that he may be secure; and do so with the precaution that you shall find needful.  In either case, you will give orders as one who has the matter at heart, and knows what can and must be done.  Since I trust in you and your prudence, and allow you to send some troops and captains under similar circumstances, you shall ask the same to obey and carry out whatever he whom they go to help may say and order, either in writing or orally, serving him with the good discipline and obedience to which that nation [the Portuguese] are accustomed, in the expeditions and military exploits which may take place.  Lisboa, on the thirty-first day of March in the year one thousand five hundred and eighty-two.

I, The King

By order of his Majesty: 

Antonio de Erasso

Considering the fact that the king, our lord, is pleased to have harmony, friendly relations, commerce, and trade between the inhabitants of these islands and the Portuguese nobles inhabiting Macan, Xapon, and other regions—­which things are necessary for the preservation of these his kingdoms, and the welfare and prosperity of his vassals, and the exaltation of our holy Catholic religion; and since in fulfilment of this royal desire and offer of friendly intercourse, commerce, trade, and many other things pertaining to his royal service, as I am in need of ammunition for this camp, I am forced to send a person to the city of Macan—­namely, Pedro de Brito, a regidor of this city of Manila—­whom I order to sail from these islands to the said city of Macan on the ship “Nuestra Senora de Conception” (or, as it is also called, the “San Pedro"), with Pedro de Solorzano as captain, and Antonio Diaz Delaleres as ship-master.  I have given him permission to sail, and if necessary, to let this document serve as a permission for the voyage and the return to this city, observing strictly all my instructions and orders:  therefore in the name of the king, our lord, I request and ask in my own name the chief captain of the said city of Macan, the officers of the exchequer, and the magistrates and rulers of the city; and whatever governors, captains, judges, and magistrates may reside in the said city in his Majesty’s name; also nobles, and other persons who live there, and in others of his kingdoms and seigniories—­of all these I request that, whenever this is shown, they examine the said royal decrees and obey and observe them.  I request them to let the said regidor, Pedro de Brito, come into port with the said ship and crew, allow them to land, and communicate and trade with the inhabitants and natives in all things that they desire and need, and to offer no obstacle or hindrance; but, on the contrary, to protect and help them for their success, and in the necessary preparations which they will make, as they owe to the service of his Majesty.  I shall do as much to them whenever a similar request is made of me.  In the city of Manila, on the third day of July, in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety.