On its northern side, this island is about one hundred and twenty-five leguas from the Philipinas; and so near to China that only a channel of thirty leguas separates it from the province of Ucheo.  Sailing even farther north, Japon is 195 leguas away.  The men are well built, and not so brown as other Indians.  The island lacks ports, and only small vessels can reach our forts.  The Dutch fortified themselves on the same island first, and in a better place than we; and it was as easy to drive them from it [then] as it is now difficult.  From their location to our settlement is a distance of fifty leguas by sea, and there is no road overland or by the other sea.  There was no resistance offered to our settlement, although that is the usual thing that happens when one desires to fortify himself in these regions.

The motive for settlement was the desire to be able to enjoy the trade with China near at hand, which would redound to the advantage and profit of the surrounding islands.  That has not had the desired effect, because of the difficulties that have arisen, distinct from the facilities of the first plan—­to which are added new accidents, which are being continually experienced.  The chief of all is that your Majesty has more than two thousand infantry-men in various presidios, while in this camp [i.e., Manila] those who remain do not exceed six hundred.  From this place are sent out all the reenforcements for all parts.  If it were necessary to fit out six or eight galleons, it would be very difficult to do so without the infantry now in the island of Hermosa; and yet, with that infantry, they could attempt great things.  In my opinion, even if all the purposes for which the island of Hermosa had been settled had come to pass, it would result in loss to the rest of Philipinas; for it is advisable for the good of these islands, that the Chinese, Japanese, and other nations bring their merchandise from their lands to this city at their own account and risk, and never at ours; and permission should not be given to make a way-station, or to maintain anyone to buy their goods.  The advantage of that will be little, and the scarcity [of goods] general.  I am not bold enough to say that the forts of the island of Hermosa should be abandoned, but I affirm stoutly that it would be well had they never been commenced.

In the letter touching military matters, I write at length of what has occurred in the forts of Terrenate, and I refer you to that letter.  This is where we can now give the greatest care.

As for the kingdoms of Japon, I am informed that the persecution of Christians was greater than ever last year, and that more than twenty religious from all the orders were martyred, and that even those most carefully concealed were betrayed by their confidants for the reward of one thousand taes which was promised by edict for each religious.  Later they write here, but with little foundation, that that fury had