eaving on the field and taking away many dead
and badly wounded, while we suffered in dead and wounded twenty or
a few more. Thereupon the enemy weighed anchor and left the port in
great ignominy and sorrow. That feat of arms was of great importance
as can be understood from the condition of the country and of the
natives of that island and others near by. I cannot keep silent on
one thing that happened through the fault of him who was governing,
since my intention is to make your Majesty understand the state of
that kingdom. The building of a fort in that port of Yloylo, and the
sending there of six pieces of artillery and one engineer to Don Diego,
had been discussed in Manila. But there was the utmost remissness
and neglect in sending those pieces, for it was considered certain
that if the enemy came he would manage to make himself master of the
port. And although they could have been sent him one month before,
they reached him one week after the opportunity was gone--when, if Don
Diego had had them, he would have sunk half the enemy's fleet. Such
injury is done by the remissness and neglect of him who governs.

The enemy thought that they would make little from Don Diego, and
consequently left that place, and went to anchor in the mouth of the
bay of Manila. They reached an island which is situated in the middle
of the entrance, called Marivelez, where a sentinel is always posted
to give notice of the ships that come to the city. He made signals,
and hence, as we had advices, their arrival was known. They anchored
their vessels at both entrances, so that no ship could enter or leave
without being seen. They captured a few provision-boats, and on some
days they entered the bay with two or three ships to reconnoiter
the port of Cabite, with the desire of having an extended view, and
then returned. They had some communication with the Japanese, who,
as arrogant and barbarous people, despised our fleet. Those people
informed the Dutch that they had nothing to fear, for we were unable
to prepare our fleet because of the lack of many things, so that they
could be quite easy. Consequently they proceeded as would those who
feared nothing.

Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz was then senior auditor, and was
exercising the duties of captain-general. At several councils of war,
it was discussed whether it would be proper to prepare the fleet
that was in port, in order to drive the enemy away. Most were of
the opinion that the flee