t the Marques de Montesclaros should give
prompt assistance to Don Pedro de Acuna, and that it should be ordered
exactly so. He thinks that it is very well that the archbishop and the
Audiencia should not be mixed up in matters of war, since they do not
understand them. In regard to what concerns Portugal, he supposes that
your Majesty probably has had notice sent to that Council; and if not,
that it would be well to do so.

The Conde de Olivares agreed to all that has been said; and he thinks
it well that the ship which the report mentions should be sent at
once to Nueva Espana, informing the Marques de Montesclaros of the
importance of the expedition, and ordering him to supply Don Pedro
de Cuniga _[sic]_ with all that he needs for the proper execution
of it, in such manner that he shall have no excuse for evading such
requisition. He also would command the archbishop and the Audiencia
not to meddle in matters of war, and to order Don Pedro to keep the
friendship and good understanding which he has with the king of Japon,
and to hang all the rebels that he shall capture. Your Majesty will
ordain, in all matters, what shall be most to your service.

Decree Establishing a Way-Station for Philippine Vessels on the
California Coast

The King: To Don Pedro de Acuna, knight of the Order of St. John, my
governor and captain-general of the Filipinas Islands, and president
of my royal Audiencia therein: You have already heard that Don Luis
de Velasco, former viceroy of Nueva Espana--in view of the long
navigation from the port of Acapulco to those islands, and the great
hardship and danger of navigation in that voyage because of having no
station wherein to repair the ships, and to supply them with water,
wood, masts, and other requisite and necessary things--determined
to explore and mark out the ports of the coasts from the said Nueva
Espana to those islands. He ordered that this effort should be made by
a vessel called "San Agustin;" but, as that vessel was lost, the said
exploration was not then effected. You know that afterward the Conde
de Monterrei, who succeeded him in that government, finding the same
inconveniences in the said navigation, and thinking it advantageous
to remedy them by making anew the exploration that Don Luis de Velasco
had attempted, wrote me in regard to it. He said that, in his opinion,
it could be made by small vessels sailing from the port of Acapulco;
and that the reconnoitering of the