The remainder of the voyage, and how the ship anchored in the
port of Acapulco.
We navigated with little wind to the purpose, and with land and sea
breezes. For some time there was a current against us, and we were
obliged to go in shore until we grounded on the beach of Citala. We
touched bottom twice; but at last we came near the port, and a boat
under sail and oars came out to know what ship we were. The Captain
sent a messenger in the dingey, and ordered the boat to keep off
until we anchored in the port of Acapulco, on the 23rd of November,
1606. We had only one death--that of the Father Commissary--and all
were in good health. Thanks be to God for these and all His other
mercies shown to us during the voyage!
It is to be noted that when from the bay the S.E. wind rushed upon us,
it was not settled to come to New Spain, for which reason we did not
come, as we might have done, to E.N.E. To cross the line 400 leagues
further east than we crossed it, would have made a shorter passage. If
the N.W. wind we had when we went from Taumaco to the bay is constant,
it would be much shorter.
The following day was the Feast of St. Catherine the Martyr. The
Captain left the ship with all his crew, following the royal standard,
accompanied by many of the townspeople, and proceeded from the beach to
the church. They brought Pedro and Pablo, both dressed in new clothes,
to the font. Having said Mass, the Vicar gave them the oil and chrism,
what they had not received before, because the ship was rolling so much
when they were baptized. They returned to the ship in the same order.
A few days after our arrival, a ship came from the Philippines with
the news that Don Pedro de Acuña, the Governor of them, had taken
the island of Ternate with little loss. This was very joyful news,
and was celebrated here by ringing of bells and rejoicing of the
people. In Mexico they made high festival, worthy of so desirable a
victory. I say this, and hope there will be greater festivities for the
discovery of so many islands it pleased God to show me. All is under
one master, and it will be very just that they should be known to the
world for the greater glory of God and honour of our Spain. Another
ship also arrived, on board of which sixty-nine persons died at sea,
of a great sickness that broke out during the voyage. I was told that,
during the voyage, a fowl was bought for 2,400 reals and another for
3,200, yet the owners did not wish to sell.
Account of the solemnity with which the cross of orange wood was
landed and received, that had been raised in the bay of St. Philip
and St. James.
Fray Juan de Mendoza, Guardian of the Convent of Barefoot Franciscans
in this port, with much endearment, asked the Captain for the cross of
orange wood, being envious of the veneration with which it had been
received by the two monks of his order on the day that it was set up
in the bay of St. Philip and St. James. He said he wanted to receive
it on the beach, and carry it in procession to his convent. Over
this there was a very honourable and holy discussion, for the Vicar
of the town wanted to receive it with the same reverence, to put
it into the parish church. The question was argued by both sides;
and, finally, owing to certain prayers, the Vicar gave up his claim,
and the Captain gave it to the Guardian, to remain in his power.
On the day of the Conception of the Mother of God, the Captain,
with the greatest solemnity possible, took the cross from the ship
to the sea shore, and delivered it to the said Father Guardians, with
six other monks. They received it on their knees with much devotion,
then forming in procession. On each side of the cross were Pedro and
Pablo, with lighted torches. Behind were all the people of the town,
carrying banner and box. So we marched to the convent. At the door of
the church there was a Father in vestments. The Captain, who arrived
first, was acting as mace-bearer until he came to where the Guardian
was, who on his knees delivered the cross to him. The Captain gave it
to the Father, who took it into the church and fastened it to the high
altar, with ringing of bells at both churches, sound of trumpets, and
discharge of guns and of arquebuses and muskets by the soldiers. All
the people showed their joy; and not less did the Captain, although
he had desired to go to Rome and put this cross in the hands of the
Pontiff, and tell him that it was the first that had been raised in
those new lands in the name of the Catholic Church. He wished to bring
the natives as first-fruits, and to ask for all those and other great
favours and concessions. It happened that events robbed him of this
triumph: but he gave many thanks to God, through whose goodness he
hopes to return the cross to the place whence it came.