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opinion of the Audiencia, you shall ordain what is most advisable in
this matter. You shall begin, as may be reasonable and most desirable,
by attending to the general improvement of these conditions, and with
especial care and assistance; for evil might come upon the distant
places, if the part at your very doors is left under suspicion and
unsubdued. Besides there is the obligation to try to secure the
continuation of the instruction of so many people as are already
converted, and under my royal protection. Because these do not have
the peace and tranquillity required, they suffer great hardships
and wrongs from those who are in rebellion and unpacified. Daily
the latter harass, kill, and assault them, and burn their crops. On
this account, and because they kill many Spaniards also, not only is
there no advance made in conquests, but that portion conquered is
being daily diminished. In order to reform this state of affairs,
you shall give commands, in accordance with what has been said
above, with great consideration and justification. You shall always
observe, as aforesaid, the ordinances set forth in the instructions
for discoveries, pacifications, and the introduction of the gospel,
without violating them in any point.
Beside the said provinces that are in rebellion in places, among
the Spaniards and Indians already converted, there are others, which
although they do not lie so near, yet, in respect to their distances
and the nature of their inhabitants, cannot be termed new discoveries,
as they are already known and considered--as, for instance, Babuyanes,
the island of Hermosa, the island of Caballos, Lequios, the islands of
Ancion, Jabas, Burney, Pacaguan, Calanyanes, Mindanao, Sido, Maluco,
and many others. Since, as it is reported, the condition of these
provinces is daily becoming worse, and it is advised that it would be
necessary to pacify them for the welfare and safety of the Spaniards,
and that delay might make that task more difficult, you shall inform
yourself as to how the said pacification and conquest can be best and
most quickly made. You shall perform it with the advice and opinion
of the Audiencia, in the form and manner most advisable. You shall
always observe in everything the form above mentioned, and no other.
As I have thought it advisable that you, whom I trust so completely,
should, with the advice and opinion of the Audiencia, have power and
authority to make the said expeditions of
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