LETTER FROM FELICIANO CIEZA ad. 



1597- 

 together with a copie of a letter, which your Majestic 

 sent unto us, bearing date the two and twentieth of 

 March 1596. Moreover I received another letter from 

 your Majestie bearing date the 15 of March 1597. 

 Both which letters were to one effect. It may please 

 your Majestie to understand that there are diverse 

 Gentlemen in these countreys of as good abilitie as 

 my selfe, which seeke to live at home onely for 

 their ease and pleasure, and are not wont to hazard 

 nor venture their bodies, lives, and goods so often 

 times in your Majesties service as I have done and 

 commonly doe ; and can keepe their goods and riches, 

 and not spend nor wast them as I have done, and 

 dayly doe so wilfully : yet neverthelesse being spent in 

 your Majesties service, I am very glad thereof For I 

 and they are alwayes readie at your Majesties com- 

 mandement. 



And as concerning your Majesties commandement 

 in commanding me that I should put to my help- 

 ing hand in the conquest of Rio Grande : although 

 this Captaineship of Parajua and countrey where I doe TheCapta'me- 

 governe doth want abilitie for that purpose, yet never- ^^^^ °f 

 thelesse your Majestie shall alwayes finde me readie to ^tanZin 

 doe your Majestie the best service I can : for it is sixe degr. 45 

 very well knowen how forward I have bene alwayes m'ln. of 

 and am in this conquest, and still doe put to my ^^^^herly lati- 

 helping hand, as partly your Majestie doth under- ^^ ^' 

 stand by a letter which I wrote to your Majesty by 

 my Sonne, bearing date the 19 of March 1596 where- 

 in your Majestie may understand what good service 

 I have alreadie done therein, and alwayes will be 

 readie to my power to doe the like in furthering of 

 the said enterprise. 



It may please your Majestie to understand that 

 the third of July there was brought unto me a 

 Frenchman a prisoner, who presented himselfe unto 

 me. And I examining of him, he tolde me that he 

 came running away from certaine French ships men 

 XI 65 E 



