wage war; and the Sianese without their king are a people who have no
spirit, or arms for their defense, for they possess nothing more than
machetes, small bucklers, and javelins made of cane, all of which is
a mere trifling armament. The men of Canvoja have many arrows and are
very skilful with them. If the king was conquered at first it was
because of the little confidence which he had in his own subjects;
for, in short, it has since transpired that the larger part of them
went over to the side of the king of Sian to his own brother, whom he
afterwards killed, as I have said. I assure you that the Canvojans, in
company with the Spaniards whose aid they would have, are a stronger
nation than in all the rest of the country on the field, owing to
the advantage in arms which they have over all the other nations in
those regions. Accordingly I beseech you not to lose such a friend and
helper, and that your Lordship should not permit that through lack of
reënforcements, since they can be given, he and his subjects should
again become heathens and lose their souls. I remind your Lordship
that in the instructions which his Majesty has sent to this city he
instructs you that the neighboring kingdoms should be favored, and
especially that of Canvoja, for he knows that that is friendly. Again I
beseech your Lordship as respectfully as I can, since it is a matter
of so great importance which should not be lost, nor should such
a wonderful chance be allowed to pass and no advantage taken of it,
and of so great a benefit as it promises. I would remind your Lordship
that, in the sending of this aid, promptness is above all necessary,
in order that it may have a prosperous and successful result. It
would be best that it should leave here sometime during the month of
September of this year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-five,
for that is the best time of the year to follow up these enterprises
in favorable weather, since we have ready for it a well-supplied place
of residence in which to live and remain secure. In short I petition