n Christoval de Axqueta; Captain
Hernando Munoz de Poyatos; Captain Pedro Sarmiento; Captain Diego de
Castillo; Captain Antonio de Canedo; Captain Augustin de Urdiales;
Captain Antonio Rodriguez Chacon; Captain Don Francisco de Mendoza;
and Captain Gaspar Perez. The said governor communicated to them that
Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, his late father (who is in heaven),
sent to Japon father Fray Pedro Bauptista and other Franciscan fathers,
together with Pedro Goncalez. The latter returned from that kingdom
of Xapon a few days ago, and brought for the said governor a letter
from the king, which was shown to them, and its contents read, after
it was translated into the Spanish language. It was as follows:

_Letter from the Emperor of Xapon_

Father Pedro brought me letters from which I learned the customs of
your country, as also from what Father Pedro told me particularly,
and from what Father Cobo had stated before. When I was born, the sun
shone on my breast; and this is a miracle, and portends that I was
destined from the beginning to be lord of all between the rising and
the setting sun, and that all kingdoms must render me vassalage and bow
down before my door; and unless they do it, I will destroy them with
war. I have conquered all the kingdom of Xapon, and that of Coria,
and many of my commanders have asked my permission to go and capture
Manila. Learning this, Faranda and Funguen told me that ships went
there from here, and came back, and so the people there appeared not to
be enemies, for which reason I did not send troops. I made war against
the Koreans and conquered as far as Meaco, because they failed to keep
their word. Afterward my soldiers killed many Chinese and many nobles
who came to help the Koreans. In view of this they humbled themselves,
and sent an ambassador who asked that we send some of our people to
Coria, and said that the Chinese desired eternal friendship with the
kingdom of Xapon. I have sent many of our people to Coria to occupy the
fortresses and await the embassy. Should they break their word again,
I will go in person to make war upon them; and after going to China,
Luzon will be within my reach. Let us be friends forever, and write
to that effect to the king of Castilla. Do not, because he is far
away, let him slight my words. I have never seen those far lands, but
from the accounts given I know what is there. You were very discreet
in coming immediately, and this pleased me gr