The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 316 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55.
an account whenever I order it” Four per cent of all profits of the fifth part of “all gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, drugs, spices, and of all other metals and things found and produced in the said lands, and of which the rights pertain to us,” and four per cent of all tributes, are assigned forever to Alvarado (provided that such sum does not exceed six thousand ducats each year), and are divided in due ratio between the provinces discovered.  This is clear of all rights or taxes.  In answer to Alvarado’s request for a tenth of all lands and vassals discovered,—­selected as he may see fit, and accompanied by the title of duke, with the dominion and jurisdiction of the grandees of Castile,—­the king grants him four per cent pro rata in each part, and the title of count, “with the dominion and jurisdiction that we shall decree, at the time when we shall order the said title bestowed.  This shall be granted after the said discovery, and after you shall have signified what part you have selected, provided that we shall not have to give you your said part from the best or the worst of the said islands and provinces, or the chief city of a province, or a seaport.”  Other privileges are:  the life-title of governor and captain-general of all places discovered, with an annual salary of three thousand ducats, plus one thousand ducats over and above this sum, to be paid from the incomes and profits accruing to the king from these discoveries, but these shall not be paid unless the incomes and profits reach that figure; his heir shall be governor of two hundred leagues of land, with the same salary and gratification, and under the same condition Stone forts may be built, at his own expense, in such places as he may select, which he and two generations of his heirs shall hold, with an annual salary and gratification of one hundred and fifty thousand maravedis for each one of the forts, to be paid under the same conditions as the foregoing.  He shall have the perpetual office of high constable in all lands discovered and conquered.  No similar agreement shall be made with others for seven years, if he fulfil his promises.  Provision will be made later as to the natives of the lands discovered.  Men and goods may pass freely from Puerto de Caballos (conquered by Alvarado) to Guatemala, and orders are to be given by the king that the governor of Honduras shall place no obstacles in the way of such passage; and meanwhile Alvarado’s claims to the above port are to be investigated.  The governor of Honduras will be required to furnish Indians as porters, for whose services the current price must be paid, as well as for all carts and other equipment used, but as much as possible must be carried by waterways.  One hundred and fifty negro slaves may be taken from “these our kingdoms, or from the kingdom of Portugal for the said fleet or for the preparation of the said fleet, free of all taxes;” but the adelantado must send an account to Spain, signed by the officials
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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 02 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.