great neglect and danger of loss; and so many occasions that might
be advantageous to your Majesty, for the reduction of this new world
to your service, slip by; and since all the many thousands of souls,
oppressed and deceived by the devil, in great China and other kingdoms
in the neighborhood of these islands, may be saved through the door
which your Majesty has commenced to open--understanding that your
Majesty has not been suitably informed since these neighbors were
discovered, nor has had any clear account of their affairs, we have
agreed to send your Majesty a person who can do this and give your
Majesty a true relation of everything. Considering that Father Alonso
Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus (a man of the highest prudence and
learning, and most excellent in Christian faith and practice), has
a wide knowledge and great experience in this land and the realms of
China, Yndia, Xapon, and other surrounding nations (acquired by having
seen most of them several times and having visited and closely observed
them), and inasmuch as there is no one else able to do it--considering
also his detachment from outside considerations and interests, which,
intermingling, distort all one's views: therefore this Audiencia, the
city, the orders, the military captains, and all the other citizens,
unanimously elected him for this purpose. As he made excuses for
not going, and his superior declined to give him permission, we
ordered the latter to give the father leave and to order him, by
his obligation to obedience, to make this voyage, and the father to
accept the charge. Accordingly, the said father is going to inform
your Majesty and supplicate your favor for these islands, asking for
redress of their grievances and improvement of their condition, and
to discuss with your Majesty other matters of greater importance, of
which he will inform you. We beg your Majesty to grant him audience,
and to place entire confidence in a man who acts here with prudence,
circumspection, religious principle, and wise methods--as your Majesty
will understand when you see him in person; we refer your Majesty to
the relation he will give you.