ila; and the Moluccans ally
themselves with the Dutch. Los Rios begs that good treatment be given
to the captive king, who is still in Manila, who, although well treated
during Acuna's life, is afterward neglected and uncared for. [39] Los
Rios asks that good treatment be accorded to the king "for the sake
of your Majesty's reputation with those nations; for they will think
that you order your ministers to inflict that ill-treatment.... Don
Pedro de Acuna died when he was beginning to open his eyes, and to
govern very acceptably to all. It is rumored that he was poisoned,
although I cannot persuade myself of that fact." As governor _ad
interim_ the viceroy of Nueva Espana sends Rodrigo de Vivero, who
governs until the arrival of Juan de Silva, when he sets sail in the
ship "San Francisco," but is wrecked at Japan, because it sailed late.]

Chapter VII. Of the government of Don Juan de Silva, and events with
the Dutch.

On the death of Don Pedro de Acuna in the year 606, your Majesty sent
Don Juan de Silva to govern.

Upon his arrival at that kingdom, he was given an opportunity to put
his wishes into effect. A Dutchman arrived there with four ships and
one patache, and, having stationed himself at the entrance of the
bay of Manila, remained there six months, capturing and pillaging
all who came to the city. Don Juan de Silva had no ships ready to
go out to drive the Dutch from that port; but, with the stay of the
enemy, he set to work to repair four ships that were there, and to
finish another that was being built in a shipyard. He made haste,
and used the iron gratings from the houses of the citizens for the
nails that he needed, which the people gave willingly, as well as
whatever else was necessary. Further, he also cast five large pieces
of artillery, with which, and with the artillery in the forts, he made
ready and equipped five ships with high free-board, and three galleys,
and manned them with the most valiant of the soldiers and citizens,
among all of them more than one thousand men being Spaniards alone. He
found the enemy very careless, his ships filled with wealth from
many rich vessels that they had pillaged, belonging to the Chinese
which were coming to Manila, laden with the merchandise that came
yearly. He found only three ships, and attacking and grappling with
one of them, it was blown up because of a fire that unfortunately
caught. The other two surrendered, although the victory was not
bo