al of the people and fleet of the discovery of the
Western Islands, appeared before me, Fernando Riquel, government
notary of the said islands, and declared: that, inasmuch as he had
been informed that many Spanish soldiers and sailors have opened many
graves and burial-places of the native Indians in this island, wherein
a quantity of gold and other jewels has been found; and inasmuch as
those opening these graves and finding the said gold have not made
a report thereof to his excellency nor to his majesty's officials,
in order that his majesty may receive and take his royal fifths and
rights; therefore he ordered, and did order, that proclamation should
be made, in due form of law, that all who have opened any graves
whence they have abstracted gold, jewels, and other valuables, and
those who have in their possession gold and jewels of these islands,
however they may have been obtained, shall appear and make full
declaration regarding such things before his majesty's officials, in
order that what is, in this regard, fitting to his majesty's service
and the good security of his royal estate, may be provided--under
penalty that whoever shall act contrary to this order shall, besides
losing all the gold and other valuables thus obtained and abstracted,
be proceeded against in due form of law.

Furthermore, he ordered that, from this time henceforth, no grave or
burial-place be opened without the permission of his, excellency, in
order that there might be present at this opening one of the king's
officials, or myself, the above-mentioned notary, so that no fraud
or deceit may occur, and so that an account and memorandum may be
taken of everything--under penalty of five hundred _pesos de minas_
and of returning all that was taken from such grave or burial-place,
together with the fifth over and above this for his majesty's exchequer
and treasury. This was his declaration and order, and he signed the
same with his name,

_Miguel Lopez_

Proclamation: This said day, month, and year abovesaid, the contents of
this edict were proclaimed in the form prescribed by law, by the voice
of Pito Atambor, [86] in the presence of myself, the said notary, near
the lodging of the said governor and general, and near the lodging of
the master-of-camp, Mateo del Sas, many soldiers being present at each
place. In affirmation of the above, Fernando Riquel, government notary.

Collated with the original,

_Fernando Riquel_, government not