In my last letter I wrote to your Reverence of the
result of the first attack, which was unfortunate, because the Moros
repulsed us, as I told your Reverence. Not less unfortunate will be the
news that I shall now relate,28 which it is yet necessary for
me to tell, in order to fulfil my duty and to remove the clouds arising
from rumors and letters that will go there. I am here and see
everything; and there is never a lack of those who tell many new things
and exaggerate matters that are not so great as they will relate and
descant there, where no one can report and declare what has happened.
It is as follows:
Since that attack, we have made two others. The first was with five
mines which we had made, with which we expected to blow up a great part
of those walls. All of the mines were fired, and thinking that they
would cause the same effects as the others our men retired farther than
they ought to have done. Four of the mines exploded, and did not a
little damage among the enemy. They, full of fear, fled down from their
position; but, as the mines did not make the noise that we expected, we
did not, accordingly, get there in time, as we were quite distant
because of our fear lest the mines do us harm. The Moros retook their
position, so that we were repulsed this time, as we had been the other,
with the death of a captain, while some men were wounded. The fifth
mine was left, and did not explode that time. Hence its mouth was
looked for, and having found it, we tried two days after that to make
another assault. The assault was made after the mine had exploded. That
mine was larger than the others had been, and caused much damage. But
the Moros fortified themselves again, with greater strength than they
had the last two times, and defended themselves in their trenches,
which had been fortified with many stockades and terrepleins, so that
we could not enter. We lost some soldiers on that occasion, who tried
to show that they were bold and valiant. Among them was the
sargento-mayor, Melon, who was struck by a ball which passed through
him and carried him off [292]in two days. May God rest his
soul! Thereupon, we retired to our posts and endeavored to collect our
men and carry away the wounded, who were many. We have lost four
captains of renown in these three assaults—namely, Captain
Pimienta, Captain Juan Nicolas, Captain Don Pedro de Mena, and
Sargento-mayor Gonzales de Caseres Melon. Besides these three assaults,
another misfortune happened to us on St. Matthew’s day, which was
as follows: Captain Rafael Ome, going with forty-six men and two
hundred Indians to make a garo29 (as we say
here), and having taken up quarters in a field, where there was a
fortified house, arranged his posts at intervals and ordered his men to
be on their guard. But since man proposes and God disposes, the posts
were either careless, or God ordained it thus; for suddenly the enemy
rushed upon our men, who could not unite, as they were by that time
scattered through the forest. The enemy, having caught them off their
guard, made a pastime of it, killing twenty-six men, and carrying off
arms, powder, balls and fuses. I regard that event as the greatest of
all our losses. Among those of our men killed there by the enemy was
Captain Lopez Suarez, a fine soldier. Our men were not disheartened by
these reverses, except such and such men. The governor well sustains
the undertaking with [all his powers of] mind and body. He has
surrounded the entire hill with a stockade and a ditch, and has sown
the ground with sharp stakes so that the enemy may neither receive aid
nor sally out from it. At intervals there are sentry-posts and towers,
so close that they almost touch. There were six barracks along it, so
that if any tower should be in need the soldiers in them could go to
its defense. Some of them have six men, others four, and those which
have least three men, as a guard. The enclosure is one league long and
surrounds the hill. I do not know which causes the more wonder, the
fort of the Moros or the enclosure of the Spaniards which restrains the
Moros, so that they issue but seldom, and then at their peril. We are
day by day making gradual advances. Today a rampart was completed which is
just even with their stockades, so that we shall command the hill
equally [with the enemy]. God helping, I hope that we shall reduce
their trenches, and then we shall advance from better to better. May
God aid us; and si Dominus a custodierit civitatem frustra
vigilat qui custodit eam.30 Father, prayers and many of
them are needed. Will your Reverence have them said in your holy
college, and excuse me and all of us for what we can not do. I forward
this letter, [hoping] for its good fortune in the holy sacrifices of
your Reverence, etc. Jolo, March 31, 1638. To the father-prior of
Manila. [293]
PAX CHRISTI, ETC.
