they shall take great care and diligence, so that the provisions of this act may be better enforced.  In order that the said natives may not pretend ignorance, the said alcaldes-mayor, upon receipt of a copy of this act, authorized by the present notary, shall have it proclaimed in the villages under their jurisdiction, with the number of fowls that must be raised, so that the said penalties may be imposed with more rectitude and justification.  By this act, they so voted, ordered, and decreed, and they ordained that this act be inscribed in the book of this royal Audiencia.

Doctor Antonio de Morga
The licentiate Tellez Almacan
The licentiate Albaro Cambrano

Before me: 

Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

An act relating to slavery.

In the city of Manila, on the second of October, one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas they had been informed that in the province of Pampanga were many native slaves, divided among many masters—­one slave often serving ten masters, more or less—­whence resulted great disservice to God our Lord, on account of the vexations, troubles, and great injuries received by the said slaves in serving so many masters; and whereas they had ordered Benito de Mendiola, alcalde-mayor of the said province, to inform himself regarding what should be done in this matter in order to repair such wrongs; and whereas the latter, in a petition, presented before the aforesaid Audiencia, has informed them that no satisfactory division of the slaves is made among the heirs, and that on this account they may be appraised at the common value and appraisal, and when they are sold the purchase-price should be divided among the heirs; and, if after being appraised, one of them retains a slave, he should pay the other heirs for their share:  therefore, because the said opinion seemed a fair method of procedure, they ordered, and they did so order, the said alcalde-mayor of Pampanga, now and henceforth, to take particular care in such cases to observe the said plan—­so that such slaves shall not have so many owners, nor endure, or be vexed with, the service of so many masters, whom they cannot serve without considerable trouble.  It often happens that they run away from their masters, or are ill-treated and not supplied with food and other things necessary to their life.  The said alcalde-mayor shall be advised to execute and enforce the tenor of this act, being warned that, if he shall not do so, vigorous proceedings will be instituted against him.  By this act, they so voted, ordered, and decreed, providing that this act be entered in the books of this royal Audiencia.

Doctor Antonio de Morga
The licentiate Tellez Almacan
The licentiate Albaro Cambrano

Before me: 

Pedro Hurtado Desquibel