In the ships which come from Nueva España a great deal of money is brought which is not registered. Beside not paying in Acapulco the duties of two and a half per cent, which are due to your Majesty, there results to this commonwealth a great deal of damage; for this money belongs for the most part to merchants and citizens of Piru and Mexico. Although in the sale which is made of the said ships, when they arrive at the port of Cavite, investigation is made—as I did this year, when I asked permission from the Audiencia to go to the inspection of the ships which came—and although I went there, only a very small quantity of this money was found, on account of the great care which was taken to hide it. At times, it even belongs to the most powerful people here; consequently those who are bringing it are very bold, and it is necessary to inspect the vessels before they arrive at the said port. It would be expedient for your Majesty to command that the fiscal of the said Audiencia should always be present at the making of this inspection, so that he can take all measures which appear to him suitable for that purpose, and can make the inspection before the ships arrive at the port, wherever he may wish. All the coin or silver bullion which is seized for registry should be applied for the royal treasury, some moderate portion being given to the person who denounces the culprit, so that there may be persons to do this.
[In the margin: "Write to the governor that it is understood that this practice has become established, and let him try to prevent and correct it. Let the fiscal accompany the royal officials in the inspection of those ships, at the point which may appear most convenient to them, and let all which is discovered without registration, and contrary to the decree, be rigorously confiscated; and let them give to the informer such part as may seem best to the Audiencia.">[
At present nothing else occurs of which your Majesty should be advised in matters concerning the government. I shall continually look out for what is most expedient for it, and will advise you of what should be done. May God protect your Majesty, according to His power, with a larger increase of kingdoms and seigniories, according to the needs of Christendom. Manila, July 21, 1599.
The licentiate Hieronimo de Salazar y Salzedo
[Endorsed: "Examined and answered.">[
Letter from the King of Borneo to Governor Tello
The contents of this letter, written this year, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, by the king of Burney to his Highness Don Francisco Tello, knight of the Order of Santiago, governor and captain-general of the Philipinas Islands for the king our sovereign, and president of the royal Audiencia and Chancillería resident therein, and translated by a good and exact interpreter, are as follows.
Soltan Adil Lula:
Letter of friendship sent by the king of Burney to Don Francisco Tello, captain-general of the fortress of the city of Manila, because of the information I have received that he governs that city exceedingly well, not only for the service of God, but furnishing justice to the regions about, with protection to the poor—whereat I have rejoiced greatly, and all the nobles and natives of my kingdom have done the same.
I received the letter that your Lordship sent me through Hernando, Don Francisco Tael, and Don Joan Solit. It gave me much happiness, for I understood thoroughly the message conveyed by it to me from your Lordship. I am exceedingly rejoiced in heart and mind, for I desire fast friendship with the captain-general of Manila. Therefore, I request that, when my vassals go to Manila, you will give them kind treatment; and I shall do the same when men from Manila come to my country. This is in token of friendship, and if this is always observed, I shall be very glad, and likewise if you will have pity on the Burneys. I received two Burneys, whom the Spaniards had captured; they arrived at my court. And, inasmuch as your Lordship orders me, in your letter that I receive, to send any Sangleys that I might have here to Manila, I am now sending two who were captured by the Camutones; one is named Bonzhuan and the other Adali. I am sending them to your Lordship as a token of lasting friendship with the Burneys. Furthermore, I am sending five taes of camphor, of Burney weight, and three large Burney mats. And that your Highness may not jest at my present, know that I am sending you a [word uncertain in MS.]