r as his province had done on former occasions; that
he would not oppose the abandoning of the said missions as he was not
a party thereto, for his province had taken these under their charge
solely in compliance with the orders of Governor Don Juan de Vargas
and Archbishop Don Phelipe Pardo; that, moreover, at the present time
when his province was so straitened through the lack of religious,
if they were not succored in that regard it would be necessary for
them to take other steps. Wherefore (he added), so far as matters have
now gone he might do what he pleased, for his province would offer no
opposition, and was prepared to give up those missions if so requested
and charged to do. In this letter, moreover, among other points, it
was inferable that his province was ready to leave the said missions
of Zambales. Therefore the attorney petitioned and prayed his Highness
to deign to have the case brought up for final trial, declaring his
client as entitled to the possession of such missions, to whom they
should therefore be restored. Thereupon the judges decided that the
measures so far taken together with that letter should be acted upon;
that the trial should be proceeded with without prejudice to whatever
had already been decided, and that all the papers in the case be
handed over to the fiscal of this royal Audiencia, for his opinion
(within three days) of what steps it was advisable to take. Thereupon,
for reasons given, the latter replied that what had been advised by
the fiscal of the royal and supreme Council ought to be carried out,
and hence a similar order might issue from this royal Audiencia,
with notice to the reverend fathers provincial, parties in interest,
that so far as concerned their spiritual care the natives might be
relieved promptly. In accordance with this, the judges ordered that all
parties should proceed to the chamber for final sentence. Thereupon
their decision was that the reverend fathers provincial should be
apprised of the sentence as given in this cause for their judgment in
the exercise of their rights; and that whether they assented or not,
they should appear to hear the decision to be given.

15. The parties being notified, and a report of the proceedings having
been proclaimed, sentence was then given as follows: "In the city of
Manila, October twenty-two, one thousand seven hundred and twelve:
The president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of
these islands asse