Legazpi's own account of his voyage to the Philippines in 1565

(Miguel Lopez de Legazpi by Juan Luna)

Illustrious Sire:  I wrote to your excellency from Puerto de la Navidad giving as full an account as possible up to that port. Now I shall do the same, for I consider it a debt justly due, and I shall always consider it so whenever the opportunity presents itself. I am enjoying good health, thanks be to our Lord; and the same can be said of the whole camp, a thing which ought not to be looked upon as of little importance.  May our Lord grant to your excellency the good health that I wish.