By the last despatch I sent you three birds of paradise, and the
bearer of this, Sergeant Romero, brings you two more. I wished that
there were more, but I assure you that they were not to be found,
as the boats which usually bring them have not arrived.

While I was writing this a Dutch trumpeter arrived from the forts of
the enemy, and gave the same report as another who came two days ago,
and whom I send by this ship, so that he may tell the whole thing
there--for, considering the news and the state of affairs, it is of
the highest importance that our fleet should come here by the month
of December. If those ships alone came which his Majesty has in those
islands, it would be superior to the enemy's fleet; for with this they
could be kept from taking to Holland this year the great quantity of
cloves which they will harvest. This is the greatest loss which can
be inflicted upon them at present; since with the profits from this
they are waging war upon his Majesty in these parts with such great
fleets. This is the opinion of those who have most at heart the service
of his Majesty in these regions. I am writing, above all, to the lords
there; and you will do me the favor which you always do in such cases.

Although I do not know what new things there may be there, I leave
it all to your good opinion and intelligence and that of Senor Canon
Garcetas, as I know, since you are such friends of mine, that you
will give the most fitting counsel. May our Lord protect you for the
greatest possible number of years. I kiss your hands. Tidore, July 5,
1617. Your humble servant,

_Lucas Vergara Gaviria_

Part Third. Wherein is Given Information of Other Matters Concerning
the Filipinas, the Islands of Maluco, and Others of the Archipelago;
of Their Riches, and of the Forts and Factories Which the Dutch Hold;
and of the Wealth Which is At Present Secured from Them.

Chapter I. Of the prelates and their districts in the islands, and
of certain curious things.

The island called Lucon, which is the most important, has two bishops
and an archbishop. The archbishopric has jurisdiction in the vicinity
of the city of Manila, the capital of that country. Toward the east
it reaches as far as the village called Calilaya, forty leguas from
the city on the same island. It has four offices of alcalde-mayor,
which is the same thing as a corregimiento--namely those of La
Laguna de Vai, La Laguna de Bonvon, another in Valayan, an