The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 22 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 302 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 22 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 22 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 302 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 22 of 55.

The governor established a shipyard this year in the province of Camarines—­which is a part of this island of Manila—­in order to build a couple of galleons, two or three galleys, and a like number of brigantines, for there was need of all.  For that purpose he sent some Spaniards, and a number of Chinese and Indians, to build the ships; a considerable quantity of iron for nails, much rice for food, four pieces of artillery to garrison themselves, and, in short, all that was necessary.  They settled at the said place and began their building.  The king of Jolo left his island, which was subject and tributary for a long time, and it was years since he was rebellious.  He went out with two thousand men, in more than thirty caracoas, which are called joangas when they are large.  He came among our islands, and first captured from us a ship and a quantity of iron (which is an article that they esteem highly).  They also captured balls, fuses, and all that the ship was carrying to the shipyard.  Then they captured another ship from us with sixty Indians and two Spaniards, who were going to cut wood for the building of the ships.  They had interpreters, and found out where the shipyard was located.  They went there before dawn, landed seven hundred well-armed men, and commenced to kill and rob.  The Spaniards were quite off their guard, and had not fortified themselves and mounted the artillery, as they ought to have done.  They quickly seized their arms, and began to fire their arquebuses.  The enemy first killed for us two of our Spaniards, whereupon only twelve Spaniards were left.  Of the other men the enemy took no account, for many were already captured or killed.  Some tried to flee, and some sought the shelter of our arquebuses in a storehouse where the provisions were kept, where the Spaniards had retired, and where they remained fighting, because of their few number, until shortly after midday.  By that time five of them were wounded, and only seven were left who could fight.  They ran short of ammunition and fuses, because the enemy had taken them, as I have said.  Thereupon, they resolved to embark in a large boat which they had, back of the said storehouse on a river, his Majesty’s silver, all the arms, the women and children, and the other Indians who had taken shelter there.  Immediately the twelve Spaniards, both the wounded and the sound, embarked, and went up the river.  Therefore, the camp was left to the king of Jolo and his men.  They remained there for some days, eating and drinking as if in their own homes.  They embarked the four pieces of artillery which our men could not take, and collected all the iron that they could load into their ships; and even then they did not take all that there was, for there was much of it.  Consequently, they left a great part of it ashore.  They robbed many things of value, and a great quantity of rice which they found—­a matter of about one thousand fanegas—­they scattered and threw into the sea, for they had no need of it. 

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 22 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.