The Sangleyes, or Chineses live there in a separate Quarter, which the Arabs call Alcayceria, and the People of the Philippines, Parian. On S. Francis’s Eve, a great Number of them met in a House half a League from Parian the Chinese Quarter. the City, where there is a Sugar Work: The House stands in a Thicket, which belongs to the Sangley Governour. Those who began first to gather there, were the Gardiners of the Quarter of Parian. Don Lewis Perez First meeting of the mutinous Chineses. de las Marinhas had Advice of it, from the Dominicans of Minondo. Don Lewis had Charge of the Christian Sangleyes, and sent Word to Don Pedro de Acunna. Minondo is a Town inhabited by Chineses opposite to Manila, the River only parting them. From Minondo the Chinese Dwellings run on, as far as another Town of the Natives, call’d Tondo; and in the Minondo a Town of Chineses. Quarter of the Chineses, there is a strong Monastery of Augustinians, all of Stone. Not far from it the Dominicans have two, but wooden Buildings. The Governour, to be fully inform’d of the whole Truth, sent thither Baptist Tondo a Town of Natives. before mention’d, Governour of the Sangleyes, of whom he had a great Opinion, and all Men lookt upon him as a sincere Christian, and loyal Subject to the King. He charg’d him to speak to them in his Name, and to convince Baptist, the Chinese Governour sent to appease them. them how little Cause they had to fear, as knowing how peaceable the Spaniards were. Baptist undertook this Commission, went to the Sugar Work, which was his own, spoke to his People as he thought fit, and return’d very late with the Answer, telling Don Pedro, that he had been in Danger of being chosen their Chief, and that his People would have forc’d him to accept of it. That it was true, they were assembled together, and strong, but that it was all occasion’d by the Fear they had conceiv’d of the Spaniards; and that they had display’d several Colours with Chinese Characters on them, which, being translated, contain’d these Words.
Inscription on the Chinese Rebels Colours. ’The Chief and General of the Kingdom of China, call’d Ezequi, and another of the Tribe of Su, call’d Tym, following the Dictates of Heaven in this Affair, that all the Chineses may unanimously joyn in this Work, and obey them, in Order to root out these Enemy Robbers, are willing that Yochume and Quinte, Japoneses, in Conjunction with us Sangleyes, do conquer this City, and when we have subdu’d it, we will divide this Country, even to the Grass of it, equally between us, as becomes loving Brothers.
Falshood of Baptist. He pretended to be mightily concern’d, because they would have proclaim’d him King, and he was forc’d to make his Escape to save his Loyalty; and had deceiv’d them, promising to return. Hereupon the Governour us’d several Means to appease them, the Danger of so furious a Beginning increasing with the Number of the Rebells. The first Mischief he endeavour’d to prevent was the destroying of the Rice, which was then almost ripe. He appointed Colonel Augustin de Arceo, Major Christopher de Azcueta, and Captain Gallinato to go speak to them; but Don Lewis Perez de la Marinhas, who liv’d at Minondo thinking the Rebellion now requir’d some harsher Remedy, came at Night to advise the Governour to be more watchful, and that all the City should do the like. He desir’d he would allow him some Men to secure that Town, for he fear’d the Sangleyes would burn it that Night, and it was now requisite to make open War; and he must not believe they could be reduc’d by Messages, or fair Means. The Don Lewis Perez secures Minondo. Governour being impos’d upon by Baptist, still hop’d all would be compos’d without Effusion of Blood, and at the Perswasion of Don Lewis gave him 20 Soldiers, his own Servants, and some marry’d Spaniards, who were Inhabitants of the same Town. He distributed these Men into the most dangerous Posts of it, that the Enemy might not set Fire to it, and the Christian Sangleyes when they lost their Goods, joyn’d the Rebels. On the other Hand, the Governour privately posted his Troops, and Sentinels; and all Men expected, or dreaded the Fate of that Night, particularly the General John de Alcega, who, by the Governor’s Command, was to follow the Orders he receiv’d from Don Lewis. Proclamation was again made, that all Men should be peaceable, under Penalty of being sent to the Galleys for four Years.
