omething to leave,
and I am obliged to ask for aid; and I may truly say that it is
not for myself, but for those whom I owe and am under strict and
just obligations to satisfy and pay. The debts are such and so many,
that no calculation can be made. In December, when I wrote to your
Majesty by way of Malaca, according to my understanding the debts were
somewhat more than thirty-eight thousand pesos. Although it is true
that some were paid later, I have not adjusted or liquidated my debts
so that I can state the amount; yet I can assure your Majesty that
altogether I owe a very large sum at present. God knows how overcome
with confusion I am when I consider my debts and obligations and the
little I have to satisfy them. Thus, Sire, your Majesty cannot fail
of the assistance which is necessary for one who has so little and
owes so much, and who has to pay it and, moreover, answer and give
account for his father and himself. Besides what was paid and spent
by my father, after his death were contracted debts not far from
twenty-five or twenty-six thousand pesos, and in addition to the
aforesaid, there are other things not yet cleared up of which the
amount is not known. On account of all this I have ventured to give
a report to your Majesty, so that, knowing the burden of obligations
and the plight of this least of your Majesty's servants, who is in this
land so distant and far from his own, your Majesty may be pleased with
your royal and most pious compassion to take pity upon and show mercy
to this, his most insignificant servant. For his relief, after God,
he depends on the royal graciousness and aid of your Majesty, as from
his king and lord, from whom and from whose magnanimity, after God,
depends my weal, succor, and liberty. As necessity teaches those who
suffer to seek plans and modes for relief, I shall propose to your
Majesty what seems to me the most convenient and speedy remedy. I
desire that your Majesty may be pleased but to grant me grace and
license to send and despatch to Peru, if perchance it be expedient,
and I am able so to do, a ship of two hundred and fifty or three
hundred toneladas, with articles and goods from China--although I do
not know what I can do with my small capital and means. Yet it is to
be considered that here a ship is made and built at much less cost
than elsewhere; and, if it were of no more than the said tonnage,
it might be done in some way or other. This would be exceeding grace
an