been said, in the unoccupied land outside the walls of this city,
it appears to have been selected and set aside in the Plaza de Armas
here, close by the village of Laguio, where they have commenced to
erect a building and pillars of stone, contrary to what his Majesty
directed by his royal decree of the sixth of March of the year one
thousand six hundred and eight, which is as follows:

"The King. In consideration of the fact that a relation has been made
to me on behalf of Hernando de los Rios Coronel, procurator-general of
the Philipinas Islands, to the effect that when the uprising of the
Chinese Sangleys occurred there, there were, about the walls of the
city of Manila, many buildings from which the Sangleys did much damage
to the walls thereof, until they were destroyed; and to prevent this
difficulty for the future, Don Pedro de Acuña, my former governor and
captain-general of those islands, commanded that no buildings should
be erected within three hundred paces from the wall of the said city,
in its entire circuit, and begged me, considering that this was so
expedient as he had given me to understand, in order that the said city
should be provided with the necessary defense, and protected from the
past dangers, that I should be pleased to have this confirmed, or do
as might be according to my pleasure. Having examined it in my royal
Council of the Yndias, the said order which the said Don Pedro issued
has appeared to me to be very effective, as is said. Accordingly it is
my will that this be observed and fulfilled, as exactly and punctually
as if it were issued by myself; and, in fulfilment thereof, I order
that neither now nor at any time shall any building be erected within
the said three hundred paces about the said wall of the said city of
Manila, since this is expedient for my service and for the security
and defense of the said city. Done at Madrid, on the sixth of March
of the year one thousand six hundred and eight.