The Empire of New Castille v2

[Namayan]

The Empire of New Castille version 2

After almost 2 years of making my timeline, I have decided to create a new timeline alternate to my timeline of Empire of New Castille. The research I made past 2 years also made me do tweaks. My rewrite started with trying to expand and flesh out the first part of my timeline. But I realized that would change a lot of things down the line. I decide to start a new one and include people that were alive back then that I did not include.

The timeline’s Point of Divergence is a mix of events. In the original timeline, the Filipinos conspired and tried to rebel separately leading to arrests and exile of Varela, the Bayots in 1822, failure of Novales in 1823 and Palmero’s arrest in 1828. Rather than rebelling separately, I will make it a concerted effort for the rebels.

For those that do not know, the title of the timeline is taken from the name of Luzon in the eyes of the Spanish, Nueva Castilla or New Castille. Hence, the Empire of New Castille.

My version 1 of my timeline is located here https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/empire-of-new-castille.494303/

1. The Ides of March

Governor General Mariano Fernández de Folgueras reinforcements from Spain arrived last October 20, 1822 along with his replacement Juan Antonio Martinez.

Spain’s colonies in the Americas have rebelled. A lot of the soldiers within the Spanish East Indies are Americanos with questionable loyalties. With a lot of the forces in the Philippines manned by Americanos, the Peninsulares reinforcement is much needed to secure the colony. Insulares and Criollos also hold positions of provincial governor are also replaced by Peninsulares.

However, the colonial government has been unlucky finding out who the conspirators are or if there is any at all.

The Spanish East Indies have a certain social hierarchy. The Peninsulares, those born in the Iberian Peninsula, is the top of the social hierarchy. They are followed by Insulares or Creoles/Criollo, Spanish born in the islands, and Americanos, Spanish who have a connection to Spanish Americas. Below them are mestizos (Mixed race), Principalia – Indios that are given positions and land, Indios/Malays – Malay peasants, Sangleys(Chinese). The Filipinos, as defined by the Spanish, are the Insulares or Criollo, Spanish born in the Philippine Islands.

The Criollos and Americanos have all allied themselves to conspire against colonial authorities. They believe they earned the right thru merit the position they hold within the colony. Being replaced or being passed over for promotion in favor of those born in Spain have made majority of soldiers in the colony disgruntled.

The rebel movement, Sons of the Nation, had been meeting in different places to avoid attention and capture. They tried to keep their meetings hidden and avoid colonial authorities. The movement also captured spies for the colonial government and dealt with them accordingly.

In the early morning of the 15 of March 1823, the rebels made a surprise attack in Manila. With most of the Spanish armed forces populated by rebels, the colonial forces are quickly pacified. Former members of King’s Regiment, Real Principe Battalion and Luzon hussars joined the attack. The rebels also control most of the artillery.

The rebels as they march thru Camino Real were all shouting “Viva la independencia”. The people of the city shouted in support of rebels. The gates of Intramuros are opened by the officer-in-charge Lieutenant Ruiz, also a member of the rebel movement. They seized Palacio del Gobernador captured former Governor General Mariano Fernández de Folgueras. However, Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez was nowhere to be found.

The attack is swift and well-coordinated. Fort Santiago fell with the soldiers opening the gates for the rebels and joining the rebel cause.

By afternoon, the crown of the Philippines is offered to Count Luis Rodriguez Varela. The rebels have voted among themselves and agreed to give the crown to Count Varela.

Count Varela graciously accepts the crown. Count Varela chooses the name Manuel I after taken from one of his given names, Luis Manuel Valentín Rodríguez-Varela y Sancena.

 

[Gamerriffs]

The Empire of New Castille version 2



1. The Ides of March

Governor General Mariano Fernández de Folgueras reinforcements from Spain arrived last October 20, 1822 along with his replacement Juan Antonio Martinez.

Spain’s colonies in the Americas have rebelled. A lot of the soldiers within the Spanish East Indies are Americanos with questionable loyalties. With a lot of the forces in the Philippines manned by Americanos, the Peninsulares reinforcement is much needed to secure the colony. Insulares and Criollos also hold positions of provincial governor are also replaced by Peninsulares.

However, the colonial government has been unlucky finding out who the conspirators are or if there is any at all.

The Spanish East Indies have a certain social hierarchy. The Peninsulares, those born in the Iberian Peninsula, is the top of the social hierarchy. They are followed by Insulares or Creoles/Criollo, Spanish born in the islands, and Americanos, Spanish who have a connection to Spanish Americas. Below them are mestizos (Mixed race), Principalia – Indios that are given positions and land, Indios/Malays – Malay peasants, Sangleys(Chinese). The Filipinos, as defined by the Spanish, are the Insulares or Criollo, Spanish born in the Philippine Islands.

The Criollos and Americanos have all allied themselves to conspire against colonial authorities. They believe they earned the right thru merit the position they hold within the colony. Being replaced or being passed over for promotion in favor of those born in Spain have made majority of soldiers in the colony disgruntled.

The rebel movement, Sons of the Nation, had been meeting in different places to avoid attention and capture. They tried to keep their meetings hidden and avoid colonial authorities. The movement also captured spies for the colonial government and dealt with them accordingly.

In the early morning of the 15 of March 1823, the rebels made a surprise attack in Manila. With most of the Spanish armed forces populated by rebels, the colonial forces are quickly pacified. Former members of King’s Regiment, Real Principe Battalion and Luzon hussars joined the attack. The rebels also control most of the artillery.

The rebels as they march thru Camino Real were all shouting “Viva la independencia”. The people of the city shouted in support of rebels. The gates of Intramuros are opened by the officer-in-charge Lieutenant Ruiz, also a member of the rebel movement. They seized Palacio del Gobernador captured former Governor General Mariano Fernández de Folgueras. However, Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez was nowhere to be found.

The attack is swift and well-coordinated. Fort Santiago fell with the soldiers opening the gates for the rebels and joining the rebel cause.

By afternoon, the crown of the Philippines is offered to Count Luis Rodriguez Varela. The rebels have voted among themselves and agreed to give the crown to Count Varela.

Count Varela graciously accepts the crown. Count Varela chooses the name Manuel I after taken from one of his given names, Luis Manuel Valentín Rodríguez-Varela y Sancena.

Nice! Loved your last one and can't wait to see what you would do with this one.

 

[Namayan]

2. Declaration of Independence

In March 16, the independence of the Philippines is declared in Manila.

Emperor Manuel I made several appointments and decisions upon his ascension to the throne.

He appoints Juan Fermin de San Martin as Generalissimo of all the forces of the empire. Juan Fermin is to liberate the rest of the Spanish East Indies. As the one who led the attack in Intramuros, he is given the honor to liberate the whole islands.

He assigns Domingo Roxas to lead the diplomatic mission to London. The empire needs the support of Britain. The armed forces and government need supplies, additional manpower to bolster war for independence which Britain can provide.

He also forms his privy council or cabinet among them is Generalissimo Juan Fermin de San Martin.

Manuel refuses to remain authoritarian despite the advice of some of his cabinet. He asks Bernardo Justianiano to write a constitutional draft assisted by Jose Maria Jugo and Mariano Henson. He forms a Constitutional assembly populated by members Sons of the Nation to vote on the proposed constitutional draft.

Manuel also allows the Mexican deportees in the Philippines to return to their homelands. One of them is Epigmenio Gonzalez who is serving destierro perpetuo in the Philippines. Instead of returning to Mexico immediately, Epigmenio Gonzalez helps the Filipinos manufacture cartridges.

****

Juan with his army marched 30 kilometers south of Manila to Cavite Nuevo only to find out that the soldiers too had rebelled and captured the loyalists of Spain. All the forts in Cavite Nuevo, the shipyard, arsenal, the docked ships are now in rebel control.

Hearing of whispers of Martinez’s escape up north, Juan with his army marched north of Manila to Bulacan. The locals inform Juan that Martinez had already left for Bacolor, Pampanga.

In Bacolor, the Augustinians declares their support to the Spanish colonial authorities. Martinez hastily recruited 1,000 Indio Peasants and Principalia in Pampanga. However, mostly were not armed with muskets but with bolos and spear, no artillery and cavalry. Opposing them is a much larger trained army with cavalry and artillery. Some are even veterans of the Napoleonic wars.

When both armies met, Juan tried to resolve the situation peacefully. He asked Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez to surrender but Martinez refused.

The loyalist army readied their spears and bolos. But when the first volley of the Philippine infantry was presented and hussars attacked the flanks, the loyalist army started to break. Those behind the lines started retreating. Those that are left in the frontlines surrendered or fought bravely and died.

When Martinez felt the battle was not going his way, he escaped again leaving the native army behind. The Governor General had again escaped the clutches of the rebels.

Martinez retreats further north recruiting more men and giving promises to the Principalia. Martinez was not able to bring the treasury from Manila with him due to his swift escape during the rebel attack of Intramuros. He can only give promises not coin.

