worked, or can work, throughout all this region.  He declared that it should be ascertained what ore could be obtained from those mines, and the amount of metal that should result from them, and the loss of materials that should be allotted for their treatment.  He ordered me, the present scribe, to make and prepare a blank book in which to set down as evidence, with the day, month, and year, the assays of the said ores obtained from such mines, and the materials used in their treatment; and that this act be placed at the head of such evidence, which should therefore be given, in the said manner, so that it might be seen for all time.  Thus did he decree and order, and he affixed his signature.  I, the said scribe of this said camp of mines and forces of Santiago, attest it.

Alonso Martin Quirante

Before me: 

Alonso Callexas

Attestation. 1.  I, Alonso Callexas, scribe of these new mines of Santiago of the Ygolotes, in fulfilment of the order given me by the said act above declared, having made this blank book, do hereby attest faithfully and truly, that today, Saturday, at ten o’clock at night, or thereabout, the thirtieth of this current month of March, one thousand six hundred and twenty-four, the first assay was finished by Alferez Martin de Vergara, of the company of the said captain and sargento-mayor Alonso Martin Quirante, in the presence of Juan de Mugaburu, Rodrigo Lopez Orduna, Grabiel Molinero, and Diego de Tovar, all miners.  The assay was for one-half quintal of ore which was obtained from a hole made in these new mines from the crust of the earth to the openings and veins whence the said Ygolote Indians evidently had been and were obtaining it, and when we had dug down about ten estados.  The said assay was made by refining, by feeding [the dust of the ore] upon sixteen libras of lead.  From it was obtained a grain that resembled silver, which, having been weighed by me, weighed a trifle more than one real.  In order that that may be evident, I gave the present at the petition of the said captain and sargento-mayor, who, together with the said alferez, affixed his signature.  Witnesses were Licentiate Augustin Tabuyo Baldicanas, cura and vicar in this said camp and fort, Adjutant Andres Tamayo, Alferez Don Joseph de Renteria, and many others who were present at this royal camp and fort of Santiago, where this is dated on the said Saturday, March thirty, one-thousand six hundred and twenty-four.

Alonso Martin Quirante

Martin de Vergara

Before me:  Alonso Callejas, scribe.

[Twenty-five other attestations, one for every following assay after the first, all similar to the above, follow.  The document continues:]