s
warned not to sequestrate the property of the accused, but to see
that it be administered by some capable person. Funds to provide for
the prisoner's journey and his food, clothing, and other necessary
expenses are, however, to be taken from his property--enough of it for
this purpose being sold at public auction. None of these procedures
shall apply to the Indians, who shall be left under the jurisdiction
of the ordinary ecclesiastical courts; but cases involving Spaniards,
mestizos, and mulattoes shall be tried by the Inquisition. Its
edicts against certain books shall be solemnly read in public, for
which procedure instructions are given. The commissary must visit the
ships arriving at the ports, and examine their officers according to
his instructions; but this applies only to Spanish ships which come
from Spanish possessions. The especial object of such visitation is
to confiscate any books condemned by the Inquisition which may be
conveyed by the ships. Doubtful cases are left to the commissary's
discretion, since he is at so great a distance from Mexico.

Another valuable document is the decree which provides (May 5, 1583)
for the establishment and conduct of a royal Audiencia (high court of
justice) in Manila. Provision is made for a house wherein this court
shall sit, and for its powers and the scope of its jurisdiction; and
instructions are given for its course of procedure in the various
matters which shall come before it. Certain duties outside their
judiciary functions are prescribed for its members; among these
are the oversight of the royal exchequer, and inspection of inns,
apothecary shops, and weights and measures. The Audiencia shall
despatch to the home government information regarding the resources
of the islands, the condition of the people, their attitude toward
idolatry, the instruction bestowed upon Indian slaves, etc. It shall
fix the prices to be asked by merchants for their wares; keep a list
of all the Spanish citizens, with record of the services and rewards
of each; audit the municipal accounts of the city where the court is
established; and allot lands to those who settle new towns. Its powers
in regard to ecclesiastical cases of various kinds are carefully
defined. Felipe orders that the papal bulls be proclaimed only in
those towns where Spaniards have settled, and then in the Spanish
language; and that the Indians shall not be compelled to hear the
preaching of them, or to receive t