for the reason already given, and because he was a tributario to your Majesty, and has refused to pay tribute.  But with the few troops in these islands, no expedition can be made, nor do we who are in Manila feel at all secure, with the forces that we have in this kingdom.  There are many enemies and but few Spaniards, and the latter are dying in great numbers every day.  Also, for lack of troops, punishment has not been meted out for the insolence which, as I reported to your Majesty last year, had been perpetrated by the king of Mindanao.  In the past few days the Indians of Cibu have revolted, and have killed the encomenderos who were collecting the tribute, and other soldiers.  They seized the women, and detained them for a long time, until the alcalde-mayor of that island, with a number of friendly Indians and fifty or sixty Spaniards, attacked and chastised them.  Some were killed in the encounter, and those most guilty were hanged.  Thereupon the said alcalde-mayor wrote that that island was pacified.  It lies more than one hundred and fifty leagues from this city.  Later, on the seventh of last June, there came further advices from the said alcalde-mayor, to the effect that the natives of said islands, with other neighboring peoples, had conspired to burn the city, and kill all the Spaniards who might be there; and that several of the principal authors of the plot have been captured, and steps are being taken to arrest the others.  Your governor sent him instructions as to what he should do.

Four or five months ago two soldiers came from the city of Segovia, located in the province of Cagayan.  They were sent by the alcalde-mayor of that province, bringing word that the province was all in rebellion and that the Indians had killed many Spaniards.  The natives were so bold and daring that they entered into the city to murder and rob.  He begged for reenforcements of troops and ammunition, or that province would be depopulated.  It is the most important of these islands as it is the nearest to Japon and is within fifty leagues of the coast of China.  Reenforcements were sent by the master-of-camp, Pedro de Chaves, with four or five ships and fifty soldiers, besides what supplies and ammunition they could take.  We have received news of their arrival only.  The outcome of the expedition I will relate when it is over.  Captain Martin de Barrios was also slain by the Indians while he was collecting the tribute from his encomienda, together with other soldiers; and I am ready to certify that there are few places in these islands where the natives are not disaffected.  When there is any uprising they communicate with one another, make allies, and send messengers to keep up relations.  This is because the Indians know that there is but a small force of Spaniards, and that they are separated from one another, and that their punishments are not inflicted as they formerly were, under a military regime, but by a judicial order.