins."
left,

Guimarras, with

its

and we were within an

hour of Yloilo.

The

passengers for Yloilo

were busy with

their

luggage and

Mr. X. was on the bridge, looking silently

which out of the hundred
future home perhaps wondering
going
covered his employers' offices. We were

dressing to go ashore.

towards his

corrugated iron roofs

the creek to let the pilot

half speed at the entrance to
soundings after the
pilots were not sure of their

The

day before, but he would take us

in.

The

vessel

come on board.
heavy blow the

had

to

make some

turn it made was not sharp enough and

harp turns to enter, but one
It had happened
our right-hand side.
her stem ran into the bank on
a time before to steamers.
the captain and the pilot,
In the course of an hour, between

many

we

creek at 5 o'clock-cast anchor in the

got off and steamed up the
chain until the steamer was as near
middle of the stream, and slackened
There were neither quays nor embankments,
as she could lie to shore.
rubble, which had been thrown down to
further than heaps of soil and
The
of the produce sheds built there.
reclaim the point, for the safety
nature made them.
creek and harbour were just as
Several
side to shore.
Planks were placed from the steamer
letters, or to inquire about cargo or
residents came on board to get
The person to whom I had a written
curiosity.
to

satisfy their

introduction passed over the plank.

I at once presented

my

letter,

I heard

him saluted by name, so

and met with a cordial reception.

him about our English fellow-passenger.

" Ah
just so, he was expected," said my
I'll look him up."
Co.'s new man

told

&

friend.

" He's

THE PORT AND TOWN OF YLOILO.

Just then

made

&

his acquaintance in Manila,

You know

"

Co.'s

this

manager joined us
and

we all went

gentleman, of course

to

467
I had already

Mr. X.

" said

&

Co.'s

manager, addressing Mr. X. and waving his hand towards

me.
" No, I have not had the pleasure of being introduced,"

so on this

formality being

fulfilled, I

soon found Mr. X. to be both communicative

and cheerful.
Yloilo, the second port of the Philippines,

bank of the creek.

From

is

situated on the right

the creek point to the square are sheds used

for sugar-storing, with, here

and

there,

a commercial

between.

office

The most modern thoroughfares are traced out with regularity,

and
there are many good houses.
The most imposing building was the
residence

and

office

of

an

comfortable was that of a

American

firm

perhaps

most

the

Swiss commercial house, but this

is

question of opinion.

In the square

the churcb, which at a distance might be mistaken

for a sugar store, the Town Hall, the convent and
a few small fairly well
is

built houses of stone

and wood, whilst all one side is now covered by

a fine new block of buildings of brick, stone and wood
with iron roofs.
The centre, or open space of the square, once a carefully laid out
public garden, had the appearance of a neglected
cattle-pen
savs^ it then, but it has again been embellished.

Just

when

off the

square there was a small hotel with some half dozen

private rooms.
The Calle Real or High Street is a winding road,
which leads through the town into the country. The
houses are

indescribable they are of all styles. Three or four are

solidly built
with no pretence at architectural adornment.

Some are high others

stand back with a few yards of pavement
before them
others come forward, and oblige one to walk in
the road.

low some
there

is

hovels.

gap a

This

is

Here and
corruption then a row of dirty
trading quarter and the centre for the

fetid deposit of

the retail

Going from the square the creek runs along at the back
of
the right-hand side houses; turning off by
the left-hand side
thoroughfares, which cannot be called streets,
there is a number of
Chinese.

roughly-built houses dispersed in

of the Calle

and then

Real

is

all directions.

At

the Government House, built of

the extreme end

wood and

very bad condition, but the style is good, and

quite the appearance of an official residence.
Before it, is a
in a

G a

stone,
it

has

semi-

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

4G8
circular garden,

in front of this there is a

and

round fenced-in

plot, in the

the Governmen!; House

middle of which stands a fiag-polc. Just past
which empties itself into
there is a bridge crossing the Jaro River,

the creek of Yloilo.

Quite one-third of the shipping

the
business quarter stands on land reclaimed from
up with earth and rubble. In tbe dry season it is

Yloilo lies low, and

and wholesale

swamp by

is

always hot.

filling

simply an abominable collection of

boots to get decently through
filthy pools, and one needs to put on top
side of the creek, facing
the mud of the thoroughfares. The opposite
waste, occasionally converted
tbe shipping quarter, is a low marshy

very dusty

into a

swamp

Living

wet season

in the

is

it is

at certain tides.

somewhat dearer than

in Manila,

and the general aspect

most depressing. No public conveyances

streets, and there is no public place
are to be seen plying for hire in the
a
There is a bowling-alley, a foreign club, and a caf6
of amusement.
arrives from Manila to give
company of strolling comedians sometimes

of Yloilo

and

its

environs

is

performances in a coach-builder's shed.

in Yloilo, several of them
great many Spaniards have settled

Quite a number of foreigners are employed in

The Municipality
three or four vice-consulates.

having^'married there.
trade,and there are

was

Eoyal Order dated 7th June, 1889.

established by

result that
Fires occur frequently, with the
from an architectural point of view.

the

town

is

yearly

improving

"
de
was represented by two news-sheets the Porvaiir
For export statistics vide
Bisayas'' and the '' Eco de Panay:'

The

press

page 294.
sail that night to Kegros
There was a small schooner going to
advantage of her departure to quit this
Island, so I was glad to take
provisions into the little cabin,
uninviting place. I got my bags and
way. There was a fresh N.E.
and about 7 o'clock we were on the
along as fast as our craft could cut
breeze blowing, and we were carried
It was a pitchat the Ginigaran River at midnight.

the water, arriving

dark night, and

when we disembarked

way tohe house

a

letter.

cams

We

of a planter to

The planter was

me

to find the

my. Yloilo friends had given

tramped along a high road

to the house.

when he heard

whom

the pilot helped

little

for about half-an-hour

me
and

disposed to open the door, but

conclude that there

the voice of a foreigner he seemed to

ALONG THE WEST COAST OF NEGROS.

469

was no dauger. It was only the next morning that I realized

where I
had got to. It was a very modest, poorly furnished homestead
of wood
and bamboo construction, with a thatched roof. It was Sunday
morning,

and, to

my

great surprise, an elegant carriage-and-pair

was brought up

to the door to take the family to

Mass. The SeJiora was a good-looking

Her diamond and gold jewellery must have cost as much
the house and furniture were worth. Off Ave went in
the carriage

half-breed.

as
to

Mass, and afterwards

The town

we

visited

some of the

planter's friends in town.

of Ginigaran consists of one street

small dingy wooden houses.

There

residence of a wealthy planter.

the external appearance

is

is

and a few cross rows of

also one fine buildingthe

The rooms

much

are well distributed, but

deteriorated

by

all

the ground floor

being converted into Chinamen's shops. (A palatial residence

has since
been built there.) On leaving Ginigaran, we crossed the
river in a
two-pony carromata on a raft, and from the other side we
were driven
for about two hours along au uninteresting road
to Marayo (or
Pontevedra), thence to Valladolid. I stayed a day in
Valladolid
to

visit

the estates

around, and then went on to Bago.

there

was nothing

to

All the

wav

be seen but sugar plantations on the right, and

the
sea on the left.
In Yloilo and A'egros where nipa palm is comparatively
scarce, one is struck with the quaint appearance of huts
made
entirely

of

bamboo, including the

Luzon Island I do not remember

having seen a poor cabin vWthout some nipa or cogon grass.
On the south side of Bago tovvu there is a wide river. The bushroof, whilst in

rope, vrhich served to pull the raft

snapped, so

we had

a very di'eary place

to find

from one side to the other, had

a canoe and man to take us across. Bao-o is

we

stayed there a few hours, and then tried to get

a conveyance to take us on to the next town S umag. I sent
Kicomedis
all

over the town to see

search.

I went to the

good-will into the

who had

vehicles, but nothing resulted

from hig

Town

officials.

Hall, but nothing v/ould put energy or

Then I sent a letter to the petty-governor,

terms which quickened him considerably, and, in the

end, I got a
planter's private carriage to take me to Sumag.
in

All around

Sumag

is

very barren land, almost worthless.

Not a
cane or rice was to be seen from the high road within
a
mile of the village.
Suddenly the coachiBan stopped.
" What is it ? " I inquired.
field of either

" Senor:'

470

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

"

What

"

" ScTiorr
" Is this
"

Sumag

"

Senorr
what looked

I could only see

like a couple of barus

ou the

left

a hut here and there and a pile of boards, house shape, on vaj right,
in

an open

with the high road through the middle.

field,

" Is this Suraag

"
*'

all

" I repeated.

/Scrtor."

Go

boards.

to the
It

Town

drove

me

to this pile of

looked like a large box suspended in the air on six poles.

There was an opening

" Is this

man

Hall," and the

Sumag

box and a native appeared.

in the

" I inquired again.

" Yes," said the man, and I heard a peal of laughter inside the
aerial box.

I alighted, and, as Nicomedis placed

my

bags on the ground, I

it

returning, for I began to

looked at the carriage, with regret, to see

wonder by what means I should eventually leave

I went up into the
full of

Town

this place.

Hall, but could not remain there

it

was

Then, on descending, I saw they were roasting a pig ou

smoke.

a spit underneath the floor boards.

There was a hewn log lying

and took some refreshment.

roasted exactly under the

" There

is

Then

Town

going to be

in front

I inquired

the pig

the priest had gone on a journey.

It

was 8

o'clock

the pig was being

is

for the supper,

had mistaken

I felt anything but lively,

I re-entered the

ready, and the guests were arriving.

and the

for a barn),

would never make a stoppage again

when

it,

by the time dancing begins."

I called at the convent (which

on

because the daughter of

a ball to-night,

will drive the mosquitos out

vowed, from that day,

why

I sat

Hall.

Captain Q. has been married to-day

smoke

on the ground, so

Town

Hall.

was not invited

but

and I

at Siimag.

The pig was

to the ball, but

my

The headmen
There was one man particularly

presence there seemed to be taken as a matter of course.

and " swells " of the village saluted me.

attentive,

He

and very anxious

to display his

placed three wooden arm-chairs,

meagre knowledge of Spanish.

one

for me, one for the petty-

governor, and one for the father of the bride.

arrived,

A band

of

music had

and the entrance was blocked up by the farm labourers and

THE RUSTIC'S BALL.

SUMAG.

townspeople who came to witness the great event.

looked amazed

when they saw a

I walked over, as

The

girls,

who on

their

homes

if

The young women

Cachila} and several of them went out.

Later on I saw some shuffling going on

down.

471

and

in a corner

girls

crouching

unconcerned, to see what they were doing.

their arrival

had found a Cachila^ had returned to

to fetch their finery,

and they were changing their patallon

cloths for flowing skirts, and were putting on their trinkets.

The

love

women seems to be the same all over the world.

Dancing had commenced. The Spanish-speaking native came to offer
me a partner, remarking that if I did not like her there were more to
of

adornment amongst

He

choose from, so I commissioned him to bring another.

two bronze-coloured
don't like either

beauties,

my

in

we

"

selection.

All right," and he came with another.

her dancing, and thought

The

and I hesitated

arrived with

You

bad seen

should manage to keep step somehow.

only objection was, that her dark skin was already emitting an

unpleasant odour and her chemisette was soaked with perspiration.

We

waltzed or polkad, I cannot say which, but

and round

until

my

partner

was wet through, and

we

got safely round

my

unbleached linen

was discoloured from top to toe with moisture. Now and again
there was a tumble, and the loose planks clattered amidst roars
suit

of laughter from

the

chewed and chatted

in

The

lookers-on.

Visaya

old

natives

smoked

dialect, occasionally offering

genial politeness, cigars or betel-nut, Avhilst the younger

respectful distance, watching every

movement, as

if

and

me, with

men kept

at a

had been a rare

menagerie specimen.

"What
thinking.
bearers

could

Cachila want in

There was a sudden uproar

the musicians stopped to

followed carrying plates of boiled

Sumag

" they seemed to be

the pig had arrived with

make way
rice,

for his passage.

provided myself with these implements.

We

all

went

quite disconcerted the

The

but I had

pig was carved with a

to table in the adjoining

women, who

Others

whilst another was sent to scour

the village in search of a knife and fork for the Cachila

bohie-knife.

two

room.

My

presence

insisted on huddling together

really could not eat anything they protested.

they

The men, however, were

Cachila in the South and CasUla in the North signify " European "; it is
sometimes applied to non-European employers of labour (half-breecis and Creoles^,
in which case it denotes " master." The term is said to be derived from the war'

cry of the Spaniards during the conquest

"

Vixa Castilla

"

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

472
very active

tearing

rice into their

lumps of meat

their

mouths with

to pieces,

aud cramming the

their fingers.

The dancing was resumed,

whilst the remains of the pig and rice

were being devoured below stairs, under our floor, by the small boys
and the waifs and strays who usually turn up at festivals. About one
As they did so, the headmen and
o'clock the party began to clear off.
those

who were

not scared at the Cachila, bent one knee, placed the

hand on the forehead, and bobbed their heads to me by way of

respectful salutation ; the women, however, had not arrived at that
stage of culture, and cleared off most unceremoniously.

My
floor

bed was quickly made

was

all

bantering, I got

towu

a straw mat and two

pillovv^s

on the

the necessary.

The next morning,

capital

after

what was

Bacolod.

a deal

called an

of

searching,

"omnibus"

beseeching

to take

me

and

to the

This vehicle was a rectangular box, a

little

longer than square, set on springs and two wheels, and drawn by a

When we

buffalo.

reached the

first

river, the buffalo

would

insist

on

bathing, aud the stupid driver forgot to twist his tail to keep him up.
forward with my
vSo he rolled down all of a sudden, and I was pitched

bags and Nicomedis sliding towards me.

The

driver

jumped

into the

stream and, by dint of jerking the twisted cane attached to the buffalo's
nose-ring, succeeded in getting him on to his legs and us out of
the river.

was perhaps more used to the plough than this kind of

haunches with a
labour, and it was only by occasionally pricking ,his
got to proceed. Each
stick and shouting to him that he could be
pricking sent him at a slow heavy trot, which jostled us about most
unpleasantly on the narrow board seat, but I soon learnt that one must

The

buffalo

be thankful for any kind of conveyance in Negros.

We were near the river at the entrance to Bacolod, and, to prevent
water
the animal repeating his morning dip, he was driven through the
at a rush, in no way adding to our comfort.

Bacolod hardly

differs

from the generality of Negros towns, except

besides the Government

that there are half-a-dozen large good houses
House and offices of the chief judge and other provincial officials.

Moreover, there v/as a clock in the church steeple quite a novelty for
the sea is so shallow
the province. The town stands on the coast, but
for quite a mile out, that steamers

have

to anchor a long distance off.

N.W. COAST OF NEGROS

The

AN

ARCADIAN RETREAT. 473

arable laud, espeeiallj in the direction of

little fertile,

modern

but rice and cane crops are raised on

capital of

Negros

a comparatively broad

page 286),

Sumag,

Up

the

scale,

due

considered

Bacolod

it.

islaad mo.5t advanced

is

iji

the

is

agriculture on

to the efforts of foreign capitalists (vide

to the year 1844,

Jimamajlan, situated about 45 miles

south on the same (west) coast was the seat of local government. In
that year the natives murdered the Governor of the island and besieo-ed
his successor in the

Government House.

The armed

forces stationed
there were quite inadequate to maintain authority against such a riotous
population, and after these events, it is said that the new Governor

appointed to Negros, having heard, on his arrival from Spain, of the

state of affairs there, at once resigned, and later on the capital
was

removed

The archetypal

to Bacolod.

races of

Negros have retreated

the Cordillera, v>'here they live in independence.

domesticated

native

famihes,

under Spanish

Many
rule

in

to

of the present
JNeo-ros

are

descendants of criminals and outlaws Avho took refuge in this island

when, up to 60 years ago, it was almost a terra incognita. Perhaps

account for the rude, sullen and unpolished character of the

Negros native inhabitants of to-day as compared with their Tagiilog
this will

brethren.

I managed to get a carromata to continue the journey, after a deal

of bargaining with the owner, who insisted upon the fare beinodeposited before starting. I went on to the Hacienda Ildefonso
the

sugar-cane estate of a Spaniard at Mataban, just this side of the next

town, Talisay. The planter married in the colony had been here
some 30 years engaged in various enterprises until he took over this

property which once belonged to an Englishman.

For the Philippines,

where cane plantations are small, this was relatively an extensive estate.
It produced annually about 700 tons of raw sugar, but as the factory
employed centrifugal machines for purging out the molasses, the nett

output of dry sugar was about 525 tons per annum.

Following the coast, I passed through the towns of Talisay and

Silay

the

latter a flat, dreary wilderness sort of place,

the middle of a

On

with a church in

and sombrous-looking houses scattered around it.

either side of the road from Silay to Saravia, there is nothing but

cane

fields.

A Panay

to bring sugar

the sea-shore.

field,

Island capitalist had just laid

from the surrounding estates

With

this object, a

to the

way had been

down a tramway

town and thence

to

cut through a forest

474

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

and swamp, and an embankment thrown up

Punta Tomonton.
of a native

was assured

woman known

been persuaded to

From

finish

as

that,

sugar estates, nearly

all

had

not been for the influence

it

Tia Miay, the labourers could never have

the work.

Saravia, the road north

1 bad to hire ponies.

for laying the rails as far as

went on
of

is

rough, and to pursue ray journey

to Victoria, a village surrounded

by

which belong to one owner, who rents them

out and advances capital for their working.

From

Victoria to Cadiz Nuevo, the route

is still

worse, and one has

to ford several streams and a number of insecure bridges to reach the

Instead of going directly to Cadiz Nuevo, I turned off to a

town.

place called Bayabas

whose acquaintance

to the property of a half-caste Chinese planter,

had made

His estate-house was the

in Yloilo.

neatest and prettiest I had ever seen on any Philippine plantation.

The

spacious, airy apartments were well furnished and decorated, whilst

the exterior called to mind a country gentleman's residence in fair

Moreover, the furniture of the house was chosen with rare

Andalusia.

taste, whilst the vestibule

and lobbies were void of that miscellaneous

lumber so generally found

in a Philippine

The owner, Don Leaudro, and

Ponies were at

attention.

property

my

farmery.

his

Senora

showed me every

disposal for riding round his splendid

a basket chaise was always ready

if

wished to go

into

town.

swim in the river, the Italon

The
diutai with its shaded banks, two minutes' walk from the house.
pleasant society which I enjoyed here, for a few days, contrasted
I could bathe in the house, or I could

strongly with the uncouth class of people I had mostly met with on the

journey since

my

by my worthy host
Charin

or his Senora, there

a charming mestiza of

six

one of the prettiest children of her

A large

my

woods with a gun, then

shade

birds

which abound

where the

was

was not entertained

grand-daughter

their little

summers

as sharp as a needle and

class.

portion of the property

In the early mornings, after

to the

When

landing on the island.

was uncleared

bath, I

still

virgin forest.

amused myself by riding out

after tying

up

my pony

to a tree in the

found sport amongst the hundreds of cockatoos and large

feller's

in the tall trees.

There was some

axe had not yet found

its

way.

One Sunday morning Don Leandro and

chaise with a trotting ox to meet the

fine scenery too,

headmen

went
after

to

town

Mass.

in

the

The path

o
N
tC/3

O
Z

I
o

a:
111

H
z
<
Q.

<
<
>
O
z
Q
<
CO

UJ

NEGROS
-to

rKOM CADIZ NUEVO TO ESCALANTE.

475

was rough, although plenty of money had beer, spent

order.
But it Avas labour lost, for the bufFaloes' hoofs

the high road

to keep

in

it

and cart-wheels cut

up

it

as soon as

We

stone in the neighbourhood.

when

the river,

was

it

were

in the chaise

the ox stepped forward

the

put out the other foot to save himself, and

slowly sank and the ox with

swam

to shore.

it,

iu

we

all

Poor Don Leandro had spoiled

is

no

on the raft passing-

raft iilted

we jumped

whilst

and there

repaired,

the animal
The

went.

vehicle

into the water

and

$200 watch, bat

his

the greatest misfortune for the time being Avas, that his spectacles had

dropped

off into the water.

There was nothing noteworthy

iu

like a barn, but a

new one was being

a good building.

There

The church was

The convent was

Cadiz Nuevo.
built of stone.

one street of shops with the cross roads and

small houses here and there, and three or four good residences of .stone,

wood, and iron

trade.

roofs.

civil

is

Chinese emigrants almost monopolise the

retail

guard post was stationed here, and the principal

inhabitants are either planters or sugar buyers with capital supplied to

them by the Yloilo

dealers.

The population around chiefly consists of emigrants from other

islands who began to arrive when lands were first taken up here for

Many

agriculture.

family

is

of the settlers

are from Capis.

from Manila, and the majority of the

Bantayan a

required,

and wheu

The annual

festival of

is

Bantayan.

it

is

Bantayan

is

N.

the

surplus return

to

come over

often

novel

and

pass a

week

to their estates for the

making them advances

to

see

or

capitalists

to

more

to

held iu July, and then

the planters or their representatives go over there in canoes

their families

of Kegros-.

an extra number of

lasts,

over,

influential

labourers arc from

barren, sandy, almost desert island to the

Whilst the sugar-cane grinding season

labourers

field

One

often with

to persuade the

workpeople

incoming cane-crushing season,

secure their services.

begging for labourers

It

is

rather

sometimes there

is

quite a competition amongst the planters to secure hands.

made some pleasant excursions out from Cadiz Nuevo

neighbouring homesteads

sometimes

on horseback, at

otJier

to the

times

by

canoe up the streams, Avhich empty themselves into the Cadiz liiver.

There are plenty of fishermen's prahus

them

I set sail for Escalante

to be found here,

on the east coast.

and

in

one of

Half the coast round

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

476

the north point of Negros

abrupt precipices

We
two

had a

mangrove swamp

Sometimes the

we

the other half having

to the sea border.

light breeze all the

sails set.

the sea that

down

is

way, which just kept us going with

swamp grew

trees of the

so far out into

we

could find a passage between them, and at midday

and hauled into a shaded place to lunch without going

The men boiled their rice and fried their dried fish on board,
ashore.
Cadiz
whilst I ate my cold fowl and bread wliich I had brought from
lowered

sail

Nuevo.
Ifc was a
ei<>-ht

hours

delightful journey, sailing slowly along the coast, and in

I had a letter to the lieutenant

in Escalante.

we were

commanding the district, but he was not at home. However, his

heave
secretary, a young Philippine-born Spaniard, had seen the prahu
he did not know who I was,
to in front of the Government House
;

nor that I had a letter to his chief, but, of his

gpoufcaneoiisly sent four

men with

the prahu, across the wet

presented

my

if

vv-e

had been old

Europeans

commanding the
Escalante

is

quality article.

civil

the

parish priest and

the sub-lieutenant

guard.

a tobacco-growing district, and produces a very fair

went out to see a few plantations and inspect the

We

all

very primitive.

fermentation, which

nothing cheerful in

might be mistaken

leaves were simply

seems to be imperfectly understood. There is

a tobacco plantation which, at the first glance,

for a Held of cabbages run to seed.

Secretary kindly lent

European-built boat for

on to Calatrava.

The

I saw no stacks of leaves for the

aerated by hanging them in rows.

down

beach, to the house.

it

maturing sheds, which are

The

muddy

was hardly necessary. He treated me as

friends, and accompanied me to visit the only
but

the place

in

nature, he

a chair on two long bamboos to carry

me from

letter,

own good

The

sail or

me

oars and

coast along here

to the water's edge.

In

had reached the wide Danao

Government falua

the

less
river.

I hired five
is

men

long

to take

thickly covered with trees

than an hour with a light wind

The

me
we

journey to Calatrava, I was

would take about seven hours, so I determined to make an

able to
excursion up the river. The water was very smooth and I was
bush-rope.
take some soundings at the mouth with a heavy stone and

told,

The depth

at the

mouth varied from nine

to thirteen feet.

We

went

NEGROS.
up about

UP

THE DANAO RIVER.

yards, and, on

fifty

477

sounding again, I found a depth of

mouth was about a quarter of a

mile, and when Ave rowed on for nearly an hour it was still wider.
However, the navigable water course was considerably contracted by a
closely matted frinu,e of mangrove trees which, Avith their roots shootin"twenty-seven feet.

up and

Tiie width of the

interlacing one another, formed a kind of impervious screen or

network.

Then, as

we

Ave proceeded,

saAV steep precipices on either side

and

gigantic trees overhanging, spreading their lofty branches so far over

the river that for hours Ave Avere shaded from the sun's rays.

A
few

up from the mouth, on the

fcAv yards

left

bank, there Avere a

huts, but during six hours' journey past that place Ave neither

a canoe nor saAv a human being.

was only disturbed by

the calao^ and the gavilau hawk. I v,-as enchanted

the screeching of

by these gloomy but grand

The men

The

silence

regions.

Avere getting tired

they had not speculated on so mucli

hard labour, as they thought I was going to

They began

they were

murmur

to

wanderings Avould
race,

finally land

and I suspect they

them.

sail direct to

AA'ondering Avhen

They

Calatrava.

and Avhere

longer to see

Avere fearing Ave should not get out of this place

to return, but I persuaded

if

Ave

met any one

of

whom

them
to

In half-an-hour

Ave saAv

us they scampered

In

off,

some canoes and

to

of depth for the boat.

we had landed at
men and women and

but only five huts were to be seen

Some

they saAV

frightened, and to tell their elders probably.

There were some fourteen

grass roofs.

When

children.

minutes more

five

They

row on a little while

make some inquiries. The

became narrower, but there was plenty

river

my

are a highly superstitious

before the hour the spirits of the forest (the asuang) appeared.

begged of me

met

of

little

a collection of cabins.
a number of children,

shanties of

bamboo and cogon

men were

apparently half-caste Aelas,

judging from their dark colour and the half-matted hair.

tlie

Around the huts were a few plantain

saw several nets made of a vegetable

men,

make

who were
a

fire

trees, and,
fibre,

on the river bank,

and three canoes.

Mv

very fatigued, got under the shade of a large tree to

for boiling their rice.

I went with

my

was simply made

servant iSIicomedis to a hut.

of branches of trees with a

'

few

''daojBuceros hydrocorax.

The

split

raised flooring

bamboos

crossin"-

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

478
them.

them

saw some harpoons used

for fishing

iive for a half- worn-out cotton

bag, the natives

the contents.

the women

They handled

China

in particular

and made a bargain for

shirt.

When

my

opened

were very anxious

to see

everything, and, in the end. I gave them

some pocket-handkerchiefs.

My

servant, an Ilocos lad, could not understand these people at

so I got one of the Visaya boatmen to interpret as

their language being

by

fishing

on the

more

more

legs of

how

They all

on the mountain slope.

or less badly, a cutaneous disease, with scars covering the

some

their loins

mountains, and,

river, collecting succulent roots in the

little rice

as he could,

I understood that they lived

similar to his.

occasionally, they planted a

Itad,

Avell

all,

(^oide "

and hanging down

they got the

The women had

Diseases," page 207).

stuffs, I

to their knees,

rags round

and on inquiry as

was told that they were supplied

to

to

them

by a headman near Escalante, v/ho sometimes commissioned them

deliver him rattan cane and gum.

to

The group of huts stood on a cleared piece of land which sloped

down to the river bank. All around was majestic luxuriant forest, and,
accompanied by two of the boatmen and followed by the village natives,
I walked into the

wood

for about half-an-hour.

There was nothing unusual

to

be seen, although

all

around was

life

Beautiful orchids clustered on the stately trees, which

and vigour.

hardly permitted the sun's rays to penetrate, whilst a thick undergrowth

impeded our progress

at

every step.

We

passed a large cavity

sort of lagoon, about one-third full of stagnant water,

never reflected the blue sky

and

halted

which surely

under a halctc

tree.^

The

trunk of mighty girth, borne up on roots, like walls, so eveu and large,
From the
that in some districts cart-wheels are cut out of them.
boughs, towering up some sixty
leaf,

huug

to the earth,

feet,

smooth

lianes,

without knot or

forming so many natural ropes

and on the

lunbs of this giant of the forest, clung orchids, cactuses and other

minor plants

in rich profusion, seeking, as

monster growth.

were, protection from the

There I stood spell-bound, peering

tropic forest, until I

My men were

it

remembered

asleep.

it

was time

into the fantastic

to return to the boat.

I resolved, therefore, to extend

my

excursion,

and engaged two squatters to carry my luggage before me up the hill

to the summit of that mountainous rampart which we had passed on
'

Fiaus Iridicus.

FKOM CALATRAVA TO BAGUMBAYAN.

NEGROS.

Perhaps they would go

the way.

with the bout, I thought, when

But what mattered

I reached the top.

I

off

was viewing one

In return for this possibility

.^

from where I stood rose the great Cordillera with

far

To

barren volcanic range.

contrast,

was the noble

terribly grand,

ordered Nicomedis to

away to

the distant south

down

the east, looking

forest

giant branches over the

Vk^ere

To

of the grandest prospects in Nature.

shadowy hills stretching

tall

479

The

long line of

a comparatively

the river, in brilliant

where the towering

bamboos.

its

the west

trees spread their

features of the scenery

and under such delicious influences of nature I

prepare my meal beneath the broad canopy of a

neighbouring palm grove.

The

squatters looked on with an astonished

Sons of the

air.

soil

they no doubt wondered what marvellous fascination impelled this white

face to linger under arches of verdant boughs and find delight therein.

In Escalante I had had given to

rolled

cigars

called

hemp

fibre.

It

natives at this
for one

We

tus-tus

simply

me

a large bundle of roufhlv

the

coiled

leaf

up with

tied

was choice selected tobacco, and I gave it to the

little settlement, as I had no wearing apparel
to spare

always carries the

started for

down

least

luggage possible in these places.

the river.

It

was

11 p.m.

when we

left

mouth, and we could see the lights of a village called Salamanca.

men

could not be up

the

The

night after the fatigue of the day, so we put

in at this place until the next morning.
I got my mat and pillows out
of the boat, and slept soundly on the floor of a fisherman's hut.
The
all

next day, after I had taken some cocoa and boiled

Calatrava

a delightful

trip in the early

rice,

we

set out for

morn.

There was nothing noteworthy here,

church and convent, a

couple of houses and a few huts constitute the whole town.

Chinese have three or four stores where they

speculate a

little in

Barili

sell

(Cebu) and Escalante tobacco

groceries

The
and

leaf.

From

Calatrava I started in a prahu for Bagumbayan, about fifty

miles journey down the coast.
We passed Refugio Island and a few
fishing villages on the way.
To my left was the dim outline of Cebu
Island
plain.

to

my right the

The mountain

checkered scenery of rugged

range, with

its

There were some pretty

creeks on our route, and a few miles this side of

cliff-bound.

It

was moonlight.

and cultivated

forest-clad slopes verging towards

the sea, formed a charming background.

is

hill

Bagumbayan

the coast

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

480
Bagumbayan

We

on the shore.

is

arrived there late at night.

which serves for

There Is nothing to be seen but a wretched building
were planted with maize.
a church, and a few huts. The fields around
"new town."
The place was well named, for Bagumbayan signifies
arrangements for crossing the island to
I rested one day making my
miles distant by the
Jimamaylan, which is about thirty to thirty-five
There was great difficulty in finding ponies ; they

mountain paths.

were out grazing, and had

When

to be caught.

they were brought

ia,

one was so chafed on the

thin animals
I observed they v/ere miserably
objected to infiicting any
spine by native saddles that I positively
It was only
for.
it, and another had to be sought
;

further cruelty upon

at nightfall that I
self,

so I lodged

host

knew

just

put through
around me.

my

had the three ponies ready

till

my

servant, guide

morning at the petty-governor's dwelling.

enough Spanish

to

make a

and

As my

conversation possible, I was

grouped
catechism, to the great enjoyment of ail who
About twenty pairs of eyes were apparently trying to read

my

past, present,

and future

life

Ever and anon my cacique

and condition.

friend

would interpret

was
a passage of our interlocution, which
the solemn ejaculation, ahah

now with

for

was holding Icvk

in the cookhouse.

now met with

for their benefit

a general laugh,

same time Nicomedis

There squatted on the bamboo

/at

the

tribal chief amongst a posse of

floorhe had installed himself like a
particular friends, who
my host's male and female retainers and their
of no small degree, listened in
regarding him as a hero and a personage
habits and his
his naive interpretation of his master's

silent rapture to

own daring exploits in m.y service.

The shades of night had fallen
from the

ti7ism wick, floating

shell in the corner,

was

still

hours ago.

on cocoa-nut

flickering

when

oil in

The dim

light,

thrown

a piece of cocoa-nut

the motley crowd dispersed,

apartment. In the roof, three or four

and I was shown my sleeping
any feast. On the floor
bamboo stools were suspended in reserve for
wooden saint, a pile of tampipc clothes-baskets
level, between a hideous
However, with two pillows
left.
and myself, there was not much space
happily enough until 4 a.m., when
on the floor, I passed the night
But
to the morn."
"
village cock had twice done salutation
the early

there were so

first

saluting, that further repose

was out

of the

with
host was a " fancier," and like his chanticleers, rose
Nicomedis prepared my cocoa, whilst the
faint streak of dawn.

question.

the

many cocks

My

ACROSS NEGROS.
headmaa showed me every

AMONGST

THE AETAS.

481

attention, politely remarking, as

he handed

me cigars, " V. cuidado de dispensar las faltas " (Praj

excuse all
may be wanting). Then he highly recommended the
guide to me
man who, having accidentally lapsed from virtue in his
had

accustomed

to treat Avith

He knew

this.

every path, and was

the mountaineers.

My
The

servant and guide had native saddles,

and I used
guide carried his long bohie-knifea kind
of

of provisions,

which he hung

rice, etc.

as a

younger days,
and had sent many a natiVe to the

defied the civil guard for years,

other world to annex his chattels in

that

my own.

campilan^nd a ba-'
Our journey led

to the saddle.

us by a good beaten track, through

tall cogon grass, for about ten
miles,
crossing a rivulet here and there
then

we began

we reached an

elevation of

on either side of

980

feet

to rise gradually until

through winding paths with bush

us, traversing uncultivated land

until

mountaineers' ranche.

As we

we came to a
approached, the mountaineers beat their

tom-toms and hollow tree-trunks

woods the uncommon apparition.

announce

to

to the people in the

We

halted at the ranche, and

the Aetas came to parley with us.
I could not understand a word, but
my guide chatted familiarly with them. The adults were
all threeparts naked
the children were dressed
in

had curly

nothing at

all.

The men

very high cheek bones, and a generally

emaciated and
squalid appearance.
The females were uglier still
hair,

few old women

closed around us and stared.
The
the guide was whether I was a Spaniard,
a

were scarecrow creatures.

iirst direct

question put to

and they seemed well

know what

They

to give

satisfied

them

to

to learn that I

was

not.

put them in a good humour.

think of was the remainder of

my

cigars and a small

I did not

All I could

bag of copper coin

with which they seemed highly pleased.

fire

was lighted

stream, carrying

it

in a

the Aetas

went

to

fetch us water from a

bamboo, the intermediate webs of which they

had knocked

out.

I suppose

was prudent

to

satisfy these

my

knew from experience

guide

people

in

that

it

some way.

I noticed, on
he seemed to have brought provisions for a
long journey.
Kow he got his bag and served them out some rice
and fish. I
wandered about amongst the Aetas, who
were very friendly disposedthey showed me how to light a fire without
matches, by rubbing a piece
of dry bamboo on the outside
of another piece the hollow
of the
bottom piece being burnt through, the fire
caused by the
starting, that

m contact

friction

with the

fine

shavings inside

came

then the shavings were very

H H

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

482

carefully taken out and

me

blown gently

until they blazed.

They showed
that there was

through the guide,

deer-horns, and explained to me,
marrow of the deer-hor
the locality. The pith or

good hunting about

affirmed.
had medicinal properties they
and were somewhat
We had been riding slowly for four hours,
is far more
jog-trot of a small weak pony

The

tired.

lingering

pace.
a good horse going at a fair
wearying than the long lithe step of
when we arrived at the ranche, and after
It was between ten and eleven
Nicomedis went fast to
for a couple of hours.

we

breakfast

rested

I think he regarded his

he seemed more bored than amused.
account, in his own mmd, for the
master as a mystery, and could not
wild regions.
odd taste of leaving Manila for these
seldom
their arrows at a tree, and they
I got the Aetas to shoot
couple of hours' stay, the men had
missed the exact mark. In the
women squatted about on their
gained complete confidence, the
curiosity could never be satisfied.
haunches watching, as if their
environment for an European.
Altogether it was a most comical social
them the remains of the rice and fish
I suggested to my guide giving
but he told me it would not be

sleep

and betel-nut as we were leaving,

politic to

exacting, mistaking
be over generous as they might become

our liberality for fear.

^^ Adios ! ''
as we parted.
mounted our ponies, and I shouted
they understood, so I gave the general
I did not know what greeting
interpreted to myself as
On their part, they set up a yell which I
one.

We

"good-bye" and "aw

revoir.'"

ever
hours more through forest defiles ;
distant murmur of a mountain torrent,
and anon we could hear the
streams in the shaded dells. It was hot,
and then we forded the little
riding and perspiring freely-nevertheless,
but one does not feel it when
was
low, between five and six o'clock. I
I was glad when the sun was
locomotion, but one does not travel in
gettin- quite tired of such slow
My poor little nag too was not in a
the Philippines like a Nawab.
the passes. It was close upon
condition to take me bounding through
We could hear the wind gently sighing
sunset when we left the forest.
most delicious breeze.
throu-h the tree tops ; there was a
either side of us were planted
w'e now got on to an open path. On
were evidently nearing the coast.
hedges and cocoa-nut palms, so we
Then we
as we proceeded.
We^'could see the foot-prints of buffaloes
six in the
sugar-cane fields. It was about half-past

We

came

trotted on for four

to

some

ACROSS NEGEOS. BUFFALO-RIDIXG.

483

evening

the sun had quite gone down,

but it was light
passed a homestead
the man in charge undoubtedly
knew
for he hailed us to stop
and rest.

We

still

my

guide '

" I can't go any further with you,"

said the guide, but I will
get a
man to take your baggage into town."

How's that
"I'm not so
"

" I inquired as I
dismounted.

safe on this side,

another route."

I guessed

and 1 return with the ponies by

"^

would be inconvenient for him to

meet the civil guard
on the west coast-but why
make embarrassing inquiries ? so I
left
him and walked into town with
Nicomedis and a man, who carried my
belongings between them.
In half-aa-hour we were in
Jin,amaylan, the okl capital of
Negros.
it

I was hke the majority of

parishes, except that
of the anc.ent Ca_the
fort

we

could see the ruins

built to protect tlte inhabitants

in oUen
times against the depredations
of the Mussulmans.
I called at the convent, and
whilst ascending the staircase.
I met

^^- gn>ed
Z/,T'nTr^^','="^'y-'^"
""
" ""=^'""^

rt

"'''

a high

,0

official ;

from laughing
n.ght there.

'"'

'

I carried no baton.

It

was an

my

right

hand and
-'=
'O I'aWt. Or
^
efTort

The good Father Pedro invited me

to

indeed to keep-

sup and pass the

was not at all displeased at the

prospect of having a
good meal, a good bed and a
bath the next morning.
I intended to go
byroad up to Marayo (Pontevedra)
again, for I had promised
to arrive
I

on an estate near there

However, the priest told
expected in the next

in time for the feast

me

of the

patron

saint.

that a small steamer from

Yleilo

day-and would call

''""^''-*^ """ -"^ ' ^hore

vit ted the

b convent,
v,s.ted

at

Marayo on her

was

return.

bringing the captain,

wh

and I went on board with him.

It was a splendid
ear day, and from the
upper deck one could obtain
a capital view of
the
coast with

its

plantations everywhere.

In about two-hours-and-a-half
we reached Marayo, where I hired
pomes
to take

sailt'sd!

me

"/T'
'!

to the largest sugar-cane

plantation in the

any

ease, I should arrive

"T^'^^''^
''"^"" ' ''' '

;"
en:;*::
nag at a tenant's eabm.
'r^^
A team

'^'"-"

the

before the'

"^^ ""-gU cane

and bridges. My worn

over roth
rough buffalo-cart
f"
roads, dykes
w s so weak, that when we
were half

Colony

fields

and

out pony

way he fell into a heap-or

^p--^-^. had to ea:

of buffaloes

was coming along

HH

at

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

484:

loo glad to let me mount one.

the time, and the .nan in charge was only
good joke to see a
over his face, and thought it was a

He

laughed

all

any
had not yet learnt that there was
further than the strain on one's
particular feature about bulFalo-riding,

CacMla on a carahao.

The animal
of body.
by being stretched over such a large girth
The sensation is
its back.
was as tame as a lamb, and I sprang on to
At every stride the whole
it.
most peculiar to one unaccustomed to
detached from the flesh, and the
skin seems to slide about as if it were
depends on maintaining
huge body being too broad to grip, one's safety

thio-hs

Since then,

a good balance.
I

buffalo,

when

necessity has obliged

me

to

mount

over the back with

have had a piece of rattan cane placed

stirrups or foot-rests.
a loop at each end to serve as
welcomed by the
When I arrived at the estate-house, I was
passed the time
Spaniards.
working partner and his wife-both
hence-by visits to the factory (although
nntil the feast-two days
adpimng
at the time), and calls at the
the machinery was not running
There was a great assembly o
properties belonging to Spaniards.
general
the feast day, which was also a

We

Europeans from

all

around on

holiday for the labourers.

siesta-oi\.evs chatted and

was

smoked

until about 4 o'clock,

to

the contest.

see

Wagers were

freely

when

We

outside the house.

be a great cock-fight, just

to

down

the
After dinner some of the guests slept

offered.

there

all

went

knew

the feathered
"points" or the "antecedents" of any of
on the one which looked
I chanced my dollar each time

nothino- of the
gladiat^'ors, so

There was immense excitement

and the strongest.
cock-owners and the labourers.
amon- the serious sportsmen-the
ourselves) to keep
We Europeans made our bets (exclusively between
of
The series of battles lasted an hour, and most

the

heaviest

p the enthusiasm.

-the natives

retired-some chuckling over

their day's

good fortune-

others downhearted.

We

went up

to the balcony at the

back

of the house.

was

to see

had never yet witnessed-a horse-fight.

a si-ht, the like of which I
up to
this balcony, a mare was tied
In the middle of a paddock facing

Three stallion pomes

of slack rope.
a post with about three yards
Whenever a
trotted to the mare.
were then loosened, and oif they
common rival and enemy of the
pony approached her he became the

ensued. They kicked and bit each

other two, and a desperate combat
exasperated, the fight would become
other terribly. At times, all being
Whenever they got within reach
general-each one against the other.

AN UNPLEASANT SQUALL.
would launch out a kick with her hiud

of the mare, she

course her sex protected her from

lasted

conqueror in the end

but of
contest

pretty well

all

No

one was disposed to yield.

but not

exhausted,

feet,

The bloody

retaliation.

an hour, by which time they were

over

for

485

one was the

each had received about an equal share of bites

on the neck and kicks on the trunk, and they were

all

driven off

bleeding.

When

the feast

high road

prahu

as soon as

me

we

over

driven

Marayo, and followed the

to

carromata as far as Pulo Paudan, where I found a

in a

to take

was over I returned

We

started.

scud along at a

leeward, Avas

the

to

The wind

over to Guimarras Island.

moment we should be

terrific rate,

shipping sea.

freshened up

and the prahu,

thought every

Nicomedis stood on the extremity

capsized.

of the outrigger on the weather side to help counterbalance her.

must confess

I felt

strapped

my

most uncomfortable, seeing that these waters teem

Knowing

with sharks.

the prahu would not sink, I had, on starting

us,

The wind

bags and saddle to a cross-bar.

had

to save us, the native pilot

to

head the craft

to run before

When

it.

in the direction of our course, a

increased,

and

he attempted

sudden gust caught

and we turned over on one side within about three hundred yards of

the shore.

The

pilot got clear,

and kept himself

the rigging and hauled in the

the prahu, and Nicomedis,

moment, did the same.

away, so the
were quite

pilot

safe.

other stood erect

keep

my

shore.

hung on

to

into the sea at the critical

paddle which was on board

had

floated

balance, whilst Nicomedis and the pilot paddled slowly to

My

luggage Avas not

side of the island.

which

opposite coast
canoe, and

dripping with water.

sail

who had jumped

he disentangled

swam out to pick it up and returned with it. We

The outrigger on the leeside had given Avay, but the
in the air, and as I sat on the hulk, it served me to

pony and native saddle

saddle,

afloat whilst

the

soaked.

to

sole

means

place

the second port of the

it

Avas

at

wet through.
hand

I hired a

to reach the other

and Nicomedis walked with

my

It Avas

about seven or eiaht miles to the

called

Xagaba, Avhere I lighted upon a

was not displeased

my

but

I carried the bags,

Avas

unfavourably on

lost,

to find

Philippines

myself again,

in half-an-hour. iu

Yloilo, Avhich impressed

first arrival.

^-^

me

so

CHAPTER XXY.

TRAVELLING NOTES.ITINERARY.
Space

will not permit

me

two preceding chapters,

to detail, as in the

expeditions through the Philippines,

further travels and exploring
of years, hut I think the following
extending, as they do, over a period

my

a synopsis of twenty-two convenient

hints on Travelling, together with
tourist reader.
journeys, may be useful to the
the 1st of December to
The best season for travelling is from, say
are
travelling noted in the journeys
the 31st of May. The means of
season he should be
If one travelled in the wet
for this (dry) season.
some cases where other means are
-prepared to use his saddle in
invariably, bad in the middle of
mentioned, as the roads are, almost
to be made,
From nearly every place there are excursions
the year.
but the facilities for doing so much
in the respective neighbourhoods,
and other residents with
upon the good-nature of the native

depend

^diom one may happen

to strike acquaintance.

Except

in

1 loilo, Cebu

Cruz, Lingayen and Vigan

Bacolod (Visayas), and in Santa
(Mindanao), the traveller has to depend
(Luzon), and Zamboanga

and

own
hospitality of the inhabitants, or his
absolutelv on the gratuitous
visiting the plantations
Some good trips are made by simply
hic^cao-e.^
withm
etc. according to the locality),
(hemp coffee, sugar, tobacco,
half-an-hour's ride from the towns.
Luzon natives are generally affable

and hospitable.

The

natives are
Ne-ros and Yloilo province

are'^many

liberal

established there.

entertainers

The Cebu

less

The

courteous, but there

among the Spaniards and Tagalogs

natives are docile and obliging.

small tins of provisions in case of

well always to take a few
happens to be found in a town, provide
need, and, when good bread
be
in the next place it may not
it on leaving, for
It

is

one's self with

487

TRAVELLING NOTES.

In ray time the best bread in the Colony (not excepting

procurable.

Manila) was that made at Lipa (Batangas).

Carry the

may

least

An

luggage possible.

aneroid and thermometer

not be required by the tourist, but a compass

is

always useful.

towel round the neck, like a scarf, whilst on pony-back or

Wear a
walking

in the hottest sun.

boys are the best

Make

It

necessary to take a servant

is

Ilocos

Visaya boys are the worst.

Manila, Yloilo or

Cebii

cue's

and on journeys

centre,

extending over a Aveek from the centre, carry half-a-dozen doses of

Howard's sulphate of quinine, a small

bottle of J.

chlorodyue, a few doses of Eno's fruit

salt,

opener, a corkscrew, a couple of yards of

diameter, and a revolver.

everywhere

Browne's

Collis

a knife and fork, a tin-

cord a quarter-of-an-inch

substitute for boot-blacking

found

is

the soot from the bottom of a frying pan (carajmj) rubljed

over the boots with a piece of banana skin gives a good polish.
arrest diarrhoea

masticate the peeling of green unripe guava

swallow the juice only.

If one

is

frait

To
and

going a journey like No. 7 (vide

Itinerary) he should take a light rug small enough to roll

up and be

portable on the saddle, for the nights on the river, and possibly in the

When

mountain.
get

the greater part of the journey

is

by pony

the luggage (except saddle and rug) into leather saddle-bags, as

all

a portmanteau cannot be taken pony-back without damaging

To

those

who have

Don't get your special

probably be just

all

pairs 14'

12"

Under the
or village

outfit

of wearing apparel in

light saddle

3") should, hov/ever, be

vSpauish regime,

(as

it

will

it

and saddle bags (two

brought from Europe,

was the custom on arriving

without knowing any one there, or without

Hall had, or should have, a

Avas obligatory to supply

many

Europe

wrong), but in the East, where the correct articles

introduction, to alight (by right)

of so

it.

not been in the Far East before, I would say

can be purchased on the spot.

towu

travelling,

tarift'

at the

of the

on payment.

ToAvn Hall.

means

at a

letters of

Each Town

of travelling^ Avhich

Each township

Avas

it

composed

cahezerias or groups of tax-payers, and each cahezeria

provided one caudrillero for the service of the ToAvn Hall, so that the
Formerly it was also the obligation of
traveller with certain provisions on payment.
troops and military officers) was abolished
Weyler dated 17th October, 1S88, to come into
1

the Tribunal

officials

to supply a

This obligation (except as regarded

by a decree

of

Governor-General

operation on the 1st January, 1S39.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

488

oue needed could not be

How these matters will be regulated when a
refused on payment.
throughout the islands
recognized government is again established
was the office of
remains to be seen. The Tribunal {i.e. Town Hall)

supply of baggage-carriers, guides,

the Municipal Council.

the same time

it

was a

etc. wliicli

All town affairs were transacted there.

sort of casual

ward

for wayfarers of all classes

where one could pass the night (perhaps on the

For the

traveller

and,

to the furnished well-built house.

from the poverty-stricken bungalow

is

floor or the table).

corresponded, in a certain degree, to the dakBut there were all sorts of Tribunales,
India.

it

bungaloxo of British

It

At

morning,
prudent to begin a long riding journey early iu the

when

in

starting

canoe,

see

that

all

the

men

are

sober.

should be avoided
Familiarity with the hired natives accompanying

they are likely to abuse

it,

and are more accustomed

to sternness.

a matter of
parish priests, as a rule, are hospitable, and as
the
be visited. Since the abolition of passports for

The

courtesy should
interior

(year 1884),

authorities

without

either personal or

by

not usual for travellers to visit the local

previous acquaintance or without introduction,
it

is

letter.

where an European is rarely seen,

The term was not meant in its
I have been asked if I was a Consul.
knew nothing), but
diplomatic or international sense (of which they
Manila
well-to-do trader ? The only rich merchants in
In some out-of-the-way

gimply_was

villages,

I a

page 272) the

days being members of the Consulado (vide
some places.
term " consul " has by tradition been preserved in
approximately
The " Travelling Time " indicated for each journey is
This
sojourns.
employed on the route, besides the convenient

of former

the time

calculation

is

estimate the
centre.

tourist could
only intended as a basis upon which the
from his
number of days he would necessarily be away

He would

add the time he chose for delays

in

excursions,

shooting parties, social pleasures, etc.

They are not

The traveller has very little to fear from Brigands.
on the road, but
highwaymen who waylay one, without forethought,
their heads and consult
bandits who take several days to scratch
particular isolated house or
together before they make a raid on some
homestead.

ITINERARY.

489

LUZON ISLAND.
ROUTE

^o. 1. Manila Province.

Travelling time 3 days.

Means

ROUTE.

OP
Travelling.

Manila to Mariquina

Carriage and pair

Montalban

Scenery. Excellent water for

bathing. Healthy. Abundance
of pure milk. The old name
of
Mariquina was Jesus de la Pena.
It was formerly a Jesuit
vicarage.

Mariquina to San JIatco Saa Mateo to .Montalban

"

NOTES.

Carromata
Fine scenery up the river in
a
canoe. Three hours up the river
there is good deer-shooting.
One hour from the village is ihc
famous grotto" La Cueva,'' and
the pass of Marble boulden?.
Good scenery, riding over the
highlands.

Pony

to Novaliches

Xovaliches to

S.

Francisco

Carromata

del Alonte.
S. F. del

Monte

to

Manila

ROUTE

Xo. 2. MoRONG District.

Travelling time 3 days.

Means

ROUTE.

NOTES.

OP
TKAVELLINCt.

Manila

/ Steamer ou week

to Pasig

1^

Pasig to Cainta
Cainta to Antipolo

Carromata

Antipolo to Bosoboso
Bosoboso to MoroDg

Morong

to

Taytay

Tdytay to Cainta
Cainta to Manila

days,

Pony

Up

the Pasig river.

Carromata

Time

li hour.

Formerly a Jesuit vicarage.

The Miraculous Virgin of Antipolo
{ride page 198). The festival
is held in the month of May.
Scenery. Deer-shooting.
Scenery. Morong is the capital
of this district.
Via Cardona, Binangonan and

Angono.

Canoe (hanca)

Very pretty and enjoyable trip

starting from Cainta at 6 a.m.
or 4 p.m. Time I'i to 3 hours.
From the Club at Nagtajan to
Cainta in canoe (against
rent) time 3| hours.

cur-

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

490

KOUTE

No. 3. BuLACAN Province.

Travelling time S days.

Means

ROUTE.

NOTES.

OF

Travelling.
Or steamer from Manila to Bulacan on week days.

Carriage and pair

Manila to Tinajeros

'

Tinajeros to TJbijan
TJbijan to Bulacan -

Picturesque road.
Sugar centre of local importance.
Great rice paddy centre.

