The Philippine Islands ... With map, etc

Preface

. It would be surprising if the concerns of an interesting Colony like the Philippine Islands had not commanded the attention of literary genius. I do not pretend, therefore, to improve upon the able productions of such eminent writers as Juan de la Concepcion, Martinez Ziiniga, Thomas Comin and others, nor do I aspire, through this brief composition, to detract from the merit of Jagor's work, which, in its day, com mended itself as a valuable book of reference. But since then, and within the last twenty years, this Colony has made great strides on the path of social and material progress ; its political and commercial importance is rapidly increasing, and many who know the Philippines, have persuaded me to believe that my Notes would be an appreciated addition to what was published years ago on this subject.

The critical opinions herein expressed are based upon personal observations made during the several years I have travelled in and about all the principal Islands of the Archipelago, and are upheld by reference to the most reliable historical records. An author should be benevolent in his judgment of men and manners and guarded against mistaking isolated cases for rules. In matters of history he should neither hide the truth, nor twist it to support a private view, remembering how easy it is to criticize an act when its sequel is developed : such will be my aim in the fullest measure consistent.

PREFACE.

. VIII By certain classes I may be thought to have taken a hypercritical view of things ; I may even offend their susceptibilities-- if I adulated them, I should fail to chronicle the truth, and my work would be a deliberate imposture. I would desire it to be understood, with regard to the classes and races in their collectiveness, that my remarks apply only to the large majority ; exceptions undoubtedly there are— these form the small minority. Moreover, I need hardly point out that the native population of the Capital of the Philippines by no means represents the true native character, to comprehend which, so far as its complicacy can be fathomed, one must penetrate into and reside for years in the interior of the Colon)-, as I have done, in places where extraneous influences have, as yet, produced no effect.

May the love for veracity va befitting attribute of a good Catholic) be sufficient justification for what adverse allusions may have fallen from ni)- pen on that respectable body which has moulded the thought of generations of civilized masses and successfully brought them to embrace our most Sacred Creed. There may appear to be some incongruity in the plan of a work which combines objects so dissimilar as those enumerated in the Contents pages, but this is not a History, nor a Geography, nor an Account of Travels, in the strict sense of the word — it is a concise review of all that ma)- interest the reader who seeks for a general idea of the condition of affairs in this Colony in the past and in the present. J- F CONTENTS. rACE,

Prologue

i

Chapter I

First Expedition under Maghallanes. — Magellan Straits discovered.— Maghallanes' fate.— Hie Spaniards in Palauan, Borneo, and The Spice Islands (Moluccas). — First voyage round the world.— Second, Third and Fourth Expeditions. — The Spaniards under Legaspi settle in Cebii. — Foundation of Manila.— Death of Legaspi ------._. ■ >

Chapter II

General Description of the Archipelago. — Volcanoes. — The Mayon and Taal Volcanoes 22

Chapter III

Li-ma-Hong, the rival Conqueror. — Saint Andrew compels Li-ma-Hong to retire.— Clerical and Secular rivalries. — Father Alonso Sanchez' mission to Spain. — Philip II. 's Decree. — Mendicant Friars. — The Bishop's intrigues are unsuccessful. —He goes to Spain. — Pontifical favors.— Supreme Court re-established - - - - -34 PAG I eOJTTKNTS. X

Chapter IV

Conflicts mi% Hie Dutch.— Hi«t..i-i.."il Incidents.— Fajar.lu kill, his wife.— Robbery of the High H. ,-.(.— Threatened In\ -iisiuii by Keusimg.— Valon/.uohi, the Cuuvt fa\ orit. •. Manila occupied by the British.— Simon do Anda's rcbL'Uiou. -Close of hostilities— Slm^glrs fc* iHfapSfr denec ------

Chapter V

Early relations with Japan. — The Martyr Saints - - 85' CHAPTER \ 1. Government and Local Administration. — Provincial Government. — Effects of Favoritism. — Abuses. — Native local Authorities. — Barangay Chiefdom. — Fiscal Reforms - ilG C II A F T i: R VII. Philippine Budget. — Army and Land Forces. — Naval Forces. — Law Courts. — Prisons. — Convict Settlements. — Brigandage. — A chase for Brigands. — A penal Settlement. — An encounter with pirates. — Woe to litigants - 115-

CHAPTER VIII.

