The first voyage round the world, by Magellan : $b translated from the accounts of Pigafetta, and other contemporary writersPigafetta, Antonio
History
The first voyage round the world, by Magellan : $b translated from the accounts of Pigafetta, and other contemporary writers
Pigafetta, Antonio
Magalhães, Fernão de, -1521; Voyages around the world -- Early works to 1800
“I Fernan de Magalhaes, Knight of the Order of St. James, and
captain-general of this fleet, which his majesty sent for the discovery
of the spices, etc. I make known to you, Duarte Barbosa, captain of
the ship _Victoria_, and to the pilots, masters, and quarter-masters
of that ship, as I have understood that it seems to you all a serious
matter, that I am determined to go forward, because it seems to you
that the weather is little fitted for this voyage on which we are
going; and inasmuch as I am a man who never rejected the opinion
or counsel of any one, but rather all my affairs are discussed and
communicated generally to all, without any person being affronted by
me; and since, because of that which happened in the port of S. Julian
with respect to the death of Luis de Mendoça, Gaspar de Quexada, and
the banishment of Juan de Cartagena and Pero Sanches de Reina, the
priest, you, from fear, desist from telling me, and counselling all
that may appear to you to be for the service of his majesty, and the
safe conduct of this fleet, and you have not told it me nor counselled
it: you err in the service of the emperor and king our sovereign, and
go against the oath and plighted homage which you have made to me; for
which I command you on the part of the said sovereign, and on my part
beseech you and charge you, that with respect to all that you think is
fitting for our voyage, both as to going forward, and as to turning
back, that you give me your opinions in writing each one for himself:
declaring the circumstances and reasons why we ought to go forward or
turn back, not having respect to anything for which you should omit
to tell the truth. With which reasons and opinions, I will say mine,
and my decision for coming to a conclusion as to what we have to do.
Done in the Channel of All Saints, opposite the river of the islet, on
Wednesday, twenty-first of November, in fifty-three degrees, of the
year one thousand five hundred and twenty.”
Andres de San Martin replied, giving his opinion that, though he
doubted there being any opening in the channel by which to go to the
Moluccas, yet he thought they should go forward till the middle of
January, as long as the summer and long days lasted.
Magellan, having received this and the other opinions, which he had
asked for only to please and content his people, gave a full answer,
with long reasons for going forward; and he swore by the habit of St.
James, which he wore, that so it seemed to him to be for the good of
the fleet. This opinion was notified to the fleet, and next day he set
sail.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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