I would like to be the bearer of this letter, and to fulfil my
desires of seeing your Reverence and all the fathers and brothers of
your Reverence’s holy college. That is a proposition for which
credit may be given me, but the time gives space only to suffer; and
thus do we have to accommodate ourselves to it, and to check our
desires, drawing strength from weakness. I must content myself with
writing, which would be a pleasant task, if I could do it at my
leisure, and not so hastily as I have made known in certain letters
that I have sent to your Reverence—not losing or neglecting any
occasion at which I could write. And so that this opportunity should
not pass without a letter from me, I have hastened my pen beyond my
usual custom, and have written very concisely and
briefly—although I could write at greater length, and give
account of many things which I leave for a better occasion. That will
be when it is the Lord’s pleasure for us to see each other.
Moreover, I have no pleasant news to write, since that which I could
write would all be to the effect that we have not gained this enchanted
hill; and that, at the times when we have tempted fortune, we have
retired with loss of some men and many wounded.
Continuing, then, in the same style as the last letter, I declare
that since the first assault, in which we were driven back with the
loss of Captain Don Pedro Mena Pando, Adjutant Oliva, and
Alférez Trigita, we have made two other assaults. One was on the
twenty-fourth of March, the eve of our Lady of the Assumption. The
second was on the twenty-eighth of the same month. In the first, we
trusted to the mines that had been made, by means of which we expected
to make a safe entrance. We would have made it had our fear of
receiving harm from them matched the little fear of the
enemy—who, as barbarians, did not prepare for flight, although
they knew our designs. Of the five mines, four blew up; and as was
seen, and as we afterward learned here from some captives, there was a
great loss to the enemy. As soon as they saw the fire, they took to
flight; but our men, being at a distance, could not come up to seize
the posts that the enemy abandoned, until very late. That gave the
Moros time to take precautions, so that when we had come up, it was
impossible to gain a single thing which the mines had given us. On that
occasion both sides fought very valiantly. The wounded on our side
were not many, and our dead even fewer; among the later was Captain
Pimienta. We were forced to return to our posts without having gained
more than the damage wrought by the mines. The loss of those people was
considerable, while not few of them perished because of the severity of
our fire. But with the opportunity of the fifth mine which remained
(which could not have its effect, because the [294]fire-channel of the others choked it), the third
attack was made inside of two days, by first setting fire to that mine,
and by arranging the men better than on the day of the previous
assault. They were set in array by the governor, who in person came up
to these quarters on that occasion. They set fire to the mine, and more
was accomplished than on the preceding days. Many of the enemy were
killed; but, as the entrance was so deeply recessed, it could not be
forced so freely by us, for the Moros were able to defend it from us,
with so great valor that we could not take it. Our men fought with so
great spirit and courage that it was necessary for the leaders to use
force with them in order to get the men to retire, when they saw the so
superior force of the enemy. On that occasion they killed seven of our
men, besides wounding many. Among the latter was Sargento-mayor Melon,
who was shot through the lung by a ball. He died on the second day, to
the grief of all this army. Thereupon his Lordship made his men retire
to their quarters, and commanded that the fort should not be attacked,
but that they should proceed to gain it by the complete blockade of the
enemy, as we are doing. By this method, I think that we shall make an
entrance into the fort. Already we have one bulwark, which we have made
level with their entrenchments; and we are raising our works one and
one-half varas31 above them, so that we are
dislodging them with our artillery. They are retiring to the interior
of their fort. By this means we hope to gain entrance into all their
forts; and, once masters of them, I trust by God’s help that we
shall conquer their stronghold, and that they will humble themselves to
obey God and the king.
