Granada, June 20, 1526.  By a royal decree Cortes is ordered to despatch vessels from New Spain to ascertain what has become of the “Trinidad” [10] and her crew that was left in the Moluccas; to discover news of the expedition of Loaisa, as well as that under command of Sebastian Cabot which had sailed also to the same region. [11] He is advised to provide articles for trade and ransom, and to secure for the expedition the most experienced men whom he can find—­it is especially desirable that the pilot should be such.  The king has written to Ponce de Leon and other officials to furnish all the help necessary. (No. xxvii, pp. 440-441.)

May, 1527.  Following the custom of the king in fitting out expeditions, Cortes issues instructions to the various officers of the fleet.  Alvaro de Saavedra, a cousin to Cortes, is appointed to the double office of inspector-general and captain-general of the fleet.  Two sets of instructions are given him, in each of which appears the following:  “Because as you know you are going to look for the captains Frey Garcia de Loaisa and Sebastian Caboto, and if it is our Lord’s will, it might happen that they have no ships; and if they have a supply of spices, you shall observe the following, in order that it may be carried on these ships.  You shall note what they give, and to whom it is delivered, and you shall have the said captains and the officials they took with them sign this entry in your book.”  The first matter is to look for the above-mentioned captains.  If they have discovered any new lands he must make careful note of that fact, and of their location and products.  He is to go to Cebu to ascertain whether the pilot Serrano [12] and others made captives there are still alive, and, if so, to ransom them.  He is to use all diligence in seeking information as to all men of Magalhaes’s expedition who were left in those regions.  Antonio Guiral is appointed accountant of the fleet; and the same general injunction contained in the other two instructions is also specified in his.  Cortes writes in an apologetic vein to those of Cabot’s fleet, asking them to inform him fully of events “in order that he may serve his majesty.”  He writes also to Cabot himself informing him of the purpose of Saavedra’s expedition, adding, “because, as his Catholic majesty considers the affairs of that spice region of so much importance, he has a very special care to provide everything necessary for it.”  He mentions the arrival in New Spain of the tender that had accompanied Loaisa and become separated from him shortly after leaving the strait. [13] He assures Cabot that Saavedra goes simply to look for him and the others and will be subservient to him in all that he may order.  A letter is written also to the king of the land or island at which Saavedra should anchor assuring him of only good intentions, and asking friendship and trade.  Another letter to the king of Tidore thanks him in the name of the emperor for his good reception of Magalhaes’s men who remained in that island. (Nos. xxix-xxxiii, pp. 443-461; No. xxxv, pp. 463, 464.)