_Alonso Beltran_, his Majesty's notary
The following is an exact and faithful copy of a letter missive written
on paper in Portuguese, dated at Evora, March seven, one thousand five
hundred and seventy-three, and bearing a signature, namely "El Rey"
["The King"], which was found among certain papers in the house of
the old king of Borney. The tenor of this letter is as follows.
_Letter from the king of Portugal_
Noble and honored king of Borneo: I, Don Sebastian, by the grace of God
King of Portugal and of the Argarves, on this side and on the other
side of the sea in Africa, seignior of Guinea, and of the conquest,
navigation, and commerce of Etiopil [Ethiopia], Arabia, Persia,
and India, inform you that Juao Guago de Andrado wrote me that,
while passing your kingdom on his way to Maluco, as captain of his
galleon, you sent to confer with him about certain things touching my
service. Upon his entering, you communicated to him what I am very
glad to know and for which I give you many thanks and express my
appreciation. I beg that you will do, in regard to the matters that
you discussed with the said Juao Guago, and in regard to other things,
whatever offers itself for my service, and that you send to petition
in my name my governor of Malaca and the southern district, whatever
you may be able to request; and he shall give it to you without delay
and protect your affairs, as is fitting. Given at Evora, March seven,
one thousand five hundred and seventy-three.
_The King_
(This copy was made and copied from the said letter of the said king,
which was found on the river of Borney on the twenty-fourth of the
month of April, one thousand five hundred and seventy-eight. Witnesses,
who saw it compared and collated, were Francisco Pacheco and Alonso
Falcon.