The same day Captain Peter de Brito, being with his Company in the Cathedral, which had been assign’d him the Night before, for his Post, and observing that a certain House was not uncover’d, contrary to the Proclamation made the Day before, commanding them all to have the Palm-Tree Leaves and Nipa, wherewith they are thatch’d, taken off, for Fear of another Conflagration; he sent to take it off. The Ensign Andrew Obregon went up to this Purpose to the very Top, and there found Baptist hidden with his Sword and Dagger, whom some Women endeavour’d to conceal. Being ask’d by the Ensign, what he did there? he answer’d, He was Baptist Chief of the Rebels taken. taking off the Nipa. The next Question he was quite dash’d, and his own Conscience suddenly accusing him, he said, Do not kill me, Sir. The Ensign mildly encouraging, bid him go to the Governour, who expected him, and stay’d to take off the Covering of Nipa. Then coming down saw some Soldiers, and went up again with them. By this Time certain Indian Women had hid Baptist in a Chamber, where the Soldiers entering by Force, bound him, and he was cast into Prison among other Chineses. The Tryal was short, as is usual in the Martial Way, and in the mean while the Prisoners were remov’d to Captain Gallinato’s House. Thither came a Japonese Boy, enquiring for Baptist. They found his Pocket full of Squibs, and another Boy with a Piece of a Wax-Candle, all which was given them by one of Baptist’s Slaves. The Squibs were all bloody, perhaps it was some Christian’s Gore. He own’d himself he had His Confession. so great a Hand in the Rebellion, that it was not without good Reason they would have made him their Chief. That the Sangleys call’d out upon his Name. That Hontay was troubled at his Absence, saying, He Why Hontay hang’d himself. must needs be in some Trouble, since he did not come to Head them; and for this Reason he hang’d himself. Next appear’d the Ring-leaders of the Mutiny, and it was prov’d against them, That they had set up a Pole on the Place call’d el Cerro, or the Hill of Calocan, and on it a black Flag, with two Chinese Characters on it, which imported CUNTIEN, the Signification whereof is, IN OBEDIENCE TO HEAVEN. Other Colours were found with the Army that fought at Dilao, with a Cut on them containing the Chinese Figures of Encan, or Baptist.
Several Religious Men, at this Time fought against the Mutiniers; but Brother Antony Flores, a brave Man. among them all, special Praise is due to the Valour of the Lay-Brother Antony Flores, of the Order of S. Augustin. He was born in Estremadura, had serv’d in Flanders, was a Slave in Turkey above 20 Years, and made his Escape out of the Inland Country by his Valour and Industry. He went over to the Philippine Islands, where he chearfully took the Habit, in the Monastery of S. Augustin at Manila. He always show’d great Humility in Obedience, and lost nothing of his Courage in the Simplicity of a Religious Life. Him the Governour order’d to scour the River, in the Galliot belonging to the Monastery, fighting the Ships and Champanes of the Sangleyes. One Night after having drove from the Shore above 200 Vessels, Does good Service. burnt some large ones, and sunk others, he stay’d in the Middle of the River Passig, to observe the Sangleyes. Between eleven and twelve, he perceiv’d that one of the Rebels was swimming over to the City, and the Darkness causing him to mistake, he lighted upon brother Antony’s Galliot. Takes a Spy. He having seen him before, the Indian Servants had the Opportunity of laying hold of him, drew him by the Hair into the Galliot, and carry’d him to the Governour. He was put to the Rack, and there confess’d, That he came to acquaint the Sangleyes of the Parian, that the next Day those on the other Side would cross the River, and then they would all together, with the Engines they had provided, attack the Wall, put all the Spaniards to the Sword, and make themselves Masters of the Islands. The Governour having this Intelligence, took the necessary Precautions for the next Day, and Brother Antony return’d to his Monastery, where he furnish’d himself with Meal and other Provisions for his Galliot. He carry’d two Muskets for himself, and drew his Vessel into a Creek the River makes, that runs by the Walls of Manila, among abundance of Manglans, which are Trees growing in any watrey land, and so thick, that Men may easily be hid among them, without being perceiv’d. There Brother Antony lay in Ambush supposing, or knowing, that the Sangleyes must of Necessity pass that Way, He alone kills 600 Chineses. as being the narrowest in the River, and nearest to the Wall. Nor was he deceiv’d in his Expectation, for they came very early in the Morning, and were passing over in great Numbers from the first Peep of Day, till very late. The Fryer had put above 200 Bullets into two Pouches, and kept firing the two Muskets from before five in the Morning, at break of Day till six in the Evening, cooling them with Vinegar; nor did he ever fire at less than a Company of 20 or 30 Sangleyes, that no Shot might be lost. It was concluded for certain, that he alone that Day kill’d above 600 of those Barbarians. The Governour afterwards sent him in pursuit of those that remain’d, with a thousand Indians, and he slew above 3000 Sangleyes, putting to flight the small Remains of them.
