(_To be sent to his Majesty_)
In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand
six hundred and two, Don Pedro de Acuña, knight of the Order of
San Juan, commander of Salamanca, governor and captain-general of
these Philipinas Islands, and president of the royal Audiencia and
Chancillería which sits therein, made the following declaration. A
month ago, or thereabouts, he received news and information from Señor
Andrés Hurtado de Mendoça that he was in the fortress of Ambona with a
force which he had brought from the city of Goa to conquer and seize
the kingdom of Terrenate, and that to complete the enterprise he was
in great need of assistance from these islands in men, provisions,
and other things. He accordingly requested such assistance, and to this
end had sent Father Andres Pereira of the Society of Jesus and Captain
Antonio de Brito Fogassa, as appears from the letters and advices
in their possession, to which reference is made. His Lordship, the
auditors and fiscal of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería of these
said islands, and the officers of the royal exchequer--to whom by one
of the ordinances of the said royal Audiencia had been committed by
his Majesty the provision for such cases without waiting to consult
his Majesty personally--considered the importance, advantage, and
benefit to our lord the king, and the profit to these islands in
the peace that they would enjoy if this project were carried into
execution and the desired assistance were sent. With the unanimous
approval of the members of the council of war he had commanded that
the ship "Santa Potenciana," which is one of his Majesty's vessels,
be immediately fitted out and provided with everything requisite,
with a view to sending in it and in some other smaller vessels
what has been prepared. At present the said ship is ready to sail
to the island of Panay and the province of Pintados to receive the
provisions, the troops, and the other supplies to be sent on the said
expedition. Likewise, at the request and desire of the said Father
Pereira and Captain Brito, he has given them a pilot, Vicente Dias,
a Portuguese, to go in the said ship--one of the best pilots now in
this city. Since everything is ready, the season far advanced, and
promptitude is important, he ordered and does order that notification
of the whole matter be given to the said Andres Pereyra and Captain
Antonio de Brito Fogassa, as persons who came for the said assistance
and are to return with it. His Lordship now has the said ship "Santa
Potenciana" ready and fitted out with all things necessary to the
voyage, and they are immediately or at a proper time to embark in her
to go to the island of Panay, in the province of Pintados, where his
Lordship is going in person to hasten and direct in the best manner
the said assistance; and to give and deliver to them the infantry,
provisions, and other supplies which they were to take for that
purpose. And since they are provided with everything necessary,
let them attend to and carry out the undertaking accordingly. The
supplies are not deficient; on the contrary, he has provided them,
and he demands that if by a failure to carry out the enterprise, or
by not departing in season with the said ship, the said assistance
does not attain the desired end, or some loss occurs, or any other
evil result follows, it shall be charged to their account and be at
their responsibility, and not at that of his Lordship. For he on his
part has complied with everything asked from him, by word of mouth
or in writing, by the said Señor Andres Hurtado de Mendoca; and has
done it with the good-will and care requisite in a matter of so great
importance and consequence, and of so great service to the royal person
of the king our lord, and the advantage and peace of this kingdom. Thus
I order, direct, and attest. Let an official copv of this declaration
and the answer thereto be made, that for all time the zeal with which
I have attended to the affairs of the royal service may be made plain.
_Don Pedro de Acuña_
Before me:
_Francisco Sarmiento_
_Notification_
In the city of Manila, on the third of October of the said year, I,
clerk of the government, read the above official act, communicated
it word by word, and gave notice of it to Father Andres Pereyra of
the Society of Jesus and to Captain Antonio de Brito in person. When
they had heard the contents thereof they declared that they were
ready to undertake the direction and completion of the enterprise,
and that in execution thereof they would go on the following day, or
the second day at latest, and embark in the said vessel at the port of
Cauite for the island of Panay, as they were directed. This they gave
as their answer. As witnesses there affixed their signatures: Father
Diego Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus; General Don Juan Ronquillo;
and the sargento-mayor Captain Christoual de Azqueta.
_André Pereyra Antonio de Brito Fogassa Francisco Sarmiento_
I, Francisco Sarmiento, clerk of the government of these Philipinas
Islands for the king our lord, was present at that of which I make
mention above, and caused this copy to be made of the said official
act which was in the archives of my said office, with the notification
to them of the request made by Señor Don Pedro de Acuña, governor
and captain-general of these said islands. This is a corrected,
exact, and faithful copy. Witnesses of the correction and accuracy
are: Geronimo Suarez and Juan de Aldabe, citizens of this city of
Manila. Made therein, on the seventh of October, one thousand six
hundred and two. Interlineations: _nao, el, Vala_. In testimony of
the truth, I have affixed my seal.
_Francisco Sarmiento_
Gratis.