Luzon Island describ’d. Luzon is more Populous than any of the other Islands, which in Honour of King Philip the Second, were call’d Philippines, and which some affirm are in Number 11000. The Compass of Luzon is 350 Leagues. It runs without the Bay 100 Leagues to the Northward, as far as New Segovia; and from where this Province commences, which is at Cape Bojador, and 70 Leagues from it, turns to the Eastward, to the Promontory del Enganno; from thence along the Coast to the South, 80 Leagues; then turning again to that they call Embocadero, or the Mouth, being the Streight against the Island Tandaya, 40 Leagues, and this is 80 from the Bay. So that it bears the shape of a Square, and in it several Bays, and few good Harbours. It lyes in 160 Degrees Longitude, reckoned from the Canaries, the Southermost Part in 14 Degrees of North Latitude, and the Northermost in 19. On that Side of it lyes China, separated from it by the Sea 60 Leagues over; and the Islands of Japan, 250 Leagues distant. On the East is the Vast Ocean; on the South is the greatest of all the Archipelagos, divided into five, and those again rent into so many Islands, Kingdoms, and Provinces, as if Nature had resolv’d that Man should never determine their Number. The most known are the two Javas, our Moluccos, Borneo, and New Guinea. On the West of Luzon, at 300 Leagues, and greater Distances, lye Malaca, Siam, Patan, Camboxa, Cochin-china, and several other Provinces on the Continent of Asia. The Chineses forsook their Habitations in our Philippine Islands, but not the Trade. Neither did the Worship they had introduc’d cease, nor their Fertility. Product, and Trade. They produce plenty of Corn, and other necessary Grain; Deer, Cows, Buffaloes, Goats, and Wild Boars; Fruit, and Sweets; and if any be wanting the Chincheo Chineses bring it, as they do Porcelane, and Silks. The Wine they use, and always drank, is drawn from the Palm, or rather Coco Trees, cutting off the Clusters of the Fruit they produce, when Green, and taking off the Nipples of them, they gather the Water that runs from them, and Boil it in Jars, till it becomes so strong, that it makes Men drunk, in the same manner as the strongest Spanish Wine. Of its Natural Growth, the Island has Oranges, Lemmons, and most delicious Citrons; of Spanish Fruit, Figs, and Pears. There are Numerous Breeds of Sparrow-Hawks, Birds. Birds like small Herons, and Eagles, besides sundry Sorts of Parrots, and other large and small Fowl. In the Rivers and Lakes there are many Monstrous Crocodils, or Alligators. These easily kill the Indians, Alligators. and especially Boys, who happen unadvisedly to come where they are, and the Cattle that goes into the Water to drink. It often happens, they lay hold of their Snouts, or Noses, and draw them under Water, where they are drown’d, without being able to defend themselves; then they drag the Carcass to the Shore, and devour it. An Alligator being kill’d a whole Buffaloes Head has been found some times in the Belly, and yet in that Country they are as big as the largest Ox in Spain. The Alligators lay Eggs as the Tortoises do, about the bigness of Goose-Eggs, and so hard that they will scarce break, tho’ struck against a Stone with main Force. They are Hatch’d by burying in the Sand, near the edge of the Water; the moisture whereof, with the Heat of the Sun forms the young Ones. There are some Indians so brave, that as fierce as these Creatures How the Indians fight the Alligators. are, they kill them with their Hands. They arm the left up to the Arm with a Glove of Buffalo’s Hide. They hold in it a Stick, or small Stake, somewhat above a Foot long, and as thick as a Man’s Wrist, and sharpned at both Ends, with which they go into the Water up to the Waste: The Crocodile makes up to the Indian, gaping to swallow him, and he holding out his Arm that is arm’d, and the Hand with the Stake in it, for the Monster to bite at, claps it across his Mouth, so that he cannot shut it, or make use of his Teeth to hurt him. The Alligator feeling the hurt of the sharp pointed Stick, is so dismayed that he neither makes resistance, nor offends, nor dares so much as move, because the least strugling gauls him. Then the Indian holding fast the Stake, with a Ponyard he has in his other Hand, Wounds the Creature so often about the Gills, till it bleeds to Death. Then he drags it ashore with Ropes and Noozes, many Indians