CHAPTER VI.

THE CONQUEST OF THE PHILIPPINES.

The King's Command.—Philip II., in whose honor the Philippines had been named, came to his throne in 1556. He desired to conquer the Islands which bore his name. Nearly forty years had passed since the discovery by Magellan. Still, there was no Spanish settlement in the Philippines. So in 1559 Philip wrote to the Viceroy of Mexico and commanded him to send ships

"for the discovery of the western islands toward the Malucos such as the Phelipinas and others which lie within our demarcation and are said likewise to contain spice."

The viceroy replied:

"It is impossible to go to the Filipinas Islands without breaking the treaty, because the latter are no less within the treaty than the Malucos."

He meant that Philip would break the promise his father, Charles I., made to the King of Portugal in 1529, if he should send ships to the Philippines. Philip now sought the opinion of the famous friar, Urdaneta.

Andrés de Urdaneta. This Augustinian friar was chosen by Philip as the spiritual leader and chief navigator of the expedition of Legazpi. Urdaneta was born in 1498. He was formerly an army cap

tain. He was with Loaisa's expedition, and had spent ten years in and near the Spice Islands.

In

1552 he became an Augustinian friar in the city of Mexico. He was a brave soldier, the greatest geographer of his time, and a worthy priest. Urdaneta was a friend and relative of Legazpi.

In reply to the king's request that he go with the new expedition, Urdaneta said that the Philippines were not on Spain's side of the demarcation line of 1529. He wrote:

"Therefore it would not be right for your majesty to order the said vessels to the Filipina Island without showing some lawful or pious reason therefor."

In spite of the opinions of the viceroy and Urdaneta, Philip determined to send the expedition.

Legazpi. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was chosen commander of the fleet. He was born in 1502 in Spain. He came to Mexico when a young man, and became secretary of the council of the city of Mexico. He was at this time a wealthy landowner. He spent much of his own money in the preparation of this expedition. Legazpi was a wise, just, and generous man, He deserves the fame he has gained in history.

Plan of the Supreme Court. It was the wish of Urdaneta that the expedition sail to the great island of New Guinea. He thought they should visit the Philippines only to rescue the abandoned Spaniards. The Viceroy of Mexico was of the same opinion. Before the ships sailed, the viceroy died. Then the Supreme Court of Mexico changed this plan. They pretended not to believe that the Philippines were in Portuguese territory. They "determined to order the general to sail straightway in search of the Filipinas Islands."

The Voyage of Legazpi.-Legazpi's fleet sailed from Navidad, Mexico, November 21, 1564. There were five ships and 380 men. Four Augustinian friars accompanied Urdaneta.. At first the fleet sailed toward New Guinea, as Urdaneta wished. When five days from port the course of the ships was changed to the direction of the Philippines. Legazpi did this because sealed letters which he carried from the Supreme Court ordered this change. He said:

"The religious in the fleet were very sorry at this, saying that they had been deceived; and had they known while yet ashore that such a route was to be sailed, they would not have gone with the expedition, for the reasons that Fray Andrés de Urdaneta had given in Mexico."

Arrival in the Philippines.-Legazpi reached Cebú February 13, 1565. He did not land at this time, as the natives were unfriendly, and brought him little food. For two months he sent boats from island to

island to get provisions and find the best place to settle. Negros, Panay, Leyte, and Mindanao were visited. The Spaniards had several sea-fights with Moros. In Butúan they traded with Luzon boats for gold and wax. Finally it was decided, against Urdaneta's wish, to settle in Cebú. This brave and just friar was so sure it was wrong to do this that he would not even talk about the plan.

The Settlement of Cebú.-April 27th the fleet appeared before Cebú. The natives were hostile, so Legazpi landed soldiers to capture the town. The Cebuans fled. One hundred houses were burned, either by a shot from the vessels, or because the Cebuans set fire to them.

May 8th the fort was begun, and Legazpi took formal possession of the town in the name of Spain. He called it "San Miguel." A palisade of stakes was built, enclosing a triangular village. A church was erected. Tupas, the chief of Cebú, was much alarmed when reminded of the massacre of Magellan's men. He was promised forgiveness if he remained peaceable.

The Holy Child of Cebú.-Pigafetta, of Magellan's expedition, had given an image of the child Jesus to a native of Cebú forty-four years before this time. This image was found by Legazpi's men. A writer who was with Legazpi says:

"There was found a marvelous thing, namely, a child Jesus like those of Flanders, in its little pine cradle and its little loose shirt, such as come from those parts, and a little velvet hat, like those of Flanders, and all so well preserved that only the little cross, which is generally on the globe that he holds in his hands was missing.

Legazpi ordered this image to be placed in the first church that was built, and called the church Nombre de Jesús. This image was the Santo Niño de Cebú. It may still be seen in Cebú.

Legazpi's Treatment of the Cebuans.-Legazpi treated the natives kindly and justly. He was not so rash a man as Magellan, and he expected to live all his life in the Philippines; so he was very patient. The natives were not allowed to bring weapons into San Miguel. They were required to sell their goods.