The Sangley Insurrection of 1603

True relation of the Sangley insurrection in the Filipinas, and the miraculous punishment of their rebellion; and other events of the islands:  written to these kingdoms by a soldier who is in those islands, and abridged by Miguel Rodriguez Maldonado. [18]

[Marginal note at beginning of MS.:  “Chinese Sangleys who remained in this island to enjoy the liberty of the gospel, many of whom afterward failed in their duty.”]

On September 26 of the former year 603, it was reported in this city of Manila that a negress had declared that on St. Francis’s day there would be a great fire and much bloodshed.  Investigations were made in regard to her statement, and the time passed until Friday, October 3, of the said year, the eve of St. Francis.  In the afternoon, Don Luys de las Marinas sent to Governor Don Pedro de Acuna to ask for thirty soldiers, as he perceived that the Sangleys living in Tondo and Minondo, where he usually lived, were in rebellion.  He had learned that a band numbering three hundred had assembled, mostly gardeners; and, although he wished to reconnoiter them, he did not dare to, because of the few men that he had.  The messenger reached Don Pedro de Acuna, and a little later came a Christian Sangley, one Baristilla, then governor of the Sangleys, both Christian and pagan.  He craftily informed Don Pedro de Acuna of the news, and was heartily thanked, as the matter was not understood.  The Spaniards immediately called a council of war, where it was resolved to send the help asked by Don Luys de las Marinas.  That same day the reenforcement left, and all the companies were assembled with the utmost silence, in the guard-room, and were given their orders.  Some of the inhabitants were ordered to be on their guard, and to sound the alarm if they perceived any extraordinary excitement.  Accordingly, it happened that the alarm was sounded very suddenly, between one and two o’clock that night; they had been obliged to give it because of a fire that they saw near the city.  There was a great commotion, as there were so few inhabitants in the country.  Every man hastened to his banner, and all went to the guard-room, where they were ordered to take their stations.  Having manned the walls, and keeping on the alert, it was discovered that the fire was in certain summer-houses, where Captain Estevan de Marquina was living with his children and wife.  A troop of four thousand Sangleys went to this house, and killed him and his wife, four children, and twenty slaves, with great cruelty, although he defended himself as a good soldier and Spaniard.  He had confessed that afternoon, for it was the jubilee of St. Francis.  Only one little girl, his daughter, escaped from his house, whom a slave carried out in his arms, although she was badly wounded and burned.  Having inflicted this damage, the Sangleys invested another house near