and heavy storms were threatening.  I sent Captain Gaspar Perez to ... with some vireys and small ships; he had better luck, for, having met with two of the Xaponese ships, he overcame the one which awaited him, and killed the whole crew.  He brought one Xaponese of this city here alive, who was executed in the sight of the Xaponese and Chinese.  I also sent Captain Christoval de Azqueta with what ships were suitable.  The enemy did not wait, but fled.  I am quite certain that they will return the coming year with a large number of ships, and a large force of men, on account of the booty which they found aboard a Chinese trading-vessel that they seized on the high sea, and some robberies committed on the native Indians.

With the death of Taico Samar, the lord of all Xapon, the state of some affairs may be changed, but not the government—­for this, they say, is well conducted.  Although I have not declared him who governs an enemy, there is little to hope for in this affair of Xapon, because about one hundred thousand men, Xaponese soldiers, who were employed in the war with Corea, have returned to their own country, who are now idle and poor.  Some of them may try to invade this land, which is so coveted by them on account of their thirst for gold.  I have sent letters to Xapon on the two trading-vessels, advising the Xaponese of the arrival of the pirates, and requesting their punishment, and the prevention of any ships from leaving Xapon without permission.  I also asked them not to send more than three Xaponese trading-vessels, for they are quite enough to supply this community with flour.  A relation of the condition of Xapon accompanies this.

[In the margin:  “Have the new governor directed to display great care in meeting expenses which are to be disbursed from his Majesty’s treasury; to prevent any trouble which might arise from the presence and residence of foreigners there, even under the pretense of trading; that a welcome be extended to friends, and harmony with them maintained; and that ports and frontiers have their necessary defenses.”]

That on account of suspicions that the Chinese are bringing over corsair pilots and seamen, the conduct of the governor of the Sangleys in Manila was investigated.

V. On account of suspicions which arose a long time ago regarding the Chinese, and because the Japanese pirates brought Chinese pilots and seamen, I made some investigations ...  Alonso Sauyo, governor of the Sangleys, but nothing of importance was discovered. . . .

[In the margin:  “No reply to this.”]

That, as the galleys are not suitable for these seas, because of the tides, galizabras [27] are being built.