The King.  To Don Juan Nino de Tabora, knight of the habit of Calatrava, member of my Council of War, my governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia therein:  In a letter written to me by that city on August 13, of the former year 1624, it mentions that in the hospitals there the sick endure great hardships, and that the hospitals are not administered with the care that is advisable, which causes many to die (and those chiefly soldiers); and that it would be very advisable for the brothers of [St.] John of God to take charge of their administration and service.  Having been examined by my Council of the Indias, I order you, as it is a pious matter and one suitable for your office, on your part to have all care so that the poor have the best accommodation possible, and be aided, as I expect from you; for besides fulfilling your obligations in this you will serve me.  Madrid, October 16, 1626.

I The King By order of the king our sovereign:  Don Fernando Ruiz de Contreras

MILITARY AFFAIRS OF THE ISLANDS

Most authentic relation, in which is narrated the present condition of the wars against the Dutch in the Filipinas and the kingdoms of Japon; and the famous deeds of Don Fernando de Silva, sargento-mayor, together with the great victories of the Spaniards, who destroyed four hundred Dutchmen.  The year 1626.

I shall relate what things are new in these remote districts.  I shall give a brief narrative both of the island of Mindanao, whose conquest is being made at present, and of Don Fernando de Silva, captain and commander of the soldiers, who went to China.  The island of Mindanao is one of the largest that are seen in this archipelago.  It has quantities of cinnamon, and is very rich, through the trade that they carry on with all the nations and with these islands.  Its natives are given over to the vile worship of Mahoma to a degree not reached by the Moors [i.e., those of Spain] themselves.  That worship holds them so tightly in its abominations that it rears them with extreme hatred toward Christians, both Spaniards and Indians.  The disposition of the people is vile but bold, and they are given to insults and robbery.  They make raids through the islands that are instructed by the Society of Jesus, plundering, robbing, and capturing many.  But having recognized the valor of the Spaniards on various occasions when the latter have scattered and destroyed their fleets of small vessels, they recently made treaties of peace, and sent ambassadors to Manila to the governor with captives and presents—­requesting an alliance, and soldiers, in order that these make a settlement in their lands, and aid them against others who are their enemies, inhabitants of the same island, with whom they wage civil war.  They were well received by the governor, and given a valiant captain with five hundred soldiers; and the father