any services performed
by his order in that country for your Majesty from the beginning,
when it was settled, with innumerable hardships which they endured
when engaged in implanting the faith, and in the service and relief
of the royal conscience of your Majesty--there being then no other
ministers there except them alone, as is quite well and commonly known,
and as will appear by the evidence which he adduces thereof. Finally,
a third ground for the grant is the fact that the monastery of Manila
is very poor, so that it cannot continue the work undertaken, and
therefore the religious are much inconvenienced by the narrowness of
their quarters. This is a house where great strictness and austerity
are observed; and in the bestowal upon them of this grant and alms by
your Majesty God our Lord will be served abundantly, and his [Ortega's]
order will receive benefit and favor thereby. Questions 20 to 24 and
the opinion. [_In the margin_: "Let the father declare the nature and
extent of the favor which he desires, and let the decree referred to
be brought." "A copy of the decree mentioned is brought."]

2. _Item_: That in consideration of the fact that when your Majesty's
first governor in those islands, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, assigned one
hundred pesos (of eight reals to the peso) and fifty fanegas of rice
annually for the support of each religious, goods were very cheap,
while now they are worth twice as much, and the religious cannot
be supported with this alms, he begs and beseeches your Majesty to
have the goodness to order that the alms for the food and clothing
of each religious be annually one hundred pesos de minas, or at
least Castilian ducados, and the usual amount of rice. This is a
very moderate request, since the religious possess no income or
chaplaincies, and it will bring but little additional expense upon
your Majesty's royal exchequer, as the monasteries sustained by your
royal crown are but few; and if your Majesty gives commands to this
effect, they will be much advantaged and favored. [_In the margin_:
"Let the governor give information of conditions in this matter,
and what he deems best for the future. Let him make a report of
everything in minute detail."]

3. _Item_: The said father Fray Francisco de Ortega declares that
fourteen years ago, when he came from those islands the first time,
your Majesty at his request and supplication granted favor to that
province, by ordering your royal official