and for the instruction and conversion of
the Indian natives.

Governor Don Francisco Tello wrote to me last year, ninety-nine,
about the precautions that he had taken in the punishment of some
Japanese pirates who had repaired to that coast and after whom he had
sent vessels by different routes; and about the inquiries that he had
likewise made among the crews of some merchant ships which had put
into Manila at that time, suspecting that they and the pirates were
all of the same sort. Since it is necessary to take notice and be
careful of this, I charge and command you to be always very vigilant
in foreseeing the troubles which may require your attention and which
may arise in the said islands, even if it be under pretext of trade
by foreigners. You will give a hospitable reception to friends,
and maintain amicable relations with them, keeping the ports and
frontiers of the said islands in the necessary security, and taking
special care that the expenses to be met by my royal exchequer in
the precautions to be taken, the manning of vessels for searching out
and punishing pirates, and the rest, be no more than are absolutely
necessary--since you see the many things which need attention; and,
above all, the limited resources of these islands.

When you informed me that in order to punish the pirates who resort to
the coast of the Philipinas Islands, it would be well to arm and man
some galleys, I granted you by my letter bearing the date of April 8
of this year, that if you saw that the galleys could be of service and
usefulness you might cause them to be built and manned. But through a
letter of July 12 in the said year, 1599, the said Don Francisco Tello
informs me that since the galleys are not suited for those seas--as
they had learned by experience, on account of the swift current
and their inability to enter a bay while pursuing the enemy--and
on account of the difficulties which the religious oppose to his
collecting rowers, and as those whom they get possess little skill,
he had decided to build four galizabras; these were already being
built, and when well armed and equipped would, with three galliots,
constitute a sufficient force for the clearing and pacification
of those seas. It is therefore desirable that you carefully note
all these matters, and after you have examined and considered them
thoroughly, you will see whether or not it will be advisable to keep
the said galizabras and galliots in case they a