If the death of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas was an unfortunate
event, both for the loss of his person and for the loss of a so good
opportunity for the conquest of Terrenate, when all were certain of
success, the return of the fleet and the arrival of the troops in
the city was none the less a fortunate event, for, not many days
after--having anticipated their usual time for the voyage--there
arrived in Manila many Chinese ships which carried many men and
little merchandise, and seven mandarins bearing the insignia of
their office. This gave sufficient motive for suspecting that they
had heard of the departure of the fleet for Maluco and of the city's
lack of defense, and that they had therefore come on this occasion
to try to seize the country. But they desisted from the attempt
when they found the city with more troops than ever. They returned
to China without showing any other particular motive for coming,
and without either side showing that their motives were understood;
except that Governor Don Luys was watchful and on his guard. He
took the proper measures, especially those concerning the Chinese,
and their settlement and Parian.

No ships went to Nueva Espana from the Filipinas that year, because
Governor Gomez Perez, before starting on the expedition to Maluco, had
sent there the vessels "San Felipe" and "San Francisco," both of which,
on account of heavy storms, had to put back, the "San Felipe" to the
port of Sebu and the "San Francisco" to Manila, and they were unable
to resail until the following year. It was suspected in Nueva Espana
that there were troubles in the islands because of the non-arrival
of the ships, and persons were not wanting to affirm more than had
really happened; nor was it possible at the same time--in the town
of Mexico--to ascertain whence the news had emanated. This was very
shortly known in Espana, by way of India, letters having been sent