Sire:

Having left the port of Acapulco on April second with the two ships,
men, and other things, as I wrote your Majesty from there, God was
pleased to allow us to anchor in this port of Cavite on the fifth of
the past month. One could esteem it a good fortune that although the
season was so advanced there were as yet no vendavals in the channel
[_el Embocadero_] of these islands; for we had suffered many light
winds and even calms, and had waited for a ship that joined us,
in order not to desert it, contrary to the advice of some. Thanks
to His Divine Majesty who gave us so prosperous a voyage, not ten
persons dying in both ships.

The events of which I found news here are indeed to be deplored. Not
only was the small almiranta from Nueva España wrecked at Japon
(news of which was sent in the ship of last year), but its flagship
was also destroyed, having been burned on this coast with two other
vessels, fragatas, which were with it; and I learned of the loss of
the galleon "San Marcos" and the burning of two other ships which
were being built in the shipyards, to which the Mindanao enemy set
fire, encouraged thereto by the Dutch. I found, also that, of the
squadron that was being sent to aid Terrenate, one boat was wrecked,
while another mutinied--thereby casting shame on the Spanish nation
and their loyalty, and even giving occasion for some to make comments
and to say that the needs of this place, their lack of confidence in
its relief, and the departure for another region, could furnish some
reason for a similar act of desperation. Inasmuch as the number of
people who have fled from here by divers routes, especially by that of
Portuguese Yndia, has greatly increased; and considering how this evil
report may harm, and how advisable it is to destroy it (although we