ght be done, if it please your Majesty, in order that, the arguments
for and against being presented by persons whom your Majesty would
choose from both Councils, the decision might be made with greater
satisfaction and understanding of the situation, as the magnitude and
importance of the matter demand. Your Majesty will command what may
serve you best. Madrid, 31st of March, 1607. [Ten signatures follow.]

_Report from the Council of State_

Sire:

Your Majesty was pleased to order the Council to examine a report
from the Council of Yndia resident in Lisboa, dated December 4,
1605, and another from the Council of Portugal, dated January 31,
1606, which treat of the inadvisability of religious going to the
kingdoms of Xapon from the Philipinas, for the reasons advanced; and
two others dated May 30, 1606, and March 31, 1607, from the Council
of the Yndias, which allege the contrary. The Council after examining
these, and calling to mind what was advised on the occasion of other
reports from the Council of Portugal and of certain briefs of the Pope,
which were laid before them, advised your Majesty of its opinion in
this matter--namely, to examine the report and what your Majesty was
pleased to decide. And inasmuch as the said advice was given November
2, 1604, in Valladolid, and your Majesty was pleased to answer the
Council of Portugal in regard to it, and decreed what was resolved
thereon; and now since we have come to advise your Majesty: we advise
that, in order to express our opinion, as your Majesty orders, it would
be advisable to examine what your Majesty resolved then. Accordingly
if your Majesty please, you might order the Conde de Salinas to send
your Majesty the resolution taken upon the report of that Council of
the year 1604, which was accompanied by the briefs of his Holiness,
so that after examination in this Council, we may more reasonably
advise your Majesty of our opinion. Madrid, September 7, 1607. [Six
signatures follow].

[_Endorsed_: "+ Officially; September 7, 1607. The Council of State
in regard to certain reports from the Councils of Portugal and of the
Yndias, of Castilla, as to whether or not religious are to go to Japon
by way of the Philipinas." _In a different hand_: "The accompanying
report from the Council of Portugal will give information on what is
asked here. Also other reports from the same Council, and from that
of the Yndias, in regard to matters of the Filipinas, and