The favor which I beg your Majesty is that you bestow upon me the robe, with a commandery, of one of the three orders. [17] I entreat your Majesty to vouchsafe this in my behalf, for it is a thing that your Majesty is accustomed to bestow upon any worthy soldier, even when he has not an office like that in which I serve.  Likewise I entreat that Don Joan de Sande, my brother, who, as I have already stated, has been serving your Majesty in Flanders twelve years, be given the robe, if he be still alive; and if not, I entreat the same for Don Bernardino de Sande, my brother, who has served your Majesty in this country as a soldier, and is now serving you as a captain of infantry.  These brothers, as well as myself, will serve you better according as we are more highly honored.  It is of great importance that your Majesty do not forget me, who am serving you in this capacity of governer and captain-general.  And also, because I now have but little recompense, I beg your Majesty to have the goodness to order it increased, and to allow me some gratuity:  for in the last expedition I spent three thousand ducats of my own, and every day there arise similar necessities.  And, regarding other favors which I also entreat from the royal Council, may it please your Majesty to examine the letters, graciously to take cognizance of them, and to bestow upon me the reward due for the years that I have spent in your Majesty’s service, continuing the service, both in peace and war, rendered to your Majesty by my ancestors and kinsmen of a most ancient lineage.  And, since God so ordains it, I am alone; and now I entreat your Majesty to have the goodness to reply to me, granting me the reward, which I am quite confident of receiving, and by which I am comforted.

Since in the letter to the Council I am writing more at length, in this present letter I do otherwise, because of the many and important matters that take up the time of your Majesty’s royal person.

The Portuguese have constructed six fortifications in Maluco, in each of which they have mounted eight Lombardy guns.  The real defense is for your Majesty to order that no innovation be brought forward in what pertains to the compact; for I see this with great pain and anxiety for your royal crown.  As for the rest, it would be quite an easy matter.

I brought from Borney twenty-seven ships, among them being twenty-one galleys and galliots, together with a hundred and seventy pieces of artillery, as above said, and other war material of which I am sending an account to the royal Council.  These supplies could not be furnished to this country for a thousand ducats; and with them the condition of these islands will be greatly improved.  May it please our Lord so to ordain that all men shall recognize your Majesty as their king and sovereign, as you deserve.  May our Lord guard the royal Catholic person of your Majesty many long years, augmenting your dominion and kingdoms, as we your vassals desire.  At Manila, in the island of Lucon in the Philipinas, July 29, 1578.  Royal Catholic Majesty, I am your Majesty’s loyal vassal and servant; who kisses your royal hands,