The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 | Page 9

officers of the fleet. Alvaro de
Saavedra, a cousin to Cortés, is appointed to the double office of
inspector-general and captain-general of the fleet. Two sets of
instructions are given him, in each of which appears the following:
"Because as you know you are going to look for the captains Frey
Garcia de Loaisa and Sebastian Caboto, and if it is our Lord's will, it
might happen that they have no ships; and if they have a supply of
spices, you shall observe the following, in order that it may be carried
on these ships. You shall note what they give, and to whom it is
delivered, and you shall have the said captains and the officials they
took with them sign this entry in your book." The first matter is to look
for the above-mentioned captains. If they have discovered any new
lands he must make careful note of that fact, and of their location and
products. He is to go to Cebú to ascertain whether the pilot Serrano [12]
and others made captives there are still alive, and, if so, to ransom them.

He is to use all diligence in seeking information as to all men of
Magalhães's expedition who were left in those regions. Antonio Guiral
is appointed accountant of the fleet; and the same general injunction
contained in the other two instructions is also specified in his. Cortés
writes in an apologetic vein to those of Cabot's fleet, asking them to
inform him fully of events "in order that he may serve his majesty." He
writes also to Cabot himself informing him of the purpose of
Saavedra's expedition, adding, "because, as his Catholic majesty
considers the affairs of that spice region of so much importance, he has
a very special care to provide everything necessary for it." He mentions
the arrival in New Spain of the tender that had accompanied Loaisa and
become separated from him shortly after leaving the strait. [13] He
assures Cabot that Saavedra goes simply to look for him and the others
and will be subservient to him in all that he may order. A letter is
written also to the king of the land or island at which Saavedra should
anchor assuring him of only good intentions, and asking friendship and
trade. Another letter to the king of Tidore thanks him in the name of the
emperor for his good reception of Magalhães's men who remained in
that island. (Nos. xxix-xxxiii, pp. 443-461; No. xxxv, pp. 463, 464.)
_Letter from Hernán Cortés to the King of Cebú_ To you the honored
and excellent King of Cebú, in the Maluco region: I, Don Hernando
Cortés, Captain-general and governor of this New Spain for the very
exalted and most powerful Emperor, Cæsar Augustus, King of the
Spains, our Lord, send you friendly greeting, as one whom I love and
esteem, and to whom I wish every blessing and good because of the
good news I have heard concerning yourself and your land, and for the
kind reception and treatment that you have given to the Spaniards who
have anchored in your country.
You will already have heard, from the account of the Spaniards whom
you have in your power--certain people sent to those districts by the
great emperor and monarch of the Christians about seven or eight years
ago--of his great power, magnificence, and excellency. Therefore, and
because you may inform yourself of what you most wish to know,
through the captain and people, whom I send now in his powerful name,
it is not needful to write at great length. But it is expedient that you
should know, that this so powerful prince, desiring to have knowledge
of the manner and trade of those districts, sent thither one of his

captains named Hernando de Magallanes with five ships. Of these ships
but one, owing to the said captain's lack of caution and foresight,
returned to his kingdoms; from its people his majesty learned the
reason for the destruction and loss of the rest. Now although he was
sorely afflicted at all this, he grieved most at having a captain who
departed from the royal commands and instructions that he carried,
especially in his having stirred up war or discord with you and yours.
For his majesty sent him with the single desire to regard you all as his
very true friends and servants, and to extend to you every manner of
kindness as regards your honor and your persons. For this disobedience
the Lord and possessor of all things permitted that he should suffer
retribution for his want of reverence, dying as he did in the evil
pretension which he attempted to sustain, contrary to his prince's will.
And God did him not a little good in allowing him to die as he did