In another of March 16, 1628, the same father, Xacome Antonio, says that father Fray Juan de Ribera, of the Dominican order, while he was returning from Manila to Xapon, was left on the Lechios [i.e., Riu-Kiu Islands], where it is said that he was murdered in an attempt to rob him, though the motive is not certainly known.  Three of the same order came last year to Japon, and when they were within sight of land, the Chinese crews threw them overboard, on account of some superstitious fear.  It was known afterward, because on their return a sudden squall struck the Chinese ship two leguas from Nangasaqui.  The vessel was wrecked and many lost, eight saving their lives by swimming.  This was a punishment for their sins, and for the large amount of silver that they took from the said religious, which they say must amount to two thousand sacks of treasure; [68] they took it on condition of returning the same amount at their return from the voyage.

The last news we have from Xapon is as follows:  There was a great outbreak in the palace, in the emperor’s anteroom, and a tono among great governors of the kingdom was killed.  The emperor came forth at the noise, and, attempting to put his hand upon his sword, he was foully stabbed in the abdomen, an example showing how skilled they are in wielding arms.  This death has caused much restlessness, and many risings, which will not be crushed for a long time.  The Indians of the island of Hermosa sent ambassadors to the emperor of Xapon, asking for assistance to help them expel the Dutch from that port where they have their fortress.  They were well received and help was offered to them, and they were sent back with assurances of friendship.  The Dutch themselves were arrested in Xapon and their ships detained, because they owed large sums and did not pay; and there was talk of expelling them from the entire land of Xapon.  Just then, unfortunately for us, news arrived there of the Japanese ship that our galleons burned last year on the bar of Sian, [69] whereupon the tables were turned; the prospects of the Dutch improved, and ours grew worse.  There was talk of making an agreement with them, and even of raising an armada of Dutch and Japanese, to proceed against our fort at the island of Hermosa and even against Manila—­a matter which does not fail to occasion considerable anxiety, though it is not known how it will turn out.

We have had no news from the island of Hermosa, which keeps us in great anxiety, because more than two hundred thousand pesos were sent there from this city of Manila to be invested in Chinese silks.  We do not know what has been done with it, or whether the money has been lost, an uncertainty which occasions anxiety to the merchants.  In short, these Philipinas Islands are at present in a ruinous condition, with many powerful and triumphant enemies, our forces weakened, and our people in dread of other large fleets.  May the Lord remedy all this, and assist with His divine favor, in the preservation of the faith in these lands.  Manila, July 18, 1629.