joyning to draw, and there is need of many, considering the Bulk of those Crocodiles. They are shap’d like Lizards, but arm’d with such strong Shells, that a Musket-shot makes little Impression on them, and they are scarce to be hurt, but only about the Gills, and under their short Legs, where Nature has plac’d a sort of sweet Odour, which the Indians make their Advantage of. These Islands, besides the Cattel, produce all that is found in Africk, as Tygers, Lions, Bears, Foxes, Monkeys, Beasts. Apes, Squirrels, and some of them Abundance of Civet-Cats, which are much Hunted, in order to be sent into several Countries, with other Commodities of China; Callicoes, Silks, Porcelane, Iron, Copper, Steel, Commodities. Quicksilver, and many more Yearly Transported from those Countries. The Religion and Government is now the same as in Spain; but in those which are not yet subdu’d, they follow an Extravagant Idolatry; believing the Soul Immortal, but wandering from one Body to another, according to that ridiculous Transmigration invented or published by Pythagoras. They are much addicted to Trade, and forwarded in it by the Commerce with China. The Philippine People are braver than their Neighbours; the Spaniards and their Breed do not degenerate from their Original.
An Army was now forming of all these Sorts of People, by Order of the King, to attempt recovering the Forts of the Moluccos. Don Ronquillo de Pennalosa was then Governour there; and tho’ he had receiv’d some Intelligence Ronquillo’s Preparations for the Moluccos. brought him thence by Spies and Traders, yet not satisfy’d with it, he sent thither another Soldier. He disguised himself, and being like the Natives in Countenance, and speaking their Language to Perfection, got to Tydore. He found our People very earnest to forward that Enterprize, and that King ready to support it with all his Power. Thence he pass’d over to Ternate, among Merchants, where he view’d the Forts, the Shoals of the Harbours; observ’d their Correspondence with the English, and took notice how they Landed, and Traded in all Safety, or rather with Authority. Nor was he unacquainted with the Numbers of conceal’d Christians, who would take up Arms when a seasonable Opportunity was offer’d, or any other Particular, which belong’d to a Judicious Spy to enquire into. Hereupon Ronquillo gather’d about 300 Spaniards, and above 1500 Natives The Forces sent under Sarmiento. of the Philippines, with Ammunition, Provisions, and Seamen, and at the proper Season sent them for the Moluccos in three Great Ships, and a considerable Number of Small Ones. Peter Sarmiento, a brave and experienc’d Officer, still living in those Islands, when this was writ, went as General. He had Courage, and Force to destroy any of the Enemies that then frequented those Seas. His Majesty had some time before bestow’d the Government of Ternate, if it were Conquer’d, on Paul de Lima; and Paul de Lima rich in the Moluccos. allow’d his Brother Francis de Lima to make two Voyages to the Moluccos, in Consideration of their Services, and those of Henry their Father. Paul was Marry’d to a Christian, and devout Lady, tho’ a Kinswoman to the King of Ternate, who was not so. For this Reason, and because he had been possess’d in Ternate, of the ancient Inheritance of the Villages of Guita, Mofaquia, Mofaguita, Pavate, Pelveri, Sansuma, Takane, Mayloa, and Soma; and in the Island of Machian of Sabele, Talapao, Talatoa, Mofabonana, Tabaloga, Tagono, Bobaba, and Molapa; and in Regard the King of Ternate, had expell’d him most of them, as also of Bitua in Tydore, and several other Places, he went over to Manila, as a Banish’d Man, where he confer’d with the Governour, about the means of facilitating the Conquest, just before it was put in Execution. His Advice was of use, and he gave it, as one so nearly concern’d; for besides the Inheritance the King of Ternate wrongfully with-held from him, he hop’d to recover the Island of Moutil, which belong’d to his Forefathers. The Enterprize was farther Authoriz’d by the Presence of Don John Ronquillo, Don John Ronquillo joyn’d with Sarmiento. the Governour’s Nephew, who had equal Power with Sarmiento, both by Sea and Land. If any thing was wanting, they thought the Defect would easily be supply’d by the Valour of the Soldiers, the Celerity of the Passage, and the Enemies Surprize; but the divided Command was an Obstacle to their Hopes.
