This interrogatory was presented to the governor, Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, in the city of Manila, on the twenty-third day of May, in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, on behalf of the cabildo, magistrates, and regimiento of the city.  His Lordship examined it and declared that he would order, and he did order, the attorney of the said city to give a report of his declaration before the notary, Gaspar de Azebo, whom he would entrust—­and he did entrust—­with the examination of the witnesses.

Gaspar de Azevo

Authority given by the Cabildo to Diego Hernandez Bitoria, whom they elected attorney-general. On November [sic] nineteen, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, there met and assembled before me in Manila, Esteban de Marquina, public and cabildo notary of this city, and the magistrates and regimiento of the same—­namely, Captain Diego de Castillo, Alcalde Don Francisco de Poya y Guevara, High Constable Antonio de Cariedo, Captain Joan Pacheco, Diego Hernandez Bitoria, and Antonio Garrido de Salzedo.  All these regidors met, and unanimously elected and appointed the regidor Diego Hernandez Bitoria attorney-general for them and for this city.  They gave him power, as he holds it and justly needs, to draw and present all the claims, petitions, injunctions, evidences, oaths, warrants, and investigations which may be fitting and necessary, and which the said cabildo would, if present, offer, in connection with all the trials and suits, both civil and criminal, which the said city might have concerning its privileges and exemptions; and in whatever process, whether in or out of court, might come before any magistrate and judge of the king our lord.  They also gave him power to replace or recall attorneys, and to appoint new ones.  They gave him this power, and gave assurance for maintaining it, by signing their names, and by pledging the property and revenues of this city which have been or are to be received.  It was signed by Diego del Castillo, Joan Pacheco Maldonado, Antonio de Cariedo, Don Francisco de Poya, and Diego Hernandez Bitoria.

Before me: 

Estevan de Marquina

Therefore I have hereto set my seal in witness of the truth.

Esteban de Marquina

[Testimony]

Witness:  Captain Poyatos.  On May twenty-seven, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one, in the city of Manila, Melchor de Baeca, attorney of this city, presented as witness in the name of the same, Captain Hernando Munoz de Poyatos, a citizen of this city, from whom he took oath, according to law, upon a sign of the cross, under obligation of which he bound himself and promised to tell the truth.  After having been questioned according to the interrogatory presented by the said Melchor de Baeca, he made the following declaration: