Philippinae

Sources from old books

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

South of Japan, lieth a great frie of Islands which are now called PHILIPPINAE in honor of Philip the second, King of Spain, in whose time discovered by Legaspi a Spanish Captain, 〈◊〉 1564. Strangely mistaken by Mercator for the Barussae of Ptolomy, those being placed by him in the bottom of the Gulf of Bengal•, five degrees South of the Aequator; these sicuate on the East of China, •• 13 or 14 degrees of Northern Latitude: those being only five in number, these reckoned at above ten thousand.

The Air in all of them generally very mild and temperate, especially in the midland parts; that on the shores, somewhat inclining unto heat. The soil abundantly fruitful of all commodities both for necessity, and delights; that is to say, Rice, Pulse, Wax, Honey, Sugar Canes, many pleasant fruits, the fairest Figges of all the world, plenty of fish, variety of Birds and Beasts, as well wild as tame, great store of Cotton Wooll, some Mines of Gold, and of other mettals great abundance.

Of all these Islands there are only fourty in possession of the King of Spain, belonging properly to A•ia, but by him placed under the Government of New Spain in America, because discovered by 〈◊〉 at the instigation or procurement of Don Lewis de Velasco, who was then Vice-Roy of that Province. In these 40 Ilands there are thought to be at the least a million of people subject to that Crown; many of which have been converted by the Friers and Jesuites unto Christianity. Of these the principal in account are, 1. LVSSON, affirmed to contain in compass 1000 miles; beautifyed by the Spaniards with a fair City, seated on a commodious Haven, which they call Manilla, in which resides the Deputy or Lieutenant Governor for all these Ilands; and the bishop of the Philippines for ordering all affairs of those Churches. II. MINDANAO, 380 Leagues in compass; in which are many good Towns, as 1. 〈◊〉 2. Pavados, 3 Subut, 4. Dapiro, and some others. III. TANDAIR, more fruitful than any of the rest, and of good extent, 160 Leagues in circuit; more specially called Philippina, because first discovered, and so named. IV. PALOHAN, as much mistaken by Mercator for the Bazacata of Ptolomy.

These, with the rest, subject in former times to the Kings of China, till they did voluntarily abandon them, and confine their Empire within the Continent. On this relinquishment the people fell into Civ•• warres, every man getting what he could for himself, and the stronger preying on the weaker: which factions and divisions gave great help to the Spaniard in the conquest of those few which are under their power. Ilands of more importance to the Spaniards, than is commonly thought: and therefore furnished by them at their first plantations, with Bulls, Kine, Horses, and Mares, which before they wanted, and do now reasonably abound with. For besides the abundance of victuals, and some plenty of Gold which they find therein, the situation is very fit to subdue the rest of the neighbouring Ilands; to settle the commerce betwixt China and Mexico; to bring on a continual trade betwixt the Ilands of this Sea, and those of America; and finally to prevent the Moors or Arabians from planting their Mahometanism any further Eastwards.

Not far from these, on the South of Japan bending towards the west, is another great heap of Rocks and Ilands. Some of them rich in Gold, and furnished with very choise fruits, and other necessaries, and peopled with a stout and warlike breed of men, well skilled in Archerie. The chief whereof have the names of 1. Lequin Major, 2. Lequin Minor, 3. Hermosa, 4. Reix Magos, &c. of which little memorable. And not far off those called 5. Ciumbabon, in which is said to be a Plantanimal, or sensible tree, and 6. Matban, unfortunately remarkable for the death of Magellanus, slain there in a battel with the Natives.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

The Philippines, and the neighbouring Islands S. of Japan, rich in Rice, Pulse, Honey, Wax, Sugar-Canes, the best Figs in the world, Cotton-wool, Mines of Gold, and other Mettals; plenty of Fish, Birds and Beasts: where forty containing a million of people, are under the King of Spains Government, and under his Vice-Roy in New-Spains Jurisdiction: As

1. Lusson with Manilla, a commodious Haven town.
2. Tandair, very fruitfull.
3. Mindano, three hundred and eighty leagues round, where 1 Cailon, Pavados, Sabal, and Dapiro, and westward the Lequins; and Hermosa, lately called New-Holland, because taken, planted, and strongly fortified by some Adventures of that Country; Ciumbabon, where is the Plant animal.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The PHILIPPINE Islands, or of LUSON and the MANILLES.

