The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55.

Likewise:  whether it will be advisable to have a quantity of rice, swine, fowls, and other food stored in certain parts of the mountains and tingues; for were the places where these are chiefly produced near this city, or in places easy of access to the enemy—­and since it is supposed that they would come in force—­in such case, it would not be difficult for them to seize this food and appropriate it to their own use, or burn it, for we could not have sufficient forces to divide them, or withdraw them from the defense of this city.  And in this connection it is observed that it would be advisable to have the cattle-pastures -which are the support of this state, and the first thing that the enemy look for—­established inland (as there is sufficient pasturage in all parts), with some guard.  And since, if the enemy came, and we were actually confronted with the danger, it would be necessary for the Indians who have their villages and houses on the seacoast, or along the rivers or estuaries, where the enemy could penetrate easily, to retire inland to live, it seems that it would be advisable for the fathers of the doctrinas to have the natives warned and persuaded immediately to move to more retired and secure places; and that they should commence their sowing, since there are many virgin and unoccupied lands.  Should such an event [the coming of an enemy] occur, then this would be already done; and if not, then they would lose nothing in harvesting their rice; for it would be necessary to abandon their hamlets and comforts, if the enemy did come.  Furthermore, as these Indians are traders, as is known, and trade in rice and other products with this community, since they bring it from Otton, Camarines, Ylocos, and other places, this trade and provision would, if the enemy came, have to cease; and if these Indians remained among us and near their present abodes, they would consume our food, and we both would starve.  In order to supply food, there is no better remedy than to commence to sow in distant and secure places, so that the natives may be safe, prepared, and forewarned, and that there may be abundance of provisions; since, by withdrawing from each varangay ten men, or the number that may be deemed sufficient, these fields and new settlements may be commenced.

Likewise should be considered whether it would be advisable to store the property of all the Sangleys in the stone warehouses of this city, where the goods might be kept safe, while the Sangleys could go outside of the city to build their houses, because of the great danger, lest by some fire-contrivance they should burn that Parian and a great part of the city.  This is to be understood as proposed only if occasion should arise for us to take such measures.  Likewise, it will be advisable to have the houses or churches which now are thatched with straw or nipa roofed with tiles; or else they might be destroyed, because of the manifest danger of being set afire with great facility upon any occasion.

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 08 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.