assure
themselves from the domestic enemy from China and Xapon, and from
the natives of the land, without imagining that Europeans would be
able to cause any anxiety in parts so remote. But the governors who
have successively come here, having experienced the armed wars with
which the Dutch have appeared in this port, have tried to repair and
improve somewhat the old wall, as is proved by three cavaliers of
great importance that they had built. With slight repair the requisite
completeness was given to it. Considering the great importance of
this post and that building is very cheap and costs less than in any
other part, I resolved, after gathering up the remains of what stood
there to repair the fortifications, to build a royal cavalier in the
modern style at the weakest part of the wall. Without troubling the
royal treasury, I began the work some four months ago, and now I hope
to have it finished in two more. At the same time, we are opening a
suitable moat, and we shall reduce the defense of the city to fewer
posts. That it may be more strongly fortified, all the redoubts
that impede communication between the cavaliers will be torn down,
so that the wall will consist of only four stout bulwarks.

What most surprised me in Philipinas is the careless way in which
the powder is kept; for all that there is in the islands is kept in
one room in the fort at Manila, and that in a very prominent part
of it, that overlooks the wall. And if that powder should explode
through any accident (which may God forbid), besides the danger to
the city, there would be no powder in the islands, or any material
for its manufacture. In order to obviate so extremely great a danger,
two towers will be built in one of the four cavaliers, in order to
separate and preserve a goodly portion of it.

One of the motives which compelled me to fortify the wall is because
the orders have built very near it churches so large that two of them
in particular are commanding eminences; and because between one of the
churches (which is called Minondo) and the church of the Parian there
is generally a settlement of twenty thousand or more Sangleys during
the year. They are the people who formerly rose in rebellion. By
suitable measures, those of the Parian have aided me in this work,
with forty thousand pesos from their communal fund.

I have informed your Majesty of the little importance of the galleys,
and that only that of Terrenate was suitable to be m