and they would have to go in company and armed, and thus incur expenses.  Castilla has no trading company for the expenses of war.  Without prizes or trade they would be able to inflict the first injury on the Dutch; for the strait of Malaca, which is the place where the Dutch conduct the greater part of their trade, would be secure with the galleys, for there are no winds there, as a rule.  The tide allows the ships to enter and leave by three straits, the broadest of which is very narrow, for only one ship can tack in it.  That strait is not the one generally used, but the other two.  I am assured that in both the ends of the yards of the galleons brush through the trees ashore.  I wrote in regard to this matter, in the year of 30, by Admiral Diego Lopez Lobo, whom I was sending to that court to treat of that matter alone; but God was pleased to let him drown in the flagship of the trading-fleet which was lost in the past year of 31.  I wish that at least one of the three mails which I have always despatched since my arrival at these islands had reached you.  On my part I have not failed to advise you of everything, nor shall I fail to desire and to propose what shall seem best to me for the increase of the service of your Majesty.

It will not be difficult to unite these camps under one head, even though they are of two crowns.  If they do not unite of themselves, they will have no strength.  Portugal and Castilla belong to your Majesty, and that is a reason why their arms should be united; for the forces of Francia, Olanda, Ynglaterra, and Dinamarca [89] are united in these districts.  If those of your Majesty were combined, not only would we defend what has been gained, but we would steadily extend farther.  Your Majesty sees them united against you, although they are of so many different sovereigns, religions, and nationalities.  Then why do not Portugal and Castilla unite in this South Sea and the coasts of Asia, where the enemy acquires so much wealth?  I do not attempt this so that I may remain here longer, nor so that everything may be placed in my charge; for I have no health, nor is it just to exile me so many years in regions so remote.  I express my feelings, and I desire to express them more in detail in that Council, as experience has shown things to me.

I sent a galliot to Yndia in November of last year, 631, in order to continue my negotiations with that viceroy in regard to this matter of joining hands in order better to attack the enemy.  Particularly did I inform him of the order sent me by your Majesty about making an expedition to the island of Hermosa, asking him for the aid which I considered necessary.  I wrote the same to Macan, so that it might for its part make other necessary preparations.  I am advised that the said galliot, because it was well equipped, escaped from the enemy who were stationed in the above-mentioned strait of Malaca awaiting the galliots from China—­which latter they captured, together with another ship belonging to a merchant of this city.  May God remedy this loss.