of this loss, and, having kept us surrounded all the rest of the year, went away from this port on the first of January of this year 69, with different ideas from those which they brought hither—­because they had maintained that we must go with them to India; and the captain-general demanded in his papers or summons that we should leave these islands, since they were within the demarcation of the king of Portugal.  Now because, as I said, the governor will give your Majesty at greater length the news of all this, and is sending a relation and the copy of the demands, I shall say nothing further of it.  I finish by saying that the despatch-boat “San Lucas” is being sent away today, in order to request that your Majesty may send us sufficient help, suitable to our need, which is very great, as they who are going to you in this ship will bear witness; and by referring you to all that I have before explained to your Majesty.  In the ship “San Juan,” which left this port on the twenty-sixth of July, of the year 67, I sent certain tamarind trees and ginger roots to be planted in the more fertile districts of that Nueva Espana.  Now I am sending your Majesty by Rrodrigo Despinosa, chief pilot who came in the capitana, some roots of pepper already sprouted, for the same purpose.  I, as a zealous servant of your Majesty, am always, so far as my little strength permits, watchful of everything that concerns the royal service.  And because I personally desire to inform your Majesty of these things, and in order that I may do it as fully as I have heard it, I beg your Majesty to do me the favor to send me your favorable permission, in order that I may do so in the first ship that may leave these parts for that Nueva Espana; and because in all things I hope to receive favor from your Majesty, in regard to all the rest referring to the aforesaid letters that I wrote your Majesty which are likewise going on this vessel.  I close begging our Lord to keep your Majesty’s sacred royal Catholic person, and prosper you with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories, as we, your Majesty’s servants and vassals, desire.  From Cebu, June 5, 1569.  Your Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty’s faithful vassal and humble servant, who kisses your royal feet,

Guido de Lavesaris

Letter from Andres de Mirandaola to Felipe II

Sacred Catholic Majesty: 

With the capitana which left this port on the first of July, five hundred and sixty-eight, I sent your Majesty a relation of what had happened up to that day in this place, with the fidelity and loyalty which I owe as your Majesty’s servant; and so will I do in this.  It pleased God that the capitana, making the return trip from Nueva Spana [2] for the second time, should lose the way, and be driven upon the island of Guan, which is one of those called the Ladrones, where they were lost on account of the storm that struck them there.  Assuredly this caused