The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 | Page 5

natives. Legazpi advises that
small ships be built at the Philippines, with which to prosecute farther
explorations and reduce more islands to subjection; and that the mines
be opened, and worked by slave-labor.

The Spanish settlement on Cebu was regarded with great jealousy by
the Portuguese established in the Moluccas, and they sent an armed
expedition (1568) to break it up. As the two nations were at peace, the
Portuguese commander and Legazpi did not at once engage in war, but
carried on protracted negotiations--a detailed account of which is here
presented, from the official notarial records kept by Legazpi's chief
notary, and transmitted to the home government. Legazpi claims that he
has come to make new discoveries for his king, to propagate the
Christian religion, and to ransom Christians held captive by the heathen
in these regions; and that he had regarded the Philippines as being
within the jurisdiction of Spain. If he has been mistaken, he will depart
from the islands at once, if Pereira will provide him with two ships.
The latter refuses to accept Legazpi's excuses, and makes vigorous
complaints against the encroachments of the Spaniards. Pereira
summons all the Spaniards to depart from the islands, promising to
transport them to India, and offering them all aid and kindness, if they
will accede to this demand; but Legazpi declines these proposals, and
adroitly fences with the Portuguese commander. These documents are
of great interest, as showing the legal and diplomatic formalities
current in international difficulties of this sort.
The Editors

Documents of 1525-1528
_Expedition of García de Loáisa_ 1525-26 Voyage of Alvaro de
Saavedra 1527-28
[Résumé of contemporaneous documents, 1522-37]

Translated and synopsized by James A. Robertson, from Navarrete's
_Col. de viages_, tomo v, appendix, pp. 193-486.

Expedition of García de Loaisa 1525-26
[These documents are all contained in Navarrete's _Col. de viages_,
tomo v, being part of the appendix of that volume (pp. 193-439). They
are here summarized in even briefer form than were the documents
concerning the voyage of Magalhães, indicating sources rather than

attempting a full presentation of the subject. Navarrete precedes these
documents with an account of Loaisa's voyage covering one hundred
and ninety pages--compiled, as was his account of Magalhães, from
early authors and the documents in the appendix.]
A memorandum without date or signature [2] describes to the king the
advantages that would arise from establishing the India House of Trade
at Corunna rather than at Seville: the harbor of Corunna is more
commodious; it is nearer the resorts of trade for the northern nations;
much trade now going to Portugal will come to Corunna; larger ships
can be used and better cargoes carried; it is nearer to sources of supply,
and expeditions can be fitted out better from this place; and it will be
impossible for the captains or others to take forbidden merchandise, or
to land articles on the return voyage--as they could do at Seville,
because of having to navigate on the river. (No. i, pp. 193-195.)
1522. The king and queen, after the return of the "Victoria" issue a
document with thirty-three concessions to natives of their kingdom
who should advance sums of money, etc., for fitting out expeditions for
the spice regions; these privileges are to cover the first five expeditions
fitting out. The interests and rights of the sovereigns and of the
contributors are clearly defined. These fleets are to trade in the
Moluccas, or in any other lands and islands discovered within Castile's
demarcation. The House of Trade for the spice regions is to be
established at Corunna. (No. ii, pp. 196-207.)
Madrid, April 5, 1525. Fray García Jofre de Loaisa, a commander of
the order of St. John, [3] is appointed captain-general of the fleet now
fitting out at Corunna for the Moluccas, and governor of those islands.
His powers are outlined, being such as were usually given in such
expeditions. As annual salary he is to have, during the voyage, "two
thousand nine hundred and twenty ducats, which amount to one million,
ninety-four thousand five hundred maravedis." He is to have certain
privileges of trade, being allowed to carry merchandise. Rodrigo de
Acuña is appointed captain of the fourth ship, with a salary of three
hundred and seventy-five thousand maravedís. He may invest fifty
thousand maravedís in the fleet, such sum being advanced from his
salary. The accountant for the fleet, Diego Ortiz de Orue, is instructed
to fulfil the duties incident to his office (these are named), and to keep
full accounts. Instructions are issued also to the treasurer, Hernando de

Bustamante, who is ordered "to obey our captain and the captain of
your ship, and try to act in harmony with our officials, and shun all
manner of controversy and discord." He must discuss with the captains
and officials