The Weather prov’d not very cross, yet neither was it so favourable, as that they could come directly to anchor at Ternate, as would have been most convenient to deceive the Watchfulness of the Enemy. They arriv’d at Moutil, and fought a Parcel of Janguas in Sight of Land; which Spaniards arrive at and take Moutil. were taken, and the Christians in them set at Liberty. Paul de Lima being well acquainted with the Bays, and there being no sufficient Force in the Island to withstand a Fleet, it easily submitted, when attack’d in several Parts. The Natives came out with Palm, Citron, and Clove-Tree Branches, in Token of Peace, and to beg Pardon. Both were granted, and Paul de Lima appointed their Lord, tho’ his New Dominion turn’d to little Account, for within a few Days, all the People slipp’d away, either because they thought themselves safer at Ternate, or to meet the Enemy, who of Necessity must carry the War over into that Island, as it happen’d. Here Sarmiento refitted the Ships, and being over-joy’d with this Success, Sarmiento in Ternate. obtain’d without the Loss of one Man, arriv’d at Talangame, passing amidst the Enemies Carcoas, which they had fitted out in a Hurry. The King expected him long before in the Fort, well furnish’d with our Cannon, particularly the Bastion they had enlarg’d, and call’d Cachil Tulo, from the King’s Uncle, who made it, and these Preparations seem’d to threaten any Disaster. Our Men landed on that Side, and were oppos’d by the Ternates; but Night put an End to the Fight, and both Parties retiring to their Fastnesses, our Cannon was landed, and planted in the Place, and after such Manner as Paul de Lima directed, and ever since he commanded it in the Fort of Tydore. The King of this Island was willing to joyn our Camp, as had appear’d by some of his Actions, and his Promises to the Ensign Duennas; but he mistrusted the Fortune of the Spaniards, as if he King of Tydore dubious. had not had sufficient Experience of it. The Opportunity and Fidelity now invited him, and yet he forbore; his Doubtfulness is thought to have been prejudicial to the Success. Sarmiento having planted his Cannon, intrench’d himself, and taking some Prisoners, of whom he learn’d what Provisions and Amunition the Besieged had, began to press on, and batter them furiously; yet they were not discourag’d, but answer’d boldly. It was found convenient to possess the upper Grounds, which over-looking the Place, tho’ they have been since levell’d, our Men much incommoded the Enemy, and had they continu’d it, that would have put an End to the War. However there was so much Sickness in the Camp, that no Remedy Fort of Ternate batter’d. was found against it, but going off so to save themselves for a more favourable Season. The Succours which came as Duties from Tydore, were very inconsiderable; the Allies were cold, and all Things weak; what other Causes there were Heaven knows. It is likely there were some of The Siege raised. more Moment, for in short the Army broke up, and reimbark’d for Manila, without doing any thing but adding to the Enemies Resolution.
