With the service of God and that of your Majesty in mind, as soon as the ships left for Nueva Espana, I despatched Captain Juan de Salcedo in July, seventy-three, with one hundred and twenty soldiers in vessels like those used by these natives, to win over and conquer Bicor River and the province of Los Camarines, on the east side of this island of Lucon.  He brought under the dominion and obedience of your Majesty all that region, with about twenty thousand of its natives, with as little injury as possible.  Some villages paid their tribute in gold.  They have abundant stores of food, and possess goldmines.  The people are the most valiant yet found in these regions; they possess much good armor—­as iron corselets, greaves, wristlets, gauntlets, and helmets—­and some arquebuses and culverins.  They are the best and most skilful artificers in jewels and gold that we have seen in this land.  Almost all the people of Los Camarines pursue this handicraft.  Close upon the province of Los Camarines and Bicor River are the mines of Paracali.  As soon as the ships arrive, I shall try to effect a settlement near those mines with the people that may come, for I consider it a matter of importance for the service of your Majesty; and I shall continue the apportionment of the discovered and peaceful district of that region.

In July of the past year, seventy-three, a ship despatched by the viceroy Don Martin Enriquez arrived at these islands from Nueva Espana.  It brought us news which caused great joy and satisfaction in this camp of your Majesty.  We learned that God had granted the Queen, our lady, the delivery of a prince, [94] so much desired by all, and that her Majesty is enjoying the good health so needful.  Our Lord was pleased to grant us such a marked favor, and we beseech Him to preserve your Majesty, the Queen our lady, and his Highness many years for us; for only thus shall we not fear any adversity, nor can we desire greater things in this new world.

In order that we might better celebrate this news, we heard at the same time of the victory won by the most serene [95] of Austria over the fleet of the Turk, a victory which has proved as great and signal as we expected from the zeal of his Holiness and from your Majesty; for God having seen that both had taken His honor so at heart, has been pleased to show part of His strength, so that in a single day He has made your Majesty master of the sea.  Considering the great Catholic zeal of your Majesty, God will be pleased also to make your Majesty master of the land in which His holy faith is exalted, and afterward He will grant you a share in heaven, as one employed in matters so holy deserves.  I pray that God may preserve your Majesty and so great a brother many years for the welfare and prosperity of Christianity.