_Commission to Antonio de Morga_
In the city of Manila, on the thirty-first of October of the year
one thousand six hundred, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands having assembled,
the president announced to the said auditors that news had been
received that, on the sixteenth of the current month and year, two
foreign ships had anchored in the bay of Albay, outside the mouth
of the channel of these islands; whereupon he sent by land Captains
Pedro de Arceo, Cobarrubias, and Christoval de Axqueta with seventy
soldiers--arquebusiers and musketeers--to the place where said ships
were stationed, in order to make the defense and resistance that
occasion and opportunity might offer. He also ordered several ships
to be equipped and prepared at the port of Cavite, so that they could
attack the said vessels. At this juncture of affairs, it was now
reported that, on the twenty-fourth of the current month and year,
the said ships had weighed anchor, left the said bay of Albay, entered
the channel of Capul, and anchored at the island of Capul, where
they still were. The enemy's intention, according to the president,
is to advance upon this city. Accordingly, whatever may happen,
both in order to resist him, and to prevent among these islands the
possible effects to them and the vessels about to come from Castilla,
it is very advisable and necessary to go, with all haste, in pursuit
of said enemy, and to assure the safety of the vessels and the port
of Cavite. As has been gathered from recent discussions held in the
presence of the said president and auditors, with certain captains and
men of experience, it is necessary to equip the deep-draught vessels
quickly, and what light vessels can be prepared, so that they may
attack the enemy. Now in order that the aforesaid preparations may
be effected and executed with all diligence and precision by all, it
is advisable for the said president and auditors--the latter acting
jointly with the said president--to attend personally to this matter,
on account of its importance; for thus will the despatch be effected
more quickly, and with the necessary equipment. The president requested
that, attentive to the aforesaid, they decide and determine the
course advisable to pursue in this matter. After having considered
the above proposition, the said president and auditors resolved
that Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of this Audiencia, should go
immediately to the port of Cavite and take charge of the despatch
and preparation of the vessels about to go to attack the said enemy,
and to place the said port in a state of defense. For this purpose
he shall request the necessary means, which shall be given him as
may be provided and ordained. The licentiate Tellez Almazan, also
an auditor of this Audiencia, shall remain in this city to attend to
what is necessary for its defense, and for the provision of the said
port of Cavite. The president declares that the commandant at either
place shall also assist and aid in such work as may be necessary, and
as occasion may demand, so that by this means all possible diligence,
together with the requisite haste, may be observed.
_Don Francisco Tello_
_Doctor Antonio de Morga_
The licentiate _Tellez Almazan_