In Goa, Diego Lopez de Mezquita was already
a prisoner in the fortress of Benastirim, and under a strong guard,
and the viceroy was awaiting the decision from Espana to dispose of
him and of the soldiers; for they feared lest the Ternatans would make
use of the great help that could be sent them by the Chinese; which
could be sent much more easily if the matters then being discussed
in Castilla were made certain. It was reported that the Council of
State--having noted that the Filipinas not only did not augment the
royal incomes, but were even lessening them, and were the occasion for
fruitless expense; and that they were so numerous and so difficult
of conservation--had proposed to King Filipo, our sovereign, to
abandon them, and withdraw the Audiencia and presidios that sustained
them. They added to this argument the example of the Chinese kings and
nations, who also had abandoned those islands--although they are so
near and can aid them so easily, that the islands may be reckoned as a
part of their mainland.
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