Thus far no fragata or other ship has arrived except that of the sargento-mayor which I sent back from here, and even if this had remained in Zebu, it might have brought word from the lord governor regarding the prosecution of this business.  He comes here with no more knowledge than we have; the only thing of which he leaves us in no doubt is that he comes without the means to pay or succor these poor troops.  If this be true, I am much astonished at it; and it appears to me that this is afflicting them too much and will give them an occasion to make trouble and rebel some day, taking one of the galleys and the artillery and going where they list, as has already been done in two cases.  In the one case a barangay and four soldiers mutinied and went away, no one knows where.  Although they took an officer, he had no power to prevent them, for they rose in arms against him.  The best that he could do was to have them put him ashore and in this way he came back to this fort.  The three soldiers who were posted on the galliot which was at Vutil conspired and took the small boat and fled.  Your Grace may see, from the eve of the feast, what sort of feast-day may be expected, especially from troops suffering privation and hunger, who do not leave their arms day or night, working for others and receiving no pay.  With so small a ration of rice they are ill sustained for any length of time; for the little meat and fish which was sent was so insignificant and arrived in so damaged a condition that there is not enough for eight days.  Finally, on this ground of pay they would be justified in mutiny.  They are seeking all about for food and clothes, which, if they had received the pay, they would not have lacked; and at the same time they could be commanded and obliged to serve and keep the regulations—­which are every day broken, and we cannot punish them.  Another band attempted flight a few days past, one of whom I hanged—­although it weighs on my conscience now that I have done it; for, in a sense, they have excuse enough.  Since I did not shirk it, I inform you of it now, to relieve my conscience, before God and his Majesty.

While writing this, word came to me from the captains who are up the river, that from the mountain ridge, from a creek called Malago, there had come a chief with several peaceful Indians.  This is worthy of note, since they have come so late, without waiting for a suggestion, since they have never seen our faces, and since they have come many leguas, dressed in clothes of cotton and of medrinaque, which is a good sign.  They say that there are many people in their country.  I hope, through God, that soon all will render obedience to his Majesty, and that every day will give occasion for the report of more gains.  May our Lord grant your Grace many years, and His protection, as I desire.  The fortress of Tanpaca, January 4, ’98.  Your Grace’s humble servant,

Don Juan Ronquillo

Report of Conditions in the Philippines