have been and shall be incurred, and for affording a large quantity
of cash surplus in addition to the expenses, besides repairing the
losses incident to this affair. In particular, I think that to drive
the enemy from the Maluca Islands and from the inlands of Banda will
be of great advantage for our affairs in Flandes, since the rebels
of Olanda and Gelanda harvest the product of these islands and draw
from them great wealth, by means of which they carry on war and become
rich. I, therefore, again beseech you to be pleased to give commands
that this expedition may be adequately provided with supplies. I
also beg that what is necessary for the expenses of the fleet and for
other requisite objects may likewise be sent. I further request that
for the regular expenses of the government a liberal supply may be
placed in the treasury of the islands on a separate account, since
the treasury is so needy and so heavily burdened with obligations.

Weapons and gunpowder are always opportune, and generally the lack of
these causes a great deal of trouble. I accordingly beg your Majesty
to be pleased to command that as large an amount thereof as possible
may be sent, and that the forces at Manila may also be supplied. I
suggest that although what is now of most importance, and what must
primarily be considered, is merely the regaining of the fort and island
of Terrenate, still the care and attention which will be necessary to
protect and sustain the conquest, at least for the first few years,
will not be small. During that time it will be necessary for us to keep
it under control with arms in our hands. We shall have contests every
day with the natives of the country, and likewise with the Dutch,
who will not at once be willing to abandon it without testing the
defense which it can offer, for the reasons which they publish there
and in the other Maluca Islands, and in the islands of Banda. With
regard to this matter I have written to your Majesty. We must be on