attributed to him, as was evident, the saving of their
possessions. But he who regards the opportunity that Silva lost, and
how much more important it would have been not to have left Manila,
but to have been there when the enemy (who passed through the Strait
of Magallanes) arrived, will see how unsatisfactory was the Malaca
expedition.

Don Juan de Silva had already prepared his fleet, and his yards
were already squared, when a discussion arose as to whether it was
advisable for him to go in search of the enemy, for which purpose
he had prepared it. A general meeting of ecclesiastical and secular
cabildos, the bishop, and the orders, was called, together with the
royal Audiencia. Silva made them a harangue, and showed a royal decree
that he had received shortly before, in which it was ordered that
he should make the expedition. He read what was most suitable to his
purpose, whereupon Doctor Vega, your auditor, asked him to give it to
the secretary to read publicly, as they wished to know its contents. It
was read, and your Majesty ordered in it that the viceroy of India
be advised, so that both should join forces and go in pursuit of the
enemy with their fleets, and that the viceroy should act as superior
officer if he came in person. From this, they took occasion to oppose
Silva, and said that he was not obeying your Majesty's orders. They
reminded him that he did not have sailors, because while the fewest
number of sailors necessary for ten galleys amounted to fifty, he did
not have twelve effective ones, because they had fled, as above stated.

_Item_: That he was only carrying two iron anchors for each galleon,
disproportionate to their size, besides two others of wood, which
are called _cenepites_; and that he was going into seas with strong
currents and shoals, where he had to anchor every day, with evident
peril and known danger of losing his fleet.

_Item_: That he was not carrying suitable rigging or sails. At the
same time they told him that he was leaving the city depopulated of
the men who might defend it in any sudden need.

_Item_: That he had dismantled the forts and walls of artillery, and
had left no good piece, contrary to the ordinances of your Majesty,
and to all good government.

_Item_: That it was easy for the enemy, knowing the route that he
was taking, to attack the city, which was surrounded by more than
fifteen thousand Chinese, and a considerable number of Japanese,
all of whom were a