your men disembarked there, fought against several towns, and built
a fortress for the defense of the said island and its inhabitants:
therefore, in consideration of this, and of the services rendered in
this expedition, and of the private expenses that you have incurred
in making it; and because we believe that it is best for our service,
and for the prosperity and settlement of the said islands, and for
the welfare of their inhabitants--it is our will that henceforth,
as long as you live, you shall be our governor and captain-general
of the island of Cubu, and of the other settlements which you or
any other person whatsoever may hereafter make in the island. You
are also empowered to administer our civil and criminal justice, in
company with the officers of justice who may be appointed in the said
island and settlement. By this our ordinance, we command municipal
bodies, courts, magistrates, knights, squires, officials, and good
men, in all the cities, towns, and hamlets, which shall exist or be
colonized in the said island and province, and our officials and others
residing therein, each and every one of them, as soon as they shall
be required--without any delay or hesitation, and without any further
requirement or consultation on our part, and without awaiting or
expecting any other ordinance, second order, or third injunction from
us--to take and receive from you, the said Miguel Lopez de Legazpi,
the oath and formality requisite in such case, and which you must
fulfil. After you have done this, you shall be recognized, received,
and regarded as our captain-general of the said island and settlement,
as long as you live. And they shall freely grant and consent that
you fill and exercise the said offices, and that you administer and
execute our justice among them--either personally or through your
subordinates, whom you are empowered to appoint and shall appoint
to the offices of governor, captain-general, constables, and other
offices annexed and suitable to your government. You may dismiss and
remove these subordinates, whenever you desire, or consider it best
to do so for the fulfilment of our service and the execution of our
justice, and to appoint and substitute others in their stead. And you
may hear, examine, and decide any civil or criminal suit or case that
may arise in the said island, or in its towns which you have founded
or shall found, and in those settlements which shall be made in the
future, either