that which belongs to him.  I say this to your Grandeur that you may know that, although we are in a confined and narrow region, we do not recognize other ruler, other power, other dominion, or other lord, than Jesus Christ, the almighty and true God and Lord, and our most Christian king Don Phelipe.  Concerning the friendship that your Grandeur suggests we ought to maintain forever, it will be kept by us; and I feel assured that your Grandeur will keep it on your part, since it is so declared in your royal letters.  I will advise my lord and king at the earliest opportunity of the peace and friendship established, so that he may ratify it from there; and I trust in the Lord that everything will be done as desired by your Grandeur, whom I wish to serve and please as the friend of my king and our own.  For such purpose I should have been glad if I had some curious things from Castilla to send as presents to your Grandeur; but I cannot do it now, and will send them later when they come.  Should your Grandeur wish that as friends we send each other men of rank and of a high station, so that our intercourse might be more friendly and informal—­not that the religious who have gone are not among us respected and highly esteemed as ministers of God, or are not sufficiently high in station—­but from now on a layman could be sent of higher rank than that of those who have gone heretofore.  Should your Grandeur desire to send someone to visit the court of my king and see its splendor, and the power and dominion of his Majesty, he will be sent on from here, and will be well received and highly favored by my king, because he is very fond of receiving and entertaining foreigners—­especially such as might come from your Grandeur, who would receive especial favor.  Your Grandeur can advise me of your decision in regard to this as well as the other matters; and may our Lord keep and enlighten you with His divine light.

After the letter thus amended was read, the above-mentioned persons unanimously and of one accord stated that it was a good and proper reply to the letter of the king of Xapon, and that the said reply complied with what was required by the good service of the Lord and of his Majesty, and with the good name and repute of the Spanish nation; and it was, accordingly, signed by Licentiate Pedro de Rojas, Diego Ronquillo, Gomez de Machuca, Juan Xuarez Gallinato, Pedro de Chaves, Don Juan Ronquillo, Pedro de Arceo Cuevasrubias, Diego de Castillo, Hernando Munoz de Poyatos, Francisco de Mercado Andrade, Don Francisco de Poca, Juan Ezguerra, Christoval de Axqueta, Jhoan de Alcega, Antonio de Canedo, Don Diego Jordano, Gaspar Perez, Agustin de Urdiales.

Before me: 

Juan de Cuellar

Letters from Luis Perez Dasmarinas to Felipe II

Sire: