ggrieving anyone (as we are confident they will do), for
it is just that all should enjoy this benefit and convenience for their
maintenance and benefit; and their object should likewise be that the
country be peopled with useful colonists, such as will remain there.

I also command that my viceroy of Nueva Espana and the governor
of the said Philipinas Islands, each so far as this concerns him,
shall moderate and regulate the freight charges to be paid on what
is laded in the said ships on their voyages to and fro, according
to the expenses thereof--conformably to the reduction that is made
in the tonnage of the said ships and the number of men who are to
sail in them, and the other expenses incurred--in such manner that
no superfluous or unnecessary expenses shall be incurred (but not
so that necessaries or conveniences shall be lacking), and that
it shall not be necessary to supply anything from my exchequer for
the expenditures for the said fleet. For this reason the duties now
levied and collected on the merchandise shall be raised two per cent,
and that on silver another two per cent, by way of averia [36] as
is done on that carried from the Indias via the Northern Sea in the
fleets and armed vessels; for this is conformable to the profits of
those that trade in the said Philipinas route. The proceeds of this
shall be a special fund, with a separate account carefully kept, in
the said city of Manila, to be used for the expenses contracted for
the said ships and their crews; with this shall be placed the freight
charges which may be collected conformably to the order which will be
given, as has hitherto been done; and in all things the necessary order
and system must be maintained by the said accountant and inspector,
and by my royal officials of the said Philipinas Islands.

I charge and command my viceroys of Nueva Espana, both present and
future, to take especial care in the accomplishment and execution of
all the foregoing; and to station in the port of Acapulco, besides
the royal officials who are now there, a person of great integrity,
trustworthiness, and competence, with a commission as alcalde-mayor,
so that this decree may be suitably enforced in all respects; and no
more money may be carried [in the ships] than the amount permitted,
whether with or without license. In the said port the registers of
all that is brought from the said Philipinas Islands shall be opened
by the person to whom that duty is en