al
officials, and persons who understood it, to examine it. To my summons
they replied that it absolutely had nothing of use on it but the nails;
accordingly, with their advice, it was beached. I have only the galliot
left here and that is as free from iron and rigging as the galleys
here have always been. The galliot is the feet and hands of these
islands, and that which serves as a caracoa; for, glory be to God,
the Meldicas [_sic; sc._ mestizos] and native Christians are wanting
to me. The reason that moves me to this will be told your Lordship by
Don Pedro Tellez, whom I wished to make a witness of this unfortunate
state of affairs, and of what the service of his Majesty suffers.

Will your Lordship advise me of your resolution to come to these forts,
and whether the viceroy of India is coming now with the squadron that
your Lordship has built. What I can say is that your Lordship's speedy
arrival here matters so much, although it be with only your galleys,
that on that alone depends the restoration of these two islands,
which will be maintained with the hope that your Lordship will come
hither in the time above stated. If you do not come, the islands and
the Spaniards who inhabit them will certainly perish; for although the
king of Tidore is our friend, he is the only one, and he does not have
the same assurance of his island as hitherto. For that reason, it is
advisable for me always to keep in this island the greater part of the
infantry of this camp, divided among the fort of Santiago, the fort
of Principe Tomanira, and Socanora. From the above your Lordship will
infer that I have need of protecting myself not only from the Dutch
but also from the natives and our intimates; for things are very much
changed from what your Lordship is informed. Tidore, July 29, 1616.

_Don Geronimo de Silva_

Chapter IX. Of the coming of the Dutch to Manila in search of Don
Juan de Silva.

It was learned in Maluco from the Dutch commander who passed through
the Strait of Magallanes and infested the coasts of Piru and Nueva
Espana--the same one who arrived at Manila just after the departure
of Don Juan de Silva--that Don Juan had laid his course toward Malaca
and thence to Maluco. Immediately all their ships were collected,
and, repairing many, they equipped the ten best ones, taking the
best artillery and men from their forts for that purpose, with the
determination of awaiting Silva. But when they saw that he dela