It is related that Iyeyasu’s assurances did not disarm the suspicions of the Spaniards, nor convince them that he would or could keep his promise. Indeed the Spaniards’ fear to send their galleons to Japan was not unfounded, for, but eight years previously in 1596, Hideyoshi, since surnamed the “Napoleon of Japan,” had confiscated without provocation the Spanish vessel named “San Felipe,” and a month before the date of Iyeyasu’s above letter another galleon, the “Espirito Santo,” almost incurred the same fate. It was sailing with contrary winds from Manila to New Spain, and touched the coast of Tosa in August, 1602. It was immediately attacked by the natives of this province, and its captain, Lope de Ulloa, had to resort to arms in order to defend it against its assailants. As soon as the news of this singularly inopportune episode reached Iyeyasu, in October, he hastened to write to the governor of the Philippines, protesting that what had occurred had been without his knowledge and consent. He laid stress upon the amicable relations then existing between both countries--adding that they might almost be regarded as an alliance. Refusing to admit that his subjects were in fault, he adroitly suggests that it was probably only the fear of a repetition of the “San Felipe” episode, which had caused the Spaniards to take alarm and precipitate their departure from the Japanese coast. He adds: “Henceforth, in case of any kind of accidents, let your people not hesitate to take refuge in the ports of my domain, for I have sent to all quarters severe orders relating to this matter. Through your merchants I have learned that the eight galleons which leave Luzon every year for New Spain desire to obtain a license permitting them to take refuge in the ports of my country. Full of compassion for these foreigners I have had eight licenses written and sealed. These will preserve them from the rapacity of the people, and thanks to them they will without fear be able not only to take refuge in the ports and islands, but also to land and penetrate into all villages and towns throughout Japan, without incurring the risk of being treated as spies, even should they devote themselves to studying the usages and customs of the land.”