ing, Rajaniora,
the whole country is divided, and the military power; likewise each
one has his own following and people, set apart and acknowledged. They
have usually dissensions and controversies among themselves, for he
who has the most people and wealth seeks to be more esteemed than
the others. But against the Spaniards and their other enemies they
confederate and unite, and ordinarily Silonga has the most power. His
nephew and others claim that he is not to blame for the expedition
of Buycan--saying that although he knew of it, and desired that he
should not go out upon the raid, and even asked him not to, and to
that end gave him a bonus of gold, he could not prevail upon him; nor
was this a matter for him to forcibly interfere in, because there is
no subjection of the one to the other. It is thus that matters stand,
and we needs must tolerate it for the present, since nothing else can
be done, considering the news which we are expecting from China. If
this had not intervened, we had resolved to seek them with the galeotas
and other oared vessels in their own country in this month of January,
and to harry and lay waste their coasts, obstructing their harbors
and rivers and burning their vessels. This, by not allowing them to
depart from their own coasts, would inflict great damage upon them;
but it is necessary, as I said, to employ some other means which
is now being examined into. I shall advise your Majesty as to what
resolution is taken, by way of Nueva Espana.

I likewise informed your Majesty of the straits in which your
royal treasury was because of the little money which had come from
Mejico this year--not only for the treasury, but for the citizens as
well; and because of the expenses which have been incurred in this
affair with the Sangleys, and others which are presenting themselves
every day. The treasury is so poor and needy that I find myself in a
thousand difficulties, having no place whence to draw money; and it is
necessary that it should not fail when occasion demands, or we shall
lose everything. Although all the people are encouraged to do all in
their power, and the natives help, yet as they are poor--because their
property is in the power of the Mejicans, who will not send it back,
saying they have not permission therefor, as I explained to you in
the last letter--it is little they can do in this matter. Indeed,
in order to send advices to China it was necessary for the citizens
to lend her