At that Time, only the English Nation disturb’d the Spanish Sovereignty in those Eastern Parts; for this Reason, King Philip was desirous, not only for the present to curb them by Force of Arms, but to make them an Example to all other Nations, that they might not spread themselves abroad to attempt such Invasions, as we are Eye-Witnesses to. This Work was undertaken in the Year 1588, but first happen’d what we are now to State of Affairs in Europe. relate. Queen Elizabeth of England, after a tedious Imprisonment, beheaded Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, for some Politick Reasons, or Fictions. The then King of Scotland, and since of England also, Son to the Martyr, arm’d his People, strengthen’d his Garrisons, and invaded the Dominions of the Enemy, who had caus’d him to be Motherless; and more particularly the Marches about the River Tweed, and those of Anandale, water’d by the River Solway. The Queen call’d Home the Earl of Leicester, who was in Holland, appointed him General, and War broke out in all those Northern Provinces, with apprehensions of greater to ensue. Queen Elizabeth’s Practices. After many Events, which do not belong to this Place, Queen Elizabeth strengthned her Alliance with the Dutch, encouraging those Provinces to persist in their Disobedience to the Church, and to King Philip, and advising them, since the King had forbid them trading in all the Rest of his Dominions, to go over into India, there to raise Commotions, and rob him of the Spice. The more safely to compass her Designs, she supported the Flemmings Obstinacy, flattering herself with the Hopes of a new Monarchy, for the acquiring whereof, she propos’d to make use of the Wealth yearly brought from the North and South Seas, for Spain, the Robbing of which had already made an Addition to her Power; as also of the Factories erected for Trade in the Moluccos, Banda, Sumatra, Ceylon, and the two Javas; where she kept Garrisons, in order to convert the Friendship into Sovereignty.
King Philip, whose great Soul ever entertain’d both Forbearance, and King Philip’s mighty Fleet. Counsel, resolv’d to cut off the Heads of this Hydra at the Neck they all sprung from. He gather’d, for the Conquest of England, the mightiest Fleet that has been seen on the Ocean in our Days. Twenty Thousand fighting Men were put aboard tall Ships, besides 9000 Sailors, with 1730 Pieces of Cannon, Abundance of Ammunition, and Pikes and Fire-Arms for the Catholicks, who it was hop’d, as soon as they saw the Spanish Colours, would joyn our Army. Don Alonso Perez de Guzman, Duke of And Army against England. Medina Sidonia commanded in Chief, and was to joyn the Prince of Parma, then Governour of Flanders, who had Commission to raise another Army of 30000 Horse and Foot, with the Necessary Provisions and Ammunition, which he was to transport at a fit Season to that Point of England, where the Thames falls into the Sea, to march thence to London, and there Arm the Catholicks. But it was first requisite to beat the English at Sea, where they were then powerful, and well acquainted with the proper Times to sail and keep at Home. At the least they were to be terrify’d, that they might not dare to obstruct the Passage of the Troops, the Prince of Parma had in readiness at Dunkirk and Newport, or hinder their embarking, when the Spanish Fleet should come thither to waft them over. This Fleet sail’d from Lisbon on the 19th of May, 1588, and as soon as out They suffer by Storms. suffer’d much by the Weather, so that three Gallies were cast away, on the Coast of Bayonne. Abundance of the powder blew up; and the General was oblig’d to return to Corunna, to refit; whence he could not get out till the 2d of July.
Being come into 48 Degrees of Latitude, he sent away Don Lewis de Guzman to give Advice to the Prince of Parma, and on the last of the same Arrive at the Lizard. Month arriv’d himself at the Lizard, in Cornwall, where he lay by, and was certainly inform’d, that all the Enemy’s Ships, being fifty in number, lay in Plymouth. The English Admiral at Break of Day discover’d ours, Spanish Shiptaker. and tho’ he wanted neither Strength, nor Experience in Sea Affairs, he resolved to draw off and avoid ingaging, but his Ships being lighter incommoded us in the Rear. In the Catholick Fleet, a great Ship of Guipuscoa blew up, and another of Andaluzia spent her Main-Mast, in which Distress, two English Ships attacking her, and those afterwards seconded by others, in one of which Sir Francis Drake was, they took her. There Don Pedro de Valdes, a Spanish Commander of known Valour, and then Lieutenant General, was made Prisoner, with whom they sent to Plymouth, a great Quantity of Crown Pieces, and fifty Great Guns. About 400 Spaniards were kill’d, and taken. On the 2d and 4th of August, the Lord Howard, and Drake joyn’d their Squadrons, some write they had an hundred Sail, all well Mann’d, and light, with which they infested ours, which were heavy, and encumber’d, particularly the Portuguese Galleon, call’d the S. John, being the greatest in the Fleet, and in it were John Martinez de Recalde, the Count de Paredes, the Marques de la Favara, and other Commanders of Note. However they got to the Isle of Wight, whence the Duke sent away two Messengers to the Prince of Parma, who was then at Brussels, desiring he would furnish him with Powder and Ball, for the Defence of the Fleet, and imbark what Troops he had ready. But he, either prevented by invincible Obstacles, or for other Reasons, which have left that Princes Reputation Disappointment of the Fleet. expos’d to Censures, mov’d so slowly, that what had been so maturely concerted took no Effect. The Enemy boasting, that the Sea and Winds had fought against us, in Vindication, as they said of their Cause, made publick Rejoycings, firing their Cannon; and soon after the Queen put forth a Proclamation to the same Effect, against which a certain English Religious Man writ learnedly, by the Name of Andrew Philopator.
