The instructions that Captain Grabiel de Rivera must observe in the expedition that he is about to make, at my command, to the island and river of Mindanao, are as follows.

First, you shall go to the port of Cubu, where are the artillery and ships of his Majesty brought from Borney by Captain Esteban Rodriguez, and the other supplies left there by him.  You shall take all of these supplies that you may need for your expedition as well as the necessary soldiers and food.  The soldiers shall be taken from the inhabitants of the said city, and from the soldiers taken for the said expedition by Captain Juan Lopez de Aguirre.  This latter shall deliver his men to the magistrate there.  You shall choose from them such men as you desire, since you have the affair in hand.  You shall try to take some men belonging to the captain and chief named Quilantan, as, they tell me, he is acquainted in the river of Bindanao.

As you know, Captain Esteban Rodriguez went last year by my orders to pacify the river of Mindanao.  Because of the lack of provisions, the current of the river, and other causes, he did not carry out my wishes—­namely, to explore that river and all its environs personally, and to wait there some little time to try to get them to make peace.  I ordered him to represent to the natives how advantageous it would be for them to become his Majesty’s vassals and our allies.  He was ordered to treat them well, and to use kind methods and persuasion with them; and not to use force, or plunder them, burn their houses, or do any other damage to them.  And that they might become friends, he was not to ask tribute from them, and should exercise no force in this regard.  He was merely to tell them of his Majesty’s heavy expenses in this land, and the many hardships endured by the Spaniards in going to civilize them, and to teach them how to live in accordance with the law of nature, so that they might understand the chief requirements—­namely, to become Christians and recognize the true God, who created and redeemed them; and in order that they might cease to do evil to their neighbors, and to commit other cruelties and robberies.  And it is just that, since so much is spent by his Majesty, and by the Christians who go there, that the natives should on their side aid somewhat, since they benefit thereby.  But the said captain was ordered that whatever they gave should be decided by the natives themselves.  In observance of this the said Esteban Rodriguez did them no injury whatever; but they fled.  And because, when the Spaniards went to attempt to pacify them, as I have heard, the natives killed those who went as ambassadors to them (among whom was a vassal of his Majesty from the island of Jolo), you will investigate this matter in the city of Nombre de Jesus among the soldiers who went on that expedition, in order that you may have the necessary foreknowledge.  And if they really killed those who went on an embassy to them—­a barbarous and cruel act—­and