ster, died, the whole enterprise
was destroyed by accidents that came upon them. Consequently, not
only were the natives not pacified, but more angered and desirous of
vengeance. For that reason, they began to build vessels and to make
inroads among those islands during the term of Don Francisco Tello,
to commit depredations. They captured many Indians and their wealth
(for the latter had considerable gold) through the fault of the
captains and alcaldes-mayor who were governing those islands, and
were not punished for it. And although punishment is one of the two
arms of justice that preserves states, there has been so great lack
of it in Manila, that signal injuries have thereby resulted.

The Moros became excited by those captures, and through the exercise
of war they became more skilful and daring. To such a height has
their boldness reached, through the carelessness and neglect of the
governors, that all those islands have been destroyed and ruined. They
could very well have been restrained, but the reasons why they
neglected to do that cannot be explained here, because the case in
hand demands that many things be passed by; but if your Majesty cares
to know, I will explain them.

Those Indians [_i.e._, the Moros] are so vile and cowardly that they
have never engaged in close combat with the Spaniards, very few
of whom have dared to resist vast multitudes; yet the Moros have
inflicted signal injuries. The worst is that these last few years
they have committed greater ones, so that there is no Christian or
friendly Indian who is safe in his house or country. These, although
Indians, set forth arguments that must have shamed your Majesty's
governors considerably; since, although the latter are so careful
not only to collect their tributes, but to impose continually so
many taxes, and to cause the Indians innumerable troubles, yet they
do not defend them from their enemies. Consequently the Indians say,
"Let us be free, and let us have arms, and we shall be able to defend
ourselves, as we did before the advent of the Spaniards." And, surely,
did not the religious--especially those of the Society, who instruct
nearly all those islands--entertain them with hopes and fair arguments,
they would all have revolted, as some have done. I have related this to
your Majesty so that you may order your governor to remedy that matter,
which is so incumbent upon your Majesty's royal conscience. But how
poorly he informs your Majest