The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 36]

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THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

[Vol. 36

upon themselves the full rigor of the war. But many
of the Indians who presented themselves were
hanged, and there were very few of those who descended the mountains to surrender who were not
made slaves. The very persons who were under
greatest obligation to fulfil the word that they had
given in the name of their king broke that word.
266. Our whole convent of Linao was consumed
by fire, except two chalices and some vestments from
the sacristy, which three Indians were able to carry
out. They presented themselves with it, thinking
that they would thereby secure their freedom; but
they were immediately thrown under the heavy yoke
of slavery. With such acts of injustice, although
the rebels were subdued by that expedition, their
hearts were more obstinate than ever. The city of
Manila and its environs were full of slaves. The
Butuan chiefs who were the mirror of fidelity, suffered processes, exiles, and imprisonments; and although they were able to win back honor, it was after
all their property had been lost. Some heedless
individuals blame the superior officials with what
their inferiors have done, and the excesses and abuses
of others are considered to be done by the influence
of the superiors. But the uprightness and honesty
of the royal Audiencia of Manila can be seen in what
they did. For after two years of imprisonment of
one of the Indians whom that expedition prosecuted,
his property was confiscated. Another was tortured
and condemned to death by decapitation. Another
was reduced to extreme poverty. All were persuaded
that the heavy hand was entering there. Finally the
governor committed the examination of the causes
to Licentiate Manuel Suarez de Olivera, auditor