Item:  After the capture of the enemy, as it is hoped, God our Lord willing, the fleet will return with as many of the enemy as are still living, and the captured ships.

Item:  The booty found in said ships shall be divided among those who gain the victory, as is customary on similar occasions.

Item:  The greatest care must be taken that the crews of the fleet are peaceable and well disciplined, in regard to which the regulations followed on similar occasions shall be applied.

Item:  Good management must be exercised in regard to the supplies and ammunition carried; and they must be consumed sparingly, especially if the fleet leaves these islands.

Item:  If perchance the fleet shall have engaged the enemy, or pursued him outside these islands, it must return to the islands as soon as possible after the desired end has been attained.  Should the weather not permit the return voyage until the coming of the monsoon, then he [Morga] shall endeavor to preserve, provide, and equip the fleet with all needful things, at his Majesty’s expense, in order that his voyage may be made with the greatest promptness and security possible.  Given in the city of Manila, on the tenth of December, one thousand six hundred. [16]

Don Francisco Tello

By order of the governor and captain-general,

Gaspar de Azevo

Instructions given by Doctor Antonio de Morga to Captain Joan de Alcega

The order to be pursued by Captain Joan de Alcega, admiral of this fleet of the king our sovereign, in the course of this voyage and expedition, is as follows.

[1.] First:  Inasmuch as the end for which this fleet has been prepared is for the search and pursuit of the English [sic] ships, which have come but lately among these islands, and, as we are informed, are near this place; and as in conformity with the instructions of the governor and captain-general of these islands, the said enemy must be pursued and followed with all care and diligence wherever found, and must be engaged, and captured or sunk:  therefore it is necessary that the said almiranta [17] proceed very cautiously, and be ready with sailors, soldiers, and artillery, in order, on their part, to accomplish the said purpose, when opportunity offers.

[2.] Further, the said almiranta shall follow the flagship to leeward, unless it be rendered necessary for progress, or because of the enemy, to beat to windward.  It shall have a care that the other smaller vessels of the fleet do not fall behind or deviate from the course—­this to be without prejudice to their navigation and voyage, and their accompanying the flagship, which is the most important thing.

[3.] Item:  Should opportunity be offered to engage the enemy, the almiranta shall endeavor to engage him at the same moment as the flagship or alone, in case that flagship is to leeward, or so situated that it cannot do the same so quickly; for the flagship will endeavor to come to its aid in whatever happens, with all haste and speed possible.