This ship of discovery under Joan Batista Justiniano, which is about to go to Nueva Spana, has just returned, on account of lack of cables, and will sail again in the morning.  Some further details concerning what I have already written to your Majesty are as follows.  We have just heard from Mindanao that the war has been renewed with the Indians, because they have failed to observe the stipulations of the treaty.  So we have again sent assistance in men, munitions, supplies, and other things.  I have ordered General Don Joan Ronquillo to prosecute the war, and, after having demolished the enemy’s fort, to build a good one in its place, leaving it well supplied with artillery, and fortified; and to leave a captain with one hundred arquebusiers, and mobilize the remainder of the troops, amounting to about two hundred men.  If the Japanese should come, as is thought probable, he will take position on one of the frontiers, especially that of Cagayan.  In other places, I have appointed, as justices, captains who were old soldiers, and I have given them soldiery.  What little sail-cloth is to be had here, is all well prepared for any occasion.  I am having artillery cast, and powder and other necessary things provided, in all haste.  Although I am almost out of lead and iron, I shall try to have one of your Majesty’s small vessels, which now lie here, go to China, where there is a great abundance of such things, in order to buy some, and return so quickly that we shall not be embarrassed by the scarcity.

I am having some galliots and light vessels built to patrol all these coasts, because their defense is quite important if we are attacked by the Japanese.

When I became governor of these islands, I found them full of Sangleys.  I have expelled more than eight thousand of them, and I am gathering the others, who are scattered, into Manila, in order that those who are not needed may return to their own country, for they teach the natives very evil customs.  In everything I shall always try to further the service of God and your Majesty, as I was ordered to do, and is my duty.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty’s Catholic person as is needful.  Manila, August twelve, 1597.

Don Francisco Tello

Documents of 1598

Letter to Antonio de Morga.  Juan de Ronquillo; January 4.  Report of conditions in the Philippines.  Antonio de Morga; June 8.  Recommendations as to reforms needed in the islands. [Unsigned and undated; 1598?] Reception of the royal seal at Manila.  Francisco Tello, and others; June 8.  Letters from the archbishop of Manila to Felipe II.  Ygnacio de Santibanez; June 24 and 26.  Letters from the bishop of Nueva Segovia to Felipe II.  Miguel de Benavides; June 30 and July 5.  Letters to Felipe II.  Francisco Tello; June 17-July 9.  Report of the Audiencia on the conduct of Tello.  Antonio de Morga, and others; July 15.

Source:  All these documents are obtained from original MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.