ts, and the true outcome of things; so that
he may be able to provide for future necessities. In each city and
province there is an armed garrison. The people dress well; they wear
beards and are as white as ourselves. The women are very beautiful,
except that they all have small eyes. They wear long shirts and robes,
reaching to the ground. They dye and dress their hair carefully, and
it is even said that they rouge and color their faces. It is said that
the king of that land is so great a lord, that his camp is composed of
three hundred thousand men, two hundred thousand of whom are mounted on
horses. On painted articles I have seen pictures of horsemen armed with
coats of mail, Burgundy helmets, and lances. The country is so fertile
and well provisioned, that it is believed to be the best country in
the world. The Moros with whom I have talked have told me that the
Chinese are not as warlike as we are, and are heathens. They possess
matrices [70] with which they have printed books from time immemorial.

If your Majesty desires to have this land explored, I am at your
service provided I be given two ships of about two hundred and
fifty tons each, with forty soldiers to each vessel, and all the
artillery, ammunition, and provisions that will be necessary. Then,
with our Lord's help, and bearing some power of ambassador to the
lord of the land, I will enter the country myself, returning by way
of Nueva Espana after having explored the coast. I will ascertain
how both trade and conquest must be carried on there. I will carry
out all other orders that your Majesty may be pleased to give me,
as well as whatever your service shall demand.

Southeast [S: west] by east from the island of Zubu are the islands
of Maluco, where cloves are found; and it is not known whether they
exist in any other regions. They lie below the equatorial line The
names of the islands in which cloves are found are: Maluco, Gigolo [S:
Jilolo], Maquian, Motel, and Momoy. Near those islands [it is said is
one called Sunda, which contains pepper. To the east of those islands],
at a distance of one hundred and twenty-five leagues, is Nueba Guinea,
and three hundred and thirty-two leagues west of them is the island
of Burney. This island is well-provisioned; and according to what
some Moros, natives of Burney, told me, it belongs to one lord. It
is said that there are a great many pearls of enormous size, even
as large as pigeon's eggs; but my opinion is