The past year we were informed that the Indian chiefs of this district had met together at different times to discuss rebellion against your royal service, and the death of all the Spaniards in these islands, and the mastery of this land which was enjoyed by their forefathers.  At the time when this happened there was in this city a Japanese captain, who had come here ostensibly for trading and carrying on commerce.  The natives made arrangements with him to come to their aid with ships and soldiers.  They were to give him part of the land, and would send messengers to the king of Borney and other principal Indians of other provinces, in order that they might come to their assistance.  They swore very solemnly according to their custom to keep and fulfil the agreement.  They chose a king, captains, and officers of war; and weapons were made in secret.  On the discovery of their treachery and plots, the principal chiefs were arrested; seven or eight of them were hanged and beheaded, and their property confiscated.  Many others were exiled, some from their villages, and others to Nueva Espana who sail in this ship.  By this punishment it seems as if the people have become somewhat cowed.  May God aid us, and free us from so many dangers to which we are exposed.  This land will be lost and ruined if your Majesty does not expressly order a goodly number of soldiers to be sent here, and that something be paid to the men for their support.  It is pitiful to see them die of hunger, and if they are not paid no soldiers will care to come here, to be in captivity; and we are dying off very fast.  Your Majesty should not permit such a thing; for, although this land is of much cost and no profit, it is a foothold and stepping-stone by which to enter the realms of Great China.  For this it is very important to learn that language, and for some religious of the orders of St. Augustine and St. Dominic to teach the Chinese in that tongue, since in that wise they will become fond of our religion.  May God bring this to pass, later.  It would tend greatly to the preservation of the soldiers, should your Majesty order your viceroy of Nueva Espana to send a doctor to these islands, although he should be given a salary from your royal treasury of Nueva Espana.  For lack of a physician and of someone who knows how to cure sickness, many of the people die—­especially the soldiers and sailors, who have few comforts.

Your Majesty’s galleys in this city are useless, and serve for nothing whatever.  It will be more profitable and less costly to have a couple of small ships and another couple of armed fragatas.  This can be done if your Majesty will order them to be built, and the galleys to be broken up.