Letter from Francisco Tello to Felipe II

Sire: 

Through God’s help, I entered the channel of these islands on the third of June of this present year, 1596.  As the weather was bad, it was was necessary for me to make port at Ybalon, where I was forced to remain several days, because of contrary winds.  Considering that this condition of affairs might endure longer, I determined to go overland to Manila; and did so, although with considerable hardship, as the country was completely overflowed on account of the heavy rains.  However, I derived some advantage from this, for I thus saw a portion of the country and its products.  It was of advantage in enabling me to master the affairs of the country, and to know what things it is advisable to provide to put it in good condition.  I entered Manila on the fourteenth of July.  As this letter is being written only three days after my arrival in this city, I cannot inform your Majesty thoroughly of the condition of this community.  But my first sight of it has honestly pleased me very much.  God and your Majesty must be thanked fervently, that in lands so remote and obscure the name and religion of God exists, and the authority and power of your Majesty; and this with so great hopes and disposition of being able to work great things, worthy the royal soul and heart of your Majesty.  For this object I think we shall need troops, arms, and money, which is the common strength.  Also I found the colony somewhat weak both in its forces and in the faulty system and arrangement of its fortifications.  I found also great need of royal buildings, and buildings for the cabildo, a slaughter-house, a prison, clean streets, and other public works.  This may be because of the smallness of means.  I shall remedy what I can, and give your Majesty a more detailed account of it later.

I find this kingdom safe from all fears of the Japanese at present, although not from the swarms of Chinese who resort hither in a haphazard and disorderly manner, unless we maintain the caution and foresight demanded by the little trust that we can place in their companionship and fidelity.

In respect to the person of Don Luys Perez Dasmarinas, whom I found acting as governor, I assure your Majesty that all his thought and life is dedicated to God and virtue.  However, in matters of government I do not know what will be the outcome of some things, which I find very confused and remiss.  I shall give you a more detailed account of them in a later letter, for now this vessel is on the point of sailing, and is outside the port.

The archbishop of this country remained in Mexico.  This does not fail to cause a want, because of the great scarcity of prelates here.

I hear that the trade of this country, upon which its perpetuation chiefly depends, has greatly decreased, not only on account of the low prices of merchandise in Mexico, and the unprofitable exchanges and other misfortunes suffered by commerce, but also because of the numerous impositions and duties levied; so that I find this community much discouraged and disheartened.  I shall try to repair this as well as possible, and will give your Majesty a more detailed account, both in this matter and in what concerns the two communities of Indians and Chinese, and whatever else there is to relate.