To the king of Canboja:
Don Luis Perez Dasmariñas, knight of the order of Alcantara, governor
and captain-general of Luzon, for the king of Castilla, my sovereign,
wishes you health and prosperity.
After the governor, my father, had despatched Captain Diego Belosso,
your ambassador, and had given him the enclosed letter, God our Lord,
in whose hand and divine providence are life and death, was pleased
to take my father to himself. [16] I succeeded him in his duties,
and in the good-will and friendship with which he was ready to aid,
in every way, the desire and service of the king of Canboja. I shall
continue the same in all sincerity, as the bearer of this will inform
you. And as proof of this, in order that Diego Belosso [17] may not go
unaccompanied, I am sending Diego de Villanueva with this reply. He
is an honored nobleman, of excellent qualities; and he might be of
some service and use to you there in mining matters, for he has much
knowledge thereof, as well as in the working of metals. You may discuss
with him what you wish, and anything pertaining to the good of your
kingdom. You may credit anything that he may say and represent in my
name. I shall be very glad to establish intercourse and communication
between us; for the people of Canboja will ever meet, when they
come here, hospitable reception and fatherly love from me. Truly I
wish that I had here some Spanish curiosities to send to the king of
Canboja, in token of love and friendship; but on a second journey,
God pleasing, I shall be better prepared. In the meanwhile I shall
inform the said king, my sovereign, of this new friendship, and of
the pathway opened for trade and communication between us, which is so
useful and agreeable to all, and from which I hope will result glory
for our great God, and many beneficial results. The king, my sovereign,
will heartily commend and favor this, and will rejoice exceedingly
that it shall result in every way to your satisfaction and approval,
an object which I shall forward whenever opportunity presents. May
our Lord God preserve and prosper you. Manila, February 8, 1594.
Considering that the king of Canboja wishes to advance Diego de
Belosso, and that he is a deserving man, I have given special orders
that he should go, as he does, free from restrictions, and with
satisfactory equipment.
[_Endorsed_: "+1594+. Copy of the letter to the king of Canboja from
Governor Don Luis Perez."]