The Portuguese left us so badly accredited with these natives that some of them withdrew from our friendship; and it has been necessary to turn to pacifying them again, and at somewhat greater cost than the first time.  In the future we shall have the greatest care in their conversion and good treatment, as your Majesty commands.  We will gladly strive to bring them to the subjection and dominion of your royal Majesty, and with those who refuse and do not wish it, we shall adopt more convenient means to preach and teach to them all the evangelical law, wherein God our lord and your Majesty will be well served.

In fulfilment of your Majesty’s orders, on these two ships which are going to Nueva Espana, I send ten or twelve Portuguese from this camp.  Some still remain but it seemed to me that to avoid trouble, it was well not to send many together.  I am certain that some of them are good soldiers, and have served your Majesty very well.  There has not been heard or imagined of them anything that they ought not to have done, but your Majesty’s order was very well considered and noted, and therefore will be executed.  On the first ships that leave here will go those who remain.  The foreigners of these nations can not be banished at present, without considerable inconvenience; because all the workmen, carpenters, gunners, and half of the sailors are foreigners, Some of the soldiers are Flemings, and others Italians, Venetians, Greeks, French, and so on.  Wherefore no new action has been taken in this at present, until your Majesty is pleased to have the matter looked into, and shall command what you think best to be done about it.

We have had news here from Mexico that a certain fleet that sailed from Peru in your Majesty’s name, to discover Nueva Guinea and other lands in those western regions, was instructed to settle all the lands extending westward between ten degrees north latitude and sixty degrees south latitude.  This was incredible, because, as your Majesty knows, the fleets that have left Nueva Espana in your Majesty’s name have discovered many islands and lands as far as the equator, and in south latitude.  What I have settled, subdued and discovered in your Majesty’s name commences at six degrees latitude north of the equator, and extends from there farther north.  If it were conceded to those from Peru up to ten degrees, it would be equivalent to giving them the greater part of all this Filipinas archipelago, and more.  I thought that I ought to inform you of it, so that your Majesty could make what provisions seemed best to you.

Melchior de Legazpi, my son, who for a long time has resided at that court, has charge of my affairs; and last year, Captain Felipe de Salcedo, my grandson, went to give your Majesty a report of affairs here.  I humbly pray your Majesty to have them sent back, granting them favor so that they may come to serve your Majesty in these regions.