[Java], and Japan. We have
heard that you will order us to go to those places and leave these
other islands--which, although they have many mines and rivers of
gold, are very ordinary, in comparison with the former. The people
there are very barbarous, while those others are civilized. Now that
your Majesty's will is manifest to us, we will commence the work in
earnest, because hitherto, only about one hundred persons have been
baptised. It will be a very great obstacle to conversions, if the war
with the Portuguese continues. Therefore, I beg your Majesty through
love of the Lord that some means and expedient be adopted to prevent
its continuation; because, besides the great scandal given to the
natives, it is a great pity that Spanish and Portuguese, who are so
friendly in Espana, should come here to kill each other, as if they
were infidels. I could advise your Majesty regarding everything else
in these regions, such as the nature of the land and the nature and
conditions of the peoples and what would be most profitable to your
Majesty in it. A true relation of everything has been given to the
viceroy, so that he may send it to your Majesty. May our Lord keep
your Majesty's royal person in good health and in his service many
years, and increase you into greater kingdoms. Mexico, January 16,
1570. Your Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty's least and humble servant,
_Fray Diego de Herrera_
Relation of the Voyage to Luzon
On the eighth of May of this year, one thousand five hundred and
seventy, the master-of-camp, Martin de Goite, left the river of Panay
with ninety arquebusiers and twenty sailors on board the following
vessels: the junk "San Miguel," of about fifty tons' burden with three
large pieces of artillery; the frigate "La Tortuga;" and fifteen
_praus_ manned by natives of Cubu and of the island of Panay. The
officers who accompanied the master-of-camp were Captain Joan de
Salzedo [22] (grandson of the governor), Sergeant-major Juan de Moron,
Ensign-major Amador de Rriaran, the high constable Graviel de Rribera,
and the notary-in-chief Hernando Rriquel.
After sailing northwest for two days, they arrived at the
island of Zibuyan, a high and mountainous land known to possess
gold-mines. Without talking to any of the natives, they left that
island, which is situated about fourteen leagues from the river of
Panay, and went to the island of Mindoro. Among other islands passed
was that of Banton, where liv
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