la.

_Translations_: The second document is translated by Jose M. Asensio;
the third, by Frederic W. Morrison; the sixth, by Alfonso de Salvio;
the remainder, by Arthur B. Myrick.

Letter from Andres de Mirandaola to Felipe II

11. The [75] mines of which we have been informed, and which have been
seen thus far are those of Masbad, which are good, from the rivers
of which it is said to be taken. Much gold is found in the island
of Vindanao, in the districts of Butuan, Curigao, and Parasao. It
is said that much gold is mined there and that it is the loftiest of
all these islands. In the island of Luzon, where we are at present,
are the following mines and rivers: In Patro there are mines, as
well as in Bondo and Pacorago, and in Malabago, in the district of
Galvan. There are mines likewise in the province of Ylocos, in the
neighborhoods of Balatao, Turrey, Alingay, and Dinglas. These are very
rich mines from which, it is said, much gold is extracted, and that
there are many metals and rivers which have not been examined. On the
other coast there are also mines, which are called those of Paracali,
and a river is near by; from there much fine gold is taken out. In
other parts there are more mines, which will yield a great deal of
gold throughout, if Spaniards operate and work them. [76]

12. The kinds of gold that are found among the natives of the city
and vicinity of Manila are: Bizlin, which is worth two pesos a
tael. The weight of a tael is one and one-eighth ounces. The second
kind is Malubay, and the third is Linguinguin. These are the kinds
of gold with which the natives trade and barter. The Malubay gold
is worth the same as the Bizlin. The Linguinguin gold is worth
four pesos. There is another kind of gold which the Spaniards call
_orejera_ [earring], which is worth five pesos. The Indians call it
_panica_. There is another finer sort of gold which they call _ylapo_
and another which they call _guinuguran_. From what I have heard this
last is the standard, because in assay it is equal to the wrought
gold of Spanish jewelry. All these fine golds in the possession
of the natives are never used by them except for some marriage or
other important affair. For goods for which they trade and barter,
they use Malubay and Bizlin and Linguinguin.

13. And if your Majesty attempt henceforth other and more important
things in this land, it will be necessary to have towns and ports here,
because this land is in t