I considered it so needful to employ the soldiers for this purpose, because too small a force remains to me for the aid of Maluco, as I have written, since that undertaking is so important.  However if they send from that place to beg aid, I shall give it with what forces I can.  For I suffer a great lack of men and other things because no reenforcements have been sent me from Nueva Espana, although I have implored them.  This land suffers from a constant and pressing need of reenforcements, on account not only of its unhealthful climate, but of the many emergencies which continually arise when I must send aid.  These occasions now are not so much a matter of jest as they have been hitherto; for the Chinese and Japanese are not Indians, but people as valiant as many of the inhabitants of Berberia [Barbary], and even more so.  I entreat your Majesty to give careful attention to this, and to order that in all vessels as many men as possible be sent; for it is the key to what is necessary for the preservation of this camp.  I beg also that careful attention be given in the other things.

The gratuity for the expenses incurred in these necessary undertakings and for others similar to them, which are thrusting themselves forward every moment—­which was provided by your Majesty’s auditors of your royal Audiencia of Mexico in the ship arriving at this bay on the twenty-fourth of last month, consisted of a decree and warrant in which they order that Doctor Sande be paid here for the time while he remained here after my arrival, and until his arrival at Mexico.  For this purpose they set aside in their decree the tributes which belong to your Majesty, and order that they be attached for this and sent to them—­threatening me with imprisonment if I do not comply.  I have written to your Majesty already of the poor state of your treasury here and its many pressing necessities, and of the extreme difficulty experienced in raising the amount needful for the same.  Will your Majesty please take suitable action in this? for without the aid of what little resources your Majesty possesses here, this colony cannot be preserved.  May our Lord guard the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty for mary prosperous years, and give you increase of many kingdoms and seigniories for the good of Christianity.  Manila, July first, 82.

[Endorsed: “To the royal Catholic Majesty, King Don Phelipe, our sovereign, through his royal council of the Indies.  Governor of the Philipinas.”]

TWO PAPAL DECREES

Indulgence Granted to the Dominicans on Their Setting Out for the Philippines

Gregory, Bishop, servant of the servants of God:  In perpetual remembrance of the affair.