The King:  To Don Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa, my governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, or, in your absence, to the person or persons having charge of the government.  According to what I wrote you on the fourth of April of last year, eighty-one, and what you have seen since in the despatches sent by the fleet which left for Nueva Espana on the thirteenth of June of the said year, you must have heard that, on account of the death of the most serene, powerful, and lofty king, Don Enrrique, my uncle (may he rest in peace), I succeeded to the kingdoms of Portugal; and that their crown is united to that of the other kingdoms which I already possessed.  Since for this reason all become one and the same people, and you and the Portuguese are all my vassals; and since it is right that, for the better support of my service, there be agreement and amicable relations among all, especially in these regions—­where, on account of their great distance from here, one must exert himself to remedy the losses which may come from events that occur daily, without awaiting orders from here, on account of difficulties which would be caused by the delay—­I command you that on all occasions, whether together or separated from one another, you maintain friendly relations and one mind among yourselves, as I have written, being careful to help, support, and defend one another alike in all needs and with great harmony and friendship, as it is right for you to do.  I warn you to act in all things according to that trust I place in you, so that there may be no omission in the affairs committed to you, for this should be your chief and main aim.  Lisboa, March thirty-one, one thousand five hundred and eighty-two.

I, The King

By order of his Majesty: 

Antonio de Herasso

The King:  To Don Gonzalo Rronquillo de Penalosa, my governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands; or, in your absence, the person or persons who may hold the reins of government.  You understand, from what I have written you before and what I write now, the causes and reasons why there should be a close and friendly relation between you and your people dwelling in those islands and my viceroy of Eastern Yndia, and my governor and captain-general of Malaca with his Portuguese; and how well served I shall be if, since you are all on the same footing, and since you are all my vassals, you deal, communicate, and make friends with one another, and help one another whenever occasion and need shall arise.  There was little necessity to remind you of this; yet, seeing that it is so important and so reasonable that things be so, I have decided to recommend the matter to you, assuring you that I shall be much pleased thereby.  If at any time my viceroy of Yndia, or the governor and captain-general of Malaca, should write to you asking to send men to his aid, you will send him the men whom you can spare from those islands, in order