in the charge of private persons, the monasteries are to be built at our expense and that of the encomenderos; with the aid of the Indians of such villages apportioned as encomiendas, as above mentioned.  If in the villages live Spaniards holding no encomiendas of Indians, you will assess them also according to their condition and property, for they are in like manner under obligation to contribute toward the building of churches.  The sum paid by the said Spaniards will be subtracted from the share demanded from the said Indians and encomenderos; for since this is a good work, beneficial to all, it is only right that all help toward its completion.  Being thus a matter of such importance, you will devote to it all the care that it requires, remembering that no new monastery of a different order is to be founded in the same village or its vicinity.

You will be careful always to inform us of what is being done in this respect, and of the result of the labors of the religious.

I, The King

By order of his Majesty: 

Antonio de Heraso

Aranjuez, May 13, 1579.

Letter from Francisco de Sande to Felipe II

Royal Catholic Majesty: 

Last year, seventy-eight, in July, I wrote to your Majesty and advised you of my expedition to the island of Borney, and its outcome.  This year I sent thither a fleet, which brought news that the city had been rebuilt.  The Moro king there detained the captain until he had placed his clothing and wives in safety.  The captain, in accordance with his instructions, returned without doing them any damage.  I am quite sure that that king will quietly submit, if we effect a settlement there.

The king of Jolo rendered obedience to your Majesty and surrendered his artillery.  This year he gave as tribute a piece weighing fourteen quintals that must have been hidden away.

This year of seventy-nine, I sent an expedition to pacify the river of Mindanao.  The king ruling there fled; but, as our people carried orders not to do any harm there also, peace was made, and some of the natives returned.  If we plant a colony there, that king also will submit—­which cannot be effected in any other way, because of our distance from there.

In August of seventy-eight a galleon and a large galley with five hundred men, and other necessary supplies for Maluco, passed Borney.  It is said that one hundred were Portuguese and Spaniards, and the rest mestizos [19] and people from Yndia.  According to a Cafre [heathen], their hulks were in very poor condition.  He says they were going to Maluco to collect the tribute which was lost three years ago.  I am sending the investigations and accounts of this and of everything to your Majesty’s royal Council, and am writing more in detail.  I beg your Majesty to be so good as to favor this other world by examining this letter.  Because of your Majesty’s