SPANISH LETTERS INTERCEPTED 



A.D. 

 1590. 



countrey. And likewise the people of this countrey have 



told me, that if upon an high mount which is here in the 



harbour neere to the havens mouth, on the Southside of 



the harbour where the sea doth beat, ther were two or 



three great Canons planted on the top of the hill, (where 



very good watch is continually kept) from that place they Good watch 



may reach to doe the enemie great hurt, a league into the ^°'^^^^^^^h 



sea. The new Vice-roy Don Garcia Urtado de Mendo9a, ^^ ' 



worthy of that dignitie, is in great favour with al those of 



these realmes : for that he is a great solliciter both by [III. 562.] 



sea and land in all kinde of diligence, not loosing one 



houre in your service, and that which he hath in charge. 



With as much speed as may be I will depart from hence 



to Mechuacan, to serve that church and your majesty : 



and there I will remaine according to your majesties com- 



mandement, with the bulles or indulgences. Our Lord 



keepe your majesty many yeres in his holy service. From 



the city de los Reyes the first of March 1590. 



Frier Alonso bishop of Mechuacan. 



A letter of Don John de Miramontes Suasola to 

 Don John Garcias de Penalosa from Arica on 

 the coast of Peru the tenth of March 1590. 



Fter my long travell and badde successe, 

 my fortune brought mee to the Indies; 

 where being void of all hope, and full of 

 griefe, I am become a souldier : a thing 

 in this countrey which is most hated of 

 all other things, not onely of men, but 

 of the wilde beasts : and is an occupation 

 which is chosen of idle persons. The occasion of this 

 is, that there have bene in these seas, and yet are certeine 

 English rovers : and in seeking of them I have travelled English men 

 these three yeres : the one of the yeres a souldier, and the ^^ ^^^ , ^'^ 

 other two yeeres i nave gone tor captame and ensigne- ^^.^^ 

 bearer. And at this time here is arrived Don Garcias 

 Urtado de Mendo9a viceroy of these realmes : who hath 



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