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- The Spanish Crown paid close attention to the proposals of Sevillian elites, viewing them as opportunities to strengthen the Royal Treasury and improve Spain's position in Asia. As noted in the introduction, this approach required halting the deployment of extraordinary armadas from Lisbon in favor of four priorities: first, redirecting aid to Manila; second, fostering cooperation in Asia among the forces of the Iberian Union; third, reinforcing Iberian positions along the African coasts to deter the arrival of Dutch and English forces; and fourth, pursuing an alliance with the Safavid Empire to enhance Spain's position in the Mediterranean. However, this policy led to tensions with the Portuguese Crown, which opposed many of these initiatives. (en)
- "It is in the service of His Majesty that the said contract between New Spain and the Philippine Islands cease, and that it be done from Spain, since the Dutch and foreigners do it very easily, as is well known." (en)
- At the Spanish court, Acuña's plans were assessed and approved for implementation. However, there was a key issue: the Moluccas were Portuguese territory while the ministers who studied Acuña's proposals were Castilian. Philip III did not want a confrontation between kingdoms over this issue and asked for a joint assessment of the Moluccas problem, but the ideas of both sides seemed irreconcilable. The Castilian advisors understood that if there was intervention from the Philippine Islands, as Acuña proposed, the Moluccas should come under Castilian control, since politically and militarily it made more sense. The Portuguese did not view this manoeuvre favourably and hoped that Ternate would return to Portuguese control, even if the Castilians had recovered it. In the end, there was no understanding, and the king opted for the Castilian position, and at the end of 1602, he approved Acuña's proposal The governor's plan was first to regain control of Ternate, the most important kingdom with a great influence over the other local powers, and then to gain the loyalty of the other kingdoms. With their firm support, Acuña hoped to be able to cut off the clove trade to the Dutch, so that they would have no interest in returning to the islands. Finally, once the Spanish had settled in the Moluccas, he hoped to be able to make the leap to the islands of Ambon and Banda, where the Dutch maintained trade and had prominent forces. In a few years, the Spice Islands could be sealed off from the Batavian passage and thus deal a great blow to their economy and overseas prestige After the initial success of the conquest of Ternate, a relief effort was organised from the Philippines, intended to make up for the losses of the day and the resources expended. This was not very extensive, but according to the original plan, this was not important, since the Spanish troops were going to rely on local troops in their fight against the Dutch. However, events did not go according to plan, and there was no clear alternative response to this relief Essentially, the relief system devised by the Spanish for the Moluccas allowed them to supply the garrison with the money, men, and resources that the garrison might need to recover its losses and watch over the Moluccas, but it could not compete with the large forces that a VOC squadron could deploy on the ground. (en)
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