Likewise there were received two other decrees, in which your Majesty demanded information as to whether it were well to sell the offices of depositaries of this city and of secretary of the cabildo thereof.  The office of depositary is of so little importance that it is certain that no considerable price will be paid for it.  That of secretary of the cabildo brings three hundred pesos salary—­which, as they have no other funds worthy of consideration, the cabildo gives from its own income and property.  Besides, deserving persons are kept in the office who have served in this country, where there is very little to reward them with.  Your Majesty will order according to his pleasure. [In the margin:  “Let the governor appoint to these offices only deserving persons who have served his Majesty and are very trustworthy, until his Majesty shall have ordered otherwise; and let him inform us concerning the person whom he shall appoint.”]

Your Majesty ordered by another decree of the sixteenth of the said month and year that this Audiencia inform him whether it would be expedient to deposit with the royal crown of your Majesty the sum of about twelve thousand pesos, to pay the salaries of his servants.  As this despatch arrived so close upon the departure of the ships, there was no time to make definite answer to your Majesty’s command.  The number and value of the encomiendas in these islands are not exactly known.  On the first opportunity they will be ascertained, and your Majesty advised thereof. [In the margin:  “Let this be done, and let them send the information if they have not done so.”]

The decrees concerning personal services of the Indians, which are dated November 22, 602, were received in this Audiencia.  In all its district there are no Indians held to personal service except when there is wood-cutting and the like to be done for the equipment of ships, or when some expedition is being made for the service of your Majesty, in which case a few Indians are taken.  This cannot be dispensed with, because transportation in these islands is entirely by sea, and it is necessary to make levies for rowing the vessels.  The same necessity obliges the encomenderos, the religious, and other persons who go from one part to another, to do the same thing.  They are always paid justly for their work, and thus far it is not known that any grievance has been done them in any manner, nor have they been left unrecompensed.  Great care will be taken that affairs shall be so conducted that they will live content, and the work be secured without harshness.  May our Lord protect your Majesty many years, according to the needs of Christendom.  Manila, July 2, 1603. [In the margin:  “Let it be done as they say that they are doing.”]

Don Pedro de Acuna

The licentiate Don Antonio de Ribera Maldonado

The licentiate Tellez Almacan

The licentiate Andres de Alcaraz