Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla.

_Translations_: The first, fourth, fifth, and most of the sixth,
are translated by Robert W. Haight; the second, by Rachel King; the
third, and part of the sixth and seventh, by James A. Robertson;
most of the seventh, by José M. and Clara M. Asensio; the eighth,
by Helen E. Thomas.




Letter from Juan Ronquillo to Antonio de Morga


In my last letter, which I sent you by Captain Luys de Villafaña,
who left this island on the first of August, I described the need
that we were in, and the investigations on account of the failure
of the arms to arrive. Although he was wrecked on the way, I have
understood that the papers reached there, having been wet, but in
such shape as to be legible. Thus far I have seen no answer, either
to this despatch, or to those sent on the thirteenth of May and the
first of July, from the lord governor, or from your Grace. It leaves
me quite undecided and uncertain as to what I am to do. While the
aid awaited was being sent on, our need was becoming more pressing,
to such an extent that I even abandoned the work, dropped the
pacification, and ran the whole fleet aground, so that all the men
could busy themselves with gathering landan for food. It seemed to
me more important not to abandon the foothold that we had gained in
the country, than to get more land, and risk losing it all. Further,
it was impossible to provide the men from so few rations; and with so