skilful mariners and a pilot, to guide them to these islands.  The captive mariner knew these men, and in conversation with them he learned what I have related.  This ship left England with two others, and plundered sixteen ships off the coast of Piru.  One of the three was lost; the remaining two captured the said galleon “Santa Ana,” and came to these islands.  They were separated in a storm, and only this one arrived.  It brought about fifty men, most of them pilots.  This mariner noticed that this vessel carried twenty-five pieces of bronze, and cast-iron artillery, and much ammunition.  The ship is small, of about one hundred and fifty toneladas, staunch and well fitted.  There is no doubt that they have plundered more than a million [pesos’] worth of gold, pearls, musk, civet, and rich merchandise, which all belonged in Nueva Espana.  The Spaniards there would have been diligent in pursuing this corsair; but, as I received information so late, and the enemy only reconnoitered here, without remaining at any place, to inform them would have done no good.  I sent word to Maluco, whither it seems the enemy directed his course, to the captain-general and to the sea-captains who might be there with their galleons; also to the petty kings friendly to your Majesty, and to the fort at Ambueno—­where, it is understood, this corsair is going to spend the winter and repair his ship.  Captain Francisco is at an island of that archipelago called Jula, near either Macasar or Japara.  I advised the sending of a message to him, and the exercise of diligence, as they have greater facility for obtaining news there on account of the many ships which are usually near at hand.  And I advised them to follow the Englishman and ascertain where he was going to winter; for it was impossible to return immediately to his own country, because the weather began to be contrary.  It would be necessary to pass out through Sunda and other straits, of which the Portuguese are warned; and there it would be easy to await him and cut off his passage, as they hold him so closely.  This account was given by a sailor—­a native of this land—­who was seized in the galleon, and carried away by the Englishman.  He escaped at the mouth of the channel of these islands, and I have kept him here with me.  His declarations accompany this letter.

The first time when this galleon “Sancta Ana” sailed from here, I sent by her some artillery removed from your Majesty’s forts, in order to provide greater security.  In Nueva Espana the artillery was taken out, and the ship returned without it.  I thought that if I sent more on the ships, and it were taken out over there, the forts here would be in need, while the ships would gain nothing.  Understanding that there was no danger from corsairs on the voyage, I sent the ships, as usual, without artillery.  Now that I have seen the need for artillery, and the risk that they run, if it is not carried, I am sending two ships this year, each with four heavy