en to take provisions in any
way in which they could get them. They were, if necessary, to use force
to obtain supplies from encomenderos or Indians, for their pay giving
them orders on the charges of the land (_situado_), or the tribute,
or to be paid when possible. As for the other parts of the island,
the very chiefs were perishing of hunger, because of the war, and came
daily to beg for rice. This they received, in order that they might be
bound to the Spaniards. Accordingly Ronquillo asks for assistance and
supplies from Manila until the stress should be over in Mindanao. He
gives honorable mention to his officers and troops, many of whom were
wounded. He looks forward to great difficulties as soon as any attempt
shall be made to collect tributes. The leading chiefs collect tribute
from their vassals; and the only demand hitherto has been for open
friendship and the recognition of the sovereignty of Spain. If these
men--Raxa Mura, Sala, Silonga, and Lumaquan--are now told that they
must not collect tribute, but that all the tribute must be paid to
his Majesty and to individuals, "it will be a very bitter draught for
them to swallow." These Indians, Ronquillo says, are not like those
in Luzon, but are accustomed to power and sovereignty. Some collect
five or six thousand tributes. If the tributes are to be collected,
two hundred more soldiers and a large quantity of ammunition will be
necessary, or much additional time. The troops have not been paid
what Figueroa owed them; and it is plain that no profit is to be
expected in the island for a long time to come. When it does come,
the encomenderos, who have fraudulently remained at leisure in Manila,
will get it. Hence the soldiers have petitioned that the property
of Figueroa in the island be sold and the proceeds applied to their
payment. Fourteen hundred pesos of worked silver was sold; and the
soldiers received six pesos each. The captains also asked and received
some compensation. The discontent was so great that Ronquillo declares
that no resolution can command men so ragged and starving, penniless
and unpaid; and that they are already saying that they cannot eat good
words. He concludes this section by asking for twenty thousand pesos
and eight hundred Indian rowers, and for some exchanges of his men.]

_That the country is not such as it has been painted, and not so
excellent as has been reported._ Hitherto it has not been possible
to tell your Lordship anyth