[Addressed: “To the Sacred Catholic Majesty, King Don Felipe our lord, from his camp in the islands of the West.”]

[Endorsed: “To his majesty. xxixth of May, 1565.  From Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and other persons, from Cubu, on xxixth of May, 1565.  Seen, and to be added to the rest. 65.”]

Sacred Catholic Majesty: 

First and foremost in this present letter, we inform your majesty, with the loyalty and fidelity which we always display, of our great need of help, which your majesty must condescend to have sent us speedily, considering that we have so great need of it in order to attain what is so much desired by us in the service of God, our Lord, and in that of your majesty.

The great service which the venerable father Fray Andres de Hurdaneta has rendered to God, our Lord, and to your majesty is worthy of great praise and many thanks; for he instructed us in all things, both spiritual and temporal, during the whole voyage, and because no other except him sailed in the fleet who did instruct us.  Therefore, all of us, your majesty’s faithful servants—­both the officials of the camp and all your vassals generally—­humbly beseech and beg your majesty to consider his great services and merits; and as soon as he has given your majesty an account of all that has happened in these regions hitherto, to order and command him to return, in order to prosecute this undertaking, which is of so great import to the service of God, our Lord, and to that of your majesty—­inasmuch as it is fitting for the future, as he is one who has so well understood everything that is occurring in all places, and as therein he may attain the result desired by your majesty in everything.  This we hope to achieve, with all confidence and alacrity, through divine favor and the protection of your majesty.  Therefore we beseech your majesty to grant us this favor, and succor us with father Fray Hurdaneta’s presence, because he is very necessary to us, and will gather much fruit in both spiritual and temporal affairs; and for all the aforesaid matters, and for our consolation and aid, we are sure of this gratification, which your majesty will be pleased to grant us fully, as is your majesty’s wonted custom to so faithful servants and vassals.  May our Lord watch over the sacred Catholic royal person of your majesty; and may he augment you with great kingdoms and seigniories, as is desired by us, your majesty’s faithful servants and subjects.  From the island of Cubu, the first of June, the year MDLXV.  Sacred Catholic Majesty, your sacred Catholic majesty’s faithful servants and subjects, who with all humility kiss your majesty’s royal feet:  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, [87] Mateo Delsaz, Martin de Goiti, Guido de Lauezari, Andres Cabchela, Andres de Mjrandaola, Andres de Ybarra, Luis de la Hava, Fernando Riquel, government notary; Amador de Arriaron, Juan Maldonado de Berrocal, Gabriel de Rribera, Juan de la Ysla, Jeronimo de Moncon, Hernando Lopez, Don Pedro de Herrera,