this he judges
that the said Sevastian Vizcayno would be suitable, because he would
know, as well as anyone could, the way to the harbor of Monte Rrey,
being already acquainted with it. If the commission were entrusted
to him, it would be well for him to go from Acapulco as commander of
the ships for the Philipinas, returning from Manila with two small
and lightly-laden ships for no other purpose than the discovery;
for if he were to return as commander [of the trading fleet] the
merchandise and stuffs of the inhabitants of Manila would run great
risk of being detained on the voyage, and of suffering some loss,
and the owners would have a right to recover damages from my royal
treasury. Then after the new harbor which is affirmed to exist shall
have been discovered, Sevastian Vizcayno may go as commander in the
year following, and may make a beginning of refitting a station there
with the trading ships, so that the navigation may be opened. After
this report had been brought before my Council of the Yndias and
my Council of War for those lands, and had been discussed there,
both sides having been considered by me, the suggestions of the said
Marques of Montes Claros were approved by me. Therefore I command
you that since he declares that the two islands, Rica de Oro and Rica
de Plata, in latitude thirty-four or thirty-five, will be much more
suitable than the harbor of Monte Rey as a port in which the ships of
the Filipinas trade may refit, you shall suspend for the present the
opening to navigation and the settlement of the harbor of Monte Rey. I
command you that, in conformity with the opinion of the said Marques of
Montes Claros, you shall give the charge of the expedition to Sevastian
Vizcayno; and shall cause to be undertaken the discovery, settlement,
and opening to navigation of a harbor in one of the said islands, Rica
de Oro and Rica de Plata, as shall seem best and most suitable for
the purpose intended. For the present I intrust to you the choice of
all that concerns the matter. On account of my trust in your prudence
and caution, and my confidence that you will not permit any excessive
expense, I license you to expend from my royal exchequer, for all the
aforesaid and for the arrangement of all other requisites, all the
money needed, drawing the same from my royal treasury of the City of
Mexico. I sanction and command the granting by you to the colonists
of the same privileges that were granted in my decree