In Manila, on the twenty-seventh of July, one thousand six hundred and twenty-nine, while the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of these Filipinas Islands were in session, this petition was presented, which having been examined they asked for a copy.  The fiscal presented an act which declared that appeal ought not to be allowed from an act referring back a cause.  Consequently, since this cause has been returned to the lord governor, his Lordship must decide the chief matter, namely, whether or not to allow the said bonds to be given.  The documents presented are not for this plea, but for the principal cause before the lord governor.  Therefore, the fiscal, as far as he is concerned, concludes by this plea.

Licenciate Marcos Capata de Galvez

Before me: 
Andres Martin del Arroyo

Summons to Don Fernando, and his reply

In the city of Manila, on July twenty-seven, one thousand six hundred and twenty-nine, I, the secretary, informed Don Fernando de Silva of the act herein elsewhere contained.  He declared that the appeal which he has interposed is in regard to declaring the auditors of the royal Audiencia competent judges of that which the fiscal has demanded from the governor.  He declared that, in regard to this question, there must be an authoritative statement from the proper source; and that the appeal must be allowed.  On seeing the acts, he regards himself as summoned.  He signed the same.

Don Fernando de Silva

Before me: 
Andres Martin del Arroyo, royal secretary.

Decree for Don Fernando

The King.  On behalf of you, Don Fernando de Silva, knight of the Order of Santiago, relation has been made me that you have served in the states of Flandes, and that you have served in other important affairs for more than ten years; that, having gone to Nueva Espana by the appointment of the marquis of Cerralbo, you served ad interim in the duties of my governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands, and president of my royal Audiencia therein, because of the death of Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenca; that you did it excellently, maintaining that community in peace, which was supplied with what was necessary; and that my royal treasury was but little burdened.  When Don Juan Nino de Tavora arrived to serve me in those offices, he found the finest fleet of galleons which those islands have had, with which they could defend themselves from the enemies who infest them; provision of the metals necessary for casting artillery, and fifty molds for casting the pieces every two days; and the infantry in good discipline, clothing in abundance, and the ships for Nueva Espana ready to lade.  Possession had been taken in my name of the island of Hermosa, which is eighteen leguas from the mainland of China, in the year six hundred and twenty-six, by which it will always be safe for the wealth of