hing by letter from the
governor there, several Indians who have come from there one by one
corroborate this news. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic
person to the benefit of Christendom. Manila, June 22, 1597.

_Don Francisco Tello_

Sire:

This ship of discovery under Joan Batista Justiniano, which is about to
go to Nueva Spana, has just returned, on account of lack of cables, and
will sail again in the morning. Some further details concerning what
I have already written to your Majesty are as follows. We have just
heard from Mindanao that the war has been renewed with the Indians,
because they have failed to observe the stipulations of the treaty. So
we have again sent assistance in men, munitions, supplies, and other
things. I have ordered General Don Joan Ronquillo to prosecute the war,
and, after having demolished the enemy's fort, to build a good one
in its place, leaving it well supplied with artillery, and fortified;
and to leave a captain with one hundred arquebusiers, and mobilize the
remainder of the troops, amounting to about two hundred men. If the
Japanese should come, as is thought probable, he will take position
on one of the frontiers, especially that of Cagayan. In other places,
I have appointed, as justices, captains who were old soldiers, and I
have given them soldiery. What little sail-cloth is to be had here,
is all well prepared for any occasion. I am having artillery cast,
and powder and other necessary things provided, in all haste. Although
I am almost out of lead and iron, I shall try to have one of your
Majesty's small vessels, which now lie here, go to China, where there
is a great abundance of such things, in order to buy some, and return
so quickly that we shall not be embarrassed by the scarcity.

I am having some galliots and light vessels built to patrol all these
coasts, because their defense is quite important if we are attacked
by the Japanese.

When I became governor of these islands, I found them full of
Sangleys. I have expelled more than eight thousand of them, and I am
gathering the others, who are scattered, into Manila, in order that
those who are not needed may return to their own country, for they
teach the natives very evil customs. In everything I shall always
try to further the service of God and your Majesty, as I was ordered
to do, and is my duty. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic
person as is needful. Manila, August twelve, 1597.

_Don F