and customs--although they are all barbarians and have no manners
or politeness.

_Miguel Lopez de Legazpi_

[_Endorsed_: "There is no date." "Relation of the Filipinas Islands
and of the character of their inhabitants."]




Confirmation of Legazpi's Title as Governor and Captain-General


Don Phelippe, etc. Inasmuch as Don Luis de Velasco, our former viceroy
of Nueva España, through my orders equipped a fleet and the necessary
men in the port of La Navidad for the discovery and finding of the
Western Islands; and inasmuch as he was pleased with you, Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi, and with your merits and services rendered, and named and
appointed you captain-general of the above-mentioned fleet and its
men; and inasmuch as (so we learn from the reports and information
sent to us), having pursued your voyage and route, you discovered the
aforesaid islands and settled in one of them, called Cubu; and with
your men disembarked there, fought against several towns, and built
a fortress for the defense of the said island and its inhabitants:
therefore, in consideration of this, and of the services rendered in
this expedition, and of the private expenses that you have incurred
in making it; and because we believe that it is best for our service,
and for the prosperity and settlement of the said islands, and for
the welfare of their inhabitants--it is our will that henceforth,