294 SPANISH CLAIMS. [1845. 



occurred before 1734; when the present Sultan suc- 

 ceeded to the throne : and to the last, all the circum- 

 stances which I have been able to collect of the late tran- 

 sactions, whether regarding the Spaniards or others." 



" As the proof, deduced from original papers, will 

 plainly evince the modern independence, it will excuse a 

 discussion of the ancient Spanish pretensions in that 

 quarter." * 



" The present Sultan has promised the author a detail 

 of all the circumstances since his first accession ; parti- 

 cularly regarding the Spaniards, whose protection he 

 claimed, and by whom he was afterwards put in irons ! The 

 Marquis of Ensenadas letter plainly confutes the Spanish 

 allegation in defence of their conduct, ' that the Sultan 

 was detected in illicit correspondence and double dealing/ 

 Were the proofs much clearer than they are, the most 

 they could make of it would be, 'the biter bit.' As it is 

 evident, from that letter, the Spanish plan was formed 

 before the Sultan had given any ground for their perfidy; 

 although they were fairly outwitted, if not outbullied, by 

 the Sooloos ; for it is obvious that the Spaniards suffered 

 more by the expences of the expedition and the disgrace 

 it did them, than the Sooloos, by any mischief from the 

 Spaniards ; and from a full knowledge of both, the author 

 is convinced that the reduction and maintaining Sooloo, 

 under the Spanish yoak, is beyond the power of the 

 Philippine Government. 



"The reduction of the Moorish States has been a 

 favourite object with the Manila politics, ever since the 



F-ide ' Full and . clear proof, the Spaniards can have no claim to 

 Balambangan.' 8vo. 1774. 