Before those assaults, on St. Matthew’s day, Captain Raphael
Ome went out to make a garo, as they say here, and to overrun
the country. In this island the level country is heavily wooded as
nearly all of it is mountainous. He took in his company about fifty men
(i.e., Spaniards) and two hundred Karaga Indians. The captain reached a
field, and having lodged in a fortified house, such as nearly all those
houses are (for those Indians of the mountain, who are called
Guimennos,32 build them for their defense), he placed his
sentries and seized the positions that he judged most dangerous. But
since non est volentis neque currentis, etc., either because of
the great multitude and the wiliness of the enemy, or (as is more
certain) because the sentries were careless, and the other men asleep,
the enemy came suddenly and attacked our soldiers—with so great
fury that they killed twenty-six men, among whom was Captain Lopez
Suarez, a brave soldier. The leader and captain, Ome, was in great
danger. He fought in person with so great valor that, although run
through with a spear, he attacked and defeated his opponent, laying him
dead at his feet. Few of our men aided him, and [295]many
of them retreated immediately, thus allowing the enemy to capture from
us twenty firearms, with fuses, powder, and balls. That was a great
loss, and it is certain that we have not hitherto had a greater. And if
any loss has occurred, it has been due to the neglect and confidence of
the Spaniard.
Today two Basilan Indians came down from the hill to ask for mercy,
and for passage to their own country. They say that they are sent by
the datus in the stronghold who came from that island of Basilan or
Tagima; and that, if permission and pardon were given to them by the
pari [i.e., Corcuera], one hundred and thirty of them would come
down in the morning. We regard this as a trick of that Moro; and,
although it may be as they say, we are taking precautions, and are
watching for whatever may happen. If they should come, they will be
well received; and that will not be a bad beginning to induce others to
come from the hill. I shall advise your Reverence of such event on the
first occasion. What we know that they are suffering within [the fort]
is the disease of smallpox and discharges of blood, together with great
famine; because we have surrounded the entire hill with ditches and
stockades, set with sharp stakes, which run around it for more than one
and one-half leagues, and within musket-shot [of their fort] is a
sentry-post [garita] or tower in which three men and three
Bantayas are staying. By that means the enemy cannot enter or go out
without being seen; and, when they do that, they are given such a
bombardment that scarcely does any one dare to go outside of their
walls. The hill is a beautiful sight, and if it were enjoying holy
peace instead of war, it would be no small matter of entertainment and
recreation to survey the landscape at times. The Moro does not like to
see us, and is looking at us continually from his stronghold and
yelling and scoffing at us—as they say sometimes that the
Spaniards are chickens; again, that they are sibabuyes,33 and again, that they will come to set fire to us
all, and kill us. The Moro is a great rascal and buffoon. I trust in
God that in a little while He will be ready for our thanksgivings [for
the defeat of the Moros]. Will your Reverence urge His servants to aid
us with their sacrifices and prayers. Those, I believe, it will be that
must give us the victory, and that must humble the arrogance of this
Mohammedan. His Lordship is displaying great firmness and patience, as
he is so great a soldier. Already has he almost raised a stone fort on
the beach, for he intends to leave a presidio here, and I think that it
will be almost finished before he leaves. Nothing else occurs to me. Of
whatever else may happen, your Reverence will be advised on the first
occasion. If I have gone to considerable length in this letter, it is
because I have known, one day ahead, of the departure of this
champan. I commend myself [296]many times to the holy
sacrifices of your Reverence. This letter will also serve for our
father provincial, etc. Jolo, April 5, one thousand six hundred and
thirty-eight.
The Moro has returned today with a letter from the queen and all the
stronghold, in which they beg pardon and humiliate themselves. May God
grant it, and bring them to His knowledge. I shall advise you of the
result. I hear that Datu Ache is dead. If that is so, then the end has
come. Today, the sixth of the above month.
