e proprietor of the said office and duty of
treasurer; and because, in all the time that he has held it, he has
received neither salary, gratuities, nor allowances, as will appear by
his Majesty's books. To those he refers, because he, as holding and
occupying the said office which the treasurer Guido de Lavacares had
held, has conducted and exercised the said office as others have done,
who at the present day hold encomiendas of Indians. This he said was
his declaration, and he so made it, and signed the same with his name.

_Salvador de Aldave_

Witness, Anton Caballero.

Before me, _Diego Aleman_, notary-public.

I, the said Fernando Riquel, had this copy made from the original
acts, which are in my possession. Therefore I here affixed my name
and customary flourishes, in witness of the truth.

_Hernando Riquel_

Letter to Felipe II by Francisco de Sande

Catholic Royal Majesty:

Although I have served your Majesty in Nueva Espana as attorney,
criminal judge, and auditor in the royal Audiencia of Mexico, I
have not written to your Majesty since the year 67, in order not
to disturb you; I have always written to the royal Council of the
Indies what I considered meet to your royal service. Now I have come
to and reside in these Filipinas islands, where I serve your Majesty
as your governor and captain-general. As I am so far away, and have
grown old in your Majesty's service, and have examined affairs here,
and seen the importance, the isolation, and the dangers of this colony,
I venture to address your Majesty briefly. I write at length, however,
to the royal Council of the Indies, to whom I give account of the
voyage, and its events, and of the needs of this land, and I refer you
to that letter; I have also written of its condition, and of matters
concerning the mainland of China, with what I consider it fitting for
your Majesty to order. I humbly beg that your Majesty be so good as to
examine the above-named relation, and provide therefor, as what refers
therein to the expedition to China is a matter of great moment to your
Majesty's service. This enterprise would be easy of execution, and of
little expense, as the Spanish people would go without pay, and armed
at their own cost. They will be chosen from the provinces, and will
be glad to pay the expenses. The only cost will be for the agents,
officers for the construction and command of galleys, artillerymen,
smiths, and engineers, and the