this, these people
will not revolt again nor raise any disturbance. On the contrary, I
think that in due time they will be pacified thoroughly. The relation
of what was done, accompanies this letter.

All of Cagayan has been as quiet as Manila for many days and
months. Tributes are being collected from the encomiendas that remained
to be pacified and subdued. A memorandum of encomiendas and villages
explored lately, with an account of the discovery of Tuy, accompanies
this letter.

I enclose, with the duplicate, also the relation of the late
exploration of Tuy, in which I stated that my son Don Luis would remain
there, in order to make another entrance of not less importance, of
which I had a reliable report and account. It happened that, having
gone upon this errand, and having arrived with the soldiers that he
was taking to the province of Ylocos, through which he had to pass,
he was taken ill, in the month of October, with attacks of fever. This
sickness was very severe, and he came here to be treated; and, although
he is doing well, he has not entirely recovered his strength. Almost
all the soldiers fell sick at the same time, as that district is at
that season very unhealthful. Captain Don Alonso de Sotomayor died,
as well as some of the soldiers there. Others were brought to the
city sick, and so the expedition had to be abandoned until a more
favorable opportunity.

On account of these expeditions and pacifications, and because their
country is not very healthful (and particularly so this year), both for
Spaniards and Indians, a number of the soldiers have died, so that,
from the total of four hundred, I have but two hundred left. And
although this fort, in its present condition, can be defended by a
much smaller force than formerly, yet without it, there would be no
safe position. Since Espana is at such a distance, when reenforcements
arrive half of the former troops will have died. If in any one year
(as has happened) there should fail to be a ship from Castilla, it is
pitiful to see the state of this land. Moreover--as I report elsewhere
to your Majesty, and send papers thereon--for the new danger from
hostile Japanese, against which I am guarding, I need troops, in order
to defend a land so destitute and far away that it cannot expect succor
in time of necessity. Although I have sent earnest petition therefor
to Mexico, I think that they will neglect my request, just as they do
everything else, unless th