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To THE MOST EXCELLENT SENOR DON THEoDosIa OF PORTUGAL Duke of Braganza and of Barcelos, etc. Through having heard in my childhood, most serene Prince, from my father and from his relatives, of the heroic virtues and great exploits of the kings and princes of glorious memory, your Excellency's progenitors, and of the prowess in arms of the nobility of that famous kingdom of Portugal; and through having read of them here later in the course of my life-not only those they have performed in Spain, but also those in Africa and in the great oriental India-and of their extensive and admirable navigation, and of the toils and hardships the illustrious Lusitanians have experienced in its conquest and in preaching of the holy gospel, and of the noble things the kings and princes have ordered for the one and the other, I have always been much inclined toward the service of their Majesties and of all those of their kingdom . This inclination was converted later into obligation, because the first land I saw when I came from my own, which is El Peru, was that of Portugal-the island of El Fayal and La Tercera, and the royal city of Lisbon , in which the royal ministers and the citizens, and those of the islands, being such religious and charitable people, gave me as warm a reception as if I had been a native son of one of them. In order not to weary your Excellency , I do not give a full account of the gifts and favors they bestowed upon me, one of which was to save me from death. Seeing myself, therefore, on the one hand so obligated and on the other so inclined, I did not know how to repay my obligation or how I could show my affection, except by this bold act (too much so for an Indian) of offering and dedicating this History to your Excellency. I have been moved no little to do so by the exploits recounted therein of the gentlemen and hidalgos, natives of this kingdom, who went on the conquest of La Gran Florida. It is fitting that they should thus employ themselves worthily and appropriately, in order that they may live under your Excellency's protection and may be esteemed and favored as they deserve. I beg your Excellency that, with the affability and generosity to which your royal blood obligates you, you will be pleased to accept and receive this small servicio, and the desire I have always had and now have to see myself included among the number of the subjects and servants of your Excellency 's royal house. This favor being conferred, as I hope, I shall have many of my affectionate desires gratified, and with this same favor I shall be able to repay and satisfy the obligation that lowe to the natives of this most Christian kingdom, for by means of your Excellency's condescension and favor I shall be one of them. May our Lord preserve your Excellency for many happy years as a refuge and protection of the poor and needy. Amen. THE INCA GARCILASSO DE LA VEGA 52 ~ THE DE SOTO CHRONICLES ...

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