A letter from Legazpi (July 1, 1569) to the viceroy of New Spain describes the difficulties between the Portuguese and Spaniards at Cebu, and complains of Pereira’s hostile actions there.  The settlement has been removed to Panay; they send their only remaining ship to New Spain, to entreat aid in their distress and imminent danger, for the Portuguese threaten to drive the Spaniards out of the Philippines.  All the expense hitherto incurred will be wasted unless a permanent and suitably-equipped settlement be made at some good port.  If supplies cannot be sent, Legazpi asks for ships with which to transport the Spaniards home, and wishes to resign his office as governor.  With this letter he sends an account of the islands, “and of the character and condition of their inhabitants.”  The natives are unreliable, and utterly slothful.  Cinnamon is the only product of the islands which can be made profitable to the Spaniards, until they can secure control of the gold mines, and have them worked.  Legazpi offers practical advice as to the best methods of treating the natives, conducting commerce, etc.  His title of governor in Cebu is confirmed (August 14, 1569) by royal decree.

A letter from Fray Diego de Herrera (January 16, 1570) to Felipe ii gives a brief account of events since Legazpi arrived at the islands.  He praises the courage and loyalty of the soldiers, and asks the king to reward them; and asserts that the hostilities of the Portuguese must be checked before much can be done to convert the natives.  A document without signature narrates the events of “the voyage to Luzon” in May, 1570.  It is a simple but picturesque account of the campaign which resulted in the conquest of Luzon and the foundation of Spanish Manila—­evidently written by one who participated in those stirring events.  The Moros (Mahometans) of Manila profess a readiness to make a treaty of peace with the Spaniards; but they treacherously begin an attack on the latter—­which, however, results in their own defeat.  The Spaniards capture the city and set it on fire, which compels the Moros to abandon it.  The victors make compacts of peace with the neighboring villages, and return to Panay.  Illustrative of this episode is the “act of taking possession of Luzon,” dated June 6, 1570.

A letter from Legazpi to the king (July 25, 1570) outlines the events of the past year.  He renews his entreaties for some light-oared vessels, in which he could send exploring parties through the archipelago.  In pursuance of a royal order, he sends back to Mexico the Portuguese who are among his troops; but he cannot banish the other foreigners, as they include his best workmen.  He asks royal favor and rewards for some of his officers.  On October 21 of the same year, he despatches to the king a formal complaint that Pereira had again appeared at the Spanish settlement (now in Panay), and demolished its fortifications.

A writer unknown gives an outline of the controversies regarding the Line of Demarcation, and of the Spanish discoveries in the Philippines, and the voyages made between the archipelago and Mexico, up to 1571.  Lists of supplies needed [1571?] for the struggling colony forcibly indicate the difference between the wants of civilized Europeans and those of the semi-barbarous tribes in the Philippines.