Mexico. The voyage is long and dangerous for galleys and galliots;
and the worst is, that the enemy knows that they are remaining three
or four months in Ambueno, waiting for favorable weather. Hence I fear
that evil results may follow, because the troops and other requisites
for defense may be made ready in advance by the islands subject to
Terrenate and by the other friends of their sect.

In these islands there are many veterans who have done good
service. Some are sick or wounded; and since there is here no
occupation or support for them all, and since they are at such a
distance from your Majesty that they cannot come before you to ask that
you will show them favor in return for their services, some suffer
the extremity of want, and feel greatly discontented and discouraged
at seeing themselves in such misery, without anyone to turn to for
relief. Hence it seems that it would be just if they were to receive
rewards and gifts as your Majesty commands, and as is done in España
for those who come from other regions to ask for such bounty. Inasmuch
as affairs of greater consequence are entrusted to me, I beg your
Majesty to be pleased to give me authority to aid such persons from
the royal treasury of these islands, bestowing upon them annually such
an amount as their service to your Majesty shall have deserved. I beg
also for authority to give some false musters to such as deserve them,
that they may be able to live and maintain themselves. Such a course,
in addition to being worthy of your Majesty's greatness, will have
the important effect of animating the others to do good service on
occasion, stimulated as they will be by the hope of reward. Our Lord
protect the Catholic person of your Majesty in the happiness necessary
to the good of Christendom. Manila, the twenty-sixth of October, 1602.

_Don Pedro de Acuña_