Thus abandoning the Moluccas, the Emperor turned all his thoughts to the conquest of the Western Isles, or Philippines. He despatched instructions to the Viceroy of Mexico, to send a squadron for that purpose, with directions not to stop at the Moluccas, in order to avoid creating jealousy among the Portuguese. In obedience to these orders from court, the Viceroy immediately fitted out five ships in the Puerto de Natividad, and nominated as Commander of the expedition, Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, directing him, to take with him four Augustine friars, for the conversion of the conquered inhabitants. The squadron sailed on the day of All Saints, in the year 1542, and arrived safe off the Philippines; but they were driven so much to leeward, by the south-west monsoon, prevalent at that time, that they were compelled to anchor at the island of Sarragan, which lies on the opposite coast of Mindanao, and at forty leagues distance. In this miserable island, they suffered so much from hunger, that Villalobos sent some of the smaller vessels, in search of provisions, to the other islands: but, their return being delayed beyond his expectation, he resolved to sail for the Moluccas, though it was in direct opposition to his orders, without having effected any other object, than administering baptism to one child. The Portuguese received him very ungraciously, and compelled him, immediately to make the best of his way to Spain. In passing Amboyna, he died of a deep melancholy, arising out of the disasters of the expedition, and the idea of having disobeyed the orders of his sovereign, which were, on no account to visit the Moluccas. By the death of the General, the whole armament was deranged; indeed it was, eventually, almost all annihilated; and the few Spaniards who remained, found means to embark in different Portuguese ships. The Augustine friars went to Goa, from whence they found a passage to Europe, and arrived at Lisbon in August 1549, seven years after they had departed from the Puerto de Natividad. As his Catholic Majesty, was fully determined on the conquest of the Philippines, it is necessary to notice the title, by which he laid claim to them. Our writers have brought forward a number of arguments, to prove the right, which the Kings of Spain have to the Americas, and the islands they have conquered; but I find them very superficial, and only one incontestable document, by which our sovereigns hold these dominions, that is, the concession of the Roman Pontifs. It is now the received opinion of churchmen, that the Popes have not the power to make such grants, but at the period in question, the contrary opinion prevailed, and was generally acknowledged in the schools. Supported by this idea, then so universal, the Papal See, granted to the respective Kings, not only what they conquered, but, as we have seen, assumed the right, of even partitioning the globe. CHAPTER IV. ANNO DOM. 1564 to 1565.