the said reply some of the arguments, and to substitute others, briefer and less likely to provoke or annoy him, leaving in it only such things as are required for the fulfilment of our duties as Christians, and as subjects of our king, and for the sake of our good name.  In conformity with this decision, the letter having been so amended, the governor ordered it to be read aloud, so that the said master-of-camp and captains could give their opinion as to whether it was proper and desirable to send it; and it was read as follows: 

The Letter

The letter addressed by your Grandeur to my father was received by me as the person left in charge of the government of this land at his death, which occurred on the way to Maluco.  He was treacherously killed while sleeping one night, without apprehension or precaution, as one who did not dream of having enemies or traitors with him.  The traitors were the Sangleys, whom he took with him to work his galley.  Like the ineffably low, vile, and cowardly people that they are, they killed my father because he trusted them, and set them loose for their own comfort.  The news of this event reached me far from the place of its occurrence, while I was awaiting him with the fleet and troops, that we might depart.  Although after his death I endeavored to continue my journey, I was prevented because of several events and considerations.  I came back here, desirous of hearing news from your Grandeur and of seeing your letter replying to those sent by my father through father Fray Pedro.  Although two vessels arrived here from Xapon, they could not give me the desired news.  The arrival of Pedro Goncalez has given me great pleasure, especially in view of the fact that I was unable to understand his delay, and of the rumor here that your Grandeur was going to send your armies, a report very different from the agreement made in your name with my father by your ambassador and servant Faranda, which was for firm peace and full amity.  Through the letter brought by Pedro Goncalez, I have learned that it is your royal desire that such relations be continued, and this has greatly pleased me; for it is to be hoped that as the kings are great, great will be the friendship, and greater still the fruits of it.  Equally great is my desire that hereafter we treat each other in every way as friends, with less formality and more frankness than in your royal letters hitherto received.  Since your Grandeur speaks of vassalage, I wish your Grandeur to understand that my king’s power is so great and so extensive, and the kingdoms and states ruled by his Christian hand are so many, that they are beyond compare with the greatness of many kings, though these be most powerful each by himself.  His dominions here are nothing but a corner, and my king’s possessions are not to be judged by his dominions here.  The reason that they are so small is, that our Christian and divine laws do not permit us to do injury or damage to anyone by taking away