I humbly beg and beseech your Majesty that you will grant me the favor
of increasing my salary to three thousand ducats, in consideration of
the poorness of the country and the fact that we have to be supplied
from España and your Majesty's realms with what we need to maintain
ourselves. Consider also the position that was granted me in your
Majesty's name by Don Luis de Velasco, viceroy of Nueva España (whom
may God keep in his perpetual glory); I have served until now in these
districts as your Majesty's faithful servant, enduring great hardships
and misery; and that, in order to join this expedition, I spent my
patrimony and ran into debt besides, to the extent of many gold pesos.

It was agreed to despatch this _patache_ on account of the delay there
has been in sending your Majesty's despatches from Nueva España, and
also to let your Majesty know our negotiations with the Portuguese
and our great necessity; for there does not remain to us a larger
boat in which we can give notice of what happens, nor supplies enough
to be able to make one. In consideration of this, your Majesty will
be pleased to have provided, with diligence, sufficient assistance,
so that we may find out what there is in these regions; and, that
God and your Majesty may be served therein, we are sure that your
Majesty will have this provided for. May our Lord guard your sacred
royal Catholic person and increase your kingdoms and seigniories. From
Cubu, June viii, 1569.

Your sacred Catholic Majesty's faithful servant, who humbly kisses
your Majesty's royal feet.

_Andres de Mirandaola_