The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIII, 1629-30 | Page 3

burning of their junk by the Spaniards, and talk of attacking the
latter in both Formosa and Luzón; accordingly, Tavora has greatly
strengthened the fortifications of Manila. He has sent the usual relief to
Ternate, but finds hostile Dutch ships there, and more reported as not
far away. He mentions the siege of Malaca, and other exploits of the
Portuguese; also the unsuccessful expedition to Jolo. Affairs in
Cagayan are improving, and more of the revolted Indians are being
subdued. In the second letter Tavora recounts his difficulties with the
auditors, who are sending secret despatches to Spain, commanding the
royal officials to pay their salaries regardless of the governor's orders,
endeavoring to rule the Chinese, interfering in matters which do not
concern them, and complaining against the governor's acts and plans.
Tavora recounts these matters in detail, defending himself against the
accusations made by the auditors, and stating his services to the crown.
At the end, he asks permission to resign his post as governor.
The Historia of Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A., was written in 1630, but
printed at Manila in 1893. He records the history of his order in the
Philippines up to 1630, adding much interesting information regarding
secular affairs and the condition of the islands and their people. He
begins with a résumé of the discovery and early history of the
archipelago--in the former of which, it will he remembered, the
Augustinian Urdaneta was so prominent. Legazpi's voyage, and his
encounters with the natives, are related at length. Medina describes the
island of Cebú (where the Spaniards first halted), and its economic and
religious condition at the time of his writing. He adds some information
regarding Panay, Negros, and other adjacent islands; then, resuming his
narration, describes the founding by Legazpi of a city in Cebú, and the
purification of the natives. This is at first a most difficult and vexatious
matter, as the natives are faithless to their promises; but they are finally

won over by a chief whose wife, captured by the Spaniards, is well
treated and restored to him. In the midst of this account Medina injects
another, relating how Urdaneta, sent home by Legazpi with despatches,
discovers the return route from the Philippines to Nueva España; and
recounting subsequent events in the lives of Urdaneta and his
companion Aguirre. Friendship with the natives of Cebú having been
established, the Augustinians there begin to labor in the conversion of
the Indians, and a considerable number of baptisms are conferred. The
infant colony is attacked (at the instigation of the devil) by the
Portuguese, but they are obliged to depart without harming it. The
missions thrive apace, and extend to neighboring islands; and Fray
Diego de Herrera goes to Spain to obtain more laborers for this so
promising field. Returning, he brings tokens of the royal favor to both
the missionaries and Legazpi. That officer concludes to remove his seat
of government to Luzón, especially to secure the valuable Chinese
trade, of which Medina gives some account--not failing to reiterate the
stereotyped complaint that all the silver is being carried to China.
Medina describes with enthusiasm the magnificent bay of Manila,
where the Spaniards enter Luzon; and relates the dealings of the
invaders with the Moros, who are, as usual, perfidious and unreliable.
After a time, however, they are reduced to obedience, largely through
the efforts of the religious who accompany Legazpi. The Augustinians
have a large and handsome convent in Manila, which is described. The
organization of their province of Filipinas is accomplished pro tempore
in 1572, and Diego de Herrera is sent to Spain to secure their
independence and procure more missionaries.
Medina recounts the convents and churches founded in succession by
his order, with some account of the lakes Bombon and Bay, and of the
communities about them. Speaking of the hospitals, he highly
commends the Franciscans who have them in charge. He describes the
region watered by the Pasig River, and the Augustinian convents
therein; and continues his account, in like manner, for Panay and the
other islands in which that order has its missions--throughout
furnishing much valuable, although desultory, information regarding
social and economic conditions.

Recurring to affairs at Manila, he recounts the beginning and growth of
the Chinese trade there, and the unsuccessful attempts of the early
Augustinians to open a mission in China. Legazpi's death (1572) is a
grief and loss to that order. The people of Mindoro, hearing of
Limahon's attack on Manila, rebel, and threaten to kill the missionaries
there; but afterward they release the fathers. The Moros at Manila also
revolt, but are finally pacified.
Various new Augustinians arrive at Manila in 1574 and 1575; but a
great loss befalls them in the following year, in the death of Fray Diego
de Herrera and ten