ministers of God. The Indian interpreters carried in the fleet must
be well treated. In case it shall be necessary, changes may be made
in these instructions, but with the advice of the other officers; but
it must be ever kept in mind that he is "to go to the said Filipinas
Islands, and other islands contiguous thereto, ... and to discover
the return route to this Nueva España with the greatest despatch
possible, bringing or sending spices and other valuable articles of
those regions." Urdaneta must return with the ship or ships sent
back to discover the return route, because of his experience. No
person shall be restricted from sending letters, in the return ship
or ships, to the king or the royal _Audiencia_. The commander of
the return ship shall deliver all the letters to the _Audiencia_,
and they, after reading their own shall despatch the others. This
person shall be most emphatically charged to communicate with no one
until the _Audiencia_ has been advised of everything that has happened
since the fleet left New Spain. Legazpi is enjoined in strong terms
to seek advice among the religious "especially father Fray Andres de
Urdaneta," and the officers of the fleet, on all important matters. In
case of Legazpi's death the person succeeding to his office is to
keep these instructions faithfully. A small box, carefully fastened,
is given into Legazpi's keeping, containing a sealed paper in which
is written the name of the person who is to succeed to his command
in case of his death, but this person is not to be known until such
a casualty. Another similar box, sealed and fastened as the other
casket, contains the name of the person who shall receive the command
in case Legazpi's successor dies also. At the end of the instructions
proper is Legazpi's oath to observe with care the commands enjoined
upon him therein. (Tomo ii, no. xxi, pp. 145-200.)

Méjico, September 12, 1564. A letter from the royal _Audiencia_ to the