and sixty-nine. He went away with his
fleet, without leave-taking or without saying anything more than to
warn us that he would return in a short time, with forces enough to
crush and destroy us. Therefore it was decided to change the site
and situation of this camp to a province called Panae, where it is
believed that we can hold out until your Majesty provide us with
help and reenforcements, in order that your Majesty's affairs and
vassals may not be so injured by the vassals of the king of Portugal-
a place where no damage may be done, for never since these parts
were discovered have the Portuguese resorted thither, and neither the
king of Portugal nor his vassals had trade or commerce, nor can they
possess anything there. Therefore your Majesty will understand how
little respect the Portuguese have--in your Majesty's absence, and in
a place where they can act thus--for what is due to your Majesty. They
are willing to execute very correctly the conditions and clauses of the
agreement, that is to say those conditions that are in their favor,
but will not admit any excuse or exoneration however reasonable or
legitimate it may be. We are quite certain that your Majesty will
already have taken action in these matters, so that the Portuguese
cannot continue to harass us. This present enterprise is of such a
nature that, if your Majesty wishes to continue it--an enterprise so
long desired, and in which God has afforded your Majesty so fortunate
and evident a result--it offers God a great increase of his Catholic
faith, which may be cultivated in these regions, and to your Majesty
an increase of great kingdoms and seigniories. As I have said above,
the continuance of the liberty due to our government in these lands
would assure your Majesty of being served with the greatest diligence
and care, such service being especially necessary. I have to report, as
your Majesty's faithful servant and vassal, that the persons appointed
to your Majesty's royal service are of little experience, and that any
business, however light it is, gives them a fright. Accordingly, they
content themselves with doing little, and continually oppose certain
things which have been discussed touching the royal treasury--as has
occurred in the case of the fifths, for which my companions asked,
during my absence, in a certain council that was held, telling
the captains that for the present these ought not to be given. And
although I do not believe that the