aintained; but,
having considered the matter more fully, I am of a different opinion,
and I say that they are necessary so that we may aid Terrenate in
any perilous need. However, they are not of any use in this port of
Cavite, where they are kept, as they would be if sent to the province
of Pintados at Oton or Cibu, in sight of the domestic enemy, namely,
the Mindanaos, Joloans, and Camucones. These people are the ones who
pillage the natives; and because we have had only twenty oared vessels
in those districts this year, not any of those enemies have left
their lands, although they generally render the provinces disquieted
and fearful.

The person whom your Majesty has in these islands of the greatest
service, and fit for any important mission, is Don Lorenzo de Olaso,
master-of-camp of this army, who became captain-general at the death
of Don Juan Nino de Tavora. He has assisted me greatly in everything,
especially in the work of the cavalier which is being built. While the
Audiencia was governing, he carried himself prudently; for by their
quarrels over jurisdiction they occasioned him great troubles, which
with any one else might have been more embarrassing and far-reaching.

On August 14 and October 22 of the past year I wrote to your Majesty
concerning a matter of importance, namely, that a governor be sent to
Terrenate, for Pedro de Heredia is old and rich. I say the same now,
and by what has since occurred it will be recognized that only your
Majesty's royal service moved me [to advise thus], having understood
the dangerous state in which those forts are found to be, on account
of their [present] condition.

On August thirteen of the same year, the said Pedro de Heredia
advised me that many soldiers of that presidio were about to mutiny,
but that he was making the best of it, as well as he could, until
the reenforcements should arrive. This, he said, had happened
because Father Manuel Rinto, [105] commissary of the Holy Office,
had published an edict regarding the sin against nature, in which
many had been included. The father had given them two months in
which to seek absolution. To this was joined their understanding
that the governor would make an examination of those who should be
absolved, from which arose their desperation. He also said that,
both on this account and because the Dutch had a galleon of great
strength in Malayo and were awaiting other galleons from Chacatra, it
was advisable that the us