The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.
apparent by those of Cebu, who were friendly to the inhabitants of Mandam, robbing and sacking that town, when its people fled from the raiders of Baybay.  The master-of-camp having returned from his expedition among the friendly villages, set out for Baybay, under guidance of Simaquio.  This latter guided them, not to the chief city, where the prisoners from Mandam had been taken, but to the small and unimportant village of Caramucua, which was found deserted.  At the town of Calabazan the Spaniards were duped by the few natives found there, who claimed to be natives of Cebu, and asked the invaders to wait two days and they would bring the chiefs of this town to make peace and friendship.  The two days having elapsed, and no natives appearing, the Spaniards marched inland, being deserted by all the natives of Cebu, who said that “these were their friends, from which it was quite apparent that they were all hand in glove with one another.”  A three or four leagues’ march resulted only in the killing of a few hogs, the firing of the native huts, and the capture and hanging of several natives.  The only salutary result of the expedition was the return of a number of the inhabitants of Cebu who had migrated to Baybay because they did not wish to acknowledge the Spanish rule; asking pardon of Legazpi, these natives of Cebu were permitted to return, but the same favor was denied those from Matan and Gavi.  Legazpi’s policy was always to treat the people of Cebu with more than fairness, in order to retain their friendship, although he was fully aware of their duplicity toward him.  Numerous expeditions in search of food were organized.  The master-of-camp with seventy men, and accompanied by Juan de la Isla and the king’s factor was despatched to the coasts of Butuan in search of sago, whence they returned after a long delay, and after they were half given up as lost; having failed to obtain provisions at Butuan, the commander of the expedition had gone on farther, over-staying his limit of forty days.  On his return he brought more than one thousand fanegas [74] of rice.  He brought cheering news of the friendliness of the natives, and of the taking possession in the king’s name of “Vindanao [Mindanao], and the coast of Botuan, Negros, and Panay.”  Another expedition under command of Goyti was despatched to Negros with additional orders to procure news of the former expedition, but his quest was useless.  Meanwhile a messenger brought word that the master-of-camp was going to Panay, and would return as soon as possible.  Before the return of the master-of-camp, Goyti was sent on another expedition to the coasts of Cabalian and Abuyo, taking with him sixty men.  He was successful, sending back several boat-loads of rice, and news that the people of these districts were friendly,—­although not much confidence could be placed in their friendship, for only a league from Cabalian five of his men had been treacherously murdered, and another time two more
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.