To the master-of-camp, Don Inigo Hurtado de Corcuera, knight of the
Order of Santiago: [21]
The despatch-boat which this year arrived from the Filippinas Islands
at Acapulco, a port of this Nueva Espana, was destitute of the silks
and other costly goods that the ships are accustomed to bring each
year from China, for it carried nothing of that sort. Nevertheless,
it came richly laden, with the news of the happy and fortunate
successes of the arms of Spain in that archipelago, directed by the
valor and prudence of Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, governor and
captain-general there for his Majesty, and a worthy brother of your
Grace. I received in all many different relations--although all of
them agreed, for truth is always one--from different persons, well
worthy of confidence, both ecclesiastic and secular. Every one--not
only the citizens of this great City of Mexico, the capital of this
kingdom, but those of all the other cities and towns--desired to see
these letters, and made urgent requests for them. To satisfy the
desires of so many, and give them pleasure, it was the opinion of
many that they should be printed. The truth is, that I was perplexed
and in doubt as to which one to use, because, as I have said, there
were several. After careful consideration I decided to print one by
Father Marcelo Francisco Mastrillo, a letter written to Father Juan
de Salazar, provincial of the Society of Jesus in those islands,
signed by Father Marcelo himself and sent to me. It gives a detailed
account of every event. No one could give a better account than the
father himself, for he was a witness of everything that happened, as
he always accompanied Don Sebastian with the standard of St. Francis
Xavier. In the simplicity and sincerity with which he recounts these
things, the truth shines more resplendent; so it seemed best not
to alter his style. In order that it may be better known who this
servant of God is, we will describe the miracle wrought upon him by
our father St. Francis Xavier in the city of Naples, and the occasion
of his journey to the Filipinas and his stay in Mindanao. We shall give
some information about the latter island, of the hostility which those
Mahometans have displayed for so many years to the Spaniards, and of
the friendly and subject Indians. We shall also give a description
of the naval battle which preceded the expedition to Mindanao. Then
we shall insert the letter of Father Marcelo, and conclude this
document with a description of the triumphal demonstration with
which Don Sebastian Hurtado was received in the city of Manila,
the rejoicings in that city, the thanks rendered to our Lord, and
the honors paid to those who died in the war, so that there will
be a complete account of everything. Besides the aforesaid reasons,
I was impelled to this on account of the obligations of our Society
of Jesus to Don Sebastian Hurtado (and especially by my own); for we
are always sensible of these, and our hearts will always keep them
alive, with perpetual acknowledgments. Besides, it seems to me that
one could not give your Grace a richer present, a more precious jewel,
an ornament of greater worth, than the exploits and triumphs of such
a brother, in whom one finds zeal for religion and the service of
God, appearing in all he does. The prudence with which he governs
his province, the unwearied solicitude with which he orders affairs,
the disinterestedness with which he serves the king our lord--well
worthy of the favor which his Majesty has shown him (in making him a
member of his Council of War, and sending him two [appointments in]
orders for his two nephews), and of those which I expect his Majesty
will yet grant him; the valor with which he defends those islands, the
grand courage with which he exposes himself to the greatest perils,
although his person is of such importance: all these are especially
praiseworthy, to say nothing of the admirable example by which he
encourages his soldiers to great undertakings, and the compassion
with which he watches over the Indians who were so harassed by so
many enemies. In short, your Grace will see in Don Sebastian Hurtado a
copy of your own holy zeal, prudence, care, disinterestedness, valor,
magnanimity, and many other virtues conspicuous in your Grace's own
heart. In him your Grace will see a true brother--as Tulio [22] said
(book 3, epistle 7), Frater quasi fere alter, "a brother is naught
else than a counterpart of the other brother;" so that they are hardly
two, but rather one soul divided between two bodies, as Quintilian
said (Declamation 321), [23] Quid est aliud fraternitas quam divisus
spiritus? [i.e., "What else is brotherhood but a divided soul?"] So
that your Grace's own valor, prudence, piety, and religion and Don
Sebastian Hurtado's are one; from that which God inspired in you,
may be inferred that of Don Sebastian; and in the virtues of this
great cavalier and captain-general shine those of your Grace, to whom
I offer a thousand congratulations on the triumphs of so glorious a
brother, whose exploits I offer to your Grace, and humbly place in
your illustrious hands. May our Lord watch over your Grace as this
your humble chaplain and servant desires. Mexico, February [25, 1638].