The archbishop of the Filipinas Islands resides in this city.  He has his metropolitan church, and all the cathedral dignitaries—­canons, racioneros, medias racioneros, [185] chaplains, and sacristans—­and a music-choir, who chant to the accompaniment of the organ and of flutes [ministriles].  The cathedral is quite ornate and well decorated, and the Divine offices are celebrated there with the utmost gravity and ceremony.  As suffragans the cathedral has three bishops—­namely, in the island of Sebu, and in Cagayan and Camarines. [186]

There is a royal treasury with three royal officials—­factor, accountant, and treasurer—­by whom the royal revenue of all the islands is managed. [187]

The vessels sailing annually to Nueva Espana with the merchandise and investments of all the islands are despatched from the city of Manila; and they return thither from Nueva Espana with the proceeds of this merchandise, and the usual reenforcements.

In the city is established the camp of the regular soldiers whom his Majesty has had stationed in the islands.

Several galleys are also stationed at Manila with their general and captains, as well as other war-vessels, of deep draft, and smaller ones built like those used by the natives, to attend to the needs of all the islands.

The majority of the vessels from China, Japon, Maluco, Borney, Sian, Malaca, and India, that come to the Filipinas with their merchandise and articles of trade, gather in the bay and river of Manila.  In that city they sell and trade for all the islands and their settlements.

In the province [of Cagayan] of this same island of Luzon was founded the city of Segovia, [188] during the term of Don Goncalo Ronquillo, the third governor.  It has two hundred Spanish inhabitants who live in wooden houses on the shore of the Tajo River, two leguas from the sea and port of Camalayuga.  There is a stone fort near the city for the defense of it and of the river.  This fort mounts some artillery, and has its own commandant.  Besides the inhabitants, there are generally one hundred regular soldiers, arquebusiers, and their officers.  They are all in charge and under command of the alcalde-mayor of the province, who is its military commander.

In that city is established a bishop and his church, although at present the latter has no dignitaries or prebendaries. [189] There is a city cabildo consisting of two alcaldes, six regidors, and an alguacil-mayor.  The city abounds in all kinds of food and refreshment at very cheap prices.

The city of Caceres was founded in the province of Camarines of the same island of Luzon, during the term of Doctor Sande, governor of the Filipinas.  It has about one hundred Spanish inhabitants; and has its cabildo, consisting of alcaldes, regidors, and officials.  A bishop of that province is established there and has his church, although without dignitaries or prebendaries.  A monastery of discalced Franciscans is located there.  The government and military affairs of that province are under one alcalde-mayor and war-captain, who resides in Caceres.  The latter is a place abounding in and furnished with all kinds of provisions, at very low rates.  It is founded on the bank of a river, four leguas inland from the sea, and its houses are of wood.