he city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand
six hundred and two, Don Pedro de Acuna, knight of the Order of
San Juan, commander of Salamanca, governor and captain-general of
these Philipinas Islands, and president of the royal Audiencia and
Chancilleria which sits therein, made the following declaration. A
month ago, or thereabouts, he received news and information from Senor
Andres Hurtado de Mendoca that he was in the fortress of Ambona with a
force which he had brought from the city of Goa to conquer and seize
the kingdom of Terrenate, and that to complete the enterprise he was
in great need of assistance from these islands in men, provisions,
and other things. He accordingly requested such assistance, and to this
end had sent Father Andres Pereira of the Society of Jesus and Captain
Antonio de Brito Fogassa, as appears from the letters and advices
in their possession, to which reference is made. His Lordship, the
auditors and fiscal of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of these
said islands, and the officers of the royal exchequer--to whom by one
of the ordinances of the said royal Audiencia had been committed by
his Majesty the provision for such cases without waiting to consult
his Majesty personally--considered the importance, advantage, and
benefit to our lord the king, and the profit to these islands in
the peace that they would enjoy if this project were carried into
execution and the desired assistance were sent. With the unanimous
approval of the members of the council of war he had commanded that
the ship "Santa Potenciana," which is one of his Majesty's vessels,
be immediately fitted out and provided with everything requisite,
with a view to sending in it and in some other smaller vessels
what has been prepared. At present the said ship is ready to sail
to the island of Panay and the province of Pintados to receive the
provisions, the troops, and the other supplies to be sent on the said
expedition. Likewise, at the request and desire of the said Father
Pereira and Captain Brito, he has given them a pilot, Vicente Dias,
a Portuguese, to go in the said ship--one of the best pilots now in
this city. Since everything is ready, the season far advanced, and
promptitude is important, he ordered and does order that notification
of the whole matter be given to the said Andres Pereyra and Captain
Antonio de Brito Fogassa, as persons who came for the said assistance
and are to return with it. His Lor