Notwithstanding their Secrecy some Discovery was made. John de Talavera, [Discovery of it.] Curate of the Village of Quiapo, inform'd the Arch-Bishop, that an Indian Woman, with whom a Sangley, or Chinese, was in Love, had discover'd to him the Plot laid for S. Francis's Day. It was also reported, that a Woman-Black had said, there would be a great Slaughter, and another Conflagration, like the former, on S. Francis's Night. These and other Advices were presently made known to the Governour and Council. A sufficient Proof was to see the Chineses sell all, to their very Shoes, and compound their Debts, tho' this was rather lookt upon as a Design to [The Governour's Precautions.] be gone, than to commit any Treason. To dispell their Fear of the Spaniards and Japoneses, the Governour made them some Speeches himself, and caus'd the same to be proclaim'd in all Parts, ingaging the King's Faith and Security; but nothing was of Force to quiet them. Three Days before the Feast of S. Francis, above 400 Anhayes Merchants stay'd in the City, because they could not dispose of their Goods. These seeing the others in Disorder, on Account of the Report, that the Spaniards and Japoneses design'd to massacre them, sent a Message to the Governour, by Chican, [Anhayes in Fear, assur'd.] one of the Province of Anhay, or Chincheo, whereof that City is Head. He came to him by Night, for Fear of the other Chineses; and acquainted him with the Dread, and Confusion they were in, without knowing what Course to take, and therefore they came to him for Advice and Protection. He having hear'd him, gave all possible Security in his Answer, and the next Day went himself to talk to his Companions, whom he satisfy'd in a very obliging Manner, assuring them, that the Spanish Nation never was guilty of executing, or consenting to such Villanies. This Discourse satisfy'd them; but still those who had Mischief in their Hearts did not desist.
The Sangleyes, or Chineses live there in a separate Quarter, which the Arabs call Alcayceria, and the People of the Philippines, Parian. On S. Francis's Eve, a great Number of them met in a House half a League from [Parian the Chinese Quarter.] the City, where there is a Sugar Work: The House stands in a Thicket, which belongs to the Sangley Governour. Those who began first to gather there, were the Gardiners of the Quarter of Parian. Don Lewis Perez [First meeting of the mutinous Chineses.] de las Marinhas had Advice of it, from the Dominicans of Minondo. Don Lewis had Charge of the Christian Sangleyes, and sent Word to Don Pedro de Acunna. Minondo is a Town inhabited by Chineses opposite to Manila, the River only parting them. From Minondo the Chinese Dwellings run on, as far as another Town of the Natives, call'd Tondo; and in the [Minondo a Town of Chineses.] Quarter of the Chineses, there is a strong Monastery of Augustinians, all of Stone. Not far from it the Dominicans have two, but wooden Buildings. The Governour, to be fully inform'd of the whole Truth, sent thither Baptist [Tondo a Town of Natives.] before mention'd, Governour of the Sangleyes, of whom he had a great Opinion, and all Men lookt upon him as a sincere Christian, and loyal Subject to the King. He charg'd him to speak to them in his Name, and to convince [Baptist, the Chinese Governour sent to appease them.] them how little Cause they had to fear, as knowing how peaceable the Spaniards were. Baptist undertook this Commission, went to the Sugar Work, which was his own, spoke to his People as he thought fit, and return'd very late with the Answer, telling Don Pedro, that he had been in Danger of being chosen their Chief, and that his People would have forc'd him to accept of it. That it was true, they were assembled together, and strong, but that it was all occasion'd by the Fear they had conceiv'd of the Spaniards; and that they had display'd several Colours with Chinese Characters on them, which, being translated, contain'd these Words.