Letter from Gomez Perez Dasmariñas to the King of Camboja


Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Sa[n]ctiago, governor
and captain-general of Luson: For the king of Castilla, my sovereign,
I wish you health and prosperity. I received the embassy and letter
of the king of Camboja [15] with great happiness; with these, as well
as with the elephant and the friendship that you send me, I am greatly
pleased--as also with the inclination that you manifest for the service
and devotion of the king, my sovereign. I shall inform the latter
of this, and it will be esteemed highly. I have grieved sorely over
the wars and hostilities between the kings of Camboja and Sian; for I
would much prefer that perfect harmony, accord, and peace should reign
between two such kings and neighbors (both of whom are our friends),
for without it is neither advantage nor happiness. I would grant the
king of Camboja the aid and reënforcement that he begs against the king
of Sian, but that king would marvel at it. He is also a servant of
mine, and our friend. Therefore I wish to know the cause and grounds
for these animosities, and the justice and reason on either side, for
thus can I come to a just decision. In the meanwhile, since the result
of wars (even when they are victorious ones), is for the most part
ruin, death, destruction, and depopulation of kingdoms and vassals;
and my good will and affection toward the king of Camboja binds me to
desire to see him freed from these difficulties and this uneasiness,
so that he may live tranquilly, and that we may have intercourse
and friendship, and that commerce and harmony may increase among
all of us everywhere, to the common advantage of all--I have tried
to provide the easiest and best method. This is for me to become
arbitrator, in order to try to adjust these differences. Therefore
I have written a letter and sent an ambassador to the king of Sian,