PAX CHRISTI. Deo gratias qui dedit nobis victoriam per
Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum.34 I have written your
Reverence another letter, by way of Oton, telling you that it was our
Lord’s pleasure to give us a joyous Easter-tide, the beginning of
what has happened. His Divine Majesty has chosen to bestow upon us an
overflowing blessing, by the reduction of these Moros so that they
should come, abased and humiliated, to beg His governor for mercy; for,
whether it was the latter’s plan to go to treat for peace at
Basilan for their men, or whether they should send them all, that they
might see how the governor viewed their petition, the following day
they came with letters from the queen35 for Father
Pedro Gutierrez and his Lordship. Therein she begged the father to
protect her, for she wished to come to throw herself at the feet of the
hari of Manila, and to beg his pardon for the obstinacy that
they had shown hitherto. The father answered for his Lordship, in
regard to the pardon, that if they agreed to do what was right, they
would be very gladly pardoned; but that in regard to their coming it
was not time, until they would humbly give up the arms which they had
taken from us, and the captives, vessels, and holy ornaments; and that,
even though the queen had so great authority, so long as the king did
not come, he must declare and show his willingness to accept what the
queen had written. Accordingly, the king wrote to the same father and
to his Lordship next day, begging the same thing and more earnestly.
But he was not allowed to come—which he urgently
entreated—until they should have given up the arms and other
things of which they robbed us. Difficulties arose over this point, as
to which of the two things was to be done first. The Moro declared that
he wished to treat first of the peace, and the points on which they
were to agree; and therefore it was necessary to see the hari of
Manila first of all. But Don Sebastian, as he was so experienced in
these matters of war (in which God has inspired him with so wise
resolutions, and given him even better results) held [297]firm
to his proposals. Two days passed, but at last the king agreed to the
terms, by giving up the pieces of artillery which he had captured from
us. There were four iron pieces; and, in place of one which had burst,
one of bronze was requested, which many mines had buried. Afterward we
found the broken piece, by opening the mouth of one of the mines: and
he gave it to us willingly—saying that he had thus brought the
broken piece, and that he ought not for that reason to give another in
its place; and that which had been asked from him had been bought for
forty basines of gold at Makassar. In order that the Spaniards
might see what an earnest desire for a permanent peace was in his
heart, and that he was greatly inclined to it, he sent also some
muskets, although few and poor ones. In what pertained to the captives,
he said that he would surrender those that he had, but that he could
not persuade his datus to give up theirs; still he would ask them to
give their captives. At most, he sent eleven Christian captives,
counting men, women, and children. He had already spent the holy
vessels, for, since it was so long a time since they had been brought,
he had sold them to the king of Makassar; but he said that he and all
his property were there, to satisfy the Spaniards for any injury that
they had received. The king petitioned his Lordship to allow him to
visit him; and his Lordship granted such permission for Quasimodo
Sunday.
The datus [sic] were very angry that the king was so liberal,
and because he humbled himself so deeply; accordingly, they opposed his
leaving the hill to talk with the governor. They tried to prevent it,
but the king overruled by the reasons which he gave to the datus, and
which father Gregorio Belin gave to him. His Lordship gave hostages for
the king, and ordered Captain Marquez and Captain Raphael Ome to remain
as such. They asked for Admiral Don Pedro de Almonte and two fathers,
but that was not granted to them. Finally they were satisfied with the
two said captains, persons of great esteem and worth; and the king came
down to talk with his Lordship, accompanied by many chief men. His
Lordship received him with such display as he could arrange at short
notice, under a canopy of damask, and seated on a velvet chair, with a
cushion of the same at his feet. Another cushion was placed at his side
upon a rug. As the king entered the hall, his Lordship rose from his
seat, and advancing two steps, embraced the Moro king; then he made him
sit down on the cushion that had been prepared. Then his Lordship also
seated himself beside the king in his chair, while at his right side
was his confessor, and at his left stood a captain of the guard and the
sargento-mayor. Grouped behind the confessor were the fathers who were
in the quarters on that occasion. There were two Augustinian
Recollects, and one Franciscan Recollect, and a secular priest. Then
came Father Gutierrez, and Father Gregorio Belin. The king requested
permission to rest a little first, for he came, one of his servants
fanning [298]him (haciendole paypay), lifting up from
time to time the chinina which he wore—open in front, in
order to catch the breeze, and to enable him to shelter himself from
the heat, or to get rid of the fears with which he had come. His chief
men seated themselves after him on that open floor, a seat very
suitable for such nobility, who esteemed it as a great favor. Then when
the king was rested, or reassured from his fears, they began their
discourses or bicharas, talking, after the manner of these
people, by the medium of interpreters—namely, Father Juan de Sant
Joseph, an Augustinian Recollect, and Alférez Mathias de
Marmolejo, both good interpreters. The governor set forth his
conditions. The agreement made was: first, that the banners of the
king, our sovereign, were to be hoisted on the stronghold; second, that
the men from Basilan were to be permitted to leave the stronghold and
go to their country; third, that the Macassars and Malays were also to
leave and return to their own lands; and fourth, in order that the
first condition might be fulfilled without the rattle of arms and the
shedding of blood, all the enemy were to come down to our quarters,
while the king and queen and their family could come to that of the
governor. The Moro king did not like this last point; but, as he saw
that matters were ill disposed for his defense, he had to assent to
everything. But, before its execution, he begged his Lordship to
communicate the terms with his men and datus, saying that he would
endeavor to get them all to agree to the fulfilment of what his
Lordship ordered; and that in a day and a half he would reply and, in
what pertained to the other conditions, they would be immediately
executed. This happened, for the Basilans descended in two days with
all their men and families—in all, one hundred and forty-seven.
