rcise the
accustomed favor to your majesty's faithful servants and vassals, in
consideration of the faith, fidelity, and alacrity with which we have
ever served your majesty. What is offered for your consideration by
us and by this entire camp, as your servants, we make known to your
majesty, which things your majesty will be pleased to provide.

In your majesty's name we have possessed and still possess, as
protector and general, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, one for whom we give
many thanks to our Lord, who has been pleased to provide us a so
excellent protector, and one who with a so great desire watches over
the service of your majesty--whose sacred Catholic royal person may
our Lord have in his keeping, and augment with great kingdoms and
seigniories; such is the wish of us the faithful servants of your
majesty. The island of Cubu, May 29, 1565. Sacred Catholic Majesty,
your sacred Catholic majesty's faithful servants, who kiss your
majesty's royal feet with all humility: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi,
Mateo del Saz, Fray Diego de Herrera, Fray Martin de Rada, Martin
de Goiti, Fray Pedro de Gamboa, Guido de Lavezari, Andres Cabchela,
Andres de Mirandaola, Andres de Ybarra, Juan Maldonado de Berrocal,
Luis de la Haya, Juan de la Isla, Gabriel de Rribera.

[_Addressed:_ "To the Sacred Catholic Majesty, King Don Felipe our
lord, from his camp in the islands of the West."]

[_Endorsed:_ "To his majesty. xxixth of May, 1565. From Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi and other persons, from Cubu, on xxixth of May, 1565. Seen,
and to be added to the rest. 65."]

Sacred Catholic Majesty:

First and foremost in this present letter, we inform your majesty,
with the loyalty and fidelity which we always display, of our great
need of help, which your majesty must condescend to have sent us
speedily, considering that we have so great need of it in order to
attain what is so much desired by us in the service of God, our Lord,
and in that of your majesty.

The great service which the venerable father Fray Andres de Hurdaneta
has rendered to God, our Lord, and to your majesty is worthy of great
praise and many thanks; for he instructed us in all things, both
spiritual and temporal, during the whole voyage, and because no other
except him sailed in the fleet who did instruct us. Therefore, all of
us, your majesty's faithful servants--both the officials of the camp
and all your vassals generally--humbly beseech and beg your majesty to
consider his