Law XXIV

The inspection of ships sailing from Nueva Espana to Filipinas shall be made by our royal officials, according to custom.  They shall examine in great detail the lists of soldiers and sailors of the ships, in order to abolish the places that shall be found without justification; and they may proceed by law, when they discover any infraction or fraud in this.  Such shall be visited on the person causing it, with the greatest severity. [Felipe III—­Valladolid, January 25, 1605.  Felipe IV—­Madrid, October 16, 1626.]

Law LXV

We order that the duties and freight customs collected in the port of Acapulco on the Filipinas merchandise, shall not be placed in the royal treasury of Mejico, but shall be expended in things necessary to those islands; and the sum lacking [for those necessities] shall be sent from the treasury of Mejico.  The viceroy and the governor of Filipinas shall send us a particular report for each voyage of the amount of the duties and freight customs and what must be sent. [Felipe III—­Valladolid, February 19, 1606.]

Law IX

We declare that in the five hundred thousand pesos granted by permission [to be sent] from Nueva Espana to Filipinas, must and shall be entered the amounts of legacies, bequests, and charities [obras pias], with the wrought silver and all other things carried thither; and nothing shall be reserved, except the pay of the sailors, as is ordered by the following law. [10] [Felipe III—­San Lorenzo, August 19, 1606.]

Law X

We grant permission to the sailors serving on the trading ships between Nueva Espana and Filipinas to carry in money the actual and exact sum of their pay, in addition to the general permission.  Thus shall the viceroys of Nueva Espana provide, unless they perceive some considerable objection.  They shall see to it that the said sailors or other persons shall not be allowed to exceed the amount permitted by this law. [Felipe III—­San Lorenzo, August 19, 1606.]

Law XI

No wrought silver can be taken to Filipinas, even when for the service of those who shall go thither, or for any other purpose, unless bonds are first given to return it, or unless it shall have been included in the permission. [Felipe III—­San Lorenzo, August 19, 1606.]

Law XLVII

The governor of Filipinas shall send the viceroy of Nueva Espana a report of the apportionment of toneladas that he shall make, and what is to be laden in the ships of that commerce.  The viceroy shall send the former a report of the money that shall be sent in accordance with the ordinance.  The latter shall pay consideration and attention to the reports sent him by the said governor, so that he may adjust more equitably and circumspectly the licenses of this kind that he shall give. [Felipe III—­San Lorenzo, August 19, 1606; Madrid, June 4, 1620.]