ollowing year of seventy-one. He made it the
capital of the rest of the archipelago, as it was very suitable for
the concourse and commerce of China. Its streets are pleasant and
spacious, and without crossways or turns; for they are all straight,
and have beautiful buildings of stone, which vie with those of Espana
that are considered well made. It is strong by art and by nature,
because of the many creeks and swamps that surround it, together with
the great wall of stone built according to the style of the moderns,
with not a few ramparts. It is well defended with artillery, and has an
excellent and important fortress, supplied with all that is necessary,
even as the most noted forts that are renowned in Europa. Finally,
it is now the finest and richest city of all those of its class that
are known in the world. It enjoys a cathedral with its archbishop,
a royal Chancilleria, a presidio with numerous soldiers, and in short,
all the products that the regions of the Orient yield for the pleasure,
health, and comfort of this life, without having to envy anyone for
anything. That city alone makes the name of Espana very glorious and
formidable there; and what is more, it is that city which maintains the
Catholic religion in those very remote and out-of-the-way hemispheres.

Writing this brief relation in order to give a beginning to the
entrance of Ours, we shall go after them immediately, and shall
find them safe at the gates of Manila, after a journey of four
thousand eight hundred leguas by the course that they pursued from
Espana. That country was then very joyful over the good news of
the success that their governor, Don Pedro de Acuna, had had in the
capture of Terrenate, one of the enviable islands of Maluco. They were
sheltered in a small house, until they found better accommodations;
and although the whole city, upon hearing of their arrival, came
in throngs to visit them and offer them more suitable lodging,
as also did the holy orders already settled there, with singular
affection, they refused to accept it--except the infirmary, which
they consented to take for some [sick men], in the convent of the
most exemplary Dominican fathers, who immediately gave it with the
greatest charity. At this juncture the victorious governor arrived,
and amid all his victories and triumphs, as soon as he heard of Ours,
he went to visit them and to regale them, as he was so Catholic and
devout a gentleman. Time was wanting to pre