Teh Effect of the Revolt

The Spaniards sent to Macao:

• Captain Marco de la Cueva
• Fray Luys Gandullo of the Order of St. Dominic

They told the Council of Macao of:

• the revolt of the Sangleys
• the result of the war

They asked about any rumors of a Chinese fleet.

Marcos de la Cueva and Fray Luys Gandullo found that everything was quiet at Macao.

The merchants of Chincheo were afraid to go to Manila that year.

The Spaniards urged them to continue their trade with Manila.

• This was because Manila was short of supplies.

The shortage in Manila was relieved by a fleet of 13 Chinese vessels with food and merchandise.

Don Pedro de Acuña received 3 letters from China:

The letter of the inspector-general was written on March 23 year of the reign of Vandel [i.e., Wanleh].

The governor answered these letters through the same messengers, civilly and authoritatively.

He gave an explanation of the deed and justified the Spaniards, and offered friendship and trade anew with the Chinese.

He said that their property, which had remained in Manila, would be restored to the owners, and that those imprisoned in the galleys would be freed in due season.

First, however, he intended to use them for the Maluco expedition, which he was undertaking.

Exodus and Death of Rich Manilans

In June 1603, [189] 2 vessels were despatched from Manila to Nueva España under Don Diego de Mendoça.

• The flagship “Nuestra Señora de los Remedios”
• the almiranta “Sant Antonio.”

Because of the troubles in Manila, many rich men of the city boarded these ships with their entire households and property for Nueva España.

• The almiranta had the greatest wealth that has ever left the Filipinas.

Both vessels experienced so severe storms during the voyage, in the altitude of 34 degrees, and before having passed Japon.

• The flagship had to return to Manila.
• The almiranta was swallowed up in the sea, and no one was saved.

This was one of the greatest shipwrecks and calamities that the Filipinas suffered.

Japan Issue

The entrances into various provinces of Japon by the discalced religious of St. Francis and those of St. Dominic and St. Augustine, continued to be made, both in the Castilian vessel itself which was despatched that year to the kingdoms of Quanto, [193] and in other Japanese vessels which came to Manila with the silver and flour of the Japanese, in order to trade.

This was permitted and allowed by Daifu, now called Cubosama, who that year sent the governor, through one of his servants, certain weapons and presents, in return for others which the governor had sent him. He answered the latter’s letter as follows:

Letter from Daifusama, lord of Japon, to governor Don Pedro de Acuña, in the year one thousand six hundred and five.

I received two letters from your Lordship, and all the gifts and presents mentioned in the memorandum. Among them, when I received them, the wine made from grapes pleased me greatly.

During former years, your Lordship requested permission for six vessels, and last year for four, and I always granted your request. But, what angers me greatly is that among the four vessels that your Lordship requested was that one called “Antonio,” which made the voyage without my orders.

This was a very lawless act, and in contempt of me.

Can it be, perhaps, that your Lordship would send to Japon without my permission any vessel that you wished?

Besides this, your Lordship and others have often negotiated about the sects of Japon, and requested many things in regard to them. This likewise I cannot concede; for this region is called Xincoco [Shinkoku], or “dedicated to the idols.”

These have been honored with the highest adoration from the time of our ancestors until now, and their acts I alone cannot undo or destroy.

Consequently, it is not at all advisable that your religion be promulgated or preached in Japon; and if your Lordship wish to preserve friendship with these kingdoms of Japon and with me, do what I wish, and never do what is displeasing to me. Lastly, many have told me that many wicked and perverse Japanese, who go to that kingdom and live there for many years, afterward return to Japon. This makes me very angry.

Consequently, your Lordship will, in the future, allow no one of the Japanese to come here in the vessels that come from your country. In other matters, your Lordship shall act advisedly and prudently, and shall so conduct affairs, that henceforth I may not be angered on account of them.