Piepunileian'-e ut the Friavs. — The Parish Priest. — Thr Mtl'fltulAua CitJS^ Bf Bfafenv— A Saint uichueil an Idi'l. — The Holy Child ..f Cebri. — Tlie Pn.ti-.'iiu^ Saint of Manila. -Virijin of Antipulu.— ReliLiiMiis Imposture. — - Native inueeptinn of veliyiuii. — Tlie Hicraichv.- - Church Boveffljes. — Church and State lunti.ntinii^. - Rivalries of the Friavs - - - - - -131 CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER IX. PAGE.

Manila. — Feasts. — Cock-fighting. — Journalism. — Typhoons. — Earthquakes. — Costumes - - - - - 164

CHAPTER X.

Domesticated^ Natives. — Traits of Character. — Education. — ■ The University. — Students. — Native Talent. — Musicians by Nature. — Slavery. — Social condition. — Physical features. — Native Marriages. — The Feast. — -Mixed Marriages. — Creoles. — Half-breeds - - - - 181

CHAPTER XI.

Indigenous Tribes and Races. — Aetas or Negritos. — Gaddanes. — Itavis. — Igorrotes. — Igorrote-Chinese. — -Tinguianes. — Supposed Hindoos. — Albinos - 208

CHAPTER XII.

Moslems. — Southern Tribes. — Piratical devastations. — Struggles with Moslems. — Vicissitudes of Sultan Alimudin. — - He feigns Christianity. — Alimudin and Suite in Prison. — Accusations. — Extermination of Moslems decreed. — Result of attempted extermination. — Negotiations with Sultan Alinnidin. — His restoration. — Sulu Sultanate. — Mindanao Island. — Investiture of Sultan Harun Narrasid. — Expedition against Datto Utto. — Hostilities in Sulu. — Sulu Protectorate. — Sulu Costumes. — Character. — Trade.- — Mahonicdanism. — Panditas. — Sulu Town. — His Highness the Sultan. — Slavery. — Moslem fanatics. — A visit to the Sultan. — A visit to a Subuano Settlement. — Palaiian Island. — The Tagbanuas. — Baliibac Island -------- CONTENTS. XII 261- 308

CHAPTER XIII.

«""■* .*■-" pAGE. Philippine Dependencies— The Padrone Islands.— The Caro line Islands.— Their possession disputed by Germany.— 054. Massacre of the Spaniards

CHAPTER XIV.

The Chinese. — Massacre.— Apparition of Saint Francis

CHAPTER XV.

Early History of Commerce.— The Mexican Subsidy. — Voyages of the Galleons. — Restrictions on Trade. — The "Real Compania de Filipinas."— Concessions to foreigners. — Monetary Notes. — Provincial Ports opened. — Trade Statistics. — Navigation in the Archipelago. — Dealings with the Natives.— Manufactures. — Railways ------- 277

CHAPTER XVI.

Agriculture. — Value of Arable Land. — Land measure. — Cane Sugar Statistics: planting; manufacture; cost of production. — The Locust Plague. — Rice Paddy ; its cultivation. — Macau and Paga Paddy : plantingand harvest

CHAPTER XVII.

Manila Hemp. — Trials with Musa Teæt'dis in British India. — Hemp cultivation. — Its comparative advantages. — Difficulties with the Natives. — Hemp trading; Statistics. — Cost of Hemp production. — Yield - - - 325

CHAPTER XVIII.