Bulacan to Quingua

Quingua

to Baliuag

Ealiuag to

S.

Miguel de

Mayumo.
S.

M. de Mayumo

ROUTE

Medicinal Baths.

to Sibul

No. 4.--PA:^irANGA, Nueva

Ecua & Bulacan

Provinces.

Travelling time 4 days.

Means

ROUTE.

Manila

to

Guagua
S.

Guagua

to S.

Fernando

Arayat

Fernando
to

NOTES.

OF
Travelling.

Time about

Carromata

Via Bacolor, the capital of Pam-

panga Province.

Go

to the
foot of

Aniyat

at the

and descent are made in five

hours. Arrange for the carromata to return from Arayat
town to the bath to take you
back to town.
Ca^jital of Neuva Ecija Provmce.
Wild bufEalo hunts are organized
from here.

S. Isidro to

11

Great rice paddy centre. Uuck'^hooting on the Pinag de Candava (the Meres) in the wet
season.

Candava to Calumpit
Calumpit to Bulacan
Bulacan to Manila -

swimming bath

Arayat mountain in a
carromata. Walk up the mounThere is a splendid view
tain.
of the whole province and port
of Bulacan and Zambales Provinces from the summit. Ascent

to S. Isidro

Cabiao
Cabiao to Candava

6 hom's.

Steamer

Vide Route No. 3

>
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3
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LJ

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S*

..

ITINERARY.

ROUTE

No.

5.

Pampanga Province, Tarlac District

491
ani>

Paxgasinan Province.
Travelling time 7 days, plus delay for the Steamer in Dagupan.

ROUTE.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

492

ROUTE

No. 7. Gkand Northern Tour.

Travelling time 21 days.

Mkaks.
OF
Travelling.

ROUTE.

Mail steamer

^lanila to Subig

SubigtoS. Fernando del

la Union.
S.

NOTES.

Si'ibig is in

S.

Zambales Province,

Fernando

is

in

La Union Prov.

Fernando dela Union \

/

Vigan

is

in Ilocos

Sur Province.

to Vigan.

Vigan

to

Currimao

Currimao

Currimao

Aparri

to Aparri

Barangayan

Aparri to Taguegarao
{Pacing hy Liil-lo,

Gattaran, ILixip'ni and

Aiiiuloji'j^.

is

in Ilocos Norte Prov.

is

Cagayan Province.

in

is a wide river-boat,
the sides being extended out
with bamboos, and a very comfortable cabin for two persons

Bcwaganyiui

is

on

fixed

this.

Tngnegarao to Ylagan
(Yid Tamaulni).

Ylagan

to

Pony

Cauayan

to Carig

Cavig to Bagabag

Cauayan

Tuguegarao
Cagayan

capital of
the
Province.
Ylagan is the capital of
Province.
is

La Isabela

Bagabag

is

in

Nueva

Vizcaya

Province.

Bagabag

to

Bayombong

Bayombong

Bayombong is the capital

Nueva Vizcaya Province.

of

to Aritao

Over the Carahnllo Sur

Mountain.

Start from Aritao by 4 a.m. or you

may have to pass the night in the
mountain in the cogon grass.
The journey is very picturesque.
Fine views for sketching.

\
j

Aritao to Carranglan

Pony

Panta-

Carranglan
bangan.

to

Pantabangan

to Canvita-

tay.

Canvitatay to Bongabon .
Bongabon to Cabanatuan
Oabanatuau to S. Isidro S. Isidro to S.

Carroinata
the capital of
Ecija Province.

S. Isidro is

Miguel dc

Mayumo.
Miguel de Mayumo to
Quingua.
Quiugua to Bulacan
Bulacan to Manila -

S.

Vide Eoute No. 3

Nueva

ITINERARY.

EOL^rE No.

8.

493

Albav, CAMAKi^rs Sue, Tayabas Provinces

AXD Laguxa r>E Bay.
Travelling time 14 days.

Mkaxs

ROUTE.

NOTES.

OF

Travelling

Manila to Batan^as
Bataugas to Calapan
Calapan to Boac
Boac to Laguimanoc

Laguimanoc

Grand view from Legaspi, Albay

to I'asacao -

Pasacao to Donsol
Donsol to Sorsogon Sorsogon to Legaspi
Legaspi to Albay Albay to Malinao Maliuao to Tibi

and Daraga (Ciigsaua) of the

Mayon Volcano. Try to be in
these places on dark ni^^hts to see
the boiling lava and stream of
fire issuing from the crater if in
eruption. Visit Iriga, and thence
go up to a mountain ranche.

Mail steamer

Carromata

Here are the Geysers of Albay

and medicinal hot springs of
great repute in the Colony.

Tibi to Malinao

Malinao

to

Daraga (Cds

Quaint town. Church on the peak.

saua).

Daraga

to

Ligao

Ligao to Balo

to
Naga
Caceres).

Bato

rCanoe (hajica)
up the Vicol

(Nueva

"1

River.
J
Canoe (hanca')
C Pony or Sedan
chair with four
>
L

Naga

to

Pamplona

Pamplona

to Pasacao

Camarines Sur.

The mail steamer calls here, and

will touch at Laguimanoc going
to Manila.

carriers.

Pasacao to Laguimanoc -

See the little cataract on the way,

20 minutes' drive out of Daraga
on the left-hard side.
On the Lake Bato shore.
Nueva Caceres is a Cathedral city
a liiphop's See and capital o"f

Mail steamer

Tayabas

is the most picturesque

province in Luzon Island, but,
except on its sea-coast, fever is

common.
Laguimanoc to Pagbilao

Sailing craft called

" pasaje."

Pony

Pagbilao to Liigbang

Lugbang

to

Majayjay

...

Sedan
chair "|
with eight

'

carriers.

Pony

or Sedan
chair with
eight caniers to

Magdalena and

Slajayjay to Santa Cruz

tl'.enee in

Carromata to
Santa Cruz.
Steamer every weekI,

Santa Cruz to Manila

day.

Turn

off the

road to

visit

the Cas-

cada de Botocan on the way.

In the Lagnna Province.

494

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,

EOUTE

No. 9. Bataan Province.

Travelling time 4 days.

THE LEGEND OF MARIVELES.

Marivkles.
place.

It

There

was the

is

much

which

attached to this

interest

historical

chief port of the Jurisdiction

the old territorial division

495

of Mariveles iinder

comprised the island

now

called

Corregidor.

The

An

in consequence.

insubordinate Archbishop

banished to Mariveles.

Boca Chica

to

domesticate the

was stoned by them and died

natives of the Mariveles coast

the island

who attempted

Spanish missionary

first

is

said to

in

Manila

have been

Through the channel between this point and

came swarms of Asiatic trading junks every

spring for over two centuries.

Forming the extreme point

of

Manila

Bay, here was naturally the watchguard for the safety of the capital.
It

was the point whence could be

enemies

descried the

Dutch, British, Mahometan, Chinese,

movements
etc.

of foreign

was the

it

last

refuge for ships about to venture from the islands to foreign parts.

Yet, with

all

these antecedents,

is

it

From

primitive villages of the Colony.

imagine
ancient

it

aspect one could almost

its

to be at the furthermost extremity of the Archipelago.

name was Camaya, and how

accounted

one of the poorest and most

for

in

following

the

it

came

Its

to be called Mariveles is

interesting

legend

About

the

beginning of the l7th century one of the Mexican galleons brought to

whom was

Manila a family named Velez, amongst

Maria.

When

a daughter called

she was seventeen years of age this girl took the veil

in Santa Clara Convent,

Franciscan monk,

who

fell

determined to elope to
Avas to leave for

and there responded to the attentions of a

Mexico

so desperately in love with her, that they

Camaya and wait

there for the galleon

in the following July.

The

which

girl, .disguised in

a monk's habit, fled from her convent, and the lovers arrived safely iu

Camaya in a hired canoe, tired

The next day they went
sun.
had delayed her

out after the sea passage in a scorching

out to meet the galleon which, however,

sailing.

In the meantime the elopement had caused great scandal in Manila.

proclamation was published by the

town-crier calling

inhabitants to give up the culprits, under severe

obedience.

a native

Nothing

resulted,

who was aware

until

Then an alderman

amorous fugitives

by a notary and a dozen arquebusiers.

penalties for

dis-

the matter oozed out through

of their departure.

city set out in pursuit of the

upon the

in a prahn,

of the

accompanied

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

496
After searcliiug

went
in a

to

Camaya and

in

vain

over the Island of Corregidor, they

all

young

there found the

lady, Maria,

most pitiable condition, with her dress torn

side Avas the holy Friar, wearied

to shreds,

and by her

and bleeding from the wounds he had

Avho disputed

fighting with the savage natives

received Avhilst

on the beach

his

possession of the fair maiden.

A
Manila

canoe was found there in which the

in custody, whilst the girl Avas

in the prahu.

and morality

From Manila
to the

Visaya

friar

was conveyed

to

taken charge of by the alderman

the sinful priest was sent to teach religion

tribes

the romantic nun

was

sent back to

the City of Mexico to suffer perpetual reclusion in a convent.

From

these

(Alderman)
(Friar) and

events,

it

island, Avhich

Monja (Nun),

is

said,

lies

arose the

a pool of

of

Avhilst the lovers' refuge thenceforth

constantly bubbling water

to the nearest Negrito ranche

There
is

is

hot spring

Avherein

an easy

The

the

excursion

tAvo hours' AA^alk.

nothing notable to be seen in the village of Mariveles, which

very poor, and the European Avanderer cannot count on procuring

anything here

in the Avay of proA-isions,

(north) up the coast.

is

is

took the

the church of Mariveles there

natives believed that the centaur of the forest dwelt.

up

Corregidor

between the rocks known as Fraile

name of Mariveles (Maria Velez).

About twenty minutes' walk from
is

names

Orion, Avhere a

Ships

means

of traA'elling to

go

On that route, the first flourishing town one reaches

number

arriving

or

of well-to-do planters reside.

from foreign or Philippine infected ports

quarantined off Mariveles, under

Spanish regulations.

AA'cre

During the

great cholera epidemic of 1882 a Lazaretto was established here.

ITINERARY.

PANAV
EOUTE

ISLAND.

No. 11. Yloilo Province.

Travelling time 6 days.

EOUTE.

497

PHILirPINE ISLANDS.

498

Provinces.
Route No. 13.Yloilo, Antique and Capis
steamer in Cains.
time 14 days, plus delay imiting for

TraveUmg

Means

KOUT

Tigbauang

Otong,'
Via
Guimbal.

Carriage and pair

YlGilo to Miagao

Miagao

NOTES.

OF
Travelling.

E.

and

Omnibus

to S. Joaquin
J

(yrsr the vumntain)

Sedan chair with "I

8 carriers.

_|

Fine scenery.

Via Guinta.

S. Joaquin to Antique
Antique to S. Jose de
Pony
- I
Buenavista -

very pretty town and bay.

Jose de Buenavista is the
capital of Antique Province.
Excursions to Egaiia, Sibalom,
S.

San Remigio and Bontol.

to
S. Jose dc Buenavista

Patnongon

"1

or \
Carromata
omnibus.
/

Via San Pedro.

Wear sandals

of boots
to Barbaza for fording the several small streams.
In tlie habits of the Bugason
natives there are still traces of
the old Moslem dominion.
Via Guisijan.
(aljjartayas')

instead

from here

Patnongon

to

Pony

Bugason

Bugdson to r.arbaza
Barbaza to Tibiao -

Culasi to

Pandan

)i

"

"

j>

"

Pony

Tibiao to Culasi

Pony

or carromata
-

Excursion to Marilisan Island to

see the gyps am deposits.
Get good ponies in Culasi for this
run the distance is six leagues
;

(say 21 miles).
This IS Cdpis Province.

P^ndan

to Ibajai
Ibajai to Tangalan
Tangalan to Niimancia

Numaucia

Pony

Hire a cauoe.

to Calibo

the

Carromata or
omnibus.
}

Calibo to Lezo
to Banga
to Yuisan
Yuisan to Capis
Cdpis to I'anay

Lezo

J
Capital of Capis Province.

to Pilar

Pilar to Capis

OTONG

or

pony

Hire a canoe. Pretty scenery up

the swam}) creeks (j)ianglares').

Mail

or
steamer.

Capis to Yloilo

in olden times

Pretty scenery up
creeks {munglares).

Banga

Panay

swamp

local

thereon their way to

was a place of importance when the galleons put in

^"^r^l^d '^^^IS^:^^^^^^^0Z^^^^^^ Panay Island (e^ep^

;t'oirseverafocclr^^^^^^^^
village.

Yloilo, at that time,

was an

insignificant fishing

LLl

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ITINERA.RY.

Route No.

499

Yloilo Province.

14.

Travelling time 3 days.

Means

EOUTE.

Yloilo to

NOTES.

OF
Teavelling.

Dumdngas -

Dumangas

to

Eanotac

Barrotac to Dingle

This is the
least interesting
journey.
Very little good
scenery.
All the road is good
for vehicle in the dry season,
but past Barrotac a stranger
y
could with difficulty hire one.
Take a good trotting pony
from Yloilo for the whole trip".
1

Dingle to Dueiias

Duenas

to Passi

(returning same

way and by same means).

Passi to Yloilo

Route No.

15.

Concepciox District.

Travelling time 4 days, plus delay waiting for steamer or schooner.

Means

EOUTE.

Yloilo to

Ajuy

r Cargo schooner "1

Qon-hti) or local I

steamer

[_

Ajuy

to Concepcion-

NOTES.

OF
Travelling.

Pony

Time

in steamer about 7 hours.

J
.

Or borrow a

planter's vehicle.

Concepcion to Sara

Good scenery.

Sara to Ajuy

Ajuy

to Yloilo

High mountain

peaks.

Schooner or local
steamer.

112

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

500

NEGROS ISLAND,
(Vide Chapter XXIV.)

Route No. 16.Yloilo.

steamer or schooner
time 9 days, plus delay waiting for
^"^
Travelling
and roaitmg there.
idling or return to Ginigardn

Means

NOTES.

OP
Tea YELLING.

ROUTE.

Steamer 3 or 4
times a week.

Yloilo to Silay

Carromata

Silay to Talisay

Carromata
omnibus.

Talisay to Bac61od

or

(Pontevedray

Marayo

Ginigardn to Jimamaylan

Hug

to

to

Hug

Inayauan

La

-J

to Ginigardn

Jimamaylan

Via S.,Enrique.

Marayo"!

to

Mataban Estate en route.

to Valladolid

Valladolid

tlie

Sumag.

Via.

Bacolod to Bago

Bago

Visit

Pony

Make a

trip to

Carlota.

Omnibus

Pony

Pony, or better in
a canoe (baroto}.

Firt

Suay. Near

Hug

is

the shrine

of a miraculous saint.

There

is

coast

a fine view of the rugged

from a Mlus or baroto.

Inaya6an to Hug

Hug

to Yloilo

Cargo schooner or
possibly a local
steamer or else
return to Gini-

garan and embark there for

Yloilo.

The journey may be extended by

an expedition up the Canlauan
mountain,(volcano). Start from

Go a certain disGinigaran.
tance on pony-back the remainder on foot. Carry a rug,
provisions for 3 days, a few
doses of quinine, and take 4
natives who know the passes.

ITINERARY.

GUIMARRAS

and

NEGROS ISLANDS.

(Fi?e Chapter

ROUTE

501

XXIV.)

No. 17.-YL0IL0.

Travelling time 6 days plus delay

roaiting for steamer or
schooner
Ladiz Nuevo on the return.

Yloilo to Nagaba
(across Guimarrds to the
Contra cost a)

Pony

Nagaba

Canoe (baroto)

to Valladol

"Valladolid to

Bago

to

Bago

Canoe

(baroto')
-

To Cabano.

Carromata

Bacolod

Carromata or omnibus

Bacolod to Talisay

Carromata

Talisay to Silay
Silay to Sardvia

Saravia to Victoria
Victoria to Cadiz

Nuevo

Cadiz Nuevo to Yloilo

Carromata or pony
Canoe (baroto)
Schooner or steamer

GuiMARRis Island.Due

On

the

W.

to its

bad

soil it

is

little

cultivated

coast there are

some lime-kilns limestone and fuel

being
abundant. The island appears to be of
coral and limestone formation
and there are immense fathomless caves in
it.
In some of these caves'
edible birds' nests have been seen.
Around Mabalas,

towards the
an extensive and productive cocoa-nut
and sugar
plantation and a few small semi-independent
homesteads, practically all
under one owner. In the central valley
there is, moreover, one small
mdependeut planter. Guimarr^s timber is of
very inferior quality

N.W.

The

point, there

coast

coming

is

is

steep, thickly

wooded and

pretty.

to load produce,

Large

sailing ships'

anchor in the channel between

Guimarras and
Yloilo.
The current here is very strong.
pleasant excursion can be
made from Yloilo to the picturesque villages
of Salag, Buena Vista
Lunusan and Nagaba, all situated on the coast
opposite to Yloilo.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

502

CEBU ISLAND.
ROUTE

No. 18. Manila.

About 48 hours'

ROUTE.

direct voyage.

CITY OF CEBU.

The channel

for vessels

lighthouses at the

up

to the year 1897,

Don Juan

itself,

when

was well

wliich

it

built,

two

Cebu

had a pleasant aspect

was bombarded by the Spanish warship

The

environs are

Magtau Island (on which Maghallanes was

and a range of

are

at the S. entrance to the port.

de Austria to drive out the rebels.

pretty, with

front

marked by buoys, and there

is

N. and two

harbour, and the city

503

hills in

the background.

in

There are excellent

roads for riding and driving a few miles out of the city.

very healthy for Europeans

killed)

The

climate

the low ranges of mountains running

N.S. of the island are sparsely wooded, some being quite bare of trees
and the atmosphere is comparatively dry.
The cactus is very common
is

over the island, and miles of

all

are seen growing in

it

About an hour-and-a-half s, drive from Cebu

of

city there

Naga, the environs of which are extremely

Makdoc mountain,
the

at the

is

the

From

pretty.

back of the town, there

is

the hedo-es.
little

town

the top of

a splendid view of

Pandan Valley.

The

natives of this island are the most sociable of

the Visaya

population, but unfortunately some have a taste for strono- drink.

In the

city there is the Cathedral, the

Church

of St. Nicholas, the

Chapels of the Paul Fathers and the Jesuits, and the Church of the
Santo Ninothe " Holy Child of Cebu." The historical importance
attributed to this

image rendered

it

interesting to the traveller, and

it

could be seen with permission of the prior of the Augustine Convent

About the year 1876 the Jesuit church had become

the most popular place of worship and was the most frequented by the
{vide page 196).

was therefore destroyed by jealous authority, and the Jesuits

since then had only a chapel of their own.
public

it

In the Ward of Pampango, which forms an abrupt point, stands

the Fuerte de San Vidal
a fortress built at the time of the first

Spanish settlement to command the harbour.

of

Lutao

made

district all the

clothiers.

" Parian "

The

In the main thorouo-hfare

shops are Chinese, except two or three ready-

half-castes'

shops were chiefly grouped in the

at one time a very flourishing quarter, but

much damaged

during the 1897 bombardment.

There are

tM'o large Cemeteries at

Guadalupe and Mabolo.

In 1887

a shooting butts was established at the end of the Guadalupe road, and
the annual pony-races take place in January.
On the Mabolo road

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

504
there

is

a Leper Hospital, and the ruins of a partly

well-built

jail

which was never completed.

time one sees companies of infant native dancers,
" Pastores " who, at an hour's notice, engage
attired in gala dressthe
performance
their juvenile abilities at private houses, and their

At Christmas

to display
is

exceedingly amusing.

The
a

Press, in the days of the Spaniards,

was poorly represented by

news-sheet, styled the " Boletin de Cebu."

residents
There is a little colony of British and other foreign

little

Cebu, which ranks as the third port of the

Vice-Consulates
Archipelago. American, British, Italian and German
It was the residence of the Brigadier-Governor
established there.

engaged

in

commerce

in

are

of Visayas, as

well as the

Governor

of the island

and the usual

local

In 1886 the vSupreme Court of Cebu was established.

to 1571),
This city, which was the capital of the Colony (from 1565
Arandia
Municipality up to the time of Governor-General

officials.

had a

was then abolished because there was only one

who had
Spaniard capable of being a city councillor. One alderman
write, and
served Juan Sebastian de Espina could neither read nor
for having tried to extort
the mayor himself had been deprived of office
Royal
money from a Chinaman by putting his head in the stocks. By
Governor-General's
Order dated 7th June, 1889, and put into force by the
re-established. The
Decree of 31st January, 1890, the Municipality was
an Alcalde and
President was the Governor of the Island, supported by
(1754-1759).

13

officials.

It

For the Government

of the Island

under the Spanish

regime, vide Chap. XIII.

Of

When

all

collection,

a Gloria

Cebu will please the conchologist.

was there an old native named Legaspi had a splendid
which he freely exhibited to foreigners. At one time he had
places in the islands,

i^am, which he

are said to have offered

sold for |150, and

him $5,000

some Russian naval

officers

for a part of his collection.

At

Euplectella Speciosa, Gray, or Venus

certain seasons of the year, the
be obtained in quantities they
baskets, locally known as Regaderas, can
The Eiip : Spec: is the skeleton
are found in the Cebu waters.
The basket is a series
division.
secretion of an insect of the Porifera
;

of graceful fretted spirals.

Also

fine Pi/la stuffs

can be purchased here.

ITINERARY.

ROUTE

505

No. 19. CebiJ.

Travelling time 7 days.

Means

ROUTE.

Cebu

to

Naga

to Carcar

OP
Travelling.

Naga

Carriage and pair

Via El Pardo and

Minglanilla.

Carromata

Carcar (across the island)

to Barili

NOTES.

~l

Via S. Fernando.

Pony

_j"

Time

five to six hours, accordinoto the kind of animal

one

hast

BariJi to

Tubman

Sailing prahu

Calling

at

Pinamungajau,

Toledo and Asturias. Starting on a moonlight night

about midnight one should
arrive the nest evening
in
Tuburan. Total distance say
50 miles.

Tuburan

to Taboilan

Taboilan to Sogod

Next

Pony

day's journey.

Time five
to the

Sogod to Panalipan

Spring cart (/<'^7()

Via

to six hours, according

kind of animal one has.

Cadmon and Dancadmon.

Panalipan to Carmen

Cdrmen

to

Danao

f
I.

Danao

or carromata

to Liloan

Via Compostela, where

there
are coal mines in the vicinity.

Liloan to Ceb6

Carromata

Via Mandaue and Mabolo.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

506

ROUTE

No. 20. CebiJ.

Travelling time 5 days.

Means

Cebu

Punta Bulalaqui

to

NOTES.

OP
Travelling.

KOUTE.

The steamer going to Manila will,

by special arrangement, stop
between Isla Chocolate and
Cebu Island and put ofE a passenger at Punta Bulalaqui. I

Steamer

made my

Cebii Island
lirst
journey thus in the steamship

"Butuan."
Punta Bulalaqui to Bogo
Bogo to Cdrmen -

Carmen
Dauao

Danao

to

to Liloan

Pony

Passing or calling at Tabogon,

Borbon, Sogod, Cadmon, Dancadmon and Paualipan on the
way. Total distance say 35 to
40 miles.

Sailing prahu

Spring cart {flccha)

Carromata

Liloan to Cebu

Via Compostela.

or carromata

ROUTE

Via Mandaue and Mabolo.

No. 21. CebiJ.

Travelling time S days.

Means

NOTES.

OP
Travelling.

ROUTE.

Carriage and pair

to Naga
Naga to Cdrcar Cdrcar to Sibonga
Argao
Sibonga to

Cebu

Carromata
Spring cart

(JlecJia}

Population of Argao in ]8i)6 was

34,815.

Argao to Dalaguete
(across

Dalaguete
island) to

Malabuyoc

Via El Pardo and Minglanilla.

Via S. Fernando.

From
the

Malabuyoc -

to Barili

Boljoon.
to seven hours, according
to the kind of animal one has.
Passing or calling at Alegria,
Badian, Maulbaul and Dumau-

Time six

IPony
Sailing prahu

joc.

Barili (across the island)

to C^rcar -

Carcar to

Naga

to

Carromata

Naga
Cebu

jPony

Time

five to six hours,

to the

according

kind of animal one has.

Via S. Fernando.
Via Minglanilla and El Pardo.

ITINERARY.

LONG SEA
ROUTE

507

TRIP.

No. 22. Manila.

Travelling time 11 days.

Means

ROUTE.

NOTES.

OP
Tkavelling.

Manila to Culion
(Calamianes Islands).
Culion to Cu3^o
(Calamianes Islands).
Cuyo to Puerta Princesa (Palauan Island).
Puerta Princesa to Balabac
(Balabac Island).
Balflbac to Cagayau de Jolo
(C. de Jolo Island).
Cagayan de Jolo to Jolo

(SMu

While the steamer

Island).

Jol6 to Isabela de Basilan

(Basilan Island).
Isabela to Zamboanga

(Mindanao

Zamboanga
(Panay

waits, there is

time to see the places called at.

One should not travel inland
and break tha journey in anv
of these intermediate places
(except Yloilo) without going
fully equipped for an exploring
expedition. For a description
of Puerta Princesa and Sulu
(Jolo)
xide Chap. X.
The
entrance to Isabela de Basilan
is charming.

Island).
to Yloilo

Islantl).

Yloilo to Manila

Zamboanga. Many

years ago an attack was

made on the town

and port of Zamboanga, the centre of Spanish rule in the
south, but
the place was successfully defended by Europeans and the
natives who
had embraced Christianity. The Mussulmans bear an equal
hatred
to

all classes of Christians,

hence

it

was easy

for the Spaniards to secure

the co-operation of the inhabitants for their mutual

defence.
The attack was organized in the Island of Basilan,

and the
from Zamboanga, after their defeat, were
pursued by an escaped convict Pedro Cuevas. This man
was accorded
a free pardon for his service to the Government,
and the

Mussulmans,

in their retreat

native

population of

Zamboanga were

all

declared to be

Spaniards of the

first class.

Mail steamers with comfortable accommodation for travellers

'
leave Manila periodicallv on
voyages varying from eight to twelve days the round trip.
The
called at are advertised in all the daily newspapers of the
capital.

routes and intermediate ports

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

508

advantage
I have never been able to clearly discern wbat material
question on the spot.
this brought them, although I have discussed the

The disadvantage

of this

was that following up the

Spaniards in Spain are

all

pompous

distinction to the colony generally

ridiculous popular notion of the natives that

cavaliers, they too, as

Spaniards of the

first

work a degradation. Hence, there are fine valleys,

forming plantations, from Zamboanga northwards, untouched

water, thought
suitable for
for

want

there directly (partly due also to

landino-

and foreign houses could do nothing

the excessive port charges), and on

Capitalists

of labourers.

from a ship there was not even a porter to be seen to carry

one's luggage.

Zamboanga

is

and pleasant town, with good

clean, well-built,

houses and roads, and well worth a

military Governor

and

General Diego de

los

staff,

vide

visit.

It

In

page 234.

Rios concentrated

evacuation of the islands by the Spaniards.

the island, signifies " Man of the Lake."

-'

was the residence

his

of a

December 1898

troops

here

on the

Mindanao, the name of

CHAPTER XXYI.

THE TAGALOG REBELLION OF

1896-98.

First Period.

After

the Napoleonic wars in Spain, the " Junta Suprenia Central del
Reino " convened the famous " Cortes de Cadiz " by decree dated 12th

September 1809.
Consejo de
Bill

Regencia "

la

known

This ju7ita was succeeded by another

in

when

the Cortes passed

the

Spain on the 29th January 1810.

assembled deputies from

the

all

Colonies

Cuba,

" El Supremo
first

Suffrage

These Cortes

Venezuela, Chile,

Guatemala, Santa Fe, Puerto Rico, the Philippines,

etc.

in fact, all

those dependencies which constituted the four Viceroyalties and the

eight Captain-Generalships

Ventura de

los

the

of

day.

The

Philippine

deputy,

Reyes, signed the Act of Constitution of 1812. In 1820

the Cortes again admitted this Colony's representatives, amongst

were Vicente Posadas, Eulalio Ramirez, Anse,

mo

whom

Jorge Fajardos,

Roberto Pimental, Esteban Marques, Jose Florentine, Manuel Saez de

Vismanos, Jose Azcarraga, and nine others. They also took part
parliamentary debates of 1822 and 1823.
afterwards

suspended, but on

The

Constitution

the demise of

Philippine Deputies, Brigadier Garcia

was shortly

Ferdinand VIL, the

Gamba and

Francisco Lecaros, sat in Parliament.

in the

the half-breed

Again, and for the

Juan

last time,

Philippine members figured in the Cortes of the Isabella II. Regency

then, on the opening of Parliament in 1837, their exclusion, as Avell as

the government of the Ultramarine Provinces by special laws, was

voted.

In 1868 Queen Isabella

II.

was deposed, and the

succeeding

revolutionary Government, founded on Republican principles, caused

an assembly of reformists to be established

in

Manila.

Its

members

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

510
were persons born

in the

had the power

Islands, and they

to vote

the Metropolitan
reforms for the Colony, subject to the ratification of
But monastic influence prevailed the reforms voted
Government.
;

were never carried into

effect,

and long before the Bourbon restoration

But the
exist.
took place the Philippine Assembly had ceased to
of
mother country, which had spontaneously given the Filipinos a taste
again sought to yoke them to the old tutelage.

political equality,

was an impossible

idea.

It

Alternate political progress and retrogression

in the Peninsula cast their reflex

on

this Colony, but the first sparks of

had been gratuitously struck which neither reaction in the

extingnish.
Peninsula nor persecution in the Colony itself could totally

liberty

dreamed of absolute independence, but the

for equal laws
few who had been taught by their masters to hope
their eyes
became a thorn in the side of the monastic orders. Only as

No

native, at that period,

were opened

to liberty did they feel the

want

of

it.

disturbance of 1872 (referred to at page 113), which the

Government Avas unwise enough to treat as an important

The Cavite
Philippine

of
and mercilessly avenge itself by executions and banishment
forgiven.
many of the best Manila families, was never forgotten, nor
have
a foreigner, scores of representative provincial natives

rising

To me
not

as

to

hesitated

Government
occasion.

lost

The

secretly

open their hearts

considerably

by

natives regarded

it

its

The

on the subject.

uncalled-for

severity

as a token of apprehension,

on

this

and a

an iron rod. The Government

proof of the intention to rule with
clergy, and whilst the friars
played into the hands of the vSpanish
the incumbencies, they lost far more
scored a point in the monopoly of
Thinking men really pitied the Government, which
prestige.
in moral

Since then,
of the ecclesiastics.
became, more and more, the instrument
one day, took root in
ideas of a revolution to be accomplished
serious

the minds

of

influential

natives,

here and

there, in

the provinces

adjacent to Manila.

La

SoUdaridad, a Philippine organ published

in Barcelona (Spain),

was

proscribed, but copies entered the islands

In the villages, secret societies were formed which the

" freemasonry," and on the pretext that all vows
priests chose to call
confessional were anti-Christian,
which could not be explained at the

clandestinely.

injunctions to the friars to ferret out the

the Archbishop gave strict
Denunciations by hundreds quickly followed, for
so-called freemasons.

themselves of this licence to get rid of

the priests willingly availed

IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF THE REBELLION.

511

and others who had displeased them. In the

town of
Malolos (which has since become the seat of the
Eevolutionary Congress)
Father Moises Santos caused all the members
anti-cIericals

of the

to be banished, and

when

I last dined with

me he had cleared out

From other villages, notably
told

priests

him

town council

in his convent,

he

a few more and had his eye on others.

in the provinces around the capital,
the

had their victims escorted up

to Manila, consigned to the

issued the deportation orders without trial
or
sentence, the recommendation of the
all-powerful joarfre being sufficient
warrant.
Thus hundreds of families were deprived of fathers
and
brothers without warning or apparent
justification, but it takes a great
deal to rouse the patient native to
action.
Then in 1895 came the
Marauit campaign in Mindanao {vide page
157).
In order to people
the territory around Lake Malanao,
conquered from the Moros, it was
proposed to invite families to migrate there
from the other

Governor-General,

who

islands,

notifications to this effect

were issued to

all

and

the provincial governors.

At first it was put to the people in the smooth form

of a proposal.
None volunteered to go, because they could not see
why they should
give up what they had to go and Avaste their
lives on a tract of virgin
soil with the very likely chance of
a daily attack from the 3Ioros.

More peremptory

orders followed, requiring the governors

to send up
- emigrants " for the Yligan district. This
caused a great commotion
the provinces, and large numbers of
natives abandoned their homes
to evade anticipated violence. I have no
proof as to who originated

this

scheme, but there

the significant fact that the orders

were issued
only to the authorities of those provinces
supposed to be aflf-ected by
the secret societies. Under the then existing
system, the governors
could not act in a case like this without the
co-operation of the parish
priests, hence during the years 1895 and
1896 a systematic course of
official- sacerdotal tyranny was initiated
which, being too much even
for the patient Filipino, was the immediate
cause of the members of
the Katipunan secret society breaking
out into open rebellion on
Thursday, the 20th of August, 1896. The
is

rebellion

calling for all the resources in

there.

The

men and

in

Cuba was

material that Spain could send

European troops dispersed over these islands

did not
exceed 1,500 well armed and well officered
of which about 700 were
in Manila.
The native auxiliaries amounted to about
6,000.
The
impression was gaining ground that the
Spaniards would be'
total

beaten out

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

512

of Cuba, but whilst this idea

to
gave the Tagalogs moral courage
and
Spain's reverse in the Antilles

attempt the same in these islands,

Manila
permit her to pour troops into
the consequent evacuation would
indefinitely.
and the natives' last chance would vanish

to

the Katipunan sent a deputation

Several months before the outbreak,
praying him to annex the
Japan to present a petition to the Mikado,

have been signed by 5,000 Filipinos,

who forwarded it to the
was received by the Japanese Government,
names of 5,000 disafi-ected persons
Spanish Government, hence the
Philippines.

This

petition, said to

to
authorities, who did not find it pohtic
were known to the Philippine
arrests.
raise the storm by immediate
so long puzzled and
The so-called "freemasonry" which had
which
therefore, to be the Katipunan
irritated the Friars, turned out,

" League."
simply means the
" blood compact"
accepted the

The
(..'^e

leaguers,

on being sworn

in,

page 22), taking the blood rom

with which to inscribe the roll of

an incision on the leg or arm
of mutual recognition,
cicatrice served also as a mark

The

fraternity

the
so that the object and plans of

League should never be discussed

have opened with a general slaughter

just in the nick
of the 20th of August, but,
of Spaniards on the night
Gil (formerly
sought confession of Father Mariano

with others.

The drama was

of time, a

woman

With

promise he

to

then the parish priest of Tondo-a

parish priest of Bigau, Bulacan),
way for a leaguer, whose heart had
suburb of Mauila-and opened the
full pardon.
plot on condition of receiving
failed him, to disclose the
without an
made a clean breast of everything, and
this

hour's delay the Civil

movers

Guard was on the track

Three hundred supposed

disafi"ected

of the alleged

prime

persons were seized

Pampanga and Bulacan within a few

Manila and the provinces of
brought in daily, the prisons were soon
hours, and large numbers being
Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda
crowded to excess. The bloodthirsty
and wholesale executions.
extermination by fire and sword
advocated

Governor-General

Ramon Blanco

hesitated to

take the

which were called

pending the arrival of reinforcements
informed the

Home Government

that the rising

was

of

ofl-ensive,
for.

He

no great

thousand more troops to be sent at

importance, but that he required a
were sending 2,000 men,
The reply from Madrid was that they
once
de
Remington rifles, and the gunboats Isla
2,000,000 cartridges, 6,000
Each steamer brought a contingent of
Isla de Luzon.

Cuba and

CASES OF PEDRO ROJAS AND

troops, so that General Blanco

regulars by the end of

had a

F.

total of

L.

ROJAS.

513

about 10,000 Spanish

Xovember.

Spain's best men had been drafted

Cuba, and these were chiefly raw levies who had all
to learn in

off to

the art of warfare.

Meanwhile,

had assumed alarming proportions.

the first to be seized were many of the richest
and prominent
the Colony and the cream of Manila society.
There was

Among
men

the

in

rebellion

intense excitement in the capital as their

names gradually leaked

out,

many of them were known to us personally or by repute.

No one
who possessed wealth was safe. A rich Chinese half-caste,
named
Pedro Rojas, who was popularly supposed to be the
prime supporter
for

of the rebellion,

was a guest

at

Government House two days before

It cost him a large fortune

the hour fixed for the general slaughter.

to be allowed to quietly leave the islands.

Europe

in

the Isla de Panay,

and went on

mine saw him

but

left

He

took his passage for

that steamer at Singapore

Marseilles in the French mail, and an old

friend of
riding on top of an omnibus in Paris.

to

No

documentary

evidence could be produced against him, and in

the following year the
well-known politician, Romero Robledo, undertook
his defence in the
C6rtes, in Madrid, in a brilliant speech
which had no effect on his
parliamentary colleagues.
For the Spaniards, indeed, the personal
character of Pedro Rojas was a matter of no
moment. The Manila
court martial, out of
estates,

covering

whose

over

jurisdiction Rojas

70,000

numerous steam cane-mills

to

house to be burnt, whilst

acres,

had escaped, held

his

under embargo,

caused his
be smashed, and his beautiful estate-

his

14,000 head of cattle disappeared.

Subsequently the military court exonerated Pedro
Rojas in a decree

which stated " that all those persons who made

accusations against
" him have unreservedly retracted them, and
that they were only
" extracted from such persons by the
tortures employed by the
" Spanish
" Colony

that the supposed introduction of arms into

the
through an estate owned by Pedro Rojas
is
purely

officials

" fantastical, and that the only arms possessed

by the rebels were
" taken by them in combat from the
Spanish soldiers."
But his
second cousin, Francisco L. Rojas, a shipoAvner,
contrabandist and
merchant, was not so fortunate. He was also
one
of the first seized,

and his

During

trial

was pending

this period Rojas' wife

until

General Blanco

left

the Islands!

besought the General to release him, but

K K

rniLipriKE islands.

514

public censure, in view of the

be could not do so without iucurriug
evidence brought against him by
real or fictitious condemnatory
importing
chief accusation was that of

the court martial.

The

It

arms for the

rebellion.

weeks, that

some German

llojas to sell

even became a current topic, for a few

merchants had made a contract with

him the arms, but the Spanish

good sense, on

authorities

had

sufficient

be guided by public outcry. When

Francisco L. Rojas' fate became a certamty,

this occasion, not to

General Polavieja arrived,

escape of Pedro Rojas and the

and he was executed as a traitor. The
great indignation among the civdian
serenity of General Blanco aroused

who clamoured

Spaniards

for active measures.

week passed before

had taken any military action.

was apparent to the public that he
his advisers to proclaim martial
Meanwhile, he was urged, in vain, by

it

law
the'

the newspapers to allude to

press censor would not allow
The
"brigands" {tulisanes).
conspirators as " rebels,^ but as

The

of rebellion, and treat

were anxious to stifle the notion
marauding affair. On the 23rd of August
the whole movement as a
a patriotic appeal to the Spaniards
the leadiu- newspaper published
day to the Governor-General to concert
to -0 en ^masse the next
They closed their shops and offices, and

authorities

mea'sures for public safety.

but the General refused to

assembled before Government House,
pay a fine of ^500, which
them, and ordered the newspaper to

receive

sum was

On

at once raised in the streets

the

and

cafes.

26th of August one thousand rebels

capital.
Coloocan, four miles outside the

They

made a

killed a

raid

on

few Chinese,

in the van of their fighting men.

and seized others to place them
posse of Civil Guards, nntil
The armed crowd was kept at bay by a
reinforcement was on the way from Manila.
they learnt that a cavalry
fled towards the river, and
Then the rebels, under cover of darkness,
morning I watched the troopers cross
were lost sio-ht of. The next
There was mud up to the ponies' bellies,
over the Paente de Espana.
The hubbub was
the district all around.
for they had scoured
saunterers on the Escolta-ihe Rialto
tremendous among the habitual
Spaniard one met had some
For the next few days every
of Manila
by the end of the week, a reaction set in,
startling news to tell, nntil,
spirits, the idea that the Coloocan
and an^idst jokes and copitas of
aff-iir

was the prelude

General

still

to

a rebellion was

utterly ridiculed.

The

considering such a grave

refused to proclaim martial law,

THE FIRST BATTLE.

SAN JUAN DEL

515

:,IONTE.

nieasm-e uunecessaiy, wlicn siiddenlj the wlioJe chy

was consternated
by the news of a far more serious attack near Manila.

About

at the village of

from the

Sunday the 30th of August the rebels concentrated

San Juan del Monte, distant half-an-hour on horseback

4 a.m. on

They endeavoured

citj gates.

to seize the

powder magazine.

One Spanish artilleryman was killed and several of the

defenders Avere
badly wounded whilst engaged in dropping
ammunition from window
openings into a stream which runs close by.
reinforcements were at ouce sent out, and the
the entrance to the village of San Juan del
41

Cavalry and infantry

first

battle

was fought

at

Monte. The rebels^made

hard stand this time under the leadership of
Sancho Valenzuela (a

hemp-rope maker

in a fairly

good way of business), but he showed no

men by frantic shouts from the

military skill and chiefly directed his

window

wooden house. Naturally, as soon as they had to retreat,

Valenzuela was taken prisoner. The rebels left about
eighty dead on
the

field

of a

and

towards the Pasig Eivcr, which they tried to cross.

Their passage was at first cut ofi" by gunboats, which
fired volleys into

the retreating

fled

mob and drove them higher up

was some hand-to-hand

the bank, where there

Over a hundred managed to get into

anoes with the hope of reaching the Lake of Uay, but,
as they passed,
the Civil Guard, lying in ambush on the
opiDosite shore, fired upon
fighting.

them, and in the consequent confusion every canoe

Avas upset.
The
loss to the rebels in the river and on the
bank was reckoned at about
fifty.
The whole of that day the road to San Juan del Monte
was
occupied by troops and no civilian was allowed
to pass.
At 3 p.m.
the same day martial law was proclaimed in Manila
and seven other

Luzon

provinces.

The nest morning

correspondent

of

at sunrise I rode out to the battlefield

with the

the EJcrd/o

had not yet been removed.

fields

We

Espauol (Madrid). The rebel slain

came across them everyAvhere in the

and in the gutters of the high road.

Old men and youths had

joined in the scrimmage and, with one exception, every

corpse we
Avas attired in the usual working dress.
This one exception we

saw

found

literally

upside

down with

head stuck

in the mud of a paddy field.

him (and possibly the Spaniards' bullets
too) by his bright red baggy zouave
trousers.
Vfe rode into the
village, which was absolutely deserted
by its native inhabitants, and

Our

attention

was drawn

his

to

stopped at the estate-house of the

friars,

where the Spanish

officers

K K2

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

516

The padre looked extremely anxious, and the oflficers advised

us not to go the road we intended as rebel parties were known to belurking there. The military advice being practically a command, we

lodged.

took the high road to Sampuloc.

In the meantime the

city drawbridges,

which had probably not been

raised since 1852 (vide foot-note at page 398), were put into working-

order

the bushes which had been

left to flourish

were cut down, and the Spanish

civilians

volunteer cavalry and infantry corps.

issued no proclamation

were

whether

the rebel leaders had

far

aims

their

they sought independence, reforms, extermination of

native non-combatants was

glum

The

attitude of the thoroughbred

The

silence born of fear.

long vaunted their superior birth

themselves betAveen two stools.

in

were called upon to form

was not generally known what

it

Spaniards or Europeans generally.

who had

So

around the approaches

to

If the natives

the

Eurasians,

native,

found

were going to succeed

the battle, they (the Eurasians) would want to be the peaceful

On

wire-pullers after the storm.

the other hand, they had so long

striven to be regarded as on a social equality with the Spaniards that

now

they could not

abstain from espousing their cause against the

Therefore, in the course of a few

rebels without exciting suspicion.

days, the Eurasians resident in the capital

volunteers.

But no one imagined,

Katipunax

league.

was discovered,

To

how

at that time,

to enlist

many

of the half-caste volunteers

rebels in disguise, bearing the " blood

way

as^

widespi'ead was the

the profound surprise of the Spaniards

later on, that

only waiting to see which

came forward

it

were

compact " mark, and presumably

the chances of war would turu to join

the winning side.

Under sentence

of the court martial established on

August, the four rebel leaders

were executed on the 4th

the

Campo

in the battle

of September.

of

The

the 30th

San Juan

last

del

of

Monte

penalty was paid on

de Bagumbayau, facing the fashionable promenade called

the Luneta, by the seashore (vide map).

Three

sides of a square

were

formed by 1,500 Spanish and half-caste volunteers and 500 regular

troops.

Escorted

by two

condemned men walked

Austin

and two Franciscan

to the execution

fiiars,

the

ground from the chapel within

the city walls, where they had been confined since the sentence was
passed.

They were

ground pinioned

perfectly self-composed.

their sentence

was read

to

They
them.

arrived

on the

Yalenzuela was

THE FIRST EXECUTIONS OF REBELS.

517

uupiaioneJ for a iniuute ami signed some documeut at a table. Wheu

he Avas agaiu tied up, all four were made to kueel oa the ground in a

row facing the open seabeach

side

the

of

square.

Then, amidst

l^rofound silence, an officer, at the head of sixteen Spanish soldiers,

walked round the three

pronounce

publicly

sides of the square, halting at each

the

formula

corner to

" In

the name of the King

" Whosoever shall raise his voice to crave clemency for the condemned
" shall suffer death." The sixteen soldiers divided off in fours and
!

stood about five yards behind each culprit.

sword the volley was

rolled over dead.

aud

fired,

all

As

the officer lowered his

but Valenzuela sank

down and

was a most impressive

It

sight.
I saw the bullets,
which had passed clean through Valenzuela's body, throw up the

gravel in front of him.

He

then gradually sank on his

shots, fired close to

Conveyances were

side.

He was

still

head, scattered his

his
iu

remained kneeling erect half-a-minute, and

readiness

to

carry

brains
off

the

spectators quitted the mournful scene iu silence.

execution, which

was followed by four others

and four more

alive,

iu

over the grass.

bodies,

and the

This was the

first

Manila aud one

iu

Cavite in General Blauco's time, and scores more subsequently.

Up

the river the rebels were

increasing

daily,

and at Pasit' a

thousand of them threatened the Civil Guard and compelled that small
force and the parish priest to take refuge in the belfry tower.
On the
river-island

of Pandiican,

just

opposite

to

the

European

Club at

Nagtdjan, a crowd of armed natives, about 400 strong, attacked the

village, sacked the church and drove the parish priest up the belfry
tower.

In this plight the padre was seen to waive a handkerchief and

drew the attention of the Civil Guard stationed higher up the river.
Aid was sent to him at once the insurgents Avere repulsed with great

so

loss,

but one European sergeant was killed and several native soldiers

wounded.

Nueva
to the

The

Ecija,

rebellion

had spread

where the Governor and

to
all

Government House were besieged

the northern

provinces

of

who had fled

They must have

the Europeans
for a day.

hands of the rebels but for the timely arrival of 500

fallen into the

troops from Manila,

who

outflanked the insurgents and dispersed them

with great slaughter.

In Bulacan the flying column under Major

Lopez Arteaga had a score of combats with the rebels, who were every-

where routed.

were found.

Spaniards and Creoles Avere maltreated wherever they

young Creole named Chofre, aud known by everybody

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

518

pliotographlc viev/s with a

Manila, went out to Mariquina to take
When they
Morris.
half-caste friend of his named Augustus

ill

foreign

saw the

which was

rebels they ran into a hut,

set fire to.

Morris (who

to escape and was shot,

could not be distinguished as a foreigner) tried
Maragondou a Spanish lady
whilst Chofre was burnt to death. From
At the house of a friend of mine
to Manila raving mad.

was brought

iu Calle Cabildo

(Manila)

1 several

times saw a Spanish lady

who had

reason in Mariquina, an hour's drive from Manila.

suburbs.
Crowds of natives swarmed into the walled city from the

lost her

himself abandoned his riverside residence at

During the
Potenciana.
Malacafian and came with his staff to Calle
thousand Chinese, besides a Ira-ge number
lirst four months quite five
The
and half-caste families, went over to Hongkong.

The Governor-General

of

Spanish

one could leave Manila,

passport system was revived, that is to say, no
Civil Governor's office to
without presenting himself personally at the
get his cedula personal vised.

Meanwhile

the

Province

Cavlte

of

was

becoming

the

most

to the Province of
important centre of rebellion, which soon spread
The rebels established their headquarters at a place near

Batano-as.

Silan
where E.milio Aguk>'aldo first came into prominence.
mountain, and the numerous
situated at the base of the Sungay

Silan
is

the
ravines in the slopes Avhich reach
as

Lake

Lake Bombon (popularly known

to the rebels.
of Taal) alTorded safe retreats
there, but he has relations who own

the schoolmaster
in the province.

22nd

of

the plot

March,

real estate

however, of

prommciamiento simultaneously
San Francisco de Malabon. This

issued his

at his birthplace, at Novaleta,

is,

some

He was born at Cauit,i i^ the same province, on the

after
1869. On the 31st of August, 1896 eleven days

was discoveredhe

document

Aguiualdo Avas

and

little

at

historic value, as

it

does not set forth

but Is more a wild

the programme of the revolutionists,
vague terms, to take arms and
exhortation to the people, in general

clearly

Malabon
from oppression. I know San Francisco de
Aguiualdo rallied his forces prior to their
very well the place where
The village of Imus was tlieir great strategic
Imus.

free themselves

march

to

point.

The

'

village

itself,

situated

in

fibh-hook.
Cault, a Tagalog word, signifies

Christmas box.

the centre of a

large, Avell-

Agulnaldo, a Spanish word, means

DON EMILIO AGUINALDO.

EEBELS TAKE IMUS.

watered plain,

surrounded by

collection

wooden

of

was

planted land,

nothin"-

to the

bay shore towns.

very poor, being tenants or dependants of the

519

mere

The

dwellings.

a straight line, Avould be

good roads leading

Avith

CRUELTIES.

bamboo-and-thatch

or

distance from Manila, in

LOOTING.

about 14 miles,

The

people v/cre

hence the only

building of importance was the estate-house of the Religious Corporation.
This estate-house was really a fortress

The dwelling-house was

situated

friars,

in the estimation of the natives.

the

in

middle

compound

of

surrounded by massive high walls, and to this place some seventeen

friars fled on the first alarm.
For the rebels, therefore, Imus had a
double value

the

and the capture of the priests. After a

siege which lasted long enough for General Blanco to have sent
troops

against

them,

the

fortress

Imus

took

rebels

September and erected barricades

hands.

into their

several of

steal

the

and

crops

petroleum and set on

spit

Thirteen of the priests

fell

and threw up earthworks

which

stock,

Avere couveved in

up piecemeal

in

and a third was bathed

Many
first

of the numerous cases I

killed

in oil

such atrocities

old.

and

Avas a

To

rising.

mention the Naig outrage.

The

most

fried

ou a

Reqxdem

were committed by the

cite

another

The Lieutenant

and the ferocious band of rebels seized

daughter eleven years

treated

AA-ere

There

few mouths of the

Avill

lar-^-e

another Avas saturated Avith

run through the length of his body.

insurgents during the

were

of

of the captured priests

cut

fire,

for this event.

had been

live

Some

One was

barbarously.

Mass

cut trenches

1st

main roads of the province, and strengthened their

Novaleta. Marauding parties were sent out everywhere

quantities to Imus.

bamboo

there.

on the

the

position at
to

They

estate house

his widoAV

and

child Avas raA'ished to death,

and they
bury the mother alive when she was rescued
Manila in the steam launch Mariposa raviuo- mad

just digging a pit to

and brought
disguised

as

to

a native Avoman.

Aguinaldo, personally, Avas humanely

inclined, for at his headquarters he held captive one Spanish
trooper,

an army lieutenant, a Spanish planter, a

all

of

Avhom

read his

Avere fairly Avell treated.

missal, the lieutenant

and the planter had

to try his

friar

The

and trooper

hand at

and two Spanish

priest
Avere

Avas

ladies

alloAved

ta

made blacksmiths

tailoring.

The

insurgents occupied Paranaque and Las Pjnas ou the outskirts

of Manila, and Avhen General Blanco had o,000 fresh troops
at
his

disposal he

still

refrained from attacking the rebels in their positions.

THILirPINE ISLANDS.

520

Military men, iu couTersation witli me, excused this inaction on the

that, to completely rout the

ground

troops to

garrison the places taken

prevent the
require

them

insurgents

fleeing

and

form flying columns to

to

sufficient

mountain fastnesses, would

So

do the work over again Avhen they reappeared.

to

which

The

rebels

Three weeks

several mouths.

in the

hope that more troops would

to inflict such a crushing defeat

ensure a lasting peace.

which

carried over to Cavite,

narrow isthmus, so
trenches

and not have

the

to

General Blanco went on waiting

arrive with

rebels

were

Imus

in possession of

after they took

is

on the rebels as would

it,

for

was slowly

artillery

connected with the mainland by a

the rebels hastened to construct a long line of

immediately

the south

to

of

this (vide

whereby

map),

commuuication with the heart of the province was effectually cut off".
Not only did their mile-and-a-half of trenches and stockade check

any advance
rallying point

into

the interior from

whence Cavite

itself

the isthmus, but

was menaced.

it

served as a

The

Spaniards,

therefore, forced to take the offensive to save Cavite falling into rebel

hands, made an attack on the Novaleta defences with Spanish troops

and loyal native

Avere repulsed

auxiliaries on the 10th of

with the

Xovember.

to carry artillery towards

of both corps

mile north

Novaleta, where they established a camp.

to spend a

wounded.

