On the death of Don Pedro de Acuna in the year 606, your Majesty sent Don Juan de Silva to govern.

Upon his arrival at that kingdom, he was given an opportunity to put his wishes into effect.  A Dutchman arrived there with four ships and one patache, and, having stationed himself at the entrance of the bay of Manila, remained there six months, capturing and pillaging all who came to the city.  Don Juan de Silva had no ships ready to go out to drive the Dutch from that port; but, with the stay of the enemy, he set to work to repair four ships that were there, and to finish another that was being built in a shipyard.  He made haste, and used the iron gratings from the houses of the citizens for the nails that he needed, which the people gave willingly, as well as whatever else was necessary.  Further, he also cast five large pieces of artillery, with which, and with the artillery in the forts, he made ready and equipped five ships with high free-board, and three galleys, and manned them with the most valiant of the soldiers and citizens, among all of them more than one thousand men being Spaniards alone.  He found the enemy very careless, his ships filled with wealth from many rich vessels that they had pillaged, belonging to the Chinese which were coming to Manila, laden with the merchandise that came yearly.  He found only three ships, and attacking and grappling with one of them, it was blown up because of a fire that unfortunately caught.  The other two surrendered, although the victory was not bought cheaply, for many people were killed.  It had been stated two months before that that victory would be gained on St. Mark’s day, [40] as happened, and, as he recounted one night, had been told to him.  But who would say that that victory was to begin his perdition, and so many troubles as I shall relate?

Don Juan de Silva was made very rich by that victory, for the fifth of the booty which your Majesty conceded to him was worth more than two hundred thousand pesos, as I learned from his own mouth.  Besides that, the victory induced in him thoughts for great undertakings, and he did not stop to compare the wealth of that kingdom with his designs.  He discussed building a fleet to go to Terrenate, and put the matter into execution.  Although he was greatly opposed by the entire city—­and especially by the royal Audiencia and royal officials, who judged from their experience that the plan was not advisable—­yet he acted in defiance of them, and left Manila with his fleet, leaving the natives grievously burdened with taxes, your Majesty’s treasury indebted to a vast amount, and the city without artillery.  He went to Maluco, and not only did he not accomplish any good result, but he even returned with little reputation derived from that expedition, as all had foretold.