The governor was not careless at this time, especially in the fortification of Cavite.  He sent thither the regular infantry of this camp, with 10,000 musket-balls, 30,000 arquebus-balls, 6,000 brazas of musket-fuses, 14,000 brazas of arquebus-fuses, and 40 barrels of powder.  He also sent engineers and workmen with material for building a fort, wherein to mount artillery.  To make the work move faster, he went thither himself to take part in it.  From Cavite he sent a summons to some inhabitants, so that the Spaniards in Cavite numbered more than six hundred.  In this city, the citizens stood guard, and endured many hardships in it.  All lived with great vigilance, born of a fear of the Sangleys—­of whom rumors were circulating that they were restless and intended to revolt, because they imagined that the Spaniards, through lack of confidence in them, were about to kill them.  But the king’s fiscal, as their protector, went to their parian; and, calling a large meeting, talked to them with manifestations of great affection.  He promised them all kind treatment, in his Majesty’s name.  Accordingly, laying aside all their fear, the Sangleys became quiet.  Assuredly, had they revolted at this time, they would have placed the country in great straits, for there is a considerable number of them.  Besides, the Dutch were near by with their well-equipped and strong vessels; and the Spaniards are few.  For the greater security and some relief of the citizens, several companies of Pampangos were summoned.  Among all these islanders they have proved themselves most loyal to the Spaniards, and most fit for soldiers.

In Cavite the care and diligence expended in fortifying it, were of great importance; for the Dutch commander, one Francisco Witer, [23] although he had once before been in these islands as secretary to Oliverio del Nort—­the commander of the two vessels that anchored near the city in the year 1600, and had returned defeated and disabled [con las manos en la cabeza; literally, “with his hands to his head"]—­yet he was determined to come to try his luck a second time.  He was incited to this by certain traitors to his Majesty.  These having gone over to his side in Maluco, to the disservice of God and the king, recounted to him all the affairs of the Filipinas.  They represented to him the little resistance that he would encounter from large vessels; the weakness of the port of Cavite, which he could easily overpower, and burn whatever it contained; and the immense wealth that he could seize, of silk, silver, and other merchandise, which come to Manila from Mejico, Macao, China, and Japon.  Especially did one Francisco Aguirre inform him of the above, in detail.  He brought this man with him, promising him one thousand pesos to induce him to accompany the Dutch, and to guide him faithfully on this expedition that he was undertaking.  Accordingly, as was reported, the Dutch commander set sail in the afternoon of St. Martin’s day, November 11, three