The Principalia and peasants are ambivalent and who to side. They think that it is a conflict between the Filipinos and the Spanish. However, the promises made by Martinez enticed some of the Principalia and peasants. The Indios, both Principalia and peasants, have yet to identify themselves as Filipinos preferring to be called part of their province or linguistic division.

Juan leaves a garrison in Pampanga and splits his army into three. The first army will go west to liberate Zambales and Bataan. The second army will go to Upper Pampanga and liberate Nueva Ecija led by Andres Novales. The third army, led by Juan, chases Martinez north.

As Juan and his army go north, fighting is limited. Loyalists are either caught or surrender. Those that try to fortify themselves, their subordinates betray them by opening the fortification. They find out that much of the remaining soldiers are part of the rebel movement.

The Ilocanos, who had just rebelled a decade ago, had tricked Martinez promising him aid to fight the rebel Filipinos. Instead, Martinez is captured and handed over to Juan Fermin de San Martin.

With Martinez captured, Juan leaves garrisons in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan. He orders Andres Novales in Nueva Ecija to liberate Cagayan Valley.

Juan heads south to liberate the other provinces of Luzon.

 

[Namayan]

3. Unexpected Alliance

Before the constitution is completed, Manuel wants to revoke certain laws immediately. There are several issues Manuel wants to tackle that he thinks are abuses to the locals by the Spanish Colonial authorities.

The Tobacco monopoly forces peasants to plant tobacco in certain areas. After which, they are only sold to the government at discounted prices rather than anyone else. Manuel removes the tobacco monopoly. He also removes forced cultivation among peasants to plant Tobacco freeing the peasants to plant rice.

Polo Y Servicios or forced labor imposed by the Spanish is not centralized. It was sparingly used by the colonial government in Manila. It was heavily used by local officials, gobernadorcillo and cabeza de barangay, who are mostly Principalia Indios. Abuse ranges from using the peasants to work on their lands or if they pay instead, pocketed for their own purse. Manuel bans Polo Y Servicios.

Tributo or Tribute tax is a fixed tax imposed by the Spanish as a sign of loyalty to Spain. This includes even the poorest peasants. If one cannot pay coin, one had to pay with crops farmed by peasants’ equivalent to the coin demanded. The Tribute Tax is removed.

The Bandala system, a system that forces farmers to sell their crops to the government at very low prices, is also removed.

The Kasama System, which is shared expense between the landlord and tenant farmer. Additionally, the tenant farmer does the manual labor. Manuel removes the Kasama System. Manuel wants landlords to hire people as employees. He specifies an amount for wages if anyone wishes to hire Indios and Negritos as manual laborers.

The issue of Principalia and peasants joining the colonial authorities reached the emperor and his cabinet. In order to discourage Indios joining the Spanish colonial authorities, Manuel authorizes the arrest and confiscation of property of any person who joins or helps Spanish authorities.

Manuel had no way of implementing his power far from Manila without the army implementing Manuel’s laws. The Cabinet of Manuel suggested to officially appoint the garrison commanders as governors. The military is needed to implement certain laws that a civilian could not. The governors should be given the property and assets of those that supported Spanish authorities to win the loyalty of the governors. The businessmen in Manuel’s circle and some members of his Cabinet have other ideas hoping to take advantage to gain allies and profit in those provinces.

****

Even within the Catholic Church in the Philippines, there is conflict. The friars of Monastic orders dislike the idea of the Bishop’s power and frequent visits in friar run parishes. The Bishops believe it is their duty to check the parishes on how they are being handled. The friars refuse these visits believing that they are not under the Bishop’s authority.

Manuel is approached by the Archbishop of Manila, Juan Antonio Zulaibar. The Archbishop wants Manuel to impose the Bishop’s authority. Manuel wants something in return. The Archbishop’s and the other Bishops support in Rome, confiscation of friars haciendas for the state.

The army will accompany the Archbishop and the bishops during their visits on monastic orders. Additionally, Archbishop Zulaibar becomes a member of Manuel’s cabinet. He also becomes a member of Constitutional assembly.

Initially, the Archbishop of Manila did not agree to any of Manuel’s points. However, the local clergy is also disgruntled especially those with criollo, mestizo and Indio origins. He fears that if he does not agree with Manuel, these disgruntled clergymen may convince Manuel to split with Rome. With the arrival of protestant missionaries and Manuel’s friendliness with the British and Gringo merchants, he also fears the loss of Philippines to the Protestants.

The Archbishop also wants Manuel’s promise to make the Catholic Church as the official religion. Manuel agrees only if he receives the power of patronage of vacant ecclesiastical posts of the Catholic church.

The alliance between Archbishop, who is a Peninsulares, and Manuel, a criollo, is an alliance of convenience. Both wanting the same goals of removing the power of the monastic orders within the Philippines.

Upon the confiscation of friar lands, they will be distributed to the peasants and to be implemented by the army and the assigned governors. Upon hearing the announcement, the peasants rejoiced. However, the announcement only reached people who can read or heard it announced by the town criers. If the local government is still under the colonial authorities, they can filter any announcement including the distribution of land. The distribution of the Manuel’s decree was done in haste that it reached Camarines when Juan’s army was still in Tayabas.

A lot of the Principalia and Monastic orders have allied themselves with Spanish authorities in Camarines, Visayas and Spanish Mindanao hoping to keep the status quo and privileges they had. In areas controlled by Filipinos, the announcement is made. Some of the Principalia are in favor of independence. However, if any Principalia refused the change of policies, the Principalia and monastic orders in areas liberated by the Filipinos had no choice due to military presence and the peasants favoring the move.

 

[Namayan]

4. Dawn of the Caudillos

The appointed governors have been busy these past months. They use their power to gather popularity and enriching themselves within their provinces. Most of the monastic orders’ agricultural land has been confiscated and distributed to the peasants. Some of the governors take a portion of land for themselves. When the monastic orders resist, not only does the governor bring his garrison but also bring a peasant mob with him. In some instances, the mob turns violent against the friars.

The sizes of the titled land given to each patriarch is enough to satisfy the Indio peasants. The peasants happy to have their own land and lifting of Spanish abuses, praises not only Emperor Manuel but their respective governors.

The governors first priority is to stamp out whispers of returning back to colonial authorities or loyalty to Spain. The peasants are also a priority for them. Their support is vital to counter those who refuse the revolution.

The local provincial trade, that was monopolized by the Principalia and mestizos, is given to any member of Sons of the Nation. Some governors, preferring coin, sold their acquired land to enterprising Filipinos who wants to start their own plantations. Those that are given priority are recommended by Cabinet members in Manila.

The foreign merchants, who was then restricted trading in Manila, are able to trade in the provinces as long as they get the governor’s patronage.

The governors formed their own authoritarian rule inside their provinces removing the previous governance of the Spanish. Everyone reported to the governor. There was no election of gobernadorcillo among the cabeza de barangay nor any influence that the friars of the Monastic order within the election of the gobernadorcillo.

The Imperial government in Manila did not mind the actions of the governors, even encouraged it. They preferred a loyal Filipino managing the area than the monastic orders loyal to Spain while the Principalia have questionable loyalties. Independence and destroying the colonial system are top priorities.

The new governors transformed their lands into plantation complexes. A part of their plantation complex is dedicated to rice. They also made their own personal rice granaries to stock their excess rice making the local populace dependent on them personally during crisis.

The new Filipino land owners Criollo, Spanish or Chinese mestizos, also organized most of their plantations focusing on sugar hoping to fill the demand in Britain, United States and even China. The new plantation owners also have access to foreign capital and loans in foreign merchant houses. Foreigners invested and speculated on these plantations hoping for a profit. The opening of Luzon to foreign trade and ownership infused capital that otherwise unavailable or limited during the colonial period. Under Colonial rule, the rural areas had to rely on Spanish capital, Monastic orders and local capital with no way of accessing foreign capital not unless you are in Manila.

The cultivators back during colonial times, peasants or tenants, had little incentive to farm more as they are forced into labor reducing time for their own crops and cash crops enforced upon them is being sold to Spanish Colonial authorities at discounted price rather than market price. Now, these plantations cultivate for profit and international market demand. The new Yeoman farmers have a chance to plant whatever they wish without a government taking up their time and discouraging them to be productive.

Those with capital like Plantation owners initially hired Indio natives but found out that Chinese indentured laborers are cheaper and more profitable. The agriculture wage imposed by Manuel specified only Indios and Negritos. Indios and Negritos are specified based on their tribes from Aetas, Dumagats, Agtas to Tagalog, Bicolano, etc. There is no law or provision against importing Chinese indentured laborers enticing the land owners to hire them instead. The Indio peasants, who are now Yeoman farmers, are also busy with their own farm lands making native Indio labor availability limited and more expensive than a slave or an indentured laborer.

