Don Francisco Tello

As matters of importance arise in this government, it becomes necessary to give your Majesty an account of such affairs.  Yesterday we held a council of war to consider a petition presented to us by Don Luys Perez Dasmarinas, relative to an expedition to the island of Hermosa, and we passed resolutions which your Majesty may examine, if you be pleased to do so, by means of the report which will accompany this.  Although I ordered with resolution what was to be done, I shall keep the sounding-lead in my hand until reenforcements and money arrive from Mexico; for without men nothing can be done.  I have sent to the viceroy for five hundred men.

While the detachment of thirty soldiers under an ensign, ordered to the assistance of Mindanao, was on its way thither, aboard a Sangley ship, the Sangleys (who numbered more than forty) mutinied, and killed twenty-five soldiers and some women, and the rest jumped overboard.  Captain Gregorio de Bargas, who was sailing in that region with my orders, upon hearing of the matter, attacked and captured the ship, and killed forty soldiers.  Nine who were left alive were brought to me two days ago.  Today they were executed, with great publicity, before the eyes of their nation and others who are in this city.

Yesterday there arrived from Malaca some of the soldiers who were with Sargento-mayor Gallinato on the expedition to Canboja.  They say that they had the news there that Malucos and Terrenatans had banded together, captured your Majesty’s fort and annihilated the Portuguese detachment stationed there.  I am making an investigation to see what foundation this report has.  The result I shall try to send on these ships.  These soldiers also say that they were told that there were four English ships off Maluco; and that it was thought that they had joined Terrenate and Maluco to undertake this enterprise.  I am guarding the frontiers, because as there are few men here and the fort is in Manila, they were in need of reenforcements.  In everything I shall continue to do all that is necessary for your Majesty’s royal service, and I shall inform you of everything that happens, after the departure of these vessels, by the despatch-boat, which will be in readiness to be sent out if necessary.

They say that the news from Mindanao is quite plainly for your Majesty’s advantage.  Although I have heard nothing by letter from the governor there, several Indians who have come from there one by one corroborate this news.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty’s Catholic person to the benefit of Christendom.  Manila, June 22, 1597.

Don Francisco Tello

Sire: