I am very glad that your Excellency adjusted matters by ordering the
return of the negroes and Indians who had been carried from this land;
for all of us were very anxious as to the number that we were to send
hereafter in the ships which should leave these regions. May our Lord
prosper your Excellency's life so that it may be of service to our
Lord and to his Majesty, as it has been thus far.
In this voyage our men seized two Chinese junks laden with merchandise,
plundered all the goods, and brought here one of the laden junks
and four Chinese. Afterward these Chinese, together with the others,
who had remained in those islands where they had been seized, were
sent back, so that they might return to their own country. I was
exceedingly sorry that such an injury should be inflicted upon men who
had neither offended us nor given us occasion to justify this action;
and what grieves me most in this affair is the news which the Chinese
will carry to their own country about us, and about the good deeds
which were done to them, and which they saw done to others, for our
credit in China.
As a result, most excellent Sir, the commerce between us and
these Moros of Lucon has come to a standstill, on account of the
ill-treatment that they have received at our hands. They carried
back to their land all that they could, and in so doing they caused
us no little injury; for we had a share in the commerce maintained
with them, since the Moros brought and sold to us provisions. This
suited us well, for already there was no other place where we could
settle in this neighborhood except Lucon; but now I do not know what
plan and arrangement can be made. May our Lord adjust matters as it
pleases Him best, for certainly there is need of it.
A few days ago I went to the island of Cubu to set free some friendly
Indians whom some soldiers had seized in a village which had paid
tribute, and which held a deed of security. It was very difficult
to get them back, for they had been sold and were already among the
Indians. This cost me no little labor; but our Lord, who helps good
intentions, favored me, and all the Indians were returned to their
village at my expense. This success caused much joy and satisfaction
among the Indians of the neighborhood.
Your Excellency should also try to send all the married men who can
possibly come. For with the existence of settled communities the
natives of this land will feel more secure, and the married Spaniards
will devote themselves to sowing and raising the products of the land;
but, if married men do not come, order and harmony will be lacking,
as they have been hitherto.
The recent arrival of married men caused great joy among all the
natives of these islands, for they do not feel safe with us--saying
that we do not intend to remain in the land, since we do not bring our
wives with us. Up to this time they have mistrusted us much; but, on
seeing the arrival of women, they have become somewhat reassured. If
your Excellency orders many to come, and if a community of married
people is established, the natives will become totally reconciled
and will serve us better.
Between this island of Panae and that of Cubu we have found
a pearl-fishery, from which the natives are accustomed to obtain
their pearls. This year the governor [101] sent there a Spaniard to
fish for the pearls, in company with the Indians of an island called
Bantayan, which lies near the fishery. Some of the pearls he brought
were as large as hazel-nuts, or a little smaller, and others were
much smaller. It is said that, on account of bad weather, he was not
able to fish there more than two hours, and consequently he did not
gather very many pearls. Many fisheries of a similar kind are to be
found in these islands.
One of the things, most excellent Sir, which has caused and still
causes us much injury, as it concerns both the souls and the peace
of mind of these wretched natives, is our incurable greed, which is
so deeply rooted in our hearts. The eyes of the understanding are
so closed in that respect that only God could uproot it from our
hearts. May our Lord remedy it according to His knowledge of what is
necessary for His service.
I beseech your Excellency kindly to send me a cipher system, so
that I may give notice of what we need for the service of God and
of his Majesty. I beseech your Excellency to forgive my boldness,
for certainly my desire and intention is to be fully successful in
the service of his Majesty and of your Excellency.