The first official report sent by Governor Francisco de Sande to
the home government is dated June 7, 1576. It is introduced by a
description of the winds prevalent in the Indian Archipelago. Arriving
at Manila (August 25, 1575), he finds that much of the city has
been destroyed by a Chinese pirate named Limahon; and he relates,
in a graphic manner, the circumstances of this affair. In the first
attack (September, 1574), fourteen Spaniards and more than eighty
Chinese are slain. The enemy renew the attack a few days later,
but are repulsed with much loss. The Moros of the vicinity rebel,
insulting and robbing the friars and defiling the churches. The
Chinese proceed to Pangasinan, where they erect a fort, determining
to establish themselves there. All the Spanish forces are assembled,
and an expedition is sent (March 23, 1575), under Juan de Salcedo,
to attack the marauders. In the first encounter the Spanish are
victorious; but through mismanagement they fail to follow up their
success, and finally the Chinese depart from Luzón. A Chinese officer
named Omocon comes to search for the pirate Limahon; on his return,
he carries some Augustinian friars to China, but they return in
a few months. The Chinese bring certain presents to the governor,
which he turns over to the king. He does not like that people, saying
that they are mean, impudent, importunate, and deceitful. He relates
many interesting particulars regarding the country and people of
China--derived from the various reports which have come to him from
traders, missionaries, and the Filipino natives.

Sande has a poor opinion of the trade with China; the only useful
article which the Chinese bring to the Philippines is iron. He urges
here, as in the letter preceding this report, that the king should
at once send an expedition for the conquest of China, for which four
thousand to six thousand men would be needed. He argues that this