[26] In the original, the order of these two letters is the reverse of that given here.  Although the letter presented here first is undated, sufficient internal evidence attests that its date is earlier than the other letter, and that it is the duplicate of a letter sent by the ships of an earlier year.

[27] So in original; evidently an ironical comment.

[28] Our transcript reads “gente Religiosissima,” “a most religious race,” which is evidently intended for “gente Belicosissima.”

[29] Colin, Labor evangelica, p. 159, in discussing the events of Fajardo’s government of the islands says:  “And inasmuch as there were many complaints of the annoyances imposed upon the Indians during Don Juan de Silva’s term, because of the construction of so many and so great galleons, he was charged to moderate that, and to endeavor to give relief to the natives; in consequence of which, as soon as he had entered by the strait of San Bernardino, he ordered two galleons which he found on the stocks there to be reduced in size.  During his entire government he was very favorable to the Indians, and relieved as many of their burdens as possible.  Therefore they loved him as a father.  He also favored particularly the progress of the Spanish community, endeavoring to get worthy soldiers to become citizens there—­to whom, for that purpose, he granted encomiendas and offices.  By that means the soldiers were reformed, and many daughters of Spaniards who were without protection were married.”

[30] Retraido:  one who has taken refuge in a sacred place.

[31] See this and other regulations concerning suits that affect auditors, in “Foundation of the Audiencia,” Vol.  V of this series.

[32] The reading of this and following legal quotations of this document are due to the kindly cooperation of Dr. Munroe Smith, of the School of Political Science of Columbia University; Mr. Joseph FitzGerald, of Mamaroneck, New York; and Rev. Jose Algue, S.J., of the Manila Observatory.  The passages allow for the most part, of only conjecture, while some portions are unintelligible.

[33] Mr. FitzGerald conjectures that ultra multa cum tiber farsnaci is equivalent to “many [passages, texts, authorities?] besides in Tiberius Farsnaci.”

Regni col[lectio]. Possibly the citation is from the Nueva Recopilacion of 1567.  In some contemporary Latin commentaries the Nueva Recopilacion is described as Regiae Constitutiones; in others as Collectio legum Hispania.  Book 9, title 4 of the Nueva Recopilacion deals with “los officiales de la Contaduria mayor.” Regni collectio would naturally refer to the Castilian law.  Possibly, however, the reference is to some collection of laws for the colonies.  The Recopilacion de las leyes de Indias was not published till 1680; but, according to Antequera (Hist. de la Legislacion, p. 564), a previous collection of the colonial laws, down to 1596, was made “en cuatro tomos impresos;” also, early in the seventeenth century, “Se publico como provisional el libro titulado ‘Sumarios de la Recopilacion’ general de leyes.”—­Munroe Smith.