The Dutch who were in Confederacy with Queen Elizabeth, seeing this Success, were encourag’d to aspire to greater Matters, renouncing their Religion, and their Sovereign, attempting to usurp the Treasures of the East, The Dutch aspire. Mines, Spice, Drugs, and Silks, as appears by their bold Voyages, wherein they have endeavour’d to follow the fresh Examples of the English, and the ancient set them by Columbus, Albuquerque, Magellan, Gama, and Cortes, as we shall see hereafter. But, both they and the English, if they try the Justice of their Cause by the Success of that Fleet, must be oblig’d to prefer the Cause of the Gentiles, when God for his Secret Judgments permitted his own chosen People to be over-thrown. Destruction is more glorious than Prosperity; and a religious Soul will rather chuse to be cast down than Victorious, if an angry God is to give it the Victory.
After this Santiago de Vera govern’d the Philippine Islands, and by special Order, arm’d against Ternate, where the English from that Time traded Another Expedition from the Philippines. with all possible Security. All Nations had settled Factories except the Javaneses and Lascarines. Above 2500 Mahometans from Mecca preach’d their Abominations. They fear’d nothing from Portugal, all their Apprehension was from the Spaniards, who were newly ingag’d to seek Revenge. The King of Ternate well knew that Sarmiento and Ronquillo would have taken it, had not Diseases prevented them. When the News of fresh Preparations came to Tydore, it was carry’d over by Spies to Ternate. That King presently call’d together his Subjects, especially the Islanders of Machian and Homer, who came in 40 Carcoas, because their Islands were very populous. The Number had been greater, but that the King of Ternate prepares. King would not suffer more to be fitted out than he demanded, for he could not conceal his Fear that they would rebel, those Parts being full of Christians, and the Taxes he laid on the People intolerable. Santiago de Vera appointed John Morones General, who wanted not for Conduct, nor his Men for Valour, nor the Fleet for Cannon and Ammunition. But whether Natural Ambition, or any other Accident was the Occasion of it, there were such Divisions among them, that they had sufficient Grounds to mistrust the Event, before they left Manila. They set sail with fair Weather, and pass’d the greatest Dangers of the Sea, and when they thought themselves safest, all the Elements seem’d to conspire against the Fleet. They lost the Light, and their Reckning, the Vessels were shatter’d, and the greatest of Spanish Fleet loses a great Galleon. them sunk, and all the Men lost. This was the Galleon S. Hellen, which carry’d the Guns to batter the Fort, and many other Necessaries and Stores. For all this, they insisted upon proceeding, and the King of Bachian assisted them with what Forces he had rais’d, under Colour of clearing the Sea of some Enemies; and being a Christian baptiz’d, lamented his departing from our holy Faith, on Account of Persecution, and promis’d the Restitution of his Soul.