This avail’d so little, that, excepting 4000 Handicrafts Men, and the Anhayes 1000 Sangleyes salley. Merchants, all the Rest assembled at the Sugar Work. At one in the Morning, a Party of about 1000 Sangleyes march’d out of a Fort, with Catanas, or Cymiters, Halbards, and other Weapons advanc’d, as also with long Staves, harden’d at the Fire at the Points; which they use instead of Pikes, and are no less serviceable. These are very frequent among them in their Country, and are made of a solid Sort of Wood, call’d Mangle. They fell upon the Farm, or Pleasure House of Captain Stephen de Marquina, not far from their Parian, and murder’d him, his Wife, Children, Servants, They murder several and burn Houses. and Slaves. They set Fire to the House, and to those of other Spaniards, among which were those of Colonel Peter de Chaves, and of two Clergymen, who liv’d a retir’d Life, their Names Francis Gomez, and Ferdinand de los Rios. They also kill’d F. Barnard de Santa Catalina, Commissary of the Inquisition, of the Order of S. Dominick. All these defended themselves, as did many more who escap’d, desperately wounded. Thence they drew towards the Town of Tondo, which is divided into Quarters. They fell upon that of Quiapo, and set Fire to it, after murdering 20 Persons. More Cruelties. Among the Rest they burnt a Lady of Quality, and a Boy, giving great Shouts, and boasting that from thence forward, the Indians should pay Tribute to them, and the Castillas perish.
News being brought on Saturday Morning, that the Sangleyes were going to enter the Town, and that the Natives had withdrawn themselves in their Vessels toward Manila, in Order to get in, or lye under the Shelter of its Walls in the River, the Governour dispos’d the Regular Troops, and those of the City Militia about the Walls, viewing the Gates, and all weak Places. Captain Perez sent to Tondo. He sent Captain Gaspar Perez with his regular Company to Tondo, and order’d him to obey Don Lewis de las Marinhas, and to carry no Colours. As soon as he came, the 20 Men sent the Night before, joyn’d him, and Don Lewis thinking that too small a Force, sent to desire Succours. The Governour knowing he was in the right, sent the Captain Don Thomas Bravo, his own Nephew, 24 Years of Age, who serv’d at Ternate in the Captain Thomas Bravo Succours him. Expedition of Andrew Furtado. He went over to the Town of Tondo, with another Company of the regular Forces, some Voluntiers, and seven of the Governour’s Servants, leaving the Colours in the City. After him he sent Captain Peter de Arcea, an old Low-Country Soldier. Don Lewis sent Word again, that the Chineses were marching towards Tondo, that they were Numerous, and he fear’d they would burn the Town, and a stately Church of the Augustinians. The Governour sent him 60 Men more, most of them arm’d with Pikes, and Halbards, the first having been Musketiers. These were commanded by Don John de Penna, till he deliver’d them to Don Lewis. When this Company came, there had been an Ingagement at Tondo, wherein Don Lewis slew abundance of Sangleyes, and oblig’d the rest to retire; preventing their burning the Town, which began to take Fire, and the Houses at the Entrance of it were consum’d. Don Lewis would have pursu’d the Enemy, who retir’d to their Fort, and Don Thomas Bravo endeavour’d to disswade Chineses repuls’d. him, saying, The Men were all fatigu’d, and that as soon as out of the Town they would meet with nothing but Bogs and Brambles; and since the Governor’s Orders extended no farther than to keep the Enemy off from thence, and save the burning of the Church and Houses, and that had been done, they ought to send him Advice of it, before they proceeded, being only the River parted them, and in the mean while the Soldiers would refresh themselves, and they might hear more of the Enemies Design. Captain Alcega said the same, but Don Lewis being bent upon it, and offended to be Don Lewis upbraids Captain Alcega. contradicted, ask’d him, What Hen had cackled in his Ear? And bid them follow him, for five and twenty Soldiers were enough to deal with all China. Alcega answer’d, He was us’d to hear as good Game-Cocks as himself Crow; yet he would do well to consider what he did. However, tho’ F. Farfan, an Augustinian, earnestly perswaded Don Lewis, falling on his Knees, to do as they desir’d him, and not to go any farther, yet he could not be prevail’d on; but having order’d the Captains, Gaspar Perez, and Peter de Arceo, to secure some Posts with a few Men, he broke out furiously, and Pursues the Enemy against Advice. began to march, being follow’d by the Men, in Pursuit of the Enemy; who had already gain’d the Road, and they overtook them near the Fort, between the Bogs and the Fordable Shoals. When they came to the Fort, the