ptain Christoval de Villagra, confident in the submission which the
king of Jolo had made to his Majesty, sent thirty soldiers to the said
island to look for supplies. When they arrived there they found there
an uncle of the king of Mindanao, a brother-in-law of the king of Jolo,
whom, because he was restless and rebellious, they banished from the
said island. He treacherously killed thirteen soldiers; notice of
this being brought to the governor, the latter immediately sent as
governor of the said fort of La Caldera, Captain Joan Pacho, a person
practiced and experienced in that land, to inflict punishment upon
Jolo. As soon as he had arrived at La Caldera, he began operations,
and left there for the said punitive expedition with sixty Spaniards,
with whom he engaged the enemy. Finding the latter in a high place
difficult to ascend; and at the time of the attack being overtaken
by a rainstorm, and deceived by some Indian spies into the bargain,
whom he sent to reconnoiter the enemy--from this combination of
circumstances it happened that the said Captain Joan Pacho and nineteen
soldiers were killed. The rest retired without securing any advantage
or avenging themselves. News of this being brought to the governor,
he sent Captain Toribio de Miranda, a good soldier, to take charge
of that place, with orders not to make any entry, or inflict any
punishment until he was ordered to the contrary. The latter is not
permitted to be done until there is a better supply of men and money
in the islands, because without these there will be a greater risk,
for the king of Jolo is assisted by his brother-in-law. When there
shall be a better supply of men and money, Miranda will be sent
expressly to punish all the people of this island, and ravage it,
because it is dangerous and of no profit.

The island of Mindanao is almost three hundred leagues in
circumference. It is a land of slight elevation; although of good
climate; it is sparsely settled, and its inhabitants very warlike
and inclined to arms. Their only aim is to rob and kill. There is
a scarcity of supplies in some parts, though cinnamon is found in
some districts, and a large quantity of wax everywhere. Tortoise
shells are also found. They weave cloth from medrinaque and some from
cotton. All the inhabitants on the coast and the river profess the
doctrine of Maoma, and those of the uplands are heathens. Although
it cannot be maintained without assistance, still it is necess