Don Juan Cevicos

In witness of truth: 
Gabriel de Muxica Buitran

Letter to the King from Geronimo de Silva

Sire: 

A detailed relation of the condition and affairs of these islands having been sent to your Majesty in the vessels despatched to Nueva Espana in August of last year, God was pleased that, after some months of navigation, the almiranta should put back in distress on the thirteenth of November, mastless and badly racked, because of the many hurricanes and the bad weather that it met on the high seas.  That was a most severe loss for this city, since the chief sinew of its support at present is nothing but the trade of those two ships; for as the times go, there is now no other recourse.  It is considered as certain that the flagship made the voyage, although there is no more certainty than trust that God has taken it to safety; for since it was already so late, and the monsoon of the vendavals had set in, it has not as yet returned from Nueva Espana, nor has any other advice come.  That is no little cause for anxiety to this wretched city, in addition to the ravages of enemies and other disasters that ordinarily afflict it.  May God in His mercy ordain what is most advisable for His holy service.

Governor Don Alonsso Fajardo, having despatched the vessels of Castilla, began to undertake the aid for Terrenate; and attempted to send it earlier than formerly, in order to guard against the enemy, who continually await the ship at the entrance of those forts.  Notwithstanding the small amount of money and other supplies that could be taken hence, because the misery here had become as extreme as one can imagine, yet what was sent in men, food, and war-supplies, was the most abundant that has entered those forts for a considerable number of years—­as the governor, being the one in charge of all those matters, will fully inform your Majesty.  With that relief a present was also sent to the king of Macazar in your Majesty’s name, in recognition of the friendly reception and entertainment found in his country by your Majesty’s [word illegible in MS.] vassals, and for the great importance of preserving his friendship, as I have stated in other letters.

Governor Don Alonso Fajardo heard by way of Japon—­through an entirely trustworthy person, who is accustomed always to give information of very important matters—­that the Dutch enemy had allied themselves with the English, and that both nations had made an alliance to come to pillage these coasts, and that they had prepared and well equipped for that purpose a squadron of twelve large ships belonging to both nations.  That news caused keen anxiety in this city, inasmuch as two so powerful nations were seen to be allied for its destruction and ruin.  The most anxious was the governor, not so much because the remedy depended upon him, as because he found himself with so few forces, and it was impossible to be able to prevent so serious injury as was expected.  Before anything else he tried to inform your Majesty of that alliance, sending a despatch for that purpose by way of Portuguese India, so that it might reach your Majesty’s royal hands with the promptness that so important a matter demanded.