bandon the expedition; but when he heard that it was going to be
made, and how it was going to be carried out, his joy knew no bounds,
and he declared that it was just as he had hoped, and that it was
the necessary method to pursue. I called two Sangley infidels--who,
although without the faith, are endowed with all the qualities of
good men, and who, I hope, through God's blessing will soon become
Christians--and asked them what was their opinion concerning the
expedition. They answered that they were very glad to see the way in
which the religious were going; for, if they went with Spaniards,
all would be lost. Thus we decided upon the departure, sending at
present no more than two religious: Fray Miguel de Benavides, [38]
who was the first to learn the language of the Sangleys; and Father
Juan de Castro, who came as vicar of the religious, and who was made
provincial here. We preferred these two, as one is well acquainted
with the language, and the other is much loved and esteemed by the
Sangleys on account of his venerable gray locks and blessed old
age; and we know that in that land old people are much respected
and revered. As our Lord sent His disciples, so went these fathers,
stripped of all human support, and carrying nothing with them except
their own persons, their breviaries, and Bibles, for in this manner,
and not with encompassing soldiers, should the gospel be preached.

I give many thanks to God that this expedition, so much desired by
me, started under the best auspices which could be desired; for it is
being undertaken by special permission of the Pope and by a decree of
your Majesty, and with the consent of the governor, of myself, and
of the auditors of this Audiencia. This enterprise has caused great
happiness to all the religious orders, and to all the inhabitants of
this city; and many demonstrations of rejoicing on the part of all the
Sangleys. May it please the divine Majesty that the end be as we all
desire. Another event occurred at the time of the expedition, which
gave us a great deal of pleasure, and kindled in us the hope that
God was really about to open the gates of that great kingdom. The
aforesaid captain who brought the two Franciscan friars to this
city received a letter, which they call _chapa_, for the president,
in which the latter is entreated to do justice to the captain who
brought the letter, so that he might collect some money which was due
him in this city; in the letter, he