Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, [44] knight of the order of Santiago, governor
and captain-general in these islands, great archipelago, and districts
of the West, for the king, our sovereign, Don Phelipe the Second, king
of Castilla, Leon, Aragon, the two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Portugal,
Navarra, Granada, Cerdeña, Corcega, Murçia, Jaen, the Algarves,
Aljecira, Jibraltar, the Eastern and Western Yndias, and the islands
and mainland of the Ocean Sea; archduke of Austria; duke of Borgoña,
Bravante, and Milan; count of Abspurg, Flandes, Bretaña, Tirol, etc.:
to the very exalted and powerful prince and seignior, Quamboc, after
all due respect, wishes health and perpetual happiness. Faranda Mango
Schiro, a Japanese vassal of yours, [45] and a Christian, arrived in
this city, bringing me news of your royal person, at which I rejoiced
exceedingly; for, because of your greatness, and the worth and prudence
with which the God of heaven has endowed you, I am much affectioned
unto you. Some days ago Faranda gave me a letter, which--although it
seemed to be in its form and authority, and even in the gravity and
style of its language, a document despatched by so great a prince--yet,
since the messenger was below the rank and quality requisite to the
royal name of him who sends him, and of the one to whom he is sent,
and the importance and greatness of the embassy, I have doubted, on the
one score; and on the other, because he is a man so common and poor,
and coming in an ordinary merchant vessel, which came hither for the
purpose of selling provisions and other articles. Because this took so
long in coming hither, I have doubted whether these letters were not
written by this man himself or by another, for some individual end, so
that by this means, he might receive more attention here. Furthermore,
as I have no accurate interpreters thoroughly acquainted with both
the Japanese and Spanish languages, as has been likewise declared to
me by the letter and embassy, I am in doubt also of the true sense and
purport of the words of the letter. I think that if the king of Japon
wished to write me, he might, since he has in his kingdom the fathers
of the Society of Jesus and other Spaniards, send me at least a copy
of his letter in my own language, through their medium. I can say
with truth that I have not even been able to read or understand _in
toto_ the letter or embassy presented me by this man; and therefore,
that he may not have practiced any fraud or deceit toward your royal
person, or toward me, I have thought it best to detain him here,
until I could ascertain the truth and will of the king of Japon, and
what are his commands and wishes. And in that doubt, because of what
I owe to even the semblance and appearance of a letter and embassy
from you, I have observed this respect and courtesy of writing this
reply to the small portion of your letter that I understand, which has
been no more than Faranda has chosen to interpret for me. Since I am
sending the father vicar, Fray Juan Cobo, [46] a man of great virtue
and goodness, and of the highest estimation in these islands--from
whom, because of his prudence and worth, I seek counsel, and to
whom I communicate the most important matters--he will express,
in my name, the fullest respect due to your exalted rank. For the
honor of the embassy, if it is really one, I give you many thanks,
[47] assuring you that I am and will remain your friend; and that, in
the name of my king and sovereign, the greatest monarch in the world,
I shall rejoice at your well-being and grieve over ill-fortune (which
may the King of Heaven keep from you). Let it be taken for granted
that I desire your friendship, in the name of my king and sovereign,
because of the good reception and hospitality extended by your royal
hands to the Spaniards, vassals of my king, who have gone to Japon and
Asia by way of Eastern Yndia and these districts; and because the best
treatment possible has been extended here to your vassals and will be
extended to them with the same love. My king will consider it a favor
to be advised if the message brought to me by this man is true. If it
is such, then I shall respond to the friendship due so great a prince,
without any lack of my duty and obligation to my king and sovereign,
to whom I shall immediately give account of this, in order to ascertain
what his orders shall be then. I trust that this matter will result
quite to the satisfaction of two so great princes as my king and the
king of Japon; and that these discussions and conferences in true
friendship and alliance may redound to much peace to the universal
happiness of the world, and to the glory of omnipotent God, the
King of kings. Inasmuch as certain presents have been sent me but
lately from Japon, which are of great value, I would wish to have
some rare and valuable products of our España to send in return;
but, since weapons are the articles most esteemed among soldiers,
I am sending you with this a dozen of swords and daggers. They are
the finest that we have, and you will receive them from me as from
a private person who desires your well-being and greatness, with the
good will with which they are offered, and as a token of affection. [I
send only these, too,] because the bearer of this letter is going
only for the purpose of assuring me of what I have stated above, so
that we may have the information here that is desired. May our Lord
preserve your royal person with great prosperity. Manila, June xi,
1592 years since the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
[_Endorsed:_ "Copy of the letter, from the king of Japon--I mean,
to the king."]