from India with two hundred Portuguese did not arrive;
and the Moros had fortified themselves, together with
many Jabos [Javanese], Turks, and those of other nationalities.
There was also negligence on the part of Diego de
Acambuja, the commander of that fort, [12] by whose
order this aid was sent, in accordance with the commands
of his Majesty. Some suspicions were entertained
of this commander and there were indications that
he did not wish the war to end, because the bartering
in cloves and the trade thereabout would also come
to an end, as your illustrious Lordship will see by
the accompanying relation. Although in our camp
there was great eagerness to attack the Moro, nothing
was accomplished—a result partly due to
the controversies between Captain Pereyra, whom his
Majesty had commanded to take charge of the place,
and Diego de Acambuja, who held it, over the latter’s
surrender of the fort. I have been assured by
persons who have witnessed the affair, and I have
so understood, that, should his Grace desire not to
abandon that holding and to keep the government of
Maluco in the power of Castilians, there will be great
difficulty in winning it. No more aid can be
sent from here unless his Grace supply aid to this
country, with an allowance for the former object—as
is done in Florida, which is of less importance.
Provision should be made for sending troops and arms,
since his Grace has not enough in the royal treasury
for our needs here, and there are no more troops than
are needed for defense. I beseech your illustrious
Lordship thus to explain the affair to his Majesty.
In regard to Don Diego de Alcaraso, I have no merit
in favoring and advancing him, since he deserves it,
and is extremely judicious and a thorough gentleman.
He is supported without any trouble or annoyance whatever.
He is the governor in the fort at Mindoro, and is at
present in this city. Don Pedro de Angulo has
not arrived from Maluco, and, as to affairs there,
I am particularly anxious in his behalf. For
some months I have had Bustamante employed at a salary
which he still enjoys, and now that I know that your
Lordship is pleased with this I shall put him in a
better place. Captain Machuca has been guilty
of great stupidity, for as he was about to depart to
take charge of the governorship of a fort, provided
and appointed according to his deserts, he got married,
and not as well as I could have wished. I shall
give a present to Father Pina, as your Lordship orders.
Your illustrious Lordship grants me grace so often
that I can only show my gratitude by beseeching our
Lord to keep your Lordship for the many years necessary,
and during which I would have you live. I well
realize the favor done my daughter, and it is enough
that your Lordship has shown her kindness, to have
all the nuns do the same.