y experience; for the man
who bought the galleon "Sant Martin" has offered to keep it on this
route as long as it will hold together--as also another vessel, of two
hundred toneladas. This offer is accompanied with certain conditions,
as your Majesty will see from the petition which he presented to me,
which accompanies this letter. Since he demands various things of
importance, and some others which concern his own profit, they should
be carefully considered. Certain conditions should also be imposed
upon him, which would benefit your Majesty and, when fulfilled, would
stop the expense at Acapulco. I have referred it to your Majesty's
fiscal and the royal officials, that they may give their opinion
on all points. All of us will examine this matter with the utmost
attention, and I shall send a report to your Majesty of what action
shall be taken. May our Lord guard your sacred royal Catholic person
during many years, with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories,
as the Christian world needs and your Majesty's servants and vassals
desire. From Mexico, February 8, M.D.LXXVIJ. Sacred Royal Catholic
Majesty, I kiss your Majesty's royal feet and hands. Your faithful
vassal and servant,

Alvaro, Marques Don Manrrique.

[Endorsed: "+ Philipinas; February 8, 1587. To his sacred royal
Catholic Majesty, the king, our lord, in his royal Council of the
Indias. Let a duplicate be made of what is here related. Duplicated."]

Letter from Santiago de Vera to Felipe II

Sire:

Last year, 86, I informed your Majesty of the condition of these
islands, and the need of certain things for their betterment and
conservation. Because of the great distance and remoteness of these
islands, and the dangers that the letters must encounter until they
reach your Majesty's hands, I enclose a duplicate of the last letter
with this. For the same reason, I beseech that your Majesty will please
to answer that letter, and order that what is most fitting for your
service be provided--since the decision is delayed three years, at the
very least, and, if left for other vessels, six; and this delay might
cause great harm to this land, and bring about irreparable injuries.

In these Philipinas your Majesty has some Spanish settlements; and in
this city of Manila, the capital, and in the others, are usually about
seven hundred men, and sometimes as many as eight hundred. Although
your Majesty has ordained that reenforcements should be sent