if the necessary steps were not taken the probability was that the large ship would not leave the place; and in order not to lose the ship and its artillery—­the master-of-camp decided to leave the bay immediately after having first asked full information concerning the towns upon its coast.  Thus we set sail in company with only the Chinese and their four vessels; these said that they had no articles of trade in their vessels except some large earthen jars and porcelain.  Many of the soldiers bartered trifles of little value with them in exchange for wax, which the Chinese greatly value and even buy with gold.  From what we could see and hear of them, the Chinese are a very humble people.  It seems that they observe among themselves a certain form of politeness and cleanliness.  They became great friends with us, and gave us letters of security, which consisted of white cloths that they had with them, upon which were painted the royal coat of arms.  They promised to come the next year to this river of Panay, and to establish trade with the Spaniards.  All that the Chinese asked was given them, which pleased them much, and they were shown the best possible treatment.  Then they left us, and, according to what they said, went to Mindoro.  The master-of-camp cast anchor in the port where we halted before; and there we remained another day, to see whether or not any of the natives would come to us for peace.  Seeing that no one came, the master-of-camp, fearing lest the northeast wind would cease, left the harbor with his vessels, for it would not be possible to do so when the southwest wind should blow.  He coasted past the towns which had made peace on the voyage hither, until the town of Balayan was reached.  Thence we despatched the junk to the island of Panae with Captain Juan de Salcedo, who had not yet recovered from his wound in the leg, and five or six sick soldiers.  The master-of-camp remained with the oared praus in order to win over all the towns which were desirous of peace.  Thus leaving them behind pacified and assured of friendship, he returned to the camp; for the governor had sent them by sea an advice-prau on the arrival of the fleet from Nueva Espana.  Such, then, are the events of this voyage.

[Endorsed:  “An account of the conquest and discovery of Manilla.”

“May eight, 1570.”  “Relation of the discovery of the island of Lucon, one of the western islands.”]

Act of Taking Possession of Luzon [33]

In the island called by the natives “Luzon the greater,” in a town and river of the same called Manila, on the sixth of June in the year one thousand five hundred and seventy, the honorable Martin de Goite, his Majesty’s master-of-camp in these Western Islands, declared before me, Hernando Riquel, chief government notary, and in the presence of the undersigned witnesses, that, inasmuch as—­a thing well and generally known—­his Excellency being in this river of Manila, with the men and ships accompanying