The

intention

Imus was abandoned and the Spaniards

back on Dalahican, about a

went

73rd native regimeut

loss of one-third of the

and 60 Spanish troops, with oO

The Spaniards

day there.

They had

the rebel trenches

of

fell

of

fortnight afterwards, I

four large cannon

and two

camp they had one

cannon. The troops numbered 3,500 Spaniards under the command
The 73rd Native Regiment survivors had quarters
of General Eios.
there, but they were constantly engaged in making sorties on the road
leading to Manila. No further attempt was made in General Blanco's
bronze mortars

trench

in the

adjoining

the

time to dislodge the rebels from their splendidly-constructed trenches,

which, hov/ever, could easily have been shelled from the sea-side.

A number of supposed
prison,

and I went over

promoters of the Rebellion

to witness

filled

the Cavite

the execution of thirteen.

knew

One was a Chinese half-caste, the

son of a rich Chinaman then living. The father was held to be a
respectable man of coolie origin, but the son, long before the Rebellion,
two

or three

of

them by

had a worthless reputation.

sight.

REBELS U^sDER LLANERAS IN BULACAN.

521

In the Provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan, north of Manila, the

rebel mob, under the command of a half-caste named Llaneras, was

To oppose this, Major Lopez Arteaga had

about 3,000 strong.

a flying

column, of 500 men, and between the contending parties there were
repeated encounters with no definite result. Whenever the rebels

were beaten

Mateo

off

and pursued, they

(Manila

Province)

fled

to their strongholds of

Augat

and

(Bulacan

San

The
enemy at

Province).

Spaniards made an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the

Angat, whilst at San Mateo, where they were supposed to be 5,000

strong, they were left undisturbed.
The rebels attacked Calumpit
(Bulacan), pillaged several houses, decapitated an Englishman's cook,

and drove the Civil Guard aud the parish priest up the belfry tower.

On

the other side of the river, Llaneras visited the rice-mills of an

Anglo-American
Mr.

firm,

took some refreshment and assured the manager,

Scott, that the rebels

any foreigners

had not the

(as distinguished

least intention

to

from Spaniards) against

interfere

whom

with

they had

no complaint whatever.

At

length a plan of campaign was prepared and

march

forces were to

in

two directions through the

expeditionary

disaffected provinces

south of Manila and combine, according to circumstances,

bulk of the rebels could be driven together.

One

when

the

division operated

from the lake town of Vinan, whilst General Jaramillo took his troops
round to Batangas Province and worked northwards. Before the lake

had gone very far they met with a reverse

forces

rebels in the neighbourhood of

Carmona, but

hands of the

at the

rallied

and pushed on

towards the rebel quarters near Silan, where the enemy was appareutlv
concentrating for a great struggle.

made an

unsuccessful attempt to regain Imus.

Binacayan was fought on the 11th

Spaniards.
follow

it

and had
Silan,

In the meantime, the Spaniards

It

may be

of

November with

under cover.

The

number

on the

field,

rebels, already in great force at

The combined columns under General Jaramillo

they did not

of dead

were preparing for what might have resulted

attack.

great loss to the

called a rebel victory (although

up), for the Spaniards left a large

to retreat

Also the battle of

in the final issue.

at length

opened the

pitched battle was fought, and no quarter was given on

cither side.

This

were forced

to retire

fierce contest lasted

with considerable

a whole day, and the Spaniards

loss.

The combined

operations

-accomplished nothing decisive and served only to check an advance on

522

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

who were

the capital by the rebels,

already in practical possession of

the whole of Cavite province, excepting the port, arsenal, and isthmus
of Cavite.

In Manila the volunteers mounted guard whilst the regulars went

For a

the front.

to

Avhile

the

volunteers

domiciliary search, and they did very

much

make

allowed to

Avere

This led to

as they liked.

such abuse of power that domiciliary search had to be forbidden, for

the volunteers took to entering

examined the persons of

Crowds

brand.
of

niitives to see

of suspects

them were sent away

any house they chose, and roughly

they had the

if

Katipuxax

were brought into Manila, and shiploads

in local steamers to the Caroline Islands

and

Mindanao, whilst every mail steamer carried batches of them en route

for

On

Fernando Po.

300 Filipinos

for Chafarinas Islands,

In the local steamers

settlements.

The

the 1st of October the

in the

many

water-mark at high

them died on the way.

and about 600 suspects

of

full,

dungeons of Fort Santiago at the mouth of the Pasig

Then occurred

River.

with

3Ia}illa sailed

Ceuta and other African penal

ordinary prisons were more than

were confined

s.s.

a frightful tragedy.

tide

The dungeons

are below

the river water filtered in through the crevices

in the ancient masonry, thus twice a

day these unfortunates were up to

their waists or necks in water, according to the height of the

The

vSpanish sergeant on duty threw his rug over the only light and

ventilating shaft, and in a couple of days, carts were seen

citizens carrying

away

the dead, calculated to

number 70,

governors and parish priests seemed to regard

the

men.

capital

with batches of

" suspects "

Provincial

duty to supply

as a

it

by many

from their

In

localities.

Vigan, where nothing had occurred, many of the heads of the best

and monied men were arrested and brought to Manila

families

They

steamer.
of

the

merchandise

in

t!ie

to haul

and native

Manuel Abella,
finally shot.
fine estate

her

foot,

and carried

like

packages

happened to be on the quay when

living

with

freight

up and SAving out the bodies

like

and

chains

bales

of

hemp.

(Camarines), the Abellas and several well-known

From Nueva Caceres

families

hold.

discharged

steamer

hooks

bound hand and

Avere

in

priests

were seized and shipped up.

like scores of others,

He was

was tortured

Poor old

in Bilibid prison

and

a notary and had the misfortune to possess a

which an impecunious Spaniard coveted,

so he

denounced

Abella and was rewarded by being appointed " Administrator " of his

SUSrECTS TORTURED.

BLANCO

property, out of which he so eurichetl himself that he

mouths, to return to Spain

in

maimed

for life

was

able, in a

and then sent hack

to his

had been a marked man since 1895.

was tortured

few

native

imtil

he Avas

a good financial position.

planter and good friend of mine in Balayan

523

POSITION.

town declared innocent.

lie

In that year I happened to be his

guest for several days, just after his son Quintin, a law student, had

had a

altercation with his clerical professors in Manila.

little

peaceful natives were treated witli a ferocity

of

shocked

The court

Europe.

all

of a colonel,

little

by

little,

Thousands

which would have

martial, established under the presidency

practised systematic extortion, for, T,'ithia

three months of the outbreak, hundreds of the richest natives and half-

Manila were imprisoned for a few days and released conultionalhj.

For instance, a Chinese half-caste, Luis Y
a laro-e
castes in

barge-owuer and merchant

to

popularly known as Capitan

have paid $5,000 for his freedom.

Telesforo

Luis,

is

and

said

both Chinese half-breeds, are reputed to have paid $40,000 and

$25,000 respectively, but the complete

list

would

fill

a page.

were even re-arrested on a second charge for the same purpose.

daily papers published the lists of the

names

Some
The

of these persons on each

Archbishop Nozaleda and Governor-General Blanco were

at variance from the beginning of the revolt, and in accordance Avith
occasion.

historical precedent

it

could only end in one way, namely, that the

clerical party advised the

Canovas Ministry

appoint another in his stead

to recall the

who would be

General and

obedient to the Friars.

General Blanco was not sufficiently sanginuary to meet their views.

As

a strategist he had refused, at the outset, to undertake, with

1,500 European troops, a task which was only accomplished by his

successor with 28,000 men.

and Blanco

left for

But the

priests thought they

Spain in December, 1896.

positions of parties at this crisis, matters stood

in possession of the
city

knew

better,

To sum up the relative

thus
The rebels were
:

whole of the province of Cavite, excepting the

and arsenal of Cavite and the isthmus connecting that city with

the mainland.

They were well

fortified at

Imus with trenches and

stockades extending from the estate-house fort in several directions

and an army strength of 6,000

to 7,000

men.

Their

artillery

was most

primitive,

however, consisting only of a few small cannons called

lantacas

some new cannon

the

of

small calibre

roughly cast out of

church bells and iron waterpipcs of large diameter converted

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

524

mortars.

mitrailleuse

into

They were

entrenched behind

strongly

defending
a mile-and-a-half of strategically constructed earthworks
They were supposed
the town of Kovaleta, which they held.
to

have,

least,

at

20,000

San Francisco de Malabou,

other

places

men

in

here.

occupation

Silan, Perez Dasmarinas,

they held, their

total

force

in

Including

and the several

whole province

the

was estimated at 35,000 men. About one-fifth of that number Avas

armed with rifles (chiefly Mauser) the remainder carried bohie-knives
and bamboo lances. The bohie-knife is irresistible by the Spaniards
when the native can get to close-quarter fighting. They had ample
;

natives.
supplies of rice, bulTaloes, etc. stolen from the non-combatant

To my personal knowledge they had daily communication with Manila,

and knew everything that was going on there and the public feeling in
the capital. They had failed in the attempt to seize the town of Santa
Cruz (Laguna)

they killed one Spaniard there and retreated.

Loyal

them out

of that

natives in Viilau organised volunteer forces to keep

town.

Those Manila volunteers known

few

battalion, with a

as the

Guerrilla a muerte

regulars, frequently patrolled the lake coast in

steam launches from Manila, and kept the rebels from occupying that
North of Manila the rebellion reached no further than
district.
Bulacan and Pampanga Provinces, where the flyiug column under
Llaneras, together with those rebels

in

the

mountain fastnesses of

Angat and San Mateo, amounted to about 10,000 men.

notified the Manila-Dagupan (English) Railway officials

Llaneras
that

they

were to cease carrying loyal troops on their line, but as these orders
were not heeded, a train was wrecked on the 19th of November, about
20 miles up from the capital. The locomotive and five carriages were
smashed, the permanent Avay was somewhat damaged, five individuals
wounded, and the total loss sustained was estimated at $40,000.

were

In the

some

five

November

the Friars'

week

of

miles

from Manila, was

last

blaze from the bay.

The

in

estate-house at

flames.

slightest reverse

to

We

could see the

Spanish arms always

drew a further crowd of rebels into the field.

The total European force when General Blanco
10,000 men.

Malinta,

was about
In Cavite Province the Spaniards held only the camp of
left

The
the isthmus.
Dalahican, and the city and arsenal of Cavite with
number of suspects shipped away was about 1,000. I was
total

informed by

my

friend, the Secretary of the Military Court, that 4,377

BRITISH TAKE PRECAUTIONS AT MANILA.

individuals were awaiting trial

by court

The

martial.

525

possibility of

the insurgents ever being able to enter the capital was never believed
in

by the large majority of Europeans, although from a month

after the

outbreak the rebels continued to hold posts within a couple of hours'

The natives, however, Avere led to believe

that the rebels would make an attempt to occupy the city on Saint
Andrew's day. The British Consul, and a few British subjects too,
were of opinion that a raid on the capital was imminent and I, among
march from the old walls.

others,

was invited by

letter,

written under the authority of H.B.M.'s

Consul, to attend a meeting at the offices of a British establishment to

concert measures for escape in such a contingency.

thus

The

letter read

Dear

Manila,

Sir,

I beg to suggest for your

16tli

November, 1896.

consideration the advisability of

forming a Committee from amongst the British residents here to

Avhom could be entrusted the expression of the views of the

community

whose
1.

to

duties

H.B.M.'s Consul on matters of public concern and

might further include

Collecting the most authentic information available upon

the local events of the day.

2.

Placing the same at the disposal of the Consul and such

other officers in H.M.'s

Service

who may

be acting

in concert

with him.
3".

Suggesting means to be adopted in the iutere&t of the

community should
4.

special occasion arise.

Circulating information to those concerned.

In few places

community

in the world, I

venture to say, would a large

of British subjects of both sexes be without a

working

committee under circumstances of doubt and uncertainty similar to

those existing here.

Amongst

us Ave

may

hold widely different

opinions of the probabilities of concerted action being urgently

required, but none can say, with certainty, that there
bility^

and

it

is

the possibilities that

far as lies in our poAver.

action
I

would be

am

to our

we

is

no such possi-

should guard against, as

There can be no doubt that concerted

mutual benefit

if

occasion arose.

able to say that the British Consul would be glad of the

co-operation of a small body representing British subjects resident

here,

and so as to avoid needless delays, I take the liberty of

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

526

proposing that, provided the scheme accords in the main with your
own views, you will send me to the above address a closed cover

B.C." containing the names of ten resident

members of the community from among whom a committee of

marked

iu the corner "

number

three or five having the greatest

a meeting
at

which

trust

you will be able

we have in the country

particularly, lead me to hope you will
interests

I trust you will pardon

do merely

my

first

to

The enormous

attend.

generally,

inst.,

and

Manila

in

support the suggestion, and

taking this independent course, which I

to avoid the delays

attempted to

be elected at

on Wednesday, the 18th

to be held here at 5 p.m.

may

of votes

which must necessarily

arise if I

consult the opinions of all concerned.

I am, dear

sir,

Etc., etc.

In spite of these fears, business was carried on without the least

apparent interruption.

When
de lioma

General Blanco reached Spain he quietly lodged at the Hotel

in

Madrid, and then took a private residence.

ofiered a position in the

declined to accept.

He was

Cuario Militar out of courtesy, which he

For several months he remained under a

political

cloud, charged Avith incompetency to quell the Philippine Rebellion.

But there is something to be said in justification of Blanco's inaction.

He was pestered from the beginning by the sanguinary Archbishop
and the leading civilians to take the ofionsive and start a war
outrance with an inadequate number of European soldiers. His
6,000 native auxiliaries (as it was proved later on) could not be relied

d.

v.pon

iu

prestige

a civil war.
still

made good

high, they would have

Blanco was no novice

last twenty-five years.

the attacks of

Against the foreign invader, with Spanish

tlie

first

iu civil wars.

remember

fighting material.
his

career for the

Vvith his TOO European troops he parried off

armed mobs

in the

Province of Manila, and

defended the city and the approaches to the capital. Five hundred
European troops had to be left, here and there, in Visayas for the
Before the balance of 300 could be embarked in

ordinary defence.
half-a-dozen places

iu

the south and

province of Cavite was in arms.

He

landed in Manila, the whole

could not leave the defence of

the city entirely in the hands of untrained and undrilled voluuteers and

march the whole

of his

European regular troops

into another province.

GENERAL TOLAVIEJA SUCCEEDS GENERAL BLANCO. 527

A severe reverse,
Spanish

must

on the

to appreciate

live there

He

this.

feigning to attach to

was

Blanco had the enormous disadvantage (one

sovereignty.

understood

man

had,

it

of moderate

the Martinez

encounter, might have proved fatal to

first

Campos

it)

of the

therefore,

wet season, and the

damp

to

the

as little importance as possible.

and humane tendencies

whose policy

school,

is

rebels

movement by
Lastly, Blanco

a colonial governor of

when

all

honourable

peaceful means are exhausted, use force.

The

Ciinovas party was broken up by the assassination of the

Prime Minister on the 8th

of

August,

This ministry was

1897.

followed by the provisional Azcurraga Cabinet which, at the end of

was superseded by the Liberal party under the leadership of

Praxedes Sagasta, who recalled General Weyler from Cuba, and on

six weeks,

the 9th of October appointed General

Plata, to take the

command

Ramon

Blanco, Marques de Pena

there.

General Camilo Polavieja (Marques de Polavieja) arrived

in

December,

Messiah

1896,

as

the successor of

He had made

of the friars.

Blanco, and

a great

name

in

in

Manila
chosen

the

Cuba

as an

energetic military leader, which, in Spanish colonies, always implied

a tinge of wanton cruelty.

In Spain he was regarded as the right

arm of the ultra-clericals and a possible supporter of Carlism. He

was accompanied by General Lachambre, whose acquaintance I made
in Havana.
In the same steamer with General Polavieja came 500
troops,

another

whilst

steamer

simultaneously

Polavieja, therefore, on lauding, had about

and 6,000 native

until the total

auxiliaries, but

brought

1,500.

12,000 European troops

each steamer brought fresh supplies

European land forces amounted

to 28,000.

By

this

time, however, the 6,000 native troops were very considerably reduced

by

desertion,

and the remainder could hardly be

relied upon.

But

Polavieja started his campaign with the immense advantage of having

the whole of the dry season before him.

Commander

of the forces, at once took the field against the rebels in

Cavite Province.

It

encounters with the

Naig,

General Lachambre, as Deputy

Maragondon,

would be tedious

enemy over
Perez

Novaleta, and other places.

to relate, in detail, the

this area.

Dasmariuas,

numerous

Battles were fought at

Nasugbu,

Taal,

Bacoor,

Imus, which in Manila was popularly

supposed to be a fortress of relative magnitude, whence the rebels

would dispute every inch

of ground, Avas attacked

by a large force

of

528

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Ou

loyal troops.
fleil.

their

approach the rebels

Very few remained

picked off by musketry

inasmuch as

paddy

was a victory

It

fire.

it

was necessary

force

iew
they were

for the Spaniards,

scared

to take Silan,

and

these

as

and down the river

fields

demonstration of

their

But

evacuation.

meet the Spaniards, and

to

tried to escape across the

set fire to the village

the

into

rebels

which the insurgents

The

hastened to strengthen, closely followed up by the Spaniards.

place Avas well defended by earthworks and natural parapets, and for
several

hours the issue of the contest was doubtful.

The

fought bravely, leaping from boulder to boulder to meet the

every close-quarter melee the bohie-knife had a terrible
loyal troops had suffered heavily

marched

rountl

to the

rear of

when a column

had

to

poured

evacuate

foe.

to

a rising

musketry

in a continuous

Spaniards was

of

who

slaughter to the insurgents,

last stronghold, south

ground facing this

until

fire

the rebels

dispersed

Manila, being taken, they broke up

of

The Spaniards
up

to hold the

town

to

to the

rebel

Avith the cry of "

made

any one place against

this onslaught,

Laguna Province and endeavoured unsuccessfully

of Santa Cruz.

show what the

into-

suffered great losses, but they gained their

point, for the rebels, unable to hold

Avere driven

great

Their

in all directions.

small detachments which were chased and beaten wherever they

a stand.

They

and the general rout commenced with

it,

In

and the

effect,

the rebels' principal parapet.

were lowered down with ropes ou

parapet, and

rebels

aim

Long

It

is

interesting to remark, in order

at that time was, that they entered here

live

Spain

Death

to the

Friars

After

"

three months' hard fighting. General Lachambre was proclaimed the

Liberator of Cavite and the adjoining districts,

for,

by the middle of

March, 1897, every rebel contingent of any importance

in that locality

had been dispersed.

Like every other Spanish General
Polavieja had his enemies in Spain.

attacked him unsparingly.

in

supreme command abroad,

The organs

Polavieja,

of the Liberal party

as everybody kncAV,

was the

chosen executive of the Friars, Avhose only care Avas to secure their
OAvn position.
their ideal,

He

Avas

dubbed the " General Cristiano."

and worked hand-in-hand with them.

He

He was

cabled for

more

troops to be sent with Avhich to garrison the reconquered districts, and

have his army corps free

fined to the

to

stamp out the

Northern Provinces.

rebellion, Avhich

was con-

Cuba, Avhich had already drained

POLAVIEJA KESIGNS AND RETURNS TO SPAIN.

the Peninsula of over 200,000 men,

529

required fresh levies to replace

still

the sick and wounded, and Polavieja's demand was refused.

Immediately"

him

after this he cabled that his physical ailments compelled

to resign

the commandership-in-chief, and begged the Government to appoint a

The Madrid

successor.

attributed to

him a

him thereupon

journals hostile to

and questioned whether his resignation was duo

lie,

to ill-health, or his resentment of the refusal to send out

Still

indirectly-

more troops.

urging his resignation, General Fernando Primo de Rivera was

gazetted to succeed him, and Polavieja embarked in Manila for Spain

General Lachambre, as the hero of Cavite,

on the 15th of April, 1897.

followed to receive the applause which was everywhere showered upon

him

As

in Spain.

to Polavieja's merits, public opinion

divided, and as soon as

it

was known that he was on the way, a con-

how he ought

troversy was started in the Madrid press as to

El Imparcial

received.

to

be

maintained that he was worthy of being honoured

This gave

as a nineteenth century conquering hero.

abuse on the other

was very much

who raked up

side,

him

tendencies, and openly denounced

all his

antecedents and supposed

as a dangerous politician and the

According

supporter of theocratic absolutism.

rise to a volley of

to

El Liberal

of the

11th of May, Senor Ordax Avecilla, of the Red Cross Society, stated
in his speech at the Madrid Mercantile Club, " If he (the General)

" thought of becoming dictator, he would

*'

glory

Hades

the

to

insinuated that he

was

of

fall

from the height of his

His

nonentity."

really returning to

enemies

persistently

Spain to actively support

but perhaps the bitterest satire was levelled against him

in El Pais of the 10th of May, which, in an article headed " The

the

clericals,

Great Farce," said

^'

Persia

"

Do you know who

Alexander, King of Macedonia

" the African

Gonzalo de Cordova
" conqueror of worlds. What ? Oh
;

" know
" with
^'

Polavieja

laurels,

trophies

it

coming

Cirus,

Csesar Augustus

King

of

Scipion

Napoleon, the Great Napoleon,

unfortunate people, do you not

coming, the incomparable Polavieja, crowned

is

commanding a
is

is

fleet

Polavieja, gentlemen,

the brim

laden to

who

with rich

returns, discoverer of

new

" worlds, to lay at the feet of Isabella the Catholic his conquering
*'

sword

it is

" the glories

Polavieja
of

who

returns after having cast into obscurity

Hernan Cortes

" national map, and brings new

*'

to his queen.

What

Polavieja,

who

territories to the

has

realm

widened the

new thrones

can the people be thinking of that they remain

L L

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

530

" thus in silence ?

It i;3 I<7arvaez who is
imbeciles.
Applaud
" resuscitated.
Now we have another master " No Spanish
!

general
to

arrived at Polavieja's position would find

who bad

be absolutely neutral

On

May

the 13th of

but to compare him to Narvaez, the

in politics,

military dictator, proved, in a

few days,

to

be the grossest absurdity.

Polavieja arrived in Barcelona physically broken,

His detractors

half blind, aud with evident traces of a disordered liver.

were

silent

ments.

He

an enthusiastic

crovv'd

the

welcomed him

of the rebellion, but

had broken the neck

Altoo-ether, apart from

circumstances

by what means
warfare,

of legitimate

tortures

February, 1897,

field

whom

gave

in

other,

he

system of striking terror into the non-combatant population

by barbarous
most of

achieve-

for his

which probably neither party was more merciful than the

initiated a

possible

it

in

and

executions.

On

the

6th of

one prison alone (Bilibid) there were 1,266 suspects,

were brought

little

v.diolesale

in

by the volunteers,

quarter and rarely

made

for the forces in the

prisoners.

The

functions of

the volunteers, organised originally for the defence of the city and
suburbs, became so elastic that, night after night, they

made men and

women come out of their houses for inspection conducted most

immorally. The men were escorted to the prisons by pure caprice, and
subjected to horrible maltreatment. Many of them were liberated in
the course of a few days, declared innocent, but maimed for life and for
ever unable to get a living. Some of these victims were well known
to

everybody

instance Dr. Zamora, Bonifacio Arcvalo

in Manila, for

the dentist, Antonio Rivero (who died under torture), and others.

only apparent object in

all

this

was

to disseminate broadcast living

in order

examples of Spanish vengeance,

The

to

Under General Blanco's administration such

overawe the populace.

acts

had been

distinctly

prohibited on the representation of General Carlos Roca.

I must here give an outline of the career and fate of the most

notable Filipino,

This victim of the Friars

an,l

General Polavieja,

Dr. Jose Rizal y Mercado, born in the sixties, was a native of Calamba
(Laguna), three hours' journey from Manila. Often have I, together

with the old native parish

priest.

Father Leoncio Lopez, spent an hour

with Jose's father, Tomas Mercado, and heard the old

man

descant,

with pride, on the intellectual progress of his son at the Jesuits' school
But young Jose yearned to set out on a wider field of
in Manila.
study.

His ambition was

to

go

to

Europe, and he went.

He

studied

DR. JOS:^ RIZAL OPPOSES THE ERIARS.

531

mediciQe and entered the Madrid University, Avhere he graduated as

Doctor of Medicine and Philosophy. He subsequently continued his
studies in Paris,

and

Germany, where he

at several seats of learning in

obtained another degree, notwithstanding the fact that he had the

many

German

of his confreres iu the

had simultaneously opened

of

and loyalty

to

Universities, a career of study

his eyes to a clearer conception of the rights

Thrown among companions

humanity.

his belief in

As happened

foreign language to contend with.

difficulty of a

of socialistic

to the monarchical rule of his

yet unshaken by the influence of such environment

tendencies,

country were

he was destined

only to become a disturbing element, and a would-be reformer of that

time-worn institution which rendered secular government in his native

land a farce.

To

give him a party name, he became an anti-clerical,

strictly in a political

He was

and legal sense.

his sole aim, outside his

own

profession,

was

the baneful influence of the Spanish Friars

and Military Government under

first

ment which, during

(v2c?e

page

who

from

there held the Civil

He

sought to place

and moral prosperity with others,

step in that direction

expulsion of the Monastic Orders.

Catholic, but

to save his country

their tutelage.

his country on a level of material

and he knew that the

Roman

He

was

sympathized

to secure the

Avith that

move-

his childhood, culminated in the Rising of Cavite

Dr. Rizal looked profoundly into the causes of his

11 3).

country's unhappiness, and to promote their knowledge, in a popular

form, he wrote and published in Germany, in the Spanish lano-uao-e a

so-called novel entitled " Nole me tangerer
It was really an expose of
the arrogance, the immorality, and the despotism of the Friars in their
relations with the natives.

I have read the

book myself.

Then

during his sojourns in France and Belgium, he produced another political

novel

*'

El

Filibusterismo,^'' of

which I have a copy.

year after the

publication of these works he returned to the Islands and

we met

at

the house of the Lieutenant of the Civil Guard, whose guest I was.

As an

some very clever operations, but ho had

another mission one which brought upon him all the odium of the
clerical party, but which as quickly raised him in popular esteem ia
oculist Rizal performed

native circles.

He

led a party in his

town who dared

to dispute the

proprietorship of the Dominican Order to a large tract of agricultural

laud.

He

called

upon the Order

to

show

their title deeds

met with Marshal MacMahon's famous reply " J'y

and was only

suis et j'y reste."

LL

At

532

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

length prudence dictated a return to Europe.

remember the farewell

we had together at the Restaurant de Paris. During his absence

own relations and the chief families in his tOAvn became the objects

lunch
his

They were

of persecution.

driven from the lands they cultivated and

rented from the religious order without compensation for improvements

In 1893 Rizal arrived in Hong-

and Spaniards took their holdings.

kong, where he contemplated remaining to follow

profession,

his

but communications passed between him and the Governor-General,,

through the Spanish Consul, respecting his return

avowed

Rizal

Manila.

that he had been given to understand that he could return to

the Islands without fear for his

arrived in Manila and

was

personal

entertained

common

all

some doubts

He

liberty.

in the

of those seditious proclamations to

which

I have referred at page 220 were found,

contrary to

and

safety

His baggage was searched

arrested.

Custom House, and a number

is

to

it

was

alleged, in his trunks.

sense to conceive that a sane man,

It

who had

would bring with

as to his personal liberty,

him, into a public department of scrutiny, documentary evidence of his

own

He was

culpability.

arraigned before the supreme authority, in

whose presence he defended himself

wanted

his

right nobly.

The

party

clerical

Governor-General Despujols would not yield.

blood.

Rizal was guilty or innocent, and should have been fully acquitted or

condemned, but

to

meet the matter half way, he was banished to

I saw his

Dapitan, a town on the north shore of Mindanao Island.

bungalow

at the extremity of a pretty little horse-shoe bay.

remained four years

and

in

bondage.

his scientific attainments

of both the civil

justified

and religious

good repute as an

His bright

intelligence, his sociability,

had won him the respect and admiration

local authorities.

oculist that

seas to seek the benefits of his talent.

in full operation,

There he

He

had such a well-

many travelled down across the

The Cuban insurrection being

he sought the opportunity of proving to Spain that

his anti-clerical views

had, in no way, undermined his loyalty.

He

always gratefully acknowledged the advantages of a civilized dominion.

down with ennui from

He was

mentally weighed

solicited,

through the local Governor, permission

army doctor

in the

Spanish service.

28th of July, 1896, and on his way

where crowds
him.

of natives

to

inactivity,

Cuba

and he
as

an

The favour was granted on

the

to

go

to

Manila he passed through Cebu,

and half-castes went on board

to congratulate

Unfortunately, his arrival in Manila coincided with the outbreak

HE GOES TO SPAIN.

DR. RIZAl's popularity.

of the rebellion.

He had become

his ideas

were then the

the very

name

533

the idol of the people in his exile

reflection of all Philippine

aims and ambitions

of Rizal raised their hopes to the highest pitch.

fantastic reports

were circulated concerning him.

almost amounting to miracles, were attributed

became

current talk

among

Eizal's

power and

influence.

the natives

Deeds
to

his

when they spoke

He was

in

Most

Europe,

and

genius,
sotto voce

of

looked up to as the future

regenerator of his race, capable of moving armies and navies for the

Their very reverence was his condemnation in the

cause of liberty.

eyes of the priests.

His presence

in

Manila was regarded as such a

danger that he was at once put on board the Spanish cruiser Castilla

Thence he was transferred to the mail steamer

Isla de Panay bound to Barcelona. He carried with him letters of
lying in the bay.

recommendation to the Ministers of

sent to

War and

the Colonies, courteously

him by General Blanco with the following

letter

{Translation^
Dr. Jose Rizal.

My

dear Sir,

Manila, 30th August, 1896.

Enclosed I send you two

the Ministers of

letters, for

War

and the Colonies respectively, which I believe will ensure to you

a good reception. I cannot doubt that you will show me respect
in your relations

with the

Government, and by

your future

conduct, not only on account of your Avord pledged, but because

passing events must

make

it

clear to

you how certain proceedings,

due to extravagant notions, can only produce hatred,

and bloodshed.

That you may be happy

is

ruin, tears

the desire of

Yours, &c.,

Ramon Blanco.
{Translation of Letter of Recommendation to the Minister of JVar.)
H. E. Don Marcelo de Azcarraga.
Manila, 30th August, 1896.

Esteemed General and distinguished Friend,

I

recommend

to

you with

real interest Dr. Jose Rizal,

who

leaves for the Peninsula to place himself at the disposal of the

Government

as volunteer

army doctor

during the four years he has been

in

in exile

Cuba.
in

His conduct

Dapitan has been

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

534

exemplary, and he

my

in

is,

opinion, the

and benevolence, because he

is

extravagant attempts whicli

we

more worthy of pardon

no way associated with the

in

now

are

deploring, neither in

conspiracy nor in the secret societies which have been formed.

my high esteem,
And remain

I have the pleasure to reiterate to you

Your

affectionate friend

and comrade,

Ramon Blanco.
The

addressed to the Minister of the Colonies was in similar

letter

terms.

He had

companion Pedro Rojas, already referred

as travelling

to,

and had he chosen, he could have left the steamer at Singapore as

Kojas did. Not a few of us Avho saw the vessel leave wished him
"

God

But the

speed."

He was

clerical party

were eager for

sway

a thorn in the side of monastic

his extermination.

he had committed no

The lay
was the Friars' arch-enemy and bite tioir.
always had to yield to the monks, and history herein

crime, but he
authorities

repeated

itself.

Dr. Rizal Avas cabled for to answer certain accusations,

so on his landing in the Peninsula he

was incarcerated

Montjuich (the scene of so many horrors), pending his

fortress of

re-shipment by the returning steamer.

prisoner

in the celebrated

the

in

Colon,

materially impossible for

whatever his sympathies

from

isolated

him

to

all

reached Manila as a State

but his

jailors.

have taken any part

may have

fortune turned against him.

He

was

It

in the rebellion,

Yet, once more, the wheel of

been.

Curiously enough the parish

priest of

Moroug was murdered at the altar whilst celebrating mass on Christmas

Day, 1896. The importunity of the Friars could be no longer resisted
The next day
this new calamity seemed to strengthen their cause.
;

Rizal was brought to

martial,

trial

for sedition

and rebellion, before a court

composed of eight captains under the presidency of a lieutenant-

How

colonel.

No

could

be when, for years, he had been a State prisoner in forced

it

seclusion

mattered

reliable testimony could be

He

brought against him.

defended himself with logical argument, but, what

he was condemned beforehand

to

ignominious death as a

and the decree of execution was one of Polavieja's foulest acts.

During the few days which elapsed between sentence and death, he

traitor,

refused

to

see

any

priest

but a Jesuit.

In his

last

moments

his

DE. RI2AL, THE PHILIPPINE MARTYR.

demeanour
death to

**

his

ia accordance with, his oft-quoted sayiog,

V\'a3

me

condemued

Thought

"),

535

have sown the

cell

and

first

is

Ia

("My

last

he composed a poem of

I give the

What

seed, others are left to reap."

and hid the paper in a stewpan.

and published.

"

It

14 verses

was found by

his wife

last verses.

MI ULTIMO PENSAMIENTO.
Adios, Pdtria adorada, region del sol querida,

Mar de

Perla del

A
Y

Oriente, nucstro perdido Eden.

ddrte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,

fuera mas brillante, mas fresca, mas florida,

Tambien per ti la diera, la diera por tu biea.
Adios, padres

Amigos de

y hermanos,

trozos del

alma mia.

en el perdido hogar.
Dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso dia
Adios, dulce extrangera, mi amiga, mi alegria,
Adios, queridos sare?, morir cs descansar.
la infancia

The Avoman
proud

v/ho had long responded to his love, was only too

to bear his illustrious

name, and

in

the sombre rays which

fell

from his prison grating, the vows of matrimony were given and
Fortified

he

the sad certainty of

with

sanctified

by purity

of conscience

widowhood

on the morrow.

and the rectitude of

his principles,

no felon's remorse, but walked, with equanimity

felt

of execution.

About 2,000 regular and volunteer

square where

he

knelt facing the seashore.

troops formed the

After an

shouted the formula, " In the name of the King

to the place

officer

Whosoever

raise

*'

death," four bullets, fired from behind, did their fatal work.

his voice to

execution took place at 6 a.m. on the 30th of December, 1896.

The

shall

crave clemency for the condemned, shall suffer

*'

immense

had

This

An

croAvd witnessed, in silent awe, this sacrifice to priestcraft.

Friars, too,

were present

eti

masse,

many

of

them smoking big

cigars, jubilant over the extinction of that bright intellectual light

which, alas

The

can never be rekindled.

circumstances

under which Eizal, in his exile, made

acquaintance of Josephine Taufer,

who became

the

his wife, are curious.

The account was given me by Mrs. Eizal's foster-father as we crossed

the China Sea together.
The foster-father, who was an American
resident in

Hongkong, found

After exhausting

famous

oculist in

all

his eyesight

gradually

remedies in that colony, one day

failing
lie

him.

iieard of a

Manila named Eizal. a Filipino of reputed Japanese

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

5B6

August 1894, he

So, in

origin.

him a Macao servant,

doctor, taking with

whom

Manila

-went to

daughter, and a girl

his

Philippine Archipelago was

The

he had adopted from infancy.

such a terra incognita to the outside world that

known

of

it

learnt, to his dismay, that the

exile

on

who

When

save the capital, Manila.

was generally

little

he reached there h

renowned practitioner was a

an out-of-the-way place

lived in

the greai

to seek

in

Mindanao

political

Intent

Island.

he took ship and found the abode of Dr. Rizal.

his purpose,

The

American had been forsaken by his daughter in Manila, where she

eventually married a young native who had neither craft nor fortune..

The adopted

When

daughter,

was

therefore,

companion

his

to

Dapitan.

they arrived at the bungalow the bright eyes of the lovely

Josephine interested the doctor far more than the sombre diseased

The

organ of her foster-father.

exile

and the maiden,

vowed never

love with each other, and they mutually

by
the

the patient found his

with

him

to depart with

o-irl

his

love dissented from the proposition and

way back

Macao servant

to Manila,

and thence

hour after her marriage, she became

which had received sepulture

Hongkong

to

The

foster-child

political exile.

When, an

sadder, but a wiser

remained behind to share the hut of the

corpse,

to be parted but

old man's eyes were past all cure, and in vain he urged

The

force.

in short, fell in

man.

Widow

her husband's

Rizal,

in the cemetery,

was guarded by

soldiers for four days lest the superstitious natives should snatch the

body and divide

it

off for the rebel

Josephine started

was often asked, "

sister

the

brouo'ht

widow

Who

Then
way she

a thousand relics of their lost idol.

into

art

of Rizal

low every head

thou

camp

On her
answer " Lo I am

at Imus.

" but her

thy

" not only opened a passage for her, but

in silent reverence.

Amidst mourning and

triumph she was conducted to the presence of the rebel commander-inchief Emilio Aguinaldo, who received her with the respect due to the
sorrowing

relict

But the formal

of their departcJ hero.

She was the

condolence were followed by great rejoicing in the camp.

only free white
thouo-h

an angelic

her praises as
to

lead the

chose
iiavino-

woman
if

way

within the rebel

being

had

fallen

to

victory

escorted

to

They lauded her

from the skies

she were a modern Joan of

Arc

sent

over the banner of Castile.

for the time being, to follow a

been

lines.

tributes of

as

they sang

by heaven

But she

more womanly vocation, and

San Francisco de Malabon, she took up

CAREER OF DR. RIZAL's WIDOW.

537

tend the wounded for about three

her residence in the convent to

weeks.

Then, when the battle of Perez Dasmarinas was raging, our

heroine

sallied

shoulder and

who

as

she

interviewed her

Spanish

officer

was present

with a Mauser

horseback

on

forth

with pride to an old friend of mine

stated

she had the

satisfaction of shooting

and then retreated to her convent refuge.

at

the

courage infused a

of Silan,

battle

new

dead one

Again, sh

where her heroic example of

The carnage on

into her brother rebels.

life

over her

rifle

both sides was fearful, but in the end the rebels

back and there, from

fell

a spot midst mangled corpses, rivulets of blood and groans of death,

Josephine witnessed many a scene of Spanish barbarity

of old inoffensive

men and women

the butcheiy

children caught up by the

feet

and

dashed against the walls, and the bayonet charge on the host of fugitive
innocents.

The

Lachambre took the

after

having been beaten everywhere when

insurgents
field,

Josephine had

Imus and Silan were taken,

to follow in their retreat,

she, with the rest,

had

and

to flee to another

province, tramping through 23 villages on the way.

She was about

to

play another ro/e, being on the point of going to Manila to organise a

convoy of arms and munitions, when she heard that certain Spaniards

So she sought an interview with the

Governor-General, who asked her if she had been in the rebel camp at

were plotting against her

She

Imus.

life.

replied fearlessly in the affirmative,

security from violence afforded

and relying on the

by her sex and foreign nationality, there

passed between her and the Governor-General quite an amusing and

piquant colloquy. " What did you go to Imus for .'^" inquired the General.

"

What did you go

there for

" rejoined Josephine. "

General. " So did I," answered Josephine.

asked the General.

"Why

should I

.P"

To

"Will you leave Manila?"

queried Josephine.

said the General, " the priests will not leave you alone

and they

Avill

bring false evidence against you.

overrule theirs."

"

Then what

is

fight," said the

if

"Well,"

you stay

here,

have no power to

the use of the Governor-General

"

pursued our heroine, but the General dismissed the discussion, which

was becoming embarrassing, and resumed

upon her emphatically

to quit the

Colony.

it

a few days later by calling

At

this

second interview the

General fumed and raged, and our heroine too stamped her
and,

woman-like,

not afraid of him."

of

avowed " she did not

It

was temerity born

command from the General

care

for

him

little
;

she was

of inexperience, for one

could have sent her the

foot,

way many

word

others

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

538
had gone,

Thus matters waxed hot between

to an unrevealed fate.

her defiance and his

forbearance,

screws and bastinado

passed

until

visions

of

supreme, and reluctantly consented to leave the

May, 1897,

British soil of

the

power which

fair Philippine

field his

she
rules

shores

Yuensang, for a safer resting-place on the

in the ss.

Hongkong.
It sent into

execution of Dr. Rizal was a most impolitic act.

The

thumbthat

so vividly before her eyes

yielded, as individual force must, to the collective

in

torture

brother Ponciano with a large following,

who

eventually

succeeded in driving every Spaniard out of their native province of

also seized the lake gunboats, took an entire

They

Laguna.

garrison prisoner, and captured a large quantity of stores.

Spanish

Ponciano

rose to the rank of general before the Rebellion ended.

General Fernando Primo de Rivera, Marques de Estella, arrived iu

Manila, as the successor of General Camilo Polavieja, in the spring of
1897.

He knew

the country and the people he was called upon to

pacify, having been Governor-General therefrom April, 1880, to March,

1883.

few days

an amnesty
period.

to all

Many

after his arrival

who would

lay

he issued a proclamation offering

down

their

arms within a prescribed

responded to this appeal, for the crushing defeat of the

rebels in Cavite Province, accompanied

by the wanton

soldiery during the last Captain-Generalcy,

thousands of would-be insurgents.

The

cruelties of the

had damped the ardour of

rebellion

was then confined

to

the north of Manila, but, since Aguinaldo had evacuated Cavite and
joined forces

with Llaneras, the movement was carried far beyond

the Provinces of Bulacan and -Pampanga.

in

Armed mobs had

Pangasinan, Zambaies, Ylocos, Isueva Ecija and Tarlac.

villages

were entirely reduced

to ashes

by them

to

the

priests

native, and,

by

On

tliey

suspected

every

persistently launching false accusations against their

made

a town of importance on the

were simply goaded

rebels.

N.W.

Hence

killed

at

Candon

(Ilocos Sur),

coast of Luzon, five influential

into rebellion

the Bishop of Vigan, Father Jose Hevia de

These residents

pillage

the other hand, the nerves

were so highly strung that

parishioners, they literally

residents

everywhere to coerce the peaceful

inhabitants to join in the movement.

of

Many

crops of young rice

too unripe to be useful to anybody were wantonly destroyed

and devastation were resorted

risen

by the iniquitous action of

Campomanes and

his friars.

the parish priest, and without arms fled for

FIGHTING IN ZAMBALES.

same Austin

of the rebellion, this

with the prickly

friar,

Father Rafael Redondo,

his

of the ray-fish to extort confessions relating to

tail

In San Fernando de

conspiracy.

539

own and other native curates by having

naked and tied down to benches, where he beat them

had ignominiously treated

them stripped

OF ALIAQA.

A few months before, at the commence-

safety to the mountain ravines.

ment

BATTLE

la

Union the native

priests

Adriano

Garces, Mariano Gaerlan, and Mariano Dacanaya were tortured with a

hot iron applied to their bodies to force a confession that they were

The

freemasons.

rebels attacked

Bayambang (Pangasinan), drove out

the Spanish garrison, seized the church and convent in which they
fortified

Government
avoided

made

themselves,

all

stores,

Spanish

the

prisoner

priest,

burnt

the

Court-house and Spanish residences, but carefully

and

interference with the British-owned steam rice-mill

Troops were sent against them by special train

from Tarlac, and they were beaten out of the place with a loss of about
100 individuals, but they carried off their clerical prisoner. General

paddy warehouses.

Monet operated

in

the

north against the rebels with Spanish and

Province, where encounters

daily,

attacked the armed mobs in Zambales

He

native auxiliary forces.

minor importance took place almost

of

He showed

with no decisive victory for either party.

no

mercy and took no prisoners his troops shot down or bayonetted rebels,
non-combatants, women and children indiscriminately. The cruellest
;

barbarities

were

inflicted

on every native who

Tillage was carried on at the risk of one's

life,

extermination up to Ylocos, where,

him.

His

auxiliaries

went over

Spaniards passed to the other

which brought no advantage

several places

and returned

little

by

side, and,

to the

this

war

of

his forces deserted

Even a few

groups.

after a protracted struggle

Government, he

to Manila.

Spaniards had no greater success.

carried

little,

to the rebels in

men found going

for

He

out to their lands were seized as spies.

into his power.

fell

left

garrisons in

In Aliaga (Nueva Excija) the

The

rebels assembled there in

crowds, augmented by the fugitive mobs from Pangasinan, and took

possession

of

the

town.

The

Spaniards,

under General

Nunez,

attacked them on two sides, and one of the most desperate battles of
the Korth was fought there.

It lasted about six hours.

The

slaughter

The place was strewn with corpses, and

retreat when General Nunez advanced to cut

on both sides was enormous.

the rebels were about to

them

off,

and was so severely wounded that he had

to relinquish

the

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

S40
command on

the

flight of the insurgents

But the

field.

was

too far

advanced to rally them, and they retired South towards Pampauga.

brought him to
In Tayabas the officiousness of the Governor almost

Two well-known

an untimely end.

inhabitants of Pagsanjan (Laguna)

court-martialled and
were accused of conspiracy and, without proof,
and returning the
executed. The Governor went to witness the scene,
waylaid near Lugbang by a
next day with his official suite, he was
the Governor.
party, who killed one of the officers and wounded
rebel

without trial, tortured^

Filipinos returning to Manila were imprisoned

and shipped back to Hongkong as deck passengers.

had

fully set in,

for the

making warfare

raw Spanish

recruits

exceedingly

seasou
difficult

arrived to take the place of the dead,

Spain was so hard pressed by Cuban

diseased.

wounded and

who

in the provinces

The wet

affairs

were mere boys, ignorant of the

that the majority of these last levies
use of arms,

Under these

badly fed, and with months of pay in arrear.

sturdy
conditions they were barely a match for the
ill

clad,

islanders, over mountains,

The

hospitals

mil'itary

extinguishing the

through streams,

Katipunan

pools and paddy fields.

Spaniards were as

far

off

as the rebels were from being able to

The

subvert Spanish sovereignty.

places,

the

were full;

mud

rebels held only

two impregnable

carried on an
namely Angat and San Mateo, but whilst they

carefully avoided a pitched battle.

interm'inable guerilla warfare they as
dated the 2nd
Governor-General, then, had resort to another edict,

The

of July, 1897,

which read thus

Edict.

Don Fernando Primo

Estella,

de Eivera y Sobremonte, Marquis of

Governor and Captain-General

Commander-in-Chief

of the

of the Philippines,

Army.

Whereas the unlimited amplitude given

some

authorities

to those

who

who

present

and

to

my

former edicts by

according the benefits of the amnesty

themselves after the expiration of the con-

are

still

most absolute and positive

ceded time, imperatively calls for a
clemency and pardon, otherwise
declaration that there is a limit to
the application of the law
the indefinite postponement of
interpreted as a sign of debility

may be

and

appreciated by many
Whereas our generosity has been fully
their legal
who have shown signs of repentance by resuming

PEiMO DE Rivera's edict of july 1897.

status, whilst there are others

who abuse

541

our excessive benevo-

lence by maintaining their rebellious attitude, and encroach on our

patience to prolong the resistance

Whereas

it

and

expedient to abolish the spectacle of

is

groups, always vanquished whilst committing

under the protection of a

all

fictitious political flag,

a few

sorts of felonies

maintaining a state

of uneasiness and corruption.

Now,

the

therefore,

means of repression, and

must adopt every possible

authorities
I,

as General-in-Chief of the

Army,

Order and Command

Article
to date on

1.

All

persons having contracted responsibilities up

account of the present rebellion

who

fail

to report

themselves to the authorities or military commanders before the

10th of July will be pursued and treated as guilty.
Article 2.
civil

Commanding

generals in the

military and

governors in districts where the rebels exist, will prohibit

inhabitants from leaving the

class will be provided

pass, in

purposes,

taking care of
in the latter

by the municipal captains with a special

which will be noted the period

visited,

or

Those comprised

rural properties or other works.

all

and towns, unless under

villages

absolute necessity for agricultural

be

field,

and the road

of absence, the place to

always provided that

to be taken,

all

persons absenting themselves from the villages without carrying

such passes, and

all

who, having them, deviate from the time,

road, or place indicated, will be treated as rebels.

Article

3.

After the 10th instant

to prove their identity by the personal

all

persons will be required

document (cedula personal^

together with the pass above-mentioned, and neither the amnesty

passes already granted nor any other document will have any legal
validity.

who

All

contravene these

orders

will

be

tried

by court

martial.

Fernando Primo de Rivera.

The

was soon

indiscreetness of this measure

the well-disposed inhabitants, from

whom

Governor-General's venal subordinates

edict drove

many

to the

fees

evident.

It irritated

were exacted by the

the rigorous application of the

enemy's camp, and the rebels responded to

this

542

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

document by issuing the following Proclamation in Tagalog dialect,

bearing the pseudonyme of " Malabar." It was extensively circulated
in July,

1897, but bears no

The Spanish

date.

strenuous but unsuccessful efforts to confiscate

document because
itself

considered under

of the

admits

(1) It
its

at

It

it.

Katipunan
the sum total

territory the

little

admits

(3*). It

period.

that

made

an interesting

is

(2). It sets forth

dominion.

demands

insurgents'

how

authorities

their

impotence to vanquish the loyal forces in open battle.

To THE Brave Sons of the

The Spaniards have occupied
because we found it convenient
change our

We

Philippines.

the towns of Cavite Province

to

evacuate them.

We

must

tactics as circumstances dictate.

have proved

it

to be a

bad policy

to

be

fortified in

one

We

must take the offensive

when we get the chance, adopting the Cuban plan of ambush and

place awaiting the enemy's attack.

In

guerilla warfare.

this

way

Ave can, for

an indefinite period,

defy Spain, exhaust her resources, and oblige her to surrender from
poverty, for it must be remembered that the very Spanish newspapers admit that each soldier costs a dollar a day, and adding to

money, clothing and equipment, the total amounts

Considering that Spanish credit abroad
to a considerable sum.
young men, to avoid conscription, are
is exhausted, that her

this his passage

emigrating to France and elsewhere in large numbers, Spain must

You already know that Polavieja
of necessity yield in the end.
resigned because the Government were unable to send him
further 20,000

men demanded.

The Cubans, with

system, avoiding encounters uofavourable

succeeded in wearying the Spaniards,

large numbers.
to

to

who

Follov/ing this system,

it

the

their guerilla

themselves,

have

are dying of fever in

would be quite feasible

extend the action of the Katipunan to Ylocos Pangasinan,

Cagayan and other provinces, because our brothers

in these places,

sorely tyrannized by the Spaniards, are prepared to unite with us.

The Provinces

of

Za:bales,

Tarlac, Tayabas,

etc.,

Katipunan Government, and to complete

revolutionary movement should become general,

are

already under the

our

success, the

for

the ends which

we

all

so ardently desire,

namely

(r). Expulsion of the Friars and restitution to the townships

of the lands which the Friars have appropriated, dividing the

THEIR

COUNTER REBEL EDICT.

AIMS SET FORTH. 543

incumbencies held by them, as well as the episcopal sees equally

between Peninsular and Insular secular

Spain must concede to

(2").

priests.

us, as

she has to Cuba, Parlia-

mentary representation, freedom of the press, toleration of

common with

religious sects, laws

all

hers and administrative and

economic autonomy.
(3").

Equality in treatment and pay between Peninsular and

Insular civil servants.

appropriated by the Friars to tho

(4). Restitution of all lands

townships, or to the original owners, or in default of finding such

owners, the State

lots

of

is

them up

to put

a value within the reach of

years, the

same

to public auction in small

all

and payable within four

as the present State lands.

Abolition of the Government authorities' power to banish

(5).

citizens, as well as all unjust

measures against Filipinos

legal

equality for all persons, whether Peninsular or Insular, under the

Civil as well as the Penal Code.

The war must be prolonged

Spain

vitality possible, so that

demands, otherwise she

vrill

give the greatest signs

to

may be compelled

of

to grant our

consider us an effete race and curtail,

rather than extend our rights.

Malabak.
Shortly after this Emilio Aguinaldo, the recognised leader of the
rebels, issued a Manijicsto in

somewhat ambiguous terms v/hich might

imply a demand for independence.

In this document he says

We

aspire to the glory of obtaining the liberty, independence

and honour of the country

representing
able, the

all

We

aspire to a

in virtue

and

talent,

birth, fortune, or race.

or friar, shall sully the soil of

Every month brought

to

light

We

may

take part without

desire that

etc., etc.

fresh

public exhortations, edicts

and proclamations from one side or the other, of which

painter,

me now.

About

this time the

Juan Luna {vide page 194), was

imprisonment as a suspect.

He

left

no monk,

any part of the Archipelago, nor

that there shall exist any convent,

printed copies before

Government

the live forces of the country, in which the most

most worthy

distinction of

have numerous

famous Philippine

released after six months'

Manila en route for Madrid

in the

544

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Spanish mail steamer Covadonga in the

to

week

first

of

July and returned

Manila the next year (November, 1898).

