rm and order of government that existed before the
establishment of the Audiencia. Considering how much and how well you,
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Sanctiago, have served
me, and considering the many good qualities united in your person,
I hereby elect and appoint you my governor and captain-general of the
said Filipinas Islands, hoping that you will continue to serve me on
all occasions with the love and faithfulness which my great trust in
you imposes upon your person. In such capacity, it is my will that
you enjoy and exercise the said offices in the cases and matters
connected with and depending upon them, so long as I desire; and in
the manner which the persons who have exercised them hitherto have
been accustomed, permitted, or obliged to do; and as other persons
who have served and are serving me in similar offices in these
islands and provinces of the Yndias do, may, or must do. It is my
desire that you administer justice for me, both civil and criminal,
in all the cities, towns, and places, settled or to be settled; you
shall also confer offices of justice, war, and others which exist
in the islands. Through this decree, or a copy of it, signed by a
notary, I order that the civic bodies, courts, regidors, knights,
esquires, officers, and good men of all cities, towns, and places of
the said Filipinas Islands, and the officers of my exchequer, and the
captains, inspectors, and other persons residing there, whatever be
their station, shall--after you, the said Gomez Perez Dasmarinas,
have taken the oath with the solemnity required by the occasion,
and according to the custom of the cabildo of the city of Manila,
of the Filipinas Islands--receive you and look upon you as my governor
and captain-general of the said islands, and freely allow you to enjoy
and exercise the said offices, and to carry out and execute my justice
in the said islands, whether it be through your agency or through the
lieutenants of my governor and captain-general. I think it advisable
that the offices of corregidor, alguazil, and others which you assign
in the said islands shall be declared vacant and removed whenever
you consider that my service and the execution of my justice demand
it. You are empowered to substitute others in their places; and to
hear, dismiss, and decide all the civil and criminal trials and suits
which may arise in the said islands and towns; you and your lieutenants
are empowered to deprive the sa