our friends are risked in it—­and I especially ... as I came from those kingdoms impoverished and in debt to so great an extent, have remained in so great necessity that, if your majesty do not help me with some gift and gratification, as has ever been your custom toward those who serve you, I can not maintain myself.”  By the agreement made with the king, no covenant for explorations and discovery was to be made with any other person for seven years.  Alvarado has heard that “the Marquis del Valle [19] persists in begging ... this conquest, and wishes to despatch people to undertake it,” and the king is asked to grant no license for this.  The adelantado had determined to go upon this expedition in person, but has been dissuaded from it by his friends.  Antonio de Almaguer has been received as an official of the fleet in place of the previous appointee, who is dead, by virtue of a royal decree permitting Almaguer’s appointment to any office that he might desire, in case of the death or absence of the previous appointee.  The latter had given the necessary pledges which have been sent to the India House of Trade at Seville.  The king is asked to confirm this appointment. (No. i, pp. 1-7.)

Talavera, July 26, 1541.  The contract made by the king with Alvarado in 1538 and 1539, and with Mendoza in 1541, provided for the discovery, conquest, and colonization of the islands and provinces of the southern sea toward the west.  Alvarado had offered to undertake this expedition within fifteen months after arriving in Guatemala, sending westward two galleons and one ship, sufficiently provisioned for two years, with full crew and equipment, and the necessary artillery; and other vessels for discovery about the American coasts.  If lands and islands shall be discovered, he promises to send thither, for their colonization, “ten additional ships, eight hundred soldiers, and three hundred of them cavalry, should the nature of the land be such that horsemen are necessary for it.”  He is also to send “ecclesiastics and religious for the instruction and Christian training of the natives of those regions.”  All this is to be at Alvarado’s expense, without the king being obliged to recompense him for any outlay, except by the privileges granted him.  “Likewise you offer, that after the discovery ... you shall keep masters, carpenters, and other workmen, as many as thirty, in a shipyard that you own in the said province of Guatemala, in order that what shall have been discovered, may be aided and preserved more easily.”  Also he is to employ as many men as may be necessary in building vessels for the space of ten years.  He is to be governor of Guatemala for seven years, “and as many more as we choose; unless, the residencia being taken from you now at our order by ... our auditor of the royal Audiencia and chancellery of New Spain should show crimes for which you should be deprived of your trust although you shall be obliged to render