Great-great Grandfather Florencio Docs

filename – florencio.01

DON ALEJANDRO BLOND OF PRADELLES FIRST COMMANDER OF INFANTRY KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF SAINT HERMENEGILDO AND OF ISABELA THE CATHOLIC POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THIS DISTRICT I HEREBY CERTIFY that Don Florencio Enriquez, the recent magistrate of this town from the year 1861 to 1862, and who has formerly held various municipal posts, has performed his assignment with the commendations called to my attention as valid and trustworthy. I have always found him disposed to carry out my orders with the greatest exactness, even though he may have been under the pressure of utmost fatigue and discouragement. His constant vigilance in the well-being of the area has been so complete that one could minutely observe the orders that he issued for preventing the settlement from the fires that are so very common in these islands. One cannot but recall the case during the period of my administration that could have caused the ruin of any family. But due to his alertness, it was instantly brought under control as he took active part in the suppression of an escape planned by some prisoners who were detained in the tribunal for an act of piracy which took place on December 22, 1861. In February of 1862, he was commissioned by me to safeguard the coastlines of this District which was threatened by pirates from Basilan who came periodically to menace the territories of this province of Zamboanga. This resulted in the arrest of seven Moslem pirates who were tried by Royal Court Martial. In this same year, sixty-three, being attacked by these same pirates of Basilan, I was obliged to establish a line of defense that began a the southern point of the island of Sacol and extended along the entire Bay of Sibuguey, ending at the post of Masinloc. Within this network of communication and defense, under the guns of the native infantrymen and local citizens of Zamboanga, which were in turn under the command of Don Florencio Enriquez, the Moslems of the barrios of Sacol and Magay, under the able direction of Don Alejo Alvarez, interpreter of this post and commissary of the barrios of the Moslems already mentioned, the infidel race suffered a misfortune and a defeat that it will always remember. On every occasion, and even after having left his concern to the municipality, the aforementioned Don Florencio, was always found willing to sacrifice many hours of labour to public service, just as he is at present on the Masinloc road where he gives his personal assistance from morning until night, directing the work and lending his oxen which are needed for the project. He can do this because it is his own property.

In order that it may serve at the request of he who stands in need of it, I hereby release this certificate so that it may be of value to whatever is to his convenience. May it also serve unto him as a reward. Zamboanga on the 25th day of May, 1863.

(SGD.)

ALEJANDRO BLOND

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

filename - florencio.02

DON ALEJANDRO BLOND Y PRADELLES 1ST COMMANDER OF INFANTRY KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF ST. HERMENEGILDO AND OF THE ORDER OF ISABELA THE CATHOLIC POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THIS DISTRICT, ETC.ETC.ETC.

HAVING RESOLVED that in the insular group and locale of the mainland known as Panubign, there is hereby and definitely to be established a non-resident mission settlement pertaining to this capital and comprised of Christians, Moslem Samals, and Subanon natives, we hereby accede to their wish that they be placed under the protection of the Government. Those that have presented themselves at that place number up to thirty two Samal families, some of which come from the island of Sacol while others, which have recently come in, came from Lutanga Island and other areas. I have appointed Don Florencio Enriquez in order that he might go in magisterial capacity, to the place designated on the mainland accompanied by ten or twelve men of his trust and construct a centre in the area to serve as the base of the new settlement. This is to be done without incurring the inconvenience of the local inhabitants that are already settled on the island in question. It will be the obligation of this settlement to supervise territorial waters in which the Moslem pirates of southern Basilan have always been known to take refuge and build their hideways. Even those from Sulu periodically come to these shores. Once the said Mr. Enriquez is to agree to these terms and also Don Ramon Torres, the magistrate of Sacol, there will, in turn, be recommended to be a person most capable and having the legal preparedness for assuming the office of barangay captain in the said settlement. However, Don Florencio Enriquez as well as Don Ramon Torres are to cooperate in the prompt organization of the same. Once Enriquez is in the place in question and has established, built a centre wherein he has taken possession and raised the national flag as has also been accomplished in other areas, the first responsibility to be undertaken after his being appointed will be to prolong time from then until such time as the said Enriquez active as first Administrator of the settlement in question, will be able to submit weekly reports concerning the progress of the building and the increase of the population. He is to observe at first hand any occurrence that may merit the

attention of this Administration, always taking care to be in frequent communication with the settlements of Curuan and Bolong, inasmuch as it will be a place midway between both.

