Two letters from Lavezaris (July 17 and 30, 1574) give account of the past year’s events.  Juan de Salcedo has conquered the rich province of Los Camarines in Luzon; and the governor will try to found a Spanish settlement there.  The town founded at Cebu was almost deserted by the Spaniards; but Lavezaris obliges them to return thither and aids them in their poverty.  He hopes to establish commerce with Borneo and eventually to found a Spanish post in that island; and has other plans for increasing the domination of Spain in the East Indies.  Juan de Salcedo has subdued the province of Ilocos, and founded the town of Fernandina.  The Chinese trade is steadily increasing.  The natives of Luzon are being rapidly converted, and missionaries are needed to care for their souls; Lavezaris especially recommends the Theatins for this work.  He forwards a cargo of cinnamon to the king, to which he adds various curiosities, and specimens of oriental jewelry; and sends to New Spain certain plants and roots of economic value, which he desires to introduce there.  He has been obliged to send Mirandaola to New Spain under arrest; so the office of factor is vacant, and should be filled.  An attorney-general is also needful in the islands.  Lavezaris complains of the Augustinian friars for opposing the collection of tributes from the natives.  Some reenforcements have come from New Spain.  Upon receiving this letter, the royal Council orders that arrangements be made to furnish necessary supplies for the islands from New Spain.  Another copy of the document is forwarded to Spain, to which, as it goes on a later vessel, the governor adds some further items of news.  Salcedo has pacified not only Los Camarines, but Albay and the island of Catanduanes.  The prospect is excellent for the establishment and prosperity of Spanish colonies in the island of Luzon.  The governor sends with his letter maps of Luzon and the coast of China.  A letter (undated) from Lavezaris enumerates the reasons for which persons are enslaved among the native tribes.  He advises that the Spaniards adopt this institution; otherwise, “this land cannot be preserved.”

An undated letter (1575?) by the same official, to the viceroy of New Spain, mentions the orders given by the latter that all Indians and negroes carried from the islands must be returned.  Some Chinese junks have been seized and pillaged.  As a result, the trade which was flourishing between the Spaniards and the Moros of Luzon has been almost destroyed for the time—­a serious matter, for the Moros supply the Spaniards with provisions.  Lavezaris asks that more married men be sent to the islands.  Some remarkably fine pearls have been obtained near Bantayan.  He asks the viceroy to provide him with a cipher code for future communications.