n
general--namely, in city, monasteries, and hospitals; since all are
sustained by alms, and, in such times, there is no possibility that
these can be supplied or provided for them from any place. For this
reason it would be advisable to levy an assessment among the citizens
of this city; for, although there may be no necessity therefor,
it can be sold, and paid to those who should have lent or furnished
the said rice and wine, and up to the amount that shall have been
lent--so that, in one way or another, having either consumed or sold
it, each one shall receive satisfaction for his loan.

_Item_: It is advisable that, in case anyone of us, from myself and my
son first, down even to the least, should be captured while fighting
with the enemy, no one shall be ransomed, even though the enemy be
willing to surrender him for a very small ransom; and that this be
with no exceptions or with no equivocation, so that each one may fight
with greater courage and resolution, preferring--though God grant
that we come not to blows with the enemy--death rather than capture.

_Item_: whether it would be advisable that, in the tingues
and mountainous districts near Manila, forts and strongholds be
established, to which, if possible, there be a safe path from this
city, and an entrance and exit therefrom to that place. Then, when
occasion should arise, the women, children, old people, sick, and
other non-combatants might be placed there; for, if they remained in
the city, they would hinder us and cause us to starve, while there
they will have more comfort and refreshment.

Precautions Submitted to the Religious

In all present and future affairs, the chief remedy is to invoke God,
endeavoring to placate Him by sacrifice and prayer, and beseeching
Him to protect us by His powerful right hand. This duty devolves by
special right upon the religious. Our duty is to threaten and strive
to correct him who offends God.

Admitting that we expect outside enemies--and we have them among
us, because of our little assurance that the natives, if they see
themselves safe, will not rise and attack us, on which point will he
discussed, in its proper place, whether it will not be advisable to
collect the arquebuses given them during the war with the Cambales--the
immediate question is whether it would be advisable to take some
security from them, such as, for instance, the gold that they wear,
and of which they should be possessed, so that,