Slavery which was to a certain degree allowed during the Spanish colonial era. What the Spanish did not allow was enslaving local natives, those natives under Spanish control. However, slaves especially those outside Spanish territories are allowed to be enslaved. The practice of slavery in independent Philippines depends on the beliefs of the governor. With governors competing for manpower from China, the small and otherwise engaged native population, slavery became another avenue to make profit not only for the governor but for private land owners and investors who expects to profit from their acquired lands.

 

[Namayan]

5. The Army of the North

In Cagayan Valley, Andres Novales has liberated the province. He is ordered to go to Pangasinan to take the governor’s seat and bring the Army of the North with him. Cagayan is too isolated for the Army of the North to be stationed. Manila wants the army in Lingayen Gulf to protect any possible landing of a potential Spanish reconquest and protect Ilocos and Pangasinan from Igorot incursion.

Andes who was expecting to be assigned as the governor of Cagayan had already implemented the land distribution of lands to the peasants. Andres also titled a lot of the monastic orders and collaborating Principalia’s lands in Cagayan under his name expecting he will be the governor of Cagayan. He also has lands in Nueva Ecija confiscated and transferred under his name.

Upon his arrival in Pangasinan, the former garrison commander in Pangasinan has not implemented land distribution for the peasants. The monastic orders still own the land and have entrenched themselves. However, the lands of the Principalia that joined the Spanish have been confiscated by the former garrison commander.

Andres has another problem. The Army of the North has not been paid for quite some time. Manila has been focusing on supplying Juan’s army campaigning in Bicol. Andres has to find a solution to the problem before the army mutinies or worse disbands and become tulisanes or brigands.

With the help of the peasants and the army, Andres starts confiscating monastic order lands. He distributes some of it to peasants but keeps most of the land for himself.

His lands in the provinces of Cagayan [1] and Nueva Ecija are less valuable than the lands in Pangasinan due to them uncultivated and both provinces sparsely populated. Fortunately for him, some enterprising Filipinos offers to buy some of his Cagayan and Nueva Ecija lands higher than market price with governors of Cagayan and Nueva Ecija pushing the deal. In turn, Andres donated 1,000 acres each to the governor of Cagayan and Nueva Ecija who had no lands when they took over as governor due to Andres confiscating them early on. The governors of Cagayan and Nueva Ecija converted their lands into Tobacco plantations hoping to profit from Philippine demand and the lifting of the Tobacco monopoly.

Andres’ remaining lands in Cagayan had some crops especially former monastic lands. Most notable is Cagayan wheat cultivated by Spanish monks to make eucharistic wafers. Andres hires overseers to manage his lands and laborers in Cagayan. The excess wheat is then sent to his bakery in Pangasinan or sold in Manila.

The coin Andres has accumulated is enough to pay for the army’s upkeep for some time. But he isn’t sure if he can sustain this without Manila’s financing.

To keep his army busy, Andres uses the army for construction works. The army built several of his personal buildings including his distillery. Initially, Andres wanted to make Añejo rum or aged rum for his soldiers instead of buying Ilocano Basi. However, most of his soldiers including the Americanos requested Lambanog, which the Spanish call Vino de coco or Coconut wine. Sugar and coconut are taken from Andres’ plantations. If the Sugar or Coconut is lacking, his distillery buys sugar and coconut from the local yeoman farmers. In turn, the yeoman farmers buy his alcoholic drinks.

Some of the yeoman farmers requested to use Andres’ watermill to mill rice. Most of the farmers usually husk rice using mortar and pestle. Realizing all the farmers will need the watermills to be more productive, the Army of the North built common watermills in areas near the yeoman farmer’s lands that can be used for milling rice. The Yeoman farmers helps the Army of the North to build the watermills. The wives and children also help by bringing them water and food. The natives call it bayanihan or helping the community done during times of calamity or helping neighbors move huts or build their house.

The more Andres interacts with the yeoman farmers the more he realizes their needs. He assigns an overseer and several workers to produce and sell earthenware and wooden utensils for the Pangasinan market. Had Manila been sending regular funds, Andres thinks he would not have spent a lot of time trying to think on how to earn more coin.

Andres starts his own personal shipyard in Santo Tomas, Pangasinan [2]. The shipyard sells and repairs mostly balangay ships or local outrigger ships for fishermen or small sailing vessels. He does plan to build a much larger ship to transport goods from his Cagayan properties to Pangasinan. Andres believes the cost of building his own ship is cheaper rather than purchasing it from the British since his laborers are definitely cheaper with only several paid laborers including the shipwrights. It may take some time to build one especially since his laborers and slaves are the ones gathering the right tropical wood for the planned large ships.

Once Andres had enough slaves and indentured laborers, he drills his army regularly. He gives them rice and dried fish rations coming from his Rice-Fish farms and rum or lambanog from his distillery. When Manila could not give military supplies his army needed, he purchased them from visiting foreign merchants.

In time, some of his lieutenants approached and told him that the army is agitated and eager for action. Having also the urge to fight, Andres leads the Army of the North up the Cordillera mountains.

[1] Province of Cagayan back then is the whole Cagayan Valley, Present day Province of Cagayan, Isabella, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya.
[2] Present day Santo Tomas, La Union. Pangasinan province was larger back then, includes present day OTL Northern Tarlac and Southern La Union.

 

[Namayan]

6. The Liberator

Jose de San Martin along with his daughter left Acapulco the 11th of March in 1824. Jose’s ship passed by Guam and sailed west past the north end of the island of Masbate then northwest to the northwestern tip of Mindoro and finally north for the run into Cavite. Jose’s ship arrived at Cavite on June 16, 11 days after entering San Bernardino strait. The ship used a British flag upon entering the strait. Both the Spanish and Filipinos are careful not to antagonize the British by boarding or attacking a British ship.

Along with Jose and his daughter are diplomats from Mexico. Majority of the Mexican deportees left Manila a year ago with diplomats from the Philippines. Philippine diplomats were received by the Provisional Government of Mexico. The Mexican government hoping to reestablish ties with the new nation in Asia sends a diplomatic mission to Manila.

Jose is welcomed by his brother Juan and Juan’s wife Josefa along with their children Juan Manuel, Fermin and Maria. Bernabe Escalada, brother-in-law of Jose, is also among those who welcomed Jose. Bernabe remained as the empire’s treasurer after being the colony’s treasurer before independence.

Juan also had recently arrived in Manila after liberating Albay. His army was delayed by tougher resistance in Camarines and Albay from the Spanish colonial authorities allied with the Principalia and Monastic orders.

Jose apologizes to his brother for his delayed arrival. He was busy campaigning in the Americas. He initially planned to set sail to France after the death of his wife but decided to go Manila. However, after remembering the letter his brother sent, he decided to go to the Philippines instead. [1]

View of Cavite Port, 1789 by Jean Francois Galaup de la Perouse​

The Mexican delegation updates Manuel and his cabinet of the situation in Mexico. Iturbe had abdicated and a provisional government Mexico was setup. Central America became independent forming their own nation separate from Mexico. A triumvirate replaced the executive of the Mexican empire. The Triumvirate of Mexico of Nicolas Bravo, Guadalupe Victoria and Pedro Negrete. The Mexican delegates hope that trade will be reestablished with the Philippines.

Jose de San Martin gains an audience with Emperor Manuel at the Palacio del Gobernador, the former residence of the Governor General of the Philippines. Present is Jose’s brother, Juan, several Cabinet members of Manuel and the emperor’s secretary to take down notes. Jose informs the emperor of the independence of Peru, Chile, United Province of Rio Del Plata and Gran Colombia.

Juan elaborates to the emperor of Jose’s campaigns of how he defeated the Spanish armies in Chile and Peru. He even reveals, as told by his brother to him, of how Jose crossed the Andes with Bernardo O’ Higgins and met Simon Bolivar.

Manuel impressed, offers Jose a job. Jose is to train a new army and officers of the empire while Juan campaigns to liberate Visayas and Mindanao. Jose is reluctant to accept but his brother appealed to him.

After accepting the job, Jose witnesses his brother recognized and awarded by Emperor Manuel as the Liberator of Luzon.

After the audience with the emperor, Juan and Jose return to Cavite where Juan was appointed governor in absentia while he was campaigning. The army garrison implemented Manuel’s decree. The lands are either distributed among the peasants or are allocated for house and farm of the soldiers.

Manila is the empire’s center for politics, businesses and intelligentsia. Cavite is the center of the military. A lot of Americanos work and live in Cavite including Epigmenio Gonzalez. The army’s several new departments are also located in Cavite. The training grounds, testing ground, the ordinance depot, manufactories of guns and ammunition and gun foundry are all located in Cavite. Several of the civilians and foreigners like Epigmenio Gonzalez contribute their experience in the Army Arsenal.

