dship now has the said ship "Santa
Potenciana" ready and fitted out with all things necessary to the
voyage, and they are immediately or at a proper time to embark in her
to go to the island of Panay, in the province of Pintados, where his
Lordship is going in person to hasten and direct in the best manner
the said assistance; and to give and deliver to them the infantry,
provisions, and other supplies which they were to take for that
purpose. And since they are provided with everything necessary,
let them attend to and carry out the undertaking accordingly. The
supplies are not deficient; on the contrary, he has provided them,
and he demands that if by a failure to carry out the enterprise, or
by not departing in season with the said ship, the said assistance
does not attain the desired end, or some loss occurs, or any other
evil result follows, it shall be charged to their account and be at
their responsibility, and not at that of his Lordship. For he on his
part has complied with everything asked from him, by word of mouth
or in writing, by the said Senor Andres Hurtado de Mendoca; and has
done it with the good-will and care requisite in a matter of so great
importance and consequence, and of so great service to the royal person
of the king our lord, and the advantage and peace of this kingdom. Thus
I order, direct, and attest. Let an official copv of this declaration
and the answer thereto be made, that for all time the zeal with which
I have attended to the affairs of the royal service may be made plain.
_Don Pedro de Acuna_
Before me:
_Francisco Sarmiento_
_Notification_
In the city of Manila, on the third of October of the said year, I,
clerk of the government, read the above official act, communicated
it word by word, and gave notice of it to Father Andres Pereyra of
the Society of Jesus and to Captain Antonio de Brito in person. When
they had heard the contents thereof they declared that they were
ready to undertake the direction and completion of the enterprise,
and that in execution thereof they would go on the following day, or
the second day at latest, and embark in the said vessel at the port of
Cauite for the island of Panay, as they were directed. This they gave
as their answer. As witnesses there affixed their signatures: Father
Diego Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus; General Don Juan Ronquillo;
and the sargento-mayor Captain Christoual de Azqueta.
_Andre Pereyra Antonio de Brito Fogassa F
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