Some fifty or sixty did not then descend, as they were unable to do so.
The Macassars refused to descend until they received pardon from his
Lordship, and a passport to their own country. Therefore their captain
came to talk with his Lordship, who discussed with him what was to be
done with him and his men. The latter are very humble and compliant to
whatever his Lordship should order. His Lordship answered that he would
pardon their insolent and evil actions, and they could descend with
security of life; and that he would give them boats, so that they could
go away. Thereupon the captain, giving a kris as security that they
would come, returned, and immediately began to bring down his property
and men. The Malays came with them, for all those peoples had united
against the Castilians. They are the ones who have done us most harm
with their firearms, and have furnished quantities of ammunition for
all the firearms of the Sulus. At the end of the time assigned to the
king for answering his Lordship in regard to the matters which he had
discussed with him, he was summoned, in order that what had been
recently concluded might not be hindered, as his Lordship had many
matters to which to attend. If he would not come, [299]his
Lordship was resolved immediately to continue his bombardment and
fortifications, saying that he would make slaves of all whom he
captured. With this resolution, the queen determined to come to visit
his Lordship; and, so saying and doing, she summoned her chair, and had
herself carried down to the quarters of Don Pedro de Almonte, which is
the one located on their hill, and which has given them so much to do.
She sent a message to the governor, begging him to grant her
permission, as she wished to see him. His Lordship sent a message to
her, to the effect that he would be very glad to see her, and that she
would be coming at a seasonable time. She came to the hall borne on the
shoulders of her men, accompanied by some of her ladies and by her
kasis, who was coming with pale face. She alighted at the door
of his Lordship’s hall. He went out to receive her, and with
marked indications of friendship and kindness led her to her seat,
which was a cushion of purple velvet; and his Lordship, seated in his
own chair, welcomed her through his interpreter, Alférez Mathias
de Marmolexo. She responded very courteously to the courtesies of the
governor; for the Moro woman is very intelligent, and of great
capacity. She did not speak directly to the interpreters, but through
two of her men, one of whom was the kasis; and often he, without
the queen speaking, answered to what was proposed. The queen petitioned
and entreated the governor to desist from entering the stronghold, for
the women, being timid creatures, feared the soldiers greatly. And if
his Lordship was doing it to oblige her and the king her husband to
descend, she said that they would descend immediately, with all their
people. Thus did she entreat from him whom his Lordship represented;
and I desired that she should obtain this favor. His Lordship answered
her that he would do so very willingly; but that he had an express
mandate for it [i.e., to gain the fort] from his king, and that, if he
did not obey it, he would lose his head. “I do not wish,”
said Tuan Baluka (for such is the name of the queen), “that the
favor which I petition be at so great a price and danger to your
Lordship. Consequently, will you kindly grant me three days? and in
that time I, the king, and our people will descend without fail.”
