Although these islands had been many years at peace with the Kings of Jolo and Mindanao, yet several pirates of those kingdoms continued to infest our coasts, and yet no redress could be had from the respective Sovereigns, who frankly acknowledged their inability to prevent such irregularities. With a view to correct these abuses, the Governor was desirous of re-establishing the station of Zamboanga, which, in the time of Don Sabiniano Manrique de Lara, had been abandoned through apprehension of the Chinese pirate Cogseng, who had at that time threatened these islands. This matter was brought before a select committee of the royal works, who decided, by ten against seven, that the station should not be re-established; among other reasons alleging, that it was of no service against the Moors, and that it was supported at the heavy annual expense of twenty-five thousand dollars, answering no other purpose than that of enriching the Governor, whose appointment was from Manila, and for a term of three years. In opposition to the decision of this committee, however, the Governor ordered the works to be re-constructed. This further exasperated the public against him. The Franciscans having requested the Governor to place a garrison in Labo, in the island of Paragua, to protect them from the Moors, he consented to it, and accordingly erected a fort at much less expense than that of Zamboanga, though as little tending to the public benefit. Don Fernando Bustamante, not satisfied with urging the Spaniards to cultivate commercial connections with the other kingdoms of Asia, was desirous of establishing one with the kingdom of Siam in particular, to whose King he sent a nephew of his own, bearing magnificent presents. He arrived in safety, was received well, and entertained splendidly. He delivered his credentials and presents to the King, and concluded a treaty of friendship, by which the Spaniards were allowed to establish a factory in that kingdom. By virtue of this treaty, a ship from Siam arrived at Manila with goods, but the Governor treated the Siamese so ill, that they returned discontented, and by this conduct the whole cost of the embassy was thrown away. The Spaniards severely censured this extraordinary conduct of the Governor, some attributing it to the caprice of his disposition, while others feeling less inclination to smother their sentiments, asserted boldly that the public interests of the monarchy, and of these islands, had no influence with him, unless they accorded with his own individual views of interest, or with the gratification of his passion for ostentation.