away the Dutch.  On April 14, 1617, this Spanish fleet has a battle with the Dutch squadron at Playa Honda.  After a long and fierce contest, the enemy take to flight, having lost several ships and much artillery, and many of their men being killed or wounded.  As soon as possible thereafter, Alcaraz sends supplies to the Spanish forts in Ternate; recalls Geronimo de Silva to Manila, to act as governor ad interim; and despatches pilots to meet the fleet that is coming from Spain via Cape of Good Hope.  He criticizes Geronimo de Silva for his harshness and arrogance, already displayed in many ways.  Alcaraz thanks the king for permitting him to resign his position as auditor and return to Spain; and explains why he has not yet vacated his office.  He mentions the Philippine officials who have merited special rewards from the crown, especially those who were prominent in the battle of Playa Honda.  Reenforcements of men have come from Spain, but with them was no money; and the treasury of the islands is entirely empty.  Its debts are heavy, and aid is urgently requested.  Through sickness and absence, there are no auditors of the Audiencia in active service, except Alcaraz himself.

A document unsigned and undated [ca. 1617] discusses the trade of the Spanish colonies with China and Japan.  This trade advances the interests of religion in those heathen lands.  Its character, methods, and results are described in orderly array of interesting facts—­first in a general survey, then in details regarding each colony; and finally in comparisons between the commerce of those colonies respectively with China and Japan.  Eastern India depends on this trade for its maintenance and preservation; and the customs duties therefrom cause larger profits to the crown than do those from the other colonies.  This income will be greatly increased, for both Castilla and Portugal, if Nueva Espana and Filipinas be no longer allowed to trade with China and Japan.  The writer (apparently one of the king’s councilors) suggests various expedients for attaining this end, and closes by urging the king to confine the Filipinas merchants to trade with Nueva Espana.

The events of the year from June, 1617, to June, 1618, are chronicled by some unnamed writer (apparently one of the Jesuits in Manila).  The battle of Playa Honda deals such a blow to the Dutch power in the archipelago that the natives in some of the Malucas Islands rebel against it.  A small English post is destroyed by the Dutch; and their ships that flee from Playa Honda go to Japan.  Their adventures in that country are detailed.  Some Dutch ships come again to the coast of Luzon, and plunder the Chinese trading vessels as they appear; the Spaniards cannot prevent this, as their galleons are laid up for repairs.  A shipload of supplies for the garrison and the missions at Ternate is sent from Manila; the master of the ship, taking advantage of the absence on shore of part of the passengers and men, steals