taken the king prisoner, and are now near Lanquin, and about to seize
China. I am sending you a sword now, in order that you may have some
remembrance from me in that country. You shall have this written to
your king, and shall send me his reply. To the lioccata of Manila,
Huye Çama," (that is to say, "the great captain") The honor shown
to father Fray Joan Cobo was never shown to any foreigner or native,
according to the assertion of this witness, as one who has a thorough
understanding of the customs and laws of that country. From all of
the above it can be understood that the said father was received and
his business despatched with great honor. And, as to the father not
having come to this country, this witness declares that be knows that
the father embarked, after receiving many presents and supplies. The
vessel on which he embarked was in poor repair, and the season the
very depth of winter. The sea was in great turmoil, and the winds
contrary. On this account he thinks that the father perished at
sea. As to the person of the ambassador Faranda, he knows him to
be a man of influence in Xapon, who was recently created a lord by
the emperor of that country. The emperor ordered him to come here
in attendance on father Fray Joan Cobo, as one who was held in high
estimation. For this reason, this witness thinks that his coming is
without any duplicity, or cause for suspicion--beyond a little vanity,
to show that he is a lord, and one whom the emperor chooses for things
as important as this. Therefore this community has no grounds for fear
of any wrong being done by that country; but should, on the contrary,
esteem highly the friendship made with the said emperor; and as the
latter is a friend so powerful and important, his ambassador should
be served and entertained in the manner that seems most desirable to
the governor. This witness asserts the above, by the oath he took,
to be what he knows and what he has heard. He is thirty-eight years
old. He affixed his signature to the above.