Country open’d a little more. Here they began to fall upon the Enemies Rear, and they perceiving how few the Spaniards were, as not being above 130, drew up in a Body with two Points, like a Half Moon, and lay in Ambush among the Grass. The main Body of our Men march’d towards the Fort, and then those who lay in Ambush rising, enclos’d our Men, and fell upon them so furiously with sharp Stakes, Cymiters, and other Weapons, that they cut them in Pieces. Head-Pieces of Proof were found batter’d with a Stake. A Musketier, who serv’d Don Lewis, reported, that a Company of Is slaughter’d with his Men. Sangleyes fell upon him, who having enclos’d him, laid about so implacably, that they bruiz’d and broke his Legs; after which he fought a considerable Time on his Knees, till they stun’d him with their Staves, against which a strong Helmet could not defend him. They left the Ensign Francis de Rebolledo stun’d, for Dead, and when the Enemy drew off, he made a Shift to get up and escape, with his Head cruelly cut, and was cur’d in the City, where he told many Particulars of that miserable Slaughter, about 30 more escap’d, and among them F. Farfan, who all got off by being in the Rear, and light of Foot. Don Lewis was kill’d there by the same People that had slain his Father, and with him the General Alcega, Don Thomas Bravo, Captain Cebrian de Madrid, and only one of all the Governor’s Servants surviv’d.
Chineses rejoyce with the Spaniard’s Heads. The Sangleyes cut off the Heads of the Slain, and hoisting them on the Points of their Spears, run in at their Nostrils, carry’d them to present to their Chinese General, who was in the Fort, and his Name Hontay. He, and the Rest, view’d the Heads, and set them up with much rejoycing, returning Thanks to Heaven, and the Earth, according to their Custom, for that Victory; thinking they should meet with little Opposition from the Spaniards after that.
All this Day, being the Feast of S. Francis, and the next, the Enemy spent in rejoycing. At Manila they were burning the Suburbs, and Houses without the Walls, and consider’d what Order they should take against the Parian; for tho’ many Thousands of Sangleyes us’d to inhabit it, there were not then 1500 remaining, and among them 500 Anhayes Merchants, a peaceable and rich People, of whom there was no mistrust; the rest were Handicrafts, no Way suspected. About 50 of the others were secur’d, who had their Hair shorn, and were mix’d among the Christian Sangleys. These gave Information, that they had burnt Monasteries of Religious People in several Places. Some Clergy-Men, with abundance of Women and Children, secur’d themselves in the Church of S. Francis del Christians defend themselves in a Belfry. Monte, and some Companies of Sangleyes coming to besiege them, they went up into a Belfry, where having fixt a Sheet on a Staff, they display’d it like Colours, the People appearing at the Windows, the Women and Children ringing the Bells, rating the Enemy, and bidding them come on. Our Men often firing two Muskets, which was all they had, the Sangleyes durst not approach, being more afraid than they had Occasion, and accordingly drew off to a strong Post, whence they were to continue the War.
Francis de las Missas does the Rebels much Harm. The Governour endeavour’d to prevent the News of the Slaughter spreading abroad, lest it should discourage the Country; and gave out, that the Slain were at S. Francis del monte. He warn’d the Justices to get together all the Indian Servants, because there were scarce any Spaniards left; and sent the Factor Francis de las Missas to cruise upon the Coast, with three Rowing Vessels, towards the Enemies Fort, to cut off all their Provisions. The Factor perform’d his Part so well, that he sunk some Vessels, and burnt those that carry’d them Provisions. He kill’d many of their Men at the Mouth of a River that falls into the Sea, about the Fort call’d Navotas; look’d for the Clergy-men they were said to have kill’d in their Houses; and sent away to S. Francis del monte, a Party of 500 Japoneses, with three Spaniards, and two Franciscan Fryers, to gather the Remains of that Slaughter. In his Way, he pass’d by the Enemy’s Fort, with a Design to do them some Harm, if he could, and found they had abandon’d it, retiring to the Parian, to joyn the rest and besiege the City, being puff’d up with their late Victory. This happen’d on Monday the 6th. The Japoneses kill 200 Chineses, and burn their Fort. Japoneses search’d the Fort, where they found about 200 sick and wounded Chineses, whom they slew, and saving abundance of Provisions, burnt the Fort with all their Warlike Preparations, which could not be serviceable against the first Owners. They went up to the Monastery, and return’d thence the same Day to the City.
