[3] Mesada: a month’s pay or salary. The derecho de mesada was a tax of that amount levied (like the half-annat on civil offices) on ecclesiastical benefices and preferments which had been granted by the popes to the crown of Spain as part of its royal patronage of religion. Laws regarding this tax may be found in Recopilación de leyes de Indias, lib. i, tit. xvii; the first of these is dated 1629. See also Teatro de la legislación universal de España y Indias (Madrid, 1791–97). The mesada was to be collected on the basis of the receipts from each preferment during the five years preceding the new incumbent’s entry upon his office.—James A. LeRoy.
[4] Estrados: literally, “platforms;” the platform on which stood the royal throne, or the seat of the judge, afterward came to mean the court itself. Perhaps the Manila treasury received from Mexico a sum for the proper maintenance of the dignity of the tribunals, for the hangings, furnishing, platforms, etc. This might also refer to the platforms and carpets and hangings provided in the cathedral for certain royal officials.—James A. LeRoy.
[5] In the margin at this point occurs: “4 [pieces of gold]; 3 rings.”
[6] In the margin at this point occurs: “4 [pieces of gold]; 3 rings.”
[7] In the margin at this point occurs: “4 [pieces of gold]; 3 rings.”
[8] In the margin at this point occurs: “88 taes, 1 real of gold.”
Letter of Consolation to the Jesuits of Pintados
To my beloved fathers and brothers of the islands and residences of the Pintados.
Pax Christi, etc.: