Most Sacred Majesty:— On the 23rd day of the month of October of the year 1525 past, I dispatched from the town of Trujillo, off the port and cape of Honduras, to the Hispaniola, a vessel, and in her a servant of mine, with orders to pass over to those kingdoms of Spain. The said servant was the bearer of letters, wherein I informed your Majesty of some events which had occurred at the gulf called Las Hibueras between the two captains I had sent thither and another captain named Gil Gonzalez, who went afterwards. And as I was unable at the time the said vessel and messenger departed, to give your Majesty any account of my journey and adventures, from the moment I left this great city of Tenuxtitlan until I met with the people of those distant parts, it seemed to me important that your Highness should become acquainted with my doings, were it only for the sake of not failing in my invariable custom, which is to advise your Majesty of all things wherein I am concerned. I will therefore narrate events plainly and to the best of my ability, because, were I to attempt drawing them in their proper colouring, I am sure I could not do it, and, moreover, my narrative might perhaps be unintelligible to those for whom it is destined; and will relate only the principal and most remarkable incidents of the said journey, passing over in silence many others, as accessory, which might also have furnished ample matter for much writing.