Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/502

 458 SPANISH HISTORY upwards of sixty junks, and several thousand men, sailed to Manila, induced, perhaps, to this enterprise by the accounts he had received of the riches of the Spaniards, which he did not doubt, considering their weakness, would easily fall into his hands. After a spirited attempt upon the new colony, in which he met a gallant, but not very skilful resistance, he was beat off; but permitted to make his escape, after ravaging the coasts of the island for many months. The neighbourhood of the Philippines to China afforded, at all times, so convenient and natural an outlet to the overflowing population of the latter country, that the Chinese, in spite of all oppres- sion, constantly poured over. At an early period, from the causes already enumerated, and the mo- nopolizing spirit of the resident European colo- nists, to whom the fair competition, occasioned by the industry of the Chinese, was odious ; the re- sident Chinese became objects of jealousy and ha- tred. These, finding themselves persecuted and distrusted, became dissatisfied in their turn, and na- turally not the most loyal subjects. In the year 159^, the Spaniards from the Philippines fitted out an expedition against the Moluccas ; and the governor, Dasmarinas, accompanied it. A hundred and fifty Chinese had been pressed as rowers itito the governor's galley, and were urged to their la- bour by stripes. The governor's ship was separat-