THe PHIPPINE Islands are so called by the Castilians, because they conquered them under Philip the second, King of Castile. The People of the East call them the Isles of Luson, because of the greatest and most famous of these Isles, which they call Luson, a principal City of this Isle, being likewise so called. The Portugals call them Manilles, from the City them Manilles, from the City Manilla, at present the chief City of the Isle of Luson. They are in the Oriental Ocean, to the Southward of China, to the Eastward of India, North of the Moluccoes, and Westward of the Islands of Theeves: But they are 4 or 500 Leagues distant from these, not above 100 from China, and much nearer the Moluccoes, and the the Isles of the Sound.

Their scituation is between the Equator, and the Tropick of Cancer;* 1.19 to wit, from the 5 unto the 20 degree of Septentrional Latitude: and from the 155, unto the 170 Meridian or Degree of Longitude; and so contain 15 or 16 degrees of Longitude and Latitude, extending themselves in length and breadth 3 or 400 Leagues,

LƲSON, MINDANAO and PARAGOYA, are the greatest: Luson towards the North, Mindanao towards the South, and Paragoya to: wards the West; so that they form almost an Equilateral Triangle. Tandaya otherwise Philippina, Mindora, Panay, Masbate, Rebujan, St, John, Cebu or the Pintados, Negoas, Matan, Bohol, and few others are of a lesser circuit. Tandaya is South-East from the most Southerly point of Luson; and the streight between is called of Manilla, not because of the City Manilla, more then 100 Leagues distant; but because of the Isles of Luson, which are called likewise of Minilla. Mindora on the South of the Isle of the Gulph, and City of Manilla: The rest are between Luson and Mindanao.

We might likewise make account of Messane, Calegan and Buthuan, near Cebu; of Abuyo and Capuli; of Banton, Rebujan, Vireges, Marinduque and Luban, between Masbate and Mindora; of Iloques, Mauris, Coyo, Bankingle and Kapull, between Mindora and Paragoya, and between Paragoya and Mindanao; of the Little Philippine on the West; of the Babuyonnes on the North; of Catandanis, Paracalla, Linton, and others on the East of Luson; of Palmes and St. John on the East of Mindanao. But we cannot name them all, there being so great a number, that some esteem them 1000 or 1200 of considerable note, and in all 10 or 12000.

Magellan was the first of the Europeans, who discovered these Islands in 1520 In 1564 Don Lewis de Valasco, Vice-Roy of Mexico, sent Michael Lapez de Legaspes to establish some Spanish Colonies; and facilitate by that means their Traffick from Mexico with China and Japan, who seised upon Luson, Cebu, &c. The Spaniards possess at present above 50 of them, among which, Luson, Tenday and Cebu, are the most famous.

Luson sometimes called New-Castle, begins before the 13, and ends after the 19 degree of Latitude on this side the Equator, which are not above 6 degrees or 150 Leagues; but it stretches one of its points towards the East: So that from Cape Bojador towards China, unto that of Caceres towards Tenday, is more then 200 Leagues, passing cross the Isle. Its breadth is very unequal, and sometimes only 20, 25, and sometimes likewise 50, 60, and 75 Leagues.

