On board the Maris Stella, Freiburg,
7th day of Primus 1669.
Dear Juan,
I pray that this new year may bring you more joy and
fortune than the one which just ended. I hope this letter finds you
in good health and spirits, and that some of your recent troubles will
soon be resolved.
I regret that I could not wait for your return.
As I explained in my letter to Lucas, I have pressing business that I could
not postpone even for the pleasure of seeing my family and friends.
I am journeying inland to the areas south-southwest of Freiburg in the
province of Heilgründ.
Although I do not expect to be gone more than a week
or two, it is always preferable to be prepared for the worst. Should
I have not returned after a month, I pray you go aboard the Maris Stella
and find the ship’s log and my will. The will takes care of details,
but its most important point where you are concerned is that if something
should happen to me, the Maris Stella is yours. I beg you,
however, to take my diary, letters, and personal papers and give them all
to Melisandre unopened. They are easy to find, as I keep them with
the ship’s log in a leaded box.
If anyone questions your right to come aboard and look
through my papers, please show them this letter. Most likely, my
marine sergeant, Johann, will want to have some words with you; he should
be able to tell you more exactly where I have gone. He may even be
planning to look for me at that point.
May Theus hold you safe, and may we soon meet again.
Your Cousin,
Constanza Aldana y Orduño
