seas and in those, for the defense and conservation of
that region and much more. Moreover, in order to check the enemy and
to remove completely from their eyes this illusion that has given and
gives them so strong a belief that your Majesty's forces are exhausted
by the large sums that you have spent in protecting our holy religion,
I declare, Sire, that an effective plan occurs to me whereby this
matter may be concluded without the expense of one single maravedi
from your royal treasury. This is, that loans be asked from the rich
and wealthy persons in the provinces of Nueva Espana and Peru (for
there are many such), until you have two millions [of pesos]. Your
Majesty can prepare a large fleet with that sum, and will finish with
the enemy once for all. The vassals of those kingdoms will give that
loan cheerfully if you ask it, proportioning to each one the amount in
accordance with what he can give without inconveniencing himself. For
they are also greatly interested in this matter; and the payment will
be easily made, if the result be thus attained. With that money, it
would be best to go to Yndia to build the fleet; for there it can be
built better and at a less cost than anywhere else.

_Second point_. In order to return from those islands to Espana,
it will be advisable to come but lightly laden, and well provided
with arms, in order to withstand any encounter with the enemy; and
that they follow the same route that is taken by the Dutch, or by
the fleets of Portugal, for by no other route can the voyage be made
so quickly as by that route--considering that, if one wishes to come
by way of Nueva Espana (which is the shortest course except that by
the Cape of Buena Esperanca), the voyage from Manila to Acapulco will
last five or six months, even with favorable weather. Arrived there
it is necessary to cross from one sea to the other over one hundred
and sixty leguas of very bad road, and then to sail for another three
months before reaching Espana; and the vessels must wait from January,
the time when they arrive from Philipinas, until June, when they
embark for Espana. In all more than thirteen months will be spent
in the voyage. In case that one should prefer to come not by way
of Nueva Espana, but by the Strait of Magallanes or that of Mayre,
the delay is equal or greater, and the food will of necessity spoil
and the men die; for the food of Manila, as that is a hot country,
very soon spoils and rots.

_Third