of Mindanao where cinnamon grows, lies a small island, called Taguima.[1] There the natives captured from the Portuguese a small vessel, killing or making prisoners many of its crew. The latter were ransomed by the people of Jolo, with whom the Portuguese are on friendly terms. We have not seen this island of Jolo. Its inhabitants are pirates.[2] It lies to the southwest. Goats are found in Taguima, but no rice is harvested. Civet cats are found there. While we were bartering for cinnamon, men from two towns of that island came to us, and asked to be received as subjects and tributaries of your Majesty. One of these towns lies in seven degrees of latitude.
There are no lords in these islands. Each man is master of his own house and slaves; and the more slaves one owns, the greater and more influential is he reckoned. The people are divided into three classes. The Datos, who correspond to knights, are the most important; the Tigamas [S: Timaguas] are the freemen; and the Orispes are the slaves. The Datos boast of their old lineage. These people rob and enslave one another, although of the same island and even kindred. They are cruel among themselves. They do not often dare to kill one another, except by treachery or at great odds; and him who is slain his opponents continue to strike even after he is dead.
- ↑ An archivist's marginal note on the Sevilla MS. reads: "Doubtless this should be Bassilani"—which is the modern Basilan, an island southwest of Mindanao.
- ↑ Regarding piracy in the Philippines, see Barrantes's Guerras piraticas de Filipinas (Madrid, 1878); and Montero y Vidal's Historia de la piratería en Mindanao, Jolo y Borneo (Madrid, 1888).