Coffee ; Statistics and Trade ; Culture. — Tobacco Monopoly ; Its abolition; Free Trade and cultivation - CONTENTS. XIII

CHAPTER XIX. PAGE.

Maize. — Cacao (Cocoa Beans). — Minor Farm Products. — Cocoa-nut Palms. — Cocoa-nut Oil. — Cocoa-nut Coir. — Wild Forest Products. —Nipa. — Cotton. — Dita. — Palma Brava. — Bamboo. — Bojo. — Bejuco. — Gum Mastic. — Wax. — Cinnamon. — Sapanwood. — Hard Woods. — Comparative Strengths. — Timber Trade. — Fruits - 353

CHAPTER XX.

Coal. — Gold. — Mining- Speculations. — Iron Mines. — Marble. — Gypsum. — Sulphur ------ 377

CHAPTER XXI.

Domestic Live Stock. — Ponies. — Buffaloes — Jungle and Forest Inhabitants ------- 386

CHAPTER XXII.

My First Tour in Luzon Island 392

CHAPTER XXIII.

My First Tour in the South 133

CHAPTER XXIV.

Travelling Notes. — Itinerary ------ 460

CHAPTER XXV.

Concluding Observations ------- 483 a 1 v

PROLOGUE.

. "Nothing extenuate " Nor set down aught in malice." — Othello, Act V, Sc. 2. NOTWITHSTANDING the three centuries of more or less complete Spanish dominion in this Archipelago, it may still be ranked as one of the most primitive of Colonial possessions. That powerful nation which in centuries gone by was built up of Iberians, Celts, Phœnicians, Carthaginians, Visigoths, Romans and Arabs was in its zenith of glory when the conquering spirit and dauntless energy of its people led them to gallant enterprises of discovery which astonished the whole civilized world. But they were satisfied with conquering and leaving unimproved their conquests. Nor has the subsequent example of succeeding colonizing nations served to quench, in spirit, their petrified conservatism. Had they followed up their discoveries by social enlightenment,— by encouragement to commerce and by the development of the new resources under their sway they would, perhaps even to this day, have preserved the loyalty of those who yearned for and obtained freer institutions.

But they had elected to follow the principles of that religious age, although the impellent motive of conquest was divided between rapacity and soul-saving. All we can credit them with is the conversion of millions to Christianity at the expense of cherished liberty ; for, ever on the track of that fearless band of warriors followed the satellites of the Roman Pontiff, ready to pass the breach opened for them by the sword, to conclude the conquest by the persuasive influence of the Holy Cross. Successful government by that sublime ethical essence called moral philosophy has fallen away before a more practical regime. Liberty to think, to speak, to write, to trade, to travel was only partially and reluctantly yielded under '■J extraneous pressure. The venality of the conqueror's administration —the juridical complicacy l —want of public works— weak imperial government and arrogant local rule tended to dismember the once powerful Spanish Empire.

Yet these evils are persistently rife. The same causes produce the same effects, and in the future history ot each Spanish Colony can be seen written — hodie milii eras tibi — and the mother country will be childless. The civilization of the world is but the outcome of wars, and, probably as long as the world lasts the ultimate appeal in all questions will be made to force. The hope of ever extinguishing warfare is as meagre as the advantage such a state of things would be. The idea of totally suppressing martial instinct in the whole civilized community is as absurd as the hope of converting all the human race to one religious system. Men born with a love for arms refuse to be crushed and doomed to inactivity. Moreover, the individual benefits derived from war generally exceed the losses it inflicts on others ; nor is war an isolated instance of the few suffering for the good of the many.

