In order that I may comply
with what your Lordship orders, I declare, sir:
That the forts of Terrenate, Tidore, Gilolo, Tafongo, and Payagi (which
are all that the king our sovereign possesses in the Maiucas Islands)
are in the best condition in which they have ever been; because for
a year past, since Master-of-camp Lucas de Bergara Gaviria has been
governing them, he has labored at their fortification, so that all
are in an excellent state of defense. At present there is no cavalier
in Maluco that is not built of stone, although until now many were
built of fascines, and whenever it rained heavily they were washed
down, and at times with the death of those in them. Besides that,
he has had the island of Tidore and the post of Socanora fortified;
this is very important, as the enemy try so hard to take them. Thus
it is in security, and he has also enclosed and surrounded the two
towns in the respective islands of Tidore and Terrenate, which were
outside our forts, with two curtains of rampart which are very good
and very strong.
Although our forts in Maluco have at present the artillery necessary
for their defense, still that does not prevent the very great need
that is experienced there for three or four good pieces of long range,
so that they may be placed in Tidore, Don Gil, and Tomanira. Those are
the three forts that we have on the three channels where the hostile
ships generally enter and leave, without our being able as yet to do
them any damage.
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