[Endorsed at beginning:  “Rel_on_ De Las nueuas quescriuen delas yslas del poni_te_ herDo rrequel scriu_o_ degouernacion dellas y otros Cuyos Cartas binieron e Vno de dos nauios que partieron del puerto de manila a primero del mes de Julio de 1573. a_o_s y surgio enel puerto de Acapulco desta nueua spana, a 15. de nouj_e_. del dho ano.”]

[Endorsed at end:  “Nuebas Delas yslas phelipp_a_s.” In another hand:  “anos 1573 y 1574 Noticias de las Yslas del poniente hoy Filipinas y de la china escritas por Hernando Requel Secretario de la Gobernacion de ellas, y otros en el ano de 1573. enviadas desde Mexico el ano 1574. adonde las dirigio.”]

News from the Western Islands by Hernando Riquel and Others

I have always given advices of affairs hereabout, and therefore do so at the present, referring to some things which have happened since I last wrote—­a letter sent by the last ships which arrived in that kingdom in the year 1570.  I will mention the most notable events, leaving other and unimportant matters for other writers who may be less occupied than I; and I refer you to the captains, passengers, and other persons who go in these ships.

On the seventeenth of November of the year 1570, the governor Miguel Lopez de Legaspi left the river of Panai for Cubie. [80] According to the orders given him by his Majesty, he established a town of fifty inhabitants, to whom he allotted repartimientos of Indians, [81] with the approbation of the provincial, Fray Martin de Herrada, and of the master-of-camp and the captains.

After establishing this town [82] he returned to Panae, where, after his arrival, he remained until he prepared for the expedition to Manila—­a city in the island of Luzon, and at present the principal settlement and camp of his Majesty.  He set out on the sixteenth of April of the year one thousand five hundred and seventy-one, on Easter Monday.  They embarked on the galley called “La Leona de Espana,” completed in that season.  On the way, they were detained thirty-two days before arriving at the said town of Manila.  Before arriving there, and at about four leagues’ distance, there came a spy sent by the chiefs to ascertain the purpose of the Spaniards in going thither.  He was told by the governor that his purpose was one wholly of peace and friendship; and that, in order to confer about this more conveniently, and further to please the chiefs and natives, he was coming in person.  The spy appeared greatly pleased at this, and then it was explained how the governor happened to go there, as has been said.  He was well satisfied thereat, and, having received some presents from his Lordship, he returned to his people.  The governor continued his voyage toward the port, with a mild and favoring wind.  As the spy had not yet returned, the people of the town, as soon as they perceived us, commenced to set the houses on fire.  As soon as the spy came, he made them put out the fire, explaining that