ntirely
completed. It is also necessary that another goodly amount of money be
sent to the treasury of the Filipinas Islands, on a separate account,
because it is so empty and depleted. The garrison also is lacking
in men, and this should be provided for in part. All this having
been reviewed and examined with the attention which a matter of so
much importance requires, it appears that Don Pedro de Acuna has the
Terrenate undertaking well under way, and that he should be thanked
for it, as well as for going thither in person, on which account
it seems that that matter will have better support, and that better
results may be expected from it, on account of the good judgment and
experience which he is known to possess. The information which we have
of the care with which the rebels are fortifying themselves in those
regions and getting control of the trade with them is very important;
for from this results very great loss to your Majesty's exchequer,
and great benefit and increase to that of the enemy, which may be the
greatest support they have for the war which they are carrying on. If
God grants good success in the Terrenate undertaking, as is hoped,
and if Don Pedro can put that stronghold in a state of defense with
a sufficient garrison for safety, and if it appears to him that,
with the remainder of his men and what fleet may be left to him,
he can regain Ambueno and drive the Hollanders out from that island,
as he has given notice that he can do (relying on what the aforesaid
brother Gaspar Gomes has said), the aforesaid Don Pedro de Acuna
might be commanded to do so, and to place it in such a state of
defense and security as is necessary to that stronghold--which is
of the greatest importance for the preservation and security of the
trade of the crown of Portugal, and for obstructing and hindering
the designs of the enemy. Since that nation [_i.e._, the Dutch]
has more steadiness and courage in its military actions than the
Indians, and as it is quite a different thing to fight with them,
it is of great importance that Don Pedro should not lack sufficient
forces, and that he should be succored from Mexico immediately. For
this purpose the Marques de Montesclaros should be written to, and
a despatch-boat sent to him, ordering him that without loss of time
he should proceed to help Don Pedro with the men, arms, gunpowder,
munitions, and money which he requires for this Terrenate expedition,
and whatever may result f