witness declares that be knows that the father embarked, after receiving many presents and supplies.  The vessel on which he embarked was in poor repair, and the season the very depth of winter.  The sea was in great turmoil, and the winds contrary.  On this account he thinks that the father perished at sea.  As to the person of the ambassador Faranda, he knows him to be a man of influence in Xapon, who was recently created a lord by the emperor of that country.  The emperor ordered him to come here in attendance on father Fray Joan Cobo, as one who was held in high estimation.  For this reason, this witness thinks that his coming is without any duplicity, or cause for suspicion—­beyond a little vanity, to show that he is a lord, and one whom the emperor chooses for things as important as this.  Therefore this community has no grounds for fear of any wrong being done by that country; but should, on the contrary, esteem highly the friendship made with the said emperor; and as the latter is a friend so powerful and important, his ambassador should be served and entertained in the manner that seems most desirable to the governor.  This witness asserts the above, by the oath he took, to be what he knows and what he has heard.  He is thirty-eight years old.  He affixed his signature to the above.

Joan de Solis

Before me: 

Joan De Cuellar

In the city of Manila, on the first of June, one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, for the investigation of the aforesaid matter, an oath was received in due form of law, before God and on the sign of the cross, from Antonio Lopez, a Chinese Christian, an interpreter.  He took the oath, and promised, under charge thereof, to tell the truth.  Being questioned regarding the matter, this witness declared that he went to the kingdoms of Xapon last year with Father Cobo.  He saw that the father was very courteously received by the emperor upon his arrival there; for he saw Father Cobo enter [the palace] and go to meet the emperor.  He saw that Father Cobo appeared very happy and cheerful, and heard him say that after a few days he was to go back with his business well despatched.  He saw the father embark well and happy, with a present from the emperor of a very fine catana, or sword, for the governor of the Philippinas.  Father Cobo gave this witness a letter, which he brought to the governor, for he sailed in the ambassador’s ship, by order of Father Cobo.  This witness knows that the emperor was very friendly to the Spaniards, and that the ambassador Faranda Queimon came to make a treaty of peace.  The latter is the same man whom they saw enter and go with Father Cobo to meet the emperor.  Queimon is not hostile, but friendly.  This is the truth and nothing else, on his oath.  He is about forty years old.  He signed the above, according to his custom.

Before me: 

Joan de Cuellar

Collated with the original: