tilians, both religious and secular, so that only the original
Portuguese citizens shall remain in Machao. That will do away with
any further occasion for vessels to go there from Nueva Espana. From
this last has resulted great injury to your Majesty's vassals in these
regions, to the royal exchequer, and religion itself. Peradventure
the Castilians were the cause of again closing the door to the
preaching of the gospel, being moved by indiscreet eagerness or too
much solicitude. They are so unrestrained in this particular, that, by
trading in China without your Majesty's permission, they are the first
who broke your decrees, under pretense of religion itself. No easier
remedy can be applied than preventing them from entering this trade,
which your Majesty should have for the advantage of your own service.

We might describe here the great inconveniences and hindrances to your
Majesty from a longer continuance of this navigation. But since this
letter will, be despatched by land, and the viceroy Don Duarte has
described these matters so fully, I refrain from doing so here. I say
only that, even if there were no other reason than not opening the
way to the English and other nations to resort to those regions (as
they did last year and this) that alone would be sufficient reason
to stop this intercourse entirely. The Englishman Don Thomas, who
came to these regions lately, has caused us much anxiety here. For
this reason the people of India are very confident that your Majesty
will order assistance in this case and apply the fitting remedy,
for the common good of these states and that of your service.

Don Thomas, the Englishman, sailed from England with three ships in
the year 87. Entering the straits of Magallanes, he sailed to the
South Seas. Having made some prizes of large and small vessels, he
loaded two of his own vessels and sent them to that kingdom [England]
by the same route. Nearing the Philipinas, he took his course to
Java, and entered the port of Balambuao in Java itself. At that
time two Portuguese were at that port, who came immediately to the
ship thinking it was from India. The Englishman received them well,
and gave them some church ornaments and other valuable articles,
together with a letter for the bishop of Malaca and another for the
captain, the substance of which was, that he had come to explore
those regions. From the questions asked these men by the auditor of
Malaca, it was ascertained that t