The Army Arsenal is waiting for the machines including horse boring machines they ordered from London aiming to replicate Seville’s arsenal production of 5,000 muskets per month during the Napoleonic wars. The Spanish Juntas during the Napoleonic wars setup the production center in the south of Spain within a year with the help of importing tools they need from Britain after Napoleon seized all the arsenal equipment. But the more midterm goal is to replicate the recently closed Spanish Guipúzcoa arsenal which transferred to Oviedo producing 800 muskets a month of Model 1752 Spanish Musket. Philippines is fortunate to have mostly Basque Criollos that can easily hire gunsmiths thru their networks. For now, muskets, swords, sabers, bayonets and pistols are hand made with considerable slow production.

The natives in the islands including the Moros also know how to make lantakas, bronze portable swivel gun. These are great supplements to Gribeauval cannons and mortars until sufficient Gribeauval cannons are made locally or purchased outside the Philippines.

Corregidor island and Corregimiento of Mariveles are also given to Juan and the military for management. Since the Philippines is still at war, patrols of Manila Bay by the Imperial navy are frequent. Ships are anchored in Mariveles bay and Corregidor Island while the sailors housed within the area are ready at the moment’s notice to help the patrolling ships.

Map of the Philippine Islands upon Jose de San Martin’s arrival​

[1] According to the source below, Juan Fermin de San Martin sent a letter to Jose de San Martin. Antonio Jose de Escalada, father of Maria de los Remedios Escalada (wife of Jose de San Martin), arrived in the Philippines 1819 to visit Bernabe Escalada. Juan Fermin de San Martin met with Antonio while in Manila. But I want to cover my bases on what the letter contains or if Juan Fermin de San Martin did join the rebels by 1819 or not. So, I did not specify when Juan sent the letter and may vary if 1819 or later on. More importantly, Juan died in 1822 in OTL while still alive TTL.

El hermano desconocido de San Martín que luchó y murió en Filipinas

La visita del pontífice argentino al archipiélago asiático es una buena ocasión para recordar que un pariente de nuestro héroe nacional tiene su tumba en Manila. El homenaje de Perón y el orgullo filipino

www.infobae.com

 

[Namayan]

7. Constitution of 1824

The new constitution announced by Manuel officially recognizes the Catholic Church as the official religion but provisions tolerate the practice of other religions. The constitution gives Manuel appointing authority over any vacant ecclesiastical posts of the Catholic church.

The new constitution also defines Spanish as the official language. The Constitution planners decided that would be better to have one language to unify the population banning the publication and printing of any other local language or dialect. Emperor Manuel has been calling for Hispanization of the country for more than a decade thru his written works. This angered the native Intelligentsia who writes and speaks these languages especially those pushing for several native literature. Villages and towns in Luzon are given copies of the new constitution, some reach Visayas and Mindanao.

The title of the emperor is also defined by the Constitution. Manuel refuses to be named Emperor of the Philippines nor desires personal ownership of the state. He would rather be the ruler of the people and the Nation, first among equals. Hence, documents name Manuel as Emperor of the Filipinos rather than Emperor of the Philippines.

The Philippines adopts the flag Juan Fermin de San Martin is carrying around since the eve of rebellion.

However, the flag committee made a mistake when presented to Manuel. Juan Fermin de San Martin was bringing with him a flag of United Provinces of Rio de la Plata, a flag of his homeland. When the flag committee went to observe Juan’s flag, the bottom third was drenched in blood.

The Sun of May is replaced by Spanish Manila’s Sea Lion. Manila’s Sealion transitions from silver to gold symbolizing Philippine independence from Spain.

A Filipino citizen as defined by the Constitution accepts Roman Catholic as his/her religion and read, write and speaks the Spanish language. The most important definition is loyalty to the nation and renouncement of loyalty or attachment to any foreign nation. After their experience with native Principalia joining the Spanish, Jus Soli, birthright citizenship seems not applicable. Several Peninsulares have declared themselves as Filipinos most of which have Criollo children and have already established ties within the Philippines.

Voting is limited to propertied Filipino adult males 21 or older. The Constitutional Assembly believes that Filipinos who own land have more interest in protecting the nation due to their interests tied with the nation’s economy. They also expect most of the adult men are landed after the distribution of land to the peasants. The age became contested before deciding on the age of 21. Filipino males volunteered as soldiers younger than 21 even during Spanish colonial period. If one can fight for the country, one can vote as others pushed at so. However, the constitutional assembly moved set the age at 21 and let the senate amend it on a later date.

The Constitution also provides for an independent legislative and an independent judiciary.

The legislative body of the country, the Senate, is unicameral and voted among all qualified male Filipinos on each province. The power of the legislative ranges from enacts and revoke laws to the power of the purse. Each province gets to vote two representatives.

The Constitution of Cadiz provided a precursor for representation and a system to conduct elections. The Philippines or the Spanish East Indies had representation in the Cortes starting with the appointment of Pedro Perez de Tagle and Jose Manuel Couto in 1810. An elected representative replaced them in 1811 by the name of Ventura de los Reyes. Reyes suggested in place of all male suffrage, the representatives of the colony should be indirect thru an elector. Provincial electors are voted by the principalia, cabeza de barangay. The electors will then go to Manila to vote for representatives of the Philippines. Elections in the Philippines were held in 1813 resulting in four representatives sent to Spain. The Constitution of Cadiz also abolished native tribute and polo y servicios. But, by 1814, the allies had restored Ferdinand VII to power and returned to an absolutist government. The restoration of liberal ideas in 1820 did not help the situation in the Philippines since the colonial authorities began their persecution of creoles which led to independence.

The Judiciary is appointed directly by the emperor. The emperor cannot interfere directly with the judiciary except with Emperor’s power on granting pardons.

****

The Philippine treasury is not in good shape. Taxes are almost nonexistent. The trade income of the silver trade is now gone. The Tobacco monopoly does give some income. But as of 1809, the total income outside of the silver trade, which is considered subsides from Mexico, is roughly around 1.8 million pesos or Spanish dollars of which 30% comes from Tobacco monopoly. Modern historians estimates that the tax to GDP ratio of the colony in 1809 was less than 1%. The income gained from tribute is also significant amounting to 21% in 1809. [1]

In order to compensate for the loss of Tobacco monopoly income and other tax sources, new taxes are introduced. The new taxes are Poll tax, land tax, and custom duties.

The Poll Tax is a rank base annual tax. Yeoman farmers are taxed $1 silver dollar. The emperor is taxed $100, Physicians $10, Governors $60. The Citizen must keep the poll tax document at all times since it also acts as an identification if one is Filipino or not.

Land tax is also new to the Philippines. The Spanish after more than 200 years of rule did not implement land taxation. The land tax is implemented by the provinces as a way to finance their respective localities. Land tax is based on assessed value.

In order to entice the British merchants to purchase more from the Philippines, tariffs for Britain are removed. British nationals are also allowed to own land in the Philippines on the condition that they bring in a certain amount of capital. Domingo Roxas was given orders to promise these to London in exchange for Philippine independence support. British merchants are also given leeway to trade on any port within the Philippines. All other merchants including Chinese citizens are restricted to trade in Manila and have to pay tariffs.

Manuel also creates a National Bank monopolizing printing of local banking notes and minting of local coins as suggested by Cabinet member and banker Francisco Rodriguez. However, it will take some time before enough local coins are made for the local market. Spanish silver dollars and Spanish gold Doubloons still circulating within the Philippines are accepted as well as British and United States currencies.

[1] A comparison between the taxation systems in the Philippines under Spanish rule and Indonesia under Dutch rule during the 19th century by W.Wolters

 

[Namayan]

8. Of Pirates and Bandits

The invasion of the southern islands is on the way. Lubang, Masbate, Mindoro Islands have fallen easily to the Filipinos. The Invasion of Samar and Panay Islands have begun.

The invasion force from Luzon is led by Generalissimo Juan Fermin de San Martin. Smaller detachments are to liberate the smaller islands. Juan is being accompanied by Francisco Bayot. Francisco Bayot, despite being a Peninsulares, has agreed to help the rebels due to his sons discriminated by the colonial authorities and sees Philippine independence as fait accompli. Francisco Bayot also was the former Alcade Mayor of Iloilo making his knowledge of the area valuable to Juan.

The Principalia in the remaining Spanish East Indies have heard reports given by the Spanish colonial authorities that the rebels confiscated assets of Principalia in Luzon and whole families slaughtered, women raped and sold to slavery. This gives the Principalia valid reasons to join the Spanish colonial authorities even those who think it is best to stay away from conflict or join the rebels.

Juan Fermin de San Martin sent a ship back to Cavite to request that his brother to bring his army. The invasion of Panay is taking longer than expected. The liberation force needs reinforcements that only Jose de San Martin can provide.

Jose de San Martin has been training 5,000 new recruits since his arrival. They are well drilled and equipped with whatever is available in the local market and foreign merchants. Upon receiving the request from his brother, Jose de San Martin will have to liberate Cebu and Bohol while Juan completes his liberation of Panay Island.

Before he even sets sail, Jose de San Martin bombards Cebu and Bohol with pro-Independence propaganda. His challenge with Cebu and Bohol is much different when he crossed the Andes. The logistics going to Cebu are shipborne requiring him to do amphibious landings. Jose made sure the supplies of his army and fleet are more than sufficient. He even brings a printing press with his invasion force hoping to send propaganda before taking each town.

In Bohol, he made contact with the Dagohoy rebels hoping to ally against colonial authorities.

****

Moro raids have intensified especially in the first year after Philippine independence. Luzon’s navy focused on patrolling Luzon rather than helping patrol Sulu Sea of pirates and slavers. Luzon’s coastal patrols are more frequent and have several squadrons to patrol the coast. Each squadron composed of two galeotas and six vintas that are able to chase the Moros even in rivers. Each coastal village and town are given a coastal reaction force of balangay ships that can support the patrol squadrons. This made Luzon a less than attractive target than the islands in the south of Luzon.

The Visayas and Zamboanga used to have these coastal patrol squadrons during the time of Basco and led by Joseph Gomez. However, fiscal issues and Basco’s invasion of Batanes reduced the budget of these coastal patrols. More importantly, sailors came from Luzon, the financing came from Manila and ships built in Cavite.

The towns and villages that can easily repulse the Moro raids are usually towns and villages that have friars. The friars easily organize the defenses and unify the people. However, this creates a more loyal local population to the monastic order friars.

The remaining Spanish colonial authorities refuse to deal with the Moros thinking it is better to just surrender to Filipinos, who are Catholics, than make deals with the Moros. The Filipino navy has not directly confronted Moro raids in Sulu Sea recently focusing in liberating Luzon and patrolling the coast. A more militarize Luzon did affect the judgement of the Moro raids.

Maguindanao Prince Nune led the raids in Panay and Negros islands after an unsuccessful raid in Caramoan, Albay six years earlier. The Moro raid in Panay captured 1,000 prisoners.

The Moros aware that the Filipinos in Luzon have declared independence and the Spanish authorities in Visayas and Mindanao are poorly manned due to the arrests of rebels among their ranks. Forts like Zamboanga which majority of soldiers are either Criollos, Mestizos and Americanos are now in prison or have been executed. Spanish Colonial authorities had to recruit from the Indio natives to man the forts with raw recruits rather than veterans.

The Moro lands have been receiving end of Luzon slaver raids. Luzon raiders capture local Moros and their slaves. The Luzon raiders have more firepower than even the Sultanates not unlike Moro ships who had to flee from Spanish or Filipino navies. The ships they bought from the Santo Tomas shipyard with a sharp bow and a V shape hull. It was fast and small below 500 burthen tons.

Upon returning to Luzon, the Christian slaves taken by Luzon slavers would be emancipated especially if they prove or their family can vouch for them. Other slaves are sold to the Luzon market. Slaves from the Moluccas, Borneo continue their bondage while the Moros are put to work in the fields of Luzon. Due to Luzon slavers more frequent attacks, the Moros had to replenish their slaves.

Filipinos have revived the precolonial raiding areas of Luzon. The Filipinos or Luzon slave raiders go west as far the Kingdom of Cambodia and Vietnam. The raiders pretend to be traders upon their arrival in Singapore or upon seeing British or any European ship. Luzon slave raiders find it worth the risk raiding Cambodia or Vietnam due to the increase of labor demand among plantations owners.

There is reason why the Moros raid their northern neighbor for slaves. The Moro economy is dependent on slavery. In Sulu, half of the population are slaves even before Philippine independence. The Moros are highly reliant on slave labor to work the agriculture industry.

The Moro pirates originated from Maguindanao, Malanao, Iranun, Sangil, Tausug, Samal, Badjao, and Balinguigui. These pirates are either well-organized expeditions by a Muslim ruler or a small-scale, semi-independent raids.

However, not all pirates are Moros. Before independence, a so-called Moro raid happened in Camarines. But when the authorities captured the “Moros”, they found out they were Christians and Tagalogs living in Tayabas. The frequency of Imperial naval patrols helped in preventing any further attempts of not only piracy from the Moros but internal piracy among people from Luzon.

The image of Moros as pirates do not end in Camarines. People as far as the Kingdoms of Cambodia and Vietnam view any pirate raid as done by the Moros rather than the real culprits. They only know that villages are burned and people taken from their coastal village. With the history of Moros raiding the coastal areas after more than 200 hundred years of precolonial Luzon polities absent in raiding, the Moros are blamed.

The smallholders of Cavite led by Luis de los Santos marched to Intramuros to demand the emperor to do something about the bandits and tulisanes in Cavite. The absence of the Generalissimo as governor of Cavite forced the smallholders to march directly to the emperor.

The bandits are led by former principalia with members ranging from Spanish deserters and Filipino deserters, some of Mexican descent. The bandits call themselves Guachinango. These bandits steal crops and livestock from the smallholder’s lands then hurry back to the mountains to hide.

Cavite has been the hotbed of banditry even before independence as early as 16th century from escaped slaves or soldier deserters that disembarked from Cavite port. The bandits used to be mostly disgruntled peasants who raided friar haciendas. The situation changes with all peasant families in Luzon having acquired land and several principalia who were loyal to Spain stripped of their land and privileges. The revolution in 1823 and the presence of the army in Luzon minimized bandit raids until most of the army left Luzon to liberate Visayas and Mindanao.

The emperor and the senate, which feared the smallholders especially now that both San Martin armies are in the Visayas and Army of the North is too far to interfere, are forced to create and fund a national gendarmerie to police the country side. However, the funds are short with a war still looming in Visayas, Manuel obsessed with education plans and reforms for the Philippines.

Unsatisfied with the move and slow implementation of the gendarmerie, Luis and the smallholders formed their own citizen militia. The citizen militia of Cavite scoured the known hideouts of the bandits, capturing or killing the bandits.

Luis de los Santos became famous among his peers for attacking the bandits when they run after the Militia attacks the bandit hideouts. Luis who waits for the bandits who try to escape rather than join the militia attack. Luis thus earned the nickname, Luis Parang. “Para” or “nakapara” for standing still and waiting for the bandits to escape and pass his sniping area.

The success of the Cavite militia spread to the other provinces and the smallholders of the other provinces started their own militia to stamp out banditry.

Sensing the dissatisfaction of the smallholders, the Senate, with the support of British merchants, made a law giving Filipino citizens the right to bear arms and form their own citizen militia. It was a late move but the Senate wanted to claim the idea and gain political points among the smallholders. The British merchants who lobbied for the law turned out to be the one’s selling weapons to the smallholders.

 

[Minokawa]

Hopefully this time they won't give the crown to the British lol.

 

[Simeon]

Hopefully this time they won't give the crown to the British lol.

(they will give it to a Southern or Brazilian slaver)

 

[Namayan]

9. The Royal Company of the Philippines

Juan Fermin de San Martin returned to Fuerza de la Nuestra Señora del Rosario or Fort San Pedro in Yloylo or Iloilo to talk to Francisco Bayot. Juan had been requesting reinforcements and supplies from Bayot which did not arrive at the front. The campaign in Panay is halted and Juan is having difficulty liberating Panay. The locals more supportive of Royalists cause and his soldiers, officers are not up to the task.

Juan also wanted to relieve some of the soldiers at the front and find replacements in Iloilo. They refuse to follow orders and prefer to attend parties, fiestas and court women. Juan is not used to this lack of discipline. He always became furious with his undisciplined soldiers and officers. Gone are the days when Juan had a trained and experienced professional army. Luzon campaign seems a lifetime ago. But Juan had to put garrisons in Luzon and assigned his most trusted people as governors. He left most of the professional soldiers in Luzon, the rest of the professional soldiers were promoted and led invasions on other islands. Juan had to hastily recruit new soldiers and officers. These new soldiers are natives and mestizos not used to military life. Unlike Jose de San Martin’s army, Juan did not drill nor train his new army as vigorously nor taught them about discipline. He appointed officers who came from well to do families ranging from mestizos and native principalia with no experience in the military.

The soldiers and officers of the Philippine army in Panay wrote several complaints to Manila of Juan being a hot head and have a very bad temper. But Manila did not reply to them of their request to replace Juan or reassignment back to Luzon.

****.

Juan who was calling and shouting within the Fort’s courtyard calling for Francisco Bayot. However, several soldiers appeared with their muskets and bolos.

Juan asked the captain where Bayot is and why is here when he is supposed to be at the front. Juan recognizes the captain as one of the new officers he recruited who came from a well to do family in Luzon.

The captain answered insolently, “I don’t know.”

