The captain from Japon, the servant of the king of Firando—­a man of worth and intelligence, and one of the chief men of that country—­with whom I discussed certain matters, told me that, although his voyage hither had been for the purpose of becoming acquainted with us, and opening a road from his country to these islands, his chief purpose was to offer the king of Firando and the people of his kingdom to the service of your Majesty; and that whenever your Majesty, or the governor of these islands, should advise the said king of Firando and another Christian king—­his friend, by name Don Augustin—­of any need of troops for your service, they would send as many people and soldiers as should be requested.  All these would come well armed and at little expense, whether for Burney, Sian, Maluco, or Great China (to which country they are hostile), without asking anything in return, for they only wish to serve your Majesty and to gain honor.  This man has under him five hundred excellent soldiers, whose captain he is, who would come here willingly.  These are his formal words.  As a prudent man and experienced in war, he gave me certain advice, and a plan for bringing easily from those provinces six thousand men, and the method which could be followed therein, which appeared to have no little fitness.  I thanked him heartily in your Majesty’s name, for his offer, saying that your Majesty is not now thinking of the conquest of China or other kingdoms; and that your Majesty’s object has been, and is, to convert the natives; to preach the holy gospel to them, and to bring them to the knowledge of our Lord, so that all might be saved; and that for this your Majesty is spending so vast sums and sending annually so many soldiers, weapons, and ammunition, as a protection and rampart for the preachers of the gospel.  I told him that when it should be advisable to place this in execution by force of arms, and if any necessity should arise, I would advise those kingdoms, so that they could effect their good desire, and your Majesty would be served thereby.  I also said that, as so powerful a sovereign, your Majesty would reward them as is your custom with other friendly kings; and told him of the great advantage that would accrue to the seigniors of those islands in recognizing and serving your Majesty.  He was well satisfied at this, and I more so, at seeing a people, so important for the service of your Majesty, imbued with so great desire to serve you—­so that should your Majesty order an expedition to be made to China, or to any other part of this new world, you could make use of them.  This is a warlike race, feared among all the natives, and most by the Chinese, who tremble at their very name, because of the many damages they have inflicted, and the experience that the latter have of their courage and valor.  I have kept this conference secret, and ordered it kept so, in order that the Chinese might not hear of it, as they are a very suspicious and timorous race.  I have made much of these Japanese, and am treating them with especial hospitality.  I am writing to the king of Firando in your Majesty’s name, in generous terms, thanking him for his offer.  The devotion and Christian zeal of this race is remarkable, and puts us to confusion.  May God direct it all, so that a great gateway may be opened to your Majesty for whatever you may be pleased to do.