First:  That the cabildo of the city of Manila, inasmuch as certain of the regidors are appointed by the governor and at times from his own household, suffers very great troubles because they are unable, when discussing the common welfare in the said cabildo, to do it freely, or to advise your Highness of what is expedient, because those persons tell it to your governor.  And, as is often necessary, if they have to write the truth of what is occurring, if it is against the governor, they know that he will hear of it, and will be angry at them, as has sometimes occurred; and he has even arrested them, and has spoken to them roughly and harshly.  Inasmuch as the said governor is the soul of that community, and the one who must reward their services, and is even the cause that nothing but what he wishes is done and written; and inasmuch as many times certain prominent persons and leading men refuse to act as regidors, and those persons who would be very desirable to retain therein have left the cabildo: 

I petition and supplicate your Highness that those who enter the said cabildo because of the absence or death of those who are now members be appointed by the entire royal Audiencia.  Those appointed shall be nominated by the said cabildo and the said royal Audiencia shall select one of the two who shall be nominated; and your governor shall be unable to remove him, just as if he were appointed by your Highness.  By this method this trouble will end, and a confirmation of this request should be sent.

Item:  Inasmuch as the said regidors do not have any profits, and as, on that account, those who it is important should be regidors refuse to act:  if they were assigned some just reward they would be eager to defend their community.  This reward could take the shape of one-half tonelada for each regidor, in addition to his allotment in each ship.  Consequently, they would be encouraged to work and would oppose the difficulties that arise.

Item:  Will your Highness please grant me a royal decree that the governor may not compel the said cabildo to go to his house to hold their meetings; but that they always hold them, as is usual and customary, in the said city hall, so that they may freely discuss what is advisable for your Highness’s service and that of your community.  For sometimes the governor has ordered the regidors to meet in his house to hold a session of cabildo, contrary to the privileges of the city.

Further, I petition your Highness to give me also a duplicate of the royal decrees which have been drawn for the last ten years in favor of that kingdom, so that, having them in its possession, they may be executed when expedient.

Item:  When the insurrection of the Sangleys occurred, there were many houses near the walls, whence they did us much mischief until these were destroyed.  Your governor, Don Pedro de Acuna, ordered that no edifice be built within three hundred paces of the wall.  Will your Highness please to have the ordinance of your governor confirmed for the city’s perpetual defense.