Puerto de la Navidad, 1564.  In a letter to the king November 18, Legazpi announces that he has taken over “two large ships and two pataches, and one small brigantine,” in which are one hundred and fifty seamen, two hundred soldiers, and six religious of the order of Saint Augustine, the chief of whom is father Fray Andres de Urdaneta; in all, the number of souls, counting servants, amounts to three hundred and eighty.  “I shall leave this port, please God, our Lord, tomorrow ... and will display, on my part, all possible diligence and care, with the fidelity which I owe, and which I am under obligation to have.”  He hopes for a successful voyage.  He begs the king to bear them in mind, and send aid “to us who go before,” and to commit this to one who has care and diligence, “as a matter that concerns greatly the service of God, our Lord, the increase of his holy Catholic faith, and the service of your majesty, and the general good of your kingdoms and seigniories.”  He asks the king to grant (as in his other letter, q.v. above) the requests he had made to the viceroy, and which the latter had sent to Spain; for the preparation for the voyage has taken all his possessions.  Two days later (November 20) Urdaneta writes the king to somewhat the same effect, enumerating the vessels, men, etc.  Besides himself there are four other religious, “and the other ...  God has taken to himself in this port.”  They will set out the following day, all being well.  He praises Legazpi, and requests the king to keep him in his remembrance.  Urdaneta’s nephew, Andres de Mirandaola, is the royal factor of the fleet, and the former begs favor for him.  “Also since the religious of the order of our father Saint Augustine are the first to embark in this undertaking, and to undergo so many hardships for the service of God and your majesty, I beg your majesty to grant them favors.” (Tomo ii, nos. xxiv and xxv, pp. 211-215.)

November 25, 1564.  Legazpi gives instructions on this day to the captains and pilots as to the course to be pursued.  Hitherto, since leaving port, a southwest course has been steered; but now, in accordance with the royal instructions, and in the opinion of the captains and pilots, it seems advisable to change the direction.  They shall sail first west-southwest to a latitude of nine degrees, and then take a due course for the Philippines, stopping at the island of Los Reyes on the way.  If by any chance one of the vessels becomes separated from Legazpi’s vessel, the pilots are to return to the above latitude, stopping at any port that they may find, for eight or ten days, in hopes of meeting the other vessels.  Whether they find the island or not, and do not find the other vessels, this ship shall continue on the course toward the Philippines.  A token and letter must be left at any port they may reach.  When the island of Los Reyes is reached, the ship will wait there ten days, after which time they shall continue their course, stopping likewise at Matalotes and Arrecifes, leaving tokens at all places, and trying to explore them and discover their products. (Tomo ii, no. xxvi, pp. 215-217.)