Notwithstanding that there were not wanting some here who doubted the truth of those despatches from Japon, yet the governor, being so anxious for your Majesty’s service, began to prepare and furnish all that was necessary for the repair of the vessels stationed in the port of Cavite, and many other things that had need of repair.  At that time, on the second of February, he heard that the enemy were on the coast.  In a very few days they entered by the mouth of this bay with nine vessels, seven of them of great burden, and the other two of medium size.  As commander of that squadron came the Englishman with four well-equipped vessels of his nation; and, as admiral, the Dutchman with five vessels, no less adequately equipped and armed than the English.  They sighted the port of Cavite in order to reconnoiter the strength of the fleet stationed there.  Everything was placed in the best state of defense that time allowed, so that any attack of the enemy could be repulsed.  But the enemy took a better resolve, namely, to anchor in the mouths of this bay and await there the Chinese ships, while they sent two vessels to run along the coast, in order that those vessels that should anchor along it might not escape them.

At this juncture a vessel arrived at this city with a special embassy from Macan to beg the governor to aid them with some large pieces of artillery; for, as they were advised from Japon, they were hourly awaiting that same squadron—­for, as the rumor ran, they were about to attack that city.  Notwithstanding that the necessity here was more urgent, yet it was resolved, after having called a special council of the treasury and war, to send six large pieces of the best casting for the defense of that city—­as the governor, to whom I refer, will inform your Majesty more minutely.

The depredations and prizes made by the enemy in all that time have not been of great importance, since as yet it is not known that they have captured more than five Chinese vessels, which according to the report of the Sangleys in them were not those of the wealthy men (who are here called Anayes). [12] Consequently, with the pillage of this year, they will not be able to meet their obligations in Japon, for which thanks are due our Lord.  What I can affirm to your Majesty is that all possible efforts were made, both in sending advices to China and in carefully watching through outposts this entire coast, which was partly the reason why the enemy failed to cause greater damage.

The founding of the artillery made here hitherto cost so much labor, and it resulted so unsatisfactorily, that we were all in the greatest perplexity because we could not determine where the defect lay.  But, after many different experiments in alloying the metals, it has been God’s pleasure that we hit upon it.  I can also assure your Majesty that the artillery that is cast now is as good and safe as that of Piru, and costs much less in metal and labor than the pieces formerly cast.