In March 1799 I was presented at the Court of Aranjuez and the King received megraciously. I explained the motives that prompted me to undertake a journeyto the New World and the Philippines, and presented a memoir of my plans tothe Secretary of State. Señor de Urquijo supported my petition and overcame everyobstacle in my path, proceeding with commendable generosity given I had nopersonal relationship with him. The zeal with which he helped me can be dueonly to his love for science.