n natives of the provinces of Pampanga,
Camarinas, and Tagalos have served and are serving your Majesty with
great love and fidelity, since the time of the conquest of those
islands. Not one of those Indians has ever been found in rebellion,
or has wrought any treachery, or deserted to the enemy. Those Indians,
mingled with Spaniards, serve as soldiers in war, and have proved
excellent therein. Especially are the Pampangos valiant soldiers,
who have performed and are daily performing valiant exploits at
the side of the Spanish. They were at the taking of Terrenate; and,
whenever occasion offers, they with other companies come to guard the
city of Manila. They also serve as rowers and pioneers in expeditions
by the fleets. On all occasions that offer, they serve your Majesty
with their persons and possessions. The natives of the province of
Tagalos do the same. They, together with those of the province of
Camarinas, serve both in war and in the building of galleons and
galleys with great friendship and goodwill. In order that those
Indians, especially the Pampangos and Tagals, may be encouraged to
continue your Majesty's royal service, he represents that it would be
very advisable for your Majesty to be pleased to command that letters
be sent to them, expressing your great appreciation of their conduct;
as well as to the governor of Manila, ordering him to observe and
cause to be observed _in toto_ the decrees that were ordered to be
despatched in their favor by their Majesties the kings Don Phelipe
Second and Third. If it should be deemed advisable, since they are
serving in the military and are so valiant soldiers, in order to
encourage them for the future [the writer suggests that you] honor
them with military offices and charges; for if the natives of the
said provinces see that your Majesty is mindful of them, and honors
them through your royal decrees, they will be encouraged to continue
your royal service with greater fervor. In case that it should appear
expedient to despatch the said decrees, they could be sent to the
alcaldes-mayor of the said three provinces of Pampanga, Tagalos,
and Camarinas, and they should be ordered to assemble the leading
Indians of those provinces, and have your Majesty's royal decrees
read to them. Besides the many advantages that may accrue from your
Majesty honoring the natives of these three provinces, may follow
another very great one--namely, that the other Indians of the other
pr