His Lordship thanked her anew, and added that with this she obliged him
to fulfil strictly what he had promised her. “Indeed,” said
the queen, “I have no doubt of it; for, being in the gaze of so
many nations that your Lordship has to conquer, it is clear that you
must fulfil what you have promised me; for your Lordship’s
actions toward me would be understood by all to be those that you would
have to perform toward all.” This terminated the discussion. His
Lordship ordered a collation to be spread for the queen and her ladies;
and then his Lordship retired, so that they might refresh themselves
without any embarrassment. Then, having dined, the queen returned to
her stronghold with the retinue that she had brought. Before she left
the quarters she was saluted by the [300]discharge of two
large pieces of artillery, which had been made ready for that purpose.
She was greatly pleased by that, and the next day began to carry out
her promises, by sending down a portion of her possessions. The
Makassars and Malays also brought down their property with her, and
immediately embarked. I had written up to this point to this day,
Saturday, the seventeenth of this month of April, hoping for the end of
all these incipient results and expected events regarding this
stronghold; the issue has been such as we could expect from Him who has
also been pleased to arrange and bring it to pass. Last night the queen
came down to sleep in our camp or quarters, with some of her ladies. In
the morning she went to report her good treatment to her people; for
she was received with a salute of musketry and large artillery, and a
fine repast. All that has been done to oblige her to encourage her
people, for they were very fearful, to descend immediately. More than
two thousand have now descended, and our banners are flying on the
hill, and our men are fortified on it. May God be praised, to whom be a
thousand thanks given; for He, without our knowledge or our
expectations, has disposed this matter thus—blinding this Moro
and disheartening him, so that, having been defeated, he should
surrender to our governor, and give himself up without more bloodshed.
We are trying to secure Datu Ache; if we succeed in this, I shall
advise you. Now there is nothing more to say, reverend Father, except
to give God the thanks, for He is the one who has prepared and given
this victory to us; and to beg all in your Reverence’s holy
college to give thanks that the college has had (as I am very certain)
so great a share in the achievements [here]. The governor is very much
pleased and we all regard him in the proper light. The men are full of
courage, and even what was carefully done is now improved. I am the
humble servant of your Reverence whom I pray that God may preserve as I
desire, and to whose sacrifices I earnestly commend myself. Jolo, April
17, 1638.—Juan de Barrios.
All the Sulus descended, in number about four thousand six hundred,
to the sea. Finding themselves down and outside the enclosure, they all
fled, under cover of a very heavy shower of rain—leaving all
their possessions, in order not to be hindered in their flight. Many
mothers even abandoned their little children. One abandoned to us a
little girl who had received a dagger-stroke, who received the waters
of baptism and immediately died. There is much to say about this, and
many thanks to give to God, of which we shall speak when it pleases God
to let us see each other. Today, the nineteenth of this month of April,
1638.—Barrios.
The governor sent messages to the king and queen by two
kasis, asking why they had fled. They replied that since all
their people had fled, they had gone after them for very shame, but
that they would try to bring them back and to come, and this was the
end of the matter. [301]The result was exceedingly profitable for
our soldiers and Indians; for the Sulus, fearful because they thought
that, if they became scattered, they would all be killed, abandoned
whatever they were carrying—quantities of goods, and chests of
drawers—which our soldiers sacked. Above, in the stronghold, they
found much plunder. It is believed that the king and queen will return,
but not Datu Ache; but this is not considered certain.
Letter from Sanboangan36
PAX CHRISTI
I am not writing to anyone [else], for the lack of time does not
allow me to do so. Therefore will your Reverence please communicate
this to the father provincial, Father Hernandez Perez, Father Juan de
Bueras, and the father rector of Cavite.
When our men were most disheartened at seeing that the fortress on
the hill was so extensive, and that it was becoming stronger daily;
that the mines and artillery had seemingly made no impression on it;
that we had been repulsed four times; and that our men were falling
sick very rapidly: in order that it might be very evident that it was
[all] the work of God, ambassadors came from the hill to beg his
Lordship for mercy. He received them gladly, and asked them for the
artillery that they had plundered from the Christians, etc. They
brought down four pieces, which they had taken from the shipyard, and
brought to us some Christians. Next day, more than one hundred and
fifty people from Basilan descended, who surrendered their arms, and
then about fifty Makassars, who did the same; and all were embarked in
the patache.
