cried for very rage and bitterness—­especially Omocon, who had solemnly averred that the corsair could not escape.  They brought a slight present with them, of a few pieces of silk and cotton shawls, and also letters.  A part of the present was for the governor, another for the master-of-camp, another for the captains, and the rest for the soldiers.  Their portion was given to the captains by the Chinese and friars.  That which was destined for the governor I received, and am sending it by this same packet to your Majesty, so that you may see their way of doing things.  I am sending also some cloth, such as they wear, five bonnets, a belt that indicates that the wearer is a captain, and the original letters that came from China translated into Spanish—­one of them having the equivalent Spanish words under the Chinese and the letter telling about the present.  From these it will be seen that their writing does not consist of letters, but of syllables or symbols.  They brought with them thirteen horses as a present or as purchases.  These beasts are full of bad habits, like those of Galicia.  One horse was given there and here to the governor, and was delivered to the officials of your Majesty’s royal estate, that they may sell it, and place the proceeds in the box with the three keys.  The rest of the horses were sent to their respective owners.

39.  These ten ships brought some merchandise to sell, although but little, which they sold at very high rates.  They are a mean, impudent people, as well as very importunate.  They remained in this port more than six months, and demanded a present to carry back with them—­saying that the good will of their commanders would thus be gained; and that, if this present were made to them, it would stand the Spaniards in good stead in their land.  Inasmuch as it was reported that Limahon had fled, and as these people are as cowardly as Indians, they begged me to write to China that Limahon was dead.  For this purpose, they tried to procure many human heads, which many natives of this land are wont to keep as treasures, in order to declare that they had that of Limahon.  They made a false seal, claiming that it had belonged to Limahon, from whom they had taken it.  They endeavored to have me write to China from here after this manner, but I always told them, whenever they broached the subject, that the Castilians did not know how to lie, and that we could not discuss such trivial matters.  I consulted the captains and religious concerning the present, and we agreed that it was not convenient to send one, but that we would furnish them with provisions.  Therefore we supplied them generously, and they left this port on the fourth of May of the year seventy-six.  They took with them two fathers, Fray Martin de Errada and Fray Augustin de Alburquerque, and my letters, a copy of which I am sending, as well as an order for the fathers to remain there to preach.  The Chinese did not take any Spaniards with them; however, they begged for some of our people, later, thinking that the latter would take something to give them or which they could seize.  During their stay here I treated them very well, but there is no way of softening their hearts, except by means of gifts—­although, to my way of thinking, weapons would avail more.