of 1603; and claims that the Chinese slain therein were themselves
to blame for their deaths. To maintain this position, he cites the
kindness with which the Chinese in the islands were treated by the
Spaniards; and declares that they revolted without provocation, and
killed or abused many Spaniards and Indians, and that the survivors
were punished with great leniency. He sends a part of the money due to
Chinese merchants who owned property in the islands, and promises to
send the rest next year. A letter from one of the auditors at Manila
informs the king that the number of Chinese allowed to remain there
is now (1605) restricted to one thousand five hundred.

Letters from Acuna (July 1-15) to the king give his usual yearly
report of affairs. Reenforcements of troops have arrived from Mexico,
very opportunely for the expedition which Acuna is preparing for the
recovery of Ternate. He details these preparations, and the condition
of his troops and ships. He complains of the opposition which he has
encountered from the archbishop and the auditor Maldonado. Various
private persons have volunteered to go with him, carrying their
own provisions. He plans to leave Panay in February, 1606; and has
been informed that the Dutch are preparing a large fleet to drive
the Spaniards from the Maluco Islands, and to establish themselves
more firmly there than before. Acuna needs more money, to pay his
troops in the Maluco campaign; he asks for further supplies, urges
the desirability of cutting off the Dutch from their treasury of the
Spice Islands, and recommends a vigorous prosecution of hostilities
against them. He recommends better adjustment of the soldiers'
pay. In another letter Acuna reports the failure of this year's
trading voyage to Mexico, one of the ships being compelled to return
to port and the other being probably lost--which causes the utmost
distress and poverty in the islands. Acuna relates the non-residence
in the islands of Gabriel de Ribera, in consequence of which his
encomiendas have been taken from him and given to others. The Moro
pirates are apparently disposed to make peace, so Acuna is discussing
this with them; but he has little confidence in their promises, except
as he can inspire them with fear. The difficulties arising from the
slaughter of the Chinese in their revolt of 1603 have been a source
of much anxiety to the Spaniards; but these are in a fair way to be
settled. The fiscal, Salazar y Salcedo,