The Dutch have no fleets in the Malucas, while there are scarcely two hundred men in their forts in their islands of Terrenate, Machien, and Motiel (five or six in number); and many of these are so discontented, because of the hardships and misery which they suffer, that some six or eight have come to our camp this year, and many more would have come if there were a place for them, or if opportunity for it had offered.  That was a fine opportunity to attack them with our fleet, which was already prepared in the port of Cavite.  It is not certainly known where it is going, but we suspect that it is going to attack the fort of the Dutch in the island of Hermosa.  It is also thought that the following year will not pass without the fleet attacking them.  If the wars in Flandes continue, and help does not come to the Dutch, we may hope for a very fine outcome.

The Camucones (who are certain robbers who infest these seas, pillaging, and are, moreover, a vile people, to whom we have paid but little attention) came with their fleet of small vessels in the past year of 1625, and at dawn one morning in October attacked a village, where the archbishop of Manila was visiting the cura.  He as well as his followers had great trouble in escaping, all without clothes or nearly so.  They captured all his wardrobe and his pontifical robes, among which he had some very rich garments.

The enemy then attacked a boat in which there was a father of our Society, who was returning to his house and residence, which is located on the island of Marinduque, after having preached at some missions of Franciscan friars who had invited him for that purpose.  They spied the enemy suddenly, in a place where it was impossible to escape, and it was necessary for them to fight.  Father Juan de las Missas (such was the name of the father) commenced to encourage the Indians with a crucifix to make them fight.  But it happened that a shot from a verso, fired by the enemy at the first encounter, struck the father.  The enemy immediately entered the boat even while the father was yet alive and took his skull from his head to use as a drinking cup—­a thing which they are accustomed to do to Spaniards, without granting life to anyone.  After that event, guided by a treacherous Chinese, they suddenly attacked the chief town of Samar, which is a very fine village called Catbalogan.  They attacked at dawn, and the father rector and another father and a brother had no little trouble in escaping; they were scarcely able to remove the monstrance of the most holy sacrament, and to hide it in a thicket.  The Indians also fled, as far as they were able.  Some had not time to do so much, and were captured.  Some were sick with smallpox, a kind of pestilence that was among the Indians at that time.  They were unable to escape, whereupon the enemy arriving relieved them all of the smallpox by cutting off their heads.  In short, they plundered as much as they could, especially the silver and ornaments of the church, which were many and excellent, our residence there being better supplied than our others.