summarizing a letter on this subject from Velasco's predecessor,
Montesclaros, the king approves the latter's advice to choose, as
such way-station, the islands called Rica de Oro and Rica de Plata
(afterward found to be fabulous) instead of Monterey; and orders
Velasco to see that a port and settlement be established there, the
enterprise to be conducted by Sebastian Vizcaino. Another decree (May
3, 1609) states that, as Velasco has not carried out this order, and
advices have been received that the said exploration and settlement
should be made from the Philippines, the king decides upon this
latter measure, and the enterprise is to be placed in the hands of
the governor of the islands. Letters from the king (May 26 and July
29) to Juan de Silva, the new governor of the islands, direct him
not to allow the Indians to pay their tributes in personal services,
and to inform the king regarding the proposal of the Dominicans to
found a college in the islands.

Explorations have been made at different times along the Rio Grande
de Cagayán, in the northern part of Luzon. An account of these,
with later information, is compiled by Juan Manuel de la Vega
(July 3, 1609). He gives a brief summary of the efforts made by
Lavezaris, Vera, and Dasmariñas to bring this province under Spanish
control. The third of these (July, 1591), under the command of Luis
Dasmariñas, is the first effective expedition to the valley of the
Rio Grande. He secures the submission of various native villages, and
treats the natives with great leniency. A few weeks later, Francisco
de Mendoca follows on the route, and finds the Indians hostile,
refusing even to sell him food. Not finding Dasmariñas (the main
object of his expedition), he follows the Rio Grande to the city of
Nueva Segovia, thus ending his journey. In November of the same year,
Pedro Sid goes with some soldiers to Tuy, and now finds the natives