And if, in case of accident, any of those galleons or ship should be lost on the said voyage, or if one by any mischance does not, and the other two do make their voyage, the merchandise which should he brought back, would be divided as above, and the said vessel which might not have been on the said voyage shall share, and the merchants each one a mark to the pound, for all goes to the common profit.

And if any booty be taken at sea, from the Moors or others enemies of the faith and the King, my Lord; the Admiral, shall take previously, of the aforesaid booty, his tenth; and the balance which would accrue from the said booty, shall be divided like the other goods, except some portion of that booty, which shall be given to the crew as shall be advised.

And my aforesaid Admiral shall have letters-patent from the king expedited, in order to have permission and leave to make the said voyage; and no obstruction shall be made or given to these letters, by any allies, friend, or confederate of the king, our said Lord.

For the voyage of Sir Joan.

III.

Letter of Joao da SILEIRA, the Portuguese ambassador of France, to king Dom Joao III.

Translated from the original at Lisbon, in Archivo de Torre de Tambo, Corp.  Chron.  Part I. Ma. 29.  Doc. 54.

Sire: 

I received a letter from Your Highness on the 19th of this month, through Joao Francisco, wherein I am directed what is to be done respecting the galleon and caravel, taken at the deira Islands, [Footnote:  Probably Madeira Islands.  Translator.] by the galleys of France.  As soon as I received the instruction, which was about the beginning of Christmas, I spoke on the subject in a manner befitting the nature of the case.  At once they were released,—­the caravel with her artillery and the brocades and silks. [Footnote:  That is to say, the hangings, tapestry, and awnings of the vessel.  Translator.] By this time they must have arrived at Lisbon.  As respects the merchandise, I had the promise that if it was found to be the property of Your Highness or of your subjects it should not be sold.  After a few days, discovering that it belonged to Joao Francisco, an ample order was given to his agents for its entire restitution, which orders set forth that as he lives in the kingdoms of Your Highness, and there is an old friendship existing with the King of France which he was no less desirous of preserving, in this he would favor that king.  After this order was promulgated another came from the chief official, in consequence of which nothing was delivered, and the goods moreover were sold.  From that time to the present, nothing has been accomplished.  I will strive the best I can for despatch, in the manner that Your Highness points out, and will give account of what I do.