Juan berates the officer for his insolence and desertion. Juan orders the other soldiers present to arrest the captain for desertion but the soldiers refused. The captain drew his pistol. He fired the pistol at Juan but missed Juan. A sergeant within the fort stabbed Juan and soon all the soldiers inside the courtyard starts attacking Juan and Juan’s aide-de-camp with bayonets and bolos.

After several stabs, Juan’s aide camp is lifeless but Juan continues crawling and cursing.

A woman watching them at the courtyard said, “He is still moving.”

“Cowards! Assassins!!”, Juan said.

The captain and the other soldiers continue to stab Juan.

****

The Spanish Real Compañía de Filipinas (RCF) was founded to monopolize the Manila-Acapulco trade. After the loss of access to American silver, the RCF transferred the efforts and investments in Asia. These RCF employees in collaboration with the British individuals allowed some RCF employees to deal in opium. The Charter Act of 1813 ended East India Company monopoly in trade allowing consignments from other companies as long as they buy from East India Company plantations. This Spanish and British collaboration formed networks and companies like Yrisarri y Compania owned by Fransciso Xavier de Yrisarri and James Matheson. The British get to use the Spanish flag allowing them access to Macao and Amoy. The Spanish get to buy opium in Calcutta thru their British network and sell them to China. However, by 1821, the RCF factory in Canton was closed down and Spain’s trade in Canton became limited or negligible.

The declaration of Philippine independence forced some of the Spanish that dealt with British to be cordial with Manila to store Malwa Opium in a warehouse in the Philippines on their way to Canton from India. Peninsulares like Lorenzo Calvo worked with Filipino Criollo Gabriel de Yruretagoyena to warm up with the new government in the Philippines.

With the closing of the factory in Canton and the Philippine declaration of independence, the Filipinos using their experience and connections, are allowed to open a factory in Canton using the Philippine flag. The Philippine factory replaced the Spanish factory but the factory’s name remained the same, Xibanya Guan or Great Luzon Trade House.

The Filipino companies in Canton began trading empire’s goods which are coming from the liberated area of Luzon. Goods such as sugar, fragrant wood, rice, indigo, cigars, sea slugs, bird’s nest and shark skins are shipped from Luzon.

Yruretagoyena wants to sell another crop to the Chinese market, raw cotton. China had supply shortages for their cotton production which the British provided thru Indian cotton. Yruretagoyena wants a slice of that market by outsourcing a nearer option.

The Spanish East Indies has been self-sufficient with their cloth and cotton even before the colonial period. Not unlike several South East Asian colonies, Philippines does not import Indian cotton and cloth. Philippine textiles also have alternatives other than the native cotton from Abaca textiles to Pineapple leaves.

With the ongoing independence war, Luzon lost the access of Visayas cotton limiting the cotton supply in Luzon. Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur has been supplying cotton and cloth for the Manila Galleons for hundreds of years.

The Lorenzo Calvo Compania, thru Yruretagoyena’s network, visited both Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Some of the land owners including the governors of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur offered to start cotton plantations since the smallholders did not produce enough for what Calvo’s company needed. The plantation owners never realize the value of cotton in other markets focusing in sugar and tobacco cultivation. The native variety cotton which the Ilocanos call Kapas Purao, Kapas Keuti, Kapas Cacao, and Kapas wag-wag is offered to Calvo representatives.

When Calvo company representatives met the governor of Pangasinan, Andres Novales, to acquire of the amount of cotton produced within his province, they find out that Andres has a shipping fleet to transport goods from Aparri, Cagayan to Pangasinan and Manila. However, Calvo representatives questions the shipping fleet - mainly outrigger ships and sailing vessels small for the requirements. Their sizes are not suitable for the expected cotton that will be shipped to Canton. Andres promises to complete his larger ships currently being built in his shipyard when all the cotton is harvested. The Santo Tomas shipyard had been focusing on outrigger ships for fishermen and sailing ships designed for speed that the Luzon slave raiders purchase.

After several discussions and promises made by Andres, the Calvo representatives contracted Andres to transport cotton from Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte to Canton along with whatever excess native cotton his province produces. Calvo representatives requested to store opium in one of Andres’ warehouses in the ancient port of Agoo hoping to avoid the custom duties in Manila.

Calvo representatives also met the governor of Cagayan, Miguel Gomez. They think Gomez owns most of Cagayan Valley, which almost a third of land area of Luzon. However, Gomez thru his excellent persuasion convinces the representatives of not only buying cotton from him but to transplant Sea Island cotton to Cagayan.

Miguel Gomez knows he does not own most of Cagayan Valley. As the former garrison commander of Pangasinan, he exchanges his Pangasinan lands for some of Andres’ Cagayan lands which Andres agrees. Despite his lands being more valuable per square meter due to being cultivated, it is not enough since Andres lands in Cagayan are in the tens of thousands of square kilometers.

Miguel asks Andres if he is willing to do profit sharing. Miguel uses his finances to put up plantations, manage the plantations, while Andres’ contribution is his lands in Cagayan. Fortunately, Andres concurs to Miguel’s proposal.

 

[Alexander_the great]

9. The Royal Company of the Philippines

Juan Fermin de San Martin returned to Fuerza de la Nuestra Señora del Rosario or Fort San Pedro in Yloylo or Iloilo to talk to Francisco Bayot. Juan had been requesting reinforcements and supplies from Bayot which did not arrive at the front. The campaign in Panay is halted and Juan is having difficulty liberating Panay. The locals more supportive of Royalists cause and his soldiers, officers are not up to the task.

Juan also wanted to relieve some of the soldiers at the front and find replacements in Iloilo. They refuse to follow orders and prefer to attend parties, fiestas and court women. Juan is not used to this lack of discipline. He always became furious with his undisciplined soldiers and officers. Gone are the days when Juan had a trained and experienced professional army. Luzon campaign seems a lifetime ago. But Juan had to put garrisons in Luzon and assigned his most trusted people as governors. He left most of the professional soldiers in Luzon, the rest of the professional soldiers were promoted and led invasions on other islands. Juan had to hastily recruit new soldiers and officers. These new soldiers are natives and mestizos not used to military life. Unlike Jose de San Martin’s army, Juan did not drill nor train his new army as vigorously nor taught them about discipline. He appointed officers who came from well to do families ranging from mestizos and native principalia with no experience in the military.

The soldiers and officers of the Philippine army in Panay wrote several complaints to Manila of Juan being a hot head and have a very bad temper. But Manila did not reply to them of their request to replace Juan or reassignment back to Luzon.

****.

Juan who was calling and shouting within the Fort’s courtyard calling for Francisco Bayot. However, several soldiers appeared with their muskets and bolos.

Juan asked the captain where Bayot is and why is here when he is supposed to be at the front. Juan recognizes the captain as one of the new officers he recruited who came from a well to do family in Luzon.

The captain answered insolently, “I don’t know.”

Juan berates the officer for his insolence and desertion. Juan orders the other soldiers present to arrest the captain for desertion but the soldiers refused. The captain drew his pistol. He fired the pistol at Juan but missed Juan. A sergeant within the fort stabbed Juan and soon all the soldiers inside the courtyard starts attacking Juan and Juan’s aide-de-camp with bayonets and bolos.

After several stabs, Juan’s aide camp is lifeless but Juan continues crawling and cursing.

A woman watching them at the courtyard said, “He is still moving.”

“Cowards! Assassins!!”, Juan said.

The captain and the other soldiers continue to stab Juan.

****

The Spanish Real Compañía de Filipinas (RCF) was founded to monopolize the Manila-Acapulco trade. After the loss of access to American silver, the RCF transferred the efforts and investments in Asia. These RCF employees in collaboration with the British individuals allowed some RCF employees to deal in opium. The Charter Act of 1813 ended East India Company monopoly in trade allowing consignments from other companies as long as they buy from East India Company plantations. This Spanish and British collaboration formed networks and companies like Yrisarri y Compania owned by Fransciso Xavier de Yrisarri and James Matheson. The British get to use the Spanish flag allowing them access to Macao and Amoy. The Spanish get to buy opium in Calcutta thru their British network and sell them to China. However, by 1821, the RCF factory in Canton was closed down and Spain’s trade in Canton became limited or negligible.

The declaration of Philippine independence forced some of the Spanish that dealt with British to be cordial with Manila to store Malwa Opium in a warehouse in the Philippines on their way to Canton from India. Peninsulares like Lorenzo Calvo worked with Filipino Criollo Gabriel de Yruretagoyena to warm up with the new government in the Philippines.

With the closing of the factory in Canton and the Philippine declaration of independence, the Filipinos using their experience and connections, are allowed to open a factory in Canton using the Philippine flag. The Philippine factory replaced the Spanish factory but the factory’s name remained the same, Xibanya Guan or Great Luzon Trade House.

The Filipino companies in Canton began trading empire’s goods which are coming from the liberated area of Luzon. Goods such as sugar, fragrant wood, rice, indigo, cigars, sea slugs, bird’s nest and shark skins are shipped from Luzon.

