[December 6.] As to Virginia, I hear that three or four other ships will return there. _Will your Majesty give orders that measures be taken in time_ [to destroy the settlement]; because now it will be very easy, and quite difficult afterwards, when they have taken root; and if they are punished in the beginning, the result will be that no more will go there. [December 22.] It appears that there will be more people there after Nativity than those I have written of. Wherefore Your Majesty will see how necessary it is to act with vigor _and hasten the remedy_. [After reading these letters, the Spanish Council made the following record: "The Council says that having informed Your Majesty ... Your Majesty was pleased to command that there should be prepared whatever was necessary to drive out the people who are in Virginia." This report is indorsed by the King: "Not to let anyone know what is being done." Similar matter is found in letters from Zuñiga under date of March 28, 1608; November 8, 1608.] [March 5, 1609.] The Baron de Arundel [an English Catholic who had been a candidate for the governorship of Virginia, and who now apparently was playing traitor] offers to leave here whenever Your Majesty may command, under pretext of a voyage of discovery, and that in the Canaries or Porto Rico he will take on board the person Your Majesty will send, as a man fleeing out of Spain, and will carry him to Virginia, and instruct him as to ... the parts which the English hold ... and that soon he will tell Your Majesty by what means those people may be driven out without violence.[10] [But Zuñiga urges immediate and violent action, since King James is sure to acquiesce _after_ the fact.] _Hence Your Majesty will command that they be destroyed with the utmost possible promptness._ [April 12, 1609. After describing a new English expedition to Virginia,--Lord Delaware's.] Your Majesty will see the great importance of this matter for your Royal Service, and thus, I hope, _will give orders to have these insolent people quickly annihilated_. _b. Velasco (Zuñiga's Successor at the English Court) to the King of Spain; June 14, 1610_ [After reporting the news of the terrible winter of 1609 in Virginia] Thus it looks as if the zeal for this enterprise was cooling off, _and it would be easy to make an end of it altogether by sending out a few ships to finish what might be left in that place_. [The Spanish Council report upon this letter to the King, and add: "It appears to the Council that this should be communicated to the Council of War ... and that it be asked to state what will be right and proper to do, the supply of ships and whatever else may be needful for that purpose. Y. M. will command what shall be done." This is indorsed, with the King's signature, "_It is well_."] _c. Digby (English Ambassador at Madrid) to King James_