In the middle of the month of June last, four soldiers, sent by Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas to Don Francisco Tello, governor of the Philipinas, came here in a small vessel, bearing advices that Don Luis was still at Pinal in some distress.  He had bought a Chinese ship at Canton which seemed in good condition, in order to continue his voyage to Camboxa.  Having embarked, he was already two days on his way after leaving port, when the ship began to leak in the stern, so that at considerable danger he was obliged to make port again, where he was scarcely able with great risk to arrive, The ship being of no use, he asked the governor to send him assistance in men, arms, and munitions, and also a ship from the islands, in order to prosecute his voyage.  The governor, being suspicious of Japon, and having few men and arms, wrote to Don Luis, with the approbation of the royal Audiencia, that he was himself in great need of the things requested from him, and at present more than ever.  Therefore he requested and counseled Don Luis, that since he found himself so exhausted, and with a so inadequate supply of all things to continue his expedition, and with no prospect of help now or afterward from the Philipinas, he would advise him to return to Manila and abandon the enterprise, since the voyage had turned out so unfortunately; and that besides that, there was great need of his men in the islands.  Don Luis was not ordered strictly to do this, as he had spent so much money on this expedition.  This message is being sent him by Captain Joan Tello, who will leave in about a week for Pinar, to continue the good beginning made by Don Joan de Camudio in the province of Canton.  I believe that for that very reason of having spent so much, Don Luis may wish to investigate the state of the kingdom of Camboxa.  This may be done in such a way that we may attain what we so much desire, namely, the establishment of the holy gospel in that kingdom, which will be of so much importance.  May our Lord direct this matter.

Don Francisco Tello

[Endorsed:  “Relation of the condition of the kingdom of Camboxa, as regards the Phelippinas Islands, cited in section 11 of the letter on the war, July 12, 1599”]

Depositions Regarding the King of Chanpan

Testimony:  In the city of Manila, on the thirtieth day of the month of September in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general in these islands for the king our lord, declared before me that he has been informed that the infidel king of Chanpa is responsible for many wrongs, assaults, and thefts committed at sea by his men and fleets, and by his orders, upon the persons and property of both Christians and Pagans, on the route to many trading-places of Christians—­as, for instance, Malaca, Macan, Goa, Xapon, and other places.  Many of them he has attacked, robbed, and deprived of life and property—­causing them to enter his ports under his word and promise of safety; but afterward breaking it, and inflicting great cruelties upon them, to the great offense of God and injury of Christendom.  In order to give the king our sovereign an account of what is going on, and that he may know the truth, the said governor ordered the following deposition to be made before me.