learned of gold and mines.  On March 5, 1567, the large frigate was completed and launched, and it was named “Espiritu Santo.”  An expedition was despatched to the island of Gigantes in search of pitch for the boats. [76] “What we call pitch in this region is a resin from which the natives make candles in order to use in their night-fishing, and is the same as the copal of Nueva Espana, or at the most differs from it very little in color, smell, and taste; but it is very scarce, and occurs in but few places, and is found with great trouble.”  None was found here, and a boat-load of rice was brought instead from Panay, On the anniversary of the finding of the child Jesus in Cebu, the twenty-eighth of April, one of the two boats that had been despatched to the coasts of Mindanao under command of the master-of-camp returned with news of his death from fever, and anger at an attempted mutiny.  Two soldiers who were supposed to be ringleaders were sent back with the frigate and the “San Juan” was following as rapidly as possible.  The attempted mutiny was due to the master-of-camp’s prohibiting any trading or buying of cinnamon.  Martin Hernandez, a Portuguese, was the leader and the mutiny was smothered by his hanging.  Martin de Goyti was appointed to the vacant position of master-of-camp, “for he was entirely trustworthy, and had much experience in matters of war.”  Besides the master-of-camp, fifteen or sixteen others died, which the physician declared was the result of eating too much cinnamon.  The new master-of-camp executed two soldiers and one sailor, who were found to be, after Hernandez, most concerned in the mutiny.

The “San Juan” was despatched to New Spain to carry despatches and to beg aid.  At the same time, July 10, came two boats from the Moluccas with letters to Legazpi from the Portuguese commanders inviting the Spaniards to their islands.  From these Portuguese it was learned that they proposed a speedy descent upon the settlement.  The Spaniards were but ill prepared for such a thing.  “All this risk and danger has been caused by the delay in receiving aid from that Nueva Espana.  May God pardon whomsoever has been the cause of so great delay and so many hardships!” [77] (Tomo iii, no. xxxix, pp. 91-225).  Cebu, circa 1566.  A petition to the king bearing signatures of Martin de Goiti, Guido de Labezari, Andres Cauchela, Luis de la Haya, Gabriel de Rribera, Juan Maldonado de Berrocal, Joan de la Isla, and Fernando Rriquel, sets forth the following requests:  1.  That ecclesiastics be sent to Cebu, “for the preaching of the holy gospel and the conversion of the natives,” as only three of those first sent remain, namely, Fray Diego, Fray Martin de Herrada, and Fray Pedro He Gamboa. 2.  More men, and arms and ammunition for five or six hundred men, so that if the natives will not be converted otherwise, they may be compelled to it by force of arms. 3.  That due rewards be granted Legazpi for his faithful service. 4.  The confirmation and perpetuation of the appointments