n those of Cubu, came in peace
to render him obedience. Thus a true report was made to his Majesty,
for many Indians became friendly in these islands and made submission
without war being waged upon them. Nor would it have been made against
any others, without first quietly and pacifically calling for peace,
making much of them, and giving them clothes, articles of barter,
food, and other small articles, which they asked for. If afterward any
occasion arose for making war for the pacification of the friendly
Indians who were disturbed by the others who were not friendly,
it cannot be said on that account that a false report was made to
his Majesty; for whatever was going on in the land at our arrival
there has been written to him, and true reports of what has happened
have always been sent him. Therefore, by the above, it is clear and
manifest that true and faithful reports have been made to his Majesty.

The "Opinion" says further that no land among all these islands has
come with a just title into the power of the Spaniards. To this we
have only to reply that we came to these districts by his Majesty's
order, and therefore are here, obeying his royal mandate; and, as
we are not lawyers, we shall cease discussing the justice, title,
or cause that his Majesty has or can have in these islands. In what
concerns the robberies and injuries that have been committed (if any
have been) in this land, the natives have given the occasion for it,
some of them being traitors and breaking the peace, as they have
broken it at different times, especially in this city of Manila. The
master-of-camp, Martin de Goiti, having come hither the first time and
entered in peace, and having made and ratified it with the rajas of
Manila, without the Spaniards on their part giving them any occasion,
the natives tried to kill the latter, discharging at them five or
six pieces of artillery, the greater part of which hit the junk on
which was the said master-of-camp. Thus the Spaniards were forced
in self-defense to fight and enter the city, as it was entered. And,
if the city was burned, it was for the security of the few Spaniards
who had entered it, that the natives might not attack them among
houses closely joined together. The same natives confessed that they
themselves had begun the war. Further, as for assaulting villages
at night, this has been done in the case of rebellious villages that
defied the Spaniards. It was necessary for the securit