In testimony thereof, I affix my seal, in witness of the truth.

Pedro Hurtado Desquivel, clerk of court.

[Endorsed:  “Testimony of the resolution of the Audiencia of the Filipinas in respect to the entrance of the Dutch corsair among the islands.”]

Instructions given by the governor to Doctor Antonio de Morga

The course of action to be pursued by Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of the royal Audiencia of these Filipinas Islands, and captain-general of the fleet about to go in pursuit of the English [sic] enemy, is as follows.

First:  Inasmuch as news has been received that the English enemy, against whom this expedition is directed, is stationed in the harbor of Marayuma, and inasmuch as he might take flight without awaiting attack, should he, by any chance, hear of our fleet, it is ordered that our fleet, with the least possible delay, shall start in pursuit of the enemy, in order to engage and fight him, until, with our Lord’s help, he is killed or sunk.

Item:  The engagement with the enemy must be conducted with all diligence and care, whether in firing or in boarding his ships—­whichever may be possible, in accordance with the best and readiest opportunity permitted by the weather.  Should the enemy take flight on sighting our fleet, he must be pursued, until the object sought is accomplished.

Item:  Should the enemy have left this coast when the fleet is despatched against him, and should information be received that he has gone to any other of these islands, then the fleet shall seek and pursue him, until he is captured or sunk.  Should the enemy have left these islands, he shall be pursued as far as possible, in accordance with his [Morga’s] judgment, in order that the end desired may be attained.

Item:  Inasmuch as the master-of-camp and the captains present at a council of war, held on the second of this current month and year, declared that, in their opinion, if no exact information as to the course and route taken by the enemy should be received, said fleet should follow the coast of Ilocos toward the strait of Zincapura, where it is thought the enemy must pass, in order to make his voyage.  Yet, notwithstanding the said council of war, the said general, in the event of receiving no information as to the enemy’s course, shall pursue what course he considers most advisable, as he is the one in direct charge of the matter, and as weather and occasion allow, endeavoring to attain the end desired—­namely, the pursuit and destruction of the enemy.

Item:  Should the fleet encounter any enemies whatsoever, pirates or others, who may be among the islands, or who shall have left them after committing depredations among them—­whether English or Japanese, Terrenatans or Mindanaos, or from any other nation—­they must be attacked and punished, in order that some good result may be attained in this case also, should opportunity arise.