that there are no greater enemies of the immaculate Christian law than are many of your Majesty’s officials here.  Your Majesty has provided, and well, that the possessions of the Chinese should not be disturbed or the best of them taken away, inasmucn as this is one way of ruining both Spaniards and Chinese.  But this order is not in the least observed.  Your Majesty will credit me with freedom from any exaggeration in regard to the Order of our father St. Dominic.  At present it is sending one of our principal friars, who is prior here at Manila, named Fray [Diego] de Soria.  He knows more about these islands and countries than many even of those who remain.  He will give you information of everything, if your Majesty wishes.  Manila, July 5, 1598.

[Endorsed:  “The bishop of Nueva Segovia, July 5, 98.  Received April 6, 600.  Bid the archbishop and governor to exercise great care in the fair treatment and instruction of these Sangleys; and let them see that no injury is done them, so that no harm may result to their settlement.”]

Letters from Francisco Tello to Felipe II

Sire: 

Last year I wrote your Majesty an account of the state of military affairs.  What has happened since then is as follows.

The pacification of Mindanao was undertaken by General Don Juan Ronquillo, who fought with the enemy and eight hundred Terrenatans who came to their assistance.  He destroyed and defeated them, killing a number of people.  Just when the ruler of Mindanao had offered to make peace, Ronquillo received my order to retire with all his forces to La Caldera, as I did not know of the successful engagement.  Before this he had written to me, after having conquered the enemy, that, on account of this success and the improvement of affairs, he would not, even if he should receive an order from me to do so, retire until affairs were more settled.  However, when my order arrived, he was in some difficulties, and therefore left that place and retired to La Caldera, which is near.  There he built a fort, and before he departed thence, he received my second order to remain at the river of Mindanao, the first place taken, and build a fort there.  Not only did he fail to comply with this order, but he has returned with all the troops except a hundred men, leaving everything there exposed to danger.  I reported this to the Audiencia, and after they had examined the papers thereof, I resolved to arrest the said Don Juan, accuse him, and after trying him, convict or acquit him. [16] Affairs being in this condition, I sent aid to La Caldera, which was very necessary; and I wrote to the army, encouraging them to persevere in the service of your Majesty.