A copy of these instructions is to be made and sent to the settlements of Curuan, Bolong, and to the Magistrate of Sacol, Don Ramon Torres. Information regarding the same will be given to the RCS of Luntangan for any uses to his convenience. Zamboanga June 6, 1863.

(SGD.)

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

ALENJANDRO BLOND

filename - florencio .03

DON FELIX GONZ Y RUIZ CHECA POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE 1ST DISTRICT OF MINDANAO

I HEREBY CERTIFY that Don Florencio Enriquez, the current magistrate of this capital, has demonstrated exemplary conduct and complete exactness in the exercise of his duties. Morever, he has shown enthusiasm in complying with the orders sent forth by this Administration without incurring any reaction capable of straining his honour, during the period of April 11th , when he was elected magistrate, until the present. For any means to his convenience, I hereby release this certification dated the 9th day of March, 1866.

(SGD.)

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

FELIX GONZ Y RUIZ CHECA

filename - florencio .04

DON GREGORIO TENORIO Y DE LA TORRE COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL AND DISTINGISHED SPANISH ORDER OF CHARLES III AND 1ST COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF ISABELLA, THE CATHOLIC, KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL ORDER AND MILITARY ORDER OF ST. HERMENEGILDO --- POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO AND ADJOINING AREAS, ETC. ETC.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that during the period of my command in this island, I have been highly satisfied with the brilliant aptitude and mind that I have observed in Don Florencio Enriquez, the present Magistrate of this capital. He was elected and dutifully complied in the issuance of orders to his subordinates and in the general discharge of his duties by initiating many improvements in law-enforcement and the maintenance of public order. At the request of the applicant and that it may be for whatever is to be his convenience, I hereby release this certification on the twenty-seven day of May, 1866. (SGD.) GREGORIO TENORIO

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

filename - florencio .05

DON GUEREMON PRAT Y SALAS FIRST INFANTRY COMMANDER POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO I HEREBY CERTIFY that Don Florencio Enriquez, the outgoing magistrate of this capital, has exercised his assignment in an exemplary, exact, punctual, and able manner. Inasmuch as this official is of the kind who is dedicated to the common good, he has therefore laboured constantly for the public interest. He has constructed new street s and has enthusiastically planned even better ones for the progress of this area At his request, and for purposes to his convenience, I hereby release this certification in Zamboanga on the 24th day of July, 1867.

(SGD.)

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

GUEREMON PRAT

filename - florencio .06

VALID FOR TWO YEARS ( 1864 - 1865 ) VALID FOR TWO YEARS ( 1868 - 1869 ACCORDING TO SEAL NO. 3 ) DON EDUARDO CASANOVA, HEAD MAYOR OF HIS MAJESTY AND FIRST FISCAL JUSTICE OF THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA

I HEREVY CERTIFY that Don Florencio Enriquez was the former magistrate of this District during the period of my tenure of this mayorship. Be it therefore known that from the 22nd of October, 1865, to July 1st , 1867, he has complied with the duties concerning his particular responsibility in a good and efficient manner by demonstrating an aptitude of efficiency and honesty in the performance of the same as well as in the prompt administration of justice. For these reasons he has deemed himself worthy of my confidence and esteem in order that I may hereby release this certification in Zamboanga as of September, 1868. (SGD.) EDUARDO CASANOVA