Desperate Sangleyes kill’d from the Wall. At this Time many of the Sangleyes that had cross’d the River, appear’d in the Streets of the Parian; who standing in Sight of the Walls, with their own, or the Weapons they had taken from the Spaniards they slew, call’d upon those who defended the City, whence they made several Musket Shot at them, wounding and killing many, for they came within good Aim, after a desperate Manner. It was reported, they had taken their Anfion, that is, a Composition of Opium, as the Turks do, and is also us’d by the People of the Moluccos, when they are to give Battel; for it doses and gives them a brutal Courage. A Piece of Cannon was planted on the Gate of the Parian, and did considerable Execution, and no Man Opium gives Courage. would have suspected that any had been there. Some Japoneses and Natives of the Philippines sally’d out upon the Sangleyes, with good Success; for they kill’d many of them, and particularly such as had been wounded by the small Shot, and Brass Guns on the Wall. They thinking the Parian Japoneses and Indians fight the Chineses. was a Shelter for Cowards, set Fire to it, and went out to fight the Japoneses and Indians. The Sangleyes from the Houses, where they lay conceal’d, kill’d a Portuguese Captain, and wounded three others, with small Shot. One of them was Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyra, Commander in Chief of the Moluccos. The Sangleyes remov’d to the Monastery of Candelaria, that is of Candlemas, whence they sally’d more furiously than from the Parian.
Fight of Spaniards and Chineses. On Tuesday in the Morning, Captain Gallinato march’d towards the Candelaria, with about 500 Spaniards, and some Japoneses. The Enemy refus’d not the Engagement, but came out above 4000 strong. Our Men made themselves Masters of a Bridge, whence they pour’d some Volleys upon them. Perceiving the Loss they sustain’d, they fell back, to draw the Spaniards into open Field, and serve them as they had done Don Lewis; but tho’ some Soldiers were so bold as to go into the Church, and plunder Part of what the Sangleyes had robb’d in the Parian, yet some of them Slaughter of the Latter. retir’d hastily to the Bridge, with the Loss of three Spaniards, and five Japoneses, besides the wounded, the Enemy charging them in a Body. Of the Chineses 360 of the boldest were kill’d, which made them flinch with Fear. The same Day in the Evening, a Party of them came up to assault the Wall, where it was lowest, bringing scaling Ladders, and other Necessaries, cover’d with Silk; but the Cannon play’d so smartly on them, that they lost their Ladders, and many of them their Lives. This same Afternoon there was an Engagement on the Side of the Parian, where the Enemy brought on two great Machines, like Carts, made the Night before, with Wheels, and stuff’d with Quilts, Blankets, and such Materials, to defend them against the Cannon, and small Shot. The Governour was apprehensive that they had some Fire-works, they being great Masters at them; but was soon satisfy’d, for having fir’d at them with the Piece that was over the Gate of the Parian, where one of his Servants was Gunner, it carry’d away a considerable Part of the foremost Machine, and with it a good Number of the Sangleyes that drew underneath, and were on it. However they advanc’d boldly, till the Gun tore others in Pieces, and they retir’d, abandoning the Machine. Still the Fight grew hot about the River, and several Men went out in Boats, and others did Execution thro’ the Loop-Holes. The Ensign John Guerra de Cervantes, Their machine destroy’d. sent out the Japonese and Native Soldiers, and they drew near to the Parian, under the Shelter of the Cannon on the Walls, so courageously, that they set fire to the best of it, being the Houses of the Anhayes; which quite discourag’d those that were in them, especially when they observ’d they The Spaniards fire the Parian. had secur’d the River, and the Boats, and taken their Musquetiers. It was judg’d that above 2500 Sangleyes perish’d this Day by Fire and Sword, besides those at the Candelaria, and other Straglers. Having left the Shelter of the Parian, they took up in the Church of the Candelaria, but the next Morning none of them appear’d. They cross’d the River on Wednesday, Kill 2500 Chineses. and some of our Men were drowned pursuing them too eagerly. They took the Way to the Village call’d Tabuco, 5 Leagues from Manila, which is very populous, and plentiful. Here Captain Don Lewis de Velasco found They fly. them fortify’d, and defended with Doors and Boards, towards the Lake And are pursu’d with great Slaughter. Vay; whence he ply’d them with small Shot, and kill’d many, they no longer able to endure the Damage they receiv’d, kindled many Fires in the Night, to prevent being observ’d, and march’d away towards S. Paul’s, a Village 16 Leagues from Manila, where they came so thin, that they were not above 6000, having lost very many in the Way to Tabuco. There Capt. Velasco kill’d. Don Lewis fell upon them again; and pursuing them after they quitted the Village, was so hot, that they kill’d him four Soldiers, and two barefoot Fryers, the one a Priest, the other a Lay-Brother.
