tions
given to him; and as, on account of the great store of knowledge that
you are said to possess of the affairs of that land, and since you
understand, as you do, its navigation, and are a good cosmographer,
it would be very conducive to excellent results, both in what relates
to the said navigation, and to the service of our Lord, for you to
accompany the said ships: I, therefore, ask and charge you to accompany
the said ships, and to do what shall be ordered you by the said our
viceroy. Beside the service that you will thus render to our Lord,
I shall be very greatly served, and shall have account taken of this
matter, so that you may receive the favors that offer. Valladolid,
September 24, 1559.

_I The King_
By order of his Majesty:
_Francisco de Eraso_

[Of Urdaneta, father Fray Esteban de Salazar remarks that "his devotion
and sanctity cannot be briefly told, while a book would be required
for his military prowess and deeds." He was the foremost navigator
of the time, and "had added the wind called _huracan_ by sailors to
the compass. The sailors believe that when this wind blows all the
other winds, in number thirty-two, are blowing, and that only one wind
results, with a whirling direction from pole to pole." A brief review
of Urdaneta's life follows. His youth was largely spent in the Italian
wars, and his later years in the South Sea. He accompanied Loaysa's
expedition in 1525. "Joined to his so wide experience was the fact
that he was a man skilled in cosmography and astrology ... and he
was therefore best suited to discover the return passage to Nueva
Espana from those islands, a thing regarded as very difficult, and
never yet done, although attempted." He had joined the unfortunate
Saavedra expedition at the islands in an attempt to find the return
passage, but they were forced to put back to the Moluccas. Shortly
after his return to Spain, he went again to New Spain, where, in 1542,
"Viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza appointed him general of the fleet"
of the new expedition. "He begged off, as he loved his quiet, ... or,
because he feared for the success of the expedition.... Therefore Ruy
Lopez de Villalobos was appointed in his stead; but his voyage was
very unfortunate. Afterward, tired of the world, and disillusioned of
it, Urdaneta took the habit of our father St. Augustine in the famous
convent of Mexico--where he dedicated himself so thoroughly to matters
of religion and virtue that one woul