beg your Majesty that these faults may be pardoned, and that I may be advised of them, so that in the future my work may be more correct.  When these ships are despatched, I shall begin to examine the accounts of last year, and shall send them by the first ship.  I shall set down fully in these your Majesty’s actual income here.  I do not venture to send it with the other papers but will send it by itself.  The only data accompanying this letter are in a statement of the money paid into the treasury last year, 1575; and I hope, God helping, that this amount will soon increase.

124.  Because, as I have said, this year’s ship from Nueva Espana was lost, will your Majesty please order new copies of all the papers sent in it.

125.  Your Majesty sent me twelve magistracy titles for the regidores of this city, with a decree.  I gave them to those magistrates whom I found living here, who numbered five, seven having died before my arrival, counting one who had become a friar.  Therefore I guided myself by the precedent that there should be twelve.  In addition to these five, there are the three officials of this royal exchequer, which makes the number eight; a high-constable of the city, who was already provided, and him I have left undisturbed; one Antonio Alvarez, one Franciso Banon, and one Marcos de Herrera who are among the earliest settlers.  The truth of the matter is that we would better not discuss these magistracies now, for everything is in turmoil.  Your Majesty also had a decree sent, so that the city might have the boundaries that I should assign to it; but I have not yet determined this, as I had some doubts and wished to investigate the matter thoroughly; for, if once they are assigned, the natives are bound.  I shall advise your Majesty of my decision.

126.  We have shipped in this vessel ninety bundles of cinnamon belonging to your Majesty; and as many more, which remained here, will be shipped in the next vessel, which will sail next month.  I have gathered articles of barter, in order to send a commander of troops to Mindanao for next year’s barter; then I will advise you of what is in that island.

127.  A book will also be found in the box which is a narration of the country, rents, and tributarios of China, which is in substance what is contained on the Chinese map.  There is also another small book resembling a collection of sea-charts, and some papers upon which are depicted their officials of justice, which are sold in the shops of that land.  Because I am writing to the viceroy in Mexico and am sending your Majesty a copy of the letter, where what I do not write here is written, I close, beseeching your Majesty to be so kind as to order that this country be provided for, since it is so easy; and to grant favors to all of us who are serving you here.  May our Lord preserve the Royal Catholic person of your Majesty, and bestow upon you greater kingdoms and seigniories, as is the wish of your servants and vassals.  Manila, in the island of Lucon, in the Filipinas, June 7, 1576.  Royal Catholic Majesty, your Majesty’s loyal vassal and servant, who kisses your royal hands.