In the

field

there were no great victories to record, for the rebels

confined themselves exclusively to harassing the Spanish forces and

then retreating to the mountains.

To

and throughout the islands was

little

appearances trade in Manila

all

by the war, and as a

affected

matter of fact, the total exports showed a

fair

average when compared

Ths sugar production was, however,

with previous years.

slightly less

than in 1896, owing to a scarcity of hands, because, in the ploughing

season, the
service.

youug labourers

Total imports

imposition of a 6 per cent,

But the

By

in

Negros were drafted

somewhat

increased,

ad valorem

tax.

off to military

notwithstanding

probability of an early pacification of the islands

the

was remote.

abuse of their functions the volunteers were

the unscrupulous

obliging the well-intentioned

natives to forsake their allegiance, and

General Primo de Rivera was constrained to issue a decree, dated the

6th of August, forbidding
intimidate, or

ravish

commit

women under

all

persons in military service to plunder, or

acts of violence on persons, or in their houses, or

penalty of death.

In the same month the General

commissioned a Filipino, named Pedro Alejandro Paterno,

By

terms of capitulation with the rebels.

expenditure of money {vide Paterno's

own

to negotiate

dint of bribes

letter at

and

liberal

page 559) Paterno

induced the minor chiefs in arms to accept, in principle, the proposal of

Paterno was appointed by

peace on the basis of reforms and money.

the Governor-General sole mediator in the discussion of the terms to

be made with Emilio Aguiualdo, and the General's private secretary,

Don

Niceto Mayoral, was granted special powers to arrange with

Paterno the details of the proposed treaty.

his

mountain retreat

1897,

in

He

which was

which were tantamount

to serve as a

consulted with the

basis

for

Home Government,

to

in

in

became evident that there

favour of Paterno,

a Protocol of Peace, and

the treaty.

The General then

sending particulars by mail, and

the Madrid Cabinet approved of the negotiations.

Meanwhile,

it

soon

Avere three distinct interests at stake, namely,

those of Spain and the Spanish people

claims of the Rebels.

Aguinaldo

Bulacan Province, and on the 9th of August,

Aguinaldo signed a power of attorney

stating his terms,

visited

those of the Friars, and the

Consequently the traditional feud between the

Archbishop of Manila and the Captain-General was revived.

ALLEGED TREATY OF BIAC-NA-BATO.

545

General Primo de Rivera urged the Madrid Governmeat to grant

any

certain reforms, in

which could not

case,

fail to affect

independent position of the friars in governmental

drew the attention

of the

Government

The

the

Katipunan

in

They

into the

fell

and confessed Avhat had happened.

also

were exceedingly

come

to

an

secretly paid natives to simulate

the provinces, and the plot only

these unfortunate dupes

the negotiations

friars

to frustrate the General's efforts to

understanding with the rebels.

He

alFairs.

to the defenceless condition of

the capital in the event of a foreign attack.

wroth and combined

the hitherto

came

to light

when

hands of the military authorities

Nevertheless the General pursued

with Paterno as

intermediary.

In the Protocol

Aguinaldo stipulated that $3,000,000 should be paid to the Katipunan,

but this was finally reduced to $1,700,000, and other amendments were
accepted through Paterno,
of attorney granted

The

which were embodied

all of

in a

new power

by Aguinaldo dated the 7th of November.

terms of the Preliminaries of Peace having been mutually ao-reed

upon, a treaty,

known

Pacto de Biac-na-bat6, was

as the

signed at

Biac-na-bato^ on the 14th of December, 1897, between Emilio Aguinaldo

and others of the one

part,

and Pedro A. Paterno, as attorney for the

Captain-General, acting in the

Under

other part.

of the Spanish

this treaty the rebels

arms and ammunition of

places held by

name

them

to

Government, of

undertook to deliver up their

kinds to the Spaniards

all

the-

to evacuate the^

conclude an armistice for three years for the

application and development of the reforms to be introduced

by the

other part, and not to conspire against Spanish sovereignty in the Islands,

nor aid or abet any movement calculated to counteract the reforms.

Emilio Aguinaldo and 34 other leaders undertook to quit the Philippine

Islands and not return to

them

until so authorised

by the Spanish'

Government.

On

behalf of the Spanish

the

medium

and

to the

of

Government

Pedro A. Paterno,

families

who had

it

was agreed

to the rebels the

to pay, through

sum

of $1,000,000,

sustained loss by reason of

the

war

$700,000, in instalments and conditionally (vide the Primo de Rivera

Paterno Agreement on next page).

a mountain fastness in the vicinity of the well-known Sulphur

Springs of Sibiil, close to Any;at in the Province of Bulacan, and about 60 miles
distant from Manila.
'

Biac-na-bnt6

is

MM

546

PHiLirriNE islands.

It

is

further alleged that on behalf of the Spanish Government

was agreed

to either expel the Friars

the Religious Orders

Spanish Cortes

from the Islands, or secularize

to grant Parliamentary representation in

to establish legal equality for Spaniards

native priests eligible for the incumbencies

and

to declare

to reform the taxes,

grant liberty of the press and right of assembly

the

and Filipinos

as Directors of Civil Administration

to appoint natives

it

and to

lastly,

that

General Prime de Rivera undertook to retain his post of CaptainGeneral during the said three years' armistice as a personal guarantee
for the execution of the reforms.

The

Governor-General

rebels also allege that, extra-officially, the

promised

to obtain a general

amnesty, and to allow no person in the

Islands to be molested on account of his former participation in the

Rebellion.

This

last condition

would, naturally, follow any Treaty of

Peace.
It

is

a remarkable fact that neither in the Madrid parliamentary

papers (to copies of which I have referred), nor in the numerous rebel
proclamations and edicts, nor in the published correspondence of Pedro
Paterno,

is

the full text of this Treaty given.

rebels should

precise

It is singular that the

have abstained from publishing

to the

whole world the

terms which they say Avere accepted and not

fulfilled

by

the Spanish Government, which denies their existence.

The promised Reforms, whatever they

w^ere,

were purely govern-

mental matters which required no mediator for their execution, but as

to the money payments to be made, Paterno was to receive them from
the

Government and hand them over

An

Agreement

to

Aguinaldo and his followers.

to this effect was, therefore, signed

de Rivera and Pedro A. Paterno

by General Primo

in the following terms, viz.

In the peace proposals presented by the sole mediator, Don

Pedro Alejandro Paterno, in the name and on behalf of the rebels
in arms,

and

in

the

Peace Protocol which was agreed to and

submitted to His Majesty's Government, which approved of the

same, there exists a principal clause relating to the sums of money

which were

to

indemnity for

which sums
mediator,
discretion,

be handed over to the rebels and their families as

the loss

amounted

of their goods consequent

to

Seuor Paterno, was

total

to

of

$1,700,000,

distribute

but the payment of the said

sum

on the war,

which

absolutely
will

at

the
his

have to be

THE PRIMO

RIVERA-PATERNO AGREEMENT.

JJE

subject to the conditions proposed by

the representative of the

Government, H. E. the General-in-Chief of

conditions were agreed to be as follows, viz.

For the rebels

(1)

will be

handed

two cheques

in

fulfilled

who were

rebellion, but

who have

balance of the

sum

These

payable in Hongkong, as well as

on the other part.

For the

(2)

not rebels in arms, or engaged in

likewise suffered the evils

of war, the

offered shall be paid in three equal instalments,

be paid six months after the date on Avhich the

to

be sung, assuming

shall

accomplished
if,

Army.

$200,000 each, payable only on the condition of

for

families of those

Te Deum

this

arms a draft for the sum of $400,000

to Sefior Paterno,

the Agreement being

the last

547

Peace

fact.

the peace

shall be held to

to

become

an

be effectively concluded

during the interval of these instalment periods, no party of

armed

with recognized leader, shall

rebels,

exist,

and

if

no secret

society shall have been discovered as existing here or abroad with

who benefit by these

rebels, Don Pedro Alejandro

the proved object of conspiracy by those

The

payments.

representative of the

Paterno, and the representative of the Government, the Captaiu-

General

Don Fernando Primo

conditions, in

four copies

of

witness
the

whereof

de

Rivera, agree

to

each representative

same tenor and

effect,

the

above

now

signs

one being for the

Government, another for the archives of the Captain-Generalcy,

and one copy each

'

Done

in

for the said representatives.

Manila on the loth

of

December, 1897.

Fernando Primo de Rivera,

The General-in-Chief.
Pedro A. Paterno,

The Mediator.
In the course of a few days a military deputation was sent by the
Governor-General, under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Primo

de Rivera, to meet Aguinaldo and his

3-i

companions-in-arms at a

place agreed upon in the Province of Pangasinan.

together, and

Aguinaldo called

for cheers

for

They had

a repast

Spain, in which

all

The original of the above document was read in public session of Congress in
Madrid, on the 16th of June, 1898, by the Deputy Senor Muro.
'

MM

548

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

heartily joined.

Thence they proceeded

the arrival of the

s.s.

in vehicles to

Sual to await

in

which they embarked for Hongkong on

Monday, December 27th, 1897.

Aguinaldo had very rightly stipulated

Uranus,

of high

a Spanish officer

that

followers to

Hongkong

rank should accompany him and his

The Governor-

as a guarantee against foul play.

General, therefore, sent with them his two nephews, Lieutenant-Colonel

Primo de Rivera and Captain Celestino Espinosa, and Major Antonio

Pezzi. Aguinaldo and eight other chiefs, namely, Gregorio H. del Pilar,
Vito

Wenceslao Vinegra,

Mariano

Belarraino,

Llaneras,

Antonio

Montenegro, Luis Viola, Manuel Fino, and EscoUistico Viola, stayed

at the

Hongkong

elsewhere in the

Hotel, whilst the remainder took up their abode

city.

There was great rejoicing

and

in Manila, in Madrid,

cities,

peace.

In Manila particularly, amidst the pealing of

of music, unfeigned enthusiasm

was a tremendous
torture,

bells

and strains

and joy were everywhere evident.

relief after sixteen

and pecuniary

in several

were organized to celebrate the conclusion of

Spanish

fetes

and

It

months of persecution, butchery,

General Primo de Rivera received the

losses.

thanks of the Government, whilst the Queen Regent bestowed on him

the Grand Cross of San Fernando, with the pension of 10,000 pesetas

According

(nominal value 400).

to a letter of

dated 7th of March, 1898, published in

l7th of June, 1898,

El Liberal

of

would appear that not even the

to the former date)

had (up
says

it

Pedro A. Paterno,

Madrid on the
first

been paid to the rebel chiefs.

instalment

The

letter

As

a matter of justice, I ought to have received the two

instalments, amounting to 600,000.

carried out,

my

why

is

this obligation

not

has General Primo de Rivera not followed

advice by arresting Yocson and his followers from the otb of

last

in

and

Why

February

have

my

conscience clear respecting the risings

Zambales and Pangasinan Provinces and those about to take

place in

Laguna and Tayabas.

Manila

(in April,

1898) one instalment

($300,000) was paid to the chiefs in Hongkong.

Whatever were the

Before Primo de Rivera

left

Vneans employed, the rebellion was disorganized for a long time to

come, but the Spanish authorities had not the tact

to follow

up

this

coup hy temperate and conciliatory measures towards their wavering

quondam foes. Persons who had been implicated in the rebellion were

KAFAEL COMENGE SPEAKS AT THE MILITARY CLUB. 549

on

l>3-arrested

trivial

trumped-up charges and impriaoned, whilst others

The

were openly treated as seditious suspects.

furious

campaign

and sought, by

of persecution,

compact, which

to destroy the

manner

started

of intrigue,

they feared would operate against

More executions took

themselves.

all

priests

Instead of the promised

place.

general amnesty, only a few special pardons were granted.

There had been over two months of nominal peace the rebels had
delivered up their arms, and there was nothing to indicate an intention
;

Primo de Rivera, who believed the

their undertakings.

to violate

rebellion to be on the wane, shipped

Madrid Government,
two

appointed

the

of

Spain 7,000 troops.

to

The

under the tutelage of the clergy, at once

still

friars

back

orders

which (according

the

to

rebel

version of the Treaty) were to be expelled or secularized to vacant

Rafael Comenge, the President of the Military Club, was

rewarded with the Grand Cross of Military Merit for the famous

bishoprics.

speech which he had delivered at the Club.

by Spaniards, whilst

filled

it

Here are some extracts from

You

arrive in time

this oration

lair

{bravo)

still

there

be exterminated

{Great applause.)

Destruction

civilizing virtue acts like the hot iron

its

the hour has come to

wild beasts should

weeds should be extirpated.

;

the cannibals of the forest are

with the savages

the purport of war

was generally lauded

classes of natives with indignation.

all

the wild beast hides in his

finish

It

is

on a

cancer, destroying the corrupt tendons in order to arrive at perfect

No

health.

Do

pardon

Veiy good, very good.)

Destroy

Kill

not pardon, for this prerogative belongs to the monarch, not to

From

the army

land Spain, which

we

all

that historical, honoured, and old

love with delirious joy, no words of

peace come before this treason, but words of vigour and of justice,

which, according to public opinion,

{Frantic nppilause, several times repeated, ivhich drown

quantity.

the voice of Senor Comenge.)

Spain.
diseased

Execute

member

which impede the

may

better in quality than in

is

exterminate
to

Soldiers
if

it

you are the right arm of

be necessary.

save the body

cut off the dry branches

circulation of the sap, in order that the tree

again bring forth leaves and flowers.

interposed,

applause.)

Amputate the

shouting,

" That

is

the

way

{Senor Feharanda
to

speak.''^

Frantic

550

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

Thirty thousand dollars were subscribed at the Military Club for

the benefit of General Primo de Rivera.

Admiral Patricio Montojo,

who had co-operated against the rebels by firing a few shots at them
when they occupied the coast towns of Cavite Province and transporting troops to and from Manila, was the recipient of a sword of

honour on the 17th of March.

the Military Club, by Seiior

It

was presented

to

him, on behalf of

Comeuge (who escaped from Manila

as

soon as the Americans entered the port) as a " perpetual remembrance

" of the triumph of our ships off the coast of Cavite," although no

deed of glory on the part of the

had come

fleet

to the

knowledge of

the general public.

The promised
State secret, yet

reforms were a subject of daily conversation and no

when

the Diario de

Manila published an

ou

article

the 17th of March, demanding autonomy for the Islands and urging the

immediate application of the reforms (Avhich the rebels allege included

liberty of the press),

General Primo de liivera astonished everybody in

Manila by suspending the publication

inquisitive

enough

to ask,

played upon the rebels

The

Has

Some were

of the newspaper.

a treaty been signed or a trick been

expatriated ex-rebels became more and more alarmed as

dawned upon them

that they had been miserably duped.

of Filipinos, styled

La

Junta Patriotica, was formed

it

committee

Hongkong.

in

They were in frequent communication with their friends in the islands.

The seed of discontent was again germinating under the duplicity of
Thousands were ready to
be the case a few months later),

the Spanish authorities and the monks.

take the

field

again (this was proved to

but their chiefs were absent, their arms surrendered, and the rebellion

Here and there roving

disorganized.

parties appeared, but

having no

recognized leaders, their existence did not invalidate the treaty.

The

Spaniards, indeed, feigned to regard them only as a remnant of the

rebels
teers

who had

joined the ever-existing brigand bands.

The Volun-

were committing outrages which might have driven the people

again into open revolt, and General Primo de Rivera had, at

sagacity to recognize the evil which

was apparent

least,

the

The

to everybody.

Volunteers and guerilla battalions were consequently disbanded, not a

day too soon for the tranquillity of the

the tragedy of the Calle de
off the Calle

Camba

city.

took place.

On

the 2oth of

This street

March

lies

just

de San Fernando in Binondo, a few hundred yards from

THE TRAGEDY OF CALLE DE CAMBA,

In a house frequented by seafaring

the river.

Visayan

sailors

topics of the

had assembled, and

men

551

a large number of

-were, naturally,

discussing

the

day with the warmth of expression and phraseology peculiar

who overheard

the talk, informed the

to their race,

when

a passer-by,

The

Civil

Guard

at once raided the premises, accused these

sailors of conspiracy, and,

without waiting for proof or refutation, shot

police.

down

who

all

over 70

The

could not escape.

victims of this outrage numbered

the news dismayed the native population

the fact could no

longer be doubted that a reign of terrorism and revenge had been

with impunity, under the assumption that the rebellion was

initiated

How

broken for many a year to come.

were related by the survivors

but

to their fellow islanders

a coincidental fact that only

it is

the particulars of this crime

now

cannot know,

the flame of rebellion spread

Nine days

to the Southern Island of Cebu.

we

after this occurrence,

on

the 3rd of April, 1898, a party of about 5,000 disaffected natives from

around Mandaue, Mabolo, Talisay, Pardo, San Nicolas, and Guadalupe,

made a

The

raid on the city of Cebii.

but the rank and

file

leaders were

At

carried only bohie-knives.

the Spanish residents escaped to the fort

The

everything behind them.

rebels

known

armed
the

Avith rifles,
first

alarm

as the Cotta, leaving

had cut the telegraph wires

connecting Cebu with Manila.

Opportunely the gunboat Paragua

came

Yligan

in

this

steamers were
of

afternoon
sent

to

The next

troops.

reach the Fort, but were

from

and

Yloilo

day,
fired

at

Yligan

sunrise,

Two

(Mindanao).
respectively

the

rebels

in

small

search

attempted

to

upon from the Governor's house by the

Spanish garrison, consisting of 40 regular troops and about the same

number

of Volunteers.

the fort.

The

The Government House

is

situated in front of

withdrew along the shore road and the

rebels then

gunboat Maria Cristina opened

fire

on them.

The

rebels retreated to

the Chinese quarter of Lutao, around the Cathedral and the Santo

Niuo Church.
were

The Spaniards remained under

in possession of the

cover whilst the rebels

whole city except the Fort, Government

House, the College, and the foreigners' houses.

During the whole day

was an incessant fusilade. The rebels' chief stronghold was the

Groups of rebels were all over the place, plunderRecoleto Convent.
On the 5th of April a
ing the shops and Spanish houses and offices.
small force of Spanish regulars, volunteers, and sailors made a sortie
there

and

fired

on the insurgents

in

Lutao from a long range.

They soon

552

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

'

ret'irerl,

another

was

hoTrever, as the Fort

side.

The same

in

danger of being attacked from

afternoon the steamer sent to Yligan for troops

During the night the Spanish troops

returned with 240 on hoard.

On

ventured into the open and shots were exchanged.

the 6th of

April the Venus arrived with 50 soldiers from Yloilo and was at once
sent on to Bojol Island in search of rice and cattle,
to procure as that island

interfered

was

which were

Native

also in revolt.

women were

with hy either party, so they were useful

supplies of food for the foreigners,

British Consulate.

kept back by the

to venture past

The

fire

rebels

many

procuring

in

took refuge at the

The Spanish

a block of buildings in

On

whom

not

wished to advance from Lutao, but were

from the gunboat.

stores of a British firm.

of

difficult

troops did not care

which were the

and

offices

the 7th of April reinforcements arrived

from Manila, under the command of General Tcjeiro, in the cruiser

Don Juan de Austria and the chartered merchant steamer CJmrruca.

At 9

a.m. the Governor ordered the foreigners to go to the Fort, and at

once the 73rd Native Regiment and a regiment of Spanish Cazadores

were disembarked and drove the enemy out of Lutao at the point of
the bayonet, then, crossing the square in front of the British Consulate,

they carried

all

before

them

at the

crushing defeat on the rebels.

At

Recoleto
the

Convent,

same time the

inflicting

rebels

were

attacked at the mestizo quarter called the Parian and at Tiningo,

whence they had to retreat, with severe loss, towards San Nicolas,

which
narrow

Cebu and

practically adjoins
river.

Then

the cruiser

is

Don

only separated therefrom by a

Juan, de Austria bombarded

that part of the city immediately facing the sea.

and was

totally destroyed

Lutao caught

all
fire

the towers of the Austin Friars' Church and

San Nicolas (the ancient watch-tower) were demolished the Parian

was razed to the groiind, and fires spread in all directions. An attempt
was made to procure supplies from the little Island of Magtan, which
;

lies

only half-a mile

ofi"

the coast of Cebu, but the expedition had to

capital town
return without having been able to effect a landing at the

of

Open, which had risen in rebellion.

The rebels having been forced out of the

city,

foreigners

were

On the 8th of April

permitted to leave the Fort for their homes.
the rebels, who suff'ered
the loyal troops continued their pursuit of
road south of Cebu city.
severe losses at San Nicolas and Pili, on the
corpses.
Practically
Just outside the city there were large heaps of

THRILLING ADVENTURES OF AMERICANS.

553

the whole of the east coast of the island had risen against the Spaniards,

when they
insurgents made

but the rebels were careful not to interfere with foreigners

could distinguish them as such.

large force of

another stand at Labangan, where they were almost annihilated

are estimated to have left quite a thousand dead ou the
loyal troops followed

whilst the Do7i

intention of

The

they

The

field.

up the insurgents towards the mountain region,

Juan de Austria

cruised

down

the coast with the

bombarding any town which might be

material losses in

Cebu amounted

hands.

rebel

in

to about $1,725,000

iu Lutao,

represented by house property of Chinese and half-castes and their

The Compania Tabacalera

stock-in-trade.

whilst their offices and

cannot be ascertained.

were

stolen,

about $30,000

lost large

From

cash

sums

money, the

of

total of

which

the Recoleto Convent $19,000 in cash,

and there, as well as

in

most

of the Spanish residences,

everything valuable and easily movable was carried

of no use to the insurgents

in

they contained were completely wrecked.

all

Rich natives and Chinese

lost

was smashed

off,

and what was

To

or torn up.

this

must be

added the Parian, which was chiefly half-caste house property, San

The only

who lost his

friend Signor Stancampiano, who is supposed
for when I last saw him he was hopelessly

Nicolas,
Italian

shock,

etc., etc.

considerable

number

of

foreigner

well-known residents of the

and charged with being the prime movers

Up

on the

American

hills

freinds of

life

my

was

late

have died of

to

As

ill.

usual, a

were arrested

city

in this affair.

on the west coast of Cebu, near Toledo town, some

mine experienced a

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, mother and

series of thrilling adventures.

son, to

whom

am

indebted for

their generous hospitality, resided on a large sugar estate at Calu-

mampao,

of

which Mr. Wilson

in ignorance of

what had taken place

spread to their

district,

estate

were eager

to point out to

They were, naturally,

Cebu city. The rebellion

part owner.

is

in

and many of the natives on and about the

to join in the

them the

movement.

futility

Mr. Wilson did

his

utmost

of the attempt, but they indulged

in all sorts of superstitions about the invulnerability of their chief,

Claudio, and the

charm attached

to a red flag

Avere determined to take their chance

an insurgent force came on

to join their standard, and

buildings and warehouses.

with him.

to the plantation,

he carried, and they

On

the 19th of April

compelled the labourers

coolly quartered themselves in the out-

They

did no

harm

to the Wilsons, but they

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

554

kidnapped a Spanisli gentleman who lived close by, and shot him,
spite

of

Mr. Wilson's

entreaties

spare his

to

The

life.

in

insurgents

moved off, talting with them the estate hands, and in a couple of days
a company of Spanish soldiers, under the command of Captain Suarez,
The officer was very affable, and Mr. and
arrived at the estate-house.
Mrs. Wilson treated him as hospitably as they did all their friends and
Naturally the conversation

European passers-by.

fell

on

the all-

After he

absorbing topic of the day and the object of his mission.

and his men had been well refreshed they started down the hill to
meet some cavalry reinforcements, and as the Wilsons watched their
departure, to their astonishment they

couple of hundred rebels, rushing

saw Claudio,

down

the

hill

at the

head of a

with the red flag

floating in the air.

Simultaneously a body of Spanish horse approached

through the valley

Claudio and his followers, caught between the

Spanish cavalry and infantry, retreated to a storehouse in the valley.

The result was that some 40 rebels were killed, others taken prisoners,

and the remainder escaped into the planted

killed,

and every peaceful native

was unmercifully

when he got

He was

in league with the rebels.

his

mother

the Spaniards

met on

Mr. Wilson was then asked

treated.

a Spanish vessel, and

whom

Every leader was

fields.

there he

to

their

way

go on board

was charged with being

allowed to return to shore to fetch

highly educated, genial old lady

and when

they both

got on board they found there two Englishmen as prisoners.

guest of a few days previous treated them most shamefully.

Their

When

they were well on the voyage to Cebu the prisoners were allowed to
be on the upper deck, and Mrs. Wilson was permitted to use an armchair.

The

soldiers insulted

them

they leaned their backs to Mrs. Wilson's

and whilst some sang ribald songs, others debated whether they
Sometimes they
should be shot on the beach or at the Cotfa in Cebu.

chair,

would draw

their

swords and look viciously towards them.

after a series of intimidations, they reached

detained on board

several

hours,

At

last,

Cebu, where, after being

they were

all

taken before the

Governor and the Chief Justice, and were only saved from further
War
miseries through the intercession of the American Vice-Consul.

had been declared between America and Spain. The estate had to be
passage to
left to the mercy of the rebels, whilst my friends took
Singapore on the Gulf oj Martaban.
In the provinces north of Manila the rebellion was again in full

REBELLION CONTINUES IN THE NORTH.

vigour, and all trust in Spanish promises

555

was irrevocably

The

lost.

Spanish quarters at Subig (Zambales) and Apalit (Pampanga) were

attacked and looted in the first week of March. The new movement
bore a more serious aspect than that under Aguinaldo and his colleagues.

At

they were

least

wish

men

to secure reforms,

of certain intelligence, inspired only

most of which would appear

men

Their successors in revolt, however, were

with a

to be reasonable.

of far

less

mental

capacity, seeking, apparently, only retaliation for the cruelties inflicted

on the people.
dollars per

who were

It

premium

of one million

35 rebel chiefs inflamed the imagination of the new leaders,

too ignorant to appreciate the promised reforms linked with

During the month of February the permanent

the same bargain.

way

possible, too, that the

is

of the Manila-Dagiipau

Railway had been three times torn up to

At the same
Early in March the

prevent the transport of loyal troops.

time the villages

around were looted and burnt.

rebels,

under the

chief leadership of Yocson, of Malolos, attacked and killed the garrisons

and the

priests in the north of

six soldiers

murdered

who managed

Pangasinan and Zambales, excepting

Some

to escape.

The

after surrender.

of the garrison troops

telegraph line between Lingayeu and

a place a few miles from Bolinao was cut

lineman was sent out to repair

were forced by the rebels

the

Eastern

were

it

down and removed.

under escort of Civil Guards,

to retire.

On

A
who

the 7th of March, about 2 a.m.,

Extension Telegraph Co.'s cable

station

at

Bolinao

(Zambales) was besieged by rebels.

The

400 armed natives, who had

one native and two European

soldiers

on the way.

The

killed

village

was held by about

lighthouse keeper and

the Inspector of

Forests safely reached Santa Cruz, 40 miles south, in a boat.

other civilian Spaniards and priests got

away

in another boat,

The
but

were pursued and captured by the insurgents, who killed two of the
civilians and brought the European women and Friars into the village
as

prisoners

at 4.30 the

same afternoon.

Eight soldiers had taken

refuge in the cable station, and at 6 a.m. a message was sent to the
British

staff"

themselves.
neutrality.
result.

By

requiring

They

them to turn out the

refused to take either

similar

soldiers or quit the premises

course,

and declared

their

message was sent several times with the same

4 p.m. the soldiers had fortified the station as well as they

could, and the rebels attacked, but were repulsed with a

few shots.

Nothing transpired during the night, but the next day (8th March)

556

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

another message was sent to the British staff urging them to withdraw

The

the rebels would reuew the assault at 10 a.m.

as

refused

Then

comply.

to

it

staff

appears that the rebels delayed their

attack until the arrival of their chief, hourly expected.

was, at length, received at the station, to the effect that

given up they would spare the soldiers'

They

lives.

An

ultimatum

if all

arms were

also

demanded the

surrender of the two rebels held prisoners by these soldiers.

stage one of the Company's

agaiu

staff,

who were

At

this

allowed to go and come as

they pleased, volunteered to interview the rebels, but matters could not

be arranged, as the Spanish corporal (a plucky youth of 20 years of

age) in the station refused to surrender anything at any price.
parleying was continued and on the 11th of

March one

agaiu visited the rebel camp to state that

staff

if

of the

Still

Company's

the reguhir bi-monthly

steamer failed to arrive on the morrow the corporal would surrender

Then

arms.

him

way between

half

rebel

the rebel chief proposed that the corporal should meet

The

corporal,

have been contrary

if

own

to

however,

and the rebel camp, the

office

could

authority, but he confirmed his

camp

not

should befall

do

this, as

commotion among the insurgents

The Company's employe

The

some one had descried a war-

immense

relief,

making ready

British delegate, therefore, hastened

and at 3 p.m. a Spanish gunboat arrived,

the station,

returned

few minutes he observed

ship approaching, and the native canoes Avere very busy

to

would

willingness to surrender arms

to notify this resolution, but in a

for escape or attack.

it

the

Spanish military code to capitulate ou

the

no steamer arrived the next day.

to the

Company's

pledging his word of honour that no harm

corporal.

his

the

and landed 107 marines.

Heavy

back

to their

continued

firing

all

that afternoon, inflicting great loss on the rebels, whilst the Spaniards
lost one soldier.

the

Bay

On

of Bolinao

the 12th of
also a

March a Spanish

merchant steamer put into port bringing the

Company's Manila Superintendent with apparatus

with Hongkong

in case

cruiser anchored off

for

the station were demolished.

H.M.S. Edgar entered and Bolinao was again

communicating

The next day

perfectly safe.

In consequence of ibis threatened attack on the cable-station the

cable

was detached from Bolinao and

folloAving

month

As soon

(vide

as the

carried on to

Manila in the

page 304).

news reached Manila that Bolinao was menaced,

General Monet proceeded north with one thousand

men

whilst three

GENERxVL PRIMO DE EIYERA EECALLED.

557

thousand more followed bj railway as far as they could reach.

way the General had

On

the

engagements with the enemy, between

Lingayen (Pangasinan) and Bolinao, where he arrived on the night of
the

March, having routed the insurgents every where with great

tbem. On the Spanish side one lieutenant and one soldier were

I'ltli

loss to

of

returned to Manila

On

in

in Bolinao,

assassinated.

and was returning

which stuck

who had

to

fast in a

and taken by special

all

1895,

Order

Malolos station, en route for Manila, in a buo-o-v

mud

pool (the same in which I have found myself

was stabbed

St.

His body was recovered

to death.

train to Manila,

Church of

had been 19 years

caused

Town Council of Malolos to be banished in

He had been appointed vicar of the Augustine

several times), Avhere he

in the

General Monet

the Spanish cruiser the next day.

the 31st of March, Father Mo'ises Santos,

the members of the

pomp

men

After leaving a garrison of 500

killed.

was

five

where

was

it

He was

Augustine.

interred with great

44 years of age and

in the Colony.

Notwithstanding the alleged terms of the Treaty of Biac-na-bato,

the

Home Government

recalled General

his stead General Basilio Augusti,

in the Islands.

of a position

conclusion.

The

Colonial

warmly supported the proposed

to

be relieved

to hold, with dignity to

Madrid Government had shelved

His subsequent speeches

appointino- in

never before held that rank

which he could not well continue

for reforms.
this

who had

Primo de Rivera was no doubt anxious

himself, after the

draw

Primo de Rivera,

in the

his

recommendations

Senate incline one to

Minister, Segisraundo

Moret

reforms, but monastic influences, ever

predominant in the Peninsula, were brought

Sagasta had not the moral courage to

to

bear which Praxedes

resist.

Pedro A. Paterno, the peacemaker, was sorely disappointed,

too, that

the Government had failed to remunerate him for his services.

His

position will be best understood from the subjoined translation of the

letter

which he addressed

original

to a high authority on the subject.

document was read

in public session of

Congress

in

The

Madrid on

the 16th of June, 1898, by the Deputy Senor Muro.

Manila, 23rd of February, 1898.

My

esteemed Friend,

As

it

appears that, at

last,

one

is

thinking of giving

something for the services rendered by me, and

you, the recompense

is

going

to

be a

title

as,

me

according to

of Castile, I wish

to

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

558

speak frankly, in secret, on the subject.

ridicule,

wish

to fall into

because in such a material and mercantile place as Manila

rent-roll, or grandeur, or

without

title

I do not

anything of the nature of

an employment, or Cross of Maria Christina, or rewards such as

have been showered broadcast by three Captain-Generals would,

make me appear

in Philippine circles,

lauo'hing-stock of
aspire,

above

be called a

to

To

fellows.

my

express

if

renounce them for a childish prize, even though

it

title

despised by

Castile,

of

meet half way the

state of

express myself in

become the cherished

in

willing

in the Philippines,

title

ideal in the Philippines

statesmen

But I am

it.

Maguinong
That

another way.

prestige,

serious

Spanish society

to the family of the

and as I belong

private opinion, I

my name and

Europe, I think I should be obliged to refuse

to

boy and the

and

to the preservation of

all,

were asked

my

as the gullible

Paterno, I must
Castile

of

if

it

might

were valued as

I desire.

In the

first

place,

it

mvst not he

because the natives have obeyed

me

less

Great Maguinong, or

as the

Prince of Luzon, and the ex-revolutionists

than that of Duke,

call

me

the arbiter of

their destinies.

The reward from Spain must

not be less than the Philippine

public already award to me.

In the second place, the reward, to be accepted by me with

dignity and preservation of prestige, must be presented to me in
the sense that
implied in the

it

is

for the general welfare of the Philippines as

title of

Grandee of Spain of the First Class with

the consequent right to a seat in the Senate to defend the interests

of the Colony, seeing that we have no Members of Parliament, and

parliamentary representation
I can

is

anxiously desired,

show that I possess an income

$25,000 and more

of

if

necessary.

In the third place,

purchase, that

is

it

must be

in the nature of a gift

to say, the patent

of

nobility

and not a

must be a

free

gift.

In the fourth place,

reward may not be held

liberality

river

when

I pay,

it

in

must be valued

in dollars, so that the

contempt by the public,

with splendid generosity,

and land journeys for myself and for

my

who know my
sea

vogages,

emissaries, or

when

PATERNO DEMANDS A DUKEDOM AND A MILLION. 559

I

abundant

distribute with

buy over the wills of and unite all the insurgent

bring them to surrender to Spain. Up to the present, I

recompenses
chiefs to

pecuniary and material

profusion

to

have not received a cent from the revohitionists or from the

Spanish Government to cover these expenses.
It

is

worked

notorious that I have

now ask me to
The recent

so grandly that no one can

sink into insignificance.

made by

concessions

the Spanish

Government have

been seen by the Philippine public. The grade of Captain-General

was given

for subjecting

few Moslem

chiefs

Mindanao

of

promotions and grand crosses with pensions have been awarded,

and

I,

who have put an end

many millions of

dollars

to the

war

at a stroke, saving Spain

who, amidst inundations and hurricanes

I,

have assaulted and conquered the barracks and military posts of

down their arms

my command surrender all

the enemy^ causing them to lay

bloodshed and at

to

Spain without

their chiefs

and

revolutionary Government with their brigades and companies, I

think I have good right to ask Spain,

me

a mother to me, to give

if

much

as

she wishes to

show herself

as she has given to other

sons for lesser services.

To conclude, for

family reasons,/ wa7t< a

Prince or Duke, if possible, and

free of nobility patent fees

think that the

reaches

me

to be

title

a Grandee of the first class,

and the sum of $

title

of Castile, that of

of Castile, or

once for

all.

Spain's reward,

if

it

without the mentioned formalities, will be an object

of ridicule, and Spain ought not to expose

me

wish

in the future.

to serve her always, in the present

and

to this, because I

I also recommend you very strongly to procure for

my

brother

Maximino Melo Agustin Paterno y Debera Ignacio the title of

Count or a Grand Cross free of duties, for he has not only
rendered great services

to

the

nation, but

he has continually

sustained the prestige of Spain with the natives.

I am, etc., etc.,

N.B.
two

Pedro A. Paterno.
1.

I told

millimetres,

it is

you verbally that

my

merits did not reach

the friend's duty to amplify them and extend

them and make others

especially as they

if

see

them

as

have no equal.

if

they were so

many

metres,

560

PHILirPINE ISLANDS.
Prince of Limasaba

the

is

Limasaba

the

of Castile conceded to
first

king of the Island

time of Maghallaues, according to Father

in the

Jose Fernandez

title

He was

a native of the Philippines.

of

first

Cuevas, of

Company

the

Jesus,

of

his

in

" Spain and Catholicism in the Far East," folio 2 (years 1519

In Spain,

to lo9o).

Vergara,
2"

modern

in

times, Prince of Peace, Prince of

etc.

and

3.

Verbally I mentioned one million of dollars, and

that Parliament should meet sometimes for the Philippines and for

Take note

that out of the 25,000

men

sent here by Spain on account of the insurrection, statistics

show

extraordinary reasons.

6,000 struck oiF the effective

list in

the

first

months and many

six

The little present,

uo mean worth.

millions of dollars expenses.

box (mi x4.guinaldo)

is

of

or the Christmas

In the second week of April, 1898, General Primo de Rivera

Manila

for Spain, on

the arrival

of

his successor in

Generalcy, General Basilio Augusti, in the

Some days

s.s.

the

left

Captaiu-

Isla de Mijidanao}

before General Primo de Rivera's departure the American

Consul at Manila had received despatches from his Government

to

prepare to quit the Islands, as vrar was imminent between Spain and
the

He was

United States.

further

instructed

consulate archives to the British Consul,

American

his

mation, but

way

when

country and America.

managed

his

take charge of
of

the

Spanish

consulate to the

He

He

cabled to Madrid for infor-

delay matters until his successor assumed

to

the transfer

molested.

insult

made from one

hand over

and the General professed ignorance of the existing relations

between

office,

who would

But without the concurrence

interests.

authorities no official transfer could be

other,

to

was duly made.

Consul Williams was

in

passed to-and-fro in the city without the least

being offered him by any Spaniard.

The Governor-General

courteously proposed to send a large bodyguard to his consulate, but

was not

no

necessary.

and went on board

Yet, as soon as Consul Williams closed his

the

s.s.

it

office

Esmeralda, the American Consulate

escutcheon was painted out and the notice boards outside the doors

were kicked about the

streets.

This steamer came into Manila fl3-ing the French ensign, and painted to
csemble one of the Russian Volunteer Fleet, to avoid capture on the way.
'

WAR

COMMOTION IN MADRID.

IMMINENT.

General Primo de Rivera must have been

siraineil relations

in

which he

between Spain and America, for the

travelled to Barcelona,

was armed

with two 4-inch Hontoria guns mounted

Nordenfeldts

in

the

call

This

bows.

whom

Spanish families, some of

aft of

steamer,

s,s.

Leon XIII.

the funnel and two

crowded with refugee

on the saloon

slept

aware of the

as a cruiser, in Manila,

stoppage at Singapore on the 17th of April.

first

vs^ell

561

At

made

floors,

its

the next port of

General Primo de Rivera learnt that the United States of America

had presented an ultimatum

Barcelona, in the third

to his

week

Government.

May,

of

Avar

between the two countries

There were

had already broken out (23rd of April, 1898).

Madrid

martial law

suspended

was proclaimed

Before he reached

the Parliamentary session Avas

a strict censorship of the Press was established

disaster to Spanish,

arms

riots in

in Philippine

Prime Minister Sagasta had intimated

the great

waters had taken place

the

his willingness to resign,

and

Primo de Rivera entered Madrid when

Avas too late to

it

sa\'e

the

Philippine Islands for Spain, even had the rebel version of the Treaty
f Biac-na-bato been fulfilled to the letter.

The

leaders of the principal political parties were hastily

to the palace to consult separately

situation,

Avith

the

summoned

Queen Regent on the

and they were unanimous on one point, namely, that the

Prime Minister Avho had accepted war should carry them through the
Spain

crisis.

Avas, apparently,

more concerned about the salvation

of

the Antilles than her Far Eastern Colony.

The

Friars, fully alive

to

their moral responsibility towards the

nation for the loss of the Philippines, were, nevertheless, desirous of

finding a champion of their cause in the political arena, and

Uria was

Avilling

to accept this onerous task.

Porto Rico (an Austin

Primo de Rivera.

friar) Avas

According

to

The

Bishop-elect of

a felloAv passenger with

El Liberal

Deputy
General

of the 3rd of June, 1898,

Avhen he arrived in Madrid he Avent with the Procurator of his Order

to

the

intervicAV

Colonial

Minister,

Seuor Romero Giron, on

the

prospects of Deputy Uria's proposed debate Avhen Congress should

meet again.
culties,

went
to

The

Minister pointed out to them the attendant

and referred them

to the

Prime Minister.

They immediately

to Seuor Sagasta's residence, Avhere they Avere

understand

that

if

anyone

there might well be others

could be found

who would oppose them,

difii-

to

promptly given

defend them,

so their

champion

Avitbdrev,'.

N N

562

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

When, months

later,

Parliament was re-opened, the Minister of

War

denied in Congress that the Treaty of I3iac-na-bat6 had ever existed,

and

in

he cited a cablegram which the

support of his contention

Governor-General Primo de Rivera

Prime Minister Sagasta.

It

was published

in

have sent

to

allesfed

is

the

Madrid

the Gaceta de

on the 16th of December, 1897, and reads as follows

to

(^Translation.)

Manila, 12tli of December, 1897.

To

the President of the Council of Ministers from the

Governor-General.

At the expiration

of the time allowed and

announced

in

the-

Gazette of the 28th of November, after which rigorous and active

'

war measures would be taken against the

from the enemy came to

me on

rebels, a deputation

behalf of the brothers Aguinaldo,

and the so-called Republican Government, offering

Llanera,

tO'

surrender themselves, their followers, and their arms, on the sole

conditions of their lives being spared and that they should receive

means with which

me, and to the

It appears to

to emigrate.

general officers of this army, that this surrender

the successive combats by which
in

we have

is

the result of

held the positions taken

Morong, Paray, Minuyan, and Arayat, and the enthusiasm

by the resolute volunteers

displayed

Tagalog sphere.

in

the provinces

outside

I feel sure of being able to take Biac-na-bato,

by the

as well as all the other points occupied

rebels,

but I

am

not so certain of being able to secure the persons of the chiefs of

the rebellion with their followers.

The war would then be

carried

on by roving parties who, fx'om their hiding-places in the forests

and mountains, might appear from time

little

to time,

and although of

importance, they would sustain the rebellion.

The

generals agree with

me

that this peace will

honour of Spain and the army, but

the event I consider

it

in

save the

view of the importance of

necessary to solicit the approval of the

Government.

Government should accept the

If the

them
be

proposals, I will bring

to an issue at once, but I so far distrust

sure

of anything until I

possession.
situation

is

In any case,

it is

them that I cannot

have the men and the arms

now

in

my

the unanimous opinion that the

saved.

PraMO DE RlVEKA.

AGREEMENT WITH REBELS.

OFFICIAL PAPERS.

563

(^Translation of reply.)

Madrid, 13th of December, 1897,

President of the Council of Ministers to the Governor-General,

Manila.
Colonial Ministry Code.

H. M. the Queen has perused

great satisfaction your Excellency's telegram and

to

cougi-atulate

you

in the

name

of

the

Avith

commands me

nation.

view of

In

the opinion of your Excellency and the generals under your orders
that the honour of the

army

is

saved,

the

Government

fully

authorizes your Excellency to accept the surrender of the rebel

chiefs

and

telegram.
to give

their

Government on the terms

specified

in

your

Please advise the surrender as soon as possible in order

due and solemn publicity

to

sincere congratulations and those of the

the event.

Receive

my

Government.

Sagasta.

The

publication of these documents, however, did

anger of those Madrid politicians

who

to

calm the

that

Spanish

little

maintained

dominion in the Philippines could only be peacefully assured by a

certain measure of reform in consonance with the natives' aspirations.

Months afterwards, when Spanish sovereignty in the Archipelago

was drawing to a close, the Conde de las Almenas opened a furious
debate in the Senate, charging

incompetency, but

between

its

all

the Colonial Governor-Generals T*ith

only immediate effect was to widen the breach

political parties.

-^*^--

N N

CHAPTER

XXy

I I.

THE TAGALOG REBELLION OF

1896-98.

Second Period.

Amekican Intervention.

The

demand

prelude to the American occupation of Manila was the

made on Spain by

tlie

United States Government to evacuate the

Island of Cuba.

Generations of Spanish misrule in that island had produced a

recurrence of the

many

attempts to throw oiF the sovereignty of Spain.

In February, 1895, the flag of insurrection was again unfurled, and

at Baira a proclamation, claiming

independence, was issued at the

instance of one of Cuba's most intelligent patriots

leader,

chief

Marti.

This

civil

however, died a natural death a few months afterwards, but the

command

of the

insurgents in the field

The

mulatto Antonio Maceo.

rebellion

was continued by the

was assuming a

when General Martinez Campos, who had been

serious aspect

instrumental in duping

the Cubans in 1878 by the Treaty of Zanjon, was again sent out as

Captain-General of the Island.

But the Cubans refused

a second time in the same trap.

Martinez Campos' theme of " political

to be

" action combined with military force " held no weight.

caught

During

his

mild regime the insurrection increased rapidly, and in one encounter

he himself was very near falling a prisoner.

relieved of his post,
severity, succeeded

Alba type

the

In eight months he was

and General Weyler, who had a reputation

him

in

command.

He was

ideal of the traditional

man

for

Duke of
party who

of the

Spanish Colonial

recognized no colonists' rights, and regarded concessions of liberty to

the colonies as maternal dispensations to be hoped for only, but never

demanded.

Canovas,

the

ultra-Conservative

Prime

declared that so long as an armed rebel remained in the

Minister,
field

had

he would

CAUSE OF THE AMERICAN-SPANISH WAR.

565

not grant reforms, so the prospect of a settlement of the disputes

between the Goverumeut and the governed was hopeless during that
administration.

The

diced American

trade

the

non-combatant

by

islanders

who

Weyler,

" concentrated "

recalled

which had
waste of
to

its

weeks

six

caused

aroused the just indignation of America

and

General Weyler

and the United States Government,

later,

continuance.

fortunes

Canovas

of the assassin brought the

so repeatedly protested against the indefinite

lives

all

where

places

in

Ministry to an end on the 8th of August, 1897

was

seriously preju-

pursuance of a conflict under

the

be

The hand

alike.

war had

the civil

General

to

to starve,

left

and Europe

interests

imposed

conditions

they were

duration of

Cuba, dictated to

in

and wanton

Spain a limit

After a Conservative iuterresrnura of six weeks

under the leadership of General Azcurraga, Pruxedes Sagasta came

into

power

autonomy
General,

at

bill

the head of a Liberal ministry and with a

in

Ramon

noble and

his

compassionate

essayed the

policy

government.
abated

the

man than

of coercing

peaceful autonomists

The newly appointed GovernorMartinez Campos school a more

portfolio.

Blanco, of

predecessor

his

the

rebels

and separatists

Avith

Nevertheless, the separatist

when the Autonomy

Cuban

unsuccessfully

arms whilst cajoling

in

the

long-talked

movement had

of self-

no way

in

was promulgated, and an

Bill

insular

Cuban Government was formed on

the 1st of January 1898.

In the
meantime the incident of the explosion of the American warship
Maine, the cause of which has not yet been made clear to the satisfaction of the world,
States.

had further incensed the war party

Autonomy had come

too late

examined

in the

in detail it

United

was but

another form of Spanish dominion open to almost similar abuses

was not the

will of the people,

and

failed to bring peace.

it

thousands " concentrated " under Weyler's rule

mass of squalid misery which Spain

relieve.

America's

was received with

Avas

offer to

materially

suspicion,

hemmed

still

still

it

The

formed a moribund

unable or unwilling to

alleviate
in

their wretchedness

with conditions, and not

openly rejected for the Avant of physical power to do

so.

Three

months of insular government and over 200,000 Spanish troops had

effected practically nothing

the prospect of peace

was

hopeless, and

the United States of America formally called upon Spain to evacuate

the island.

Spain argued the point; America insisted on the couree

566

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

dictated,

and sent an ultimatum

Madrid on the

to

The

to be accepted or otherwise within three days.

Bernabe and

Madrid

20tli of April, 1898,

Washington

Woodford withdrew from

General

ministers Polo de

and

and war broke out between the United States

respectively,

and Spain on Saturday the 23rd of April, 1898.

In anticipation of

On

Hongkong.

hostilities,

an American

Commodore Dewey withdrew

Bay^ within Chinese

was known

proclamation of neutrality, and

laid,

for

his fleet

some old cable was purchased

went with four ships

to

coast of Luzon.

precipitous

shores

Mirs

just

laid, or said to

have

for the purpose

from

Submarine mines were

when

shorn

removed from Bolinao and carried on

W.

to

Manila that the hostile squadron was on the way

in

the telegraph ship Sherard

the

from British waters

jurisdiction.

to the Philippine capital.

been

at

the 23rd of April Major-General Black, the officer

administering the Colony, issued a

It

had concentrated

fleet

the submarine cable

was

Admiral Moutojo

to Manila.

await the arrival of the enemy off Subig on

Subig
as

is

a fine natural harbour, but with

nature

has

made

it.

For years the

" project " had existed to carry a State railway there from Manila

and make Subig the principal Government Naval Station and Arsenal
But personal interests and the sloth of the Governinstead of Cavite.

ment combined

Under the pressing circumstances,

to frustrate the plan.

the military authorities pretended to be doing something there, and

sent up a commission.
artillery

Admiral Moutojo expected

mounted and 14 torpedoes

had been done,

in readiness,

but absolutely nothing

so he at once returned to Manila Bay, and prepared to

meet the adversary

oS" Cavite.

In Cavite there were two

with three guns between them, but

from the

batteries,

moment two defective

Don Juan de Austria and two

at the last

guns were put ashore there from the

similar pieces

to find batteries of

Castilla.

In Hongkong there was great agitation among the members of the

Philippine Patriotic League (Junta Patrioflca), and the rebel chiefs

The League had presented

to several European Governments, through its own agents, a sort of
Memorandum, to which no official recognition could be given. The
exiled under the Treaty of Biac-na-bato.

'

Mir3 Bay has since become British, being included in the extended Kowloon

Concession.

GENERAL AGUINALDO GOES TO SINGAPORE.

Filipinos

were now anxious

with the Americans in

co-operate

to

An American

compelling the Spaniards to evacuate the Archipelago.

gentleman of influence

treasurer of the Patriotic

went

to

Hongkong accepted

in

League fund.

Singapore, Avhere

years in the Islands.

well-wisher

earnest

W.

an old personal friend of mine, Mr. Howard

who had resided some

the honorary post of

Emilio Aguinaldo and suite

found an

they

567

in

Bray, an Englishman

General Aguinaldo and his

party Avere obliged to travel incognito, so as to avoid any undue interference with the object of their mission, which
official

was

to explain in certain

quarters the existing conditions in the Philippines.

General

Aguinaldo opportunely arrived in Singapore at or about the time of

The American autho-

the outbreak of American-Spanish hostilities.

rities

Far East were desirous

in the

services and

prestige with

prevent reprisals
Manila.

It

when

was hoped

in the Islands

the

the

that, in this

with

movement on the part

armed natives

American

would be spared.

General Aguinaldo,

of utilizing-

forces

way, the

Indeed,

admirable

it

tact,

to

Only one who had

control

them and

should appear

lives of

before

many Spaniards

eventually resulted so, for

restrained

of his followers during the

against the Spaniards.

General Aguinaldo's

any impolitic

American operations

lived in the Islands could

adequately appreciate the unbounded confidence some 20,000 armed

natives must have had in Aguinaldo to have refrained, at his bidding,

According

from retaliating on their old masters.

to

El Liberal news-

paper of Madrid, dated the 28th June 1898 (which quotes from

El Dia),

the aspirations of the Philippine party would appear to have been, at

this date, as follows, viz.
(1".) Philippine
(2.)

rebels

Independence to be proclaimed.

Federal Eepublic to be established by

vote of the

pending the taking of this vote Aguinaldo was to appoint

the members of that Government.

(3.)

The Federal Republic

to

recognize a temporary inter-

vention of American and European Administrative Commissions.

(4.)

An

American Protectorate

to

be recognized on the same

terms as those fixed for Cuba.

(5.)

Philippine ports to be open to

(6".)

Precautionary measures to be adopted against the influx

of Chinese.

all

the world.

PHiLirriNE islands.

568
The

(7.)

existing judicial system to be reformetl,

(8^) Liberty

and right

press

the

of

assembly

of

be

to

proclaimed.
tolerance of all religions and sects, but abolition

Ample

(9.)

and expulsion of
(10".)

all

monastic orders.

Measures to be adopted for working up the natural

resources of the Archipelago.

(11".)

The wealth

the

of

country to be

developed by the

construction of high roads and railways.

(12.)

The

enterprises and
(13".)

check

obstacles

employment

against

the

development of

of foreign capital to be removed.

The new Government

to

preserve

public

order and

against the Spaniards.

all reprisals

(14''.)

operating

Spanish

officials

to be transported to another safe

and

healthy island until there should be an opportunity for their return

to Spain.