Manille is its chief City, seated in the most Southernly part of the Island; well built, after the modern way; and its Houses are of Free-stone, strong, and so great, that the Spaniards have been forced to divide some part of it from the rest, to serve them for a Cittadel, in case of necessity; by which means, they are not at so great a charge in keeping of so great a number of Soldiers, as would otherwise be requisite for the security of the place. They have a good Port, the entrance into which is yet somewhat difficult, by reason of the Isles and Rocks of Mirabelles, at the opening of the Gulph or Bay of Cavita or Cavite, at the bottom of which, is Manilla. The Governor or Vice-Roy of these Isles, as also an Archbishop, who hath a Spiritual Jurisdiction over all the Philippine Islands, which he exercises by three Suffragan Bishops, and some Priests have here their Residence. This City is very populous, here commonly residing about 15000 Chinois, besides Japonesses, and a great number of Spaniards which drive a Trade, in several good Commodities which the Earth and their ingenuity produces, which are brought hither, as being the chief City, of which I shall speak anon.

The other Cities of the same Isle are Cagajon or Nueva Segovia, in the most Northern part; then Caseres, in the most Southern part of the Isle. The City of Luson is by all Authors described on the Coast, which regards China: And this name hath been most famous. Now it is difficult to know, whether Luson or Manilla are two Cities; Linscot thinks them one and the same.

Mindanao is composed of three different Isles, which are almost contiguous, the greatest, which is in the middle of the other two, retains the name of Mindanao, having about 100 Leagues of length, and little less of breadth. Canola towards the West, 75 Leagues long, and 25 or 30 broad. Las Buenas Sennales, or the Good Ensigns; or likewise St. John on the North East, hath only 25 or 30 Leagues of length and breadth: And these three together, are between the fifth and the ninth Parallel or degree of Longitude, and between the 162 and 169 Meridian or degree of Longitude, and contain little less then 200 Leagues from the Point of Galere on the West, to Cape Bicajo on the East.

They belong to divers Mahometan or Pagan Kings, who are all in good intelligence with the King of Ternate of the Moluccoes, and ill-affected to the Portugals. Their principal Cities are Mindanao, which others call Tabouc, Saragos or Suriaco, Lomiaton, or Lomiatan, Dapita and Canola. Of the scituation of other Cities, of which some Authors make mention, we have no assurance.

• PARAGOYA or CALIMIANES of Boterus, is the same thing as Calamian of Linscot; and as Puloam or Puloaym of Maginus, and others: it begins almost at the 8, and ends not till the 11 Degree of Latitude, stretching it selt from South-East to North-East, in length more then 100 Leagues, not having above 10, 15, or 25 of breadth. Boterus and Pigafette say, that it bears Figs half as long and as thick as ones Arm; and others, only of a Palm long, but better then that of Dates. Its King is Vassal to him of Borneo.

• TANDAYA is about the twelfth Degree of Latitude, and the 167 of Longitude; Its utmost length is about 50 Leagues, and its breadth about 40. It hath born alone the name of Philippine, for being the first discoverer of these Islands, and that name hath been communicated to the rest. It is esteeined the best and most pleasant of all; Fruitful, rich, easie to be approached, and its Inhabitants courteous. Its chief place is Achan.

• MINDORA is not much less then Tandaya, but not so famous; yet the Streight between the Isle of Manilla and Mindora, is called Mindora; from whence it may be judged, there is likewise a City of Mindora on that Streight and that this place hath formerly been famous. There are here Mines of Gold.

• CEBƲ is in the midst of the Philippines. The Spaniards have built on the East Coast Ville-Jesus, under the 10 Degree of Latitude, and 165 of Longitude. The Port is good, and here it was that Magellan contracted Alliance with the King of this Isle, received him into the Protection of the King of Castile, and in his favour passed into the Isle of Matan, and made war upon its King, where he was killed.

• All these Isles in general, are very fruitful, and yield a great quantity of Grains, of Rice, Fruits, Wine, Honey, &c. which are given almost for nothing. They have Wine of Dates, which yields not to those of Grapes, and which are as strong as Sack: They feed much Cattle, and Fowl, as Oxen and Sheep, which they carry into New-spain; Hogs, whose Flesh is excellent, Goats, Pullain, &c. They have many Wild Beasts, as Stags, and several sorts of Venison, Wild Boars, Tygers, Foxes, Bears, Lions, Apes, Civet Cats, &c. which inhabit in their Forests and Mountains; and in their Rivers they have Crocodiles and an infinite number of several sorts of Fish, which are likewise found in their Seas: Amongst others Tortoises, whose shels are much esteemed for the beauty, and variety of their colours, there being none found like these, and those of the Maldives.

