ervice, in accordance
with my instructions, he was quite lukewarm in a matter requiring
so great haste, and thus detained me several days with questions and
answers. Finally, seeing the great need of haste that I represented
to him, he left his post, and we marched with our men until we were
within cannon-shot of the fort, where with all haste we entrenched
ourselves. The enemy was well supplied with much artillery, both great
and small, and began at once to fire on me. Nevertheless, I made every
effort to reach the walls and to enter the fort by open assault;
but having no cannon with which to demolish it--the most necessary
thing--and seeing the great resistance that the enemy offered, I was
forced to retire, with several soldiers wounded, and returned to my
trenches. I remained there several days, defending myself from the
heavy shower of balls rained down upon our camp. During all this time,
Diego Dacambujar did not attempt to give any orders, and finally said
that, if we remained there any longer, not one of us would be left
alive. Thereupon I answered him that I came for that very purpose, or
else to capture that fort and leave it your Majesty's. In everything he
displayed his usual lukewarmness, and upon calling a council of war,
it was agreed to strike camp and retire to his fort. As afterward
appeared, he was not anxious--for his own private interest and his
trade in cloves with the petty king--that anything should be effected,
as your Majesty will see in greater detail by the accompanying copy
of the inquiry made concerning this matter.

Thereupon I returned to this city of Manila, heavy at heart at not
having attained the object which I had desired for the service of your
Majesty, and resolved to pledge my person and property to obtain the
men and supplies to spend in your royal service, although I should
pledge myself to the further sum of six or seven thousand pesos--the
amount spent on this expedition. However, it did not please God that
this should come to pass, on account of the few men and supplies
remaining from the late fire.

As I was one of the very first to come here to serve your Majesty in
these islands, the hardships and wretchedness suffered here grieve
me so sorely, and especially those of this city, that I feel obliged
to inform your Majesty of several of them.

First, it is very necessary that your Majesty order a fortress of stone
built in this city, for the one here now would be exceedi