Having concluded

his

Ao-uinaldo returned with his

mission
staff to

in

Emilio

General

Singapore,

Hongkong, where

instructions

had

been fiven favouring his plans for co-operation in the Islands. Consequent on this. General Aguinaldo and his staff" made preparations for
proceeding to Manila in an American warship when it should be deemed
opportune to do so. About the same time the Philippine Patriotic League
issued a proclamation
eio-ht

folios

of

print.

which

is

too long to reproduce here, as

This document

Treaty of Biac-na-bato has not been,

sets forth

fulfilled

it

covers

that whereas the

by the Spanish Govern-

ment, the Revolutionists consider themselves absolved therefrom and

morally free to again take the offensive in open warfare for the
security of their rights and liberty.

But

this

document does not quote

any of the text of the above Treaty. Proclamations and exhortations

it would be tedious
to the rebels were issued with such frequency that
to cite them all, but I give the following example
:

(^Trimslafion of Full Text.)

Philippine Patriots.

A
evident
desire.

nation which has nothing good can give nothing.

It

cannot depend on Spain to obtain the welfare

we

we

country like Spain, where social evolution

is

is

all

at the

A REBEL PROCLAMATION.
mercy

mouks aud

of

infamy, inquisitorial proceedings, avarice,

deprivation of liberties,

secret police, false pretences, humiliation,

moral and

and

which characterize

material decay

Spain will need much time to shake

history.

which have grown upon and cling

ambitious

soldiers,

her

to

dependence so long as her nationality

monks,

own

tyrants, can only comrauuicato to us its

instincts of calumny,

slavery

56^

is

in

self-

inquisitorial

and

servants,

civil

state of things

parasites

she has no

composed of

demoralized

populace bred to support this

off the

its

silence.

It is

therefore useless to expect anythiug from Spain.

During three and a half centuries Spain's policy has been a

Holland

there

Is

delusion.

Then

conflict

the Friars

of

Rosary,

the

Parapango natives

come and

relate to us

of Saint Francis

absurdities of the miracles

the Virgin

between Spain and England or

and of the Ima2;e of

Simon de Anda

whilst

his brothers

preposterous

the

calls

so long as they fight to save the

Spanish flag falling into the hands of English or Dutch savages

Is the foreign invasion ended

Then

the Friars, through their

salaried agents in the press, reward us with epithets such as

buffiilo, etc.

monkey,

imminent between Germany

Is there another conflict

Then the Friars call the natives Spaniards and the

military ofiicers own us as their sons and they dub us brave soldiers.
Is the conflict finished ? Then we are again overgrown boys, beings
and Spain

now to
be a struggle with Americans ? Then General Augusti, who is the
living symbol of Spanish authority, who ought to be the most
of inferior race

and incapable of being

Is there

civilized.

prudent of the prudent, the most cultivated of the cultivated, points

at

America

as a nation

composed of

all

social excrescences

the

Friars and their enslaved Spaniards want to again cajole and cheat

us with offers of

participation

in public

affairs,

recognition of

the military grades of ex-rebel chiefs, and other twaddle degrading

to those
their

who would

listen

to

it.

In

fact,

councils the sons of the country,

carry out their

own

ideas,

and reserve

they have called into

whilst they exclusively

to themselves the right to

set aside all the resolutions at a stroke.

They

offer to enrol in

their ranks the insurgents of yesterday, so that they can

all

shot on the

Do you want

morrow

of the present difficulty.

another trick exposed

.''

Now

have them

What

that

irrision

Spain

is

in

danger of losing the Philippines, the executioners of the other day

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

570

the

everlasting tyrants

tell

us that America will

No, America has

to England.

its

will preserve a clear intelligence

and tyrants

Spain

like

she

past and
she

is

liberal

is

slaves against the will of the Spaniards

part, their owners.

review

country

past history and

its

launched against the Americans.

English should

we

not gain by

many

self-government to

America

not dominated by friars

she has liberated her

who

were, for the most

national character

its

easy to understand the calumny

is

it

the islands

present.

its

known by

is

sell

But even though we became

it ?

The English have conceded

and not of the

of their colonies

frail

In the English colonies

delusive sort that Spain granted to Cuba.

there are liberties which Spain never yielded to hers in

America

or Philippines.

Our country

we can buy

very rich, and as a last resource

is

not be deceived by the

Do

from the Americans.

Help the Americans who promise us

Do

oiir liberty.

Spaniards
not

it
!

fall into

Europe and

the error of taking Spain to be a civilized country.

America consider her the most barbarous of the century. There

In no country to-day but
the weakest is the most persecuted.
Spain is the Inquisition tolerated. It is proved by the tortures
imposed on the prisoners of Montjuich, of the Philippines, and of
Spain did not fulfil the agreement entered into with
Cuba.

Maximo Gomez

at

Spain

Biac-na-bato.

to

Spain has nothing

l^e

else to give,

and God grant she will keep what

and

flatter

deceived.

Eemember

conscience.

atrocities

you under the present circumstances,

Submit every fawning offer to your

the execution of the innocents, the tortiu-es

the means

which have been

fathers, brothers, relations

who

those

decorations the breasts of

Americans

and State dependents

and instantly you will get them.

Spain will

but do not

for friars, soldiers,

Avealth

come and devour our

she has.

a nation always more ready to promise

is

But ask

than to perform.

with Aguinaldo at

nor that made

Zanjun,

and

friends.

in their triumph, for the

war

took

it

Avould

is

fervour,

the

blood of your

a just one for the nation

Do

not

be suicidal.

rail

against

Aid the

{Anonymous.)

Americans

On

covering with

Providence will aid the

elected to lead us to the goal of our liberty.

the designs of Providence

of

religious
the other side, far richer in poetic imagination and
is

the

Allocution

of

the

Archbishop

of

Madrid-Alcala

ALLOCUTION OF THE ARCHBISHOP IN MADRID.

publislaed

Madrid on the day

in

how

following extract to show

was appealed

indirectly

to to

commenced.

hostilities

571

I give the

the religious sentiment of the people

make them

that

believe

Spain was

defending a noble cause.

Very Beloved Sons

The

cursed hunger for gold and the unquenchable thirst for

power have combined

Isabella raised,

With

to tarnish that flag

by the hand

justice trodden

under

of

which the Great Queen

Columbus,

West Indies.
Pope unheeded

in the

foot, the voice of the

and the intervention of the nations despised with arrogance, every

road to the counsels of peace has been barred and the horrors of

war have become

a necessity.

Let Heaven be

not the authors of this disaster, and

God

let

is

the god of the world

Go, braves,

you goes
Irun

to

it

to

be that

Have no

fear, let

no one

be for fear of arriving too late for the fray.

with the blessing of the Fatherland.

to fight

are

There, ploughing

the seas, go our soldiers and our sailors.

weep, unless indeed

we

the responsibility before

dogma seems

be on that vain people Avhose

money

Avituess that

With

Spain, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, from

all

With

Tarifa.

what

we contemplate you

envy do

weighing anchor to leave our shores

Oh

why

does juvenility,

or decrepitude, or duty deprive us of the joy of taking part

your enterprise

May

But no

with you goes our Spanish heart

the Immaculate Virgin, whose scapulary hangs

around your necks and whose blessed image

protect you under her mantle in the

from

all evil,

in.

moment

floats

on your

flags,

of danger, deliver

and shower blessings upon you

May

you

Saint James,

patron of Spain, and the martyr Nicodemus and Saint Telmo and
Saint

Raymond and

the

King Saint Ferdinand go

before

you and

may go and make you

enemy, so that you may return

ever march in the vanguard wherever yoii

invulnerable to the bullets of the
victorious to tread once

this noble soil

weeping mother who bore

the

cannot go to take part

arms of prayer,

Joshua slew

God

He

more

like

you

We, who

in the battles, will

it

to

his ferocious

Spain

hold and brandish the

Moses who prayed on the mountain, whilst

enemies

in

the

has triumph in His hand and will give

gave

and kiss the cheek of

in

Covadonga,

in

it

valley
to

whom He pleases.

Las Navas,

in

El Salado, iu

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

572

the river of Seville, on the plaiu of Granada, and in a thousand

Oh Lord, give it us
battles which overflow the pages of history.

now

Let the nations see that against the right of might there

the might of right

To

beloved

all

is

from our heart "We have pleasure

sons,

in

you our pastoral benediction, in the name of the Father,

and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Given in our palace ia Madrid on the 23rd of April, 1898.
jsendiu"-

JosK M*
Archbishop-bishop of Madrid- Alcald.
This Allocution

Was

it

calls to

a battle of the saints

mind Spain's
?

last struggle

with Mexico.

The Spaniards reUed on Santa

Isabel

the Mexicans appealed to Santa Guadalupe, and the latter came out
victorious.

In

Manila,

Augusti issued

as

the

critical

his general order as to

special military service

proclamation to the Philippine people.

vituperative

Governor-General

day approached,

The

latter

is

and his

couched

in

and erroneously prophetic language, but both can be

better appreciated from the following translated texts

Special Military Service.

Whereas

it

is

necessary to adopt every possible means for the

defence of this territory and to render assistance to the army and

the fleet in the approaching operations against the United States
of

North America, I order

(1*.) It is

(2.)

hereby declared that a state of war exists.

All public functionaries of the State and the municipalities,

not exceeding 50 years of age and not physically unfit, are obliged
to take up arms in defence of the country and serve whenever they
are

required.

They

will proceed, at once,

to

their offices

and

names and serve under their present chiefs.

(3.) All Spaniards and sons of Spaniards (although not born
the Peninsula) above the age of 20 and not more than 50, living

lodo-e their

in

in the Provinces, are also

(4".)

hereby required to take up arms.

All those not comprised in the foregoing are at liberty to

serve as Volunteers.
(a.)

public

All native Spaniards

offices.

who

are not

employed

in

the

573

THE general's PROCLAMATION.

All those

(b.)

of

age, and

who

who
are

are under

20 and more than 50 years

strong enough to endure the fatigue

of a campaign.

North Americans) who

All foreigners (except

(c.)

are

domiciled in Manila or in the capitals of the Provinces.

(5.)

The General Sub-Inspector

Volun-

will organize these

and distribute them as required for defensive purposes.

teers,

(6.)

Public functionaries will receive their orders for militarj

service from their respective administrative chiefs.

(7.)

From

no one capable of bearing arms

to leave these Islands.

who

is

allowed

This prohibition does not apply

to those

this date

are seriously

ill.

PROCLAMATIOX.
Spaniards.

Between Spain and the United States

hostilities

of

North America

have broken out.

The moment has

arrived to prove to the world that

the spirit to conquer those who, pretending to

we

possess

be loyal friends,

take advantage of our misfortunes and abuse our hospitality, using

means which civilized nations consider unworthy and disreputable.

The North American people, composed of all the social
excrescences, have exhausted our patience and provoked war with
their perfidious machinations, with their acts of treachery,
their outrages against the

The

law of nations and international

struggle will be short and decisive.

will give us one as brilliant

justice of our cause

and

sympathies of

new

test,

States

all

The God

with

treaties.

of Victories

and complete as the righteousness

Spain, which counts upon the

demand.

the nations, will emerge triumphantly from this

humiliating and blasting the adventurers from those

without cohesion and without a history,

that,

humanity only infamous

Chambers

in

which

traditions

offer

to

and the sorry spectacle of

appear united insolence

and

defamation,

cowardice and cynicism.

squadron manned by foreigners, possessing neither instruc-

tion nor discipline, is preparing to

the blackguard intention

honour, and liberty.

which they

of

come

to this

robbing us of

all

Archipelago

Avith

meaos

life,

that

Pretending to be inspired by a courage of

are incapable, the

North American seamen undertake

574

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
as au enterprise capable of realization the substitution of Pro-

testantism for the Catholic religion you profess, to treat you as

your riches

tribes refractory to civilization, to take possession of

as

if

they were unacquainted with the rights of property, and to

kidnap those persons

whom

they consider useful to

man

their

ships or to be serviceable in agricultural or industrial labour.

Vain designs

Ridiculous boastings

Your indomitable bravery

You

to carry out their plans.

to be

made

a mockery

will suffice to frustrate the attempt

will not allow the faith

you profess

with impious hands placed on the

of,

temple of the true God, the images you adore to be thrown down
by unbelief. The aggressors shall not profane the tombs of your
fathers, they shall not gratify their lustful passions at the cost of

your wives' and daughters' honour, or appropriate the property

that your industry has accumulated as a provision for your old
shall not perpetrate

age.

No, they

their

wickedness

and

covetousness, because

suffice

claiming to be

civilized

civilization

your valour and

punish and abase the

to

patriotism will

natives of North

any of the crimes inspired by

people who,

and polished, have exterminated the

America instead

of bringing to

them the

life

of

and of progress.

Filipinos, prepare for

the

glorious Spanish banner, which

struggle, and
is

united under

the

ever bedecked with laurels, let

us fight with the conviction that victory will reward our

efforts

against the shouts of our enemies let us resist with Christian,

"
decision and the patriotic cry of " Viva Espaiia I

Manila, 23rd of April, 1898,

Your General,
Basilio August! y Davila.

The

volunteers and guerilla battalions which had been so recently

disbanded by General Primo de Rivera, because they terrorized the

peaceful inhabitants, were now publicly thanked and praised for their

The Mayor
past services and called upon to again serve their country.
of Manila issued his own proclamation, exhorting the inhabitants to
help the Spaniards against the Americans. Archbishop Nozaleda also
made his appeal to the people, assuring them that four Spanish battleships were on their

way

out (although, as a matter of fact, only one

existed, namely, the Pelayo 8,500 tons, built in 1887), and that from

I-

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FAMILIES FLEE FROM MANILA.

575

communication with the Almighty he had learnt that the most

direct

Christian Spain would be victorious in the nest engagement.

There was a general stampede

numbers

of families fled

up the

river

who

away
Pasig towards the Lake of Bay
those

of

could get

the approaches to Manila from the north were held by the rebels

Cavite Province threw off the cloak of pacification and sent fresh

from the south to the

insurgents to invest the high roads leading

capital.

General Augusti's

Macabebo (north

to

and children, who had been conducted

Avife

of Manila Bay),

were kidnapped by the

rebels.

All Americans (about 25), except one family, took refuge on board

The one

foreign ships in the bay.

exception was a Mr. Johnson,

who

had been travelling through the islands with a cinematograph show,

and he refused
Avell-known

Hongkong

remove

to

his wife,

who had

just given birth.

Esmeralda took on board a crowd

s.s.

money

passengers for

Refugees offered as much as

at fancy rates of passage.

four times the usual passage

of

for a

saloon

berth,

and deck-

passengers were willing to pay three times the normal rate.

Chinese were leaving

the islands

opportunity, for they had just as

The

rebel faction.

were pressed

rich Chinese

into service

fit

The

by hundreds

much

The

by any available

to fear from the loyal as the

were robbed and the labouring

class

Despised by the

for beasts of burden.

Spaniards and hated by the natives, their lives were not safe any-

where.

asylum

Foreign families of neutral nationality sought more tranquil

far

beyond the suburbs or on ships lying

in the harbour.

Two

days before the Americans arrived a native regiment was suspected of

disaffection.

The Spanish

officers, therefore,

and shot them forthwith, threatening

if

to

do the same on the morrow

the ringleaders were not handed over.

During the night the whole

regiment went over to the rebels with their

No
of

intelligent

picked out six corporals

rifles

and accoutrements.

European could entertain any doubt as

the coming

contest, but

unfounded) was that

it

to the

the general fear (which proved

result
to

be

would be followed by an indiscriminate massacre

of the Spaniards.

There were warships of several nations

fleet

was moored

squadron.

had

off"

and the Spanish

Cavite awaiting the arrival of the adversary's

The Spanish men

their colour

in the bay,

changed

to

o'

war, Avhich were always painted white,

dark gray like the American ships.

coast lights were extinguished.

The

All

Island of Corregidor and Punta

576

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Restinga were hastily supplied with a few

Punta Gorda, Puuta

Castilla.

cannons from the

6-iiicli

El Fraile, and Caballo

Larisi, the rock

Island had toy batteries compared with the American armament.

The American men

war

o'

Mirs Bay (opposite to Hongkong

left

Island) on the 27th of April, under the

and on the way put

steamed on
entered

May

Sunday,

were

apparently

defenders

of

and responded

Corregidor

Then

to.

Island^

American squadron kept

under the command of Admiral Montojo,

shown

in the

The Americans cannonaded the forts

badly directed did

a solitary cannon

Punta Sangley.

The

the Spanish ships,

who was on

board the Ileina

and the respective positions taken np by

Cristina, cleared for action,

fleet

of

conrse in line of battle

its

the opposing fleets were as

when

a shot or two were fired from

the rock El Fraile and from the battery

and the Spanish

on

a.m.

aboard, led

slumbering, for the Olympia had already passed

shot was heard

American ships

lights put out the

The Olympia, with Commodore Dewey

The

the way.

all

Corregidor Island at 3

bay, passing

1898.

Commodore Dewey,

of

Subig, but finding no opponent there, they

With

to Manila.

the

1st,

in at

command

accompanying plan.
of

Canacao and Punta Sangley,

responded with a furions broadside, which being

little

The

damage.

Do7i Antonio de

a volley towards the enemy's ships with

little effect,

Ulloa poured

and simultaneously

the drums were beaten whilst the ofiicers and crews shouted " Long
Firing on both sides then became
live the King, Queen, and Spain "
!

general

the well-aimed shots of the Americans were beginning to

against the Spaniards.

forcibly

tell

The Don Juan de Austria

advanced towards the Olympia and was met with a shov/er of shot

and

shell, obliging

failure of the

her to turn back.

Don Juan

Olympia, intending

to

The Maria

de Austria, went

ram

Cristina, seeing the

full

speed towards the

her, but a perfect hurricane of projectiles

from the Olympia made her retreat with her decks strewn with the
dead and dying. The Baltimore was damaged by the Hontoria guns
of

Punta Sangley and had

was

slightly

By

little.

damaged.
7.30

flames, so a boat

Isla de Cuba.

from the combat.

The Boston

Further than that the American ships suffered

a.m. the

was lowered

The

to retire

Spanish flagship Reina

to transfer the

Cristina Avas in

Admiral and

captain of the Reina Cristina,

his

staft'

Don Luis

The distance from Corregidor Island to Manila City

is

to the

Cadarso,

27 miles.

THE BATTLE

OF

CAVITE Majl?H898.

Position of Spanish cuid U.S. Fleets.

CAVITE

PROVINCE
LrPfilhfSd^cm

Tot A lTonnage.U.S.19,192;

Spain

IZ^38.

Guns

U.S. 67; Spain

31.

THE NAVAL BATTLE OF CAVITE.

5JJ

although mortally wounded, heroically

commanded his

men up to the
8 a.m. the Spanish ships were decidedly crippled
and the American squadron withdrew
to another place in the bay
behind a number of foreign war and
merchant ships, where
moment

By

of death.

they had
two supply transports from which they
took fresh ammunition.
Meantime the little Spanish gunboats Lezo,
Duero, Manila, Velasco,
and ^,Y/o^, which were quite unfit for
action, ran ashore
left

Viejo.

At

opened

fire

The
and

at Cavite
10 a.m. the Americans returned in line of
battle and
on the Spanish ships which still had
their flags flying

fight lasted about one hour.

Rema

Cristhm were burnt

up, and the

Don

Of the Spanish
the

Don Juan

ships the

Castilla

de Austria was blown

Antonio de

Ulloa, pierced all over with shot,

sunk
and about half of her crew which had
survived the
battle were drowned.
Only the two cruisers
de Cehv> and Isla de
Luzon remained in fighting condition, but the position
was so hopeless
that the Admiral ordered them to
run aground in the Bay of Bacoor.
The Americans then opened fire on the Arsenal
and Fort of Cavite
which had not a single cannon left in place.
Soon a Spanish officer,
after the action

Ma

named

Lostoa, signalled for a truce to save the

An

wounded.

destroyed the

suspend

to

were

to

officer

women,

children,

and

met him and

replied that having

mission was ended for the present and
agreed
provided the shore batteries at the river

fleet his

firing,

silent.

and agreed

American

mouth

General Augusti was consulted as to this

condition,
it.
The mail steamer Ida de Mindanao was aground

Las Pinas, and being armed as a cruiser the

Americans fired on
her and she was soon ablaze. There was
still another parley with
off

reference to Cavite.

Arsenal,
fleet.

As

The Americans demanded

the surrender of the

the

Admiral, and the surviving crews of the

destroyed
General Pena declined to surrender Cavite,

the Americans
gave the Spaniards two hours to evacuate, under
the threat of bombarding Manila if the demand were not complied
with.

Again the
hours were allowed so that General
Pena could consult with the Captain-General.
General Augusti
authorized the evacuation, and in less than
two hours Cavite and the
whole isthmus, including San Roque, Caridad,
Estanzuela and Dalahican,
were under American control. All the Spanish
families returned to
answer was negative, and

>

Subsequently got

off

five

and repaired by the Hongkong and Whampoa

Dock Co

^^^^"*^''-^^^ ^^d

SVl/ktotr'''''

^'^^t'-ial trip in

December, 1898, at a speed

o o

578

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Manila by

The next day (2nd

land.

away from Cavite and the

and pat

May)

of

the debris were cleared

environs, and the dwellings

were cleansed

in order for indefinite occupation.

The

demanded by the
Americans, and the 100 men composing the garrison were allowed to
depart in boats for Naig on the W. coast of Cavite.
Their commander,
evacuation

of

Corregidor

Island was

however, surrendered himself prisoner and went on board the Baltimore

He was

with his family.

liberty,

On

and

later

at once offered (but wisely refused) his

on he was put ashore at Balanga (Bataan Province).

the Spanish side the losses in

men amounted

400

to about

(including Captain Cadarso and the Chaplain Novo), out of a total of

about 1,000 Spaniards and natives.

Americans

It

was a

decisive victory for the

the entire Spanish fleet in Philippine waters was destroyed,

excepting a few small gunboats stationed about the southern islands.

After a 15 months' cruise, one of these

Manila Bay on the 12th of

May

in

the

Callao

steamed

into

complete ignorance of what had

The Americans fired a warning shot, and ordered her to

With little hesitation she did so, in view of the
lower her flag.
immensely superior force displayed. The vessel became a prize, and

happened.

the commander a prisoner of war.

Manila had so

in not

lost their

heads that they accused him of cowardice

having fought the whole American squadron

court-martialled and

condemned

to death, but

He was

actually

afterwards reprieved.

Spaniards exhibited great bravery in the battle of Cavite, and

The
for

shortly offered his

on parole, which he unfortunately accepted, for the Spaniards

liberty

in

But he was

man

they proved themselves to be in no

opponents.
ships and

way

inferior

to

man
their

Considering the wretched condition of their old-fashioned

armament compared with the splendid modern equipment

which the Americans brought, no other result could have been expected.
Long before sunset Admiral Patricio Montojo and his surviving
officers

found their way to Manila.

In the evening the Admiral

serenely passed the hours in his suburban villa, Avhilst the Americans

were

in possession of the

floated over the

town and arsenal

and Punta Sangley.

friars

vSo little

of Cavite,

and the

forts of

CaSacao

did the people and the ignorant Spanish

how a modern military

when Commodore Dewey landed his

priests understand

that

Port of Manila, and the stars and stripes

occupation was conducted

marines, a deputation

of

and nuns met him to humbly crave clemency for the vanquished.

SURRENDER OF
The
of

DEMANDED.

JVfANILA

579

entry of the American squadron, -without opposition, into the

Bay

Manila, was a great surprise to the inhabitants of the capital.

Whilst the

women and

and near-lying

city

children

villages,

were driven

off to the

suburbs of the

male Spaniards, from the highest to the

merchants, State dependents, Spanish troops, and

who
remained
native
hastened

lowest

auxiliaries

loyal

still

even those

to assure the

Governor-General that " the enemy should not land in Manila without
" passing over their dead bodies." Subsequent faetF, however, proved
these

pompous vows

to be merely a figure of speech.

walls, the terraces of houses, the church towers,

From

the city

and every available

height, thousands of curious sightseers witnessed the brave defence and

the complete defeat of the Spaniards.

in line of battle the Spanish transport

As

the American fleet advanced

Cebu was scuttled at the mouth

All the smdl steamers and

of the Pasig River to bar the entrance.

.sailing craft in

Espaua.

The

the river

moved up

as near as possible to the

obsolete cannons on the Luneta fort fired a

shots without the least effect

Puente de

few sohtary

the fort of Santiago, defending

the

entrance to the Pasig River, was silent, although cannons, said to be

over a century old, had been hastily mounted there, notwithstanding

the fact that the colonel,

who was

off these ancient pieces of artillery,

instructed to have the rust chipped

Not

committed suicide in despair.

a single torpedo had been brought into action by the Spaniards.

There

when wanted, each had

an important piece missing, so they were unserviceable.
About
4.30 p.m. the American ships changed their position and moved
towards Manila City. A formal demand was made on the GovernorGeneral August! to surrender the capital. The British Consul, who had
were several

in stock at Cavite Arsenal, but,

received instructions to look after American interests pending hostilities,

served as the

medium

the conflicting parties.

of communication between the representatives of

The Consuls had an

interview with the Captain-

General, who, after a brief consultation with his colleagues, gave the

customary Spanish reply to the

last

effect that

drop of blood was in his veins.

he would

resist until the

Frequent intercourse took place

between the Spanish Governor-General and the American Commodore

through the intermediary of the British Consul.
another British, another French, and
entered the Bay.

Rear-Admiral

another

The same afternoon

German man-o'-Avar

Dewey (for he had

just

been promoted

in rank) declared the port blockaded.

00

580

THILIPPINE ISLANDS.

On

the 2nd of

telegraph

May

station,

and on

connecting Luzon with

had

he demanded to be put

filled

The Spanish

be cut.

The news came

The whole

was

city

Mobs

instantly in uproar.

clubs

cafes,

and other

were

offices

quickly as possible.

meeting-places

public

of people

Government

The newspaper

such disaster.

to

Special supplements were issued as

thronged.

authorities

to the Spanish capital like a

the streets, wildly denouncing the incapability of a

which could lead them

The

to

measure was taken to report to Madrid by

just time before this

thunderbolt.

the

being refused he ordered the cable

this

Hongkong

cable the bare facts.

in possession of

were besieged.

General Borbon drove out in a carriage from which he harangued the

populace, and was, in consequence, sent to a fortress for three months.

There was an attempt

a mass meeting

at holding

in the

Puerta del Sol,

but the surging crowd started down the Calle de Sevilla and the Carrera
de San Geronimo shouting, " Long live Weyler " " To the house of
!

Weyier

"

They reached

vivas for the army, navy,

to

show

after a series of frantic

General Weyler to

they called on

etc.,

But being himself

appear at the balcony.

relations

and

his residence,

in

somewhat

with the existing Government, he did not think

himself.

Then some one having

with the whole Government

",

set

up the cry

which was responded

it

strained

prudent

of "

Down

to with frenzied

applause, the rioters set out for Sagasta's house, returning by the
that moment the

Carrera de San Geronimo.

At

met and charged the crowd.

Many were

mounted

civil

guard

trodden under foot and arrests

The Civil Governor, Sefior Aguilera, followed up in his

and when the military police had dispersed the general mass,

were made.
carriage,

leaving only here and there a group, the Civil Governor stepped out of
his carriage

and addressed them.

balcony of a club, and

it

His words were hissed from the

was already past midnight when the

outburst of public indignation and despair had exhausted

the 2nd of
disaster,

May, the Hcraldo

commented
It

as follows

was no caprice

the

fire

of the

of the fortune of war.

were condemned

American

batteries

From

the very

first

at the

mercy of the formidable

to fall

one after the other under

they were powerless to strike,

and were defended only by the valour and breasts of their

What

naval

cannon shot our fragile ships were

hostile squadron

On

itself.

of Madrid, calmly reviewing the

first

has been gained by the illusion that Manila was

sailors.

fortified ?

PARTY INTERESTS.
What

581

has been gained by the intimation that the broad

had been rendered inaccessible

famous island of Corregidor

Where were

and

whose bosom the Spanish Fleet perished yesterday

beautiful bay on

the torpedoes

What use was made of the

What was done with its guns ?

Where were

which we were requested

tions concerning

those defensive prepara-

keep silence

to

Several merchant vessels were seized in and about Manila Bay, and
supplies from seawards were cut off from the city, which was quite at
the mercy of Admiral

Dewey, who could have bombarded it and forced

surrender the same day. But it was not easy to foresee what might
follow.
Admiral Dewey had full discretion to act as circumstances
might seem

to guide

him,

but

was evident that whatever the

it

surrender of the Captain-General of the Archipelago might theoretically

iply> a military occupation of Manila

Hemmed

to possession of the Islands.

insurgent forces which

Luzon
capital

now

was

from being tantamount

far

in

everywhere on land by the

occupied and

collected taxes in several

provinces, the Spaniards could have lieen shelled out of the

and forced

to capitulate, or driven to extermination

thousands of armed natives thirsting for their blood.

had, consequently, a third party to consider.
oust the

The Americans

natives' anxiety to

Spaniards was far stronger than their wish to be under

American, or indeed any foreign, control.

of the

The

common

But whilst a

certain section

people was perfectly indifferent about such matters,

others, Avavering at the critical

moment between

their opposition to the

Spaniards and repulsion of the foreign invader whoever he

proclaimed their intention to join issue with the former.

was Aguinaldo's
pendence."

old rebel party

which

had been

if

Lastly, there

spirit,

no doubt

Aguinaldo would have been revered as a great reformer.

relinquishment of the

strife

by the

immediate renewal of Spanish

severities,

impression on the minds of the rebel rank and

their general welfare

doubtful, therefore,

the Islands.

had been

But the

transaction and

together created

file

that, in

sacrificed to personal

how Aguinaldo would

With the

money

leaders, the

be

the rebel version

the

fulfilled in

raio-ht

one cry " Inde-

rallied to the

" Nothing succeeds like success," and

of the Treaty of Biac-na-bato

the

by the

be received

some way,

interest.
0}i

an

It

was

his return to

object of investigating the feelings of the old

rebel party, the leader Jose Alejandrino (son of

my

late friend

Jose

582

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Alejandrino, a rich planter at JVIatamo, near Arayat, Pampanga), and

two other

rebels accompanied the

they disembarked,

remained doubtful whether he

May with 12 other insurgent

boat Hugh 3IcCulloch. It yet

still

held the confidence of the insurgents,

when he at length landed at Cavite, his

many mora rallied to his standard with the
but,

were computed

to

old companions in^arms

naturally, at that period, on the

number 30,000, and Aguinaldo,

Aguinaldo was,

most amicable terms with Admiral

Dewey, who supplied him with two modern

field pieces,

200,000 rounds of ammunition, enjoining on him the

engagement

and

The

greatest enthusiasm.

on taking the command, declared himself Dictator.

of his

rebels of

19tli of

American despatch

rebels, at that date,

tlie

where

that had transpired, and in the meantime

all

Aguinaldo himself arrived on the

leaders ia the

to Cavite,

days passed in convincing

vSeveral

Aguinaldo's good faith in

American expedition

500

strict

rifles

and

observance

to repress reprisals against the Spaniards.

To prepare the natives for the arrival of the Americans, Aguinaldo sent
over in advance of the American Fleet the following proclamation

Compatriots,

Divine Providence
reach, in a

about to place independence wathin our

is

manner most acceptable

to a free

and independent

people.

The Americans,

not for mercenary motives but for the sake of

humanity, in response to the woes of the persecuted, have thought

fit

to extend their protecting

arm

to our beloved country,

now

that

they have been obliged to sever their relations with Spain on

account of the tyranny practised in Cuba, to the great prejudice of
the large commercial interests which the Americans have there.

An

American squadron

Philippines.

is

We, your

on the Americans.

at this

moment preparing

brothers, fear

you may be induced

No, brothers, never

Eather blow out your

ov^^n

make

mistake.

executioners, the authors of your

misery and your woe, are the Spaniards

who

against these your weapons and your hatred.

;

this

to fire

brains than treat with enmity those

who are your liberators.

Your natural enemies, your

against the Spaniards

to sail for the

rule you.

Raise

Understand well,

never against the Americans.

Do

not

heed the G^overnor-General's decree, calling you to arms, even

ANOTHER REBEL PROCLAMATION.

though

it

you your

cost

lives.

our American liberators.

arms.

Why ?

those

who have

To

No

Die rather than be uugiateful

The Governor-General

defend your Spanish tyrants

calls

you to

To

to

defend

despised you and in public speeches called for

your extermination
savages

583

those who have treated you

no

a thousand times, no

little

better than

Glance at history and you will see that in all Spain's wars
undertaken in the Far East, Philippine blood has been sacrificed
we were sent to fight for the French in Cochin China over a
;

way concerned us we were forced to spill our

by Simon de Anda against the English, who, in any case,

matter which in no
blood

would have been better rulers than the Spaniards

sons are taken

away

against those who,

reality,

we

every year our

be sacrificed in Mindanao and

to

Sulu

are led to believe, are our enemies when, in

they are our brothers, fighting, like

us, for their liberty.

After such a sacrifice of blood against the English, the Annamites,

the Mindanaos, etc., what reward or thanks have we received from
the Spanish Government

our dear ones.

Enough,

Obscurity, poverty, the slaughter of

brothers, of this Spanish tutelage

Note that the Americans

will attack

by sea and prevent any

reinforcements coming from Spain, therefore the insurgents must

attack by land.

You

will, probably,

have more than

sufficient

arms, because

the Americans, having arms, will find means to help us.

ever you see the American flag, there flock in numbers.

Wher-

They

are

our redeemers.

Our unworthy names

are nothing, but

we

all

invoke the name

of the greatest patriot our country has seen, certain in the hope
that his spirit will be with us and guide us to victory, our

immortal JosiS Rizal.

Cavite being occupied by the American forces, foreign Manila

residents were permitted to take refuge there, for no one could tell

when

the Spaniards would be forced to capitulate, or what mio-ht

happen if they did. Meantime the rebels had cut oflP, to a considerable

extent but not entirely, supplies of food to the capital, which

was
however, well stored, and at no time, during the three and a
half

months' siege

was there a danger of famine among the

civilian

584

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

population, although prices of commodities gradually advanced to about

Even

double under the circumstances.

The Spanish

charged double prices.

condition became

the hotels in the city only

Their

troops fared far worse.

more and more deplorable.

were badly and

All

much from disorganized commissariat arrangements

want of supplies. The latest arrivals of youthful raw

insufficiently fed, as

as

from actual

pangs of hunger, and as the SAvarming

recruits particularly felt the

rebels took one outpost after another

from

its

emaciated defenders and

raided the adjacent provinces, the Spanish prisoners in their hands

(soldiers,

friars,

and

Among them was

reached the figure of thousands.

civil servants)

command

Brigadier-General Garcia Peiia (lately in

of Cavite), a colonel, several other officers, a civil governor, etc.,

and

some hundreds of volunteers.

Of the

number, and the actions

the

Germany had sent the largest

of their commanders caused much anxiety ta
In the city the German Consul made little

neutral warships in the bay,

blockading forces.

secret of his sympathies for Spain, and

and

in

frequent consultation

German and Spanish

with the Captain- General.

freely in the streets

was

On

cafes.

officers

18th of

the

May

but her entry into the port was forbidden hj the Americans.

commander

of a

German

was reported outside Manila Bay,

steamer, with cargo and provisions,

the

fraternised

German man-o'-war and

were received

his staff

These German

and feted by the Captain-General.

Later on

officers

were

Monte accompanied by several

The German comgeneral and other high Spanish military officers.
manders post-prandial oration at the feast was much commented upon,

invited to a picnic

for he

said to

is

at

San Juan

del

have declared (presumably on his own responsibility),

was Emperor

that so long as William II.

Germany the Philippines

The party then rode back

of

should never come under American sway.

to

Manila, watched by the rebels,

them and

own

so jeopardise their

plications.

There

is

little

too wise to intercept

cause by creating international com-

doubt that the attitude taken up by the

entertained by Spaniards

Germans nurtured the hope

world that, at the

who were

last hour,

some

political

all

over the

entanglement between the

other Powers might operate for Spain's interests.

The

city

and commercial suburb of Binondo wore

although trade was almost at a

of

Great Britain for America

standstill.

stirred

their usual aspect,

The undisguised sympathies

up the old feeling

of distrust and

ONE MANS LOSS ANOTHER MAn's GAIN.

585

towards the British residents, which Ijecame so marked that

the Captain-General issued a proclamation commanding due respect

rill-will

to be paid to neutral foreigners.

officer spitting

in the face

more danger

to all

soldiery than

from the

Dewey

to

Even

of an Englishman.

civilian

classes,

rebels,

at

who were

Spanish

Indeed, there was far

any time, from the Spanish

strictly prohibited

by Admiral

Had they done so, certainly

would have been the Archbishop Nozaleda, who,

attempt to enter the

their choicest prize

this did not prevent a

city.

well aware of this, escaped, long before the capitulation of the city, to
Shanghai on board the German warship Darmstadt.

The

Volunteers, too, were constantly giving trouble to the Spanish

authorities, from whom they demanded their pay, and once
when this

was refused they threatened to seize the stores.

Although trade in and with Manila had been more
and

at intervals absolutely so since the great

or less suspended

naval engagement, just

a few profited by the circumstances of war.

firm there

figuratively speaking, " coined "

money.

frequently

to run a steamer, well

iu

known

One British
They were able

Chinese waters (in which I have

travelled myself), between Manila and Hongkong carrying
refugees,
who were willing to pay abnormally high rates of passage.
I))

ordinary times fares range from $50 saloon accommodation

to $8 a
deck passage. On one trip, for instance, this steamer, with the
cabins

$125 each, carried 1,200 deck passengers (no food) at $20

and 30 deck passengers (with food) at $30. Their unsold cargoes
on
filled

the

at

way

in

steamers

when

Manila was

blockaded came

in

for

enormously advanced prices.

Shiploads of produce which planters

and native middlemen were glad to convert into dollars at panic rates
were picked up "dirt cheap," leaving rich profits to the buyers.

When
walked

steamers

could

not

leave

Manila, a Britisher

Mr.

days under the tropical sun to reach Yloilo with

trade news, and steamers were run at high war rates in and
out of
Borneo, Hongkong, and the Philippine southern ports. One British
for several

firm obtained a special licence to run a steamer between

Hono-konoand the port of Dagupan, hitherto closed to foreign traffic.

These

were, naturally, the exceptions, for, upon the whole, the

dislocation
and stoppage of trade entailed very serious losses to the
general
body of merchants.
few days after the bombardment of Cavite
the natives refused to accept the notes of the Banco
EspaTiol (the

586

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Spanish bank), and a run was made on the bank to convert them into

Hongkong and Shanghai

Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and

However, the managers

silver.

Banking Corporation, and the

the

of

China, came to the rescue of the Banco Espanol and agreed to honour
the paper issue in order to check the

upon opened

their doors

and

The

scaz-e.

three banks there-

satisfied the noteholders, ordinary business

being, meanwhile, suspended.

Aguinaldo had not only been busy organizing

in several

made

his forces, but had,

engagements with the Spaniards, driven them back with

prisoners and replenished his

own

proclamation, of which the following

Filipinos

a translation

then issued a

The

American

North

Great
and, as

liberty,

is

He

armories.

loss,

friend

such, Hh.e

nation,

example

true

of

freedom for our country

of

oppressed and subjugated by the tyranny and despotism of

rulers,
is

has come to

offer its inhabitants protection as decisive as it

disinterested, regarding our unfortunate

to justify this high conception

nation,

we ought

country as gifted with

In order

and aptitude for self-government.

civilization

sufficient

its

to abstain

formed of us by the great American

from

acts Avhich

all

would destroy

that opinion, such as pillage, robbery and every kind of outrage

So as

against persons or property.

to avoid international conflicts

during the period of our campaign I order as follows

Article

1".

The

respected,

including

Spaniards

who have

lives
in

and properties of

this

all foreigners

shall

denomination the Chinese and

be
all

not directly or indirectly contributed to the

bearing of arms against us.

Article

Those

2.

shall be, in like

Article

3.

of the

enemy who

4.

arms

manner, respected.

Medical establishments and ambulances

be respected as well as the persons and

provided they shovv-- no hostility.
Article

shall surrender their

shall also

effects

connected therewith,

Persons disobeying the above

three articles shall

be summarily tried and executed if their disobedience shall lead to

assassination, incendiarism, robbery or rape.

Given

at Cavite, 24th of

May, 1898.
Emilio Aguinaldo.

THE FILIPINOS IN SINGAPORE.

June

Oil the 8th of

58 T

at 5 p.m. a Philippine deputation waited ou the

American Consul-General

in Singapore,

Mr. Spencer Pratt,

at

his

him with an address congratulating him on

the American successes in the war with Spain. The editors of the
Straits Times and the Singapore Free Press, as well as Mr. Howard
residence, and presented

W.

Bray, were present.

introduced

by Mr.

Consul-General

the

to

After the deputation had been formally

Bray, Dr.

Santo,

representative Filipino, read the following address in French

To

the Hon.

the

Translation^

Edward Spencer

Pratt,

Consul-General of the United States

of

North America, Singapore.

Sir,

The Philippine colony resident

tatives of all social classes,

iu this port,

comprising represen-

have come to present their respects to

you as the legitimate representative of the great and powerful

American Republic, with the desire to express our eternal
gratitude for the

Admiral Dewey

moral and material protection

extended by

to our trusted leader General Emilio Aguinaldo,

who has been

compelled to take up arms in the name of eio-ht

millions of Filipinos in defence of these same principles of justice

and

which your country

liberty of

Our countrymen

is

the foremost champion.

at home,

and those of us residing here,

refugees from Spanish misrule and tyranny in our beloved fatherland, hope that the United States, your nation, persevering in its

humane

policy, will efficaciously second the

between you,

and secure

sir,

and General Aguinaldo

programme arranged

in this port of Singapore,

to us our independence under the protection of the

United States.

Our deepest
for

gratitude

having been the

is

first

especially due to you,

to

cultivate

sir,

personally,

relations with

General
Aguinaldo, and arrange for his co-operation with Admiral Dewey,
thus supporting our aspirations, which time and subsequent events
have developed and found the applause and approbation of your
nation.

Finally,

we

request you to convey to your illustrious President

ard the American people and

to

Admiral Dewey our sentiments

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

588

and

gratitude

sincere

of

most

our

wishes

ardent

their

for

prosperity.

Singapore, 8th of June, 1898.

Mr. Spencer Pratt replied

sense

to this

French, in the following

in

Gentlemen,

The honour you have

find

words with which

paid

me was

to adequately

so

unexpected that I cannot

thank you

eloquent address you have just read to me.

in reply to

You may

the

rest assured

that I fully understand and appreciate the motives which have

in giving expression to

prompted your present action

have sunk deep into

my

transmitted to the

President,

American people, who

response.

These words

heart.

the

will not fail to greet

to

the

them with a generous

month ago the world echoed the

praises due to

won by
American Asiatic squadron in Manila Bay. To-day we have
news of the brilliant achievements of your own distinguished

chief,

for

at sea.

You have

just reason to

deeds of General Aguinaldo and

orders.

When

had arrived

I heard,

me

occasion, and I arranged for

him

interview

You know what

fortunately.

your compatriots

followed.

about
I

this

trust

Filipinos can desire.

the

My

the

under his

Singapore incognito^ I at once sought him.

in

bringing

be proud of

weeks ago, that General Aguinaldo

six

convinced

hour's

a glorious victory

General Emilio Aguinaldo, co-operating on land with the

Americans

of

be faithfully

Admiral Dewey and

to

Admiral Dewey and his comrades

the

shall

words which

am

that he
to join

was the man

Admiral Dewey

for the

at Cavite.

glad I was the accidental means

arrangement, which
final

One

outcome

will

has resulted so

be

all

that the

parting words to General Aguinaldo

were " General, when you have proved yourself great, prove
" yourself magnanimous," and from the generous way he has
treated the Spanish prisoners he has proved to be both.

The
of the

deputies then responded to the call for cheers for the President

United States and

Spencer Pratt

presented

their sympathisers

who were

present.

Mr.

an American flag to Dr. Santos for the

THE .REBELS INVEST MANILA.

589

deputation with some appropriate remarks, and after repeated cheers from
the Filipinos, a band of Philippine musicians played a selection of airs

oi their native

isles.

Durinor the

first

few weeks following the Cavite naval

The

remarkable transpired between the belligerents.

and Vice-Consul were indefatigable

the services they rendered, as

in

was well supplied with

fleet

The Manila-Dagupan Railway was

The Spanish
supplies into the city.

coal from

Bay and brought

The

the

work

of

burning and

American

rebels outside

frequent occurrence.
of

away

refugees, other

Manila were very active

pillaging churches

The Spaniards

still

and other property.

making strenuous

the

Spaniards

into

Binondo

sad

to preserve routes

although,

little

by

little,

Aguinaldo and his subordinate

efforts to effectually cut off all supplies

The

capitulation.
soldiers,

Spanish

districts.

In the out-

view of co-operating with the Americans

crowded with wounded

rural

managed

districts,

the rebels were closing in upon them.

to the city, with the

in

between Spanish troops and rebels were of

communication with the country

leaders were

made

in captive sailing vessels.

take

to

vessels

Streams of smoke were daily seen rising from the valleys.

skirts of the city skirmishes

vessels.

authorities issued a decree regu-

Keutral passenger steamers were allowed

than Spanish subjects.

British

The

working order and bringing

in

lating the price of meat and other commodities.

occasional trips outside the

British Consul

Dewev and General Augusti.

intermediaries between Admiral

American

battle nothiucr

hospitals in the capital were

brought in at

soldiers

to starve

sauntered

great risk

about

the

from the

and

city

which body and soul were

and dried fish. The volunteers

spectacles of emaciation in

only kept together by small doles of rice

Avho had enlisted on the conditions of pay, food and clothing, raised an

unheeded cry of

protest,

whiled away the time

Archbishop issued
if

in

and threatened

revolt,

whilst

the

officers

the cafes with resigned indifference.

his Pastoral Letter, in

The

which he told the natives that

the foreigners got possession of the Islands there would be an end to

all they

most dearly cherished.

Their altars would be desecrated

churches would become temples of heresy

be banished and vice would become rampant.

the

Christian morality would

He

reminded them (with

the proviso " circumstances permitting ") that he had appointed the

17th of June as the day on which the consecration of these Islands

the " Heart of Jesus " would be solemnly confirmed.

to

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

590
To draw

the remnant of loyalty to his side, the Governor- General

" Consulting

Assembly " composed

of fifteen.

half-castes and natives, under the nominal presidency of

Pedro A.

a reformed

instituted

Biac-na-bato

Paterno, the mediator in the

who had not yet lost hope of gaining his reward, issued

which the following is a translation (published

Manila on the 2nd of June, 1898) :
of

Filipinos

great, free,
its

other does.

and happy, and to shape

desires

forces in

in

a.

Manlfiesto

El Comercio

of

Beloved Brethren.

I love our country as none

to

Paterno,

negotiations.

and

ago I risked

my

own

want

my

life

and

my

it

to

he

destinies according

Therefore, I respect

aspirations.

at the cost of

it

its

all

the vital

A long time

fortune.

existence for the rights and liberties of the

Philippine people,

who were

sorely

agitated,

by bringing the

majority together and directing the salvation of their interests

based on liberty and

new

My

justice.

ideas are neither strange nor

they are the result of study and political experience, and

not recently conceived under the existing circumstances.

with

all

great

the

its

vehemence

of

need an

Powers

may

country strong and

in the

But however great our

enjoyment of

may be

efforts

they cannot exist alone, however strong and great they

help,

and the union of strength increases their

Russia seeks France

power.

my

Let us imitate the example of the Great

ally.

They need

be.

soul, to see

honour and dignity respected and

the greatest happiness.

we

my

I desire,

Germany

seeks Italy and Austria.

Unbappy is the Power that isolates itself !^ And what

ally can we have than Spain, a nation with which we are

better

united

for nearly four centuries in religion, laws, morals, and customs,

understanding

full

well her virtues and her defects

The

evil

days of Spanish colonization are over, and by dint of experience

and the

sacrifice

of

blood

Spain has understood that

we

are

already of age and require reforms in our territory such as the

formation of Philippine Miiitia, which gives us the force of arms,

and the Consulting Assembly, which gives us the power of speech,

participation in the higher public employments, and the ability to
'

N.B. Great

Britain; for instance,

which has no

ally.

PEDRO PATERNO

MANIFESTO.

591

control the peaceful development and progress of society.

is

war with the United

at

nor

we

The Americans

language.

its

States,

know

neither

that nation

endeavour

will

Spain

])y

all

And

imaginable means to induce us to help them against Spain.

then, alas

they, the all-powerful, will absorb us and reward our

treachery to Spain by betraying us, making us slaves and im-

posing upon us

hand, by helping Spain,

our duty

we

if

new colonization. On the other

we die, we do so in the fulfilment of

the evils of a

all

live,

if

we

shall obtain the

without the dangers and risks of a

No

By

side of

civil

triumph of our aspirations

We

war.

the flag which shields us

shall not

die

and our garrisons,

fighting with faith, decision, and ardour, as a country does

which

yearns to be free and great, the enemy will disappear like the wave

which washes the seashore.

Let us hope

to obtain

from Spain

the good that the American stranger can offer to us.

our old

all

Let us help

our old friend Spain and realize, with her, more

ally,

These are they

quickly our aspirations.

With

the greatest

decentralization possible consistent with national unity, the organi-

zation and attributions of public powers must be based on three

principles

(1)

Government

Colonial

(3")

Spanish sovereignty.

Deputation

or

In

Council.

way

With

civil

and

The

(1)

Assembly.

institutions
institution of

The

(2>)

Insular

The Governative

(3)

the rights of the Government and those of

the Colony are harmonized.

and doubt.

Three

of the Philippines.

Philippine

this

Local representation.

responsibility.

correspond to these three principles, viz.

the General Government

(2)

Let us shun the policy of suspicion

these firm and solid guarantees let us establish

political liberty.

The Assembly,

representing the will of

the people, deliberates and resolves as one would treat one's

in

affairs

power
with

private

life

of the Archipelago.
all

fidelity

and

thus

legislative

Its resolution will be put into practice

by the executive power

responsible government.

the

constitutes

own

in

its

There are only Spaniards

character
in the

of

Archi-

we are all Filipinos and all European Spaniards. Such

is the programme of the party who want home rule for the
Philippines ever Spanish ! Thus shall we see the destinies of

pelago

this country guided

under the orange and red

flag.

Thus

will

my

beloved country be governed, without detriment to the integrity

592

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Finally, under Spain our future

of Spain.

we

certainty

future

is

shall

cloudy

be free and

all

Under the Americans our

rule.

shall certainly be sold

we

and with

clear,

is

and lose our unity

become English, others German, others

therefore,
French, others Russian or Chinese. Let us struggle,
united and
side by side with Spain, we who love the Philippines

some

provinces

free.

Long

will

Spain

live

Pedro Alejandro Paterno,

Manila, 31st of May, 1898.

This Manijiesto was replied to a week

who

later

by the Rebel Party,

published a Refutation, of which the following

Refutation

is

a translation

of the Manijiesto of Sefior Paterno.

" Actions speak louder than words."

with
better phrase, or idea, could not be found

reply to the Manijiesto of

of the

El Comercio

2nd

Don Pedro A.

instant,

which

to

Paterno, published in

than the epigraph which heads

these lines.

by saying that he loves his country as

and to
none other does he wants it to be great, free, and happy,
aspirations.
shape its own destinies according to its own desires and
Seiior Paterno begins
;

God such beautiful language represented the truth, for it

what we wish and what we have, long ago, been aiming at,

JVould
is

just

to

proved by our actions and

at the risk of our lives and property, as
arguments, especially since the middle of the glorious year
our

of 1896, the period in

most cherished

of arms, of our

forgive us

that he

if

may

which we commenced the conquest, by force

we

liberties.

May

Sefior Paterno

movement,

cite a little of the history of this

see that neither are

we

ungrateful, nor are

we

so

acting

consequence of
with precipitation, but as a logical and imdeniable
Spanish Government.
the vile conduct and bad faith of the
of all
For over 300 years the country slumbered in ignorance
that referred to

its

rights and political liberties.

It

was resigned

one
Spanish governmental system of spoliation, and no
September 1868
thought of reforms. But when the Revolution of

to the

broke out
first

in

Spain and overthrew the throne of Isabella

revolutionary leaders,

justice,

inspired

by ideas

of

II.,

the

humanity and

here,
caused an Assembly of Reformists to be established

rebels' reply to paterno's manifesto.

one of the members of which,

if

we remember
Don Pedro.

