with entire clearness, and without any reservation, of the resources
of his Majesty's estate in these islands, and under their charge,
and of their disbursements and expenses. As soon as the said report
is made, copies in duplicate shall be sent to the king our sovereign,
in his royal Council of the Indias, by the first ships sailing from
these islands for Nueva España, in the form that his Majesty orders
and commands. By this act they so voted, ordered, and decreed.

Before me:

_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_

_An act decreeing that a book shall be prepared in which are registered
the citizens of these islands, with their merits and services_.

In the city of Manila, on the nineteenth of December, one thousand
five hundred and ninety-eight, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of the Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas the king our sovereign, in one of his ordinances, orders and
commands the aforesaid president and auditors to prepare a book wherein
to register the inhabitants and dwellers in these islands, and inscribe
their merits and services, and the rewards and remunerations which
have been given them in recompense--a copy of which shall be sent
him in his royal Council of the Indias, so that, when they ask for
rewards, they shall be given what they deserve: therefore, in order
that the royal will of the king our sovereign be strictly observed,
enforced, and fulfilled, they ordered, and they did so order, the
said book, for the said purpose, to be made immediately; and when all
that his Majesty orders and commands in the said royal ordinance is
finished and completed, copies shall be made in duplicate and sent on