rnish what pertains to its part. For, if I ask for troops, they
send me twenty men, who die before they arrive here; and none are
born here. And if I ask for ammunition, they laugh at me, censure me,
and say that I ask impossible things. They retain there the freight
money and the duties; and if they should send to this state what is
yours, your Majesty would have to spend but little from your royal
patrimony. And, just as they forget us in everything, I fear that they
will do so in this. Surely it is advisable to send troops here, and
to have this matter attended to, well and continuously, from Mexico;
for, as long as this state of affairs continues and the fortification
goes on, the inhabitants are being punished by greater anxiety;
as they cannot see that this is taken as a matter of general course
and in earnest, and the fortifications are being continued--which is,
I believe, the chief reason why Japon is moved to try to obstruct it
Your Majesty will ordain what is most to your service. May our Lord
preserve your Majesty many long years, as Christendom requires. Manila,
June 11, 1592." [37]

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

[_Endorsed_: "Manila. To his Majesty. 1592. Gomez Perez
Dasmarinas. June 11."]

An Embassy from Japan

Letter from the King of Japan

It is more than one thousand years since Japon has been governed by
one sovereign. During this period the wars and dissensions among the
rulers of the country were so many, that it was impossible to send
a letter from one part to the other; until now the Lord of Heaven
has willed that the country be united in my time, and that it be
reduced to my obedience. In accomplishing this, everything was so
favorable to me, that as yet I have lost no battle, but have been
victorious in every one for ten years. Likewise I have conquered the
island of Lequio, which was not under my sway, and Acoray [Korea];
[38] and even from Eastern Yndia embassies have been sent to me. Now
I am about to invade Great China in order to conquer it, for heaven,
and not my forces, has promised it to me. I am much surprised that that
country of the island of Luzon has not sent me ambassador or messenger,
and I was therefore of a mind, on my way to China, to attack Manila
with my fleet, were it not that Faranda, a Japanese noble, told me
of the good treatment accorded to my vassals, the Japanese traders,
who go to those islands from here. When I asked him if the ruler there
was my friend,