These principalities and lordships were inherited in the male line and by succession of father and son and their descendants.  If these were lacking, then their brothers and collateral relatives succeeded.  Their duty was to rule and govern their subjects and followers, and to assist them in their interests and necessities.  What the chiefs received from their followers was to be held by them in great veneration and respect; and they were served in their wars and voyages, and in their tilling, sowing, fishing, and the building of their houses.  To these duties the natives attended very promptly, whenever summoned by their chief.  They also paid the chiefs tribute (which they called buiz), in varying quantities, in the crops that they gathered.  The descendants of such chiefs, and their relatives, even though they did not inherit the lordship, were held in the same respect and consideration.  Such were all regarded as nobles, and as persons exempt from the services rendered by the others, or the plebeians, who were called timaguas. [140] The same right of nobility and chieftainship was preserved for the women, just as for the men.  When any of these chiefs was more courageous than others in war and upon other occasions, such a one enjoyed more followers and men; and the others were under his leadership, even if they were chiefs.  These latter retained to themselves the lordship and particular government of their own following, which is called barangai among them.  They had datos and other special leaders [mandadores] who attended to the interests of the barangay.

The superiority of these chiefs over those of their barangai was so great that they held the latter as subjects; they treated these well or ill, and disposed of their persons, their children, and their possessions, at will, without any resistance, or rendering account to anyone.  For very slight annoyances and for slight occasions, they were wont to kill and wound them, and to enslave them.  It has happened that the chiefs have made perpetual slaves of persons who have gone by them, while bathing in the river, or who have raised their eyes to look at them less respectfully and for other similar causes. [141]

When some natives had suits or disputes with others over matters of property and interest, or over personal injuries and wrongs received, they appointed old men of the same district, to try them, the parties being present.  If they had to present proofs, they brought their witnesses there, and the case was immediately judged according to what was found, according to the usages of their ancestors on like occasions; and that sentence was observed and executed without any further objection or delay. [142]

The natives’ laws throughout the islands were made in the same manner, and they followed the traditions and customs of their ancestors, without anything being written.  Some provinces had different customs than others in some respects.  However, they agreed in most, and in all the islands generally the same usages were followed. [143]