The ship carried thirty pieces of artillery, with which they managed to equip it, for it did not have to be repaired.

Seven galleons were made ready for sailing, and even the one that carried the least artillery numbered thirty large bronze pieces.

Then captains and commanders were appointed for the galleons, and each of the commanders was given the duty of directing and conveying the soldiers and inhabitants who were inclined to go with him; whereat each one labored to caress and attract not only his friends, but others also.

The commanders were as follows: of the galleon "San Juan Bautista," Admiral Pedro de Heredia; of the galleon "San Miguel," Admiral Rodrigo de Vilastigui; of "San Felipe," Captain Sebastian de Madrid; of "Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe," Captain Juan Bautista de Molina; of "San Lorenco," Captain Azevedo; and command of the galleon "San Marcos"-- which was called the almiranta, as it had been with Don Juan de Silva in the expedition which he made to Malaca--was given to Don Juan de la Vega, son of Doctor Vega, auditor of the royal Audiencia.

There were many disputes over his appointment as admiral, for many of the commanders to whom it was due claimed it, especially Don Diego Quinones, who had been brought from Oton for that purpose, although he had not recovered from his musket-wound; also Hernando Munoz de Aramburo (who had come as admiral of the caravels), and Francisco de la Serna--who had gone as commander of the ships, and at the restoration of the country was a very great soldier, who, with twenty gentlemen, served in that expedition at his own cost.