The few Sangleyes in the Parian were no less apprehensive, than the Rebels send to stir up the others. greater Number in the Fort, both because they were so near, and for that it was suppos’d they would joyn their Companions, when they saw the Spaniards decline. Besides, it was known, that those in Rebellion had sent to desire them to come over to their Party, giving them Notice of the Spaniards they had kill’d. This was discover’d by a Sangley, who swimming over, was taken by the Sentinel on the Vessels that were in the River, who, having confess’d on the Rack, that he was a Spy, and went Spy executed. forward and backward with Intelligence, was put to Death. On the other Hand, it was consider’d, that though the safest Way was to kill all those People, yet it was not just to execute Men that were not convicted of any Crime; especially since they came to the Philippine Islands, to trade upon the publick Faith, and the Governour having engag’d for their Safety, in case they were quiet, and intermeddled not in the Rebellion. For this Reason some Councils of War were held among the Commanders, at which the Counsellors, and the Archbishop, were also present; and considering, that the Rebels earnestly applying to those in the Parian, to side with them, it was possible they might be perverted, and in case they did not revolt, The Governour would secure the Anhayes. those Mutiniers would kill them, it was resolv’d, That the Anhayes Merchants should be perswaded to retire with their Effects into the Monastery of S. Augustin, which is a strong House within Manila. The Governour having himself in Person acquainted them herewith, as also by some of the Counsellors and their Friends, yet they were irresolute; and tho’ some of them committed the keeping of their Goods to others, they stay’d themselves to be Spectators of the Event. The last Care taken of them, was Don Pedro’s going in Person to the Parian that same Day; and about an Hour after, many of the Enemies Colours appear’d on the other Side of the River, along the Bank of it. They came from the Fort, which was a quarter of a League from the City.
Chineses pass over to Parian. Some of the Sangleyes began to swim over to the Parian, and others came in Boats and Floats provided for that Purpose. Their Passage could not be obstructed, because the Galiots and Carcoas belonging to the Navy were then among the Pintados, to defend those Islands; Intelligence having been brought, that a Fleet of Mindanaos and Ternates was coming to invade them. The Rebels enter’d the Parian with great Cries, bringing the Heads of the Spaniards they had kill’d on S. Francis’s Day, run through the Nostrils. The Governour observing their Resolution, order’d the Captains, Gaspar Perez, and Peter de Arceo, who were at Tondo, to come over to the City with their Companies. The Enemy being return’d to the Parian, with that dismal Spectacle of the Heads, began to perswade the Anhayes, who had not yet declar’d, but not being able to prevail, and finding them positive on the contrary, and that they blam’d what they had done, The Chineses murder the Anhayes. they fell upon and butcher’d above 200 of them. Then they plunder’d Part of their Silks, which made them Cloaths of several Colours. They Some hang themselves to avoid their Fury. also hang’d other Merchants, and some, being about 80 in Number, hang’d themselves, to prevent falling into their Hands, which is very frequent in that Country. One of these was the Sangley General himself, call’d, Hontay. F. John Pobre, formerly a Captain, since a Franciscan Fryer, and at this Time compell’d by Necessity to take up Arms again, reported, That the mutinous Sangleyes, having perswaded the Anhayes to follow their Example, they appointed Chican, a rich Sangley, and Master of the Spanish Tongue, to answer for them. He, before he would speak his Mind, told them it would be proper to set up a Gallows, and the Heads of the Spaniards on it, that being in View, they might all take Courage to fight manfully. They approv’d of his Counsel, and the Gallows being set up, he Strange Death of Chican. went up himself to range the Heads, and taking out a Rope he had carry’d up unseen, put it about his own Neck, and hang’d himself in the Sight of them all.