A founder of artillery is very much needed here.  I entreat your Majesty to have one provided, as well as the fifty farmers mentioned in your Majesty’s instructions.  Above all, I entreat your Majesty, since this new plant and undertaking depends so much upon your Majesty in person, that you will have the kindness to consent to have soldiers sent to us annually; for, Sire, the hospital (where many die) takes its share every year, and another part is taken by certain expeditions and reenforcements that are sent out.  As for those who are left, your Majesty should consider, if the ship from Mexico fails to come for even one year, how surrounded by so many fears of enemies is this country.  Therefore I beseech your Majesty to order that the viceroy of Mexico shall be careful to provide troops each year, and that they be sent armed, of which there is little care.

As Captain Esteban Rrodriguez died while pacifying Mindanao, and left it almost reduced, and settled with about two hundred Spaniards, and as the country was being brought to your Majesty’s obedience, it will be desirable for your royal service to continue the work.  From what I have learned in these few days, I believe that your Majesty will be served by ordering that this pacification be continued at the expense of the heir of Esteban Rrodriguez, and with the latter’s possessions, as they are sufficient, until the agreement be completely fulfilled.  By so doing your Majesty’s treasury will be eased, and I think the reward of this work will be obtained by him who most deserves it—­namely, the successor of the man who perished in it, since he left it to him, although he did not name him.  It only remains for your Majesty to be pleased to declare, in favor of this kingdom, the subordination of that pacification to this one, since the latter proceeds from the former, and is, as it were, filial to it.  There are other conveniences and arguments that favor this plan; and in the contrary plan there are many inconveniences, of which I understand that your Majesty is advised by these vessels.  Now in the meantime, I am considering what it will be best to provide in the service of God, and of your Majesty, whom may our Lord preserve, etc.  Manila, July 17, 1596.

Since the above was written, news has come of the expedition [to Camboja] which was made here.  It is not such as we wished to hear, for of the three vessels that were taking part in it, one [illegible in MS.] a storm, and fell into the hands of the king of Cian.  No news has been heard of the two others, although it is believed that Captain Gallinato still remains [illegible in MS.].

According to my understanding, it is very desirable that there always be galleys in this land for defense from its ills, and the conservation of its reputation from so many enemies by whom we are surrounded.  Inasmuch as those here are found to be quite dilapidated and useless, I have deemed it fitting to your Majesty’s service to build three or four.