and likewise sent with it a nephew of his.  Another chief, named Silonga, [30] who holds the most authority of all in affairs of war, did likewise.  He also gave up without ransom two other Spaniards, a few natives, and a priest, and likewise sent one of his nephews.  They are both here; and within the few days since they have arrived it is understood that fifty ships from Mindanao have gone against the islands of Leyte and Camar, which are in the province of Cebu, and have wrought havoc there; the commander was Buycan, another chief from Mindanao.  Between these three, Umpi, Silonga, and Buycan, and the present king, Rajaniora, the whole country is divided, and the military power; likewise each one has his own following and people, set apart and acknowledged.  They have usually dissensions and controversies among themselves, for he who has the most people and wealth seeks to be more esteemed than the others.  But against the Spaniards and their other enemies they confederate and unite, and ordinarily Silonga has the most power.  His nephew and others claim that he is not to blame for the expedition of Buycan—­saying that although he knew of it, and desired that he should not go out upon the raid, and even asked him not to, and to that end gave him a bonus of gold, he could not prevail upon him; nor was this a matter for him to forcibly interfere in, because there is no subjection of the one to the other.  It is thus that matters stand, and we needs must tolerate it for the present, since nothing else can be done, considering the news which we are expecting from China.  If this had not intervened, we had resolved to seek them with the galeotas and other oared vessels in their own country in this month of January, and to harry and lay waste their coasts, obstructing their harbors and rivers and burning their vessels.  This, by not allowing them to depart from their own coasts, would inflict great damage upon them; but it is necessary, as I said, to employ some other means which is now being examined into.  I shall advise your Majesty as to what resolution is taken, by way of Nueva Espana.

I likewise informed your Majesty of the straits in which your royal treasury was because of the little money which had come from Mejico this year—­not only for the treasury, but for the citizens as well; and because of the expenses which have been incurred in this affair with the Sangleys, and others which are presenting themselves every day.  The treasury is so poor and needy that I find myself in a thousand difficulties, having no place whence to draw money; and it is necessary that it should not fail when occasion demands, or we shall lose everything.  Although all the people are encouraged to do all in their power, and the natives help, yet as they are poor—­because their property is in the power of the Mejicans, who will not send it back, saying they have not permission therefor, as I explained to you in the last letter—­it is little they can do in this matter.  Indeed,