• They produce likewise Gold, Iron, Steel, Saffron, Wax, Cinnamon, Long Pepper, Ginger, Sugar, with several other Metals, Spices, Drugs, and Precious Stones. They fish Pearls on their Coasts, and particularly near to Negros and Abujo.

• But besides the cheapness and abundance of Victuals which these Isles afford, and the Traffick which they have so commodiously with China, and with Mexico or New Spain, hath made the Spaniards resolve to keep them: And therefore they built some Fortresses in 1589 and transported some Families from New Spain, with Horses, Sheep, and other Beasts to breed a Race.

The Chinois have a great Trade to these Islands, bringing hither all their Commodities, as Silk, Cotton of all colours, Porcelain, Brimstone, Cannon Powder, Iron, Quick-silver, Steel, Copper, and other Metals; also Chests, Cabinets, Pictures, Laces, Coiffs, Vales, and other curiosities for Women. Of all these Commodities, there remains a part in the Philippines, and the Castilians take away the other, and with the Gold, Wax and Spices, which they get in these Isles, carry them to Mexico: From whence they bring what is proper, both for the Philippines, for China, and the East-Indies. And this trade which is driven by the South, or Pacifick Ocean, is a great, and frequent, as that which is between Spain and Mexico by the Ocean, or North Sea.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

The King of Spain, Philip the Second, has given his Name to these Islands, which are to the number of forty or fifty: this is to be understood of the greatest, for if we reckon'd all the small ones, they would be found to be above eleven thousand. Most of these Isles are fruitful; furnish Gold, wherewith the Inhabitants pay their Tribute. The Council of Spain, for the Indies, has often proposed to abandon them, by reason of the too great expence of the Garrisons, that are necessary to be kept there: because they contribute to the Commerce that is driven with China and the Molucco's, his Catholick Majesty has thought fit to keep them. The Islanders are valiant, and defend their Freedoms in several places. Lusson (otherwise New Castile) is the greatest of all the Philippine Islands. The City of Manilhe, which gives its Name to the whole body of these Islands, is the abode of a Governor and an Archbishop. 'Tis small, but beautiful, and well fortified; the two thirds of its compass are along a River, which carries Barks, and the third part towards the Sea. Besides the Spaniards and Indians, it has many Chineses, who have taken refuge there, as in a Town where is the Magazine of one of the richest Commerces in the World. Cavite, two Leagues from the Town, is the principal Haven, secure from great winds, and defended by two Forts: The Bay is forty Leagues in compass; where they have the conveniency of building great Galeons, but it is beaten by the Northern Winds; the bottom is bad, and the entrance difficult. Here did the Spaniards detain a French Bishop, Titular of Heliopolis, to make him afterwards take a turn round the World, before that he return'd into Europe: from whence that Prelate is departed for the third time with the Apostolical Missions of the See of Rome. The Isle of Mindanao, was not subdued by the Spaniards, till a long while after that of Lusson: that of Paragoya obeys still their own Kings; that of Tendaye, bears the Name of Philippine, as having been first discover'd; Cebu and Matan are known, the first for Magellan's arrival there, in the Year 1520; the last, for the death of the said Magellan. This was the first time, that the Voyage had been perform'd round the World; which was done in the Ship of this Captain, who had put himself into the Service of the King of Castile; for that the King of Portugal, whose Subject he was, had refus'd half a Ducate a Month, above his constant Pay. The Spaniards, who sail to the Philippines, do not go through our Hemisphere: They go thither by Mexico, and the South-Sea: For which reason they would fain comprehend these Islands, as well as the Moluccoes, in the bounds of their West-Indies, which they extend for that reason as far as Malacca.