Sire: 

I wrote your Majesty by the ships sailing from here to Nueva Espana this year, about the news I had from Malaca concerning the English ships which had come to Sunda, and had made a settlement and fortification there; and that I was awaiting a more detailed account of the enemy’s designs from the commandant of Malaca, and everything else relating to the subject. [9] Advices have now come from the commandant of Maluco that two English ships had arrived there, and had formed an alliance with Terrenate, as your Majesty will be informed in greater detail by the copies of his letters which I enclose, and also those of the king of Tidore and the people of that stronghold, requesting in strong terms that I send them aid. [10]

I then called a council of war to consider the disposition of the affairs of these islands, and what was to be done therefor—­since affairs are in the condition which I have described to your Majesty in other letters.  As there are but few and badly-armed troops, and so few supplies with which we could send help, it was unanimously agreed to give no aid whatever to Maluco, but to undertake the no small task of preserving this land.  Notwithstanding, I am thinking of sending reenforcements of supplies, powder, ammunition, and other military supplies such as can be given, also a dozen musketeers.  As that land belongs to your Majesty, it is but just that your Majesty’s servants and vassals should make all possible efforts to aid it.  I assure your Majesty that if you are not pleased to provide this realm with a goodly number of well-armed troops and with money from Nueva Espana, according to the demands made by him who shall be governor—­who, since this fort is placed in his keeping, can well be entrusted with twenty thousand pesos more, in control of the officials of your Majesty’s royal exchequer—­we may find ourselves hard pressed.  I fulfil my duty by giving account thereof to your Majesty, and by defending this land as occasion may arise therefor.  In whatever I find to do, here or elsewhere, I shall strive to serve your Majesty well; but if on account of my little strength, I should be somewhat remiss, I beg your Majesty to understand that I could do no more.

At the news of the English, it was urgently necessary to aid Cebu.  But as we did not have it to send, and the presidio of La Caldera, [11] with its eighty Spanish soldiers (who go more than a legua by water), [12] was in danger; and since the English and Terrenatans are confederated, they may attack the fort, and if the water is cut off from them the Spaniards are lost—­I have resolved, with the approval of the council of war, immediately to withdraw those troops with their artillery; and that they, after burning their fort, shall go to Cebu.  When it shall appear to me that a favorable opportunity occurs, they can return to La Caldera, from which, according to orders, it is necessary that punishment be inflicted on the king of Jolo for the crimes, and the murders of Spaniards committed in this land.