In the commencement of his government, in the month of December, there happened a terrible shock of an earthquake, and the Taal, which is in the middle of the Lake Bombon, in the province of Batangas, threw out such an immense quantity of cinders, as completely to ruin four towns which were situated near the lake, and the inhabitants found it necessary to retire a league further into the interior. Many other severe shocks followed, accompanied by loud reports similar to those of contending squadrons, and the atmosphere was entirely obscured by the sand and ashes thrown up by the volcano, so that at Manila, which is twenty leagues distant, it was scarcely possible to see even in the middle of day; and at Cavite, which is rather nearer, the obscurity resembled the darkness of midnight. I ascended, with the Señor Alava, to the summit of this volcano, but all that we could observe was a lake, about half a league in diameter, very deep, and containing water of a dark green colour. The fleet which Señor Obando had despatched against the Moors was so ill conducted, that it was found necessary to take the command from Don Miguel Valdos, who had been sent in that capacity, and give it to the Friar Ducos, a Jesuit, from whose conduct a more favourable result was expected. So effectually did that father conduct the expedition, and with such valour and prudence, that he took from the enemy more than one hundred and fifty sail of vessels, destroyed three towns, killed and made prisoners an immense number of people, and completely checked the impetuous spirit of those barbarians. These happy tidings arrived at Manila in January, 1755. Señor Arandia gave orders that Te Deum should be sung as a thanksgiving, and confirmed the command of the squadron to the Friar Ducos, whom he very much esteemed, being the son of a colonel of his intimate acquaintance, and appearing to have inherited his father's military talents. The King of Jolo experienced from the Governor the most kind and compassionate treatment, and he granted him his liberty, although he continued voluntarily to reside in the fort of Saint Jago. He settled a revenue on him of fifty dollars per month, besides six measures of rice for his maintenance, and persuaded the Archbishop to grant him permission to hear mass, and receive the sacrament, of which he had been deprived. The King was desirous of marrying a woman who had been his concubine, and had already become a Christian. The Archbishop was not inclined to consent; but Arandia not only removed every difficulty, but allowed him the use of his palace, in order that the marriage might be celebrated with more solemnity and grandeur. These arrangements were not made without some dispute with the Archbishop; and at the same time another circumstance, although of no great importance in itself, proved sufficient to occasion a great sensation in the islands.