Although, because of a second warning received from Xapon that two Dutch ships and one patache were surely coming to our coasts, it was considered by many to be advisable that the fleet should go to El Embocadero to secure the safety of the ships from Nueva Espana, that was not done; but on the contrary the ships were immediately unrigged.

That was a signal error, for within the few days necessary for its arrival at El Embocadero it would find the enemy's said two ships and one patache there awaiting our ships from Nueva Espana, and those ships of the Dutch would be taken or sunk.

But this kingdom was relieved from the loss of this failure; and through God miraculously extending to it His mercy, the silver and soldiers aboard our ships (the flagship and the almiranta) escaped capture by the enemy.

That capture would have meant the total ruin and destruction of these islands.

There was no little danger of losing ships and merchandise by running aground.