History of the Philippine Islands, vols 1 and 2 | Page 5

opened and secured through the efforts of Juan de
Zamudio who is sent to China for saltpeter and metals, although with
great and vindictive opposition from the Portuguese, who fear the loss
of their own trade at Macao. At El Pinal the survivors of two of Luis
Perez's three ships meet with Juan de Zamudio, after suffering great
storms, hardships, and wrecks. The same favor is extended him by the
Chinese as to Zamudio, but the Portuguese show their hostility to him
also, imprisoning the men sent by him to Macao to ask for help, and
even attempting force against him. Both Zamudio and a messenger
from Luis Perez carry news of the latter's disaster to Manila,
whereupon a ship and supplies are sent him with orders to return to
Manila. Hernando de los Rios Coronel, sent to Canton by Luis Perez to
negotiate with the Chinese, writes from that city to Dr. Morga
concerning China and the possibility, desirability, and advantages of
the Chinese trade in China instead of Manila, and the opposition of the
Portuguese. China he describes as a country "full of rivers and towns,
and without a palmo of ground left lying idle." Meanwhile the third
vessel of Luis Perez's fleet, commanded by Luis Ortiz, reaches
Camboja, where he and his companions join the Spanish, Portuguese,
and Japanese already there. This small force, which is eyed askance by
the Malay leaders and others envious of, and hostile to them on account
of their prowess and their influence with the weak king, is further
increased by Captain Juan de Mendoza Gamboa and Fray Juan
Maldonado, a learned Dominican, and their men. The former, having
obtained permission to go on a trading expedition to Siam, for which he
is given letters of embassy, is also entrusted to convey certain supplies
to Don Luis at Camboja, where he fails to find him. Maldonado is sent
by his order as a companion to Don Luis. This addition to their forces
is welcomed by the Spaniards in Camboja, and they refuse to let them
depart until hearing definite news of Luis Perez. The arrival of a
contingent of Japanese, mestizos, and one Spaniard, who had left Japan
on a piratical expedition, still further increases the force in Camboja.
The leaders Blas Ruiz, Belloso, and Maldonado treat with the king on
their own account, but not so satisfactorily as they wish. Conflicts and

quarrels arising between their forces and the Malays, the latter finally
overpower and kill the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Japanese, except
several who remain in the country and Mendoza, Maldonado and a few
men who escape in the former's vessel. In Camboja confusion and
anarchy again reign and the king is bullied and finally killed by the
Malays. The Joloans and Mindanaos are emboldened by the final
abandonment and dismantling of the fort at La Caldera--which is
decided upon by the governor against the opinion of the
Audiencia--and, joined in self-defense by the peaceful natives of
Mindanao, make an incursion against Spaniards and natives in the
Pintados in 1599, in which they take immense booty and many captives.
The next year they return with a larger force, but are defeated by the
alcalde-mayor of Arevalo, whereupon they resolve to be revenged. In
Japan the death of Taicosama encourages Geronimo de Jesus, a
Franciscan who has escaped crucifixion, to open negotiations with his
successor Daifusama. The latter, desiring trade for his own northern
province of Quanto, requests the governor of Manila, through the
religious, for commerce, and men to build ships for the Nueva España
trade which he wishes to open. He does not negotiate concerning
religion, for "the profit and benefit to be derived from friendship and
commerce with the Spaniards was more to the taste of Daifusama than
what he had heard concerning their religion." However, the religious
writes that freedom is given to evangelize throughout Japan, although
the only concession given is that the religious could establish a house at
their trading station. In October of 1600 news reaches Manila of the
coming and depredations of Oliver van Noordt's two vessels. The
description of the preparations, made by Morga, the instructions given
him by the governor, his instructions to Juan de Alcega, and the fight
and its consequences follow. In the same year of 1600 the vessels
"Santa Margarita" and "San Geronymo" are both unable to reach Nueva
España, and are wrecked--the latter near Catanduanes, and the former
in the Ladrones, where it is rifled by the natives and the men surviving
distributed through the different villages. In 1600 the "Santo Tomas" on
its way to the islands puts in at the Ladrones, but the commander,
fearing storms, refuses to wait for the Spanish prisoners of the "Santa
Margarita," although petitioned to do so by the religious and others.