Spanish General refuses the best Advice. The Weather growing calm, when they were in Sight of Ternate, the Carcoas durst not stand them, but fled at the first Discharges, which they can do without receiving any Damage. Therefore the two Kings, and Paul de Lima, advis’d to fall on in several Places. Ferdinand Boto Machado, Captain of a Galleon, was of the same Opinion; but the General suspecting the former, on Account of his Affinity, and the latter for the Friendship he had lately contracted with the King of Tydore, whom he was not well satisfy’d with, would not follow their Advice; alledging, That it was not convenient, by dividing the Forces, to weaken them more than the Storm Besieges the Fort of Ternate. had done. He laid Siege to the Fort, but the Besieged being acquainted with the Condition of our Troops, oppos’d all their Assaults courageously, and scoff’d and laugh’d at the insignificant Batteries. However our Men, whom the Storms had depriv’d of Necessaries for that Work, vented their Spleen upon the Javanese. These valu’d themselves upon sallying out to Skirmish, being distinguishable by their Arms, and manner of drawing up. The Spaniards handled them so roughly, that they did little more during the War. Some Months were spent in Fruitless Attempts, and if they had attack’d the Country, but a Culverine-Shot short of the Fort, at the Bay of Limathao, and march’d thence to attack the Fort behind, as the most understanding desir’d, it had been of good Consequence. But the General Morones, putting all upon Experience without Forecast, was satisfy’d with fronting next the Sea, doing much Harm, which was caus’d by that first, and obstinate manner of attacking; and that gave Way for Succours to go into the Natives, at other landing Places, tho’ thirty Men at a small Distance might have prevented it. This both the Kings maintain’d, whose Valour, which ought to be commended even in Enemies, if our General had pleas’d, might have given Success to this Undertaking. Besides that experience has shown that fifty Spaniards have done as much upon Occasion, as whole Roman Legions well arm’d and disciplin’d.
Morones now perceiving that neither his Arms, nor his Proposals had Sends some Men to the other Fort. any effect upon the Rebels, he resolv’d to pass over some of his Men against the other Fort, which, tho’ seated on a Ground of difficult Access, seem’d to be pregnable, because built in Haste, a League from the former on a steep Hill. On the Land Side of it is the Mountain, and on the Back a Lake, and is of no use, because it does not defend the City, which is open, and is Javanese Ships burnt. only regarded for being near the old Fort. Our Men went on chearfully, and the Defendants receiv’d them as well firing their Cannon, which gave a Check to the Spanish Fury. Those in the other Fort, tho’ they made little use of Fire-Arms, being compell’d by Necessity, ventur’d to sally out to the Shore. To draw them to this Resolution, some of our Men on a sudden set Fire to the Junks, in which a great Number of Javanese Indians had come thither. The Vessels, which were old blaz’d up, without any Obstruction from those who guarded them, but they referr’d the Remedy to their Weapons. They were in all about 3000 fighting Men, 1000 of them had Muskets, whereof 200 were expert at them; the rest neither Pikes, nor Lances, nor any other long sort of Arms, but only those they call Toranas, about a Fathom in Length, like Darts, and some like Arrows, which they cast by main Strength, with Canes and Strings, wherewith they unexpectedly wound unarm’d Men in Fight; because they fly not out of a Bow, but are thrown strait forward, or over their Heads. Others had only their Campilanes, or Cymiters, and Shields. Many of them fought the more obstinately, confiding in their Coats of Mail, and Head-Pieces, bought of the Portugueses; but as soon as they clos’d with our Men, they broke their Order, and lost Courage. This Accident prov’d a very great Obstacle, because it diverted our Men from their double Design of pressing both Forts at the same Time, so that the very Commanders were forc’d to ingage. Morones knew how to behave himself upon all Occasions, and the Spaniards made such a Slaughter, that almost all the Javaneses lay upon Bloody Victory gain’d by the Spaniards. the Spot. Those in the Forts had not the Courage to fall in upon the Rear, tho’ they pour’d a Volley upon the Forces of Tydore and Bachian, but with little Harm. This Victory was not gain’d without Effusion of Blood, yet they took Heart to hope for one more compleat, at the Arrival of the Galeon from India, and believ’d that Addition of Strength would make amends for what they lost in the Storm.