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The King.
Fernando de Magallãins and Ruy Falero, knights of the order of San
Tiago, our captain-generals of the fleet which we are about to despatch
on an expedition of discovery, and the other individual captains of
the said fleet; the pilots, sailing masters, boatswains, and sailors
in the ships of the said fleet: inasmuch as I am quite well assured by
those who have actually been there, that the Maluco Islands are rich
in spices--the chief article sought by the said fleet,--order you,
the said Fernando de Magallãins, to pursue a direct course to the
above-mentioned islands, exactly as I have told and commanded you. And
I order you all individually and collectively, that, in the said voyage
you heed strictly the counsels and decisions of the said Fernando de
Magallãins; and that, first and foremost, before sailing elsewhere, you
proceed without fail to the said Maluco Islands, for in this wise do
you perform our service. Afterwards you may seek other suitable things,
in accordance with your orders. And none of you shall act contrary
to this our will, in any manner, under penalty of loss of property
and life. Barcelona, April nineteen one thousand five hundred and
nineteen: I, the King. By command of the King: Francisco de los Covos.
[_Endorsed:_ "In order that those sailing in the fleet may heed the
counsels and decisions of magallanes, and that first and foremost,
before proceeding elsewhere, they may sail to the spice islands."]