NOTES

[1] This document is printed in both the original language and English translation.

[2] Navarrete says in a note that this must have been made about the time the Junta of Badajoz closed, in 1524.

[3] The hospital (and, later, military) order of St John of Jerusalem, was first established in that city in 1023, and received papal recognition in 1113.  Its knights served with distinction in the crusades.  From 1291 to 1523 the order had its seat in the island of Rhodes; but in 1530 that of Malte was ceded to it by the emperor Charles V. After the capture of Malta by the French, the order became small and insignificant.  This order was known in the course of its history by various names, among them being the Order of Rhodes (Rodas).

Garcia Jofre de Loaisa, the commander of this expedition, was a native of Ciudad Real.  He must not be confounded with the noted archbishop of Seville, of the same name, whose kinsman he was.  The commander died at sea in July, 1526.

[4] This was a priest who accompanied the expedition.  After passing the Strait of Magellan, the ship “Santiago,” in which Areizaga sailed, was compelled by lack of supplies to direct its course toward the Spanish settlements on the west coast.  This priest returned thence to Spain, where the historian Oviedo saw him; the latter compiles from Areizaga’s narrative a long account of his adventures, and of Loaisa’s voyage as far as the strait (see Oviedo’s Hist. de Indias, lib. xx, cap. v-xiii).

[5] Hernan Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico, was born in 1485, at Badajoz, Spain.  When a mere boy, he resolved upon a military career, and in 1504 went to the West Indies, where he took part in various expeditions, and held some official posts of importance.  During 1519-27, Cortes effected the conquest of Mexico and subjugation of its people.  Returning to Spain in triumph (1528), he received from the emperor titles and lands, and was made captain-general of New Spain, an office which he held from 1530 to 1541.  He sent Saavedra to search for Loaisa (1527); and in 1533 and, 1539 sent out expeditions of discovery—­the latter, under Ulloa, ascending the western coast of America to thirty-two degrees north latitude.  Cortes died at Seville, December 2, 1547.

[6] Andres de Urdaneta was born in 1498, at Villafranca de Guipuzcoa.  He received a liberal education, but, his parents dying, he chose a military career; and he won distinction in the wars of Germany and Italy, attaining the rank of captain.  Returning to Spain, he devoted himself to the study of mathematics and astronomy, and became proficient in navigation.  Joining Loaisa’s expedition, he remained in the Moluccas, contending with the Portuguese there, until 1535, when he went back to Spain.  Going thence to Mexico (about 1540), he was offered command of the expedition then fitting out for the Moluccas,