for the above purpose, the island
is very large, and thickly populated, and contains a very abundant
supply of cinnamon, which, if cultivated, will bring great gains to
your Majesty's royal exchequer.

8. _Item_: He declares that it would be advisable to reenforce the
city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, on the island of Cubu, with more
troops, for its security, as well as that of the other islands near
by and those of Maluco, as it is a way station between Maluco and
Nueva Espana, and one of the best ports as yet known in those islands.

9. _Item_: The said father Fray Francisco de Ortega, in the name of
that city and the island of Cubu, by virtue of the specific and general
authorization given him for that purpose, humbly begs and entreats
your Majesty that its title of city, given it by the governors who
have ruled in that island, be confirmed by your Majesty by your
royal decree, in consideration of the fact that it is the first
settlement made in those islands, the place where the natives began
to be converted, and where the inhabitants first rendered obedience
to your Majesty; and by this they will be advantaged and favored. [_In
a different hand_: "Let it be given the title of city."]

10. _Item_: He begs and entreats your Majesty to be pleased to
order that the regidors of that city hold office for life, and not
for one year, as now; and that their appointment be entrusted to
the governor, so that he may appoint them in your Majesty's name;
for thus the regidors will be the oldest and most deserving men,
and that community will be governed better.

11. _Item_: He begs and entreats your Majesty to be pleased to give
license that the inhabitants of that city [Santisimo Nombre de Jesus]
may build a vessel of about two hundred and fifty toneladas, in order
that the said ship may be sent with the vessels sailing from Manila
to Nueva Espana, with the wax, cotton cloth, and the other cloth made
from banana leaves, called medrinaque--in which products tributes are
collected by all those of this island and by the encomenderos of the
island of Panae. The reason for this request is that in taking these
things to Manila there is great risk and danger from the natives,
because each Spaniard who goes to Manila is forced to take forty
or fifty Indians, whence it happens that there are more than four
hundred Indians in Manila for three months of each year and longer,
who are outside their native place. This is to the great da