will go thither regularly, both from these kingdoms and from Nueva
España. Now because we hope that, by means of their instruction and
example, much fruit will be gathered among those natives, therefore
we desire--a thing befitting the service of God, our Lord--that they
be aided, and held in all estimation, so that with more energy and
fervor they may continue their good purpose; and we order you that, as
far as you are concerned, you aid them to the utmost of your ability,
and extend to them all possible protection, whenever occasion offers,
as their exemplary life merits. San Lorenzo, June twenty-one, one
thousand five hundred and eighty-three.


I The King

Countersigned by Antonio de Eraso, and approved by the members of
the council.



Legazpi's Aid to the Religious Approved


The King: To Doctor Santiago de Vera, president of our royal Audiencia
established in the city of Manila, in the Filipinas islands; or,
in his absence, to the person or persons to whom the government of
the islands has been entrusted. Father Andres de Aguirre, [2] of
the order of St. Augustine, has reported that the adelantado Miguel
Lopez de Legaspe gave orders in my name to pay, as a gratuity for the
support of each of the religious who were engaged in the conversion
and instruction of the natives of those islands, one hundred pesos of