Now then I have satisfied what your Majesty orders me by the aforesaid royal decree, as clearly as possible. If I have not named the villages and chief places of the benefices, the reason is that I believe myself excused from that labor. The government of Don Fernando de Silva, knight of the habit of Sanctiago, during this interim in these islands has been very successful; and he has proceeded as prudently as if he had exercised the government for many years. He has secured peace both with the royal Audiencia and with all the other corporations. He has occupied a port of the island of Hermosa--the best or only good one--which was so recommended and ordered to be occupied by his Majesty Phillippo Second, your Majesty's grandfather, in the instructions ordered given to Governor Don Francisco Tello; of its importance, time will tell. It has seemed a desirable thing, at least in the present, so that the Dutch shall not have the opportunity that they desire for taking the silk from China and transporting it to Europa and to Japon. That brought them very great wealth; for, selling it for the bars of silver with which the latter kingdom abounds, the Dutch had money enough to continue the trade with China. They shortened the voyage every year to that country. Don Fernando de Silva also built a galleon that is now in the port of Cavite. He built some small rooms or quarters of stone for the soldiers in the Plaza de Armas, wherein three hundred men may be lodged, without the expenditure of a single peso from your Majesty's royal treasury. He is a calm and prudent man, one of good example, fearful of God, and zealous for your Majesty's service and the increase of your royal treasury. He has abilities for governing, and if your Majesty occupies him in other governments, you will be as well served as you have been during the time while he has had this charge. [_In the margin_: "That we are advised of what he says."] Governor Don Juan Nino de Tavora, who just arrived in these ships that came from Nueva Espana with reenforcements, shows excellent valor and zeal for the service of your Majesty; and if God grants him life to execute the good purposes that he evidently possesses, I doubt not that these islands will not only lift their head, but that they will return to their former grandeur. He has entered on his government with a secure foothold, since he finds them free from the Dutch enemy--who have allowed us to breathe this year, and have given opportunity for more ships to come from China than for several years past. The same has been true of the ships from Goa, India, and Macan. All of them have entered the port of Cavite; so that already this community appears another and a very different one from what it was before. I trust, with the help of His Divine Majesty, that the governor will aid it, for the proofs that he has hitherto given are those of an excellent governor and Christian, and one fearful of his conscience.