593

was Don
The Assembly
agreed to and proposed good and appropriate
reforms, amongst whicli
Avas that relating to the incumbencies
which were monopolised by
the Friars. What did the Spanish
Government do with the.e

Muximo Molo

reforms

Patenio, father of

What

did the Friars do

rightly,

?
Ah though it may appear
Seuor Paterno, historical facts
oblige us to remind him
that the Government, in agreement
with the Friars, engineered
the military rising of the City
of Cavite in January,
1872%nd at
the instigation of its authors and
accomplices, sentenced the
secular priests Father Jose Burgos,
Father Jacinto Zamora,
Father Mariano Gomez, parish priests
of Manila, Santa Cruz'
(suburb), and Bacoor (Cavite)
respectively, to be garotted.
Moreover, another secular priest, Father
Agustin, the Philippine
lawyers and landed proprietors, Don
Joaquin Pardo de Tavera
Don Antonio Regidor, Don Pedro Carrillo,
Don Jose Basa, and

cruel to

others,

of

amongst

Don

Pedro,

whom was Don Maximo Molo

were banished

to

Paterno, the father

the Ladrone Islands.

virtuous grand old

we

proclaim

it

This

man (Don Maximo Paterno) did

indeed (and
with pride) make sacrifices of
health and fortune

for the

advancement of the liberties of his native

country
From
the year 1872 the Spanish
Government carried on a persistent
persecution of all the Philippine reformers
by unjust imprisonment
and banishment.
In 1888 the authorities

went

prosecute TOO representative

men

so

far as

to

of the suburbs of Manila

simply
having presented a petition of rights
and aspirations' to the
Governor-General Don Emilio Terrero.
There is not a single

for

insalubrious island or

gloomy corner in the country which

has not
been the forced home of some banished
Filipino.
No one was
sure of his personal liberty
none were safe in their homes
and if
three or four Filipinos met together
for an innocent purpose,
they
were spied, arrested, and banished.
Calumny has brought about
enough banishments to Fernando Po,
Chafarinas Islands, Ceuf.
and other African and Spanish places
to demonstrate the bad
faith'
cruelty, and injustice of the
Spanish Government
;

the Philippine people.

with respect to

This

virile,

intelligent people received

the supreme decree of reforms
with joy and enthusiasm,
sharing
the feelings of those who felt
in their souls the flame
of liberty!

PP

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

f^Q^

legitimate channels, to advance

This people worked, through
ideal, inspired

by the purest loyalty

to

Spain.

How

d.d

it.

the

spontaneously

on its part, the decree

Spanish Government fulfil,
reformists
By prosecuting and banishing the
issued in 1868 ?
the courage of
of terror to damp
..d employing a system
ought to have
ridicnlous fallacy I-for .t
the Filipinos. Vain,
mtelhgence
rule of that country of

tnown

two years of
other
Rizal, Luna, Rosario and

better after

birthplace of

Philippine energy.

The

[odependeuce, had no other

living examples o

and
FiUpinos, lovers of their liberty
appeal
recourse open to them than an

against terror, death for

force against force, terror
to arms, to bring
fire and blood,
sworn to practise the system of
death, resolute and
Archipelago
for the whole Thilippine
vntil they should attain
ignominious sovereignty of Spam.

Absolute

freedom from

the

on the Mamficsto.
us continue our comments
his exista long time ago he risked
Seiior Paterno says that
people, even at
liberties of the Philippine
ence for the rights and
do not see
and his fortune. We, howeTcr,
the co.t of his health
magnificent ideas, for what we do
bow he put into practice such
Madrid
passed his younger days
know is that Senor Paterno
by
expenditure, he was very well treated

Now

let

where by

dint of lavish

the foremost

men

in

Spanish

politics,

without gaining from

Spam

and happy
Philippine people were made free
nnvthing whereby the
On the contrary,
of his brilliant existence.
dm-ing that long period
with the
persecutions narrated above coincided
the very epoch of the
bfe
Paterno's briUiant position and easy
period of

Don Pedro A.

pubhshed a collection of poems under

Madrid, where because he
" Sampaguitas " he became distinguished by the nickthe title of
also, that Senor Paterno came
name of ScunpaqaUero. We know,
appointed director of a Philippine
b^ck to this, his native soil,
established, without salary, but with
Library and Museum not yet
Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic. This
the decoration of the
distinction to him, seeing that the same
was no o-ain to us, no
two others,
given to the Chinaman Palanca and

in

decoratio'n

was

homes to get them.

without their leaving their
generous
How are we then to understand those

sacrifices

ot

Perhaps
cause of Philippine liberty ?
hpilth and fortune for the
created Philippine MiUtia and Consulting
he refers to the recently

rebels' reply to taterxo's manifesto.

595

Assembly.

Well, admittiug for argumeut sake, that

with such
Militia and Consulting Assembly the
liberty and happiness of the
Philippines were assured (a doubtful hypothesis,
Sefior Paterno),
this happiness is not due to
Seuor Paterno's efforts, but simply to
the circumstances.
Spain is at war with North

America, and now

offers us this

sugar-plum

to

draw us

to her side

and defend her

against invasion.

^Ye ask you again, Seuor Paterno, where

are those sacrifices ?
We do not see them, although we seek them with the light
of
impartiality, for, as the splendour of
justice shines on our flag, we
should not fail to do this even for our
greatest enemies, amongst
whom Ave do not count you.

Do you

allude to the

Peace of Biac-na-bato

If so,

we

ask,

what have you done with that peace to

which we subscribed in'
good faith, and which you and General
Prime de Rivera together
have stupidly and scandalously torn
into shreds?

You

indeed, bungled the amnesty

when many

"have,

of the banished are,

up

now, suffering the miseries of their sad

and unjust fate.
You have put off the promised reforms which,
even yet, have
ot come.
to

You have

delayed the payment of the

$400,000 for the second
and third instalments of the agreed sum.

You have
Agumaldo,

not dehvered into the hands of

our chief,
the money as agreed upon.

Don Emilio

Ah You thought that when we had surrendered

!

to you our arms

and our garrisoned strongholds-when
our forces were dispersed
and we were absent, you could turn
l)ack to the Government

of iniquity without reflecting that

Divine Providence could permit,
in the hour of great injustice, her
emissary

Don Emilio Aguinaldo

to return resolved to chastise

energetically the immoral and
impotent

Spanish Government.

Then comes

Selior Paterno, telling us that

efforts

may

an

and that we can

of

ally,

Spain.

be in the cause of liberty,

Frankly,

find

we

we

however great our

cannot live without

no better alliance than the sovereignty

must say that this is inconceivably

incompatible with Senor Paterno's clear

intelligence.
How do you
understand an alliance with sovereignty
?
How can you imagine
a people great, free and happy
under the sovereignty of Spain
?

PP

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

^90

Ku.-sia au*
examples, the alliances between
^e do not
and Anstria, bnt, so far,
France, Germany and Italy
power of the French, nor the
Russia is the sovereign
know
Senor Pate no
and Anstrians.
Germans that of the Kalians
Un.ted
Spain in the ,var wth the
further says that by he.ping
duty ; if we l.ve,
so in the f nlfilment of our
States if we die, v-e do
dangers
our aspirations without the
e shin obtain the triumph of
and let all know,
war. Know, Senor Paterno,

Seto Pateroo

cites, as

Lt

risks of a civil

and

prov.nees we have
days' operations in several
that in less than six
the Bngad.erprisoners, amongst whom .s
already taken 1,600
Colonel, several Lieutenant-Colonel,

General Garcia PeBa, one

Majors and

officers,

the

besides

Governor of the Province of

that province
the civil service staff of
Balican, his wife and all
prisoners, ot
600 Philippine volunteers as
also have about
amongst the
40 are wounded, whilst
,hich 10 have died and
goes to i^ove
only one wounded. This
European prisoners there is
the sovereignty o
were too cowardly to defend
that the Europeans
the appeal
therefore we do not understand
Spain in these Islands,
duty, when the
to defend Spain as a
vou make to the Filipinos
be a more
heedless of that which ought to
Spaniards themselves are
them, seeing that they defend
strict obligation with

We

rigorous and
their

own

possession which brings

them

so

the duty when

This does not say much for
trample upon it. To
selves forget it and

Spa

Pl- -t only

Thi^

but also gross

want

much

lucre

and

profit.

the favoured ones themdie to-day for

of dignity

cowardly

and delicate feeling

weaving a sovereignty of frightened

st'npidity in

It - -'"*'"
of brave Filipinos.
Spaniards over the heads
there should
eloquent example of impotence
that in face ot such an
who defends the sovereignty ot Spastill he a Filipino
we make war without the
Kemember, SeBor Paterno, that
but no! we
even the North Americans ;
not
one,
any
ot
help
ot the great and
is the eternal ally
have the help ot God, who
against Spain-our
that which we defend
jnst causes such as
!
beloved independence
v..
i
andi
by explaining his political
concludes
Senor Paterno
-ve.eignty
on the basis of Spanish
administrative principles
cowardice and
charged that sovereignty .vith
bnt, as we have
!

immorality,

we

dismiss this detail.

SPANISH OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH.

To
two

we

conclude,

things, viz.

will

draw the

597

attention of Senor Puterno to

That he commits au injustice in imputing to the North

Americans the intention of taking possession of these Islands as
(1)

soon as we have conquered the Spaniards, for, besides having no

grounds on which to make such an allegation against a nation
Hlistinguished for

the fact that

its

humanity

its

own

like the Federal Republic, there is

constitution prohibits

the

absorption

of

territory outside America, in accordance with that principle laid

down bv
There

the immortal Monroe, of America for the Americans

moreover, the historical antecedent that the independence

of South America, once under Spanish dominion, is largely due
to
is,

the protection of the United States

and

That Senor Paterno should reflect on the fact that the

Spaniards would never have allowed him to publish his Manifiesto
had it not been for the existence and attitude of our Dictator,
(2")

Don Emilio Aguinaldo.

This ought to serve Senor Paterno as

further proof of the cowardice of the Spaniards, who, notwithstanding

all

provoking

that has been shown, insist on creating discord by

civil

war

on their heads will

fall

the responsibilities

of the moment and of the historical past.

Cavite, 9th of June, 1898.

The Revolutionists.
The

feeling against

Pedro A. Paterno

in

the rebel

camp was very

strong, because of his complicity in the alleged Biac-na-bato fraud.

The

rebels stopped all the traffic ou the

Malabon steam tramway line,

and shortly afterwards the railway trains had to temporarily cease
running.
General Monet had been so long in the northern provinces
unsuccessfully trying to hold

them against the

for a while despaired of in Manila.

seeing that

He

rebels, that his fate

was

tried hard to reach the capital,

every

Monet's forces,

day the Spaniards anticipated a bombardment.

hoAvever, were checked everywhere by the insurgents,

whom

he had many encounters, at each of which he was deserted

by some of his men, whilst others were made prisoners, until he was so
with

reduced that he had to beat a retreat with the remnant of his Spanish
troops.
Eventually he got into Manila alone.
General Auo-usti's
wife and family were chivalrously saved through the efforts of a loyal

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

598

Pampanga)
(the son of a planter in
Philippine volunteer learned Blanco
They were conducted
in Spain.
who now holds eSective rank of Colonel
Bay of Manila and found generous
from the Hagonoy marshes to the
who allowed them to quit the Islands
protection from the Americans,
garrisons in the whole of

The Spanish

who were

surrendered to the rebels,

in

Laguua and Pampanga had

practical possession of t^wo-

inclined to
General Augusti was personally
from doing so by his officers.
capitulate, but was dissuaded
and Anderson had arnvcd
The American Generals Merritt, Otis,
ban
were en route. On the way out from
with reinforcements and more
ships called at the Ladrone Islands
Francisco to Manila some American
Ihc
of about 40 men prisoners
and brought the Spanish garrison
the
again demanded and refused, for
surrender of the city had been
starved out, and the American
Spaniards were far' from being
attack on the
forbidden Aguinaldo to make an

thirds of

Luzon

Island.

Commander had

strictly

had been wonderfully active.

Aguinaldo, however, elsewhere
completely routed and lu
engagements, the Spaniards were

city.

la several

including
party took over 350 prisoners,
one encounter Aguinaldo's
and
250 prisoners and four cannons,
28 officers- in another
Cavite Viejo church were quietly
150 Spaniards who fled to

starved into surrender.

covernors, one of

Amongst

provincial
the prisoners were several

Bacoor a
attempted to commit suicide. At
Ihe
nine hours.
.,as fought which lasted about

whom

hotly contested battle

afternoon
early one morning, and by the
Spaniards were surprised very
to Las
along the Cavite-Manila road
they ^vere forced to retreat
lo approximately 2o0 troops

Piaas

The Spanish

loss

amounted

The

rebels are

wounded
wounded, 300 dead, and 35 officers
may have
double that number, but whatever
said to have lost more than
was theirs. The Spaniards would
been the sacrifice, the victory
fact that a
of this combat but for the
probably have come better out
murdered their officers and
hitherto loyal, suddenly
or dead.

native regiment,

went over

to the insurgents.

The

Spaniards, undoubtedly, suffered

volunteers at
of native auxiliaries and
nnich from unexpected mutinies
pass over to the
in uo case did rebels
the critical moment, whilst

Spanish

side.i

N B -It

They were

Las
not long left in possession of

even nt
seems almost i.credible that,

this erisis, the

to fight against their own

counted on n.tive auxiliaries

k.th and

Pmas,

Spaniards stHl

km.

REBEL VICTORIES.

REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT. 5D9

where they were subsequently

the survivors were driven

Long
armed

as

still

attackeil in overv/helming

numbers and

nearer to the capital.

before the capitulation of Manila the rebels Avere as avcU

they could wish from three sources, that

Americans, the Spanish arms' seized

They

to

sisy,

the

and consignments

Avarfare,

in

is

made good use of their field-piece?, and

ever and anon the booming of cannon was heard in the streets of
Manila. The old city Avails were cleaned, the moats were cleared of
the mud and shrubs Avhich had flourished in them for years, and every
from China.

tree

also

around which might possibly afford shelter

The

down.

Spaniards, hard pressed on

all

make their last stand in the old citadel.

away their specie to China, and the

for

never uuited as

general safety,

allowed,

much

AA'as

lie

bombardment.

in

of

seemed determined
community, Avhose

course they

the

was cut

British banks shipped

British

relieved Avhcn

by the mutual consent

Ausrusti, to

to

sides,

The

to

members were

to the besiegers

should

several steamers

Admiral Dewey and

adopt

were

General

the bav to take foreigners on board in case of

Emilio Aguinaldo, on his return to the Islands, had

declared himself Dictator.

The

Government administered

Dictatorial

the provinces as they were conquered from the Spaniards, collected

taxes and enacted laws.

In a couple of months the management of

these rural districts had so far assumed shape that Aguinaldo convened
deputies therefrom and

He

summoned a Congress on the 18th

changed the name of Dictatorial

to ReA'olutionary

proclaimed the Constitution of that provisional

23rd of June, of which the statutes are as

folloAvs

of June.

Government, and

government on the
:-

(^Tra}islatio?i.)

Dox Emilio Aguixaldo

y Famt,

President of the Philippine Revolutionary Government and

Commander-in-Chief of

its

army.

This Government, desirous of demonstrating to the Philippine

people that one of its objects is to abolish with a firm hand the
inveterate

vices of

Spanish administration, substituting a more

simple and expeditious system of public administi-ation for that

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

600

superfluity of civil service

and ponderous, tardy and ostentatious

I hereby declare as follows, viz.

official routine,

Chapter

Of the
Article

1".

The

I.

Revolutionary Government.

Government

Dictatorial

called the Revolutionary

shall

be henceforth

Government, whose object

to struggle

is

for the independence of the Philippines, until all nations, including

Spain, shall expressly recognize

the establishment

of

it,

and

The

real Republic.

country for

to prepare the

Dictator shall be

henceforth styled the President of the Revolutionary Government.

2".

Article

Government Secretaryships

(3)

and Health

created

are

War

and Public

of Police, Public Order, Justice, Public

Education

Foreign Affairs,

(1") of

Works

Four

Navy and Trade

(2") of

The

and Manufactures.

(4") of Finance, Agriculture,

Government has power to increase the number of secretaryships

when experience has shown that the above distribution of public
offices is insufficient to
3.

Article

meet public requirements.

Each Secretary

shall assist the President in

the

The

administration of affairs concerning his particular branch.

Secretary at the head of each respective department shall not be

responsible for the Presidential Decrees, but shall sign the same to

give them authenticity.

But

if

it

should appear that the decree

has been issued on the proposal of the Secretary of the corre-

sponding branch, then the Secretary shall be jointly responsible

with the President.

Article

4.

The Secretaryship

of Foreign Affairs shall be divided

into three centres, one of Diplomacy, one of

Trade.

The

Navy, and another

centre shall study and execute

first

affairs

all

of

which

concern the direction of diplomatic negotiations with other Powers

a,nd the correspondence of this

The second

shall

organization of

study

all

Government connected therewith.

that relates

our Navy, and

the

to the formation

fitting

and the third

whatever

may

require

shall attend to all matters concerning

foreign trade and the preliminary

Treaties of

of

out

expeditions the circumstances of the Revolution

Commerce

to

be

work

made with

and

in connection

other nations.

home and
with the

STATUTES OF REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT.

Article

two

5".

The

centres, the one exclusively of

flections,

The

Works.

of Public

one

shall be divided into

the other exclusively

centre shall be

first

Campaign, one

of

War
War and

Secretaryship of

of

601

divided into four

Military

one

Justice,

of

Military Administration, and the other of Military Health.

The Campaign
concerning

the

service

Militia, the direction of

<5ations,

draw up and attend

section shall

and

enlistment

the

of

to all matters

Revolutionary

campaigns, the making of plans,

and the editing of the announcements of

fortifi-

battles,

the

study of military tactics for the Army, and organization of the

respective staffs, artillery, and cavalry corps, and

all

other matters

concerning campaigns and military operations.

The

section of Military Justice shall

attend to

all

matters

concerning court-martials and military sentences, the appointment

of judges and assistant judges in all military-judicial affairs.
military

administrator

department and

shall

Army

all

take charge

many

commissariat

all

matters concerning the health

of the militia.

Article 6".
so

the

equipment, and the Military Health

department shall take charge of

and salubrity

of

The

The

other

secretaryships shall be divided into

centres corresponding to their functions, and each centre

shall be sub-divided into sections as the nature and importance of

the work requires.

Article 7.

The Secretary

of each department shall inspect and

watch over the work therein and be responsible to the President

of the Government.
At the head of each section there shall be a
director, and in each section there shall be an official in charc^e
assisted

by the necessary

Article

8".

staff.

The President

shall

have the

the secretaries, and in agreement with

sole right to appoint

them he

shall appoint all

the staff subordinate to the respective departments.

in the election of individuals favouritism

Nevertheless,

must be avoided on the

understanding that the good name of the fatherland and the

triumph of the Revolution need the services of the most really
capable persons.
Article 9.

The

secretaries can take part in the sessions of the

Revolutionary Congress, whenever they have a motion to present

in the name of the President, or on the interpellation of any deputy,

602

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

when

but

question under debate, or the motion on which they

tlie

have been summoned

take part

in that voting.

Article 10.
fication

put to the vote, they shall retire and not

is

The President of the Government

is

and as such he cannot be held

of the Philippine people,

responsible for any act whilst he holds that position.

is

the personi-

His position

irrevocable until the Revolution shall triumph, unless extra-

ordinary circumstances should compel him to tender his resignation

to Congress, in Avhich case only Congress shall elect
is

esteemed most

fit.

Chapter

II.

Of the Revolutionary
Article 11.

whomsoever

The

Congress.

Revolutionary Congress

is

the assembly of

those deputies from the Philippine provinces, elected in due form,

as prescribed in the Decree of the 18th inst.

Nevertheless,

province could not elect deputies because the majority of

had not yet been able

to free themselves

if

any

its tovv'ns

from Spanish dominion,

the Government can nominate provisional deputies chosen from

consideration by reason of their education

the persons of highest

and

social position

up

the number fixed by the said Decree,

to

ahvays provided that such persons shall have been born or have
resided for a long time in the provinces to be represented.

Article 12.

When the deputies

in the building to be provided

shall

have met

in the

town and

by the Revolutionary Govcrnmcut

the preliminary act shall be the election by majority of votes of a

commission of

five

persons

v.-ho

shall

examine the documents

accrediting the personality of each person, and another commission

of three persons

the

first

shall

commission of

Article 13.
and. the

who

The

examine the documents exhibited by

five.

next day the said deputies shall again meet

two commissions

shall read their respective reports

validity of the said documents, all doubts on the

same

on the

to be resolved

by an absolute majority of votes. They shall then at once proceed to

the election, by absolute majority, of a president, a vice-president,
and two secretaries, to be chosen from among the same deputies,
after

which the Congress

notice of the

same

shall

shall

be held to be constituted, and

be given to the Government.

THE REVOLUTIONARY CONGRESS.

Article 14".
inviolable,

The

meeting-place of Cougress

restoring order, shonld the

not

is

sacred

and

and no armed force can enter therein except on the

snmmoiis of the President of the Congress

know

603

how

to

for

the purpose of

same have been disturbed by those who

honour themselves and their solemu functions.

The powers of Congress are To look

Article 15.

after the

general interests of the riiilippine people and the fulfilment of the

revolutionary laws

to

discuss and rote

approve, before ratification,

all treaties

laws

to

and loans

to

and

discuss

examine and

approve the accounts of the general expenses which shall be

annually

presented

by the Finance

Secretary

and

extraordinary taxes, and others which, in future,

may

The voice of

Article 16.

to

fix

the

be impo.-ed.

Congress shall also be heard

in all

matters of grave importance the resolution of which will admit of

delay, but the President of the

Government can resolve questions

of an urgent character, rendering an account of his acts to Congress

by means of a message.
Article 17.

Any Deputy can present a

Secretary can do so
Article 18".
in cases

l)y

Article 19.

Congress and any

order of the President of the Government.

The sessions

v/here reserve

bill in

is

of Congress shall be public,

and only

necessary shall secret sessions be held.

The order

of debate

be determined by instructions to

lie

and parliamentary usages

formulated by Congress.

shall

The

President shall lead the debate, but shall not vote, unless there
fail to

be a majority, in which case he shall give his casting vote.

Article 20.

The President of the Government cannot,

in any
manner, impede the meeting of Congress, nor interfere with the

sessions of the same.

Article 21.

Congress shall appoint a permanent judicial com-

mission, to be presided over by the Vice-President, assisted

of

the

Secretaries

assessors, elected

by one
and composed of these persons and seven

by majority of votes, from among the deputies.

This commission shall revise the sentences given

by the provincial

and shall judge and sentence, without

cases brought against the Government

councils,

right of further ajipcal,

Secretaries, Provincial Chiefs

Article 22.
shall be

In

Book

in criminal cases

of

and Provincial Councillors.

the office o

the Secretary to Congress there

Honour,

which

in

shall

be noted the great

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

^04

rendered to the Fatherland and esteemed as such by

Congress. Any Filipino, military or civil, can solicit of Congress

services

the said book on producing the documents which

inscription in

prove the praiseworthy acts performed by him for the good of

For
the Fatherland since the present Revolution began.

Government

which may,

services

extraordinary

will

propose the

in

future, be rendered,

inscription,

the

the

proposal being

accompanied by the necessary justification.

Congress shall determine, on the proposal
Article. 23.

of the

Government, the money rewards to be paid, once for all, to the

families of those who were victims to duty and patriotism in
the execution of heroic acts.
Article 24.
until

The

resolutions of Congress shall not be binding

they have received the sanction of the President of the

When

Government.

the said President shall consider any reso-

lution undesirable, or impracticable, or pernicious, he shall state

his reasons to

its

execution, and

if

Congress

insisted on the resolution the said President can outvote

still

his

Congress for opposing

own

it

on

responsibility.

Chapter

Of Military
Article 25.

III.

Justice.

When any commandant

of

a detachment shall

receive notice of an individual in the service having committed a

any act reputed

fault or havinjr performed

to be a military mis-

demeanour, he shall inform the Commandant of the District of the

same, and this officer shall appoint a judge and secretary to constitute a

Court of Enquiry

dated 20th instant.

hio-her one, the

Commandant

in the

If the

form prescribed in the instructions

accused held the rank of lieutenant, or

same Commandant

shall

be the judge, and

himself were the accused the Superior

if

the

Commandant

of the Province shall appoint as judge an officer of a higher rank,

and

if

there were none such the

shall open the enquiry.

same Commandant

The judge

shall

of the

Province

always hold the rank of

chief.

Articlc2Q>.

the Superior

When the Court

Commandant

equal or superior rank

of

Enquiry has finished

its

labours,

shall appoint three assistant judges of

to the judge,

and a Court-Martial shall be

REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY JUSTICE.

605

composed of the three assistant judges, the judge, the

The Commandant

and the president.

judge

if

of the District shall he the

the accused held the rank of sergeant, or a lower one, and

Commandant

the Superior

shall be judge

if

the accused held the

This court shall pass sentence

rank of lieutenant, or a higher one.

in the

assessor,

same form as the Provincial Courts, but the sentence can be

appealed against before the Superior Council of War.

Article 27'.

The Superior Council

six assistant judges,

General, and the

who shall hold

War

the

of

shall be

minimum rank

the llevolutionary

composed of

of Brigadier-

number

If the

Office adviser.

residing in the capital of

War

of generals

Government were

made up by deputies to be
appointed on commission by Congress. The President of this
insufficient,

the

nuail)er

shall

be

Council shall be the general of the highest rank amongst them,

and

if

elected

there were

more than one

by themselves by majority

Article 28".

of the

same rank, one

be

shall

of votes.

The Superior Council

shall

judge and sentence,

without right of further appeal, .Superior Commandants, Com-

mandants

of Districts,

and

all officers

who hold rank

of

Commandant,

or a higher one.

Article 29.
(1.)

Military misdemeanours are the following

Violation of the immunity due to foreigners, both as to

their persons

and their goods, and violation of the privileges

appertaining to sanitary establishments and ambulances, as well

as the persons and effects in, or belonging to, one or the other, and

persons employed in the service of the same so long as they

commit no

and jewellery of
prisoners of war.

the

enemy

Want of respect for the lives, money,

the enemy who surrenders his arms, and for
(3.) The entry of Filipinos into the service of

hostile act.

(2.)

as spies, or to discover war secrets,

revolutionists' positions

and

plans of the

fortifications, or present

to parley without proving their mission

(4.)

make

or

Violation of the immunity due to those

their

themselves

individuality.

who come with

this

mission, duly accredited, in the form prescribed by international

law.

The

following persons also commit military misdemeanours

(1.)

Those who endeavour

revolutionists, fomenting rivalry

to

break up the union of the

between the

chiefs,

and forming

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

606
divisions aud

armed bands.

(2.)

Those wlio

collect taxes Avithout

being duly authorized by Government, or misappropriate public

enemy or
(3'.) Those who, being armed, surrender to the
funds.

commit any act of coAvardice before the same and (i.) Those
who sequester any person who has done no harm to the lievolution,
undefended
or violate women, or assassinate, or seriously wouud any
;

persons, or commit robbery or arson.

Article 30". Those

demeanours

and

who commit any

of the

above-named mis-

shall be considered declared enemies of the Revolution

shall be punished in the highest scale of

for in the Spanish

Penal Code.

If the

punishment provided

misdemeanour were not

provided for in the said code, the culprit shall be confined until
caused
the Revolution has triumphed, unless his crime shall have

an irreparable injury which,

in

the opinion of the court, would

justify the imposition of capital punishment.

Additional Clauses.
Article 31.

The Government shall establish abroad a Revolu-

tionary Committee, composed of an indefinite

competent persons

number

Archipelago.

in the Philippine

of the most

This Com-

Of diplomacy ;
mittee shall be divided into three sections, viz.
The diplomatic section shall
of the navy, and of the army.
:

with the foreign cabinets the recognition of belligerency

and Philippine independence. The naval section shall be intrusted
with the study and organization of a Philippine navy and prepare
Revolution may
the expeditions which the circumstances of the
ueo-otiate

require.

The army

section shall study military tactics and the

best form of organizing

that

is

stafF, artillery

and engineer corps, and

all

necessary to put the Philippine army on a footing of

modern advancement.
Article

32*.

The

Government

shall

dictate the

necessary

instructions for the execution of the present decree.

Article 33".

AH decrees

of the Dictatorial

Government which

be in opposition to the present one are hereby rescinded.

Given at Cavite, 23rd of June, 1398.

may

Emilio Aguinaldo.

rilESIDENT AGUINALDO'ti MESSAGE.

promulgation

TIio

of

Constitution

the

Government was accompanied by

which the following

is

of

tlie

607
Revolutionary

a message from Emilio AguinalJo, of

a translation

Message of the President ok the riiiLippiNE Revolution".

an established fact that a political Revolution, judiciously

It is

carried out,

means employed by nations

the violent

is

the sovereignty which naturally belongs to them,

to recover

when

the same

has been usurped and trodden under foot by tryanuical and arbitrary

government.

Therefore,

more

than

it

justifiable

it is,

the

because the country has oidy resorted to

having exhausted

after

Philippine Revolution cannot be

all

peaceful means which reason and

experience dictated.

The

old

Kings

of Castile Avere obliged to regard the PhiUppines

as a sister nation united to Spain

and

so

interests,

much

so

that

by a perfect
in

the

similarity of aimn

Constitution

promulgated at Cadiz, as a consequence of

tlie

of

Spanish

Independence, these Islands were represented in the

Parliament.

1812,

War

of

Spanish

But the monastic communities, always unconditionally

up by the Spanish Government, stepped in to oppose the

sacred obligation, and the Philippine Islands were excluded from
the Spanish Constitution, and the country placed at the mercy of
pi'opped

the discretional or arbitrary powers of the Governor-General.

these circumstances the country clamoured for justice,

Under
demanding

of the metropolis the recognition

secular rights, through reforms

and restitution of

its

which should gradually assimilate

was soon stifled, and its children Avero

rewarded for their abnegation by punishment, martyrdom and
The religious corporations, whose interests were always at
death.

it

to Spain.

But

its

voice

variance with those of the Filipinos and identified with the Spanisii

Government, ridiculed these pretensions, calmly and persistently

replying that liberty in Spain had only been gained by the sacrifice
of blood.

What
which

other channel, then,

to insist

was open

upon the recovery

of its lawful rights

remedy remained but the application

this,

it

had recourse

to revolution.

to the country

of

force,

through

No

other

and convinced of

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

608

Now

its

demands are no longer limited

Spanish Constitution.
it

struggles for

its

has arrived when

Hence,

it

with the

to assimilation

It asks for a definite separation therefrom

independence, with the certainty that the time

it is

able and ought to rule

itself.

has constituted a Revolutionary Government, based

on wise and just laws, suited to the abnormal circumstances

it is

passing through, preparatory to the founding of a real Republic.

Accepting Right as the only standard of

sole aim,

and honourable Labour as

its

its sole

Filipinos, Avithout distinction of birth,

acts. Justice as its

means,

it

upon

calls

and invites them

all

to solidly

unite with the object of forming a noble society, not by bloodshed,

nor by pompous
each one

titles,

but by labour and the personal merit of

a free society where no egoism shall exist,

where no

personal politics shall overthrow and crush, nor envy nor partiality
debase, nor vain boasting nor charlatanry throw

it

into ridicule.

Nothino" else could be expected from a country which has

proved by

its

long suffering and courage in tribulation and danger,

and industry and studiousness

slavery.

That country

is

made

ia peace, that it is not

destined to become great

to

for

become

one of the most solid instruments of Providence for ruling the

That country has resources and energy
destinies of humanity.
sufficient to free itself

from the ruin and abasement into which

the Spanish Government has drawn

though worthy, place

Given

it,

and to claim a modest,

in the concert of free nations.

at Cavite, 23rd of June, 1898.

Ejiilio

Aguinaldo.

These public documents were supplemented by the issue, on the

27th of June, of " Instructions," signed by Emilio Aguinaldo, which,
Government
as they relate solely to working details of the Revolutionary
offices,

are of minor interest to the general reader.

Since the 30th of June the rebels were in possession of Coloocan

Railway) and
(the first stationpast Manila on the Manila-Dagupan
the Manila suburbs of Santa Cruz and Tondo.

chased four vessels in

The

Singapore and armed them,

Admiral Dewey forbade them

to fly their flag

settlement of the whole Philippine problem.

insurgents purbut,

later

on,

pending the ultimate

They

also took possession

AND REBELS.

A.MKIilCANS

Sau Juan

of the waterworks of Santolan (near

G09

del Moute), but diet not

Dissensions arose in the rebel

cut off the water supply to the capital.

camp between Emilio Aguinaldo and the

Artachio. Jocson was the chief who

leaders Jocson, Sandico and

carried

war

the

oi;

the

in

northern provinces during the absence of Aguinaldo and his companion?.

Aguinaldo ordered Jocson and Artachio

to be shot,

went on board au American warship

for

and one of them

The Americans,

safety.

indeed, had no less difficulty in dealing with the natives than with the

There were frequent altercations between individual rebels

Spaniards.

and American

soldiers

resulted very seriously.

which,

The

one case

in

were

rebels

at

least,

near Cavite,

because they con-

irritated

sidered themselves slighted, and that their importance as a factor in the

was not duly recognized

hostilities

them

to

do

in

in reality, there Avas

co-operation with the Americans,

have brought matters

who

at

nothing for

any time could

without them (by shelling the city)

to a crisis

Aguinaldo's enemies were naturally

but for considerations of humanity.

the Spaniards, and he kept his forces actively employed in harassing

them

the

in

victory in

outlying districts

had

his troops

Dagupan (Pangasinan), where, on

whole Spanish garrison and a number of

just gained a great

the 22nd of July, the

civilian

Spaniards had to

But experience had taught him that any

day an attempt might be made to create a rival faction. Such a concapitulate in due written form.

tingency had been actually provided for in Article 29 of the Statutes

of the Revolutionary

view

Government already

to maintaining his prestige

before the people,

tions.

He was

la force,"

and

cited.

and keeping

Presumably with a

his individuality well

he was constantly issuing edicts and proclama-

wise enough to understand the proverbs, "L'union

"A

house divided against

itself shall surely fall."

fait

Isot

the least of his talents was that of being able to keep united a force of

30,000 to 40,000 Filipinos for any object.

Constitution of the Revolutionary

see,

He really

authorities into a recognition of

what others saw, the inopportuuity

of America's relations with Spain.

proflamation of the

Government on the 23rd

implied a declaration of independence.

American

Ilis

it,

of

June

sought to draw the

but he did not seem to

of their doing bo at that stage

The

generals were not the arbiters

Then Aguinaldo adopted a course quite

independently of the Great Power which bad undertaken the solution
of the Philippine question, and addressed a Memorandum to the

of

the political situation.

Q Q

GIO

PIIILIPriNE ISLANDS.

foreign GoYcrnmeuts, Avitb a copy of au

result

Not a

was altogether negative.

that

America, especially at

critical

of

pei'iod,*

The

Indepeudcnce.'

Power chose

single

The Memorandum

Aguinaldo's party.

Act

to embarrass

by a recognition

read as follows

of

(^Translation.)

To

the Powers

The Revolutionary Government

constituted, explained,

by means

of a

on being

of the Philippines

message of the 23rd June

the real causes of the Philippine Revolution, and went on to

movement

that this popular

regulate the

life

is

last,

show

the result of those laws Mdiich

of a nation ardently desiring progress,

and the

attainment of perfection by the only possible road of liberty.

Revolution, at the present moment,

The

predominant in

is

the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro, Tayabas, Laguna,

Morong, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga,

Nueva

Pangasinan, Union, Infanta and Zambales, and

capital,

Manila.

tranquillity reign

by themselves
23rd of June

Ecija,
is

Tarlac,

besieging the

In these provinces the most perfect order and

;

they are administered by the authorities elected

in conformity

with the decrees of the 18th and

last.

Moreover, the Revolution has about 9,000 prisoners of war,

who

are

with

treated

cultured nations,

the

same

consideration

agreeably with the

observed

sentiments of

by

humanity,

and a regular organized army of more than 30,000 men fully

equipped on a war footing.

Under these circumstances the

representatives of the townships

comprised within the provinces above mentioned, interpreting the

popular will of those

who have

elected them,

have proclaimed

the Independence of the Philippines, and requested the Revolutiouary

Government

to petition

and

solicit of

the foreign

Powers

an acknowledgment of their belligerency and independence, under

the conviction that the Philippine nation has arrived at that state
This Act was ratified by Congress at Malolos with great pomp on the 29th
Emilio Agmualdo walked through the town, surrounded by his
by a procession of rebel troops and bands of music.
followed
officers,
chief
this day was declared by Congress to be a public holiday
and
en
was
fete,
Malolos
1

of September.

jn perpetuity.
- The Spanish-American Commissioners were to meet in Paris in a few weeks.

PHILirriNE ACT OF INDEPENDENCE.

in

which

it

can and ought to govern

As

itself.

611

a consequence, the

annexed document has been signed by the said representatives.

Wherefore the undersigned, using the faculties reserved to him
as President of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines,

and

in

the

name and

representation

implores the protection of

all

and

formally

them

beseeches

to

of

the Philippine

nation,

the Powers of the civilized world,

recognize

the

belligerency,

the Revolutionary

Government, and the Independence of the

Philippines, because the.^e Powers are the bulwarks designated

by Providence

to maintain the equilibrium

amongst nations by

and refraining the ambiiio?is of the more

order that the most faultless justice may illuminate

sustaining the Aveak

poioerful, in

and render effective indefinitely the progress of humanity.

Given under

my

hand and

of Cavite, this 6th day of

seal in Bacoor, in

the Province

August 189S.
Emilio Aguinaldo,
The President of the Revolutionary
Government,

The accompanying Act

was couched

of Independence, dated

in the flowery

clamations, and

August

1st,

1898,

language of his former edicts and pro-

was signed by those Filipinos who had been appointed

local presidents of the

townships in the provinces referred

to.

The

" the ambitions of the more powerful " could well be

understood to signify an invitation to intervene and counteract
allusion to

America's projects, which might, hereafter, clash with the Aguiualdo

party's aspirations.

by the

priests in

At

the same time a group of agitators, financed

and out

of the Islands,

was

straining every nerve

and create discord between the rebels

the hope of frustrating their coalition.
But,

to disseminate false reports

and the Americans

in

even then, with a hostile host before Manila and the city inevitably

doomed

to fall, the fate of

politicians than

Spanish sovereignty depended more on

on warriors.

In the absence of a Spanish Ambassador at Washington, the French

Government had accepted

to look after Spanish interests there

and

carry on any negotiations with the American Government which might

become necessary.

In

August the

city of Santiago de

beleaguered by the Americans under General Shafter

Cuba was

the forts had

QQ

612

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

been destroyed by Admirals Scliley and Sampson

in

command

General Linares,

had been wounded and placed hors de combat

there,

large force of Spanish troops within the walls

was well armed and

munitioned, but being half-starved, the morale of the rank and

at a

the

was

file

low ebb, and General Toral, Avho succeeded General Linares,

The

capitulated.

final

blow

to

Spanish power and hopes

in

Cuba was

the destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet outside the port of Santiago

Cuba was

de Cuba.

lost

The

Spain.

to

cry for help from the

Philippines, together with the riotous denunciation in Spain, of the

Government's prostration, morally compelled the Government to do

somethinET, and a fleet
to the

was

fitted

out under Admiral

Camara and

sent

Suez Canal with the ostensible object of relieving Manila.

was, probably, never intended to

measure

it

In a slight

leave Europe.

let it

It

appeased the people and saved the honour of the Spanish

Cabinet, but, fortunately, America threatened to send a fleet under

Admiral Watson

to

bombard the Spanish

Government a good excuse

at once.

No

ports, affording the

for ordering

Spanish

back Admiral Camara's

fleet

material advantage could then possibly accrue to Spain

by a prolongation

of hostilities.

Through the intermediary of the French Ambassador at Washington,

M. Cambon, peace negotiations were entered into and a Protocol
was signed by him and Mr. Secretary Day for the respective Governments they represented at 4.25 p.m. on the 12th of August, 1898.
is

interesting to note the exact hour

and

date, in

It

view of subsequent

events.

The

provisions of the
(1.)

title to

Pkotocol were

Spain will relinquish

all

as follows, viz.

her claim of sovereignty over or

Cuba.

(2.)

Puerto Rico and the other Spanish islands in the Weat

Indies, and an island in the

Ladrones

to

be selected by the United

States, shall be ceded to the latter.

(3.)

The

ZTnited

States will occupy

and harbour of Manila

peace,

which

shall

and hold

pcjidiiig the conchisio7i

determine

the

control,

the city,

of a treaty of

dispositiofi

government of the Philippines.

(4.) Cuba, Puerto Rico and the other Spanish islands

West

bay

and

in the

Indies shall be immediately evacuated, and commissioners, to

be appointed within ten days,

shall,

within thirty days from the

FIGHTING BETWEEN AMERICANS AND SPANIARDS. 613

signing of the Protocol, meet at ILivaua and San Juan respectively,

and execute the

to arrange

The United

(5".)

than

details of evacuation.

States and Spain will each appoint not more

commissioners to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of

five

Peace,

The commissioners

October

1st.

(6".)

On

and notice

suspended,
possible

signing

the

are to

the

of

that

to

by each Government

and naval

meet

at Paris not later than

Protocol

he

be given as soon as

effect will

the commanders of

to

will

hostilities

its

military

forces.

During a month before the Protocol was signed the

between Spaniards and Americans were verging towards a

relations

crisis.

The

respective land forces were ever on the point of precipitating the end.

General V. V. Greene had his brigade encamped along the Cavite-

Manila road, about 2^ miles from the Spanish

fort of Malate,

The

outposts thrown forward to protect the camp.

were situated nearer

On

with

insurgent lines

between the Americans and Spaniards.

to Manila,

July 28th General Greene took possession of a

line,

from the road

already occupied by his forces, in front of the insurgents' advanced

position, to be ready to start operations for the reduction of Manila.

The American

soldiers

worked

for three

almost unmolested by the Spaniards,

works not more than 1,000 yards

or

wounded whilst

On
and

days at making trenches,

who had

in front.

a strong line of breast-

No

Americans were

killed

so working.

July 31st at 11 p.m. the Spaniards opened a furious infantry

artillery fire

upon the American

Fort Malate with

connecting

lines

and kept

up

for

two hours.

Blockhouse No. 14 with two guns, and

five guns.

trenches, concentrated fire

infantry

it

upon the American

breastworks, which caused consideraljle annoyance to the Americans.

The

night was pitch dark,

and

water everywhere
10th

in reserve.

in

rained in torrents, there

grouud

was

too

flat

to

was mud and

drain.

The

Pennsylvania Regiment and four guns of the Utah batteries

occupied the American

lip

the

it

The

last

line,

with two batteries of the 3rd Foot Artillery

was brought up under a heavy

fire,

and taking

a position on the right, silenced the Spaniards, Avho were pouring

a flanking

fire.

and reinforcements
iu the rain.

The

The whole camp was under arms, and ammunition

were sent. The regiments were standing expectantly

1st California

was ordered forward, the bugle sounded

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

gl^i

and the men were delighted r.t

the advance, the whole camp cheered,
Over a flat ground the American
the idea of meeting the enemy.
Spanish fire of shell and
troops advanced under a heavy
attack.
were steady and checked the Spaniards'

Mauser

rifles,

but they

firing was exchanged,

General Greene went forward to the trenches,
back from the front in carromatas.
and the wounded were being brought

thickets and

by bamboo
The Spaniards and Americans were separated
night 10 kiUed and 30 wounded.
swamps. The Americans lost that
of the Americans kiUed
The Spanish loss was much heavier. Most
bullet has great penetratmg
were shot in the head. The Mauser
makes a small wound
kill well, in fact it often
power, but does not

which does not

As

bleed.

four
already pointed out at page 517, the
through Sancho Valenzuela at his execution

Mauser bullets passed right

and left him still alive. Captain Hobbs,

of the 3rd Artillery,

was shot

next morning saw the nature

through the thigh at night and only the
of the

wound.

made three more mglit

During the following week the Spaniards
wounded Americans amounted to 10 men.
attacks. The total killed and

The American

soldiers

were not allowed to return the

fire,

unless the

the breastworks. There was

Spaniards were evidently about to rush
Spaniards, however, got tired of
some grumbling in the camp. The

were wounded, and at

apparently to no purpose, for no Americans
Meanwhile, in the day time
silence.
the end of the third night there was
their line without being molested.
the Americans went on strengthening
General Merritt sent a jomt
On August 7th Admiral Dewey and
Manila, giving him 48 hours to remove
note to the'^Captain-General of
that, the city might be
and children, as, at any time after

firing,

women

bombarded.

The Captain-General

replied thanking the

Admiral and

but pointed out that he had no

General for their kind consideration,
and children inland would be to place
ships and to send the women
On the expiration of the 48 hours'
of the rebels.

them

at the

notice,

i.e.,

mercv

at

noon on the 9th of August, another

joint note

was

pointing out the hopelessness of his

addressed to General Augusti,
the surrender of the city, so that
holding out and formally demanding
might be spared. The Captainand property of defenceless persons
life

American commanders to apply to

General replied requesting the
the correspondence ceased.
Madrid, but, this proposal being rejected,
Generals
11th a Council of War was held between

On August

Merritt, Anderson,

Mc Arthur

and Greene, and the plan of combined

SAVED BY THE INSURGENTS. 615

AMERICAN REVERSE.
attack

arranged between General Merritt and Admiral

Dewey

Avas

For some hours a storm prevented the landing of more

troops with supplies, but these were later on landed at

explained.

American

Paraiiaque when the weather

up, and were huniedly

cleared

sent

on to the camp, Avhcre preparations were being made for the assault on
the city.

Whilst the Protocol was being signed

in

Washington tbo American

troops were entrenched about 350 yards from the Spaniards,

prepared to

make

the fort of Malate.

their last stand at

who were
From the

morning of that day there were signs of an impending attack by the

Spaniards,

American

and,
lines,

view of

in

the rebels marched towards the

this,

but were requested to withdraw.

under cover of darkness, the Spaniards,

the Americans,

who

Night came

in superior

numbers, charged

and drove the Spaniards

resisted courageously,

The Americans then occupied

back to their second trenches.

Spanish trench and continued

the

on, and,

the

first

but the Spaniards made

fight,

such a furious bayonet charge that the Americans were forced to

retreat to their

own

abandon, leaving four

subsequently, they also had to

trench, which,
field pieces in it.

The

and the Spaniards being no longer

in

forced to precipitately, retreat to their

own

insurgents then advance<^I,

overwhelming numbers, were

positions,

and the American

cannons were recovered by the insurgents.

Why the

Spaniards were

still

holding the city of Manila at this date

is

perhaps best understood by the Americans.

it

"would

To

the casual observer

have appeared expedient to have made the possession of

Manila ^fait accom-pli before the Protocol of Peace was signed.

Americans had a large and powerful

fleet in

Manila Bay

they were

possession of Cavite, the arsenal and forts, and they had a large

under Major-General Merritt and his

staff.

The
in

army

General AugustI was, for

weeks previous, personally disposed to surrender, and only refused to

do so as a matter of form, hence the same means as were finally
employed could apparently have brought about the same result at
an

earlier date.'

The

only hope the Spaniards could entertain was a

Captain T. Bentley Mott, A.D.C. to General Merritt, writiDg in Scribner'.f

'
Neither the fleet nor the army was, at
" this time, ready for a general engagement. The army did not IrnTo, all told,
" enough ammunition for more than one day of hard fighting, and only a part of
" this was in the camp." Admiral Dewey had then heen in possession of Manila
'

Magazine (December, 1898) says

bay and port three months and 12 days.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

616

possible benefit to be derived from international complication.

From

the tone of several of the Captain-General's despatches, published iu

Madrid papers, one may deduce that capitulation to a recognized

Power would have relieved him of the tremendous anxiety as to what

the

would

befall the city

if

Dewey and

the bombardment, Admiral

humane and

It

the rebels did enter.

is

known

that, before

had given the

his colleagues

considerate assurance that the city should not be left to

the mercy of the natives.

The next

day, Saturday, the 13th of August, the Americans again

demanded the surrender

of the city within an hour,

refused, according to Spanish custom, operations

The

ships present at the attack were the

Raleigk,

McCulloch, Petrel,

and on

commenced

Olympia

at 9.45 a.m.

(flag-ship),

Baltimore,

Charleston,

this being

Monterey

Boston,

and

gunboat Rdpido, and the captured (Spanish)

gunboat Callao, and the armed steam launch Barcelo. The Concord
watched the fort of Santiago at the Pasig River entrance. The
American commanders confined the bombardment to the forts and
Concord, with the

little

trenches situated to the south of the city.

The whole

of the walled

and the trading quarter of Biuondo were undamaged. The fighting

line was led by the Olympia, which sent 4-inch shells in the direction
A heavy shower of
of the fort at Malate (San Antonio de Abad).

city

rain

made

it

difficult to

get the range, and every shell

fell short.

The

Petrel then took up a position and fired towards the fort, followed by
the Raleigh. The Rdpido and the Callao, being of light drauglit,

were able to

lie

close in shore

and pour

in a

raking

fire

from their

The distance between the

small calibre guns with considerable effect.
as soon as this was
ships and the fort was about 3,500 yards, and,
correctly ascertained, the projectiles

battery and earthworks.

had a

The Olympia

telling effect

on the enemy's

hurled about 70 5-inch shells

and the Petrel and the Raleigh about the same

number each. There was rather a heavy wash in the bay for the little
capering about,
Callao >and the Barcelo, but they were all the time

and 16 8-inch

shells,

The
a chance.
pouring a hail of small shell whenever they got
without
Spaniards at Malate returned the fire and struck the Callao
Zajiro lay between the fighting
doing any damage. The transport
and the shore, having on board General Mei-ritt, his staff, and a
line

coloured regiment.

The

transport

Kwonghoi was

with a landing party of troops on board.

also in readiness

la another steamer were the

CAPTURE OF MANILA.

New

correspondents of the Loudon Times and

York Herald, and the

Century Magazine and the Herald.

special artists of the

mounted

617

The

shore

The shelling of
Malate fort from the ships lasted until about 11 a.m., when the general
signal was given to cease firing.
The field batteries carried away a
deal of the Malate fort stonework.
One shell, from Malate, reached
the American camp.
The firing from the ships had caused the
artillery did not take part in the operations.

Spaniards to

fall

General Greene then ordered the 1st Colorado

back.

Two

regiment to advance.

swamp and

companies deployed over a

went along the beach under cover of the Utah

companies advanced in column towards the

Two

battery.

Spanish entrenchments

with colours flying and bands of music playing lively tunes.

and second companies

fired volleys

They

Malate, in front of the fort

by rushes, they got

then,

crossed the

to the fort
it

which

deserted.

Spaniards had retreated to a breastwork at the rear of the

and kept up a desultory

and wounding
1st Colorado

several.

fire

at the Colorado

troops, killing one

down

man

who climbed up

the

the Spanish flag, and hauled up the Stars and

Stripes amidst cheers from the

Four companies

fort,

Fort Malate was then in possession of the

under Lieutenant-Colonel McCoy,

flag-pole, took

first

creek, near

little

they entered, and the other troops swarmed in only to find

The

The

towards the Spaniards to cover the

advance of the other column?.

;

other

army and

fleet.

advanced across the

of the 1st Colorado

entered the Spanish trenches, crossed the bridge and

fields,

moved up the

The Spaniards still kept up an ineffective fire from a long range.

The 3rd Battalion Colorado came up with a band of music, and then

road.

the whole

regiment deployed

continual musketry

fire

in

skirmishing order and kept up a

until they halted

on the Luneta.

The band

took up a position in an old Spanish trench and played as the troops

filed

The Spaniards were gradually falling back on

who were located near the Spanish lines continued

past up the beach.

the city, and the rebels

the attack, but the Americans gave them the order to stop

they would not heed.

towards the rebels,

who

The Americans thereupon

firing,

which

pointed their guns

did the same, but neither cared to

fire

the

first

shot, so the rebels, taking another road, drove the Spaniards, in confusion,

as far as Hermita,

when Emilio Aguinaldo

let his forces

The

rebel

commander had

enter^Manila.

The American

as they were just outside the city walls.

received strict orders not to

ordered them to cease firing

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

618
troops then followed

up the charge, and the Spaniards made,

at

first,

stubborn resistance, apparently for appearance sake, for the fight lasted
barely an hour when the Spaniards in the city hoisted the white flag ou

Orders were then given to cease

a bastion of the old walls.

by

1 o'clock the

firing,

terms of capitulation were being negotiated.

and

General

Greene then sent an order to the troops for the rear regiments to muster
on the Luneta, and there half the American army waited in silent
The Spanish entrenchments extended out from the city
expectation.

The

walls in different directions as far as three miles.

defenders were

about 2,500 in number, composed of Spanish regular troops, volunteers

and native auxiliaries, about the same number of troops being in the
hospitals inside the city.

The

attacking force amounted to about

15 000 rebels and 10,000 Americans ashore and afloat. The attacking
o-uns threw heavier shot and had a longer range than the Spanish.

The Americans were

also better

marksmen than the Spaniards.

They
The

were, moreover, better fed and in a superior condition generally.

Americans were buoyed up with the moral certainty of gaining an easy

whereas the wearied Spaniards had long ago despaired of

reinforcements coming to their aid, hence their defence in this hopeless

victory,

struggle

For some time

fio-htino-

for the " honour of the country."

was merely nominal

after the

white flag was hoisted there was street

between the rebels and the

was heard

all

round the outskirts.

loyals.

The

The

rebels

rattling of

musketry

had taken three to four

hundred Spanish prisoners and seized a large quantity of stores.

Before hostilities ceased. General Basilio Augusti jumped on board a

German steam launch which was waiting for him and conveyed him to
the German cruiser Kaiserin Augusta, which immediately steamed out
of the

bay northwards.

Captain-General.

General Fermin Jaudenes remained as Acting-

Flag-Lieutenant

Brumby

then went on shore in the

Belgian Consul's launch, together Avith Inspector-General Whittier, of

General Merritt's staff, and at an interview with General Jtiudenes the
draft terms of Capitulation Avere agreed upon.

