andise. A few days after setting sail it was
overtaken by a storm severe enough to drive it to the coast of this
island of Manila; but, although the hulk was lost, the people and cargo
were saved. Afterward another ship was sent on the same errand. It
is known to have reached Macan and to be trading successfully in
everything, particularly in the purchase of an excellent galleon that
the Portuguese have there, and that we need for the fleet which must
be prepared to oppose the enemy next year.

The Hollanders came to these islands with their fleet of five galleons
to plunder the Chinese ships, as they have done in former years. The
fleet entered the bay of Manila on the twelfth of October, 1618,
and afterward continued coming and going. It went back and forth
on these seas just as if it were at home. But its appearance caused
so little disturbance that everything remained as quiet as before,
which illustrates the force of habit; for being accustomed to seeing
the fleet every year has brought it to pass that its advent now causes
no uneasiness. Nevertheless, sentinels were placed on all the coasts,
and the country was very well prepared. Thus there was nothing to fear;
besides, the enemy does not wish to have us at too close range. On
our side, only three galleons and four galleys were ready for use
in the port of Cavique [_sic_], because not more than two years
ago two of our finest galleons went to the bottom in this sea in a
furious storm. What caused more anxiety was the shipyard where other
galleons were being built. It was feared lest the enemy should go
there to burn them. To prevent this, a little fort was constructed,
and a large force of good infantry and heavy artillery was placed
there to guard the construction. Therefore they said that there was
no need to fear anything, or to doubt that if the enemy should come
to the shipyard he would fail in his design to burn the ships. He did
not attempt it, perhaps because he knew of the thorough preparations
that had been made.

Early in November, when the enemy was in the mouth of the bay,
a Japanese ship came here. When it reached Ilocos, a port of the
island of Manila, it learned that the enemy was in the passage through
which it must go to reach, this city. But as it carried a _chapa_,
or license, from the Japanese emperor it feared nothing. For the
Hollanders respect the emperor's license in so far as it concerns
them, and they give free passage in every part o