ary.

Letters from Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Other Officials to Felipe
II of Spain--1565

To the Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

I gave an account to your majesty of my departure from Puerto de la
Nabidad, which is located in Nueva Espana, with your royal fleet for
the discovery of the Western Islands. Continuing my voyage until
February thirteen of this present year, I arrived at one of the
Filipinas Islands. Afterward I cruised among other islands of this
archipelago, until I reached this island of Cubu, whence I despatched
a vessel to Nueva Espana to discover the return route, and to give
an account to your majesty of the incidents of our voyage until the
departure of this vessel. The relation of the voyage is despatched
together with this letter, as well as certain other information in
regard to the change of feeling among the natives respecting the
friendship and goodwill that they have been wont to exercise toward
the vassals of your majesty, and the cause therefor; the possessions
that have been taken in your majesty's name; and the routes of the
pilots of this fleet. I beseech your majesty that you will have these
examined, and provide whatever seems most fitting. I shall remain
in my settlement in this island of Cubu until I receive the orders
your majesty shall see fit to impose upon me, although I have but few
people. I am writing also to the royal _Audiencia_ of Nueva Espana to
beg succor of both people and ammunition, in order that I may sustain
myself until your majesty has seen all these records, the memorandum of
the articles asked by the officials of your royal _hacienda_ [treasury]
residing here, and the general and individual communications of those
who remain here, and until your majesty shall have provided and ordered
what is most fitting, and have signified your royal pleasure. Since
this undertaking is so vast, and of so great import in regard to the
spiritual and temporal, and has ended so happily, and is so seasonable,
I humbly beg your majesty to order that particular account be taken
of it, and that you order the succor and provision petitioned and
requested from these islands; and that you will give the matter into
the charge of one who will provide and effect it with all care and
diligence; for I trust, with the help of God, our Lord, that very
great blessings in the service of God, our Lord, and of your majesty,
will result, with the increase of your royal income and the univer