nsiderable time before
that date. After waiting for two years in vain for an answer to this
petition Melchor de Legazpi presented another petition asking: that
efficient aid be sent his father; that he be confirmed in his title
of governor and captain-general "with the salary that your highness
is pleased to assign him, and with the other rewards contained in
his [Legazpi's] petition, ... and that he be not abandoned to die
in despair at seeing himself forsaken and forgotten by his king;"
that he be granted the four thousand ducats promised him by Velasco
"in order that we might better prepare for the marriage of ... my
sister, who is of marriageable age." The petition states that even had
Legazpi's expedition proved a failure, the king should not permit want
to come upon his children, since his substance had been expended in
the royal service. In the third petition, Melchor de Legazpi requests
that the office of accountant of the City of Mexico rendered vacant
by the death of its incumbent, be bestowed upon him, in remembrance of
his father's services. He says the family is "poverty-stricken and in
debt," because of his father having spent all his possessions in the
king's service. The fourth petition presents information concerning
Legazpi's services. The fifth petition requests that certain persons
be received by the court as witnesses, and give information regarding
Legazpi. From the testimony of these persons it was shown that Legazpi
was one of the oldest and most honored citizens of the City of Mexico;
that he was a wealthy landholder of that city; and had lost his wealth
through devotion to the king's service, without receiving any reward
therefor. (Tomo iii, no. xlvi, pp. 330-370.)

Warrant of the Augustinian Authorities in Mexico Establishing the
First Branch of Their Brotherhood in the Philippines--1564

Fray Pedro de Herrera, vicar-general of the Order of Hermits of our
holy Father Augustine in the regions of the Indies, with Fray Diego
de Vertavillo, provincial of the same order in this Nueva Espana, and
Frays Antonio de Aguilar, Nicolas de Perea, Francisco de Villafuerte,
and Juan de Medina, _definitors_ [80]--to our very dear Brethren in
Christ, Andres de Urdaneta, prior, Diego de Herrera, Andres de Aguirre,
Lorenzo de San Esteban, Martin de Rada, priests, and Fray Diego de
Torres, to you, all and singular, everlasting greeting in the Lord.

Very beloved sons: You are aware how Felipe, by the grac