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

filename - florencio.07

DON JUAN COLLAS Y CESETA KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF ST. HERMENEGILDO LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND GRADUATE COMMANDER OF INFANTRY, POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE DISTRICT OF ZAMBOANGA I HEREBY CERTIFY that the former captain of the settlement, Don Florencio Enriquez, was one of those who went forth I pursuit of certain convicts who escaped from Fort Pilar at this post on the 15th day of last September , wherein he demonstrated courage and resourcefulness. At this request I hereby release this certification in Zamboanga, on the 23rd day of October, 1872. (SGD.) JUAN COLLAS Y CESETA

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

filename - florencio .08

DON JOSE DE VERA Y MORALES LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND GRADUATE COMMANDER WITH RANK OF KNIGHT POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THIS DISTRICT

HEREBY CERTIFIES that Don Florencio Enriquez, official of this city, has occupied the position of magistrate during the two-year period of 1873-75, under supreme authorization of the Political and Military Governor of Mindanao, from the 6th day of May, 1874, on which he assumed the position, to June 9th of the same year wherein resignation was tendered by Don Bernardo Fuentevilla. He thereupon assumed the same position of the said responsibility in the newly-created settlement of Santa Maria on the 27th of July, 1876. This place was accomplished by petition made to the Governor General of these Islands on May 23rd of the same year up to the completion of the two-year period of 1875 to ’77. He has performed his duties to the full satisfaction of this Administration as is evident by the many times that he has been elected Magistrate of this City. In order that it may serve his convenience and the application of the same, I hereby extend this certification in Zamboanga on the 5th day of August, 1877. (SGD.) JOSE DE VERA

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

filename - florencio.09

THE ASSITANT POLITICAL AND MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THIS DISTRICT HEREBY CERTIFIES that according to antecedent and other documents functioning within this Administration, Don Florencio Enriquez, official of this settlement, has performed lately as in Interim magistrate of this Administration from the 4th day of last October until the present time. During this period of time, he has discharged his responsibility with untiring zeal, energetic effort, and constancy. He has always complied faithfully with whatever orders have been required by this Administration, concerning lawenforcement, the improvements of public roads, and of public welfare in this locality, as well as the realization of various degrees of public service the actions of which have always been satisfactory to this Administration and to other authorities of this Island. For this reason, I hereby give the best of praise and recommendation to the applicant to occupy in fullest terms, the responsibility that he has just performed with the greatest selfless effort and abnegation, not only at the present period but also in the past, wherein he has also exercised the same commitment many times, thus affirming, at the same time, that his conduct, both private and public life, as well as his honesty are without flaw and leaving nothing to be desired. In order that it may affirm and meet the needs found convenient to the applicant, I hereby release this certification affixed with the Seal of the Administration in Zamboanga on the 20th day of November, 1882. (SGD.) Translated from Spanish by John Burton

JOSE MARQUEZ

filename - florencio .10

DON ISIDRO SOPHEZ GRADO RANK OF HOLDING THE CHIEF MAYOR AND 1ST INSTANCE JUSTICE OF THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA AND THE DISTRICT OF ISABELA OF BASILAN AND SULU AND DUE TO THE LACK OF A PUBLIC SCRIBE HEREBY ACTS ACCORDINGLY BEFORE ACCOMPANYING WITNESSES

I HEREBY CERTIFY that Don Florencio Enriquez Y Salomon, resident and official of this city, from the 4th day of last October until the twenty-first of the current month, wherein he has performed the responsibility of interim Magistrate of the same, has zealously and actively complied with whatever duties, orders, and commissions were assigned to him by the Jurisdiction. He was always prompt in cooperating with efficient administration of justice. In order that it may meet with his convenience, I hereby release, at his request, this certification sealed and signed with the accompanying undersigned signatures. Affixed with the zeal of Zamboanga on the 22nd day of November, 1882, we hereby attest to its veracity.

(SGD.) ISIDRO SOPHEZ GRADO

(SGD.) BLAS DE SAAVEDRA FIGUEROA

Translated from Spanish by John Burton

(SGD.) ABRAN