ic. He said that, having no legitimate successor, he constituted
King Don Juan the Third of Portugal his heir to the kingdom and islands
subject to Ternate. This will was brought to Ternate, and all the
chiefs of the kingdom swore allegiance to the new king, with great
feasting and solemnity. Possession of the kingdom was taken, with
all the ceremonies required by law. This is what the historians say,
especially Juan de Barros--in the third _Decada_, book five, chapter
six. At the end of the seventh chapter, he says that the fortress now
held by the tyrant was built by Captain Antonio de Brito, who began
the work with his own hands on St. John's day, in 1522. He did this
with the consent of all the Moros, and therefore called the fort San
Juan. It is well that your Majesty should know the very foundation of
your rights, and should at least understand that my endeavor is to give
information and service. May God permit your Majesty to live, without
setting a bound to your life; for the human race and the Church of
God have need of this. From the city of Manila, July 3, in the year 84
(according to the old reckoning, as I have said). Most powerful Lord,
your most humble servant kisses the feet of your Majesty.

The licentiate _Melchior Davalos_

[_Endorsed:_ "To the sacred royal Catholic Majesty of the
king, Don Phelipe, our sovereign lord. In his Council of the
Indies." "Philipinas. To his Majesty, 1584. From the licentiate Melchor
de Abalos, July 3." "Examined; there is nothing to be answered."]

Letter from Santiago de Vera to the Archbishop of Mexico

Most Illustrious Senor:

I was more content to learn of the health of your illustrious Lordship
[10] than to know that you governed that land--since the first is
of so great importance, and the other is merited by your Lordship. I
hope that our Lord will bestow on you the see of St. Peter, that all
may be as we your servants desire.

After having written another letter which accompanies this, I received
that of your illustrious Lordship which came in the ship "San Juan." As
in the other I have referred to some things that may be omitted here,
and as I do not wish to weary your Lordship with a long account of
business attendant on your charge, I write this only to assure your
Lordship that you may command me.

Great satisfaction was felt in this country that the ship "Mora"
arrived so miraculously at port. The death of the crew, I assure
your Lordship, was no