_Esteban de Marquina_, notary-public.

We, the notaries who have here signed our names, [16] certify and
attest that Esteban de Marquina, from whom proceeds this authenticated
record, is indeed a notary-public, of the number authorized in this
city, as is stated herein, and is now exercising his office; and
that the deeds, attestations, and records which have been and are
transacted in his presence have been and are thoroughly certified
and authenticated, both within court and without. Done at Manila,
on the thirteenth day of July in the year one thousand five hundred
and eighty-nine.

Letter from Gaspar de Ayala to Felipe II

Sire:

Last year I gave your Majesty a detailed account of the events that
had hitherto occurred in these islands; of what has since happened I
will give account in this letter. As soon as the ships left for Nueva
Espana, we set about building a ship of seven hundred toneladas at
the cost of your Majesty's royal exchequer. As purveyor thereof was
appointed Captain Don Juan Ronquillo, alcalde-mayor of the province
of Pintados. The ship is being built in that district, and paid
for out of the tributes which your Majesty has from that province;
and this city provided some articles which were lacking there. The
purveyor writes that he can make the voyage this coming year. This ship
will be the fourth of your Majesty's vessels on that route [to Nueva
Espana]. I understand that two of them will be of no use for this next
year, as they will have to be laid aside. Thus it will be necessary,
that the navigation on that route may not cease, that ships be built
continually. Although the Mariscal Grabiel de Rribera and Captain Juan
Pablo de Carrion are each building a ship, they will not be able to
support them, and will be obliged to sell them at the port of Acapulco
on the first voyage, for the Piru trade. Although they could be bought
in these islands on the account of your Majesty's royal exchequer,
it seems to me better that your Majesty should save the profits that
will be made after their construction; since they can easily be built
at much less cost than if they were bought after they are built.

The accounts of your royal exchequer have been audited this year, and
are being sent with everything clearly expressed. The entire accounts
are set forth and the data in detail, each class by itself. Because
the gold was very cheap this year, on account of the great lack of
coin, some uneasine