gly I have pronounced and
signed this.
Luis _Perez_
Before me:
_Estevan de Marquina_
_Brief memorial by the ambassadors of the king of Canvoja_
We, Captain Diego Beloso and Captain Gregorio de Vargas, declare
that for the better understanding of this petition of the king of
Canvoja for aid, there must be considered the matters which the said
king told me, Diego Beloso, for the governor of Manilla, and which
are now given in writing. And we beg that they be examined with the
rest in connection with this solicitation.
1. In the first place that the king's verbal instructions to Diego
Beloso be examined, as they contain the substance of the embassy.
2. In the second place the aid is sought to carry on offensive
operations against no neighboring country, but only through this means
to become Christian, and to defend himself, and keep the people in
subjection; for, if the king were baptized without having Spaniards
in the country, it would cause rebellion and desertion to Sian. If
he has Spaniards his own subjects will be obliged to join the faith,
and neighboring kingdoms will abandon Mahoma.
3. In the third place it must be considered that the said king is
powerful and independent; and when he sent for this aid he was in
all prosperity, and did not greatly fear the king of Sian, for he
had beaten him before. But he was merely sending for the Christians
to declare his faith, and the contents of the letter of embassy were
meant to satisfy his nobles. He will be content with his kingdom alone,
and will leave the Spaniards all that they may conquer, offering them
his power in the future.
4. [_Summarized_: Likewise should be considered the great faith which
he has so long maintained, having supported religious of two orders,
the Dominicans and Franciscans, in his country for thirty years with
necessaries and servants, and sending occasionally to Malaca and
Macan for Spanish messengers. He has always helped all the Spaniards
and other Christians who were in his country, and given the fathers
license to preach over all the land. He has exempted all converts
from tribute, and bidden them give recognition to the fathers. He
has always listened to the wishes of the fathers and has sought to
gather a number of Christians--ordering all vessels which leave his
country to try to bring Spaniards and other Christians back; and,
if they found them captives, to ransom them at any price. In this
way he got several toget
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