An act decreeing a proper regulation of supplies.

In the city of Manila, on the fifteenth day of the month of October, one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands, being assembled, declared that at present there is a great lack of provisions in this city, and that those that are to be had are so high-priced, that there is general suffering.  It is thought that, unless this be regulated, the trouble will increase in the future.

Buffalo meat.  Therefore they ordered that a contract should be made with ten Indian arquebusiers, from among those who have permission to hunt, so that what buffaloes they kill shall be brought for public sale at the city slaughter-house; and there shall be there every day the meat of at least one buffalo, which is to be weighed out and distributed to the citizens.

The natives and Sangleys must raise fowl and swine.  Item:  They voted and ordered that, now and henceforth, all the natives of these islands, and the Sangley gardeners who reside therein, shall raise fowl and swine, as they are ordered, under penalty of a fine of four reals apiece—­three of these to be applied to the use of the hospitals of this city, and one to the alguazil-mayor or judge who executes this decree.  To that end, the necessary orders shall be despatched, directed to the magistrates, charging them with the enforcement thereof, and warning them that especial attention will be paid to their observance of them, when their residencias are taken.

That the natives shall bring their provisions for sale to this city.  Likewise, they ordered the said alcaldes-mayor and magistrates to be charged and ordered to procure and give orders, each one in his jurisdiction, to the Indians to come to this city with fowl, swine, wine, rice, olive-oil, vinegar, and other provisions which they may have, to sell in this city, for the provision thereof.  They are to come directed to the president, so that he may have some one commissioned to distribute the provisions without injury to their owners, and at their full value.  Especial care is to be taken in the execution of this.

That pork shall be sold in the public square at a counter, by weight and assize.  Further, they ordered that, neither in this city nor its suburbs, nor in the Sangley and native settlements, shall any person offer for sale or sell, a dead hog or parts thereof, in the streets or in their houses, unless it is brought to the square or the Parian, or any other place that shall be assigned therefor by the magistrate.  There it shall be sold publicly at a counter, by weight and at fixed rates, under penalty of confiscation of whatever is found on sale in any other way—­which shall go to the alguazil or judge executing this decree—­and twenty lashes applied to the seller.