Lieutenant

Brumby

returned to General Merritt, and the two went back on shore. In the
meantime General Jaudenes had taken refuge in the sacristy of a

church which was

filled

with

women and

children,

presumably with the

wise object of keeping clear of the unrestrained mobs fighting in the

suburbs. For some time the Spanish officers refused to reveal his

whereabouts to General Merritt, but eventually they met, and the

CAPITULATION OF JIANILA.
terras of the Capitulation

619

were signed between General Nicolas de

la

Pena y Cuellas and Colonels Jose Maria Olaguer Tellin and Carlos
Eey y Rich, as Commissioners for Spain, and Generals Greeno and
Whittier, Colonel Crowder and Captain Lamberton, as Commissioners

The most important

for the United States.

the Capitulation are as follows, viz.

The

(1)

in

surrender of the Philippine Archipelago.

(2) Officers to
effects,

conditions embodied

be allowed

to retain their

swords and personal

but not their horses.

(3") Officers to

The

(4)

be prisoners of war on parole.

troops to be prisoners of

war and deposit

arms

their

by General Merritt.

at a place to be appointed

(5) All necessary supplies for their

maintenance

to

be provided

from the public Treasury funds, and after they are exhausted by
the United States.
(6) All public property to

disposal of the troops to be negotiated, later

The

(7)

be surrendered.

on

1)y

the United States and Spanish Governments.

Arms

(8)

to be

returned to the troops at General Merritt's

discretion.

The
diately

Capitulation having been

went

to

Spanish

officers

flag,

which had been

When

flagstaff"

the orange and red banner

the Stars and Stripes,

flying there all day.

and a general crowd from the streets stood

around, and as he drew near to the

onlookers.

Brumby imme-

Fort Santiago with two signalmen from the Objmpia

and lowered the Spanish

Many

signed. Lieutenant

many

in the

he was hissed by the

was actually replaced by

crowd shed

tears.

The symbol

of

Spanish sovereignty had disappeared for ever. The attitude of the

mob was not reassuring, so Lieutenant Brumby asked an infantry
officer

who was

company

present to bring his detachment

of infantry

happened

to be

as

a guard.

coming along, and presented arms

whilst the band, playing "

The

melodramatic ceremony.

Whilst this was going on the Spaniards

Star-spangled Banner," enlivened this

hoisted the Spanish flag in the gunboat Cebu, and brought

the mouth of the River Pasig, where they set

fire

to

it.

it

down

to

party of

American marines boarded her, hauled down the Spanish flag, and
The Spaniards
to save the hull, but it was too far consumed.

tried

also

destroyed barges and other Government property lying in the river.

620

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

'

by Generals Anderson and

McArthur and published in America, the total casualties on the
On the 13th of August,
American side are stated to be as follows, viz,
In

the

handed

reports

official

in

and 43 wounded. Previous to this in the trenches there

were 14 killed and 60 wounded, making a total of 122.
The approximate number of European Spanish troops in the

five killed

Archipelago during the year 1898 would stand thus

Total of troops under General Primo de Rivera in

.
January, 1898, say

25,000

Shipped back to Spain by General Primo de Rivera

_

in the spring

At

the date

in the

Wounded and
Approximate

wounded

in general

combat

diseased in Manila hospitals

total

8,000

Luzon Provinces (subsequently

surrendered to, or killed by, the rebels)

Killed or mortally

<,000

of the Capitulation of 3Ianila.

Prisoners in hands of the rebels

Detachments

in

and

Visayas

1,000

1,000

2,600

Mindanao
_

3,000

total of able-bodied troops in Manila,

prisoners of war (to America), up to the 10th of
December, 1898 -

2,400

(General Rios' jurisdiction)

Approximate

25,000

General Greene marched his troops down the Calzada and entered
Plaza Calderou
the walled city, whore he amassed his forces in the

de

la

Barca.

o-ot inside

Sentinels were placed at all the city gates

the city, but were disarmed and sent out again.

some

At

rebels

7 p.m.

porches
the American troops took up their quarters in public buildings,
and even on the streets, for they Avere tired out. One might have
imao-ined

it

was a great British

festival, for the streets

were bedecked

everywhere with the British colours displayed by the Chinese Avho

And that night General Merritt,
were under British protection.
General Greene and

staff officers

Captain-General's servants in the

were served

Town

at dinner

Hall (Plaza de

by the

late

la Catedral),

temporarily a depot
the splendid marble entrance of which became
of war.
for captured arms, ammanition, and accoutrements

AMERICANS IN POSSESSION OF MANILA.

No

hostile feeling

was shown hj Spaniards

621

any

of

class.

The

inhabitants of the city looked remarkably well after the 105 days' siege.

Trade was absolutely

at a standstill,

and American troops were drafted

out of the walled city to occupy the commercial quarter of Binondo on

The government

the opposite side of the river.

was at
appointments being made

once taken over by Major-General Merritt,

by him

departments as follows,

to the principal

By

of the city

viz.

General Order, dated the loth of August, Brigadier-General

T. M. Anderson became Commandant of the Cavite

district,

the garrison

of which would be increased on the arrival of the transports on the

way.

Brigadier-General Arthur

mandant

of the walled city of

McArthur became Military Com-

Manila and Provost-Marshal of the city

of Manila, including all the suburbs, his barracks

The Commandant was

to be within the walled city.

offices,

staff,

and functions of

the

late

Ovenshine became Deputy Provost-Marshal

Binondo and

By

Civil

to take over the

Governor.

Colonel

of the walled city south of

Colonel James S. Smith became Deputy Provost-Marshal

the river.
of

and staff-quarters

all districts

situated south of the river.

General Order, dated the 16th of August, Brigadier-General

F. V.

Greene

became

Treasurer-General

Lieutenant-Colonel

of

Volunteers C. A. Whittier became Commissioner of Customs.

By

General Order, dated the loth of August,

within 10 days, a complete

was provided that

should be sent to Washington of

all

establishments and properties of every description, including

public

horses

list

it

that all private property, including horses, would be respected,

and that lodging

Military

for the prisoners of

Commandant

of the city in the public buildings

not required for the American troops.

Chief of Police with the

appointed

Minnesota Infantry for

On the

war would be provided by the

Colonel C.
IStli

and barracks

M. C. Reeve was

Regiment

of

Volunteer

this service.

16th of August a notice was put up outside the General

Post Office

to the effect

that, as all

the Spanish staff had refused to

Avork for the Americans, the local and provincial correspondence could

not be attended

to.

This was, however, soon remedied.

In an order issued on the 22nd of August

natives and

all

it

was enacted that

all

Spanish soldiers were to be disarmed before they were

admitted into the walled

city.

The

insurgent troops were included

in

the above category, but their arms were restored to them on their

PIIILirPINE ISLANDS.

622

An

leaving the city.

officers, from,

insurgent

exception was

made

in favour of the native

the grade of lieutenant upwards,

who were

per-

mitted to enter and leave Manila with their swords and revolvers.

25th of August a provisional agreement was entered int

"between the American authorities and Emilio Aguinaldo, to remain in
force pending the result of the Paris Peace Commission, whereby their

On the

respective spheres were defined.

The Americans

retained jurisdiction

over Manila City, Binondo, the right bank of the River Pasig up to the

Calzada de
remaining
l)eino'

and thence to Malacauan, which was included.

Iris

districts

were necessarily

hands of the

in the

no recognised independent government

The

rebels, there

in the islands, other

than

the American military occupation of the capital and environs.

The

Mr. E. A. Rawson Walker, who had rendered

British Consul,

such excellent service to both the contending parties, died of dysentery

in the

month

of August,

and was buried

at

Paco cemetery.

Philippine refugees returned to the Islands in large numbers, but the

American
Chinese

authorities notified the Consul in

who

Hongkong

that only those

could prove to his satisfaction previous

Manila would be allowed to return there.

Trading operations were resumed immediately

residence in

after the capitulation,

and the first shipment of cigars made since that date consisted of
140 000 cigars shipped to Singapore in the first week of September and
Business in Manila, little by
consio-ned to the Tahaqueria Universal.
little,

resumed

its

The

usual aspect.

to be published, and

some

of

old Spanish newspapers continued

them, especially El

Coinercio,

were

enterprising enough to print alternate columns of English and Spanish,

and,

occasionally,

Eno-lish.

Two

few advertisements

rebel organs,

Filipina, soon appeared.

La

in

very amusing broken

Independencia and

They were

La

shortly followed by a

Repiihlica

number

of

El Soldado EspaTiol, La
Restauracion (a Carlist organ). The Kon Leche, El Cometa and El
Motin (satirical papers) and two papers, in English, viz., The American

periodicals of minor importance, such as

and The Manila Times. Liberty of the press was such a novelty in
Manila that La Voz Espanola over-stepped the bounds of prudence
and started a press campaign against the Americans. Delgado, the
length
editor, after repeated warnings from the Provost-Marshal, was at
The paper was suppressed for abusing the Americans from
arrested.
the President downwards, and publishing matter calculated to incite

iMALOLOS BECOMES THE REBEL CAPITAL.

the Spanish inhabitants to

riot.

On Novemher

6th the

G2?)

Philippine

first

Club was opened.

For some weeks before the capitulation there had been a certain
amount of friction between the American soldiery and the rebels, who
resented being held in check

by the American

Emilio

authorities.

Aguinaldo had his headquarters at Bacoor, ou the Cavite coast,

situated between

two

divisions of the

American army, one

Cavite

at

and the other at Manila, and within easy shelling distance from the

American

For obvious reasons ho decided

fleet.

to

remove his centre

was becoming doubtful how long the two parties

would preserve peace. The rebels had been sorely disappointed that

of operations, for

it

they were not allowed to enter Manila with the Americans, or even
l)efore, for

since the

first

few months of the rebellion they had

to themselves the delights

therefore,

removed

his

of a free raid

on the

city.

As he

Aguinaldo,

headquarters to about three miles north of

Manila, but General Otis intimated to him to go farther

capital.

pictured,

away from

tho

him an ultimatum

hesitated to do so, the General sent

ou the 13th of September ordering him to evacuate that place by the

afternoon of the

moved ou with

15th, so, during the night of the 14th, Aguinaldo

his troops to Malolos.

From

this town, situated

about

20 miles from Manila, he could better unite and control the rebel factions
here and there over the northern provinces

make use

he could, moreover, either

of the line of railway, or cut off the connection with Manila,

or he could divert supplies from the rich rice districts and Paugasinan
ports, whilst the almost

impregnable mountains were of easy access in

case of need.

Aguinaldo declared Malolos to be the provisional capital of his

Kevolutlouary Government, and convened a Congress to meet there on
the 15th of September in the church of Barasoain.*

About a hundred

deputies responded to the summons, and in conformity with Aguiualdo's

proclamation of the 23rd of June, they proceeded to elect a President

of Congress, Vice-president, Secretaries, etc.
in,

The

votes were handed

and Congress adjourned for the result until the 17th of September.

This result was one of the most remarkable events of the revolution.

Pedro

'

Paterno was elected President of Congress

Ifc

is

The

aristocrat

another parish, but it is only separated from Malolos by a bridged

only five minutes' walk from Malolos church to Barasoain church.

Barasoain

river.

is

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.

624

the
claimed to be the Great Maguinong, alias Priace of L;jzoii
aspiraut to a Spauish dukedom and consequent grandeeship, was to

who

preside over a legislative body based on republican principles of equality

The

who

Filipino

published,

as

"result

study and political

of

" experience," " the programme of the party who want home rule for the
as late as the
" Philippines, ever Spanish !" and cried Viva Espana
31st of May, (vide pages 590 et scq.) was, within less than four months,
!

elected to guide the destinies of this budding democracy

Benito Legarda and

Ocampo were chosen

reversed,

These

for representation expenses.

i.e.,

to be Vice-president

and Sec-

Congress voted for Aguinaldo a salary of $50,009,

retary respectively.

and $25,000

Deputies

figures

were afterwards

$25,000 salary, and $50,000 for expenses, but Aguinaldo,

never showed any desire for personal gain, was quite willing to
decree in Congress, dated the 21st of September,
set aside the vote.
imposed compulsory military service on every able-bodied Philippine

who

male over 18 years of age, excepting those who hold office under the
Revolutionary Government. At an early session of Congress Deputy
Tomas del Rosario made a long speech advocating Church
Disestablishment.^

The night

Congress met to

before

President, e tc, an

announce

the

election

of

attempt was made to poison Emilio Aguinaldo.

Dinner was about to be served to him the soup was in the tureen,
when one of the three Spanish prisoners, who were allowed to be
;

about the kitchen, tasted the soup in a manner to arouse suspicion.

steward at once took a spoonful of it and fell dead on the spot.

The
The

conthree prisoners in question, as avcU as 11 Franciscan Friars, were

sequently placed in close confinement. At the next sitting of Congress

the incident was mentioned and

it

was resolved

Deum was

sung

The Americans

in

go en masse to

5 p.m. the same day

At

congratulate Aguinaldo on his lucky escape.

a Te

to

Malolos church anent this occurrence.

vrere

the nominal possessors of the Philippine

ultimate
Islands, under the terms of the capitulation, pending their
disposition.

The terms

were referred to a Spanish-American

The American
Paris on the 1st of October.

of peace

Commission, which met in

Commission was composed of five members,

The Secretary
Mr. ex-Secretary Day.

For want

of space I

am

obliged to omit the

of

whom

to

the

summary

Kevolutionary CongresB of 1898, printed reports of

which

the President

was

Commission

was

of all the debates in the

I

have before me.

THE PARIS PEACE COMMISSION.

Mr.

John

Bassett Moore,

Assistant

late

Secretary

625
of

au

State,

The Spanish Commission^

eminent professor of international law.

under the leadership of Senor Montero Rios (President of the Senate),

The

represented Spain.

deliberations Avere carried on in a suite of

apartments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, placed at their disposal

Among

by M. Delcasse.
embodied

the

in

Washington

officials

General Merritt
place),

treaty,

left

and went

their request,

proceeded to

other questions to

was the future

of

be

agreed upon and

the Philippines.

For

these Islands really constituted a terra incognita.

Manila

(after appointing

to Paris to be

General Otis to take his

examined before the Commission.

At

conveyed to me through the American Embassy, I also

Paris in October, and expressed my views before the

Commissioners,

who examined me on

of the Philippines

was

really the knotty point in the

The Spanish Commissioners maintained

that the

determine the question of sovereignty, but

They argued

The

the whole question.

left it

that the Capitulation of the

future

whole debate.

Protocol did not

open for discussion.

13th of August did not

signify a surrender of the Islands on the part of Spain, because an

armistice

had been already concluded

possible points

sovereignty in

prior to that date.

From

all

view they energetically upheld Spain's rights of

the Islands.
The Americans claimed possession of the
of

whole group, and offered a money indemnity for improvements and

The Spaniards were

public property there.

so obdurate that, for a

while, a rupture of the Conference and resumption of hostilities were

considered probable.

American Commissioners handed an

Finally, the

ultimatiim to the Spaniards and retired without discussion.

In

this

ultimatum they claimed an absolute cession of the Islands, and offered

to

pay to Spain $20,000,000

held out,

whilst America

was prepared,

Archipelago by force, and send a

Government had not the

that, but

to

it

if

fleet to

necessary,

to

Spanish waters.

least intention of letting matters

seize

still

the

Sagasta's

go so far as

suited the Spanish Cabinet, already extremely unpopular,

make an appearance

personal

For a few days the Spaniards

gold.

motives

for

Moreover, Senor Sagasta had

of resistance.

wishing

to

protract

the

negotiations,

the

examination of which would lead one too far away from the present
subject into Spanish politics.

On
for

the 8th of December the Commissioners on both sides met again

discussion.

The demands

of

the

Americans were reluctantly

R R

626

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

yielded

The form in whicli the treaty was to be drafted was finally

The sitting of the Commission was terminated by the reading

to.

settled.

of a strongly- worded protest

by

Seiior

Montero Rios,

which the

in

Spanish Commissioners declared that they had been compelled to yield

and an abuse of international law against which they

to brute Force

The

vehemently protested.

were then instructed

to

draw up the document

Peace, which was signed

1898, in the

Grand Gallery

The expenses
of six

secretaries of the respective

at 9

of the Spanish

in their

Commission amounted
for the ratification

for

commercial relations

Avith the

boon

after the signing

tariff, ari.d

same

to

by the two Governis

given at the end of

tariff

guarantees

Philippines, the United States

But

it

subsequently transpired that this

Spain, seeing that America declared shortly

of the treaty that

that merchandise of

rate of duty

A delay

equal duties on Spanish and American goods

a period of ten years.

Avas no special

to 8,400.

Spaniards having urged for certain

vindertook to establish

Treaty of

p.m. on Saturday, December 10th,

ments of the Treaty, the (translated) text of which

The

of the

of the Ministry of Foreign -Affairs in Paris.

months was agreed upon

this chapter.

Commissions

all

there

would be no

preferential

nations could enter the Islands at the

and on equal terms with America.

The

clauses of

the treaty relating to the Philippines met with determined opposition in

the United States, where politicians were divided into three parties

advocating respectively annexation, protection, and abandonment of the

Islands to the natives.

We

must now go back to September to follow the thread of events

Avhich intervened from that period, and during the 71 days' sitting of

the Peace Commission in Paris.

An

old acquaintance of mine, Felipe

Agonciilo, was sent to Washington in September by Emilio Aguinaldo

to obtain permission

from the United States Government

the rebels' cause on the Paris

allowed to state their case.

Commission,

The United

or,

States

to represent

failing this,

to

be

Government refused

to officially recognize him, so he proceeded to Paris.

Having unsuc-

cessfully endeavoured to be heard before the Commission, he

drew up a

protest in duplicate, handing a copy to the Spanish and another to the

American Commissioners. The purport of this dociunent was that

whereas the Americans had supplied the insurgents Avith war materials
and arms to gain their independence and not to fight against Spain in
the interests of America, and whereas America now insisted on

MANILA UNDER AMERICAN RULE.

627

claiming possession of the Archipelago, he protested, in the

name

of

Emilio Aguinaldo, against what he considered a defraudment of his

just rights.
to

His mission led to nothing, so he returned to Washington

for Aguinaldo.

watch events

In this interval, too, matters

as the

Manila remained in statu quo so far

in

American occupation was concerned.

supreme command

The weary,

forlorn

General

to strengthen their position.

wrought a wonderful change

Otis's able administration

left in

General Merritt, and reinforcements

in succession to

were sent from the United States

General Otis was

look of those

who had

in the

city.

great interests at stake

gradually wore off; business was as brisk as in the old times, and the

Custom House was being worked with a promptitude hitherto unknown

There were no more sleepless nights, fearing an attack
in the islands.

The

from the dreaded rebel or the volunteer.

large majority of foreign

(including Spanish) and half-caste Manila merchants showed a higher

appreciation of American

protection

than of

absolutely independent Philippine Republic.

drunken brawls of the American

the

On

prospect

an

of

the other hand, the

soldiers in the cafes, drinking shops,

was most
unfortunate, because of the extremely bad impression it made on the
It must also
natives and Spaniards, who are remarkably abstemious.
and the open

streets constituted a novelty in the colony.

It

have been the cause of a large percentage of the sickness of the

American troops (wrongly attributed

inebriety in the Philippines

The German

trading

is

to

that

the road to death.

community observed

that,

conduct of the Commanders of the German Fleet,

partiality towards the Spaniards

natives treated them with

know

climate), for I

up

marked

due

to the strange

who showed such

to the capitulation of Manila, the

reticence.

The Germans,

therefore,

addressed a more than ample letter of apology on the subject to the

newspaper

As

La

Independencia (17th October).

insurgent steamers were again cruising in Philippine waters,

all

Vessels formerly flying the Spanish flag were hastily placed on the

American

register to secure the protection of the Stars

Consul Williams was deputed

to attend

to these

and Stripes, and

and other matters

connected with the shipping trade of the port.

It

was yet

theoretically possible that the Archipelago

might be

handed back to Spain, hence pending the deliberations of the Peace

Commission, no movement was made on the part of the Americans to

R R

G28

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

overthrow the de facto Spanish Governmeut

existing

still

in

General Fermiu Jaudenes, the vanquished

soathern islands.

mander-in-Chief of the Spanish forces,

in

the

Com-

Manila (Sub-Inspector until

was liberated on parole until the first week

October, when the American Governmeut allowed him to return
He left in the s.s. Esmeralda for Hongkong on the loth
Spain.
General Augusti

October.

of

left),

Meanwhile,

month

Spanish

the

before,

to
of

Government

appointed General Diego de los Rios, Governor-General of the Philip-

with residence

pines,

at Yloilo.

Spaniards of

all classes

personally safe in Manila under American protection. All

least

who could reach

was practically at

the capital did so, for Spanish control of the provinces

an end.

were at

Aguinaldo, therefore, directed his attention both to matters of

government

in

Luzon and

Of

to the conquest of the southern islands.

course he could not foresee (no one could) that the evacuation by the

Spaniards of all the islands would be decided by treaty.

was no easy task

to

Three weeks

own personal prestige (an indispensable

carry out his own plans of government,

in inactivity, a large half -disciplined fighting 'force.

Aguinaldo sent several

after the capitulation of Manila,

small vessels to the Island of Panay, carrying

landing and

stir

up

it

maintain his

condition in all revolutions),

and keep together,

Moreover,

rebellion in Visayas.

He

Luzon

rebels to effect a

vvas anxious to secure all

the territory he could before the conditions of peace should be settled

General Rios was, therefore, compelled to enter on a

in Paris.

new

campaign, assisted by the small gunboats which had remained south

since hostilities

commenced north

to Singapore en route for Yloilo,

Madrid and Washington as

to

in

May.

Spanish troops were sent

and then a question arose between

whether they could be allowed to proceed

to their destination under the peace protocol.

The

Tagiilog rebels

landed in the province of Antique (Panay Island), and a few natives of

the locality joined them.

They were

and severe fighting took place

in the

shortly

met by the Spanish troops,

neighbourhood of Bugason, where

the rebels were ultimately routed with great loss of

men and

impedi-

menta.

The
same

survivors fled to

coast.

their vessels

and landed elsewhere on the

In several places on the island the flag of rebellion had

been unfurled and General Rios' troops showed them no quarter.

the

end of six weeks the

rebels

had been

beaten

in

At

numerous

encounters, without the least apparent chance of gaining the objective

INSURGENTS FORCED BACK

point

the

seizure of the port

Concepcion

district

his submission

to

About

on

petition

this

refitge

in

Monte

in

wbo

the
witli

Jairaig, sent a

He

offered

General Eios acceded

willing to surrender.

the

sole

condition

depositing

of

arms.

their

time a Mindanao Chief, Datto Maudi, sent 150 fighting

this

whom

chief

Yloilo on the 9th of October.

in

men, of splendid physique,

for

rebel

(329

and craved pardon for himself and 38 other leaders with

men who were

4,000

The

(East Panay), named Perfecto Poblado,

General Eios

to

ROM NEAR MANILA.

Yloilo.

had taken a mountain

his followers

message

of

I-

help the Spaniards against the Visayos,

to

they have a traditional hatred.

About

was by no means

this time, in Manila, there

cordiale which

between the rebels and the

have existed

should

Americans, supposing them to be real

that entente

allies.

Aguinaldo was naturally

uneasy about the possible prospect of a protracted struggle with the

Spaniards,
irritated

Islands reverted to them

the

if

he was none the

less

because his repeated edicts and proclamations of independence

received no recognition from the Americans.

with the

most

air of conquerors,

trivial

inhabitants.

were ever ready to rush to arms on the

and became a growing menace

pretext,

five to eight miles

was sent

to

still

farther, to distances varying

him from Manila

to

two cannons pointed

;

peaceful

Manila, and he reluctantly complied.

off

hood were estimated

Pasig, 400

to the

Therefore, on the 25th of October, Aguinaldo was again

ordered to withdraw his troops

this order

His swaggering soldiery,

be as follows

from

When

his forces in the neighbour-

At Coloocan, 3,000 men, with

in the direction of

Biuondo

Santa Mesa, 380

Paco, Santa Ana, Pandacan, and Pasay, 400

to

500 each

south of Malate, 1,200, and at Santolnn waterworks (on which the

supply of potable water to the capital depended), 380.

In Panay Island General Eios published an edict offering considerable reforms, but the flame of rebellion

have any

effect.

The

was

too far spread for

Island of Cebii also was in revolt

measures of General Moutero effected nothing

to

it

to

the harsh

Spain's advantage,

whilst that miserable system of treating suspects as proved culprits

created rebels.

Montero's uncontrollable volunteer

(from Mindanao) simply gave

shed

more than

far, safe.

to

contingent

pillage and unnecessary blood-

half the villages defied Spanish authority, refused to

pay taxes, and forced the

.so

way

Moro

friars to

Those who were

take refuge in the capital, which was,

able, took passage

to

ports outside the

630

PHILIPriNE ISLANDS.
In Leyte

Archipelago.

were risings

there

by Tagdlog insurgents, and

instigated

minor

of

importance,

directed against

chiefly

tlie

who were everywhere obnoxious to the people. At Catbalogan

(Saraar) an armed mob attacked the Spaniards, who fled to the house

friars,

of

General Rios had not

an American.

sufficient troops to

He was

several islands covering such a large area.

Panay alone

that,

even

dominate

so hard pressed in

he had had ample means of transport, he

if

could neither divide his forces nor spend time in carrying them from

Towards the end

one island to another.

of October

he rau short of

ammunition, but, opportunely, the Spanish mail steamer Bvenos Aires

brought him a supply with which he could continue the struggle.

Fresh Tagalog expeditions were, meanwhile, sent south, and coerced

or persuaded the

Panay people

General Rios had to

finally.

November

practically the

to rise in greater force

whole

By

back on Yloilo.

fall

island, except the

than ever,

till,

the middle of

towns of Yloilo,

Molo, Jaro and La Paz, was under rebel dominion.

The

small detachments and garrisons in Negros Island had been

uuable to resist the tide of revolt

the west coast of that island was

overrun by the rebels under the leadership of Juan Araneta (a

respected

planter of Bago, personally

Spanish Governor,

Don

Isidro Castro,

known

much

to

me), and the local

was forced

to capitulate, in diie

written form, at Bacolod, on the 6th of November, with his troops and
all
it

By

the Spanish civil and military employes.

was evident

that, although vSpanish

definitely broken,

rebels

there

wanting

up a government

to set

December

empire in Visayas had been

was absolute discord among the (southern)

They broke up

themselves.

the 1st of

into

of its

rival

factions,

each

one

The American Peace

own.

Commissioners had made their formal demand for the cession of

the Islands, and

it

was

Rios would, sooner or

useless, therefore, to

clear to the

later,

have

coutiuue

treasure in those regions.

lu the

Mindanao Island with

return to the Peninsula.

that he would

11th

of

make

It

was

shed European blood and waste

first

Government ordered General Rios

to

Spanish Government that General

to evacuate under the treaty.

to

ail

week

to

his troops,

of

December the Madrid

suspend

hostilities

and

retire

pending arrangements for their

General Rios replied to

the necessary preparations.

December, the rebels approached the

this order, saying

Meanwhile, on the
fortifications

around

Yloilo town, and the Spaniards kept up an almost continual f usilade.

GENERAL EIOS EVACLTATES VISAYAS.

C.31

In the moruing of the 14th of December, before daybreak, the rebels,

armed with bohie-knives, attacked the Spanish entrenchments

force and drove the Spaniards back from their

The Spaniards

redoubt.

rallied,

first

who retired in great disorder,

The Spaniards, who were well

the rebels,

and wounded.

stockades, had 6

dead and

measures for evacuation.

wounded.

17

On the

to their

fire

which mowed

leaving about 500 dead

protected behind their

General Rios then took

23rd of December he formally handed

over Yloilo to the mayor of the town in the presence of his

naval commanders, and the foreign consuls, and requested the

Vice-Consul to look after Spanish

"war material

were embarked

The Spanish

interests.

in perfect order,

staff,

the

German

troops and

without any unfortunate

Before leaving Yloilo, after

incident occurring.

second

turned their four field-pieces on the

enemy, and opened a raking cannon and musketry

down

in great

many

respecting the conditions, an exchange of prisoners

tedious delays

was

effected

with

the rebels who, at the outset, were inclined to be unduly exacting.

The

rebels at once took possession

was already

force

in the roadstead.

expedition, imder the

command

of

of Yloilo, but a controlling

On

the 18th of

General Miller,

left

December an

Manila for that

Kewport, Arizona, and Pennsyl-

port.

It consisted of the transports

vajiia,

convoyed by the warship Baltimore and the gunboat CaUao.

On

board was a battalion of Iowa Volunteers, with the Gth Artillery

and a signal corps detachment.

The

Caroline Islands were provisioned for three months and the

troops in

Cebu Island and Yligan (Mindanao

Island) had been already

ordered to concentrate and prepare for embarkation on the same day.

On

the 24th of

December the steamers Buenos Aires, Isla de Luzon,

Cachemir and Leon XIII. transported General Rios and

from Yloilo, Cebu and Yligan

where the bulk

of

to

them remained

left

Zamboanga

in the s.s.

the troops

Zamboauga (Mindanao

until they could

Leon XIII.

Island),

be brought back to

In a few days General

Spain on the terms of the Treaty of Peace.

Rios

all

for Manila,

and remained

there to endeavour to negotiate the liberation of the Spanish prisoners

They were kept under guard far away north

No
in the mountain districts in groups miles away from each other.
one outside the rebel camp could ascertain the exact number of these,

detained by Aguinaldo.

which was kept secret.

in all, of

They were supposed

which 1,500 would be

to

civil servants

amount

to about 11,000

with their wives and

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

032

families, 9,400 soldiers

and

officers,

and about 100

friars.

Cut

off

communication with the world, one has yet to learn what were
The rebels insisted that they were well cared for,
their privations.
was
but no independent and disinterested information on the subject

from

all

According

obtainable.

to the rebel

newspaper

La

Independencia, in

several towns the prisoners were invited to dances and feasts.

But, on the other hand, Spain failed to fulfil the stipulations of

clause 6 of the Treaty of Paris {vide page 634), and at this date
(end of 1898) there were many Filipinos not only not returned to the

but forcibly detained

Philippines,
prisoners.

in

Spanish territory as

political

There existed no proviso that they should only be liberated

on condition of Aguinaldo giving the Spanish prisoners their liberty.

Moreover, even if Aguinaldo had liberated the Spanish prisoners,
Spain was not ^wmec^ia^e/^ ready with ships of her
vessels in the Far East to transport 11,000 persons.

own or chartered
To have set free

might
11,000 prisoners, unless they could have been immediately shipped,
have led to consequences which no general, revolutionary or otherwise,

would run the

made

risk

provision for

of.

It is

feeding

even questionable whether Spain had

these people in the interval between

freedom and embarkation.

other above-mentioned steamers carried the Spanish sick and
wounded troops and the civil servants to the Peninsula, direct from

The

Zamboanga, via the

Straits of Balabac.

In Luzon, the Congress at Malolos had now (26th of December)

The deputies could not agree upon

into two
the terms of a Constitution. They were already divided
The latter were headed
parties, the Pacificos and the Irreconcilables.
by a certain Mabini, a man hitherto unknown and a notorious opponent
adjourned in great confusion.

of Aguinaldo.

Malolos on a

The Cabinet

visit to

resigned, and Aguinaldo prudently left

Pedro Paterno, at Santa Ana, on the Pasig River.

the end of the year 1898, after 327 years of sovereignty, all that
remained to Spain of her once splendid Far Eastern colonial possessions

At

were the Caroline, the Pelew, and the Ladrone Islands, minus the
Island of Guam. Under the Treaty of Peace, signed in Paris, the
United States became nominal owners of the evacuated territories, but
they were only in real possession by force of arms of Cavite and
Manila.

The

rest of the

Archipelago, excepting Mindanao and the

Sulu Sultanate, was virtually and forcibly held by the natives

in

arms.

THE PEACE TREATY OF PARIS.

At

G33

the close of 1898 the Americans and the rebels had become rival

parties,

and the differences between them foreboded either frightful

bloodshed or the humiliation of the one or the other.

TREATY OF PEACE
concluded between the United States of America and Spain, signed in
Paris on the 10th of December, 1898, and ratified in Washington ou

The

the 10th of February, 1899.

original

documents are drawn up

in

Spanish and in English.

Translation of Spanish Text.
Article

1.

over Cuba.
said island

Spain renounces

sovereign rights and dominion

all

Considering that

when Spain

will be occupied

by the United

it

shall

evacuate the

States, the

United

States undertake, so long as they shall remain in occupation, to

fulfil

those

which

duties

law

international

imposes

the

for

protection of lives and property.

Article

Porto
Indies,

2.

Spain

Rico,

all

cedes to the United States the Island of

under her sovereignty

others

and the Island of

Guam

in

in

the

West

Marianas or Ladroue

the

Archipelago.
3.

Article

known by

Spain cedes
name

the

to the

United States the Archipelao-o

of the Philippine Islands,

which comprises

all

those islands situated between the lines beginning and endino- as

follows, viz.

of

N.

line

drawn from W.

latitude, crossing the centre of

to

E. near the 22nd parallel

the navigable Channel of

Bashee, from the 118th to the 127th degree of longitude E. of

Greenwich another from the 127th degree of longitude W. of
;

Greenwich

to the parallel 4 45'

the parallel of 4 25' up to

N.

its intersection

longitude 119 35' E. of Greenwich.

another parallel of latitude 7

section with the

another line

N.

is

latitude

40',

From

another follows

in

with the meridian of

this last point starts

and follows up

to the inter-

116th degree of longitude E. of Greenwich;

drawn up

to the intersection of the 10th parallel of

with the 118th degree of longitude E. of Greenwich

the zone comprised in this cession is closed by the line which runs
latitude,

froni the said

this clause.

118th degree up to the

first

line of those

named

in

634

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The United

States will

pay

to

Spain the sum of $20,000,000

within three months after the ratified Treaty

Article

exchange

4.

For

exchanged.

10 years, counting from the

the period of

of ratifications of this

is

Treaty, the United States will

admit Spanish ships and merchandise into the Philippine ports

with the same conditions as the ships and merchandise of the

United States.
5.

Article

United States

As soon as the present Treaty

will begin to

shall

be signed the

transport to Spain, at their expense,

the Spanish soldiers which have fallen prisoners of war to the

American

forces

have

arms returned to them.

their

As

on the taking of Manila

soon as the ratifications of this

these soldiers shall

treaty shall

have been

exchanged, Spain shall proceed to evacuate the Philippine Islands

as well as that of

Guam

on the same conditions agreed to by

the Commissioners for the evacuation of Porto Eico and the other
Antilles,

and

in

with the Protocol of the

conformity

August, which remains

in force until its

12th of

stipulations shall

have

been complied with.

The

respective Governments shall fix the period within which

the evacuation of the Philippine Islands and that of

Guam

shall

be effected.

The

and standards, the ships of war not captured

flags

battle, the small arms,

and

cannons of

all

sizes,

in

with their carriages

gunpowder, ammunition, provisions, material, and

fittings,

kinds in possession of the Spanish sea and land

effects of all

forces in the Philippines and

The cannons

Guam

fortifications in the interior or

remain in their present positions

ratification of

remain Spanish property.

which are not

of large calibre

mounted on the

will

field-pieces,

on the coasts, shall

during six months after the

the treaty, and shall be purchased

period by the United States

if

and are

during that

the contracting Governments can

arrive at a satisfactory and voluntary agreement thereon.

Article

6.

As

Spain shall liberate

and detained

soon as the present treaty shall be signed,

all

prisoners of

war and

all

persons arrested

for political reasons connected with the

Philippine insurrections and

the

Cuban and

war with the United

States.

THE PEACE TREATY OF

PARIS.

Keciprocally the United States shall liberate

635
prisoners of

all

war

taken by the American forces, and shall negotiate the liberty of

all

the Spanish prisoners which

of

Cuba and

shall

the Philippine,-.

transport, at

Government
States,

its

own

may be held by the insurgents

The United States Government

expense, to Spain, and the

shall transport, at

its

own

expense, to the United

Cuba, Porto Rico, and Philippines, as the case

those prisoners and arrested persons

whom

undertaken to liberate in virtue of this

Article

7.

all

may

be, all

they have respectively

article.

Spain and the United States

renounce, by the present treaty,

Spanish

America mutually

of

national or individual clain>i

any kind which might be brought against the

or which might be brought by their subjects or citizens

for compensation of
other,

against the other

Government on account

have taken place from the beginning of the

up

to the

moment

anything which

of

last

Cuban

may

insurrection

of the ratification of the present treaty.

They

also renounce all right to indemnity for expenses incurred during

the war.

The United

American

citizens against Spain.

Article 8*.

abandons

in

In

States shall judge and decide the claims of

fulfilment

Cuba and cedes

in

of

the

first

Porto Rico,

three

articles

Spain

all

the other

West

in

Guam, and

Indian Islands,

in

Archipelago,

the buildings, fortresses, barracks, establishments,

all

the Island of

public roads, and, in short,

all

the

Philippine

those things which, by custom or

right, constitute public property

of the Spanish crown.

in

and appertain

to the sovereignty

Although quite unnecessary

to

do

so, it is

hereby declared that the abandonment and cession stipulated shall

in no way affect the property and rights accorded by custom' or

law to the peaceful holders

cities,

public

or

of goods of

any

private establishments,

sort in the provinces

civil

or ecclesiastical

corporations, or any other collectivity which has any legal right

to acquire

goods or rights

and the same applies

in the

to the rights

ceded or abandoned

territories,

and properties of individuals of

every nationality Avhatsoever.

The abandonment

or cession referred to comprises the delivery

documents relating exclusively

to

the said renounced or

ceded sovereignties, and which documents

may have been deposited

When

the documents existing

of all

in the archives in the Peninsula.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

63

sovereignty,

it

Peu insula

of the

in the archives

part to the

refer only in

saiiT

Spain to remit a copy of the matter

will suffice for

affecting the said sovereignty.

Spain

Reciprocally,

documents existing

has

same right

the

with respect

to

in the archives of the said Islands.

In the said abandonment and cession are comprised the rights

of the Spanish crown and its authority over the archives and
official register, administrative as well as judicial, which relate to
rio-hts

and properties

The

archives

of the inhabitants of the said Islands.

in

registers

interested parties, without

be carefully kept, and the

shall

any exception,

legal

shall obtain, in

form, authorised copies of the contracts, wills and whatever other

documents form part of the notarial archives, or which may be

found

in the judicial

official

documents be

and administrative archives, Avhether these

in

Spain or whether they be in the said

Islands.
9".

Article
resident

in

Spanish

the

and

still

the

territories,

abandons or cedes,

born in

subjects

may remain in

sovereignty
or

of

which

go away from those

Spain

territories

hold, in either case, their property rights, as well as the

right to sell or dispose of the real estate or

shall

and

Peninsula,

the

also

have the right

to

its

follow their trades or professions

subject to the laws affecting all other foreigners.

remain in these

territories

They

produce.

and preserve

If they

wish to

their Spanish nationality

they will have to inscribe their names in the

official

register

declaring their intention to remain Spaniards, and this must be

done within the

those

who

first

year following the ratification of this treaty

to so declare themselves will be

fail

considered as

naturalized in the territory in which they reside.

States Congress will decide, in due course, all that

The United

concerns the civil rights and political status of the natives

who

iahabit the ceded territories.

Article

10.

Religious

tolerance

guaranteed to the

is

in-

habitants of the territories abandoned and ceded by Spain.

Article 11.

The Spaniards resident

in the territories

in this treaty shall be subject to the civil

named

and criminal courts of

the country in which they live, and in conformity Avith the law

THE PEACE TREATY OF

tlierein established,

Courts

63i

they shall be liable to be cited before these

same mauner

the

in

PARIS.

under the

iind

same

procedure

established for the citizens of the country they live in.

Article

12.

Judicial

now pending

proceedings

continued on the following conditions

shall

be

Sentences already given, against which there would bo

(1)

no right of appeal under Spanish law,

competent authorities of the

shall be executed

by the

territory.

(2) Civil suits shall continue to take their course before the

same Courts,

may

or before those Avhich

be established

in their

stead.
(3) Criminal cases

Spain, against citizens

territory, shall

pending before the Supreme Court in

resident

in

ceded

the

or

abandoned

continue under the jurisdiction of the Spanish.

Supreme Court, but the execution

of the sentence given shall be

confided to the authority of the territory.

Article 13.

Literary,

artistic,

and

industrial

copyright,

acquired by Spaniards in the territories mentioned herein, shall bo

respected up to the ratification of the Treaty.
Spanish literary,
scientific,

order,

and

may

works, which are not a menace to public

artistic

enter free of

all

duties and taxes for the period of ten

years counting from the exchange of ratifications of this Treaty.

Article 14. Spain can establish Consular Agencies in the
territories herein

named.

The

Governments of the two countries

reciprocally concede to merchant ships identical treatment
Article 15.

regard to port dues, storage, tonnage,

own merchant

ships

which

etc., as

shall
Avitlx

that accorded to their

are not engaged in coasting trade.

This Article can be rescinded on either side on six months' notice

of same being given by the one party to the other.
Article

16.

It

is

hereby understood that the obligations

accepted by the United States with regard to Cuba shall only bo

in force during the occupation of that island, although the

Government which may hereafter

take up the same obligations.

States undertake to advise the

be established there, to

United

638

PPIILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Article 17.

the

This

Queen Regent

States

of Spain

ratified

hy Her Majesty

and by the President of the United

with the consent and approbation of the Senate.

ratifications shall

from

Treaty shall be

The

be exchanged in Washington within six months

this date, or before if possible.

In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries sign and

seal this Treaty.

Done

in duplicate in Paris

on the 10th day of December, 1898.

-^^

CHAPTER XXVIII.
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.
Ubi fclicitas,

Whatever maj

have

been

the

which

incentive

ibi

patria.

impelled

the

Spanish monarchs to encourage the conquest of these Islands, there can,

at least, be no doubt as to the earnestness of the individuals intrusted

The nerve and muscle of chivalrous

Spain ploughing through a wide unknown ocean in quest of glory and

to carry out the

adventure

Royal

the unswerving devotion of the

Catholic supremacy
incite the

will.

wonder

each

bearing

ecclesiastics to the cause of

intense privations, cannot fail to

of succeeding generations.

But, unfortunately, whilst only a small fraction of this Archipelao-o

was subdued, millions of dollars and hundreds of lives were expended
attempts at conquest in Gambodge, Siam, Pegu, Moluccas,

in futile

Borneo, Japan,

even the

etc.

and

for all these toils there

came no reward, not

The Manila seat of Government

when the Governor-General solicited

sterile laurels of victory.

nad not been founded

Royal permission

to

five years

conquer China

Extension of dominion seized them

like

Had

a mania.

their

been confined to the development of the territory already,

had only half the energy and money squandered on fruitless

joint efforts

annexed

and inglorious expeditions been

re-crossing

the

tenfold

spent

wealth

on high roads crossino- and

would

have accrued
would have followed as a natural consequence.
The government of the Archipelago alone was no mean task.^
islands,

and

civilization

group of islands inhabited by several heathen races surrounded

by a sea exposed to typhoons, pirates, and Christian-hating Mussulmans
had to be ruled by a handful of Europeans with inadequate funds, bad

'
In 1885, the retiring Governor-General, Joaquin Jovellar, terminated his
farewell proclamation to the Colony with the following frank confession of his
incapacity, viz. : Habitantes de Filipinas : No os he golernado cmi acierto,
pero si con justicia," (i.e., I have KOT rjorerned you adroitly, but I have done so

with justice.")

640

PHiLirriNE islands.

ships and scant

administration

war

For nearly two centuries the

material.

was a chaos, and

financial

military organization hardly existed.

Local enterprise was disregarded and discouraged so long as abundance

came from

of silver dollars

unstable dependence

left

Such a short-sighted,

across the Pacific.

the Colony resourceless

when

bold foreign

monopoly and brought commerce to its natural

by competition. In the meantime the astute ecclesiastics quietly

traders stamped out

level

appropriated to themselves the best arable lands within easy reach of

Lauded property was undefined.

the Capital and the Arsenal of Cavite.

It all nominally belonged to the State, which, however, granted

*'

no

titles

squatters " took up laud where they chose without determined limits,

and the embroilment continues,

in a measure, to the present day.

About the year 1885 the question was brought forward

Government

who

titles to all

of granting

could establish claims to land.^

Indeed,

for about a year, there Avas a certain enthusiasm displayed both in the

application for and the concession of " Titulos Reales."

But the

large majority of

element conspicuously
possession.

It

figiu-ed

Why ?

of

the

among

only show their

sufficient,^

granting of

projected

whom

the monastic
title

but the fact

" Titulos

Real Estate

by actual

is

that the

Reales " nor the

Registration.

Offices.

The conditions

could

might have been

clergy favoured neither the

establishment

holders

of land tenure

under Spanish rule in

this

colony stood briefly

thus The owners either held the lands by virtue of undisturbed possession or by
deeds granted by the State. The tenants the actual
absolute freehold under
advanced
beyond the state of slave cultivators, inasmuch
were one degree
:

title

tillers

as they could accumulate property and were free to transfer their services. They
corresponded to that class of farmers known in France as metayers and amongst

Eomans

v.'ith no right in the land, but entitled to

Like the ancients, they had to perform a number of
services to the proprietor which were not specified in writing, but enforced by
Tenants of this species recently subsisted and perhaps still do in
u.'^age.
Scotland Qc'ule "Wealth of Nations," by Adam Smith, edition of 1886, page IGO).
Leases for long periods were exceptional, and I never heard of compensation being
granted for improvements of Philippine estates.
* " Dominium a possessione cocpisse dicitur "
Law maxim.
* In September, 1890, a lawsuit was still pending between the Dominican
Corporation and a number of native residents in Calamba (Laguna) who disputed
the Dominicans' claim to lands in that vicinity so long as the Corporation were
unable to exhibit their title. For this implied monastic indiscriminate acquisition
of real estate, several of the best native families (some of them personally known
Vide " La Solidaridad," No, 40,
to me) were banished to the Island of Mindoro.
in
Madrid.
published
page 218,

the

one half of

of old as Colonl Part'iurll,

its

produce.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.
Every impediment, possible up

to the last,

641

was placed

in

way

the

lu former times, when worldly majesty and divinity were

o trade.

one idea, the struggle with the king and his councillors for the right

was

to legitimate traffic

fierce.

Father Pedro Murillo Velarde in his writings admits that when

became an accomplished

the possession of the Philippines

Spaniards were more anxious about their

own

fact,

the

own

gain than their

honour, or the service of the king, or the welfare of the natives.

Everywhere the white

a horse and goads

was

lost to

it

But good advice without example

with the whip.

They

ear.

forgot, or did not care to heed, the truism

that, to civilize a people, every act

life

one performs, or

intelligible

word

an influence which pervades and gives a colour to

utter.s, carries

the future

behind

sits

an ignorant class more apt to learn through the eye than

through the

one

who

race urged activity like one

and thoughts

whole frame of the society

of the native

and makes

it

upon the

felt

embryo.

in

The University and the High Schools and Colleges were in the
hands of the Friars, who remained as stumbling-blocks in the intel" Knowledge is power," and
lectual advancement of the Colony.
instead

State holding the founlains of knowledge within

of the

direct control,

who eked

yielded

it

them

out the measure as

Criticism,

physical

suited their

discovery

Avas

in

doomed

to give

way

more

to

inharmonious to Science

they had

interests.

and

age,

contact

with

the fabulous and the super-

the latter-day modified form of mythology and polytheism

certain scientific theses about

The

the rising generation began to inquire.

is

own

the

of

foreigners shook the ancient belief

natural

exclusive manipulation of those

to the

it

its

finished

their

the

which

immutability of Theology

School of Progress, and long before

course in these islands the Friars

quaked

at the possible consequences.

The dogmatical

affirmation

indiscrimately used, had

against an order

of

lost

things

''qui
its

Avas absolutely impotent, even

now happened)

Avere concerned,

what

is

to

power.

Public

which checked the

onward movement of the Colony.

(as has

non credit anathema

though

remedy the

it

it

So

and material

may

cost her the

evil.

so

opinion protested

social

And, strange as

sit,"

seem, Spain

whole

territory

far as these Islands

knoAvn to the Avorld as the Government of

S S

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

642

Religious Corporations, who

Spain, was virtually the Executive of the
members of which never underconstituted the real Government, the
stood patriotism as

men

was made subservient

Colony must be lost

of the

world understand

it.

to the welfare of the Orders.

to them,

it

Every
If,

interest

one day, the

was a matter of perfect indiflference

was their happy hunting-ground and

whose hands it passed. It

without its
But the real Government could not exist
last refuge.
was attacked and expelled by
Executivt, and when that Executive
Government fell as a consequence. If the Executive
into

America, the real

had been strong enough to emancipate

from the dominion of the

Philippines might have remained a
Friars only a few years ago, the
in hard cash and the moral
Spanish Colony to-day. But the wealth
Monastic Orders were factors too powerful
itself

reli-ious influence of the

formiy number

of executive ministers,

who would have

fallen like

themselves from the

they had attempted to extricate
Outside political circles there was, and
thraldom of sacerdotalism.

ninepins

in Spain, a

is

still

if

shrink from the abandonment of ideas

Whatever the fallacy may be, not a few are

class

of centuries' duration.

who

beguiled into thinking that

antiquity should

its

command

respect.

far more a religious

conquest of this Colony was decidedly
most that could be fairly due
achievement than a military one, and the
nation's gratitude for having contributed
to the Friars of old was their
glory but that gratitude was not an inheritance.

The

to its

Prosperity began to

dawn upon

the Philippines

when

restrictions

since the second decade of this century.

on trade were gradually relaxed
introduced, but so clumsily that
As each year came round, reforms were
community whose civil emancipation had
they brought into existence a
narrowly hence the small minority
reached them too suddenly and too
the habits and necessities of their
of natives, who had acquired
an equal civilization, for which
conquerors, yearned to secure for all
1884
The abolition of tribute
the masses were unprepared.
the university graduate and the herder
distinction
;

obliterated caste

whilst
they each carried a cedula personal,
rare eflfort to persuade themselves
certain Spanish legislators exercised a

were on a legal equality

and

their

partisans

if

that

the

Colony was ripe for the

monastic
combination of liberal administration under

rule.

impossible

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.

643

Duriug the debate on the Universal

Suffrage Bill of the Sa<-asta
Mnnstry in 1S90, Seflor Calvo Mnuoz
championed the Philippine
Islanders' eause, and introdueed
an amendment
rights to this Colony, but

One cannot help

extending elective

it

was

rejected after a brief discussion.

feeling pity for the Spanish

nation

which has lot

the 1 earl of the Orient slip
ont of its fingers through
culpable and
stubborn mismanagement, after
repeated warnings aJ
similar
experiences in other quarters of the
globe.

The

intelligent

world

wateh with considerable interest the

development of Philippine
Home Eule under American auspices, and
expect America ,0 substitute

will

a better government, as
satisfactory to the foreigners,
trade interests there, as to the
natives themselves.

The

Filipinos

who have

vast

have made enormous

sacrifices for the

justifiable
the end of 1897 the
realization of their aims
was postponed (whether by trick
or by treaty matters
no.) for an
mdefinite period.
Possibly it would have
been left to another
generation to expel Spanish
sovereignty and gain
independence, but
o the time
y advent of the Americans in ,898, and one can onlv
hope
La the F,l,p.os are about
to enter on a new era
of prsperi;y

cause of hberty.

At

::r;r ;et::::
Happiness

is

"^ ^'^"- --"^

merely

comparative

' "^^

with

the

lovely climate-a
the absolute retirements
of life at hand
th re ,s not onctenth of
the misery in the Philippines
that there is in'
Europe, and none of that forlorn
wretchedness facing the public
gaze
l.oggary_that constant attribute of
the highest civilization-is
as vett
is iMancy-t ere are only
some decrepit professionals
who have b

continual

thn

Still

t less

summer-aud

their

youth and

this exists only in

all

know

that Friday

is

alms-giviu. dav

the most Europeanized

cen.re_lli,: ud
even he few mendicants one
meets seem gay and cheerful
in thei w-ly
Smcide IS extremely rare. The
hospitality of the settled
Spaniards ali
lagalog natives ,n the provinces
is a novel but
charming' expe en!

rb tour.t

of agcnial and forbearing

disposition, can roam
throurh
half the Colony without
heed for the morrow. There
is yet a million
acres of virgin soil only awaiting
the co-operation of
husbandmrn
sbandman and
capitalist to turn it to
lucrative account
S S 3

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

G44

coim try, copiously endowed by Nature, where the

mind where
eifulgent morning sun contributes to a happy frame of
the
the European colonist's rural life passes pleasantly enough to soothe
It is a beautiful

longing for " home, sweet home."

"

And
And

yet perhaps

countries

we compare

estimate the blessings which they share,

Though

An

if

patriots flatter, yet shall

equal portion dealt to

-^

all

wisdom

mankind."

find

INDEX.

PAG 10

A.

