The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55.

Witnesses, Melchor de Torres, Francisco Gomes, and others.

Before me: 

Gabriel de Ribera Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

In the port called Dapitan, on the twenty-third day of the month of April of the said year, Pedro de Osegura, whom his Grace had sent to the island of Jolo, as above recorded, and who arrived at this port today with the men and fragata that he had taken, appeared before the said captain, and in the presence of me, the notary, and of witnesses.  He said that, in fulfilment of his Grace’s orders, he had gone to the said island of Jolo.  He anchored at the mouth of the river there, for four days.  As soon as he arrived he summoned the chiefs.  They came, and through the said interpreter Laquian he learned from them that Raja Ylo, with the Indians of the island—­three hundred men, and their women-with his wives, children, slaves, and all his possessions, had gone to settle in Borney.  He [Oseguera] tried also to learn who had remained, whether they had a famine, as reported.  He was told that not more than one hundred and forty Indians remained and that, they were suffering a most severe famine.  He ordered them to bring the piece that was said to be inland.  In three hours they brought one to him, and he brought it hither in his fragata.  It seems to be of about twelve or thirteen quintals’ weight.  Thinking that they were lying in regard to the people and their poverty, he insisted upon asking them for the tribute, telling them that everyone who becomes his Majesty’s vassal, pays that recognition, as a return for his Majesty’s expenses in his fleets.  They showed so great poverty, and were so little able to give anything, that, although he had the chiefs on his vessel and sent them to notify all the Indians of the land that they must bring tribute in three days, not forty Indians came with tribute—­and that was in dishes, cloth, and articles of but little worth.  The chiefs told him to go ashore and see for himself that there were no more people.  Consequently he bargained with an Indian, a timagua of the said island (the one who had owned the said cannon), as he learned that the Indian had traded for it with others; and gave back to them the fifty-seven tributes given them by the captain.  Then he returned to the fleet.  This was his declaration, and he affixed his signature thereto.  Witnesses, Juan Davila and Francisco Gomez.

Gabriel de Ribera Pedro Brizeno de Oseguera

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

Thereupon, upon this said day, Pedro de Oseguera declared before the said captain that the said Indians of Jolo had given, in token of tribute, forty-three tributes, consisting of two tacs of gold, nineteen pieces of colored medrinaque, and eight tributes in dishes, a total of forty-three—­besides the fifty-seven that were taken on account for the piece.  The full total is one hundred, and he delivered them to the the captain.  Witnesses, the above-named persons.

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.