Sire:
I have striven for your Majesty's service in this government to the
extent of my ability, and I have done my duty with much care and
diligence. I have punished certain individuals, as it seemed proper
to do; and hence it has resulted that I have rivals--as have all of
us who have governed, and are engaged in your Majesty's service in the
Indias. Although in all things I have always been favorable to Doctor
Morga--who was my lieutenant-general, and who is now auditor of this
royal Audiencia--I have been informed by many persons that he has
spoken ill of my proceedings, and has even opened the way for others
to write evil of me to your Majesty. I have never paid any attention
to this, since I felt that my actions proved my innocence; nor have I
ever thought it necessary to write to your Majesty about this matter,
although some things seemed to affect my honor; for, having been bred
in honor, I thought that in the end the truth must come to light,
and could not be obscured, [_MS. worn_] the royal service could not
be hindered here. [But now I feel] [8] myself compelled to speak of
this, because a letter was written [to] the auditor, Tellez Almacan,
in September of last year, which was a slanderous libel, without
signature; and I have another which was written this year, at the port,
to the auditor Don Antonio Maldonado, in the name of a friar. The
handwriting of it must be Doctor Morga's, although it is disguised,
[for so it was considered] by the auditor Almaçan, who is writing to
your Majesty about this, as also is the fiscal of this Audiencia. I
beg your Majesty to commission whomsoever your Majesty deems best,
to investigate this matter, for it is not just that this evil act be
passed by in silence. I assure your Majesty that I have seriously
tried, and am still trying, not to be offended by their insults in
this land; and that in the Audiencia, not only have I kept, and still
maintain, great harmony, but I am also trying to harmonize the auditors
and the fiscal; for now they are not in accord, and many [of them]
have disputes and all [come to me,] and I reconcile them. In order
that your Majesty may know the manner in which I have served you, and
my method of procedure in this government, and in order that it may
be seen that [_MS. worn_] whatever may have been reported, or shall
be reported, to your Majesty in another way, I have wished to make,
before this same Doctor Morga, the report that I am sending to your
Majesty, from the most honorable people of this land, in order that
you may understand better my zeal for your Majesty's royal service,
and the good of this realm. May our Lord preserve the Catholic person
of your Majesty, as is befitting. Manila, July 14, 99.
_Don Francisco Tello_
[_Endorsed:_ "Governor Don Francisco Tello, July 14. Let this be
kept until that which is mentioned here arrives, and then let it
be presented."]
Sire:
I wrote your Majesty by the ships sailing from here to Nueva
España this year, about the news I had from Malaca concerning the
English ships which had come to Sunda, and had made a settlement and
fortification there; and that I was awaiting a more detailed account
of the enemy's designs from the commandant of Malaca, and everything
else relating to the subject. [9] Advices have now come from the
commandant of Maluco that two English ships had arrived there, and had
formed an alliance with Terrenate, as your Majesty will be informed
in greater detail by the copies of his letters which I enclose, and
also those of the king of Tidore and the people of that stronghold,
requesting in strong terms that I send them aid. [10]
I then called a council of war to consider the disposition of the
affairs of these islands, and what was to be done therefor--since
affairs are in the condition which I have described to your Majesty
in other letters. As there are but few and badly-armed troops, and so
few supplies with which we could send help, it was unanimously agreed
to give no aid whatever to Maluco, but to undertake the no small task
of preserving this land. Notwithstanding, I am thinking of sending
reenforcements of supplies, powder, ammunition, and other military
supplies such as can be given, also a dozen musketeers. As that land
belongs to your Majesty, it is but just that your Majesty's servants
and vassals should make all possible efforts to aid it. I assure
your Majesty that if you are not pleased to provide this realm with a
goodly number of well-armed troops and with money from Nueva España,
according to the demands made by him who shall be governor--who, since
this fort is placed in his keeping, can well be entrusted with twenty
thousand pesos more, in control of the officials of your Majesty's
royal exchequer--we may find ourselves hard pressed. I fulfil my
duty by giving account thereof to your Majesty, and by defending
this land as occasion may arise therefor. In whatever I find to do,
here or elsewhere, I shall strive to serve your Majesty well; but
if on account of my little strength, I should be somewhat remiss,
I beg your Majesty to understand that I could do no more.
At the news of the English, it was urgently necessary to aid Cebu. But
as we did not have it to send, and the presidio of La Caldera,
[11] with its eighty Spanish soldiers (who go more than a legua by
water), [12] was in danger; and since the English and Terrenatans are
confederated, they may attack the fort, and if the water is cut off
from them the Spaniards are lost--I have resolved, with the approval
of the council of war, immediately to withdraw those troops with
their artillery; and that they, after burning their fort, shall go to
Cebu. When it shall appear to me that a favorable opportunity occurs,
they can return to La Caldera, from which, according to orders, it
is necessary that punishment be inflicted on the king of Jolo for
the crimes, and the murders of Spaniards committed in this land.
I am writing to the viceroy of Nueva España the information I have
received of the hostile ships; I am asking for reenforcements, [13]
and that the ships which return next year must sail very cautiously,
as perchance the enemy might be awaiting them at the mouth of the
channel, or outside of it. Moreover, he should send the duties
and freight-charges that are paid at Acapulco from the Chinese
merchandise. Your Majesty has ordered that this money be returned to
us, but it has never been done. If it were sent to this royal treasury,
this kingdom would not suffer its present necessity and danger.
For some time past I have exercised great care and diligence in the
founding of artillery, [14] and it is being more carefully done. Four
out of five medium-sized pieces, which were being founded, have
resulted well, and I am very well pleased. The said founding is being
continued by native Indians, and I have a quantity of metals for said
work in the royal warehouses of your Majesty. May God our Lord preserve
the royal Catholic person of your Majesty. Manila, August 7, 1599.
_Don Francisco Tello_