ing certain of this country, except that
it will be of but little advantage to his Majesty, but a source of
great expense. It has far fewer inhabitants than was reported, and
all are very poor, so that their breakfast consists only in cleaning
their arms, and their work in using them, and not in cultivating the
land, which is low and swampy in this river. There is no chief who
can raise twenty taes of gold. Rice is very scarce; in the tingues is
found a small amount, which is used for food by the chiefs only. They
are some swine, and a few fowls that are very cunning, and less
fruit. It abounds in fish in some districts, but this river contains
only eels. They are as good as those of Espana. They are not found
all the year round, but only during the rainy season. The climate
does not differ much from that there. It has very dense fogs. I have
been unable to make a complete map of the island. I am sending your
Lordship only that of this river, made with exactness, with all its
arms and estuaries, and their settlements. The arithmetical symbols
represent the number of people in each, and the letters the names
of the chiefs. I have corrected it with all care. We have already
examined almost everything from the coast of La Canela, Dapitan,
and Botran [Butuan?]. There is a full report there which may be filed
with this map.

_The island of Matheo is excellent, and a better expedition could
be made there._ Concerning the island of Matheo, I have been able to
learn from men who have been there that it is very fertile, thickly
populated, and rich in food products, including rice. The inhabitants
are not very warlike. Would to God that your Lordship had expended
there what was left here, for with less effort we would have gained
more. Terrenate has some dealings with this island. [I say this]
in case anything is to be done before it has more. Of Maluco I have
not ascertained anything new, except that things are in their usual
condition.

_He has not effected a settlement, as he has not found a convenient
site. He is awaiting the pleasure of your Lordship, and [a more
favorable] season._ As yet I have not effected any settlement,
as I have not found a suitable and convenient location for it, for
all the river above is swampy; and, if we were to look for dry land
along its course, it is so far away that it would take a week to
reach it from the mouth of the river. Although beyond this river,
toward La Canela, there is a good pl