MONSEIGNEUR,

I may thank God for this, among other things, that after so many ills and calamities suffered in my voyage to the Indies, he hath vouchsafed to me one blessing on my return home, namely that I have thus had the opportunity of acquaintance with many persons distinguished for honour and merit. Among whom you are one of the first, for, being endowed with a mind inclined to all things praiseworthy and of good report, you have not only taken pleasure and commended the recital of my story which I made to you, but also have prompted and encouraged me to commit the same to writing, and approved the publication thereof. What is more, you have of your grace given me such assistance in my extreme misery and affliction that I can say that, after God, you are the cause that I still live and breathe. This hath rendered me under such obligations to you that I could never acquit myself therein, did you not deign to accept my gratitude, goodwill, and, affection in your service, the which I am resolved to testify in all places and at all times. Wherefore I offer to you this little treatise which I have separated from the rest of my story, to the end that here may appear to better advantage and with less confusion the rarities and singularities of those distant parts whereto my fortune hath led me.