h I have always despatched since my arrival at these
islands had reached you. On my part I have not failed to advise you
of everything, nor shall I fail to desire and to propose what shall
seem best to me for the increase of the service of your Majesty.

It will not be difficult to unite these camps under one head, even
though they are of two crowns. If they do not unite of themselves, they
will have no strength. Portugal and Castilla belong to your Majesty,
and that is a reason why their arms should be united; for the forces
of Francia, Olanda, Ynglaterra, and Dinamarca [89] are united in
these districts. If those of your Majesty were combined, not only
would we defend what has been gained, but we would steadily extend
farther. Your Majesty sees them united against you, although they are
of so many different sovereigns, religions, and nationalities. Then why
do not Portugal and Castilla unite in this South Sea and the coasts
of Asia, where the enemy acquires so much wealth? I do not attempt
this so that I may remain here longer, nor so that everything may be
placed in my charge; for I have no health, nor is it just to exile
me so many years in regions so remote. I express my feelings, and I
desire to express them more in detail in that Council, as experience
has shown things to me.

I sent a galliot to Yndia in November of last year, 631, in order to
continue my negotiations with that viceroy in regard to this matter
of joining hands in order better to attack the enemy. Particularly
did I inform him of the order sent me by your Majesty about making
an expedition to the island of Hermosa, asking him for the aid which
I considered necessary. I wrote the same to Macan, so that it might
for its part make other necessary preparations. I am advised that the
said galliot, because it was well equipped, escaped from the enemy who
were stationed in the above-mentioned strait of Malaca awaiting the
galliots from China--which latter they captured, together with another
ship belonging to a merchant of this city. May God remedy this loss.

I am advised from Camboja that a galleon which I am having built there
at your Majesty's account has been already launched. No one thought
that this would be accomplished; but it has been God's will that the
difficulties should be conquered at last, and that this shipbuilding
should be established in a place where this ship has been built at
much less cost, and from more durable woods, than [it