Sultan Israel followed the same progressive policy which characterized
his father's administration. However, his succession was contested by
rivals, and the people were not unanimous in his support. In his foreign
relations with the English and Spaniards he was at the beginning un-
certain as to the side toward which to lean. Both powers had an eye
on Sulu and appeared interested in its affairs. However, before long
he refused the request of the English to be allowed to move their factory
from Balambangan to Tandu-dayang, in the neighborhood of Jolo, and
exchanged messages of friendship with King Carlos III, who congratu-
lated Israel on his succession to the sultanate and thanked him for his
action relative to the removal of the Balambangan factory to Sulu
Island.^ The early education Israel received in Manila, together with
the consideration with which the Spanish authorities treated him at
that time, helped to win his sympathies to the Spanish side and to form
a sort of an alliance between Sulu and Spain against Great Britain.
Such an alliance was further needed to strengthen his hand in Sulu,
for the purpose of checking any insurrection that might be fomented by
rival datus or unfriendly chiefs. The Spaniards promised to help him
in his endeavors to organize an army and a navy; and, he on his part,
agreed to open the ports of Sulu for free commerce with the Philippine
Islands. He further asked the Spanish Government for capital to work
his mines, promising to pay back one-fifth of the output.
In 1774 and 177G, Jolo was visited by Captain Thomas Forrest, who
in his "Voyage to New Guinea" described the town and country as he
saw them. His account is so interesting and so clear that the following
extracts ^ are quoted therefrom :
They have a great variety of fine tropical fruits; the oranges are fully as
good as those of China. They have also a variety of the fruit called jack, or
nangka, durians, a kind of large custard apple named madang, mangos, mangus-
tines ♦ ♦ ♦. The Sulus having great connection with China, and many
Chineses being settled amongst them, they have learned the art of ingrafting and
improving their fruits • • ».
The capital town is called Bawang,* situated by the seacoast, on the northwest
part of the island, and containing about 0,000 inhabitants. Many of them were
Ilanun « ♦ ».
This island * * * is well cultivated, affording a fine prospect from the
sea, on every side far superior to that of Malay countries in general * * *.
Here are wild elephants, the offspring, doubtless, of those sent in former days,
from the continent of India * as presents to the kings of Sulu. Those animals
avoid meeting with horned cattle, though they are not shy of horses. After
harvest the Sulus hunt the elephants and wild hog, endeavoring to destroy
them ♦ • ♦. Sulu has spotted deer, abundance of goats, and black cattle.
The pearl fishery « • ♦ proves also to the Sulus the cause of their con-
seciuence amongst their neighbors, as being a nursery for seamen, ready to man
a fleet of praus upon an emergjency ♦ ♦ «. The praus [boats] of the
Sulus are very. neatly built, from 6 to 40 tons burden, sail well, and are all
fitted with the tripod mast.* ♦ » »
The arts are in greater forwardness here than at Mindanao. * * * In
the common market is also a copper currency, a convenience much wanted at
Mindanao, where, as has been said, the market currency is rice.
The Sulus have in their families many Bisayan, some Spanish slaves, whom
they purchase from the Ilanun and Magindanao cruisers. Sometimes they
purchase whole cargoes, which they carry to Passir, on Borneo, where, if the
females are handsome, they are bought up for the Batavia market. The masters
sometimes use their slaves cruelly, assuming the power of life and death over
them. Many are put to death for trifling offenses, and their bodies left above
the ground. An attempt of elopement is here seldom pardoned, or indeed at
Magindanao. Yet, the distance being so small from either Sulu or Siangan,* to
the Spanish settlement, I have wondered how any stay, as they are not closely
confined.
The Bisayan slaves play often on the violin, and the Sulus are fond of
European music* I have seen the Sultan Israel, who was educated in Manila,
and his niece, ♦ * « dance a tolerable minuet. I have also seen the datus
go down a country dance, but as they wore heavy slippers, they did it clumsily.
The Sulus are not only neat in their clothes, but dress gaily. The men
go generally in white waistcoats, buttoned down to the wrist; with white
breeches, sometimes strait, sometimes wide. ♦ * • Both sexes are fond of
gaming. ♦ • ♦
In the cool of the evening, I had the pleasure of seeing the Sultan's niece and
another princess. They wore waistcoaats of fine muslin close fitted to their
bodies; their necks to the upper part of the breasts being bare. From the waist
downward they wore a loose robe, girt with an embroidered zone or belt about
the middle, with a large clasp of gold, and a precious stone. This loose robe
like a petticoat came over their drawers, and reached to the middle of the leg;
the drawers of fine muslin reaching to the ankle. They rode across with very
short stirrups, and wore their hair clubbed atop, Chinese fashion. They often
put sweet oils on their hair which give it a gloss. The ladies sat their horses
remarkably well; and this is an exercise women of fashion indulge all over
the island.
