I depart today for the said town of Areualo, which is ninety leagues
from this town of Manila. While there, I shall give all my energy
to the matter, that not an hour of time may be lost. The result that
can and should follow is in God's hands. Should it be the contrary of
what we desire, life in this archipelago will be attended with many
hardships. When the expedition is despatched, I shall visit the fort
in Octon, which is the one at Areualo, and thence I shall proceed to
Cebu; and in both places I shall give the necessary directions for
their security. Since those places are the two capitals of Pintados,
from which the Indians of these provinces receive aid and protection,
it is essential that those positions should be properly prepared and
garrisoned. [_In the margin_: "Let a copy of this section and of the
summary sent be transmitted to his Majesty, and let him be informed
of the diligence displayed, in order that his Majesty may know of the
sending of the reënforcements, and of the friendly relations between
the Portuguese and the Castilians in the Filipinas."]

From the very day on which Captain Brito arrived, which was the seventh
of last September, he began to give orders for the despatch of his
fleet. Since the weather has been unfavorable to navigation to Maluco,
he has not been able hitherto to depart. Now that the Bendavales
[_i.e._, southwest winds] are moderating, and all is quiet, and so
favorable that unless there is a monsoon, as the Portuguese call it,
nothing is lacking, it seemed best to me to make all possible haste
with them, as your Majesty will learn by the report which I send;
so that, if there be any delay, it may be known that it has not been
by my fault. I wished to make this statement to your Majesty, so that
you might give orders to be informed in the matter because of what may
happen in Terrenate. In my opinion the coming of a fleet from Yndia to
Maluco incurs the difficulties of which I wrote to your Majesty from