ILLUSTRATIONS

Autograph signatures of Valerio de Ledesma and Alonso Roman; photographic facsimiles from tracings in the Ventura del Arco Ms. Weapons of the Igorrotes; photograph of weapons in the Colegio de Agustinos Filipinos, Valladolid.  Weapons of the natives of North Luzon; photograph of weapons in the Museo-Biblioteca de Ultramar, Madrid.

PREFACE

The years 1621-24, although not marked by great battles, conquests, or calamities, contain much that is of interest in the internal development of the Philippine colony; and these documents vividly illustrate the ceaseless play and interaction of human interests and passions—­especially in the romantic but tragic love-affair of Fajardo’s wife, in which is material for a brilliant novel.  The usual conflicts occur between the civil authorities and the friars, and between the governor and the Audiencia; but the records of these controversies furnish an unusual revelation of human nature and its complicated phenomena.  The alliance between the Dutch and the English menaces this far Oriental Spanish colony with even more dangers than it has already experienced; and its feeble defenses and insufficient equipment of arms and men keep its people in constant dread and anxiety.  For defense against the expected attacks of the heretics against Manila more ships and fortifications are constructed; but this imposes additional burdens on the poor Indians, which the governor tries to mitigate by endeavors to protect them from the oppression that they endure from the Spaniards.  Controversies arise between the various orders, and within that of St Francis, which are settled by the intervention of the bishop and governor.  Reports made by the orders show that over half a million of the natives are receiving religious instruction; but the bishop deprecates the favorite missionary policy of gathering the converts into “reductions,” and advises that all the missions should be placed under the supervision of the bishops.  The foreign population of Manila still increases beyond the safety-line, and spasmodic efforts are made to restrict it; but corrupt and lax officials render these of little use.  The difficulties involved in the Chinese trade and its economic effects on the Spanish colonies are still discussed, but without any satisfactory solution to the problem.  The gold mines in northern Luzon are explored and tested, but with meager results.

A Jesuit at Manila, Alonso Roman, gives the “news from Filipinas” for 1621.  He recounts the persecution of Christians that is still continuing in Japan, with many martyrdoms.  Various encounters between the Dutch and English occur until, an alliance being concluded between Holland and England, their ships unite to prey on the commerce of China, Portuguese India, and the Philippines.  The writer relates several naval encounters, and captures of trading ships.  In one of these the Chinese, pouring melted sugar on the enemy, “sent fourteen of the Dutch in a conserve to hell.”  Roman concludes his letter with an account of the tragedy in which Governor Fajardo slays his wife and her lover (May 11, 1621)—­the latter being a renegade Jesuit, named Joan de Messa.  Another account of this affair adds some minor details.