weapons secured from our men whom they had killed, they sallied out and forced us close to this city.  God fought with us, and delivered us, for the good of this Christian community, which is steadily growing in this region.  There is no doubt that if God had not blinded them, so that they should not succeed in their mode of warfare, it would not have taken them two hours to kill us all in Manila, and make themselves masters of all this country without the least risk to themselves.  This did not come about through any neglect on your Majesty’s part to command the Audiencia of these islands to drive out these infidels, nor through lack of advice from here, but it was due to the fault of your Majesty’s chief officers here, in not complying with what your Majesty has ordered them; so they have put this country in the greatest danger, and perchance will cause its entire and irremediable ruin in the near future.

Even since this, the enemy from Mindanao, who are naked savages, have come and carried away many hundreds of captive Indians, many of whom straightway became their servants.  Nothing is heard in these islands but the accounts of misfortunes.  These matters, and the many expenditures that have been made and are still going on in your Majesty’s royal exchequer in these islands, as well as many other serious affairs, demand, Sire, that your Majesty send a general inspector here, and choose for this a man who is of great integrity and with great reputation for purity from all taint of greed.  If this inspection be not made, there is no redress for this land.  All the said Chinese, about fifteen hundred, have been killed, except it be a few who have been kept as slaves in your Majesty’s service.  The Spanish residents of this city greatly aided in the fighting, and in their conscientious behavior and in prayer the Indians were very loyal—­as also the Christian Chinese, except some seven or eight of them.  It is not known how this affair will be considered in China.  If the alcaiceria of the infidel Chinese is again permitted, I assure you that a second uprising will surely occur.  Let them come, but remain in their ships and sell their goods.  Your Majesty should not trust the Spaniards, on account of their greed, in anything which may prove the ruin of this country.  I can do no more than advise.

This letter is brought by a father of the Order of St Augustine, named Fray Diego de Guevara, prior of the convent of San Augustin here.  His order is sending him on its own affairs, which are serious and call for much amelioration; accordingly they are sending the said father to your Majesty’s presence.  I recognize in him a very religious and learned man.  I am sure that it would be for the great service of the Lord if your Majesty would listen to him, and give your royal favor and attention to all he may say in regard to reformation, and the general welfare of his order, and the betterment of this land—­as to a man who was present in this affair of the Chinese, and knows the misfortunes and captures in these islands due to the naked Indian wretches of Mindanao, and as to a learned and religious man.  Manila, December 16, 1603.