Next day the king and queen went down and slept in the camp of Don
Sebastian. On the following day (which was the day agreed upon when all
were to descend from the hill), seeing that it was already late, the
king and queen said that they would go to get their people. The
governor granted them permission, and went to a camp that was located
opposite the gate of the stronghold. All the Sulus descended,
carrying their goods, arms, etc., to the number of about four hundred
soldiers, and more than one thousand five hundred women, children, old
men, etc. They reached the governor’s camp and Don Pedro de
Francia told the king that they must surrender their arms. The latter
replied that he would surrender them to none other than to the
governor. Thereupon, they went to summon his Lordship; but the Sulus,
seeing that they were going to summon him, fled, under a heavy shower
that was falling, and abandoned all their goods. A vast amount of
riches, many pieces of artillery, and versos,37 falcons,
muskets, arquebuses, etc., were found. [302]The cause of the
Moros fleeing was their great fear that they were to be killed. On our
part, since Don Sebastian Hurtado held all their stronghold, and had
left only thirty men in his quarters (in order that Datu Ache might not
escape), and as that number could not resist so many people, the Sulus
were, on the contrary, allowed to go without any firearms being
discharged.
More than two hundred and fifty of the Sulus have died, and they
were perishing in great numbers from dysentery because the women and
children were placed under ground for fear of the balls. That and the
fear of the mines caused their surrender; for it was impossible to take
their fort by assault. The interior strength of that stronghold is so
great that the Spaniards were surprised; and all recognize that it has
been totally the work of God, and [a result of] the perseverance of Don
Sebastian, who ever said that all must die or capture the stronghold.
Somewhat more than two hundred Christian and more than one hundred Moro
women have come from the stronghold during this time. All the Moro
women are fearful. Up to date eighty-three Spaniards have died from
wounds, and many of them from disease.
THE KILLED
- Sargento-mayor Melon
- Captain Don Pedro de Mena
- Captain Don Juan Nicolas
- Captain Don Pimienta
- Captain Don Lope Suarez
DIED OF DYSENTERY
- Captain Don Aregita Martin de Avila
- Adjutant Oliba
- Adjutant Calderon
- Alférez Concha
- Alférez Alonzo Gonzalez
I shall not name others, as they are not so well known, and it will
be known later. Up to date about two hundred Bisayan Indians have died,
most of them from diseases. Don Pedro Cotoan died while en route from
Jolo to Samboanga, in order to take back the Bisayans, who are a most
cowardly race. Those who have done deeds of valor are the Karagas, and
the Sulus tremble at sight of them. Don Pedro Almonte remains as
governor and lieutenant for the captain-general at Samboangan, with one
hundred and fifty Spaniards, as has been reported. Captain Jines Ros is
to stay as castellan in Jolo with one hundred and eighty
men—Captain Sarria being fortified in the stronghold with eighty
men, and Jines Ros on the beach in a stone tower that is already eight
stones high, with one hundred men. Captain Marquez is going to Buaren
with fifty Spaniards, although no succor had been sent to Don Sebastian
from Manila. All that has been supplied to excess is truly wonderful,
for the winds have [303]brought (and it is incredible) many
champanes, with more than twenty thousand baskets of rice,
innumerable fowls, and pork, veal, beef, and cheeses from Cebu, which
have made a very excellent provision.
They ask for Father Martinez [and] Alexandro at Jolo [and] Father
Carrion at Buiaon, but without an associate. I say that, following even
to the end of the world, I do not know to what to compare these Moros
of Samboangan. They have paid all their tributes. This is a brief
relation. I pray your Reverence to pardon me and commend me to God, for
indeed what I desire is necessary.
Samboangan, April 23,
1638.38 [305]