Yruretagoyena wants to sell another crop to the Chinese market, raw cotton. China had supply shortages for their cotton production which the British provided thru Indian cotton. Yruretagoyena wants a slice of that market by outsourcing a nearer option.

The Spanish East Indies has been self-sufficient with their cloth and cotton even before the colonial period. Not unlike several South East Asian colonies, Philippines does not import Indian cotton and cloth. Philippine textiles also have alternatives other than the native cotton from Abaca textiles to Pineapple leaves.

With the ongoing independence war, Luzon lost the access of Visayas cotton limiting the cotton supply in Luzon. Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur has been supplying cotton and cloth for the Manila Galleons for hundreds of years.

The Lorenzo Calvo Compania, thru Yruretagoyena’s network, visited both Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Some of the land owners including the governors of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur offered to start cotton plantations since the smallholders did not produce enough for what Calvo’s company needed. The plantation owners never realize the value of cotton in other markets focusing in sugar and tobacco cultivation. The native variety cotton which the Ilocanos call Kapas Purao, Kapas Keuti, Kapas Cacao, and Kapas wag-wag is offered to Calvo representatives.

When Calvo company representatives met the governor of Pangasinan, Andres Novales, to acquire of the amount of cotton produced within his province, they find out that Andres has a shipping fleet to transport goods from Aparri, Cagayan to Pangasinan and Manila. However, Calvo representatives questions the shipping fleet - mainly outrigger ships and sailing vessels small for the requirements. Their sizes are not suitable for the expected cotton that will be shipped to Canton. Andres promises to complete his larger ships currently being built in his shipyard when all the cotton is harvested. The Santo Tomas shipyard had been focusing on outrigger ships for fishermen and sailing ships designed for speed that the Luzon slave raiders purchase.

After several discussions and promises made by Andres, the Calvo representatives contracted Andres to transport cotton from Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte to Canton along with whatever excess native cotton his province produces. Calvo representatives requested to store opium in one of Andres’ warehouses in the ancient port of Agoo hoping to avoid the custom duties in Manila.

Calvo representatives also met the governor of Cagayan, Miguel Gomez. They think Gomez owns most of Cagayan Valley, which almost a third of land area of Luzon. However, Gomez thru his excellent persuasion convinces the representatives of not only buying cotton from him but to transplant Sea Island cotton to Cagayan.

Miguel Gomez knows he does not own most of Cagayan Valley. As the former garrison commander of Pangasinan, he exchanges his Pangasinan lands for some of Andres’ Cagayan lands which Andres agrees. Despite his lands being more valuable per square meter due to being cultivated, it is not enough since Andres lands in Cagayan are in the tens of thousands of square kilometers.

Miguel asks Andres if he is willing to do profit sharing. Miguel uses his finances to put up plantations, manage the plantations, while Andres’ contribution is his lands in Cagayan. Fortunately, Andres concurs to Miguel’s proposal.

Your updates brighten my day

 

[Namayan]

Spoiler Warning! The picture and my story is based on what happened on OTL. Although my story is not what exactly happened in OTL, it is similar to those events. One may find it grotesque.​

10. Lord of the Mountains

For Centuries, Spain sent expeditions to conquer and pacify the Igorots but failed. Andres Novales is aware of this. However, Andres is desperate to find coin and resources to fund the Army of the North.

Rather than fighting the Igorots head on, Andres made deals with an Igorot tribe, the Ibaloi. Andres met with several villages hoping to gather enough information about them.

Andres’ friendless is not random. He befriended Ibaloi communities with known gold deposits, indicated by an Ibaloi wearing gold ornaments. He even encourages some of his soldiers to marry the local Igorots hoping that once they marry to the family, the Igorots will reveal the location of mines to the Filipinos.

In several occasion, the Ibaloi Baknang, Igorot upper class, convinced Andres to use his army to fight village and tribal wars. Rather than digging and prospecting for gold, the Army of North spent more time fighting.

He also befriends the Kankanaey and hires them as scouts. Some lead him to lode formations.

Andres also offered the Igorot tribes to be part of the empire’s military under his command to maintain peace and order in Northern Luzon.

Andres took advantage of the different tribes of the Igorots, conscripting one tribe to fight against another. Being issued with a musket gave the Igorot pride. It symbolized being a member of a warrior society, the empire’s military.

The Ibaloi and other Igorots are unaware of land titling and land registration. Andres starts titling the whole Benguet district under his name one of which is a valley settled by the Ibalois and called it La Trinidad after the three hills he saw. He titles many places, villages, valleys and mines making multi copies in Pangasinan and in Manila. The Land registration in Manila that keeps national records accepts all Andres’ titles as fact nor was it questioned where the lands are located.

When the Filipinos arrived, the soil in the valley is cultivated with camote, gabi and sugar cane. The crops are well taken care of and watered. The Igorot houses were built with parge pieces of pinewood but very dirty. The Ibaloi lands are deemed by the Filipinos as the best possible place to cultivate crops in the highlands. The Ibaloi maximized the limited lands they had by cultivating hillsides, plateaus and mountains slopes through bench terracing. The Ibaloi is also skilled in ditch construction, often building large dams for irrigation. The Kankanaey relied more on swidden farming.

Army of the North’s Physician Paul de la Gironiere recognized Benguet as suitable for growing coffee.

Paul de la Gironiere not only introduced coffee but also strawberries and other highland crops. Andres recognizes the possible revenue, starts a coffee plantation in Benguet with the permission of the Ibaloi. The Ibaloi content with Andres focusing on Ibaloi interests and coffee planting compares him with the Spanish who are obsessed of acquiring the gold.

Rice Terraces of Cordillera Mountains, Luzon​

Paul de la Gironiere, born in 1797, studied several years at the Hotel-Dieu of Nantes and passed his exams for naval surgeon. He engaged his services to a ship owner of Cultivaeteur who was going to freight goods to the East Indies. The ship arrived in Cavite by the end of May 1820. Cholera struck Manila in 1820 and foreigners were blamed. The locals massacred foreigners including Frenchmen, some of the crew of Cultivaeteur. Paul survived but the ship left him in the Philippines. Eventually he practiced his medical profession locally until he was noticed by the Spanish authorities. The Spanish assigned him as surgeon-major of the 1st Light Regiment under the command of Andres Novales. [1] When the revolt in 1823 occurred, Paul thought about supporting the Spanish loyalists thinking the Spanish have treated him well. However, knowing Andres Novales sufficiently well and the numbers of the rebels, Paul feared he would not be spared had he joined the Spanish. Paul decided to join and accompany the rebels.

******

- from the diary of Paul Proust de la Gironiere

Andres, I and the army arrived in one of the villages of the Itnegs just before noon after fighting side by side with them.

The people are taller than the Ilocano lowlanders, possibly as tall as people from south of France. The people had disagreeable smell that annoyed me. However, I believe the men and women are cleanly for they are in a habit of bathing twice a day. I attribute the disagreeable smell to their sash and turban, which they never take off.

Andres and I were invited to their victory feast at the village shed. There the champions presented severed heads to the chiefs witnessed by all village folk. These champions took out the brains. The brains are pounded by young girls with their hands into the vases containing basi. The young girls stirred the mixture around and the vases were taken to the chiefs who dipped in their small goblets.

Andres is given the honor to take the first sip, which he did without hesitation. After Andres, the chieftains took their turn followed by the champions. The mixed beverage is distributed among the rest of the populace. We sat in a circle and the vases were carried around. The Itneg warriors presented to me a cup with the mixed beverage. All eyes were fixed upon me. I gazed upon the goblet and took sometime before I reacted until I heard Andres.

“Paul?” said by Andres.

My terror, disgust, shock subsided and the voice of Andres made me contain my emotions. I imitated the savages, dipping the goblet into the drink.

The basi is very intoxicating.

After the distribution of the mixed beverage, the chiefs declared the ceremony over. The savages danced like madmen and howled the whole day retiring to their homes with their families by night time.

Besides the Ibaloi and the Kankanaey, Andres and the army of North met the Bontocs, Ifugao, Isnag, Itneg tribes. In time, Andres became trusted by the Igorots tribes that the Igorots relied on Andres to arbitrate tribal and village disputes.

As days to turn to weeks, weeks turn to months, the initial plan of Andres of digging for gold has not been accomplished. He and the Army of the North are busy as peacekeepers. By this time, Andres is already aware of the location of the Igorot mines and know how the Igorots mine them but did not take action on acquiring gold in the first few years he visited the Cordilleras.

[1] according to Paul de la Gironiere’s Autobiography :
- Vingt Années aux Philippines published in 1853
- Aventures d'un gentilhomme breton aux îles Philippines 1855

 

[Simeon]

Oh, I hope that there won't be a repeat of the genocide in the first version. That shite's awful.

 

[Namayan]

Oh, I hope that there won't be a repeat of the genocide in the first version. That shite's awful.

