It appears
that when the government of Bohol was at its beginnings a year or more ago,
some 30 or 40 men calling themselves followers of Aguinaldo landed near Tubigon,
began to rob and plunder and force the peaceful Boholanos to join them in
a march upon Tagbilaran, the capital. By dint of threats an army of 500 or
600 men was thus collected, which proceeded south terrorizing the people.
They marched as far as Cortez, but not beyond; for the government at Tagbilaran
had gathered 300 or 400 armed men, and upon the advance of the raiders prepared
to meet them, at the same time issuing a proclamation promising pardon to
those who should desert the enemy's ranks. Many accepted this and the army
of the Cebuanos vanished away. This was, I believe, the last fighting or
[illegible] of that [nature?] in Bohol.
{81}
and girls at Tubigon, but we were not invited to inspect them. On the whole
Bohol is a peaceful little land and seems ever to have been so. In the time
of the Spaniards and during peace only a detachment of 12 men of the guardia
civil were kept there under a non-commissioned officer. After the revolution
against Spain broke out this was increased to 75 men but there was no
fighting.
So on the evening of April 3d (Tuesday) about 8 P.M. as we were
comfortably dining at the priest's house, the sergeant commanding the escort
came in to report the arrival of the banca and her men; and as my boat which
carried the mail to Cebu was already waiting for me I determined to start
as soon as the tide [served?], which proved to be about half past one in
the morning. Getting a few winks of uneasy sleep in the priest's bedroom
with Hale on the opposite side, I was called about half past one to walk
out to the banca lying near the end of the mole, on which [Carson?], [Farrice?],
and Francisco my native boy were already asleep. Nearly breaking my legs
in the holes between the stones, and on board almost falling through the
mats which covered parts of the outriggers, I found a place in the bows where
I could stretch out at the immanent [sic] risk of falling into the
sea [and so] dropped asleep (See letter to Gen'l [Gonly?]).
About three o'clock Wednesday April 4, we landed at Cebu, and I went again
to Evans house, the office of the Captain of the Port [Post?].
pp. 82-99 are blank
{100} [continued from p. 101]
dollars per month, of minister of Treasury 100 per month. Such was the
Provisional Republic which was to form part of Aguinaldo's Greater Republic.
The budget is in part as follows.
[The rest of the page has been clipped out.]
{101}
For working unloading boat, natives were relieved from [3?] days road labor.
History of Revolution and establishment of Gov't.
The Spaniards left in December <1898> taken off by a boat from Cebu,
and after that anarchy & confusion. People landed in the north <from
Cebu & levied contributions> and bands wandered over the island. All
sorts of impositions one man impersonated Rizal and caused himself to be
worshipped as the reincarnation of that patriot. That man was killed. <Men
were raised and drove the marauders out.> The present Presidente -- Mr.
Bernabe Reyes -- a part Chinese mestizo in appearance --
went to Manila and seeing Aguinaldo was asked to form a provincial government
He returned to Bojol called a popular election in the towns in January &
on June 11, 1899, the presidentes so elected met at Tagbilaran and elected
him President and three Councillors or Ministers to form his Cabinet &
execute the laws. There were the Minister of Justice, of the Treasury and
of the Army or Police. A budget was established the salary of the President
fixed at 208
{102}
Constitution given by Aguinaldo for most part same as others but
modified to suit Bojol.
In January 1899 met <in Tagbilaran, capital> Presidentes of all towns
-- the former presidentes -- Elected one President of the Provisional Republic
of Bohol, and 3 consejos or Councillors[:] of Laws; of
Revenues Treasury (taxes); of Police. These four constituted
the government. The [incumbents?] were to hold four years. The provisional
republic to be merged into the greater republic. The three councillors made
the laws and saw to their execution. Income from Cedula, or income tax of
which there were 10 classes; income also from ports; stamped paper as,
Good postal service.
Police numbered 570, about 40 guns [mostly?] now in Bojol. Church paid from
State revenues; regular budget made up, --
Contributions sent to Aguinaldo.
Schools?
President's name Reyes, mestizo <part> Chinese [&?] Chili
<Filipino>
{103}
Escutcheon read, Gobierno Republicano de Bohol. (Rising sun over mountains
colors red, white, blue,?
(Way decrees are promulgated. [Early?] guard
Escape of prisoners , the si, si, before;
Women remarkably virtuous, well fed well rounded. Presidente came down as
Aguinaldo's representative <the intercession of Florentino Morales of
Manila> Vaccination edict amongst first. Prohibition of sale of
Tuba to any one. Tuba fermented juice of cocoanut heavier than beer. Houses
to be cleaned [beneath?], another edict. 13 children vaccinated
Drums <sepulchral>, lantern, 3 or 4 soldiers with spear, reader or
crier.
Presidente's salary 208 pesos per month.
Each of Council rather more than half.
Much road work done, new roads built.
10 days work on roads required per year
Priests pay from State 60 pesos per month.
Spaniards very few probably left about November '98. No Spaniards now to
be seen.
Bullock or cow now sold at 14 pesos. Lent kept very strictly no meat sold.
Tarif [sic].