Fernando Riquel

[Endorsed:  “June 19, 1572.  Copy of the [notarial record of the] bestowal on Manilla of the title of city, and the establishment of alcaldes and regidores.” And, in another hand:  “For the first article of the 7th, consult the viceroy.”]

Documents of 1573

Expenses of expedition to Western Islands, 1569-72.  Melchior de Legazpi; March 2.  Affairs in the Philippines, after the death of Legazpi.  Guido de Lavezaris; June 29.  Relation of the Western Islands, called Filipinas.  Diego de Artieda.  Letter from the viceroy of New Spain to Felipe II.  Martin Enriquez; December 5.

Sources:  The first two documents are from MSS. in the Archivo de Indias at Sevilla; the third, from a MS. in the Museo-Biblioteca de Ultramar, Madrid, collated with another copy at Sevilla; the fourth is taken from Cartas de Indias (Madrid, 1877).

Translations:  The first document is translated by James A. Robertson; the second, by Arthur B. Myrick; the third, by Alfonso de Salvio; the fourth, by Francis W. Snow.

Expenses Incurred for the Expedition to the Western Islands 1569-72

I, Melchior de Legazpi, chief accountant for his Majesty in this Nueva Espana, hereby certify that from the original books and orders for payment pertaining to his royal accountancy, now in my possession, it appears that from the twelfth of February of the year five hundred and sixty-nine—­when the alcalde Bernardino de Albornoz entered upon his duties as royal treasurer in this Nueva Espana—­until the end of December in the year five hundred and seventy-two, there has been audited and paid from his royal chest (the three keys of which are in charge of the treasurer of the royal estate) the sum of three hundred and twelve thousand one hundred and seventy-six pesos, seven tomines, and eight grains of common gold, each peso of the value of eight reals. [50] This sum includes whatever pertains to the expedition of the Western Islands—­for the crews and outfits of the royal ships that were built to send aid to the said islands; the tackle, food, and necessary armament for the said ships; the wages of the soldiers and mariners sailing therein, besides the wages of the sailors who have been serving in that capacity in the said Western Islands since before the years above mentioned, and those of other men; the furnishing of provisions to those who for the said time have been engaged in the work of preparing and despatching the said vessels; and the gunpowder, artillery, military supplies, and other necessary articles sent in the vessels to his Majesty’s camp, established in the said islands in his royal name.  All this is as set forth in detail in the said books of his Majesty’s accountancy, to which I refer.

In certification of the above, and in order that by the same it may be manifest, I give the present—­by command of the most excellent Don Martin Enrriquez, viceroy, governor, and captain-general for his Majesty in this Nueva Espana—­in duplicate, in Mexico, on the second day of March in the year one thousand five hundred and seventy-three.