The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 23 of 55, 1629-30

Volume 23 — Chapter XIV

Reading edition

How our religious went to the island of Luzon, and of other matters that arose there

His Majesty sent the title of adelantado to the commander, for himself and for his heirs, with the warrant for this privilege with pendant seal. This was extended to the Ladrones Islands, which were the first that he discovered and took possession of. That clause declares: “Just as (says his Majesty) our adelantados of the kingdoms of Castilla and of the Indias enjoy and exercise this title; you shall have [192] all the honors, concessions, favors, franchises, privileges and exemptions, preëminences, prerogatives, and immunities, which, as our adelantado, you should possess and enjoy.”

Upon this, those Moros or Tagáls received the peace offered them, and rendered homage to King Don Felipe, our sovereign—whom may God keep in His glory—and to his successors, the sovereigns of España. The adelantado set up the standard for him and in his name. This was concluded and effected in [200] the year 1571, day of the glorious St. Andrew, the patron saint of Manila. On that day, the standard is carried in that city, the capital of the islands, in the same manner as we related in describing the city of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús in the island of Sugbú. It is now carried with much less pomp than formerly, for all things are declining; and as affairs had their beginning, so they must have their middle and their end, for they are perishable and finite, and consequently must end.

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · As time passed, it appears that we continued to attain more and more favorable results in enlarging the Spanish dominion and empire among th Note 2 · The above is given place here, because, on the one hand, it was negotiated by our religious; and, on the other, to show ourselves grateful, Note 3 · The adelantado—for so shall we call him now—became more fully and correctly informed of all the islands; and learned that that of Sugbú was Note 4 · They arrived, then, at that island, after reducing to their service on the way, all the islands in their path. These are not few, such as th Note 5 · The greatest chiefs of that country then were the old Rajá, Rajá Solimán, and Lacandola. These men, as they already observed the pernicious