Your sacred royal majesty’s faithful servant, who kisses your majesty’s royal feet,

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

[Endorsed: “To the Sacred Catholic Royal Majesty the king Don [Felipe] our lord.—­To his majesty, May 27, 1565.  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Cubu, May 27, 1565.—­Seen and to be filed with the others.”]

To the Sacred Catholic Majesty: 

Because General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi is giving your majesty a full account of events throughout these districts, therefore we shall say only that we remain in your majesty’s royal service in these Filipinas—­in that part where the men of Magallanes were killed, called the island of Cubu—­under the protection of God, our Lord, and awaiting that of your majesty; and we remain here with very great necessity.

We beseech your majesty to provide us aid with the despatch and diligence fitting, in order that your majesty’s purpose to introduce the Christian religion into these districts, and to reduce these people, neglected for so many years, and who are in dire need of receiving the fruits of our holy Catholic faith, may be attained.  We are of stout heart because of the many favors that our Lord has been pleased to bestow upon us hitherto; and for the future we trust that he will keep us in his holy service, and protect us in that of your majesty.  The ship acting as flagship on the voyage hither from Nueva Spana is about to return to discover the return route to your majesty’s kingdoms.  The venerable father Fray Andres de Hurdaneta sails in it.  To him we refer in everything that has happened here, and we charge him with the relation of events in these districts, as one who has so well understood everything that has happened hereabout.  Father Fray Diego de Herrera, Fray Martin de Herrada and Fray Pedro de Gamboa, religious from whom we receive every good instruction and counsel, remain here.

We supplicate your majesty, with all humility, to exercise the accustomed favor to your majesty’s faithful servants and vassals, in consideration of the faith, fidelity, and alacrity with which we have ever served your majesty.  What is offered for your consideration by us and by this entire camp, as your servants, we make known to your majesty, which things your majesty will be pleased to provide.

In your majesty’s name we have possessed and still possess, as protector and general, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, one for whom we give many thanks to our Lord, who has been pleased to provide us a so excellent protector, and one who with a so great desire watches over the service of your majesty—­whose sacred Catholic royal person may our Lord have in his keeping, and augment with great kingdoms and seigniories; such is the wish of us the faithful servants of your majesty.  The island of Cubu, May 29, 1565.  Sacred Catholic Majesty, your sacred Catholic majesty’s faithful servants, who kiss your majesty’s royal feet with all humility:  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Mateo del Saz, Fray Diego de Herrera, Fray Martin de Rada, Martin de Goiti, Fray Pedro de Gamboa, Guido de Lavezari, Andres Cabchela, Andres de Mirandaola, Andres de Ybarra, Juan Maldonado de Berrocal, Luis de la Haya, Juan de la Isla, Gabriel de Rribera.