has to pay it and, moreover, answer and give account for his father and himself.  Besides what was paid and spent by my father, after his death were contracted debts not far from twenty-five or twenty-six thousand pesos, and in addition to the aforesaid, there are other things not yet cleared up of which the amount is not known.  On account of all this I have ventured to give a report to your Majesty, so that, knowing the burden of obligations and the plight of this least of your Majesty’s servants, who is in this land so distant and far from his own, your Majesty may be pleased with your royal and most pious compassion to take pity upon and show mercy to this, his most insignificant servant.  For his relief, after God, he depends on the royal graciousness and aid of your Majesty, as from his king and lord, from whom and from whose magnanimity, after God, depends my weal, succor, and liberty.  As necessity teaches those who suffer to seek plans and modes for relief, I shall propose to your Majesty what seems to me the most convenient and speedy remedy.  I desire that your Majesty may be pleased but to grant me grace and license to send and despatch to Peru, if perchance it be expedient, and I am able so to do, a ship of two hundred and fifty or three hundred toneladas, with articles and goods from China—­although I do not know what I can do with my small capital and means.  Yet it is to be considered that here a ship is made and built at much less cost than elsewhere; and, if it were of no more than the said tonnage, it might be done in some way or other.  This would be exceeding grace and relief for this least of your Majesty’s servants, who humbly begs that it be so done.  I ask it not with designs, plans, and desires for greater profits and riches, to be held and enjoyed; but for the relief and payment of so great necessities and strict obligations, and in behalf of others.  If there should be anything left over after fulfilling these obligations, and should your Majesty be pleased to grant me this grace according to my plan, there might result profit to this commonwealth.  The cargo sent there could at the same time bring aid to me and relief to the commonwealth—­or, as I say, convenience and profit.  A ship of so little tonnage sent only once to Peru cannot take an excessive or inordinate cargo.  For this reason also, I beseech your Majesty to grant me this grace; and although I have many excuses wherewith to move and incline the royal heart and compassion of your Majesty, by referring to several of my affairs and services, I omit to do so.  I only supplicate your Majesty most humbly by the royal magnanimity and the necessity of this least of your Majesty’s servants.  May your Majesty be pleased to grant me this grace.  Above all, I beseech the Divine Majesty of God our Lord that, if this be not meet for His glory or service, or if there may result therefrom some damage or prejudice to His cause or that of your Majesty, His Divine Majesty will move your Majesty not to permit or concede me this grace which I ask.  May His Divine Majesty preserve your Majesty as He is able, and as we all desire and need.  Amen:  Manila, June 30, 1596.