out the truth.  The ambassador left for Japon in July.  At the same time, Don Francisco sent the galleon “San Felipe” to Nueva Espana with advice of those rumors.  Those two vessels, that of Alderete and the “San Felipe,” met in Japon, and the natives did not conceive well-disposed intents concerning them.  Alderete learned thoroughly the forces and designs of the Japanese, and his efforts were of use in clearing up the apprehensions prevalent in Manila, and preventing unreasonable fears.  He brought another splendid present to the governor, and both sides made provision for any possible outcome.

The Audiencia was again established in Manila in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, for King Filipo was prudently conferring authority on that province.  The auditors—­Licentiates Zambrano, Mezcoa, [291] and Tellez de Almacan—­and Fiscal Geronymo Salazar y Salcedo, formed it.

[The same year when the Audiencia was reestablished, Felipe II dies at the Escorial (September 13, 1598) and is succeeded by his son Felipe III.  Neglect falls upon Molucca affairs:]

...  Now at this time Heaven was hastening the reduction of the Malucas, and the punishment of the persecution of the faithful, although the tyrants acted more insolently.  But since the enterprise had to be prepared and executed in the Filipinas Islands, and determined and encouraged in the supreme Council of the Indias, it was advisable for the president and counselors to display some warmth in the cause—­which by unhappy circumstances, as one despaired of, no one enlivened; and the papers of discussion and notices belonging to it were forgotten and heaped together....

[Meanwhile the alliance of Ternate with the English continues.  Book vi ends with a tale of occurrences in the household of the king of Ternate.]

[The greater part of the seventh book is taken up with the translation or condensation from the Dutch relation of the first voyage of van Nek to the East Indies.  A critical resume of Erasmus’s description of Holland and its people is given, which allows Argensola, as a churchman and good Catholic, to inveigh against the heresies and many religions of the Dutch.  As a consequence of the Dutch expedition, the Ternatans gain new life in their opposition to the Portuguese and Spaniards.  Frequent embassies are sent to Manila from the Portuguese and natives at Tidore, requesting aid for the Moluccas—­which Francisco Tello was neglecting, as other matters appeared more important.  One embassy, in charge of the brother of the king of Tidore, is followed by another in charge of a Portuguese, Marcos Diaz de Febra, who presents a letter from the Tidore ruler to Dr. Morga.  The embassy is successful, and in 1602 Diaz returns to Tidore with reenforcements and a promise of an expedition from Manila.  In the Philippines themselves, the Chinese are continually congregating in greater numbers, and are rapidly becoming a menace, although the governor is blind to that fact, and claims that they are necessary to the well-being of the community.]