They possess brocaded and silken fabrics of many different kinds.  They hold gold in so little estimation that this king gave three barchillas [107] of gold dust (for there all their gold is in the form of dust) for one string of hawk’s bells.  Those three vessels loaded so much gold in that island that the king’s fifth amounted to one million two hundred thousand ducats. ¶Moros frequent that district in ships for purposes of trade, bartering the products of their country for gold, cloths, spices, cloves, and other articles.  The fleet encountered one of their vessels and captured it, although its occupants defended themselves so valiantly that one of the Spaniards was killed, and more than twenty wounded.  They had much gold, cloth, besides spices, which they had acquired in trade.  So many are the islands that they are said to number seventy-five thousand eight hundred.  That island of Iubu, where the colony was planted, is the place where Magallanes was killed. [108] It is said that the Portuguese with some caravels landed there about two years ago, claiming to be Spaniards and subjects of the king of Castilla, and plundered many islands, sacking them and seizing many of the natives.  Consequently, when those people heard that our fleet had been made ready in Nueva Espana, our men were held in bad repute among the natives of that region.  Therefore when our men arrived, the inhabitants, thinking them to be the Portuguese, fled to the mountains with their jewels and possessions.  The general has experienced much trouble in appeasing them, and in making the natives understand who the Spaniards are.  Surely he must be a discreet man, for the relation shows that he has exercised much forbearance in not coming to blows with them; and he has shown them much friendliness, without causing offense to anyone.  This is a great and very important achievement; and the people of Mexico are very proud of their discovery, which they think will make them the center of the world.  The vessel that has just come here [109] with the news of this discovery has brought ginger, cinnamon, gold-dust, an arroba of the richest gold conchas and blancas, [110] gold ornaments, wax, and other articles, in order to furnish proof of what this land contains, besides many trinkets and pretty articles.  And even had they not brought these things, they bring enough in having discovered and found the route for navigation to these districts, which is a most notable event.  When the fleet comes, we shall know more—­of which, when it is known, I shall advise you, etc.

Letters to Felipe II of Spain, By Miguel Lopez de Legazpi—­1567-68

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty: