Perhaps the reason is that in collecting them no attention is paid to what is produced.  Besides that, the governor knew that the Dutch were settled in Hermosa Island, a very large island, which lies more than two hundred leguas north of Manila.  It is called Hermosa [i.e., “Beautiful”] Island because of its fertility.  It is quite near China, although it is inhabited by Indians, like the rest of the islands.  The governor thought that, from that place, the Dutch were depriving us of the trade; this would mean the destruction of Manila, which only a lucrative trade could sustain.  To remedy all this, he thought to capture Hermosa Island, and he discussed and conferred about this plan.  The Dominican fathers, influenced by the gain of souls, encouraged this affair, because of the nearness of the island to China.  As all are dependent on the governor in these regions, no one dares to contradict him in whatever pleases him; for they fear his anger upon them, which often deprives them of sustenance.  But, I think time has proved what an unwise thing was done; for none of those injuries have been remedied, but have remained.  The forces, which are daily becoming fewer in the islands, were divided, and there were innumerable other inconveniences.  Finally, the governor sent troops to the island, and possession of it was taken, more than forty or sixty leguas from the Dutch fort.  Only Dominican religious went on this occasion.  Then it befell that many of the troops died, for the island is very cold.  Most of the fruits of Castilla are raised there.  Its inhabitants are fierce, and live without law or reason, but more as their chiefs dictate.  Ours have suffered signal hardships there.  Sargento-mayor N. Careno was governor of that fort and the troops; and he did his utmost.  The Chinese came and offered many things when the soldiers had money; but, when money failed, all was about to perish.  That year, 1626, Don Juan Nino de Tabora came as governor.  He was told of Hermosa Island and its great importance.  Accordingly, he resolved to make an expedition thither, with as many of the remaining soldiers as possible.  They filled three large galleons and other smaller ones.  Captain Lazaro de Torres, of whom we have made so much mention, sailed in the “Trinidad,” the smallest of all the ships.  They left in August, after the despatch [for New Spain] of the vessels of 1627.  The weather was rough, so that the governor grew afraid.  After incurring so great expenses for his Majesty, and sailing in galleons which carried fifty or sixty pieces of artillery, a return was made to Cavite.  Only Lazaro de Torres went ahead, with whom sailed father Fray Lucas de Atienza, of our order, as prior and vicar-provincial.  They suffered terrible storms, and ran manifest dangers; especially when, running with the lower sail on the foremast, they ran aground on an island, which they had not seen because of a dense fog.  At last they all got away.  They flung out, or rather raised, the greater