They made a Halt at S. Paul’s, intending to reap the Rice, which was then almost Ripe, because that is a forwarder Country than Pampangua. Another Slaughter of Chineses. Before they came to S. Paul’s, a Detachment of 1500 of them turn’d off from the main Body towards the Mountains of Pace. The Spaniards and Natives overtook them, and tho’ they stood to it, our Men play’d their Parts so well, that they cut them all off, and recover’d Part of their Booty.
The Fort the Sangleyes had rais’d at S. Paul’s was of Palm-Trees, whence they made Excursions to fight, reap the Rice, and ravage the Country. They thought it convenient to divide themselves into two equal Bodies; the one stay’d in the Fort, the other went away to Vatangas, seven Leagues distant towards the Sea-Coast, with a Design, as was thought, to build Ships, for which Purpose they carry’d Carpenters, Labourers, Tools, Rebels design to build Ships. Nails, and all other Necessaries. The Governour reflecting on their Design, sent some vigilant Persons towards the Bay of Vatangas, to secure the Vessels on the Coast, that the Enemy might not make use of them, and get over to other Islands, which would have been of ill Consequence.
The Governour believing the Design of the Sangleyes was to gain Time, The Rebels press’d. and perhaps to expect some Supplies from China, which might be promis’d by the Mandarines, before they went away; he thought it requisite to bring the War to a speedy Conclusion, because the Enemy fortify’d themselves daily, and made Excursions from their Forts, to scour the Country, and gather in the Rice; perswading the Natives to joyn with them; tho’ they were so far from complying, that they kill’d all they could meet with. There were several other Reasons which prov’d that the greatest Safety consisted in Expedition, and therefore abundance of Spaniards and Natives, by the Governour’s Order, were always in Quest of the straggling Chineses. However it was judg’d expedient to press them yet nearer, and not allow them Time, as they wish’d, till the Rice was ripe, since Hunger must prove their greatest Enemy. To this Purpose it was thought Expedient to make use of trusty neighbouring People.
Pampangua is a Province ten Leagues from Manila, beyond the Town of Pampangua describ’d. Tondo, over the River Pasig, on which the Citizens have convenient small Vessels. The Country is subject to be overflow’d, by reason of the many Rivers, and because the Natives draw Trenches from them, to water the Rice, and other Grain. The whole District is of twelve Leagues, all inhabited, and has seven Churches, belonging to the Order of S. Augustin. The Natives are Brave, Docible and Loyal, receive the Christian Faith, and are steadfast in it; and richer than those of other Parts of the Island. Captain Ferdinand de Avalos was Alcalde mayor, or chief Governour of Pampangua, and the Governour General having acquainted him by Letter Service done by the Alcayde of Pampangua. with the Rebellion of the Sangleyes, requiring him to send Provisions and Arms for the War, and not to leave any Enemies behind, he perform’d both Things, with extraordinary Care. He furnish’d him with great Store of Rice, Palm-Wine, and a considerable Number of Cows and Calves; and took above 400 Sangleyes, who being carry’d to a Creek in the River, bound two and two, and deliver’d to the Japoneses, they slew them all. F. James de Guevara of the Order of S. Augustin, Prior of Manila, who writ this Relation, preach’d to them first, and only five of them forsook their Idolatry, and were baptiz’d. At the same Time he sent the Governour 4000 Pampanguos, arm’d after their Country Fashion, with Bows, Arrows, Half-Pikes, Shields, and long broad Poniards. They came to Manila with great Shouts, and as if sure of Victory, fell upon the Enemy, who increas’d still, the more they were destroy’d.
This obliged the Governour, notwithstanding some Opposition, to send a Number of Spaniards, and Japoneses, with a strong Party of the Pampangua Indians, well arm’d and provided, under the Command of the Captain and Major Azcueta, a brave and vigilant Commander, well acquainted with the Major Azcueta sent against the Chineses. Country, ordering him to draw near the Enemy; yet not to engage, because they were a desperate barbarous People in their first Onsets, but to alarm them Day, and Night, on every Side, obstructing their Excursions, that so they might want Provisions, and consequently be oblig’d to dislodge, for if he could remove them but twice, he might cut them off, as it happen’d accordingly. The Major departed Manila, with these Orders, by the Way of the River. On Munday the 20th of October, he came in Sight of the Enemy, who was still in the Fort at S. Paul’s, and there he had some Actions. Having cast up some Works, for his greater Security, in the Quarters he took up, the Enemy’s sally’d out of their Fort, and some of those who valu’d themselves on their Bravery advanc’d to fight the Spaniards in their Posts, with as much Boldness, as could be expected from Men in Despair, and quite distracted. Thus being cut off from Water, streightned, often alarm’d, never suffer’d to rest, and such as ventur’d out cut off, they dismay’d, and dislodg’d in the Night very silently, marching towards Batangas, where their other Body was. However their Departure could not be conceal’d from the Vigilany of our Men, who march’d after them, Martin de Herrera, Captain of the Governours Guard, leading the Van, which consisted of Spaniards, and the bravest of the Natives. He overtook the Enemy, and began to fall so hard upon their Rear, that they were He cuts off one entire Body of them.forc’d to face about; and after killing above 800 of them as they pass’d a narrow but deep River, our main Body coming up attack’d the rest three several Ways, on an Eminency they had taken, and slew above 1000 more; those that escap’d perishing the next Day, so that only one was taken alive, tho’ the Governour would have had many sav’d to serve in the Galleys; but the Japoneses and Natives are so bloody, that neither his Orders, nor Major Azcueta’s Severity, or the other Commanders could curb them.
The Men rested that Day, having travel’d above five Leagues over Grounds full of Sedges, and Bogs; and prepar’d to proceed to Batangas, to fight the other Body of Rebels, carrying some Fields Pieces. The Major had dismiss’d the Japoneses, because they, alledging they were not Soldiers in Pay, would return to Manila. He had only 50 Soldiers left with him, and found the Enemy well fortify’d, and furnish’d with Provisions, as having been Masters of the Country. He spoke to them in peaceable Manner, as he had Offers those at Batangas Terms. done before to the other Party, offering good Terms, if they would submit to the Governour; but Obstinacy had stopp’d their Ears, and excluded all Hopes, so that they would not admit of any Accommodation. Our Men drew near, three several Ways with their small Shot, and the Pampangua Indians, who were brave, supported by the Spaniards, who led and encourag’d them, attack’d the Fort; but the Defendants behav’d themselves so bravely, that they caus’d them to retire, with the Loss of four or five Pampanguos kill’d, and some wounded. Our Men came on again, and the Captain of the Guards, who Commanded that Attack, with the Men under his Charge, and others that joyn’d him, fell on with such Fury, that they enter’d Destroys them all. the Fort, and put them to the Sword. About 600 escap’d of whom they made an End a few Days after. Some few above a Hundred were saved, who were carry’d alive to serve in the Galleys. Of our Men eight Natives and six Japoneses were kill’d in those two Actions; but never a Spaniard, tho’ many were wounded, and among them the Captain of the Guards, who had both his Thighs run through across with a Lance.