And, as I have said, this must be done if possible gently, in order that no people may be killed.  You shall tell them that it will be to their advantage to be vassals of his Majesty, and our allies.  If they do not act respectfully, and it shall be necessary to punish them in another manner, you shall do so.  And inasmuch as the Joloans, as is well known, are open pirates, whose only ambition is to steal, and to assault men in order to sell them elsewhere—­especially as they go annually for plunder among all the Pintados Islands, which are under his Majesty’s dominion—­you shall try to ascertain the Pintados slaves among them, in order to return such to their homes, especially those who are Christians.  And, as I have said, you shall deprive them of such vessels as seem to be used for raids, leaving them their fishing-vessels, so that if the said lord of Jolo so desire, he can come to confer reasonably with me.  Thus you shall ascertain who has vessels, and who can inflict injuries; and you shall command them expressly to settle down in their land, to cultivate, sow, and harvest, develop the pearl industry, and cease to be pirates.  You shall order them to raise fowls and cattle.  You shall try to ascertain their number, and bring it to me in writing, in order that I may see it, together with the distance from these islands to the Jolo Islands, information regarding the food, water, and healthfulness of that land, and other things that may occur to you.  And you shall tell the people, in my name, that they shall tame for me a couple of elephants; and that I shall send for those animals and pay for them.

After having finished affairs in Xolo, if time permits you shall, God willing, go to the island of Mindanao.  There you shall try, by the most convenient methods and with friendliness, to reduce the chief of the river of Bindinao, and the other chiefs of that island, and of those near by, to the obedience of his Majesty—­giving him to understand what they will gain in becoming his Majesty’s vassals and our allies, and in having trade with us.

And, in order that the tribute may not prevent them from making peace with us, you shall not ask them for any tribute; but you shall take what they give freely, and nothing more, and in such form as they are willing to give.  Thus you shall suit their convenience in everything pertaining to them, and cause them to understand the great expenses of his Majesty in this land.  You shall also tell them that the gain therefrom affects them chiefly, since we come to teach them our civilization, and most of all the service of God, our Lord, who created and redeemed them, and of whom they are ignorant; and how to live in accord with natural law, as is their obligation.  For this purpose you shall tell them that you are going to their land for two principal reasons.