renate; and attempted
to send it earlier than formerly, in order to guard against the
enemy, who continually await the ship at the entrance of those
forts. Notwithstanding the small amount of money and other supplies
that could be taken hence, because the misery here had become as
extreme as one can imagine, yet what was sent in men, food, and
war-supplies, was the most abundant that has entered those forts for a
considerable number of years--as the governor, being the one in charge
of all those matters, will fully inform your Majesty. With that relief
a present was also sent to the king of Macazar in your Majesty's
name, in recognition of the friendly reception and entertainment
found in his country by your Majesty's [_word illegible in MS._]
vassals, and for the great importance of preserving his friendship,
as I have stated in other letters.

Governor Don Alonso Fajardo heard by way of Japon--through an entirely
trustworthy person, who is accustomed always to give information of
very important matters--that the Dutch enemy had allied themselves
with the English, and that both nations had made an alliance to come
to pillage these coasts, and that they had prepared and well equipped
for that purpose a squadron of twelve large ships belonging to both
nations. That news caused keen anxiety in this city, inasmuch as two
so powerful nations were seen to be allied for its destruction and
ruin. The most anxious was the governor, not so much because the remedy
depended upon him, as because he found himself with so few forces,
and it was impossible to be able to prevent so serious injury as was
expected. Before anything else he tried to inform your Majesty of that
alliance, sending a despatch for that purpose by way of Portuguese
India, so that it might reach your Majesty's royal hands with the
promptness that so important a matter demanded.

Notwithstanding that there were not wanting some here who doubted
the truth of those despatches from Japon, yet the governor, being so
anxious for your Majesty's service, began to prepare and furnish all
that was necessary for the repair of the vessels stationed in the
port of Cavite, and many other things that had need of repair. At
that time, on the second of February, he heard that the enemy were
on the coast. In a very few days they entered by the mouth of this
bay with nine vessels, seven of them of great burden, and the other
two of medium size. As commander of that squadron came