coast of China in the harbor of Pinal, near Canton—­crippled, and without ships, arms, or munitions to continue his expedition.  The admiral’s ship of his fleet was lost on some shoals on the coast of Chincheo, and a fine crew of forty-five Spaniards were drowned.  A galliot, which he also had with him, arrived at Cagaian, where the crew received all good provision.  Repairs were made and the men supplied with what they needed.  The vessel set out on its voyage to Camboxa, before hearing of the loss of Don Luis, and nothing else is known of it.  Don Luis is continually sending from there for assistance in ships, men, arms, and munitions, of which there is a great scarcity.  Although he has endured so many hardships, and hunger, and nakedness, when I consider on my side the straits in which I find myself, and the little assistance that I have had from Nueva Espana this year for the great dangers which confront us, and the number of affairs which it is necessary to attend to and provide, not only do I not think of sending him any help, but with the consent of the royal Audiencia, I advised him to return here so that I could avail myself of the men that he had there, for occasions which are expected in the future.  He was not strictly ordered, considering the expense to his own estate, and the hardships which he has endured upon this expedition.  When he arrives at Camboxa he will see whether the king there is in great need of his person and troops to defend him.  After considering the state of affairs there, Don Luis will do whatever is most necessary for the service of God and your Majesty. [29]

[In the margin:  “That everything necessary regarding Camboxa is already attended to.”]

That, considering that there are poor citizens who have served well, they should be given some support from the royal treasury, setting aside for it, a fund of two thousand pesos, besides one thousand pesos from saleable offices.

XII.  Considering the distress of the troops here, and how little there is here for their support—­and I assure your Majesty that this is an expensive land, although in the midst of plenty—­and as it was seen that there are not enough encomiendas or offices for everyone, and that some of your deserving citizens, not being rewarded, do not fill them, it was the custom to give them false musters [plazas muertas], so that these people secured a living.  Your Majesty has ordered this to be stopped, and this has been done.  Also further, in regard to your Majesty’s order to divide one thousand pesos of additional pay among the soldiers, there is no one who will accept anything, on account of its being so small a sum, as ten pesos a year, and I do not dare to exceed your Majesty’s orders.  I should be of the opinion that these thousand pesos and as many more, amounting in all to two thousand a year, should be distributed as a deferred allowance to old and deserving men, who can serve no longer.  One thousand pesos is good, and may serve until another greater reward is given them.  This may be under the title of pay, up to one hundred pesos, or whatever your Majesty may order.  May God preserve your Majesty’s Catholic person, as is needful to these kingdoms, and as we your vassals desire.  Manila, July 12, 1599.