in the messages and summons served on us by them, and their procedures while here.  One or two persons were captured in an islet, when we went to discover it, who were there with a vessel, which we chanced to encounter—­in this vessel, as I have said, being these two men.  They appeared to be more intelligent than the others whom we met.  It was learned that the Moros from Borney had robbed them; consequently they had nothing except some gold and silver not worth more than a hundred escudos [6] and some other articles of no value.  It was learned from these men that China is a very important country and that its people are highly civilized, engage extensively in trade, and have a well-ordered government.  They tell of thirteen cities called Chincheo, Cantun, Huechiu, Nimpou, Onchiu, Hinan, Sisuan, Conce, Onan, Nanquin, and Paquin. [7] Paquin is the court and residence of the king.  Fuchu, Ucau, Lintam, and Cencay are cities of especial note.  There are in all fifteen in which they say that the king has placed his governors.  The king is named Nontehe, and a son of his Taycu.  This is the relation that we have been able to get from these men—­hitherto, outside of the ancients, the only description of the greatness of China that your Majesty has.  They say that these people are so fearful of a prophecy related to them many times by their astrologers—­namely, that they are to be subdued, and that the race to subdue them will come from the east—­that they will not allow any Portuguese to land in China; and the king orders his governors expressly not to allow it.  Throughout his land he has enforced great watchfulness, and stored military supplies, as these Indians give us to understand.  All of us your Majesty’s servants and vassals are quite sure that, in your time, China will be subject to your Majesty, and that in these parts, the religion of Christ will be spread and exalted, and your Majesty’s royal crown increased, and all this in a very short time.

I humbly beg and beseech your Majesty that you will grant me the favor of increasing my salary to three thousand ducats, in consideration of the poorness of the country and the fact that we have to be supplied from Espana and your Majesty’s realms with what we need to maintain ourselves.  Consider also the position that was granted me in your Majesty’s name by Don Luis de Velasco, viceroy of Nueva Espana (whom may God keep in his perpetual glory); I have served until now in these districts as your Majesty’s faithful servant, enduring great hardships and misery; and that, in order to join this expedition, I spent my patrimony and ran into debt besides, to the extent of many gold pesos.