" Salus populi suprema lex." Nearly every step in the world's progress' has been reached by warfare. In modern times the peace of Europe is only maintained by the equality of power to hostilize. The right of conquest is undeniable. Our estimate of what is right and wrong is derived from Nature— where else should we seek the standard of right ? And as Nature impels man to seek the dominance of his fellow-mortal, so nations strive to gain ascendance over other races. There is no argument beyond force, and the Spaniards exercised their instinctive right in invading the Philippines, dethroning its kings and appropriating their territory. Some ineffectually resisted -others yielded passively to the display of power to coerce and even helped to rivet the chains of the white man round the necks of their countrymen.

Mr. Maine2 says : "The greatest part of mankind has never shewn " a particle of desire that its civil institutions should be improved." Mr. Darwin, referring to the causes of deterrence in civilized development, writes thus- "Nomadic habits, whether over wide plains or There is a Spanish saying - Quien hiao la ley hi:,, la trampa. " Maine's -'Ancient Law," page 22, pub. 1861. - The Descent of Man," p. 167. Vol I. by Cha, Darwin, m.a., k.k.s., »b. Prologue. 3 " through the dense forests of the tropics, or along the shores of the " sea, have, in every case, been highly detrimental." Mankind has no philosophical criterion of truth, thus it is doubtful where the unpolluted fountain of the truest modern civilization is to be found. It is claimed by China and by Europe, and the whole universe is schismatic on the subject.

The prelude to the different forms of civilization established amongst primitive races is so often attended with voluptuousness' t'reebooting and vice that it is often a more unwelcome boon than being born. Surely an unheard-of pleasure cannot be longed for. The civilizer in all times is much like the typical gallant bandit ; "I will not harm you" says he "if you will give up all you possess ; I will even embrace you as a brother and shew you how to spend your wealth" — and in doing so the civilizer tutors the neophyte in the most polished forms of iniquity. Juan de la Concepcion1 who wrote last century bases the Spaniards, right to conquest on a very different theory. He affirms that the Spanish Kings inherited a divine right to these islands, their dominion being directly prophesied in the 18th Chapter of Isaiah.

Also that as God gave over the land of Canaan to the Children of Israel, so did He award this territory to the Castillian monarchs. He assures us that this concession from Heaven was confirmed by apostolic authority2 and by "the many manifest miracles with which God, the Virgin and the " Saints, as auxiliaries of our arms, demonstrated its unquestionable " justice." Saint Augustine, he states, considered it a sin to doubt the justice of war which God determines, but, let it be remembered, the same savant insisted that the world was flat and that the sun hid every night behind a mountain ! We cannot expect ordinary man to live in advance of the culture of his generation — but Augustine was a saint in embryo. Could not the Mussulmans use the soul-saving argument with respect to the Sultanate of Sulu ?

Has not Islam rescued them from complete barbarism and brought them to the fold of the Great Prophet ? 1 "Historia General de Philipinas," Chap. I, Part I, Vol I., by Juan de la Concepcion, pub. in 14 VolB, Manila, 1788. 1 "No eB necessario calificar el derecho a tales reinos 6 dominios, especial ■■ luente entre vasallos de reyes tan justos y Catholicos y tan obedientes hijos de •' la suprema autoridad apostolica con cuia facultad han ocupado estas regiones " — Ibid. Have not apostates of the Romish Church, or, at least, their descendants, as successfully established dominion in British India as the Spaniards have in their Indies ? An apology for conquest cannot, however, be found in the desire to spread any particular religion, more especially when we treat of Christianity whose benign radiance was overshadowed by that debasing institution— the Inquisition, which sought out the brightest intellects only to destroy them.

I have so far digressed because it will be seen on future pages that the government of these Islands is practically as theocratic as it is civil. Upon the religious principle are founded its statutes, and the reader will now understand the source whence the innumerable Church and State contentions originated. Christianity gave trouble from the first time it became a force in Rome, for under its veil arose the mutiny of the Emperor Diocletian's soldiers. The tendency has always been to combine political power with Christian teaching, and in Rome the first conflicts with religion were the attempts, finally successful, to build up a government within a government : an independent empire over men's minds within the Roman Empire. For better or for worse, the day is fast disappearing when the clergy could subordinate the civil authority to theirs. Rightly or wrongly the scepticism of the present age rebuts the only principle which calmed the consciences of the sixteenth century conquerors.

Chapter I

First Expedition under Maghallanes. The discoveries of Christopher Columbus in 1492 — the adventures and conquests of Heman Cortes, Blasco Nurlez de Balboa and others in the South Atlantic had awakened an ardent desire amongst those of enterprising spirit to seek beyond these regions which had hitherto not been traversed. It is true the Pacific Ocean had been seen by Balboa who crossed the Isthmus of Panama, but how to get there with his ships was as yet a mystery. On the 10th of April, 1495, the Spanish government published a o-eneral concession to all who wished to search for unknown lands. This was a direct attack upon the privileges of Columbus at the instigation of Fonseca, Bishop of Burgos, who had the control of the Indian affairs of the realm. Rich merchants of Cadiz and Seville, whose imagination was inflamed by the reports of the abundance of pearls and gold on the American coast, fitted out ships to be manned by the roughest class of gold-hunters : so great were the abuses of this common licence that it was withdrawn by Royal Decree on the 2nd of June, 1497.

It was the age of chivalry and the restless cavalier who had won his spurs in Europe lent a listening ear to the accounts of romantic glory and wealth attained across the seas. That au immense ocean washed the western shores of the great American continent was an established fact. That there was a passage connecting the great Southern sea— the Atlantic— with that vast ocean was an accepted hypothesis. Many had sought the passage in vain ; the honor of its discovery was reserved for Hernando de Maghallanes. This celebrated man was a Portuguese noble who had received the most complete education in the palace of King John II. Having studied mathematics and navigation, at an early age he joined the Portuguese fleet which left for India in loOo under the command of Almeida. He was present at the siege of Malacca under the famous Alburquerque, and accompanied another expedition to the rich Moluccas, or Spice Islands, when the Islands of Banda, Tidor and Ternate were discovered.

It was here he obtained the information which led him to contemplate the voyages which he subsequently realized. On his return to Portugal he searched the Crown Archives to see if the Moluccas were situated within the demarcation accorded to Spain1. In the meantime he repaired to the wars in Africa where he was wounded iu the knee with the result that he became permanently lame. He consequently retired to Portugal, and his companions in arms, jealous of his prowess, took advantage of his affliction to asail him with vile imputations. The King Emmanuel encouraged the complaints and accused him of feigning a malady of which he was completely cured. Wounded to the quick by such an assertion and convinced of having lost the royal favour, Maghallanes renounced for ever, by a formal and public instrument, his duties aud rights as a Portuguese subject, and henceforth became a naturalized Spaniard.

He then presented himself at the Spanish Court, at that time in Valladolid, where he was well received by the King Charles I, Bishop of Burgos, Juan Rodriguez Fonseca, Minister of Indian Affairs and by the King's chancellor. They listened attentively to his narration, aud he had the good fortune to secure the personal protection of His Majesty, himself a well-tried warrior. The Portuguese Ambassador, Alvaro de Acosta, incensed at the success of his late countryman, and fearing that the project under discussion would lead to the conquest of the Spice Islands by the rival kingdom, made every effort to' influence the Court against him. At the same time he ineffectually urged Maghallanes to return to Lisbon, alleging that his resolution to abandon Portuguese citizenship required the sovereign sanction.

Others even meditated his assassination to ' During the previous century jealousy had run so high between Snain ind Portugal with regard to their respective colonization and twdbwriSita fcÆ question of demarcation had to be settled by the Pope Alexander VI „h • . bull dated 4th of May, 1493 (or 1494), dividing tS „ twVb "T* 8 and decreeing that all heathen lands discovered in the Westers^'?'ph? meridian of Cape Verd Island should belong to the Span ard, in v 'V half to the Portuguese. The bull was adopted by both Nations in t\ ' T 7^ Tordesllas. It gave rise to many passionate debates, as the Smn,d *y f insisted that the Philippines and the Moluccas cam with the d v Tf'j to them by Pontifical donation. the dmslonalloted First Expedition under Maghallanes. 7 save the interests of the King of Portugal.

