reading their own shall despatch the others. This
person shall be most emphatically charged to communicate with no one
until the _Audiencia_ has been advised of everything that has happened
since the fleet left New Spain. Legazpi is enjoined in strong terms
to seek advice among the religious "especially father Fray Andres de
Urdaneta," and the officers of the fleet, on all important matters. In
case of Legazpi's death the person succeeding to his office is to
keep these instructions faithfully. A small box, carefully fastened,
is given into Legazpi's keeping, containing a sealed paper in which
is written the name of the person who is to succeed to his command
in case of his death, but this person is not to be known until such
a casualty. Another similar box, sealed and fastened as the other
casket, contains the name of the person who shall receive the command
in case Legazpi's successor dies also. At the end of the instructions
proper is Legazpi's oath to observe with care the commands enjoined
upon him therein. (Tomo ii, no. xxi, pp. 145-200.)

Mejico, September 12, 1564. A letter from the royal _Audiencia_ to the
king informs the latter of the changes which they have made in the
instructions given to Legazpi by Luis de Velasco, who has died. The
general and other officers have left for the port of departure, and
the fleet will sail some time in October. The first instructions,
which were in accordance with Urdaneta's opinion, were to sail
toward New Guinea and coast along its shores in order to discover
its products and other things. "It seemed to this royal _Audiencia_,
discussing and communicating in this regard with persons of experience,
who have been in those regions, that, although it be true that the
discovery of New Guinea would be important, especially if the riches
asserted should be found there, it is not fitting that the voyage
thither be made now--both because, as it is new, it has not hitherto
been navigated; and because, doing so now, it would be necessary to
deviate widely from the course to reach the Western Islands, and the
return voyage would be delayed; and it would be running a great risk
to navigate in an unknown course." The king's letter of September 24,
1559, is cited in support of the _Audiencia's_ change in route, and
they "determined to order the general to sail straightway in search
of the Filipinas Islands, and the other islands contiguous thereto,
by the same route taken by Ruy Lopez de