HOM.07

More Turmoil in the Marianas, 1679-1683, is the seventh volume of the History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents (HOM), compiled and edited by Rodrique Levesque.

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The History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents, Volume 7, More Turmoil in the Marianas

The History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents was complied, edited and published by Rod Levesque from 1992 to 2002. Copyrights were obtained by the Habele Outer Island Education Fund, a US nonprofit, in 2022, which digitized the content to facilitate noncommercial access to, and use of, the twenty-volume series. The PDF file for HOM.07 is roughly 65MB.

Levesque's Summary

Volume 7 contains 89 chapters totalling about 131 documents covering the civilian and religious activities of the Spanish colony in the Mariana Islands during this period. The murders of missionaries and armed reprisals continued, with the assistance of a native militia. The soldiers built better protection for themselves, and the yearly galleon stops at Umatac became routine. The first government regulations were issued by the Governor of the Philippines. The first Governor directly appointed by the King arrived at Guam; he was Colonel Saravia. Captain Quiroga also arrived; this man was to be the most influential non-Jesuit foreigner until his death in the 1720s.

—List of the 12 illustrations, including maps and special re-constructions of building methods in Guam in the 1680s, and a foreword that summarizes the events of the period.

—The main chapter is a discussion of the first book published about Micronesia, i.e. Father Garcia’s History of the Mariana Islands, which was really about the life and times of Fr. Sanvitores. Many corrections are made to this important, but secondary, reference book.

—The little-known Battle of Pigpug in November 1678 is highlighted, because it is typical of the period and may lead archaeologists to an undisturbed historical site.

—The first government regulations for the Marianas were issued by Governor Vargas of the Philippines in 1679, and reaffirmed in 1680.

—Tarrague on the north coast of Guam was the largest native settlement up to that time, with 76 houses.

—Umatac on the west coast of Guam became a regular port-of-call for galleons as of 1673.

—The 1678 Map of Guam by Pilot Sorondo shows an incorrect orientation but an exact latitude.

—Colonel Saravia became the first Governor of the Marianas to be officially appointed by the King of Spain himself.

—The royal order to bring in 200 Filipinos to Guam was not carried out, for lack of ship transport.

—The progress of Father Klein, a German Jesuit who would later feature prominently in the exploration of the Carolines, is charted from Italy to Spain, and to Mexico.

—Other Jesuits from Germany, Moravia, Austria and Italy also appear upon the scene at this time.

—Captain Guiroga, an honest man, was to spend the rest of his life in Guam, and yet remain a bachelor. His first report to the Duchess of Aveiro mentions many interesting points on routine life, both inside and outside the garrison, including the only mention ever made of sacred skulls with stones on top of them, and the destruction of the last bachelor houses.

—Chief Hineti was typical of a local leader who sided with the Spanish and participated in the search for those who had murdered missionaries, and in their punishment.

—The native population was “reduced” to a few large settlements, and the first hospital was created inside the colony. The first interracial marriages also took place. Young Christian men were often fanatical.

—By 1680, the colony had stone walls (actually adobe) and 7 horses, with other “modern” conveniences. There were then 10 priests and 3 assistants to educate the population.

—The first study report on the strategic importance of the Marianas was produced during this period.

—Other events included the arrival of goats, and the creation of the first permament mission station in Rota Island. Plans were being made to build the first stone fort at Agana, Guam.

Publication Details

Lévesque Rodrigue. History of Micronesia : A Collection of Source Documents. Vol. 7 More Turmoil in the Marianas: 1679-1683. Gatineau Québec: Lévesque Publications; 1996.

ISBN-10: 0920201075

ISBN-13: 978-0920201077

LCC: DU500 .H58 2000

HOM.07

Contents

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Levesque's Summary

Table of Contents

Publication Details