Witnesses, Pedro Brizeno de Eseguera, Tome de la Ysla, and Ensign
Melchor de Torres.

Gabriel de Rivera

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

In the said village of Mindanao, on the second day of the month of April, one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine, the illustrious Gabriel de Ribera, captain of infantry and of the fleet and people who came to pacify this river and that of Jolo by order of the governor of these islands, said that, whereas the majority of the Spaniards of this fleet have told him that many Spaniards and Indian rowers of this fleet are daily becoming sick, and that he should provide the necessary remedy therefor, in order to avoid the danger that might ensue, as his Grace knows the nature of the land and its unhealthfulness:  therefore he ordered Sergeant Lope de Catalinaga, accompanied by the present notary, to go to see and visit the said sick both Spaniards and Indians.  He ordered us to give him full information regarding it and to make attestation regarding the sick, so that it might be evident that his Grace has had and has exercised the requisite care and diligence in everything.  This he ordered and affixed his signature thereto.

Gabriel de Ribera

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

Thereupon the said sergeant, Lope de Catalinaga, and I, the present notary, went to the fragata of the said captain, where we visited, and saw, in two beds, Francisco Gomez and Bartolome Ruiz, both soldiers, and in another Ensign Diego de Arteaga.  They complained of fever, and their appearance bore out this statement.  We found also in the flagship, six Indian Moros, rowers, who were sick; and their appearance showed it.  As witnesses to all the above were Melchor de Medrano and Juanes de Yracabal.

Lope de Catalinaga

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

Thereupon the said sergeant Lope de Catalinaga and I, the present notary, went to the vessel commanded by Juan Rodriguez de Norvega.  There we saw in one bed the said Juan Rodriguez de Norvega, and in another Pedro de Brito.  Both of them complained of sickness—­the said Juan Rodriguez of a very bad abscess in the leg, and the said Pedro de Brito of a violent fever; and their appearance confirmed their complaints.  We saw also in the said vessel Juan de Leon, a soldier and Anton Martin, a sailor sick with chills and fever, as was evident from their appearance.  Further in this same vessel, Diego de Anaya, a soldier, is sick with fever, as is evident.  In the same vessel are nine sick Indians, from among the rowers.  Witnesses of this were Juan de Avila and Goncalo Ruiz, a soldier.

Lope de Catalinaga

Before me: 

Benito de Mendiola, notary of the fleet

Then the said sergeant Lope de Catalinaga and I, the present notary, went to the ship commanded by Francisco Velasquez.  There were the said Francisco Velazquez and Miguel Nunez in one bed.  They complained of sickness, and their appearance proved it.  Ten Indian rowers were sick in this vessel, as their appearance proved.  Witnesses to this were Juan Lopez, Melchor de Medrano.