[260] According to Morga (p. 140) there was neither king nor governor, but in each island and province were numerous persons of rank, whose dependants and subjects were divided into quarters (barrios) and families.  These petty rulers had to render homage by means of tributes from the crops (buiz), also by socage or personal service:  but their relations were exempted from such services as were rendered by the plebeians (timauas).  The dignities of the chieftains were hereditary, their honors descended also to their wives.  If a chief particularly distinguished himself, then the rest followed him; but the Government retained to themselves the administration of the Barangays through their own particular officials.  Concerning the system of slavery under the native rule, Morga says (p. 41, abbreviated),—­“The natives of these islands are divided into three classes—­nobles, timauas or plebeians, and the slaves of the former.  There are different sorts of slaves:  some in complete slavery (Saguiguilires), who work in the house, as also their children.  Others live with their families in their own houses and render service to their lords at sowing and harvest-time, also as boatmen, or in the construction of houses, etc.  They must attend as often as they are required, and give their services without pay or recompense of any kind.  They are called Namarnahayes; and their duties and obligations descend to their children and successors.  Of these Saguiguilires and Namamahayes a few are full slaves, some half slaves, and others quarter slaves.

When, for instance, the mother or father was free, the only son would be half free, half slave.  Supposing there were several sons, the first one inherits the father’s position, the second that of the mother.  When the number is unequal the last one is half free and half slave; and the descendants born of such half slayes and those who are free are quarter slaves.  The half slaves, whether or narnamahayes, serve their lords equally every month in turns.  Half and quarter slaves can, by reason of their being partially free, compel their lord to give them their freedom at a previously determined and unfluctuating price:  but full slaves do not possess this right.  A namamahaye is worth half as much as a saguiguilire.  All slaves are natives.”

Again, at p. 143, he writes:—­“A slave who has children by her lord is thereby freed together with her children.  The latter, however, are not considered well born, and cannot inherit property; nor do the rights of nobility, supposing in such a case the father to possess any, descend to them.”

[261] He made the Filipinos of his encomienda of Vigan his heirs, and has ever been held in grateful memory.—­C.

[262] Grav. 30.

[263] Chamisso ("Observations and Views,” p. 72), thanks to the translator of Zuniga, knew that he was in duty bound to dwell at some length over this excellent history; though Zuniga’s narrative is always, comparatively speaking, short and to the point.  The judiciously abbreviated English translation, however, contains many miscomprehensions.