Antipolo wood
PAGE

Abuses of Officials
Acle wood
_
Aetas

243
368
_
129,481
Agana (Ladrones)
37
Agoncillo's Mission, Felipe
626
_
,
_
Agriculture
306
Aguinaldo, Emilio
518
Aguinaldo's Agreement -with the
-

United States Consul, Singapore

Aguinaldo, Attempt to poison Aguinaldo's Memorandum to the

Powers

-----

Albinos
Alcalde-Governors

Alcayceria,

The

Alferez Real
.
Allocution of the Archbishop
of Madrid, 1898
-

610
138
231

Amours of a Nun
Anagap wood -

Ancient nomenclature of Islands

Anda, Simon de
Anito Idol
_
.
.

Anobing wood
Anting Anting
Antipolo,

of

The legend of

368

,,

Estimates
in olden times

pay-

256
256
255, 258
-

52, 87,

Juan

156

Asiento Contract
Augusti's Proclamation, General
Austin Friars rise to power

288
573
55

B.

571

of
.

bo

117
49

618

American-Spanish Protocol
.
Peace Americans maltreated

Aranga wood

ij
.J

Archbishop
banished
from
.
Manila .
59,60
Archbishop Poblete's contumacy
(>')
Archbishop's revenge
(31
Arcca Nut Palm
356

Arolas, Colonel

American occupation of Manila,

1898

Apiton wood
Arandia, Pedro de

Army
567
624

368
450

Antojo, The

612

553
85
368
5
99
136
368
265

the Virgin

Babel Druap
Bacolod town
Balabac Island
Balate
-

Bamboo

Bank Branches,

British

Bansalague wood
Batitiaau

wood

41

472

176

366
362
369
374
369
290
196
290
369
246
369

Banaba wood Bananas .

Bancal wood
Banco Espanol de Isabel II.
Bangi, The Holy Child of

Barangay Chiefdom
198

INDEX.

646

PAGE

394

Bats
Battle of Aliaga, 1897
Cavite, 1898

539

576
80

Playa Honda
Monte,
del
Juan
San

-------------

189C

67

Pedro

69

name

Bautista, Fed.vo
,,

crucified,

Baybay Island

(old

515

Bejuco
Berenguery Marquina, Governor
Betel
Betis wood
Biac-na-bato Treaty
"
BilibidJail

Binondo Suburb of Manila

feast

Birds
Birds' nests, Edible
Bishoprics-

Blanco as Governor-General
Blood Compact

Boa

Constrictor
Boars, Wild

-----

Bojo

Bojol, Eising in
Boleta shipping licence

figures

in 1757

Buffalo-riding -

Buffaloes

---------

Buglas Island (old name)

Bull-ring

Buquils race. The Burgos, Dr. Joseph Bustamente murdered, Governor

Bustos, Lieutenant-General
Butler, Mr.

Butterflies

Buyo

111

273, 279

Bolinao Cable Station attacked Boom in Silver exchange Waterfall

Botocan
Brewery in Manila Brigands 283,
British occupation of Manila

Budget

364
83
355
368
545
262
400
404
394
366
225
526
22
393
394
364

555
291
428
301
452
94
250
281
483
390
5

403
129
114
61

100
288
393
355

c.
PAGE

245

Cabezas de Bai"angay
Bolinao
Station
at
Cable
attacked
Cables
_
.
Cacao
Calaniba town Calilayan Province (old name) Calle de Camba Tragedy -

-------------

Camagon wood
Camote

Capture of Manila by Americans

.
Capuchin Friars
Carabao
Caroline Islands

Germans

,,

,,

the

Casa Misericordia
Castor

oil

The Catipad, The Catapiisan,

seize

Cauit Province (old name)

Causes of American - Spanish
War, 1898
Cavite Insurrection, 1872 _
Cavite town

Cebu

city

Exports

Eebellion

Cedar wood
Cedula Personal
Chapdiki

-------------

Character of Natives
Chinese
,,

,,

Cholera

Taxes

first

GuildsPopulation

levied on
-

,,

Cigar Cases

Cinnamon Civil Guard Estimates

Climate

and weights of
'

Church and Clergy, Cost of

Revenues
Cigars, Prices

555
304
353
420
5
551
369
355
616
225
390
35

41
276
355

211
208
5

564
113
457
502
294
551
369
248
405
179
116
120
126
118
207
225
226
300
351
365
255
409

INDEX.

64:7

PAGE

Club opened, The

first

Philip-

pine

Coal
Cock-fighting laws

Cocoa
Cocoa-nut

----oil

Coffee

planting

quotations

shipments

trading

Cogon

Coir

-----

of cocoa-nut

Colleges

(yoloocan raid,

The

Comenge's speech at MilitaryClub

Comintau Province (old name) Compaiiia, General de Tabacos Guipuzcoana
de

623
378
406
353
356
358
337
340
338
333
339
3G1
290
359
190
514
)49

Gomez Perez

Deer

55
154

------

Datto Utto

Defences, Cost of

394
258

Deputation
Filipinos to
of
United
Consul at
States
Singapore
Deputation of Rebels to Japan Dinglas

wood

Directorcillo

587
512
370
245
255

Disciplinary Corps Estimates

Discovery of the Islands

Diseases, Prevalent Dita (quinine) -

Documents

18

surrender
Rebel Chiefs, 1897

Dollars,

re

of

Mexican

gold

207
361

562
291
290
177
178
391
95
412
318
369
76

Domesticated Natives
origin of

350

Donkeys

Draper, General-

282
76
207
272, 276
84
255
386
Copper
.
_
41
Coprah
359
shipments
,,
Corcuera, Sebastian Hurtado de
58, 59, 82
412
Costumes of Natives
_
_
361
Cotton tree
112
Count Pedro Gumapos
422
Lake
Crocodile
247
Cuadrilleros
290
Currency, The 192
Curriculum of students
293
Custom houses -

Caracas Conflicts with the Dutch

Consanguine marriages
Consulado, The Convent of Santa Clara
Convict corps -

PAGB
Dasmariiias,

Dress of Natives
Dry measure

Dungon wood
Dutch

conflicts -

--..-_

...

Customs values

297

E.
Earthquakes

IG,

411

Ebony wood

370

Ecclesiastics as traders

Danao River
Dancing

477
211, 445, 470

Encomiendas Philippines
Evacuation of
by

Spain

Exchange

--..--

fluctuations

Excise revenue Executions of rebels in 1896, The

-

Exports from Cebu

Yloilo

273, 277, 280

Edible birds' nests Education

Elcano, Juan Sebastian de

first

D.

,,

366
190
229
631
292
297

517
294

294
295

the Philippines

648

INDEX.

Fajardo de Tua kills his wife

Ferdinand I., Sultan of Sulu
Finances

_
Flowers Forces in the Islands, 1898

PACK
83

145
250
376

Spanish Foreign traders excluded Formosa Island, a Spanish

620
289

Colony
Dutch
a

80

,,

Colony

Fortifications of Manila

Freemasonry, so-called
Friars' immorality
Native in open rebellion

,,

Fruits

87
53
510
219
224
C2
373

G.
Gabi
Gaddanes Tribe
Galleon, Royal dues
Galleons
Garcia,

Yof re de Loaisa

Gobernadorcillos
Goiti,

Martin de

Gold
Governmental divisions
.
Guavas
-

Guijo wood
Guilds of the Chinese
Guinaanes Tribe
Gum-mastic, shipments
Gutta Percha -

H.
naif-Castes

355
132
278

271

27

244

31,32,46
290, 380
232

120
129, 136
-

365
365

INDEX.

649

K.

M.
PAGE

Kanakas Katipunan

44
511

King Lacandola
Malong
Tupas

Kosor
Koxinga, King

31
112

31
41

Formosa,

of

threatens Manila

87

PAGE
Mabolo
.
Macan rice
.
Macao attacked by Spaniards

.
_
-

Macasin wood .
Maestre de Campo Island
Magellan Straits discovered
Maghallanes, Hernando de
death of
.,
Mahamad Alimndin, Sultan
Maillard
de
Tournon,
Pope's Legate

21

19
-

Mait(old name)
Maize
-

La

Solidaridad
Lacandola, King

510

31

Lachambre, General
Ladrone Islands

527
35
22
430
157

discovered

Laguimanoc village J,

Lake

?.Ialanao expedition

Lakes

Land measure
,,

,,

7
308
640
307
370
158

tenure, Conditions of
Value of arable

Lanete wood

Last expedition against Moros

Latitude and longitude

Lauan wood

Law

Courts estimate
suits

Leeches

Legaspi, Miguel Lopez de

Lepers
Leprosy
Letter of Anathema
Leyte, Rising in
Li-ma-hong, the Corsair
.
Lipa town
Llaneras,

The

74,

370
262
267
393
29
405
207
86

111

45
435
521

rebel leader

Yofre de Local funds {fondos locales)

Locusts
Loney, Mr. Nicholas
Longitude and latitude

27
238
394
286
5

Los Banos town

420
194

Loaisa, Garcia

Luna, the painter, Juan

Majasari

The
-

Majayjay town
Malolos, the rebel capital

Malong, King
Mancono wood Mangachapuy wood
Mangoes -

91

5
352
163
427
623
112
371

371

373
375
355
590
397
94
620
616
59
300

Mangosteen

Mani

23
144

...

L.

376
320
84
371
464

Manifesto of Paterno
Manila city and port
Bdtish occupation of
,,
,

American

captured by Americans Manrique do Lax-a, Sabiniano .

Manufactures Marduit campaign
157 ,511
.
Marble
.
386
.
.
Mariveles town
,
495

Marriages, Consanguine

Martins

Maybun

Measles
Measure, Dry Medicinal Herbs

Memorandum
Aguinaldo"s

the

to
-

Mendicant Friars
Mestizos

Meycauayan

(old

Powers,

name)

Military Service Edict, 1898

Mineral

610
55
214
5

oil

Missionaries, E&rly

207
394
165
207
318
377

572
387
55

CoO

INDEX.

INDEX.
PAGE

Ports open to foreign trade

Portuguese rivalry Potatoes
Primo de Rivera, G-eneral

133,

Rivera - Paterno
Primo
de
Agreement Primo de Rivera returns to
Spain, 1898 .
Prince Pagbuaya
Protocol of Peace, American.
.
_
Spanish
Provincial Governor's duties
Public expenditure revenue

Puerta del Parian, Manila

Princesa

R.
Railways

Railway, The
,,

first

stock.

tions of

Philippine

Official

quota-

_
.
Rajah Matanda
Soliman .
Real Compauia de Filipinas
Pendon, Paseo del

.
-

,,

Quinto

,,

,.

Cavite

Cebu

Leyte
Negros

Rebellion in Bojol

.,

,,

Pampanga
Samar -

Surigao
Ylocos Province ,,
of 189G-98,The Tagalog
,,

_
.
Rebels' indemnity
refutation of Paterno's
,,

Manifesto

Reforms, The Srst Refutation b}' rebels of Paterno's

.
_
Manifesto
Exequatur
Regium

651

652

INDEX.

G53

w.

u.
PAGE
193

University of St. Thomas

Urdaneta, Andres de

27,29

PAGE

War Indemnity to
WaxWhite ants
Wild boars

Yalenzuela, Sancho,

The Rebel
515

leader

Yalenzuela, the Court favourite

.
Vargas, Juan
Yehicles in Manila
Yera's rebellion, Melchor de

89

...

Yeteran Civil Guard Estimates

Yilla Corta
ransomed

Yillalobos, Buy Lopez de

Yirgin
of
Antipolo,
legend of the
Yolcanoes
-

The
-

_
^

97
365

-----

393
394
367

251

Woods
Woods and

V.

the British

Forests Inspection

-^

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02215

The Army Bill and Philippine Policy.

SPEECH
OP

HON. JOHN

F.

SHAFROTH,

OF COLORADO.
In the House of Representatives,
Wednesday, December

5,

WOO,

<'
Th9 House being in Committee of the Wliolo House on the state of >Union, and having under consideration the bill (S. iWX)) to increase the_>ii<
cieucy of the military establishment of the United States-

auv/j
Mr. SHAFROTH said:
Mr. Chairman: The pending bill autliorizes the Presiu .at to
increase the standing An?}' of the United States from 2G,S00 to

100.000

below

men, and makes no provision

for ever letting it decrease

58,000.

admitted by all that the full 100,000 will be enlisted as soon

no one claims he can foresee when the Army will
ever be reduced.
The only attempt to justify such a large increase in the permanent Army is the claim that a temporary emergency in the Philippines requires it. Even if the purpose were commendable, the
bill should be framed to meet temporary conditions and not for
aptrmanent establishment. A bill providing for a standing Army
should be constructed with relation to the needs of the Government in times of peace, for that is the condition of our country
nine-tenths of the time. We have always and will always rely
upon the volunteers during wars, because experience has demonstrated that they make the best soldiers. Though not as well
drilled, they enlist for a cause which inspires them to the most
It is

as possible, and

heroic acts of valor.

Without the condition in the Philippines the Administration
can show no reason whatever for increasing the standing Army.
The policy of the United States, notwithstanding the desire of the
Administration, has not been definitely settled with respect to the
archipelago, and until it is so settled legislation of a permanent
character is premature. There is to be an argument before the
Supreme Court of the United States on the 17th day of this month
in a case, the decision of which will determine the question
whether or not the Constitution follows the flag.
If that decision is that the inhabitants of the possessions of this
Government are entitled to the privileges of the Constitution,
then I can not believe that the American people will ever sanction
the holding of the Philippine Islands.
If we are not going to retain them no one will contend that we
need an hrmy of 100,000 men. Consequently the passage of this
measure should necessarily depend upon what policy the nation
is going to pursue with respect to those islands, that is, whether
the Administration's policy should be continued.
In my judgment it is one of the most momentous questions that
4G3i

t^

has ever arisen in American politics. It goes to the very fundamental principles wliich underlie our form of government. It is
the question as to whether the law of our being shall longer exist,
whether we shall pursue the principles of a republic, or establish
the doctrines of an emiaire.

now

to examine this question

from the moral aspect: Is it riglitZ
Second, from the leg-al aspect: Is it legal?
Third, from the practical aspect: Is it expedient?
I. MOUAL ASPECT IS IT EiGHT?
About two and a half years ago the United States found a people near its southeastern border on the island of Cuba struggling
for freedom, for liberty, and for independence. The insurrection,
caused by the tyranny and oppression of Spain, had existed for a
long period of time. We had sympathized with the Cuban patriots for a number of years, but finding that sympathy was of no
determined to put a stop to the tyranny inflicted, and
3d war against Spain,
In the declaration of war we stated
ae people of Cuba "are, and of right should be, free and
I

wish

First,

Swe

ndent."

No

war was ever waged by one nation against another.

was a war against tyranny and oppression, for liberty, for freedom, and for independence. It was an unselfish war iipon the
part of the United States, for in that same declaration we stated
that it was not the intention of this Government to appropriate
or acquire any part of the island of Cuba, and no one dreamed of
taking any of her other possessions. On the 1st day of May, 1898,
in order to bring victory to our cause. Admiral Dewey sailed into
Manila Harbor and completely destroyed the fleet of Montejo. He
holier

It

found in the Philippines, that the people of those islands were in

arms against the Spanish Government, to prevent the same cruelty
and tyranny which had been inflicted for years in Cuba. Thirty
thousand insurgents were organized against the Spanish forces.
They had been fighting just as the Cubans for freedom, for liberty, and for independence, the only difference being that the
Philippine people had been fighting for a much longer period of
time. Instead of a strife of ten years, there had been for more
than three hundred years almost a continual war in the Philippine
Islands against the Spanish Government.
Admiral Dewey immediately saw the necessity of asking the
cooperation and assistance of the insurgent soldiers. He invited
Aguinaldo, their former leader, to take command of those forces,
and caused him to be brought in an American vessel to the Philippine Islands. The insurgent troops were supplied v/ith arms
and ammunition by the American officers, and they immediately
began a most aggressive warfare against the Spanish. They captured and conquered town after town where Spanish troops were
garrisoned. They took 7,000 prisoners and drove from the interior of the islands into the city of Manila every Spaniard to be
found. They captured the second largest city of the Philippine
Islands namely, the city of lloilo without the assistance of a

single

American

soldier.

General Anderson, the general in command of the American

the 4th day of July, 1898, wrote a letter to the comthe Philippine forces, in which he said:

Army, on
mander of

I desire to have the most amicable relations with you and to have you and
your people cooperate with us in military operations against the Spanish

forces.
4624

And again, on July 23, 1898, General Anderson, in a letter to

Aguinaldo, used the following language:
When I camo hero three weeks ago I reqiiostcd your excellency to givo
what assistance j'oii could to procure moans of transportation for the American Army, as it was to fight in tha cause of your people.
Soon thereafter Aguinaldo issued a proclamation to the Filipinos,
in which the following language was used:
Die rather than be ungrateful to our American liberators. Where you sea
tho American flag flying assemble in numbers. They are our redeemers.
A large number of Spanish prisoners were delivered by tho
American forces to the Filipinos, to be kept as prisoners of war.
Tho Philippine troops and the American soldiers surrounded the
city of Manila.
On the day of the surrender of Manila 15i miles of the surrounding line was occupied by the Filipinos and GOO yards by the American troops. It is a well-recognized rule in military affairs that
when two armies are besieging a third the surrender of the besieged must always be made to the force having the greater numbers.

In the meantime a government had been formed and organized

by the Philippine people. They issued a declaration of independence, and on the Ibth day of Jiine. 1898, adopted a constitution.
The government immediately began to exercise its functions, proceeding with the establishment of a judicial and a school system
and the collection of taxes for the maintenance of the govei'nment.
These were the conditions and these the services rendered by the
Filipinos at the time of the signing of the treaty of peace at Paris.
While the peace commissioners were sitting, tho Philippine government sent a deputation to Paris for the purpose of being heard
as to its right to the islands. They knocked at the door of the
commission, but knocked in vain. After the signing of the treaty
of peace they came to Washington and tried to submit to the
President of the United States the reasons why the United States
was in honor bound to recognize the independence of the Philippine peopiie, but tho door of the White House was closed, and
they knocked in vain.

OUR PRINCIPLES OP GOVERNMENT.

Mr. Chairman, previous to 177G there was practically but one
form of government existing throughout the world. It recognized
the doctrine that all powers of government were vested in one
man the king or sovereign; that he granted to the people just
such rights, such liberties, and such privileges as he deemed proper
that they should have. It was a theory of government that recogni"ed that God Almighty gave powers of government to the
king, who exercised them as he deemed best. It was called "the
divine right of kings."
The rights and privileges which were
given to the people were generally granted only upon compulsion.
When tyranny and oppression existed to such an extent that it
became intolerable, the i>eopi;e at times arose and compelled tho
sovereign to grant them rights and privileges. The right of trial
Ijy .iury and tho right to the writ of habeas corpus were obtained
from the king ojily at the point of the sword. These privileges
and rights when once granted were respected, and such governments were termed limited monarchies, but the original source of
authority was by all recognized to be in the sovereign.
In 17T0 the Revolutionary patriots contended that the doctrine
of "the divine right of kings" was false; that powers of govern4G24

ment were not vested in one man, but that all powers of government ascended from the people instead of descending from the
king.

They issued a proclamation called the Declaration of Independand in that instrument they declared that all men are created

ence,

equal before the law; that they are entitled to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness, and that the just powers of government
are derived from the consent of the governed.
The war of 1778 is called the war of the Revolution, because it
promulgated a form of government which completely revolutionized the ideas of government that existed previous to that time.
I take it that every American citizen believes in the fundamental
principles of the Declaration of Independence, and therefore it
seems strange that we have to ask Americans, Is it right for the
Administration to violate the fundamental principles of that declaration? Is it right to treat men as unequal before the law? Is
it right to forcibly annex a peoi^le without their consent?
Is it
right to subjugate a people who are struggling for freedom, for
libertj', and for independence?
The citing of instances where it
is claimed this Government has violated these principles, even if
parallel (which they are not), would not justify another violation.
One wrong can never justify another.
The national Republican convention met in the city of Philadelphia last June for the purpose of declaring the principles of that
great political party. They met at a place which should have made
the heart of every delegate pulsate with sentiments of li]:erty, of
freedom, and of independence: It was there that the immortal
Declaration of Independence was first promulgated to the world.
It was there that Liberty Bell pealed forth its sweet tones to an
oppressed people. Yet, notwithstanding the hallowed memory of
these patriots, the delegates to that convention forgot the principles
that are enunciated in that immortal instrument and declared as
to the Philippines that they would give to them "the largest
measure of self-government consistent with their welfare and our
duties." To be determined by whom? To be determined by us.
That to-day is the policy of the present Administration.
Ah, Mr. Chairman, what a great departure is that language
from the language of liberty, of freedom, and of independence.
How near does it resemble the language of kings and of emperors.
I want to arraign that declaration, not in the feeble words that I
am capable of uttering, but in the language of the man who,
above all others, is most competent to speak for the Republican
party, I mean that greatest of American commoners, Abraham
Lincoln. Here is the statement that he made relative to almost
the identical language contained in the Republican platform. He
said:

These arguments that are made that the inferior races are to be treated
with as much allowance as they are capable of enjoying; that as much is to
be done as their condition will allow what are these arguments? Theyare
the argument that kings have made for enslaving the people in all ages of the
world. You will find that all the arguments in favor of kingcraft were of this
class; that they always bestrode the necks of the people, not that they wanted
to do it, but because the people were better off for being ridden. Turn it
whatever way you will, whether it come from the mouth of a king, an excuse
for enslaving the people of the country, or from the mouth of men of one race
for enslaving the

And

men of

another,

it is all

the same old serpent.

again, Mr. Lincoln, referring to the principles of the Declaration of Independence, used the following language:
The principles of Jefferson are the definitions and axioms of free society,
and yet they are denied and evaded with no small show of success. One dash462i

ingly calls tliem "glittering generalities;" another bluntly calls them "selfevident lies;"' others insidiously argue that they apply to "superior races."
These expressions, differing in form, are identical in object and effect
the supplanting the principles of free government and restoring those of
class, caste, and legitimacy. They would delight a convocation of crowned
heads plotting against the people. They are the vanguard, the miners and
must repulse them or they will subjusappers, of returning despotism.
gate us. This is a world of compensation, and he who would be no slave must

We

consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to otliors deserve it not
themselves, and, under a just God, can not long retain it.
All honor to Jefferson, to the man who, in tbe concrete pressure of a struggle for national independence by a single people, had the coolness, forecast,
and capacity to introduce into a merely revolutionary document an aljstract
truth applicable to all men and all times, and so to embalm it there that today, and in all coming days, it shall be a rebuke and a stumbling-block to the
very harbingers of reappearing tyranny and oppression.

Abraham Lincoln, in a speech delivered on September 11, 1858,

again referred to our reliance against a resumption of tyranny in
these words:
Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms.
Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the
Destroy this spirit, and you
lieritacie of all men, in all lands, everyivhcre.
have planted the seeds

of despotism

around your own door.

*****

What a terrible arraignment of the resolution of the Republican

national convention upon the Philippine question do these declarations of Abraham Lincoln constitute!
*
-s

Yet, notwithstanding these declarations, the Republican party,

through the Administration, is now waging a war for forcible
annexation of islands whose people never did us any harm, but
who welcomed U5 as their redeemers; who aided and assisted ua
in every way in defeating Spain and in driving the Spaniards from
the Philippine Islands.
I say this is a war not of the Government but of the Administration, for although the power to declare war is vested by the
Constitution of the United States in Congress alone, yet Congress
has passed no resolution declaring war against the Filipinos.
Is it pos.5ible that anyone who believes in the doctrine of republics should even have to be asked the question as to whether the
policy of this Administration as to the Philippines is right?
Sir, we knew that they were fighting for independence when we
asked their cooperation, and every moral obligation required the
Government after receiving the benefit of their assistance to aid
them in their independence.
have had an instance in the history of our own Government
that can make us clearly see the injustice of the action of this
Administration in the Philippines. During the war of the Revolution France sent to this country General Lafayette, with several

We

They knew we were fighting

soldiers.
for liberty, for freedom, and for independence. They fought side
by side with the forces of Washington and the other generals of
the Revolutionary war, just as the Filipinos fought side by side
with the American troops in the archipelago.
What would you have thought of the moral turpitude of France
f, after the surrender of the British at Yorktown, she had sent a
commission to Great Britain and negotiated a treaty with that
Empire by which, in consideration of S~0. 000,000, there should be
ceded to France the thirteen colonies of America?
There is not a man within the sound of my voice but what
would have condemned that action in the most severe terms.
thousand bravo French

What would Americans

They would have
4C24

have done under those circumstances?

we fought England with courage and

said that

6
determination, but

we

will figlit France with heroism

and

des-

peration.

"Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you."
When we apply to ourselves the action which this Administration is authorizing in the Philippines, there is no man so blind
but what can see the injustice of such conduct.
IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT NOW IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The Republicans tell us that there is no such thing as imperialism
involved in this policy; that the charge of imperialism is false;
that it is a "bogie man " with which to scare the people, and they
defy anybody to define imperialism.
Imperialism is government without the consent of the governed. Our forefathers said that taxation without representation
was tyranny, and I believe it is as much tyranny to-day as it was
in the days of the Revolutionary war.
In order to govern the Philippine people, who were not in insurrection, but who, it was claimed, desired annexation with our
country, a commission was appointed by the President without
any authority from Congress to supplant the military rule theretofore existing and establish civil government.
I hold in my hand a dispatch from. Manila, which no man can
hear without knowing that imperial government is now being
imposed in the Philippine Islands. Though he may not agree as
to inj' definition of imperialism, yet he must recognize, after
hearing this dispatch, that according to any definition of imperialism which he may frame it exists to-day in those islands.
Ail the dispatches that are sent from Manila first go through the
hands of an American officer, and whenever anything is contained
therein that is of detriment to the Administration he strikes it out
at his will. It is called "censoring the dispatches." Hence you
can rely upon the fact that this dispatch from Manila tells nothing
more against the Administration than is absolutely true. This is
the dispatch:

Manila, Augusts, 1000.

the commission, headed by Judge Taft, will become tho
legislative body of the Philippires, with po^yel' to take and appropriate insular moneys, then establish judicial and educational systems and to make and
pass laws.
No money will be permitted to be drawn from the insular funds except
by authorization of the committee. Judge Taft and his colleagues will also
exercise certain executive functions. For instance, they will apjioint judges,
officials in the educational department, and ofiicers of municipalities.

On September

This commission was appointed by President McKinley, a foreign ruler to the Philippine people. It consists of five men who
are not even of the same race with them; men vv'ho never saw the
Philippine Islands before the Spanish war; men who did not then
and do not now speak the language of the Filipinos; men who do
not know the wants or needs of these people. How would we
like to be ruled by a commission of that kind?
And j'et that commission goes to these islands, assumes control
of the government, and becomes the legislative body thereof, with
power to take and appropriate. a,s they deem proper, the moneys
raised by taxation of the Philippine people. Not only that, but
they will appoint all the judges, officials in the educational department, and officials of the municipalities. In other words,
these five gentlemen appointed from Washington will pass all the
laws, spend all the money, and appoint all the ofiicers of the
islands.
4634

of the empires of the

which imposes more
one
find
indeed
to
world, it will be
arbitrary power than this form of government for the Philippines.
King George 111 never imposed such government upon the
If

you search the colonial governments

difficult

thirteen colonies. They always had the right to elect a legislature from among the people, and absolute freedom of speech was
allowed in these"h>gislative bodies.
It was in the Virginia house of burgesses, if you remember,
that Patrick Henry arraigned King George III himself, and closed
with the ever memorable sentence, ''As for me, give me hberty
or give me death.'
new form of caption in legislative bills is now bemg used for
the first time in the history of our Government, in the introduction and passage of measures through this commission of the
Philippines. Every bill that is considered by this commission
commences with these words, "By the authority of the President
of the United iStates. be it enacted by the Philippine Commission."
Is it possible that there is a man within the sound of my voice
who does not know, beyond the peradventure of a doubt, that the
government now being imposed in the Philippine Islands is impe-

rial?

England prides herself on her great Emph-e, but she has no such
arbitrary form of government in a single one of her numerous
colonies. And is it possible that there is a man who believes in
the principles of the Declaration of Independence; who believes
that the just powers of goveinment are derived from the consent
of the governed; who believes that all men are created equal and
are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, can for
a moment believe that the arbitrary action of this Administration
v/ith relation to the Philippines is right?
The golden rule is the best test of justice. Ask yourself what
you would think if you were in their place.
Abraham Lincoln well said:
No man is good enougli to govern another man without that other man'8
consent. When tlie white man governs himself, that is self-government; but
when ho governs himself and also another man, that is more than selfgovernment that is despotism.
WILL CONGRESS GIVE JUST GOVERXMEXT TO THE PUILIPPINES?
It is said that in time Congress will give a just government to
the Philippine people, that there is no danger of imperialism from
an American Congress. Ah, ilr. Chairman, the same thing was
said as to Porto Rfco. If there ever was a people who should have
been generously treated it was the inhabitants of that little island.
They had welcomed our invading army with flowers and greetings of joy. Our generals had told them that they should receive
the privileges and blessings of our Constitution. By annexation
we had deprived them of the open marlcets of Spain. Yet when it
came to enacting laws for that rsland. Congress, guided by its
own selfish interests, imposed a tax upon tlieir goods shipped to
this country, notwithstanding the Constitution declares that no
duty can be imposed upon goods transported from one part of
the United States to another. No annexationist wid admit that
Congress is going to extend the Constitution to the Philippine Islands. Can an advocate of the principles of a republic believe that
Congress can give just government to a people, and yet deny to
them the principles of its being and the privileges of its Constitution?

No

nation can govern a people of another race in distant lands

without having conflicting interests continnally arise, which will

be affected by the laws imposed. Nations, as well as individuals,
are selfish. They will genei-ally favor their own country, and
thereby do a wrong to the people so governed. It is for that reason that self-government is the most satisfactory government

known to man.
It may be contended

that the imposition of duties is simply a

matter of taxation, and therefore not serious. But, when we remember that our forefathers fought because of the imposition of
a stamp tax, we can not close our eyes to the fact that the ijower
of taxation can be made the most oppressive engine of destruction,
devastation, and desolation a country can know.
The denial of the right of trial by jury would affect only about
one man in five hundred, and the denial of the right to the writ
of habeas corpus would affect only about one in a thousand; but
the imposition of taxes affects every man, woman, and child in

the land. Discrimination in duties often destroys industries and

produces poverty and distress, and it is said the power of taxation
can be made the instrument of annihilation.
FLAG ARGUMENT APPEAL TO SENTIMENT NOT REASON.
What answer do the Republicans give to these arguments as to
the moral aspect of the q uestion? They answer by saying, Never
pull down the American flag." That is an appeal to our sentiment
and not to our reason. They make that appeal because they know
'

'

that the American people love the American flag. They love that
flag because it has always been the emblem of freedom, of libertj'',
and of independence.
Do they not know that the American flag was pulled down from
the City of Mexico; from the embattlements of Chapultepec, and
from the heights of Quebec; from the northwest boundary of
Maine, and even from the western shore of England itself, where
it was planted by John Paul Jones?
Is it possible that a flag should be compelled to float when it
T/ould be to the detriment of the nation to retain it there? The
American flag should be hauled down from every place where it
never should have been planted.
Last summer wo unfurled the flag upon the walls of Pekin and
we hauled it down less than six weeks thereafter. Is there an
American in this broad land who believes that the flag should
have remained there forever?
It is also true that in nearly every one of those instances the
blood of our soldiers had consecrated the soil of those countries,
and to-day at the City of Mexico lie buried some of the bravest
soldiers of the war of 1847.
WHO ARE THE PATRIOTS ?
Do you not recognize that the flag argiiment is purely an appeal
to sentiment? Does not everyone know that it would be criminal
to keep a flag at any place where we violate the fundamental
principles of our Government, or where it would be detrimental
to the interests of our nation?
The Republican party, in its flag argument, attempts to make
out that everyone who" believes in taking down the flag and not
upholding the Administration in this war is unpatriotic, and that
we should not even indulge in criticism of the Administration's
policy with respect thereto. Is it possible that when a policy is
being pursued which in our judgment is fraught with so much
disaster to our institutions and future welfare, it is unpatriotic to
4624

As long as vre believe that the policy is so fatal to our

would be unpatriotic not to protest.
Who are the patriots upon this question? The position we take
I never knew a Filipino in
is not out of love for the Filipinos.

protest?

country

it

my life,

nor have

a friend in the Philippine Islands, and I doubt;

has within the sound of my voice.
It is not for the Filipinos that we want to give them their liberty, their freedom, and their independence, t)ut it is because of
the effect that a policy of conquest would have upon the citizens of
our own country and the welfare of our nation.
No man can justify forcible annexation unless he resorts to the
argument that " might is right; " and when he does that, be blunts
his own sense of equity and justice. Abraham Lincoln has well
said that
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not themselves, and under a

very

just

much whether anyone

God can not long

retain

W ho are the patriots?

it.

Are they those whose policy will compel

the trampling under foot of the sacred principles of the Declaration
of Independence or are they those who want to retain the government of a republic? Are they those who want to change the form
of our Government, who want to govern distant islands without
the consent of the governed, or are they those who believe in liberty, freedom, and independence for all mankind?
Ah, Mr. Chairman, when one analyzes this question, he can
come to no other conclusion than that if there are unpatriotic
people in this country, they are those who want to overthrow the
principles under which this Government has existed and flourished
for mere than a century and start the nation upon a career of
colonial empire.
VALUE NO ANSWER TO MORAL, QUESTION.
What other answers do they make to the moral aspect of this
question? Oh, they say the islands are fabulously rich in minerals and soil, and they must be ours. Do you not recognize in
that declaration an appeal to your cupidity, to your greed, to your
rapacity? Is it possible that we should determine a question of
morals by the gain that we can make? That is the argument of
the highwayman. That is the argument of everyone who wants
something that does not belong to him, and it is the argument of
every laud-grabbing empire in the world. The Bible has well
said,* "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and
lose his own soul?" and I saj', What doth it profit a nation if it
gain the whole world and lose its sense of right and justice?
I therefore contend that from the moral aspect the policy of
this Administration as to the Philippine Islands is wrong.
II. LEGAL ASPECT IS IT LEGAL?
I wish now to examine this question as to its legal aspect.
1. It is a in-inciple of international law that no nation can transfer title to territory over which it has not control and possession.
The reason for this rule is very clear. International law receives the sanction of governments in order to prevent difficulties,
conflicts, and wars among nations.
You can readily see that if it
were legal for a nation to transfer title to territory of which it
has not possession, it would produce innumerable conflicts and
wars between nations. After a people had won their independence it would only be necessary for the mother country to cede
the land so liberated to some greater power, which would crush
the new government. If title to territory is to be recognized
4C3t

10
as belonging to a nation after it has lost possession and sovereignty, for what period of time can it still claim title. There is
no statute of limitations known to international law.
The King of England retained as part of his title the words
"Dulie of Normandy and King of France" down to the beginaing of the nineteenth cenlnry, but the cession by the King of
England of the dukedom of Normandy or the Kingdom of France
would not have been recognized by a single nation in the woi-ld.
At the time the treaty of peace between the United States
and Spain was signed not a single foot of territory of the entire
archipelago was in possession of Spain. The Filipinos had driven
every Spaniard from the islands into the city of Manila and had
captured 7,000 prisoners, and the city of Manila had been taken
by the cooperation of the Filipinos and the American forces. So
that at the time Spain ceded the islands to the United States, according to the principles of international law, she had no more
title to those islands outside of the city of Manila than you have
Therefore this Administration, in atto the Kingdom of Spain.
tempting to assert title in violation of the principles of international law, is wrong from a legal aspect.
2. There is another principle of international law which is well
established, and that is that no ally can enrich himself at the expense of another.
In the testimony of Commander Bradford, of the United States
Navy, before the Paris peace commission the following question
and answer succinctly states the situation:
Mr. Frye. I would likotoask just one more question in that line. Suppose
the United States, in the progress of that war, found the leader of the pres^nt Philippine rebellion an exile from his country in Hongkong, and sent for
him and brought him to the islands in an American .ship, and then furnished
him 4,000 or 5,000 stands of arms and allowed him to purchase as many more
stands of arms in Honkong, and accepted his aid in conquering Luzon, what
kind of a nation in the eyes of the world would we appear to he to surrender
Aguinaldo and his insurgents to Spain to be dealt with as they pleased?
Answer. We became respousiblo for everything he has done. He is our
(Sen. Doc. No. 63, p. 489.)
ally, and we are bound to protect him.
When General Anderson wrote to the leader of the insurgents
that he desired the cooperation of the Filipino insurgents with the
American troops against the Spanish forces, and when he assured
them in another letter that "the American Army was to fight in
the cause of your people," and v/hen Admiral Dev.-ey declared, "I
have given him (Aguinaldo) to understand that I consider the
insurgents as friends, being opposed to a common enemy,' a moral
alliance was formed as clearly as it is possible to form an alliance
between forces. And when the Filipino in.surgents actually rendered the assistance in aiding the Americans in conquering Spain,
in taking Spanish prisoners and Spanish strongholds, with the
Americans well knowing that they were fighting for their liberty
and independence, it constituted an alliance that should be as
sacred as any treaty stipulation that was ever signed and ratified.
And yet, in view of these facts, should we enrich the Government
at the expense of our allies by annexing the Philippine Archipelago?
What does that mean? It means a betrayal of an ally. It is
said that even savage tribes will never betray an ally. Should
this, the greatest Government on earth, the nation highest in civilization and in morals, take advantage of the assistance and cooperation of our allies and make them the subjects of our Government? No, never.
S. There is another principle of international law to which I
wish to call your attention. It is that on the cession of territory


11
the inliabitnnts of the ceded territory have the right to choose
whether their allegiance shall remain to the government existing
at the time of the cession or whether it shall be given to the new
possessor. It is contended that the insurgents are rebels to our
Government. No one can be a rebel to a government who does
not owe allegiance to that government; and can anyone indicate
when and wliere the Filipinos raised their hands and swore to
support the Constitution of the United States?
They had the right to choose whether they should remain citizens of the government existing at the time of the formation of
the treaty or whether they should declare their allegiance to the
United States. And it is as legitimate to criticise the Administration as to its action in the Philippines as it is to criticise the same
Administration as to its conduct with respect to the strike in the
Cceur d'Alene district, in the State of Idaho.
This is the legal aspect of the case, and I maintain that the Administration has violated the fundamental principles of international law in its conduct as to the people of the Philippine Islands..
III. PiUCTICAL ASPECT IS IT EXPEDIEXTI
I wish now to examine the question from the practical aspect. Is
it expedient for the United States to hold the Philippine Islands?
And in the discussion of this phase of the question I wish to examine it. first, from the political standpoint; second, from the
commercial standpoint, and, third, from the military standpoint.
POLITICAL STANDPOINT.
1. From the political standpoint, I mean as such action will afare
fect the great political policies of our Government.
bound to treat the Filipinos either as subjects or as citizens. The
riglits and privileges of the Constitution either extend to them
or they do not. No one contends that certain parts of it apply
and other parts do not. The Constitution as au entirety either
follows the flag or it does not.
What political difficulties do we get into if we treat the Philippine people as subjects?
thereby give them cause for comThey will say to us that the Declaration
I)!aint and discontent.
of Independence, which the Supreme Court of this nation has declared to be the spirit of this Government, states that all men are
created equal, and are entitled, as an inalienable right, to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that from the consent of
the governed all just powers of goverment are derived, and they
will thereupon ask, " Why are we not treated as equal, when the
" Why are we not
spirit of your Government says that we are?*'
entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness when it is
guaranteed, and why is not our consent asked in the exercise of
the just powers of government?"' There can be no answer to these
questions that can possibly satisfy them, or would satisfy any of
us if we were in their place, and, consequently, treating them as
.subjects gives cause for discontent, for violence, and for insurrec-

We

We

tion.

There has been considerable comment to the effect that the

Philijypine insurgents get their encouragement to re.?ist from the
declarations made in the Senate and other places relative to their
treatment.

Ah, Mr. Chairman, the Filipinos get their encouragement from

our own Declaration of Independence, for it is there said that
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends it
is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers In
such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
462t

12

As they are fighting for their independence, the treatment of

them as siibjects will forever be a cause of discontent, discord,
violeiice, and insurrection.
If we are to govern the islands under such conditions, it will
require thousands and thousands of troops, which will make the
expenses of governing them far out of proportion to any benetit or
return wo will get by reason of their anneiatiou.
What political dihiculties do we get into if we treat them as
citizens? When we say that the Constitution extends to the Philippine Islands, we say that the products of the cheap labor of tho
Philippine Islands can be brought to this country to compete
freely with tho products of the labor of the American citizens,
and that the Filipino can come to the country to which he owes
allegiance and can himself here compete with the labor of our
know that the American laborer will never
own people.
stand the comiiietition of the cheap labor of tho Orient, and they
shou-d not be compelled to compete with men who can live on o
cents a day, and v/hose daily wage is between 20 and 30 cents.
V/e have had an exhibition of the spirit of the American workman
upon this question. The permission of this Government to let
Chinese immigrate to our shores produced among our own workmen
discontent and violence, and if restrictive legislation had not
speedily followed it would have resulted in revolution itself.
So that, when we treat the Filipinos as citizens and let them
compete with our ov/n workmen, we do our own laborers a wrong,
and give them cause for discontent and for violence. Thereby
we s:mj)!y transfer thestorm confer of discontent from thePhilippine Islands, wliere it will exist if we trtat them as subjects, to
our own country, where it will exist if we treat them as citizens.
Nor can we ever solve this problem during annexation, for we attempt to do so on principles which are against human nature.
The little brown men love independence as well as we, and the
only solution is in treating them as we do the Cubans.
The acquiring and holding of islands in the Orient waives our
right to insist upon the application of the Monroe doctrine. That
doctrine was promulgated for the ptirpose of preventing the colonization of territory on this side of the Atlantic by nations of
the Eastern Hemisphere. It was for the purpose of preventing
the establishment of monarchies upon this side of the waters. Ita
reciprocal implied promise Vv^as that we should not interfere with
any of tho affairs of the Eastern Hemisphere. When we acquire
territory in the Orient, we are in justice bound to give to European nations the privilege of acquiring territory on this con-

We

tinent.

The Monroe doctrine, in ray judgment, has done more to the

upbuilding of this country than any other one policy which it
has pursued, and it has done more for liberty and freedom and
the establishment of republican institutions than any policy the
United States could have followed. I for one am not willing to
abandon or jeopardize the wholesome effect of that great pobcy.
The history of the world shows that race problems have been
the most difficttlt of all to solve. While people have been willing
to acknowledge the equality of men of their own race, they have
generally in practice denied it as to other races. While man v/ill
suffer the bitterest enemy of his own race to exercise authority
over him, he will not quietly permit men of other races to do the
same.
Sace wars will surely ensue, and they are the most cruel and
4624

13

unrelenting of all conflicts. Why .-jeopardize the peace and quiet

of a contented people, and invite the violation of the laws of our
Government, by adding to onr conntry a people of a tropical
clime, who are not homogeneous with us in either manners, customs, or character?
From the political standpoint, therefore, it seoms to me foolish
for the United States to attempt to hold the Philippine Islands.
COilMEUCIAL STANDPOINT.
2. I wish now to examine this question from the commercial
standpoint. Is it wise for the United States to keep the Philippine Islands?
I hold in my hand the last statement issued by the Insular
Bureau of the War Department of the United States, which contains the imports to the Philippine Islands from the various
nations of the world for the fiscal year ending Juno 30. 1900. I
regard this statement as the most powerful and potent argument
against the annexation of the Philippine Islands that has ever
been made. It truly tells a most wonderful tale.
It shows the total imports, including gold and silver coins, to
those islands for that period were $36,loC,597. The imports by
tho leading countries are as follows: From China, $0,4-16, 6S6;
United Kingdom, $3,941,423; Spain, $2,093,530; United States,
$1,056,469; British East Indies, $1,998,680.
it will be seen from that statement that although the flag of our
country has been floating over the ports of the archipelago, yet
the United States has acquired not one-twentieth of the imports to
the islands.
It will be further noted that the total imports from the United
States were $1,050,469, a large part of which consists of goods
demanded and purchased by our own soldiers. It is asserted that
the average exporter does exceedingly well if, after the payment
of transportation charges and insurance, ho makes a profit of
10 per cent upon his goods. That profit is more than the average

made.

Ten per cent of the imports from the United States to Manila is
simply $105,046. That is the total profit in an entire year which
is made to commerce by the holding of the Philippine Islands.
What is the cost of maintaining that commerce?
We have at the present time in the Philippine Islands 65,000
American soldiers. It has been the estimate of the War Department ever since the close of the civil war that the average cost of asoldier, including his food, uniforms, equipment, and ammunition in
times of peace is$l ,000 for each soldier. It would be much morefor
the soldiers in the Philippines, as transportation is much farther
and supplies much dearer, but counting it at that average, 1,000
times 65,000 soldiers means $65,000,000 which the United States is
paving in order to maintain a commerce in which there is a profit
of $165,000 a year.
Who gets the profit? The United States Government? Oh. no.
The profit is to the exporter and manufacturer of goods. Who
pays the cost of $65,000,000 a year? The Government. And who
pays the Government? The people of the United States.
How long will the American people stand the expenditure of
$65,000,000 a year out of moneys collected from the people for the
purpose of putting into the pockets of a few of the exporters and
manufacturers of goods a profit of only $165,000 a year?
*
*
Divide the $65,000,000 by the three hundred and sixty-five days

*****

4624

14
in the year and yon will find that the Government is paying each
day, out of moneys collected from the people, more money than
the total profit in an entire year is to the manufacturer and exl^orter of goods.
To a business man how preposterous does this proposition appear. How long \\-ould he be willing to spend $385 of his money
for the purpose of putting into the pocket of some one else a profit
of $1, and yet that is exactly what is being done in the Philippine
Islands.
The cost of imperialism is far greater than I have stated. It is
shown in the appropriations by Congress for this year as contrasted
with the appropriations for the year prior to the Spanish war. For
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897, they were $409,499,010. For
the fiscal year ending Jvme 30, 1901, the appropriations amounted
to $710,150, 8;;2. a difference of nearly $250,000,000, and in addition
contracts for the Navy were authorized to the amount of $52,334,374.
But greater than all cost is the loss in life of thousands of
the flower and youth of our land, which, even if we have peace,
from tropical diseases must continue as long as we hold the islands.
It is said, liowever, that the war will soon be over and it will
not be necessary to have so many troops there. Ah, Mr. Chairman, the war will not soon be oVer. The same spirit of liberty
and independence which burned so intensely in the breasts of our
forefathers also burns in the heart of the "little brown man," and
it will be years and years before the insurrection has been totally
supi)ressed.
I have heard'of no estimate, even if we conquer the Filipinos,
but by v/liich it will re-quire 30,000 troops to patrol the islands,
and 30,000 troops means at least $30,000,000 a year, and that
means an expenditure of at least $180 for each $1 of profit to the

exporter.

The chances are that instead of the soldiers being less than
05,000 in number they will be increased to 100,000 before the war
is over, and that will mean more than $100,000,000 expenditure
per annum.
It is also said that the commerce of the Philippine Islands will
Yes, it will increase; it may double, it may quadruple,
increase.
it may increase even tenfold, and yet it could not do that except
after a long series of years, as no naf.on ever has so greatly increased its commerce in a generation; but even if it were_ to
increase tenfold and the islands were in a state of pacification
with only 30,000 troops to patrol it, nevertheless there would bo
an expenditure of $18 of the people's money in order to maintain
a com^merce in which there would be a profit of only $1 to the

American exporter.
So, no matter from what standpoint we look

at it, the holding of

the Philippines will continually be a financial loss to the Governhave taken hold of a red-hot
ment of the United States.
poker, and the quicker we let it go the less of a burn we will

We

receive.
But this little statement tells another mighty tale. If you
notice, it says the imports from Spain were $2,092,530. You have
heard of the claim that trade follows the flag, and yet this little

document demonstrates that the Philippine people bought from

Spain hated Spain, the Government with which they had been at
war for three hundred yearsmore goods than they bought from
the country whose flag now floats over Manila.
It

demonstrates that trade does not follow the flag, but does
list; that the Filipinos, like the Americans, will

follow the price

463-t

15

bny where they can buy cheapest and

sell

where they can

sell

dearest.

The theory that we need the Philippine Islands for the purpose
of extending our trade to China is the most chimerical dream
that was ever fancied. What manufacturer would ship goods to
Manila, a port GOO miles from China, unload them, and then I'eship them to points in that Empire. Could he compete with
wholesale dealers and manufacturers at Hongkong or Shanghai?
The mere statement of the proposition is conclusive of its truth.
The Chinese Government has granted a concession to the foreign powers to erect business houses and factories in a certain
district containing several square miles at Shanghai.
The entire
government of that district, inchiding imposition of taxes, is conferred upon the foreigners. Although the district is inhabited by
200,000 Chinese, they have no voice whatever in the municipal
government thereof. That concession is worth more to our manufacturers and exporters than a hundred Manilas. Its location
being at the entrance to the Yangtze Valley, which contains the
richest Ip^nds of Asia, constitutes indeed the open door of our commerce for the Chinese Empire. It is the most economical distributing point that can be designated, and is the most available xjlace
from which to acijuire the trade of the Orient.
It seems to me. therefore, that from the commercial standpoint
it is the height of folly for this Government to hold the Philippine Islands.
MILITARY STANDPOINT.
8.

From

the military standpoint

mean, does the annexation

of the Philippine Islands strengthen or weaken our nation?

It is the universal opinion of men skilled in the science of government that consolidarity of territory is the most invulnerable
form of possession. Is it wise for us to exchange concentration
for diffusion?
If we hold the Philippine Islands we will place targets 7,000
miles from our shores for the guns of everj' hostile power. Nations always assault each other at the weakest points.

had a war with Spain.

We

We did

not attack that country

on her home territory. If we had it would have required ten
times the men and ten times the ships to have accomplished the
same result. We attacked Spain at her weakest points in her
outlying possessions in the islands of the Philippines and in the
island of Cuba.
brought the war speedily to a succesaful
recently

We

issue.
If we

annex the Philippines, the first difficulty that wo have

with a foreign nation will make those islands the point of attack.
Lord Macauley has eloquently denied the military value of col-

onies in the following language:

There are some wbo assert that from a military and political point of view
the West Indies are of {?reat importance to this country. This is a common
but a monstrous misrepresentation. We venture to say that colonial empire
has been one of the greatest curses of modern Europe. What nation has it
ever strengthened? What nation has it ever enriched? What have been its
fruits? Wars of frequent occurrence and immense cost, fettered trade, lavish
expenditure, clashing jurisdiction, corruption in governments, and indisence

among

tlie

people.

In order to overcome the weakening effect of retaining in our

possession islands 7,000 miles from our shore, it will be necessary
to inaugurate great changes in our governmental policy. It will
be necessary first to have a navy two or three times as large as
that which is amj^ly sufficient to protect the shores of our own
4G24

16

The building and maintaining of a navy reqiiires the

expenditure of millions and millions of dollars, which must be
paid for by the Government. The maintenance of such a navy
requires thousands and thousands of marines, which cost millions
and m.illions of dollars annually, all of which must be paid for by
the people.
As Dewey surprised the fleet of Montejo in Manila Harbor, it
demonstrates the necessity of any people holding the Philippine
Islands being prepared against surprises, and in order to prevent
such attaclis'it will be necessary to keep a large part of our Navy in
Asiatic waters and to have on the islands themselves a large
standing army. That large standing army will cost annually
millions of dollars to maintain, and all of it must be paid from
taxes collected from our own people. It seems to me. therefore,
that from a military standpoint the acquisition of the Philippines
is weakening instead of strengthening to our nation.
In conclusion, I wish to say that in my judgment the gravest
and most serious problems are involved in the Philippine policy.
May it be ultimately determined in the interest of the preservation of the great principles of our glorious Republic.
I have attempted to show that the policy of annexing and holding the Philippine Islands is wrong first, from the moral aspect;
second, from the legal aspect, and, third, from the practical aspect:
that political problems are bound to arise on the annexation of
these islands that can never be solved except by treating the
Filipinos as we treat the Cubans. Any other attempted solution
is against human nature, and therefore can not be effective.
From the commercial standpoint I have shown that it must be a
financial loss to our Government; and from a military standpoint
that it is weakening rather than strengthening to our nation.
The departure from the fundamental principles of our Government are far-reaching in their consequences. We can not deny to
men the right of self-government without in time it affecting our
own people. It was truly said that the Republic could not endure
half slave and half free, and I believe it can not endure half republic and half empire.
Such a condition produces two schools of politics, one believing
in the policies of an empire and the other in those of a republic; one
believing in the right of some men to govern, and the other in the
equality and rights of man. An irreconcilable conflict begins and
continues for the supremacy of their respective doctrines, just as
the slave power fought for the extension of slavery in the Territerritory.

tories.

Republics are formed only after

One
is slow and gradual.
empire
the
revolution; the change to

One must ultimately triumph.

of the saddest things in history is that whenever these schools of

politics have met the final result has been the tiiumph of imperial
doctrines. Should we not profit by the experience of history?
Th's Army bill is one of the first measures made necessary by
the policy of colonial empire. Other measures must be presented

will be compelled to vote either for the upholding

of the principles of republican institutions or for the establishment of the policy of an imperial government. I know not v/hat
course you may pursue, but as for me, i want to say that I am
for the Republic forever and for the empire never.

by which you

M^.^.

I.

.KsiT^ j/\j\

^IcF^S-'-

mm