the king's kinsmen. I learned that some chiefs of
these islands had intrigued with that people to secure their aid;
and that they had plotted together to do this, and had agreed to bring
Burney and the kings of Jolo and of Mindanao, and many other foreigners
against this city, in order to rob and kill us. As there was a Japanese
ship here, they conferred with the captain, and with people who came
from that land, all Japanese, proposing that the latter should aid
them with what they had, and with supplies and everything necessary,
and thus deliver to them this land, in accordance with the plan and
arrangements previously agreed upon. So well did they keep this secret,
during fifteen months while they were awaiting a favorable opportunity,
that they were not even suspected by myself, or the religious, or any
other person. To accomplish their design, they despatched the chiefs
of these islands to Burney, and to the other kingdoms three chiefs of
their number. They wrote to Japon, so that, at the appointed time,
all would come; and all were given orders as to what they were to
do. I made secret investigations, and found out that all the aforesaid
was true; and in a short time I had in my hands the guilty ones who
were in these islands, and also those who had gone away after the
death of the people, so that none remained uncaptured. Without any
disturbance whatever, I beheaded seven of the authors of the rebellion,
sons, nephews, and grandsons of the lords of this land. Others not so
culpable I punished by exile to Nueva Espana and by other penalties,
so that it now seems that this disturbance is quelled. After that,
in the province of Cubu and in that called the Pintados, the chiefs
held a conference, and plotted to kill the Spaniards. The majority of
those who took part in this have been imprisoned, and proceedings are
being instituted against them. I think that this will cause us but
little trouble. This boldness is caused by the natives noticing the
fewness of Spanish troops in the islands and the few reenforcements
sent from Nueva Espana. It is necessary that your Majesty should
order that there be less negligence in this respect.

By a royal decree your Majesty commands me to sell the magistracies
of this city and four offices of notaries-public therein; also those
of the provinces of Oton, Cebu, Camarines, Ylocos, Cagayan, Panpanga,
and Bonbon. As the land is so newly settled, and the offices of so
little profit, I w