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Page 54
The caravels arrived the xvth of May, and directly in fulfilment of
the order we embarked, sailing for the Portuguese coast, which the
pilots deemed the safer course, and coming within ten leagues of
Cape St. Vincent, six armed French ships ran out upon us. We fought
them from two caravels, until we were overpowered, when everything
eminently valuable on the way to Your Majesty was lost; the other
caravel not being disposed to fight escaped to carry the news; and
but for that perhaps the captain might better have staid with his
additional force aid our defence than to carry back such tidings.
Quinones died, and I am a prisoner at Rochelle in France.
I should desire to come, would they but let me, to kiss your royal
feet, and give a complete history of all; for I lost everything I
possessed in the service of Your Majesty, and have wished that my
life had been as well. I entreat that privileges be granted to the
residents and inhabitants of New Spain and that you will consider
services to have been rendered, since that people have loyally done
their duty to this moment, and will ever do as true vassals.
I beseech that Your Majesty be pleased to order good protection
placed on the coast of Andalusia for the ships coming from the
Indies; for now all the French, flushed as they are, desire to take
positions whence they may commit mischief. Let it be an armament
that can act offensively, and which will not flee, but seek out the
enemy.
I entreat, prisoner and lost as I am, yet desiring still to die in
the royal service, that Your Highness will so favor me, that if any
ship should be sent to New Spain, an order be directed to Hernando
Cortes, requiring that the Indians I have there deposited in the
name of Your Majesty be not taken, but that they be bestowed on me
for the period that is your pleasure.
Our Lord augment the imperial state of Your Royal Majesty to the
extent your royal person may require.
From Rochela of France, the XVIth day of June of M. d. XXIIJ years.
Of Y.C.Ca. Ma. the loyal vassal who kisses your very royal feet and
hands,
ALONSO DAVILA.
STATEMENT CONCERNING THE FRENCH VESSELS OF WHICH CRUISE THE SEA OF
SPAIN,
Translated from the original in the Archivio de Indias, Seville, in
the same hand, says Dr. D. Francisco Xmarez, the ancient archivero,
as the letter of Alonso Davilla addressed from Rochelle to the
emperor. The hand writing is most difficult to make out. The amounts
marked CII may intend coo, and CI two CO.
The French vessels of war which cruise the sea of Spain as far as
Andalusia, of which Jn. Florin le Diepa is captain.
First, a largo ship CII. tons, in which are CII men--the half
soldiers, and the other half sailors; carries XX pieces of artillery
of brass, besides others of iron, with munitions and victuals in
large quantity.
Another vessel, built in Vizcaya, captured by the French of CI tons.
Another vessel of CI tons, made in Britany.
Five galleons-the largest of LXX tons, another of IX, another of L,
another of XL, made in Vizcaya, another of XL, which are also
provided with CC men of war, being of the French soldiers who were
in Tuenteravia, They have besides full supply of man & of artillery,
munition and victuals for one year; and, it is said, that this
armada goes direct to Andalusia, to ran that coast and take what may
come from the Indias; for this is the same armada that last year
took the CXXM ducats that were coming, consequently, it is necessary
that His Majesty should have an armada in Andalusia to go to meet
this one of France, and not suffer to do mischief.
V.
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