Having considered this matter and that there are
certain conveniences in having friendly relations with that country,
which has and gives to this country many necessary and useful things,
and where our ships which ply between here and Nueva Espana are liable
to put it in distress on both the outward and return trips when obliged
by contrary weather as has been already seen and experienced--and on
such occasions it has been important not to have them as enemies, for
then the Japanese have given the crews of our ships a good supply of
necessities, and have shown them a positive proof of good treatment in
not seizing the so great profits and wealth carried on the said ships;
likewise having considered the friendship that they have established
with the Dutch, and the persecution there indicted on Christians and
their ministers, the Spanish priests, who preach the holy gospel:
I have esteemed it advisable to give a report of the matter to your
Majesty, so that you may have it examined and considered, together
with the written reports of certain religious, experienced in those
regions, as well as that of the fiscal of this Audiencia, who also,
I am told, discusses it. Will you order the procedure most advisable
for your royal service.
I would not be fulfilling my obligations to the service of your
Majesty and to this land, unless I reported as to the faithfulness
of your Majesty's vassals here. For although it is true that this
region is a place of concourse, or a halting-place, for men of
different natures, qualities, and characteristics, who come here for
various purposes, many of which are not good, or are brought here,
and who leave their impress (and that not little) in extending their
vices--still there are, on the other hand, highly honorable and loyal
vassals, who attend to your Majesty's service with so great love and
willingness; and since the former comprise but the very least part of
the citizens of this city, who in all number less than five hundred,
not only did I find many who offered themselves and their servants to
take part in your royal service on the past occasion when the enemy
came here, but also they loaned me their slaves for the galleys,
and one hundred and ninety-five thousand pesos.
Pages:
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265