the wreck were aboard the said Japanese boat, and one Augustinian religious.  The latter was seized by the Dutch, together with some of the wrecked Spaniards; but the Dutch did not harm the Japanese, in order to establish friendly intercourse with them.  Under shelter of the latter, others of the Spaniards were saved, and a considerable quantity of goods, although the Dutch stole some anchors and cables of the king’s that were aboard the vessel, and some two hundred sacks of flour from private persons, but nothing else.  At last, after diligent search for Castilian or Portuguese silver, the Dutch allowed the vessel to continue its voyage, because of a present of three hundred pesos, given them by the Japanese.  In the beginning of April an edict was issued for the men of the fleet to make ready.  As many as one thousand sailors and soldiers were enlisted, and many Indians for service and as common seamen.  Besides these men, the governor intended to take two hundred other soldiers of great courage and valor; on those soldiers he placed great reliance.  These are about two hundred martyrs, whose relics repose in the [church of the] Society of Jesus in a side chapel.  The governor had the reliquary newly fitted up, with great care; and placed himself with courage under the care and protection of those martyrs, considering the victory as his, with such volunteers.  The fleet left Cavite on Wednesday, April 21, between ten and eleven, in search of the enemy, who were at Playahonda, twenty leguas from Manila.  The governor embarked in person in the fleet, as its commander.  His presence inspired the soldiers not a little, and incited many volunteers to accompany him.  On this and other accounts, which are deeply felt, they regarded his going as very important, and almost absolutely necessary.  His lieutenant was Juan Juarez Gallinato, who has come this year as master of this camp.  His admiral was Don Fernando de Silva, a courageous and spirited youth, nephew of the governor.  As the admiral’s lieutenant and captain of the almiranta went the sargento-mayor of Maluco, Pedro de Heredia, who last year overcame the galliot in which the Dutch commander, Pablo Blancard, [26] was sailing, with seventy of his men.  The captains of the small vessels were:  of the “San Yldefonso” (the largest), Juan Tello de Aguirre, regidor of this city; of the “San Pedro,” Captain Guillestigui—­both of these men Biscayans; of the “San Pedro y San Pablo,” Juan Pardos [27] de Losada, a Galician gentleman; of the “Santiago,” Moreno Donoso.  Of the two galleys, Captain Romanico was lieutenant; and Captain Juan Rodriguez commanded the consort.

The artillery was as follows.  The flagship “San Juan Bautista” mounted twenty-six pieces:  four of the new guns, which were eighteen-pounders; and twenty-two good guns, from four to twelve pounders.

The ship “Espiritu Santo,” the almiranta, twenty-two pieces:  three of them of the said new guns; seventeen, from three to fourteen pounders; and two swivel-guns.