any expedition that
has offered against the Dutch and other nations, with their persons
and possessions, and are the first to take arms.

Another thing is of great consideration, namely, that in the great
necessities that arise in the royal treasury, which has not the
wherewithal to take care of them, the said inhabitants have aided it;
and they aid it very often with very considerable sums, depositing
therein from eighty to one hundred thousand pesos, without receiving
any interest. That money is retained in the said royal treasury,
and the owners are not repaid for more than two years. The loss of
interest on so great a sum for so long a period constitutes a great
service, for merchants and men of business. They only think of the
great desire that they have always had, and have, for the service of
your Majesty; and that is so great that many poor inhabitants, not
having any capital to allow them to make loans to the royal treasury
as the other inhabitants do, beg for a loan in order to be enabled to
attend to your Majesty's royal service. In the assessments continually
levied upon them by the governor, consisting of jars [of oil or wine],
rice, and other things necessary for the relief of Terrenate and the
island of Hermosa, the said inhabitants contribute very eagerly and
willingly; and on the voyages made by the galleys, if slaves are needed
(as often happens), they give their own. With the same willingness
did they make the gift of the said four thousand pesos in the year 632.

Since all above stated is so, and since the inhabitants are perpetually
and continually serving your Majesty with their persons, lives, and
possessions, and by the intolerable burden of always bearing arms;
and since all that is related in this memorial is evident from the
investigations made at the citation of the fiscal, and by what the
governors and the orders write: therefore it is just for your Majesty
to honor and reward the inhabitants, since their services are so worthy
of reward and remuneration; and since the said imposition of the said
two per cent would be only an affliction and punishment, to have its
enforcement discontinued, so that there may be no further question
of it--which, as can be understood by the reasons above stated, has
been and is the royal intention and purpose of your Majesty. For
during the so many years that its execution has been suspended,
your Majesty having been informed by the letters of the governors