knowledge of that land, and acquaintance with some of its inhabitants.  He went and performed his mission well.  The Japanese king, either because he is a man of unusual good-will, or because he harbors designs, tells me in his original letter that he wishes to have your Majesty see it, and to have the same Pedro Goncalez, who brought it, take it with him to Espana, together with an account of what he saw in that kingdom.  He indicates with some insistence that he wishes this, and I am advised by letters from there that, if it be not sent, as he knows everything that is done here, he will be vexed and take it as a pretext for making an earlier declaration of war.  Therefore in my opinion his wishes ought to be observed since no harm will be done.  Pedro Goncalez carries the original letter and its translation, together with the reply which was sent from here.  Although, as I say, the bearer goes ostensibly only to comply with the wishes of the king of Japon (for I have already written to your Majesty respecting this matter), yet your Majesty may, if such be his pleasure, hear from Pedro Goncalez certain peculiarities of that kingdom which he has observed.  So, because he is an honorable man, prudent, straightforward, of good reputation and abilities, and because he labored and incurred heavy expenses on these voyages, kindly grant him some favor; for he has deserved it, on account of the affection, good-will, and care that he has displayed in everything which he has been ordered to do in your Majesty’s service.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty for many prosperous years.  Manila, June 22, 1594.

Luis Perez Dasmarinas

Sire: 

After despatching a letter to your Majesty in the vessel “Sant Phelippe,” which it was thought best to send first, as it was in Cibu, I had other letters from Japon from father Fray Pedro Baptista, the originals of which I send herewith.  From these letters, and from one from the emperor of Japon, a copy of which is enclosed, we can easily infer how little security is assured us by his friendship and promises, and be sure that any slight occasion would induce him to break them.  But I am continuing to treat with him, in order to gain time to complete the fortifications of this city.  I am showing kindness to the Japanese ships that put in here.  And, although I am sending the emperor, as answer to his letter, the one which I transmitted to your Majesty in the vessel “Sant Phelippe” (a duplicate of which I enclose herewith), I am thinking of sending him a present because of the treaty of amity he has made with us.  In this way, as I say, I shall dissimulate and keep him in good humor.  For this purpose I am striving to spread the rumor here that the peace is firm; but I am not slackening work on the fortifications.  On the contrary, I am speeding them forward with added watchfulness.  God be praised, the wall is now completed, and the forts are in fair condition for defense.  I hope, God willing, that the enemy will find this quite different