war. Tello is making preparations to repel the Japanese, should they attack the islands.
Juan Ronquillo sends to Morga (January 4, 1598) a report of his proceedings in Mindanao since the preceding July. He has had several battles with the Moros from Ternate, whose bravery he extols; he has practically completed the conquest of the island, and has demanded tribute from the Joloans. He is planning to make peace between the Mindanao chiefs by a marriage between certain of their families. Ronquillo furnishes interesting information about the climate and products of Mindanao. He desires the encomenderos to assume their share of the task of conquest, or else to stay away from the island. The soldiers must have pay, for they are suffering great privations.
Morga sends to Spain a general report (June 17, 1598) on Philippine conditions. It contains observations on the conduct of the religious who are charged with the instruction of the Indians, on civil and military affairs, the local magistracy, the collection and administration of the royal revenue, the behavior of the encomenderos, and the acts of the officers of the vessels plying between the Philippines and New Spain. The religious ministers who are in charge of the Indians are accused, as a body, of profligate actions, avarice, tyranny, meddlesomeness, and failure to prevent extortion by their officials. Even the most spiritual have their minds bent on expeditions to evangelize other countries rather than on the teaching of the Indians. In what concerns civil affairs, he declares that the royal ordinances are neglected, especially in reference to trade. As for the local trade, he suggests a number of restrictions on
