against the Portuguese, and against us. Accordingly the forts there
and in Ambueno are in danger. The one at Tidore is a matter for jest;
and the commandants, as well as the commanders of galleons, think of
nothing but merchandise and of making their fortunes. The same thing
is true throughout the whole of Yndia. If this news should prove true,
there would be much difficulty in this enterprise. May God turn all
things well for His cause.

The forces of the regiment of the master-of-camp, Esquibel, have
received their pay for a year in advance, as the viceroy informs
me by his letter. At the present time more than half the year has
passed, and by the time they leave Oton the whole year will have
been completed. Inasmuch as in the order for this expedition which
your Majesty commanded to be given, I noticed that the Marques de
Montes Claros was directed, in case the forces should be retained
in the service of your Majesty for a longer period than the said
year, to send me money to pay them in case I advised him thereof,
it seemed well to me to advise him of this matter immediately, and
to tell him that during the coming year he should send me what is
needed for a thousand men in addition to the sea force. It is plain
that this will be necessary for by the time that the fleet leaves
these islands the [soldiers'] year will be at an end. I therefore
beseech your Majesty to be pleased to give him imperative commands to
fulfil this requirement; since soldiers in a country of enemies, and
so far from their own country, serve badly if they are in need. Thus
many important opportunities might be lost, and even considerable
disadvantages might be experienced without there being any possibility
of remedying them. If the enterprise turns out prosperously--as by
the grace of God I hope it will--I expect that it will provide the
means for maintaining the conquest, for paying all the expenses which