He despatched so late the ships, which had arrived on time, that although the viceroy made his utmost exertions he could not perform the friendly offices that Silva desired.
He began to place the said galleons on the stocks, and, as they were so large, scarcely could he find the necessary timbers in the forest.

Consequently, he had to have them sought under great difficulties, and by penetrating the thicker recesses of the woods.

There having found them, it was necessary, in order to drag and carry them to the shipyard, to depopulate the surrounding villages of the Indians, and to drag the timbers with immense labor, hardship, and cost to the Indians.

The masts of one galleon cost the Indians, as is affirmed by the religious of St.Francis, and as I heard declared by the alcalde-mayor of the province where they were cut--namely, La Laguna de Bay--the labor of six thousand Indians for three months to drag them over very rough mountains.

They were paid by the villages at the rate of forty reals per month apiece, but were given nothing to eat, and therefore, the wretched Indian had to look for food.