I have informed your Majesty of the little importance of the galleys, and that only that of Terrenate was suitable to be maintained; but, having considered the matter more fully, I am of a different opinion, and I say that they are necessary so that we may aid Terrenate in any perilous need. However, they are not of any use in this port of Cavite, where they are kept, as they would be if sent to the province of Pintados at Oton or Cibu, in sight of the domestic enemy, namely, the Mindanaos, Joloans, and Camucones. These people are the ones who pillage the natives; and because we have had only twenty oared vessels in those districts this year, not any of those enemies have left their lands, although they generally render the provinces disquieted and fearful.
The person whom your Majesty has in these islands of the greatest service, and fit for any important mission, is Don Lorenzo de Olaso, master-of-camp of this army, who became captain-general at the death of Don Juan Niño de Tavora. He has assisted me greatly in everything, especially in the work of the cavalier which is being built. While the Audiencia was governing, he carried himself prudently; for by their quarrels over jurisdiction they occasioned him great troubles, which with any one else might have been more embarrassing and far-reaching.
On August 14 and October 22 of the past year I wrote to your Majesty concerning a matter of importance, namely, that a governor be sent to Terrenate, for Pedro de Heredia is old and rich. I say the same now, and by what has since occurred it will be recognized that only your Majesty’s royal service moved me [to advise thus], having understood the dangerous state in which those forts are found to be, on account of their [present] condition.
On August thirteen of the same year, the said Pedro de Heredia advised me that many soldiers of that presidio were about to mutiny, but that he was making the best of it, as well as he could, until the reënforcements should arrive. This, he said, had happened because Father Manuel Rinto,[3] commissary of the Holy Office, had published an edict regarding the sin against nature, in which many had been included. The father had given them two months in which to seek absolution. To this was joined their understanding that the governor would make an examination of those who should be absolved, from which arose their desperation. He also said that, both on this account and because the Dutch had a galleon of great strength in Malayo and were awaiting other galleons from Chacatra, it was advisable that the usual reënforcements come, and be well guarded; for if it came in the usual manner it would infallibly be lost.
That despatch found me already preparing two galleons and one patache for that purpose, for the conjectures that occupied my mind gave me greater anxiety than did the enemy themselves. In a council that I summoned, some thought that I should not risk or weaken our forces; and that I should send that aid in light vessels, and in the usual way. But, considering the condition and danger of those forts, I resolved to reënforce them in a creditable manner by sending the said two galleons, manned with good infantry and with first-class troops; taking for that purpose one company of volunteer soldiers from the camp. That was a move of importance, and one that it is advisable to make every year, so that no soldiers should be forced to go; and, knowing that they will be exchanged, many will go willingly. I appointed as commander Admiral Don Jeronimo de Tremonte. He filled this post extremely well, and observed his orders not to turn aside for other enterprises, but to place the reënforcements in Terrenate, and to defend himself from whomever tried to hinder him, but nothing more. The two [Dutch] ships that the enemy were expecting were boarded and burned by the Botunes[4] Indians of the kingdom of Macassar, who found them anchored and their crews ashore; they killed those who were on land. But the ship of Malayo, confident in its strength and great swiftness, attempted to drive away the reënforcements alone—risking itself because of the great importance of this matter to the Dutch, for they knew that the soldiers of our presidio were watching the outcome [of this battle] in order to decide upon the murder of the governor and the chief officers, in accordance with the plot that they had made. It fought with our ships for eight hours, and then took flight, disabled and with great loss. Seven persons were killed in our ships, including the chief pilot. Accordingly, the reënforcements arrived in safety, when the said Pedro de Heredia had arrested one hundred and fifty persons; [of these] he had burned and garroted eleven men, while many had died in prison, and [only] forty were left alive. These he sent to me by the same ships that brought, the reënforcements. At present their trial is proceeding, in the first instance, under Don Juan Lorenzo Olaso, master-of-camp of the army of Philipinas. Inasmuch as the charges against them are insufficiently substantiated, there are opinions expressed that we should overlook their acts. But, considering that if those forty soldiers are guilty, they may infect the presidios where they may be stationed; and since the matter is so public, and open to the gaze of so many barbarians—especially of the Sangleys, who are more liable [to this sin] than any other nation, this wretched affair ought to be punished with great severity and vigor. [In the margin: “His Majesty has ordered, by a decree of the past year 635, that convict soldiers be not sent to Terrenate; and that those who are there be removed every three years, so that they may serve with greater comfort and good will.”]
The volunteer soldiers remained in Terrenate, and more than one hundred and forty were changed. To these was given one installment of pay that was sent them; and it had been many years since they had received any pay. The rest were provided with materials for clothing, and with food; and, since they know that the same thing is to be done every year, that presidio remained happy and safe.
But the said governor, Pedro de Heredia, lately writes me that the natives of the island of Terrenate, who have until now recognized Cachil Varo as king of Tidore, have refused to obey him; and they have crowned another Moro in his place, a chief named Cachil Borotalo, as they say that the latter is the true heir of that kingdom, and that Cachil Varo was an intruder. That makes me most anxious, because, besides that it is not my duty to disinherit kings, the new one who claims to be king has, until now, been living in Malayo under the protection of the Dutch and serving in the post of naval commander. Although he has sent ambassadors to me, and promises to be faithful, there is little trust to be placed in his word, while Cachil Varo is a very valiant Moro, and a true servant to your Majesty. Every year, hitherto, a present has been sent to him, as well as to his father before him; and besides being very much of a Spaniard, he has retired into his fort of Tidore (which is of greater importance than the forts that we ourselves hold), and the great mass of the people, with more than two thousand chiefs, obey him.
The governor [of Terrenate], Pedro de Heredia, tells me that he has not meddled in any way with these disturbances, but that he is neutral. But the said king of Tidore complains of him, and attributes to him the insurrection of his vassals and the summoning of a Dutchman to be new king. That does not change him, and he will remain faithful to your Majesty. He knows that you are ignorant of the injuries that are being done him because of the governor’s greed for the ransom of the damage.
Such is the condition of the affair at present. I do not blame the king or clear the governor, notwithstanding the many years during which affairs have been going badly. But that the latter has been found lacking in the alliance, and has neglected to aid the king, has not furnished any reason why the other allies should not take warning by this and renounce our friendship. These are schemes of which the Dutch avail themselves. Those who are acquainted with the king of Tidore, and know of his services, grieve, and think that it is necessary to protect him. I am now reflecting on the way in which these matters can be settled, so that they may not fall into a worse condition, by making use of the relationship between them. But in case of need I shall not be found lacking to Cachil Varo; and because this matter demands expedition, and so much expense cannot always be incurred as in the past reënforcements, I shall send this aid in October, in galleys and pataches; for that is the time when the enemy have gone away.
Last year the Audiencia wrote that one galleon and one galley had been finished. It is a fact that more than thirty thousand pesos have been spent in their construction, having been commenced in the time of Don Juan Niño de Tavora.