My last update should tell you which direction we are going.

The first version of how I handled is similar to OTL events of Spain's Galvey's expedition in 1829. He went for massacre. But the alternate of that with Ruiz had a lot more resources than Galvey, is accompanied by the British and Gurkhas rather than just Filipinos, former Spanish soldiers, and orders to wipe them out by Andres for the Gold.

Here it is going the direction of OTL USA since Andres and Army of the North does not have the British legion, Gurkhas nor the whole country's resources to do it. Andres and the army of the north have minimal manpower so cooperation is a necessity. It is similar to how United States pacified the Luzon Cordilleras from 1899 onwards OTL. Since the Americans were helping igorot villages and tribes versus the others. So in a sense, the Americans did still killed a lot of Igorots with the help of the other Igorots since the Igorots want to win the tribal wars. This ATL Andres is doing what the Americans are doing, intermarrying, cooperating...more diplomacy rather than genocide.

 

[Namayan]

11. The Treaty of Manila

In the 19th of August 1825, a parade is held for the newly arrived British Legion carrying the Union Flag and Irish Legion carrying the flag of Leinster. They were recruited by Domingo Roxas and diplomats sent by Manuel, using the loan money from Britain.

After the Napoleonic wars, Britain had a lot of unemployed ex-soldiers. The British government allowed volunteers to the Philippines as the move lifts some of the burden of the British government to employ some of these ex-soldiers away from poverty. The British volunteers gained tacit British government support. Domingo Roxas promised to pay volunteers one rank above that which they held in the British army.

The motivation of ordinary British is helped by the propaganda of Filipinos in Britain with continued fear of Spain’s power, the Spanish Black Legend, and propaganda of giving freedom and rights to citizens in the Spanish East Indies.

British Legions in Gran Colombia, Peru and Philippines in the 1820s​

Paul de la Gironiere and his wife, Anna, witnesses the celebration. Paul was ordered to requisition supplies and ask more funding from Manila for the Army of the North. His wife joined him hoping to get away from the life in their coffee plantation in the mountains. She has not adapted to the life in Pangasinan. She prefers her previous life in Manila and have encouraged Paul to quit the army and migrate back to Manila.

After attending the celebrations, the couple went to a bookstore in calle de la Escolta or Escolta street, a road created by the Spanish in 1594, in Binondo. Binondo is the mercantile suburb of Manila opposite the walled city of Intramuros separated by Pasig River and connected by a bridge. The suburb had numerous canals, gondolas and bangkas. The richest merchants, whether they be Filipino, English or Chinese live in Binondo. The most elegant houses are built upon the banks of Pasig River. These houses are simple in exterior but contain the most costly and luxurious items from porcelain, silk, vases, gold and silver. Each of the house has a landing place from the river and a bamboo structure which served as bath houses.

Paul have been itching to buy several books ever since he started campaigning in 1823. There they met the owner, Spanish born Peninsulares but sworn allegiance to the Philippines, Jose Azcarraga and his wife Maria Palmero. Anna, who hopes to socialize with peers which she believes she had none in Pangasinan, is invited by Maria tomorrow night for a party. She is delighted and left the bookstore excited for tomorrow night’s party.

After they departed the bookstore, Paul sees several paintings and items being sold in some of the stores in Escolta street. These items are similar to the image of Andres Novales. Paul remembers that Andres, during the early days in Pangasinan is short on funds to pay for the army’s salaries. A Chinese mestizo wanted to donate a large sum of money to Andres in the condition that Andres is painted by the businessman’s painter. The painting had several iterations, one Andres on a Horseback, one Andres on a military uniform and one Andres fully naked. Andres accepted the offer since it only required the use of his body and he could not sell enough of his lands fast enough.

When Paul saw the paintings…” The things Andres does for his men and country.”

Jose Azcarraga, Maria Palmero, two daughters with a nursemaid in 1824, painted by Juan Arzeo​

Domingo Roxas also recently arrived from their diplomatic trip from London. The Roxas’ diplomatic mission had just gotten the support of Britain and promise to keep the Philippines independent. He also got British loans to the Philippines approved. The buy list from the Philippines ranged from Anvils, files, trimming tools, vises, Metal plates, muskets, pistols, gun flints, artillery, cannon balls and sabers all to be delivered within five years. Some highly sought-after skilled workers are also recruited in Europe including horse powered machines requested by the army and navy. He also bought 4 East Indiamen in Britain to transport goods and skilled workers from Europe to Manila and to be converted by the navy as capital ships.

Domingo Roxas also brought back some of the Jesuits with him as per ordered by Manuel. The Jesuits were expelled from the Spanish East Indies in 1768. Manuel has plans for public education and hopes the Jesuits can help with Manuel’s plans.

The Jesuits arrival did have an immediate impact. The Jesuits who arrived very much adhere to the beliefs of Matteo Ricci, who views highly of Chinese examination. Manuel took the Jesuits advise seriously. Manuel started with the medical examination system followed by the civil service examination. Doctors and Civil servants have to pass an exam before being authorized to work as doctors or as civil servants.

Manuel I is updated of the situation in Europe.

The British and Dutch signed a new treaty in London defining their colonial possessions in Asia. Malacca is recognized as British influence and Sumatra is recognized as Dutch influence.

Ferdinand VII of Spain had just been reinstalled in to power. The French reinstalled King Ferdinand VII of Spain into power removing the liberals who forced King Ferdinand VII to accept the Constitution 1812. The French had the permission of Quintuple alliance allowing for French intervention during the Congress of Verona in 1822. The reactionary governments of Europe have allied themselves to restore absolutist rule against any radical or liberal government.

The Spanish protested British recognition of Philippine independence. However, Spain does not have enough strength nor coin to pursue reconquest of all her former colonies. Mexico is nearer Spanish bases in Cuba and considered far more profitable than the Spanish East Indies.

The British also warned the Spanish that, during the Seven years’ war, that the British did try to take the Philippines but failed with a nearer base of operation in India and a larger fleet. They are reminded of the weakness of the Spanish navy in 1824 nor have the strength of the British in Asia during the Seven Years war.

Other than Britain, the United States recognizes the independence of the new country.

That same day, Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez signs the treaty of Manila. He recognizes the Spanish East Indies as an independent empire and recognizes the monarchy under Manuel I. The collapse of Loyalists in Luzon, the arrival of Jose de San Martin which he believes is a full-blown aid from the South American nations, the arrival of British volunteers which Manuel lets him witness the parade, the recognition of Britain and United States helped in his decision to sign the treaty.

Rumor has it that he was tortured or coerced. Some believe he is sick of captivity and wish to be released. Whatever the reasons were, we will never know since he died before leaving for Spain. Even Martinez’s death is controversial. The official cause of death is pleurisy. However, there are talks in the cafes of Manila of Martinez’s suicide.

edit 1: remove Maria Palmero's birth place due to conflicting sources

 

[The_Count]

I do hope that I'm not rushing things with this question, but I'm rather curious... I don't suppose the Qing dynasty will play a role in this timeline? Perhaps the Philippines, after dealing with internal conflicts, might even involve themselves in the Opium trade (and the wars later on, of course).Perhaps, due to their proximity, the Philippines would also consider... forcing Japan to open itself and perhaps even try to colonise parts of it (same question with Korea and Taiwan)?

 

[Alexander_the great]

I do hope that I'm not rushing things with this question, but I'm rather curious... I don't suppose the Qing dynasty will play a role in this timeline? Perhaps the Philippines, after dealing with internal conflicts, might even involve themselves in the Opium trade (and the wars later on, of course).Perhaps, due to their proximity, the Philippines would also consider... forcing Japan to open itself and perhaps even try to colonise parts of it (same question with Korea and Taiwan)?

In the previous timeline, they fought and won two wars against Chinese and made Japan their economic colony, so it could happen

 

[Namayan]

I do hope that I'm not rushing things with this question, but I'm rather curious... I don't suppose the Qing dynasty will play a role in this timeline? Perhaps the Philippines, after dealing with internal conflicts, might even involve themselves in the Opium trade (and the wars later on, of course).Perhaps, due to their proximity, the Philippines would also consider... forcing Japan to open itself and perhaps even try to colonise parts of it (same question with Korea and Taiwan)?

In the previous timeline, they fought and won two wars against Chinese and made Japan their economic colony, so it could happen

The Opium trade predates the POD even Manila's role as a hub to store opium from India to Canton.

9. The Royal Company of the Philippines, at least covers this wherein the Filipinos take over the role of OTL Spain to store Opium. In Otl it just in Manila as a place to store the opium and trade goods but since the British are given a lot more leeway due to Independence, that update thru Andres Novales allows them to store in Pangasinan in ATL which nearer to China than Manila.

The last few updates Philippines is highly reliant on Britain and Chinese to trade. Any war affecting either one of them would affect the Philippines.