is right that
this royal hospital should have the fruit, because it is not the
least important, and that it should not suffer, and remain as it is.

_Luis Perez Dasmarinas_

Letters from Francisco Tello to Felipe II

Sire:

Last year, as soon as I arrived in these islands, I wrote to your
Majesty what had taken place, taking into account the short time that I
had spent here. I was afterward told that the people of Terrenate were
coming to these your Majesty's islands to inflict injuries upon your
subjects and vassals, and that the natives of Mindanao were helping
them in this. The conquest of Mindanao being in charge of the heirs
of the late Esteban Rrodriguez de Figueroa, who was killed there,
I insisted on their continuing that pacification, giving them men at
your cost, and appointing, as general and leader, Don Juan Ronquillo,
supplying them with what they needed from your Majesty's storehouses,
the supply being ample. All was charged to the estate of Esteban
Rrodriguez and is now being collected.

I sent to Mindanao Captain Toribio de Miranda, so that, until
the arrival of the troops, he might encourage and look after the
Spaniards, who had fortified themselves there after the death of
Esteban Rrodriguez. Captain Toribio de Miranda, setting out with
this order of mine, met the soldiery who had deserted that position,
on account of the coming of Captain Juan de Lajara. The latter I
hold under arrest. He is to be tried for having abandoned his post
without orders from the governor of these islands. Toribio de Miranda
having met these men, showed them my orders which he was carrying,
and made them return. Then of the men whom I had sent from here, some
arrived with Captain Diego de Chabez, with assistance in the shape
of supplies. Encouraged by this, many returned to Mindanao with the
others and fortified themselves again, although in a better position
than before. After this, General Don Juan Ronquillo left Oton with
the rest of his force, which numbered perhaps one hundred and fifty
men in all. At the present moment I am quite satisfied that, after
his arrival, a large part of that land will be peacefully opened
up. I have no good reports from that land in regard to abundance of
provisions or gold (which is the only thing to encourage those who
make these conquests), nor as large a tribute as there was said to
be. In the prosecution of this business the necessary demands of your
Majesty's service will