Antonio de Erasso
Considering the fact that the king, our lord, is pleased to have harmony, friendly relations, commerce, and trade between the inhabitants of these islands and the Portuguese nobles inhabiting Macan, Xapon, and other regions—which things are necessary for the preservation of these his kingdoms, and the welfare and prosperity of his vassals, and the exaltation of our holy Catholic religion; and since in fulfilment of this royal desire and offer of friendly intercourse, commerce, trade, and many other things pertaining to his royal service, as I am in need of ammunition for this camp, I am forced to send a person to the city of Macan—namely, Pedro de Brito, a regidor of this city of Manila—whom I order to sail from these islands to the said city of Macan on the ship “Nuestra Señora de Conception” (or, as it is also called, the “San Pedro”), with Pedro de Solorzano as captain, and Antonio Diaz Delaleres as ship-master. I have given him permission to sail, and if necessary, to let this document serve as a permission Page 187for the voyage and the return to this city, observing strictly all my instructions and orders: therefore in the name of the king, our lord, I request and ask in my own name the chief captain of the said city of Macan, the officers of the exchequer, and the magistrates and rulers of the city; and whatever governors, captains, judges, and magistrates may reside in the said city in his Majesty's name; also nobles, and other persons who live there, and in others of his kingdoms and seigniories—of all these I request that, whenever this is shown, they examine the said royal decrees and obey and observe them. I request them to let the said regidor, Pedro de Brito, come into port with the said ship and crew, allow them to land, and communicate and trade with the inhabitants and natives in all things that they desire and need, and to offer no obstacle or hindrance; but, on the contrary, to protect and help them for their success, and in the necessary preparations which they will make, as they owe to the service of his Majesty. I shall do as much to them whenever a similar request is made of me. In the city of Manila, on the third day of July, in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas
By order of the governor:
Gaspar de Azevo
This was corrected and compared with the said government book from which it was copied. Manila, June twenty, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one. The following witnesses were present when it was corrected and compared: Miguel de Solarte and Adrian Perez.
The Governor's Opinion
Sire: Having examined this investigation which the cabildo, magistracy, and regimiento of this city have made, so that your Majesty might favor the inhabitants of Manila by granting them commerce with the inhabitants of Macan, and considering the little harm which the Portuguese would suffer from it, my opinion is that, with your Majesty's pleasure, the favor could be granted, for very little trouble will follow from it. Moreover, it will benefit this camp, in that we shall be able to get ammunition, supplies, and other things from the city of Macan: for, as far as ammunition is concerned, the trade with China is closed, since no Chinese would dare to bring it over.
Gomez Perez Dasmarinas