of the king our sovereign and those of the sovereigns
of Castela, between which princes there exists a very
ancient relation and intimacy. The excuse he gives,
in addition to the others already mentioned, of entering
into this our sea and conquest, because he knew that
the Portuguese have no commercial relations as yet
within these islands, is weak and of no avail; for
in what law, either divine or human, does his grace
find it written that, when the kings and their vassals
disregard for a time commercial relations with lands
belonging within their demarcations, others should
consequently take therefrom gold and drugs, which
do not belong to them? As for his saying that
he entered here to look for Spaniards who remained
in these islands from the fleet of Ruilopez de Villalobos,
and that he has already ransomed one, and has information
regarding two more—this is a very poor
reason for violating good faith, truth, oath, and so
solemn a compact between so Christian princes.
This is especially true in view of the knowledge and
experience (to which Guido de Lavezaris could testify)
of the great affection and sheltering kindness with
which those of the company of Ruilopez de Villalobos
were received and transported to Spanha (at great
expense to his highness and his captains), through
the favor of the viceroy, and were well looked after
in our merchant ships; while those who, with his approbation,
wished to remain here, were likewise granted many favors,
and, having become rich, now dwell in the fortresses
and cities of India. Moreover, he might have
trusted us in this matter of the three Spaniards, who
remained here at all the less cost to his majesty,
and without serving his highness. As for trying
to make me to believe that he was serving the interests
of the king our sovereign during his stay in this our
king’s land, with his safeguards and defenses.
I emphatically assert that they were all erected very
much against his interests; for one who has the intention
alleged by his grace gives evidences plain to all,
assuring the inhabitants of the land against those
accompanying him, but not by means of fortifications
and a so great assumption of authority in another’s
kingdom—usurping therein the vassalage
rights of his highness and transferring the same to
his majesty, who already has so many; obliging the
natives to pay him tribute, and laying down the law
to them as if they were his own subjects; and taking
them prisoners on their coming to see the captains
of their real king and sovereign, as in the case of
one who was captured as he came to the pinnace of
Antonio Ronbo da Costa, and prevented from speaking
with me. As for the chimerical charges which his
grace makes against me concerning the letter of Antonio
Lopez de Segueira, and the words of the soldiers of
Antonio Rumbo, in what manner could he have formed
an opinion from a letter written by an individual captain
who had been separated for many days from my company,
if the sincerity of my intentions should be truly