quarters and the church were chosen, and the town
was called San Miguel, because founded on the day of
this saint’s apparition. That night the
natives returned, setting fire to the remaining houses,
so that the whole town was in danger of being burnt,
with all the goods brought ashore from the ships.
The site of the house wherein had been found the sacred
image was selected “as the site of the Monastery
of the Name of Jesus ... and from the said house the
child Jesus was brought to the ... church in solemn
procession, and with the great devotion, rejoicing,
and gladness of all the men. Arriving at the
church, they all adored it, and placed it on the principal
altar, and all vowed to observe, sanctify, and celebrate
solemnly as a feast day each year, the day on which
it had been found, April 28. [61] And in addition a
brotherhood of the most blessed name of Jesus was
established in the same manner, under the conditions
of that of San Agustin of Mexico, the majority of
the people entering as members and brothers.”
In this procession took part a number of natives under
two chiefs who professed friendship to the Spaniards.
Finally peace and friendship was made between Legazpi
and the greatest chief of the island, Tupas; and it
was arranged that tributes should be paid in produce,
since the people had no gold—not because
of “any necessity the King of Castilla had of
it” but merely as a tribute and token that they
recognized him as their lord. But, perhaps through
the maliciousness of the Moro interpreters, this peace
was not concluded or kept; and certain of the natives,
finding one of the company, Pedro de Arana, alone,
killed him and cut off his head. “In this
manner do the Indians of these islands keep peace and
friendship, who in our presence refuse or deny nothing;
but twenty paces away they keep nothing that they
have promised. They have no knowledge of truth,
nor are they accustomed to it. Therefore it is
understood, that it will be very difficult to trade
with them in a friendly manner, unless they understand
subjection or fear.” On the twenty-seventh
of May, Legazpi ordered that the roll of those remaining
be taken, in order that it might be sent to New Spain.
Certain men of gentle birth, headed by one Pedro de
Mena, objected to serving as Legazpi’s body-guard,
saying that such was the duty of servants. The
master-of-camp hearing this, disrespect to the general,
chided them, and sentenced them to serve in the companies.
In revenge for this some one set fire to the house
in which Legazpi’s personal effects had been
stored. The fire was put out and the danger averted
with difficulty, during which “some of the soldiers
were burned and hurt.” De Mena and Esteban
Terra were arrested, and the latter was given a hearing
and found guilty. He was executed next morning.
“From this it will be seen that not only are
there enemies outside, but even in the very camp itself
... and it will be seen how necessary and suitable
is the aid that must come from Nueva Espana.”
(Tomo ii, no. xxvii, pp. 217-351.)