on account of sickness among the troops; half the Spanish soldiers
have died. The country is in danger of attack by the Japanese, and
needs prompt and effective succor; he asks that the troops be sent
from Castilla, "and not Creoles or exiles from Mexico." The governor
is trying to secure quicksilver, on which the Chinese have given him
prices. With this letter he sends a set of rules for the hospital.
A brief account of the expedition to Tuy is furnished (June 1, 1592)
by Luis Perez, son of Dasmarinas. He has easily pacified the natives,
who are a superior race; and expects to establish a Spanish settlement
there, another year. The governor writes (June 6) to the king to make
certain explanations about his relations with Pedro de Rojas, his legal
counselor. The letter is conceited and self-willed, prejudiced and
overbearing. Dasmarinas complains that Rojas and other late auditors
have been greedy of gain in the foreign trade, and have opposed the
governor's efforts to raise funds for necessary expenses. The latter
has ascertained what their business dealings are, of which he has
sent reports to Spain. He recommends that Rojas be transferred to
some other country, preferably not Mexico. (An endorsement on the
MS. states that Rojas has been given an appointment in Mexico.) At
the end is the "register of merchandise carried in the ship 'Sant
Felippe';" all the consignors are ecclesiastics, or officials of the
Audiencia. In another letter (June 11) Dasmarinas informs the king
of a recent embassy sent to him by a king in Japan, and sends to him
translated copies of the letters which they bring, which demand from
the Spaniards subjection and tribute, to be rendered to him. In this
emergency, they are endeavoring to prepare for possible hostilities
and Dasmarinas asks that the Mexican government be commanded to
furnish troops and supplies to the Philippines. The letter of the
Japanese ruler (written in 1591) demands, with much arrogance,
that the Spaniards render him allegiance and tribute. Dasmarinas
replies cautiously, alleging that he does not understand the Japanese
language, and fears that the envoy is making false representations;
he accordingly sends an envoy (Father Juan Cobo) to carry this letter,
with a present, to the king of Japan.
Another Letter to Felipe (June 20, 1592) recounts the difficulties
which Dasmarinas had to encounter upon arriving in the Philippines. He
is disgusted with the exorbitant claims mad
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