LETTER FROM FELIPE IV TO TAVORA

The King.  To Don Juan Nino de Tavora, my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia there:  Six letters which you wrote me—­five on the twentieth of the month of July, and the other on the twenty-second of the same month last year (1626)—­dealing with the wars, have been received and considered in my Council of War for the Indias, and you will be satisfied on all points.

You say that Pedro de Heredia wrote to you that he had not fortified the island of Manados [32] and the straits of Santa Margarita, because it seemed to him of little use.  Afterward, however, seeing that many tributarios might be acquired; that, being pagans, missionaries were needed; and that the expenses of these strongholds might be lightened by the rice which they furnished—­he sent to you asking for fifty men to occupy the fort which he was to build there.  Seeing that he had orders for it and that it was so advantageous for the service of God and myself, you sent them to him.  It is well, and I order you, as having the affair under your present direction, to provide everything which is necessary thereto.

In your advices, the said Pedro de Heredia wrote also that it would be to our great advantage to send him the lord of Terrenate, who is in this city, in order to bring about some agreement between him and the king of Tidore, which will be of considerable value.  Your orders in this matter have already been sent you.

I am advised by you that three of the enemy’s ships were in the port of Malayo, and that it was understood that a fleet would arrive in May, 1625; I am also advised of the ten ships which the said Pedro de Heredia had.

I have considered the number of galleons and pataches with which you are provided, and the galleys which were in process of construction.  I confide in your zeal and care to provide for the defense of those islands, as I expect from you, doing on your part all that you shall find possible.  You will have assistance from here, and I have written to my viceroy in Nueva Espana regarding the measures to be taken therefor.  He and my royal officials have now been ordered to send at the first opportunity to these kingdoms six thousand ducados, on account of the usual situado that goes to those islands.  The money will be sent on a separate account to the House of Trade in Sevilla, to buy the arms that you ask for; when it arrives there, these will be forwarded to you.

You informed me that at the death of Don Geronimo de Silva his property was distrained, on account of the suit that was proceeding against him for beating a retreat two years ago with the fleet.  You petition that in such a case property should be distrained from no one, except the proceedings be always taken in conformity with justice.  The same [33] in the other matter which you mention, that in prosecuting the commanders of the ships of the said fleet, process should be conducted by written charges.