for that post, it is and has been managed by only one woman, although four are needed.  If your Majesty wishes a more detailed relation of these and other things of this your house, Licentiate Hernando de los Rios will give it to you, for he is well informed of everything.  Consequently I finish by entreating your Majesty to have pity on these poor creatures, who all continually pray for your Majesty’s health, which may our Lord preserve for many years.  Manila, July 15, 617.

Juan Onez

Petition

Very Potent Sir: 

I, Diego de Castro, administrator of the seminary of Sancta Potenciana of this city, and its majordomo, declare that the encomienda of Indians was granted to the said seminary, as appears by the decree I present under oath, both to send before the king our sovereign for its confirmation, and to present to his royal Council of the Indias.

I beg and supplicate your Majesty [sic; apparently error for “Lordship”] to give me one copy or more of the said concession with the judicial comment of his Majesty’s fiscal, for the purpose above mentioned; and to return the original for a warrant to the said seminary, and for the sanction of the law in the whole matter.

Diego de Castro

In the city of Manila, in public session of the Audiencia, on August three, one thousand six hundred and seventeen.  Give it to him, as he asks.

Pedro Munoz de Herrera

I declare that I was summoned in Manila, August twelve, one thousand six hundred and seventeen.

Licentiate Don Juan de Alvarado Bracamonte

And I, Christoval Martin Franco, chief clerk of the government and military office of these Philipinas Islands, declare that I do now despatch this matter because Gaspar Alvarez is prevented from doing it.

I ordered to be drawn, and drew, the copy requested by the above petition from the original concession which was presented for this purpose by Diego de Castro, majordomo (and so at present) of the said seminary of Santa Potenciana, and it is literally as follows: 

[Marginal note:  “Concession of encomienda.”]

Don Juan de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and captain-general in these islands; and president of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria resident therein, etc.  Inasmuch as the native towns of Guas and Libon in the province of Camarines have been declared vacant, because of the expiration of the period granted to General Don Juan Tello de Guzman, who held and possessed them, and his failure to establish a colony, as he was obliged; and since they are to be given in encomienda as his Majesty commands:  therefore, considering the same, I place the said encomienda of Guas and Libon under the royal crown, together with their subjects, tingues, and mountains, according to and in the form and manner that the said general Don Juan Tello held and enjoyed