The ship was finished and
launched. It cost sixteen thousand pesos, for it was the reproach of
[other] ships. But it cost his Majesty much more, without paying the
Indians--many of whom died, for there are no mines so severe as are
the shipyards. It was launched and sails bent, for the Audiencia had
sent for the vessel to make a trip to Espana. At that time there are
no winds of the sea along that coast; therefore the moorings of the
vessel were all ashore. While in this condition, and with a cargo of
lumber, unexpectedly so furious a wind sprang up on the sea, that
the ship ran aground without being able to make any resistance. As
the vessel was laden with lumber, there was no remedy. The wind was
for no other purpose than the above-mentioned [destruction], since it
ceased its fury with the loss of the ship. The admiral suffered this
blow patiently, for he understood that the Lord had no other reason in
it than to avenge the wrong done to His religious. _Mihi vindicta, et
ego retribuam._ [52] For the Lord esteems the honor of His ministers
as His own, and thus charged them, saying: _Nolite tangere Christos
Meos, et in Prophetis meis nolite malignari.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145