s man; and therefore,
that he may not have practiced any fraud or deceit toward your royal
person, or toward me, I have thought it best to detain him here,
until I could ascertain the truth and will of the king of Japon, and
what are his commands and wishes. And in that doubt, because of what
I owe to even the semblance and appearance of a letter and embassy
from you, I have observed this respect and courtesy of writing this
reply to the small portion of your letter that I understand, which has
been no more than Faranda has chosen to interpret for me. Since I am
sending the father vicar, Fray Juan Cobo, [46] a man of great virtue
and goodness, and of the highest estimation in these islands--from
whom, because of his prudence and worth, I seek counsel, and to
whom I communicate the most important matters--he will express,
in my name, the fullest respect due to your exalted rank. For the
honor of the embassy, if it is really one, I give you many thanks,
[47] assuring you that I am and will remain your friend; and that, in
the name of my king and sovereign, the greatest monarch in the world,
I shall rejoice at your well-being and grieve over ill-fortune (which
may the King of Heaven keep from you). Let it be taken for granted
that I desire your friendship, in the name of my king and sovereign,
because of the good reception and hospitality extended by your royal
hands to the Spaniards, vassals of my king, who have gone to Japon and
Asia by way of Eastern Yndia and these districts; and because the best
treatment possible has been extended here to your vassals and will be
extended to them with the same love. My king will consider it a favor
to be advised if the message brought to me by this man is true. If it
is such, then I shall respond to the friendship due so great a prince,
without any lack of my duty and obligation to my king and sovereign,
to whom I shall immediately give account of this, in order to ascertain
what his orders shall be then. I trust that this matter will result
quite to the satisfaction of two so great princes as my king and the
king of Japon; and that these discussions and conferences in true
friendship and alliance may redound to much peace to the universal
happiness of the world, and to the glory of omnipotent God, the
King of kings. Inasmuch as certain presents have been sent me but
lately from Japon, which are of great value, I would wish to have
some rare and valuable products of our Espana to send