This powerful opposition only served to delay the expedition, for finally the King of Portugal was satisfied that his Spanish rival had no intention to authorize a violation of the Convention of Demarcation. Between King Charles and Maghallanes a contract was signed in Saragossa by virtue of which the latter pledged himself to seek the discovery of rich spice islands within the limits of the Spanish Empire. If he should not have succeeded in the venture after ten years from the date of sailing he would thenceforth be permitted to navigate and trade without further royal assent, reserving one twentieth of his net gains for the Crown. The King accorded to him the title of Cavalier and invested him with the habit of Saint James and the hereditary government in male succession of all the islands he might annex.

The Crown of Castile reserved to itself the supreme authority over such government. If Maghallanes discovered so many as six islands, he was to embark merchandise in the King's own ships to the value of one thousand ducats as royal dues. If the islands numbered only two, he would pay to the Crown one fifteenth of the net profits. The King, however, was to receive one fifth part of the total cargo sent in the first return expedition. The King would defray the expense of fitting out and arming five ships of from GO to 130 tons with a total crew of 234 men ; he would also appoint captains and officials of the Royal Treasury to represent the State interests in the division of the spoil. Orders to fulfil the contract were issued to the crown officers in the port of Seville, and the expedition was slowly prepared, consisting of the following vessels, viz. : — The commodore ship " La Trinidad," under the immediate command of Maghallanes : the " San Antonio," Captain Juan de Cartagena; the "Victoria," Captain Luis de Mendoza ; the "Santiago," Captain Juan Rodriguez Serrano and the "Concepcion," Captain Gaspar de Quesada.

The little fleet had not yet sailed when dissensions arose. Maghallanes wished to carry his own ensign, whilst Doctor Sancho Matienza insisted that it should be the Royal Standard. Another, named Talero, disputed the question of who should be the standard-bearer. The King himself had to settle these quarrels by his own arbitrary authority. Talero was disembarked and the Royal Standard was formally presented to Maghallanes by injunction of the King in the Church of Santa Maria dc la Victoria de la Triana, in Seville, where he and his companions swore to observe the usages and customs of Castile and to remain faithful and loyal to His Catholic Majesty. On the 10th of August 1519 the expedition left the port of San Lucar de Barrameda in the direction of the Canary Islands. On the 13th of December they arrived safely at Rio Janeiro.

Following the coast in search of the longed for passage to the Pacific Ocean, they entered the Solis River — so called because its discoverer Joao de Solis, a Portuguese, was murdered there. Its name was afterwards changed to that of Rio de la Plata (The Silver River). Continuing their course, the intense cold determined Maghallanes to winter in the next large river known then as San Julian. Tumults arose ; some wished to return home ; others harboured a desire to separate from the fleet, but Maghallanes had sufficient tact to persuade the crews to remain with him, reminding them of the shame which would befall them if they returned only to relate their failure. He added that, so far as he was concerned, nothing but death would deter him from executing the royal commission. As to the rebellious captains, Juan de Cartagena was already put in irons and sentenced to be cast ashore with provisions and a disaffected French priest for a companion.

The sentence was carried out later on. Then Maghallanes sent a boat to each of three of the ships to enquire of the captains whom they served. The reply from all was that they were for the King and themselves. Thereupon 30 men were sent to the " Victoria " with a letter to Mendoza, and whilst he was reading it, they rushed on board and stabbed him to death. Quesada then brought his ship alongside of the " Trinidad " and, with sword and shield in hand, called in vain upon his men to attack. Maghallanes, with great promptitude, gave orders to board Quesada's vessel. The next day Quesada. was executed. After these vigorous, but justifiable measures obedience was ensured. Still bearing Southwards within sight of the coast, on the 28th of October 1520, the expedition reached and entered the seawav thenceforth known as the Magellan Straits, dividing the Island of Tierra del Fuego from the mainland of Patagonia1.

On the way one ship had become a total wreck, and now the "San Antonio" deserted the expedition; her captain having been > Probably so called from the enormous number of patos [ducks] found there. Magellan Straits discovered. 9 wounded and made prisoner by his mutinous officers, she was sailed in the direction of New Guinea. The three remaining vessels waited for the " San Antonio " several days, and then passed through the Straits. Great was the rejoicing of all when, on the 26th of November 1520, they found themselves on the Pacific Ocean ! It was a memorable day. All doubt was now at an end as they cheerfully navigated across that broad expanse of sea. On the 16th of March, 1521, the Ladrone Islands were reached. There the ships were so crowded with natives that they were obliged to be expelled by force.

They stole one of the ships' boats, and 90 men were sent on shore to recover it. After a bloody combat the boat was regained, and the fleet continued its course westward. Coasting along the North of the Island of Mindanao, they arrived at the mouth of the Butuan River, where they were supplied with provisions by the chief. It was Easter week, and on this shore the first Mass was celebrated in the Philippines. The natives shewed great friendliness, in return for which Maghallanes took formal possession of their territory in the name of Charles I. The chieftain himself volunteered to pilot the ships to a fertile island — the kingdom of a relation of his, — and passing between the Islands of Bojol and Leyte the expedition arrived on the 7th of April at Cebii, where, on receiving the news, over 2,000 men appeared on the beach in battle array with lances and shields.

The Butuan chief went on shore and explained that the expedition brought people of peace who sought provisions. The King agreed to a treaty, and proposed that it should be ratified according to the native formula, — drawing blood from the breast of each party, the one drinking that of the other. Maghallanes accepted the conditions, and a hut was built on shore in which to say Mass. Then he disembarked with his followers, and the King, Queen and Prince came to satisfy their natural curiosity. They appeared to take great interest in the Christian religious rites and received baptism, although it would be venturesome to suppose they understood their meaning, as subsequent events proved. The princes and headmen of the district followed their example and swore fealty and obedience to the King of Spain.

Maghallanes espoused the cause of his new allies who were at war with the tribes on the opposite coast, and on the 25th of April 1521 he passed over to Magtan Island. In the affray he was mortally wounded by an arrow, and thus ended his brief but lustrous career, which fills one of the most brilliant pages in Spanish annals. On the left bank of the Pasig River, facing the City of Manila, stands a monument to his memory. Another has been erected on the spot in Magtan Island, where he is supposed to have been slain on the 27th of April 1521 . Also in the City of Cebii. near the beach, there is an obelisk to commemorate these heroic events. It was perhaps well for Maghallanes to have ended his days out of reach of his royal master. Had he returned to Spain he would probably have met a fate similar to that which befell Columbus after all his glories.

The "San Antonio," which, as already mentioned, deserted the fleet at the Magellan Straits, continued her voyage from New Guinea to Spain, arriving at San Lucar de Barrameda in March 1521. The Captain, Alvaro Mesquita, was landed as a prisoner, accused of having seconded Maghallanes in repressing insubordination. To Maghallanes were ascribed the worst cruelties and infraction of the royal instructions. Accused and accusers were alike cast into prison, and the King, unable to lay hands on the deceased Maghallanes, sought this hero's wife and children. These innocent victims of royal vengeance were at once arrested and conveyed to Burgos, where the Court happened to be, whilst the " San Antonio " was placed under embargo. On the decease of Maghallanes, the supreme command of the expedition in Cebii Island was assumed by Duarte de Barbosa, who with 26 of his followers, were slain at a banquet to which they had been invited by Hamabar, the King of the island.