Legazpi: Taking possession of Micronesia for the King of Spain, January 1565

Levesque, Rodrigue (1992). "Legazpi: Taking possession of Micronesia for the King of Spain, January 1565". History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents. Volume 2, Prelude to Conquest, 1561-1595. Gatineau, Quebec: Éditions Lévesque. pp. 180–182. ISBN 0-920201-02-4.

• Has attachment: File:CZF4HWEN.pdf

Abstract: Describes Miguel López de Legazpi’s efforts to claim territories in Micronesia on behalf of the Spanish Crown in January 1565. On January 9, at the Island of the Barbudos, Legazpi delegated his grandson Felipe de Salcedo to formally take possession through ceremonies that included cutting branches and offering gifts to local inhabitants as signs of peace and friendship.

Notes that Villalobos had earlier attempted to claim the Marshall Islands in January 1543, but related documents were reported lost to Portuguese forces in the Moluccas. On January 26, 1565, Legazpi landed on an island in the Ladrones (Mariana Islands) and performed similar rituals to claim it for Spain, cutting branches and marking trees with crosses. Notary Hernando Riquel recorded and certified these acts.