On July 27, he left Panae for Nueva Spana, with two of the three ships which the other had brought, and reached the port of Acapulco in Nueva Espana, November 21, 1570.  January 25, 1571, he left Sant Juan de Lua, and reached Sant Lucas April 17, 1571.  Through an advice-ship sent by the viceroy, Juan de la Ysla was requested to set sail with the two ships, not later than the month of February.  The time to set out from Nueva Spana is from the beginning of November to the latter part of January; the voyage will last two months.  The time to set out for Nueva Espana is from the end of July to the beginning of August; the voyage will last three months.

Requisitions of Supplies for the Spanish Forces in the Philippines—­1570-71 (circa)

Memorandum of the articles asked for by the governor of the Felipinas islands—­with a note of what can be supplied from Nueva Espana, and what must be brought from Espana.  This memorandum was brought last year by the advice ships. [37]

First, he asks for rigging.  We must buy some of that brought by the merchant fleet; for none was sent here from Espana on his Majesty’s account.  A supply must be sent, for it is very expensive here.

(Six hundred and forty-five arrobas and fourteen libras of small rigging were taken.)

They ask also for pitch.  It will be sent from here

(A large quantity of pitch and tar was taken.)

Tow.  We have very little of it in this country.

(There were taken cxxxvii arrobas of tow, and cvii arrobas of old rigging for the same purpose.)

Saltpetre.  We shall send what we have from here.

(Six quintals, nine libras were taken, because they need it there only to refine the powder; likewise xi arrobas of sulphur.)

Powder.  We have it here.

(There were taken cl quintals [38] and three arrobas.)

Two shipmasters to build ships and galleys.  Shipmasters are not to be found in this land.

(Only one carpenter was taken, for we could not supply more.)

Twelve carpenters for the same purpose.  We shall look for them here although it will be difficult to find any.

Twelve calkers.  They also will be supplied from the merchant ships.

(Four were taken.)

Two overseers.  They will be procured here.

(Enough men were sent for that purpose.)

Galley captains who know how to make lateensails.  They are not to be found in this land, unless some come on the merchant ships.

Fifty bombardiers.  There are none here, except those who are in the port.  We shall try to send some.

(Five were taken, and these are sufficient; for Robles, who went there as artillery founder after having served all his life in these royal houses, will instruct enough of the soldiers going from here so that they may serve whenever it is necessary.)