Grabiel de Ribera

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

In the said village of Mindanao, on this said day, the thirty-first of March of the said year, the said captain, considering that, by reason of the long voyage and bad weather, and the great lack of all kinds of food in the fleet, because of his long stay; and seeing how much was needed if he accomplish the purpose for which the governor despatched him on this expedition, and the said hunger and want; and that he could not by any method secure provisions in all this river:  therefore he ordered that certain of those captured Indians, natives of this country, be set to making landan, [38] a food eaten in that river.  For this purpose he ordered a great quantity of palm-trees, of the sort that produces the said landan, to be cut; and they began to work it and to make the said landan, and it is being made for the above-named purpose.  He ordered me, the present notary, also to set down the above in the proceedings; and he affixed his signature.  I, the present notary, attest the same.  Witnesses, Lope de Catalinaga, Pedro de Eseguera, and many other soldiers.  Likewise I certify that it takes four days to make the said landan.

Grabiel de Ribera

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

In the said village of Mindanao, on the thirty-first day of the month of March of the said year, Sibandao, a chief of this village, said to be a cousin of the petty king Limasancay, with Sinago, Siligan, a chief of this said village, and many other timagua Indians, appeared before the said captain and in the presence of me, the present notary, and of witnesses.  They told the said captain through the interpreter Laquian, that they wished to become allies of the Castilians.  They were received by the captain with great display of affection.  He regaled them, embraced them, and showed them in every way kind treatment.  Through the said interpreter he told them of the advantage that would accrue to them from becoming allies and vassals of King Don Ffelipe, our sovereign, and how they would be protected and favored.  He told and informed them that they were deceived by their idols and that they should believe in one all-powerful God, who created heaven and earth—­three persons but one sole and true God—­in whom we all believe; and they were very attentive to this.  He told them that, as allies, the governor of these islands would send them priests to instruct them in the Catholic faith.  He told them also, through the said interpreter, that he was sorry that the said Limasancay had fled and was absent; for his Grace came, not to rob or injure them, but to secure their alliance and peace and to teach them the said Catholic faith.  Such were the orders of the said governor.  He requested them urgently to go to tell this to the king.  They replied that they did not dare, for the said Limasancay was evilly inclined; but if his father were alive they would go.  They were unable to pay any tribute in gold or wax now, as their Indians had fled; but they would give some food from their stores, equivalent to forty tributes.  Then the above-named chiefs departed, promising to bring this food within three days.