When the matter of the galleon occurred, the Licentiate Pero Gomez had already embarked at Anaflor.  I advised the Doctor, Maestro Diogo, who was about going to Reuao [Footnote:  i.e.  Rouen.  Translator.] that he ought not to leave before writing, and to give Your Highness a statement of the facts in that regard; as he at once wrote that he would do so, I have said nothing further in my letters.

By what I hear, Maestro Joao Verazano, who is going on the discovery of Cathay, has not left up to this date, for want of opportunity and because of differences, I understand, between himself and men; and on this topic, though knowing nothing positively, I have written my doubts in accompanying letters.  I shall continue to doubt unless he take his departure.

The Doctor Maestro Diogo de Gouvea is now going to Ruao [Footnote:  i.e.  Rouen.  Translator.] where he is going to find out everything with the greatest exactness possible, and, as I have requested, report at great length.  May our Lord prolong the life of Your Highness many days and prosper the royal estate.

From Poessi the xxv of April 1523.

Joao da Silveira.

IV.

I. Letter of Alonso Davila to the emperor Charles V, relating to the capture of the treasure sent from Mexico by Cortes.

Translated from the original in the Archivo de Indias at Seville.

 Very high and very powerful Catholic lord king: 

Captain Domingo Alonso, who was commander of the three caravels that sailed as guard on the coast of Andalusia, gave a cedula to Antonio Quinones and myself at the Island of Azores, in which Your Majesty was pleased to state to us that, from the news of our fear of the French who were said to run the coast, we had remained at the island of Santa Maria until your Highness should direct what might be for the royal service, in so doing we had acted well; that to secure the gold and articles we had brought, the three caravels were sent to us under that captain; and we were enjoined to embark in them at once and come with every thing to the city of Seville, to the House of Contratacion, and the officers who by the royal command reside there, for which favor we kiss your feet and hands.

The caravels arrived the xvth of May, and directly in fulfilment of the order we embarked, sailing for the Portuguese coast, which the pilots deemed the safer course, and coming within ten leagues of Cape St. Vincent, six armed French ships ran out upon us.  We fought them from two caravels, until we were overpowered, when everything eminently valuable on the way to Your Majesty was lost; the other caravel not being disposed to fight escaped to carry the news; and but for that perhaps the captain might better have staid with his additional force aid our defence than to carry back such tidings.  Quinones died, and I am a prisoner at Rochelle in France.