thither in small boats—­went there and bought and brought back a large consignment.  Consequently that transaction, other things similar to it, and the appointments—­or, as some say, sales—­of offices and posts in the ships from Nueva Espana in violation of your Majesty’s decrees, are not well endured or well spoken of, in regard to either his acts or his methods.  May our Lord preserve and prosper the royal and Catholic person of your Majesty, as all Christendom desires, and has need, etc.  Manila, August 8, 1620.

Licentiate Hieronimo Legaspi de Cheverria Licentiate Don Alonso Messa y Lugo Doctor Don Antonio Piso de Villegas

Letter from Fajardo to Felipe III

Sire: 

1st.  While anxious, as may be understood, over the delay of the ships from Nueva Espana, and the anticipated rise of the vendavals with the so great fury with which they began this year; and fearing on that account some disaster, or their making port in distress at Japon, where also there is cause for fear; and while considering the hardship that might result to this country from any one of those things:  we had news that three ships of the Dutch rebels were awaiting our ships between the channel of San Bernardino and the Cape of Spiritu Sancto, where the latter had to come.  Consequently our anxiety deepened, knowing that this country would necessarily be endangered if those ships were driven from its coasts, with the men that we have for its defense, at such a season that, if they left the strait, they could not possibly return here this year; or, if there were a failure to act, the people [of this city] must remain not properly cared for, much less contented.  Although it was evident that we might go out at a time when we could be of [no] use, and when the aforesaid danger would not happen to the ships, with all the resources at my command, I had the galleys and light craft manned, so that they might go out immediately with what advices and orders seemed advisable.  While preparing the ships, which were almost ready to go out, for whatever might arise, and in the midst of that anxiety, God was pleased to do us the favor of freeing us from it by the news that I received of our ships.  That news, thanks to His Divine Majesty, was most favorable, when one considers what might have come.  The news was that the flagship—­a large galleon, and, as its actions showed, not a very good sailer—­happened to encounter, without its consort (which was a bark), the three Dutch ships.  These approached the galleon, and ordered it to strike its sails for Mauricio.  Captain and Sargento-mayor Don Fernando de Ayala, warder of the port at the point of Cavite (whom I had sent out in order that he might return as commander of the said ships because the person who went as commander from here was to remain in Nueva Espana—­namely, Don Luys Fernandez de Cordova, a relative of the viceroy