650 THE HISPANIC AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW 



universally accorded high praise. Viana's description is as 

 follows : 



. . . There is not an Indian in those islands who has not a remark- 

 able inclination for the sea; nor is there at present in all the world a 

 people more agile in manoeuvers on ship board, or who learn so quickly 

 nautical terms and whatever a good mariner ought to know. Their 

 disposition is most humble in the presence of a Spaniard, and they show 

 him great respect; but they can teach many of the Spanish mariners 

 who sail in these seas. . . There is hardly an Indian who has sailed 

 the seas who does not understand the mariner's compass, and therefore 

 on this [Acapulco] trade-route there are some very skilful and dextrous 

 helmsmen. Their disposition is cowardly, but, when placed on a ship, 

 from which they cannot escape, they fight with spirit and courage. 94 



Common seamen could be secured without difficulty, the 

 natives being ready to volunteer in spite of the great risks and 

 hardships of the voyage. 95 But with many of them, shipping as 

 seamen was merely the chance to escape from captivity or worse 

 conditions in the Islands. Once in Mexico they deserted and 

 remained there. 96 With the Spanish sailors, conditions were 

 somewhat different. Appeals were continually sent from Manila 

 to the king, asking for more sailors, who were sent out from 

 Spain to Mexico, where they boarded the galleon for the Philip- 

 pines. 97 And it was deemed necessary to provide additional 

 payment for sailors, by increasing the allowance of goods carried 



94 Francisco Leandro de Viana, Demonstracion del misero deplorable estado de 

 las Islas Philipinas, Manila, February 10, 1765. Translation in Blair and Robert- 

 son, XLVIII. 197-338. See p. 301. 



95 Pedro de San Pablo, O. S. F., Advirtio qve invia a su magd. Fr. Po. de sant 

 Pablo Predicador y ministro Prouincial de la Proua. de st Grego. Dilao, August 7, 

 1620. Translation in Blair and Robertson, XIX. 71-76. See p. 74. 



96 Captain Sebastian de Pineda, Relacion hecha por el . . en cosas tocan- 

 tes a las yslas filipinas ainsi de fabricas de galeones pataches y galeras y otros 

 pertechos como de cosas tocantes a la guarda y conserbacion de dichas yslas. 

 [Mexico, 1619?] - Translation in Blair and Robertson, XVIII. 169-188. See p. 183. 



97 Dr. Santiago de Vera, Copia de carta del governador de Filipinas al Arzo- 

 bispo de Megico, Manila, June 20, 1585. Translation in Blair and Robertson, 

 VI. 66-75. See p. 72. And, Diego Aduarte, O.P.,HistoriadelaprovinciadelSancto 

 Rosario de la Orden de Predicadores en Philipinas, lapon, y China (Manila, 1640) . 

 Translations of the essential parts of this work, with synopses of those parts 

 omitted, in Blair and Robertson, XXX., XXXI., and XXXII. See XXX. 203. 



