Aid for Terrenate

I sent the usual aid for the forts of Terrenate in the middle of November this year, as that season is the true monsoon.  It was sent in two ships which had just arrived from Nueva Espana, together with a patache.  All three vessels were equipped, and carried a sufficient force, so that they would not have to enter Terrenate by stealth, or fleeing from the enemy.  I was very happy over the despatch, both for this reason and because I saved the cost and preparation of the pataches in which this aid is generally taken.  God our Lord was pleased that, while the vessels were at a distance of two leguas from a port of these islands where they had to lade rice and other products, they should be struck by a very violent squall, which forced them to drag all their anchors, and the storm carried them immediately until they grounded.  The flagship ran aground in the sand; but, the masts having been cut down, it and the patache were put out of danger.  The almiranta grounded on reefs, where it was instantly shivered into pieces.  Its mast fell in such a favorable manner that it could be used as a bridge by the men, who were all saved by that means.  After the storm was over, there was opportunity to remove the artillery, the silver, and a goodly portion of the food which the ship was carrying.  Consequently the loss was only of the boat, which was quite old.  The two remaining ones were refitted, and proceeded on their way.  Inasmuch as they could not take all the provisions necessary, I despatched another patache from this city, but it was also wrecked on these coasts.  The men and provisions were saved, and the wreck was not due to the fault of those who had charge of the patache, as was proved by the trial held regarding it.  I immediately despatched another patache—­for in the matter of aid I leave no stone unturned—­which performed the voyage.  All three vessels have returned from Terrenate, where they entered at a very convenient season; because a number of our men having left our forts, by order of Governor Pedro de Heredia, to effect a junction with the men of Tidore in the town of the Ternatans, which lies under the guns of the enemy, the latter withdrew to their forts the ship which was awaiting the relief from us.  That relief entered Terrenate the same day on which the enemy withdrew.  After the silver and food were unladed, it was planned to sally out with the flagship of the relief fleet, to fight with the enemy’s ship; and this would have been put into execution if two other ships had not come to their aid that same night, which made a force very superior to ours.  It was reported that there were thirty Dutch ships in the island of Ambueno, and that half of them were coming to Terrenate to make a Moro, whom they wished to introduce into the government, king of the natives; and that the others were coming to the coasts of China, the island of Hermosa, and perhaps Manila.

That enemy has had very little power in this sea for the last two or three years.  I am now informed by letters that eighteen ships have come to them from Europa, and that the Javanese have raised the siege of Jacatra, by which the Dutch will remain more free to annoy us. [In the margin:  “[Tell him] that what he says has been noted; and that he proceed in everything with the prudence that is expected from him.”]