*'The Island Sulu is far from being large; but its situation between Mindanao
and Borneo makes it the mart of all the Moorish kingdoms. I do not find
that the Portuguese ever pretended to settle, much less to conquer these islands;
but they visited them frequently for the sake of trade; and in those days,
there was greater commerce in these parts than can well be imagined. For,
while the trade was open to Japan, there came from thence two or three ships
laden with silver, amber, silks, chests, cabinets, and other curiosities made of
sweet-scented woods, with vast quantities of silks, quilts, and earthenware, from
China. For these the merchants of Golconda exchanged their diamonds, those
of Ceylon their rubies, topazes,- and sapphires; from Java and Sumatra came
pepper, and spices from the Moluccas." (Harris' History of the Portuguese
Empire, p. 685.)
About fifteen datus • ♦ • make the greater part of the legislature.
* * * They sit in council with the Sultan. The sultan has two votes in this
assembly, and each datu has one. The heir apparent, * * * if he side
with the sultan, has two votes; but, if against him, only one. Tliere are two
representatives of the people, called mantiriSf like the military tribunes of the
Romans. The common people of Sulu • ♦ ♦ enjoy much real freedom, owing
to the above representation.
The state of Sulu is small, ♦ ♦ ♦ containing scarce above 60,000 in-
habitants; yet are these powerful, and have under them, not only most of the
islands that compose that Archipelago, but a great part of Borneo, some of
which they have granted to the English. They have the character of being
*One of the settlements forming the town of Kotabato.
'This was an erroneous impression. It no doubt seemed so to Captain Forrest who
Judged from his observations of Sultan Israel who acquired a taste for European music
In Manila.
treacherous*, and of endeavoring always to supply by fraud what they can not
effwt by force. • • ♦
Only seven years have elapsed since the Sultan of Kulan * * * on the
northeast of liorneo, was at war with the Sultan of lUiru, on the same coast.
One of them applied to the Sulus for assistance. The datus Alimud Din and
Nukila went; and watching their opportunity, attacked both the sultans, plun-
dered them, and carried them with their wivtrJ, children, and many of their
headmen to Sulu. Tliey were sometime after sent back, on condition that they
should become tributary, which they are at this day.
Tlie intentions of the Eiist India Company in fortifying Balanibangan
were regarded witli Biispieion by the Spaniards, who einploycHl every
method possible to incite hostilities between the Sulus and tlie English.
The English agents at Jolo won the sympathy of a party headetl by the
strong datus in chief command of the Sulu forces. The Spaniards had
the sultan and his party on their side. This question of national policy
was a matter of serious and important concern to the people. It stirred
lip the whole Sulu community, and party issues were ardently and
pul)licly discussed.
The jealousy which the English and Spaniards exhi bitted toward eiwh
other and the methods they used to secure alliance with Sulu, had the
effect of exciting the suspicion of the Sulus toward both nations.
Besides that, the Spanish officials at Zamboanga showed exceedingly
poor judgment, and their action aroused the indignation of all parties
in Sulu, and led to the renewal of hostilities.
In 1773 a majority of the leading datus favorcMl an alliance with
England against Spain. In 1775 the English party weakened and the
garrison of Balambangan was treacherously attacked and destroyed by
Sulu agents and forces secretly sent there by Sultan Israel and his
council. The conduct of the Sulus in this incident depixits very clearly
a marked trait of the Sulu character. A full description of this incident
is given herewith in the words of Captain Forrest, who had an intimate
knowledge of the conditions at Balambangan and the causes leading to
the massacre.
When John Herbert, esq. went to Balambangan early in the preceding year
[17741, he found great want of buildings to accommodate the company's ser-
vants, civil and military; those gentlemen who had just been saved from the
shipwreck of the Royal Captain on the shoals of Palawan, as well as the crew
of that ship. About this time, one Tating, a Sulu datu, and first cousin to
Sultan Israel, came with many of his vassals to Balambangan, offered his service
as a builder, was employed by Mr. Herl)ert, and, in the whole of his behavior,
gave satisfaction. The datu, falling sick, went home to Sulu for the recovery
of his health. This blessing soon obtained, he returned to the prosecution of his
task at Balambangan.
He now brought from the sultan and council letters recommending him as a
trustworthy person, to erect whatever warehouses or buildings might be wanted.
With bim came two other datus, Muluk and Nukila. But Datu Tating took
care to show only part of his numerous followers, concealing the rest in the
Island of Banguey, and even in some recesses of Balambangan, which, being
covered with wood, as those islands generally are, there was no great fear of
discovery.
Surmises, however, had some days begun to spread reports of a plot, while
Tating proceeded with such address, that the chief and council, who were not
without their suspicions, apprehended no danger very nigh.
During the night strict watch was kept all over the settlement. At dawn,
the gun, as usual, announced the morning, and for a few moments tranquillity
reigned. A house at some small distance suddenly fired proved the signal to the
Sulus. They rushed into the fort, killed the sentries, and turned the guns
against the Bugis guard. The few settlers, lately rendered fewer by death,
were fain to make their escape in what vessels they could find.*
The governor and five others escaped on board a vessel, leaving behind
a great quantity of arms and wealth. The English factors who were at
Jolo fled in a Chinese junk. In the same year Tating attempted a
similar attack on Zamboanga, but failed. During 1776 and 1777 he
and other Sulus harassed the Bisayas and ravaged the coast of Cebu.
