dy aware--although I do not know
whether they are at all regular, for the fleets of merchant ships
leave Nueva Spana the middle of April and somewhat later, taking
thirty, forty, and sixty days to reach Havana, a distance of three
hundred leagues. Although the pilots tell us that this is a good time
to sail in a southeast direction, they cannot deny that they endure
very great hardships from the calms caused by the bonanzas. During
this journey from Nueva Espana to Havana, many people have met their
death. Leaving in February in a few days one reaches Havana. But I,
sailing the sixth of April (that is, in the middle of the bonanca
season), did not encounter bad weather, being detained twenty days in
the calms thirty leagues from Nueva Espana. Neither did we encounter
so feeble winds that our progress might have been retarded; nor did
the vendaval of July burst forth before it was due.

3. I learned in these islands that this city had been burned by a
pirate and that there had been a war. There they asked me for lead, and
I readily complied with their requests, until I was weary of granting
petitions. I thought that we had some lead; but on summoning my men,
and searching for it, only five or six arrobas were found; and that was
in sheets, such as are used to stop leaks in ships. Arriving at Manila,
I could get no lead; and, not being able to obtain it elsewhere, we
took from the sides of the ships somewhat less than seventy arrobas,
some of which was used. With what is left we remain, hoping for the
grace of God; for should not the ship sheathed with lead arrive, I do
not know what would become of this camp of your Majesty. Your Majesty
will understand, then, the condition of affairs here; and will please
have pity and consideration for the men who are serving your Majesty
here, so far away, and with so much hardship and so much danger.

4. On my arrival, I found Manila in great part burned and
destroyed. Let me relate what occurs here. They say that the kingdom
of China is often invaded by corsairs, and that one named Limahon (or,
as the Chinese call him, Dim Mhon) had committed great depredations
in China, whereby he had amassed great wealth. He was pursued
by his king to the region near the upper point of this island of
Lucon. Near an island about forty leagues from Lucon, he captured a
Chinese merchant-ship that was en route from this city of Manila for
purposes of trade. The merchants carried with them a quantity