89.

Instructions to Gomez Perez Dasmarinas

The King: To Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, knight of the order of Santiago,
whom I have appointed as my governor and captain-general of the
Philipinas Islands. Upon the arrival of Father Alonso Sanchez, a
religious of the Society of Jesus, who came, by order and authorization
of all estates of the said islands, to confer about certain matters
pertaining to the service of our Lord and the welfare and preservation
of the inhabitants and natives of the islands, [21] I convened certain
members of my councils in order that they might hear him. After they
had done so, and had examined in great detail certain memorials
that the father presented, in accordance with his orders, and had
consulted with me in regard to all the points of the said memorials,
I resolved, with the advice of the aforesaid my counselors, to whom
I committed the matter, upon what will follow here, which will serve
as your instructions. I order you to observe and fulfil them to the
letter, with the consideration, care, and diligence that I expect
from your person.

2. Infinite thanks should be given our Lord, and I hereby offer
them to Him, for the great mercy that He has been pleased to show
me, in that, during the period while I, by His mercy and will,
rule as king, and through me as the instrument, those so remote
islands have been discovered; and that at present, as I have heard,
more than two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants enjoy in those
islands evangelical instruction, besides the great inclination which is
manifest to spread the knowledge of our holy Catholic faith throughout
the other islands with which all that great archipelago is sown and
inhabited for the space of more than nine hundred leguas of latitude,
and more than five hundred of longitude. This does not include the
vast kingdoms of the mainland--China, Cochina, Conchinchina, Champa,
Canvoja, Siam, Patan, Joor [Johore], and others--notwithstanding
that I wish and desire that a pathway to them be opened. In order
that this end be attained, it is necessary that for the present, and
until our Lord so dispose and direct it, the conservation of what
has been pacified and conquered, by so great labor and at so vast
expense to my exchequer, be looked after carefully. I charge you
straitly to see to this, taking note of the condition of affairs,
what is advisable for their continuous improvement and settlement,
and giving them a sound fou