He complain'd that they had let slip such an Opportunity of Recovering Ternate, and chastising the Dutch, who resort thither to the Trade of [Don Pedro de Acunna's letter concerning the Enterprize on Ternate.] Clove, Mace, and other Spice, and Drugs. He represented the Danger the Philippine Islands were in, after that Neighbouring Tyrant's Victory; and that having more particularly weigh'd the Circumstances of that Affair, besides the Necessity of regaining the Reputation lost there, he found that whatsoever has been yet said, was short. For not to mention the principal End, which was the Propagation of the Faith, but only with Regard to the King's Revenue, he show'd, That Ternate being reduc'd it would be easie to subdue the Islands of Banda, which are above thirty, lying about a hundred Leagues from the Moluccos, full of valuable Mace, and possess'd by an unwar-like People, would add that Income to Spain, and take it from the Dutch, who carry all away, with little or no Opposition. He promis'd the same as to the Islands Papuas, which are many, not far distant from Ternate, some of them Subjects to that King, and yielding him a considerable Quantity of Gold, Amber, and other valuable Tribute. Then he extended to the Great Batochina, or Gilolo, describing its Fertility, and how that Tyrannical King oppress'd it. Those of Celebes 45 Leagues from Ternate, where he had strong Garrisons. The Greater and Lesser Javas, whose Kings would again submit to Spain, as soon as the Moluccos were brought under. He earnestly recommended Secresie and Expedition. To evince the Necessity of both, besides the usual Reasons, he urg'd that as soon as those Rebels and the Dutch hear of any War-like Preparations, they spare neither Cost, nor Labour, to make all necessary Provision; and that they never sail by the Coasts of India without ruining, and plundering them. He affirm'd, that the General Furtado was no way to blame for having abandon'd that Enterprize; for as it plainly appear'd, and Captain Gallinato declar'd he had always behav'd himself like a brave Gentleman, and discreet Commander; but that besides the Want of Provisions and Ammunition, he could not relie upon his own Men; and that if the Succours sent him from Manila had been more considerable, he would have hazarded all with only them. He said, the King of Tydore had sent him great Complaints against the General Furtado, and that it was a common saying with him. That before he came to the Moluccos the King of Tydore Slept, and he of Ternate Watch'd; but now the Case was alter'd, and the contrary might be said. Yet he believ'd he was not heartily sorry for the Disappointment. The same he urg'd in Relation to the Kings of Bachian and Sian. He concluded, offering to undertake that Affair in Person, provided he might be furnish'd with what was necessary, that he might not be Distress'd as his Predecessors had been. Then he went on, by way of Answer to the Objections, or Accusations of the Spanish Commanders, who being us'd to the Wars in Europe, despis'd all other Enemies, who made War without all those Engines, and Fire-Arms us'd in Flanders, France, and England. He says, none of those Eastern Provinces wanted any of the Inventions we have in Europe; and that besides the great Numbers they have, and the Dexterity in using them of the Japoneses, Chineses, Mindanaos, and Moluccos, they are no less expert at their Bows, and Arrows; especially the Javaneses, who conquer when they fly, and that they are not destitute of such Strategems, that the Spaniards have need of all their Valour against them, and their numerous Armies. He owns the Molucco Islands can not stand in Competition, with the strong and populous Cities taken in our Parts, but that nevertheless, so many Christian Churches as have been polluted in them; the banishing of our Religion; the Persecution of its Ministers; the continual Tyrannical Practices; and Alliance of those People, with the Dutch, his Majesties last Rebels, ought not to be cast into Oblivion. And that, were there no other Motive but this, the King ought to retrieve his Honour, which is concern'd for the loss of so many of his Fleets, and Commanders. It is very remarkable, that tho' in these Letters he gave an Account of the Posture of Affairs, either as to Peace, or War, of so many several Kings, among whose Territories the Spanish Arms appear, not without Glory; yet he insists not so much on any Point, as that of Ternate, which was grown Old by above thirty Years standing, to the Discredit of our Nation. From all this may be inferr'd, how necessary it is always, in Affairs of great Difficulty, to bend the entire Understanding to them, and to be in Love with the Design conceiv'd, that so the Event may answer the Expectation.