have merchants who are interested in buying them and in sending them away on voyages; thus conditions will finally come to be like those in the Northern Sea, and the great expense which your Majesty incurs in those islands will cease; and ships will be built in the Philipinas, which will cost but little.  It may be a means of profit to your Majesty’s royal exchequer to continue selling ships to the merchants.  This has been demonstrated by experience; for the man who bought the galleon “Sant Martin” has offered to keep it on this route as long as it will hold together—­as also another vessel, of two hundred toneladas.  This offer is accompanied with certain conditions, as your Majesty will see from the petition which he presented to me, which accompanies this letter.  Since he demands various things of importance, and some others which concern his own profit, they should be carefully considered.  Certain conditions should also be imposed upon him, which would benefit your Majesty and, when fulfilled, would stop the expense at Acapulco.  I have referred it to your Majesty’s fiscal and the royal officials, that they may give their opinion on all points.  All of us will examine this matter with the utmost attention, and I shall send a report to your Majesty of what action shall be taken.  May our Lord guard your sacred royal Catholic person during many years, with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories, as the Christian world needs and your Majesty’s servants and vassals desire.  From Mexico, February 8, M.D.LXXVIJ.  Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty, I kiss your Majesty’s royal feet and hands.  Your faithful vassal and servant,

Alvaro, Marques Don Manrrique.

[Endorsed:  “+ Philipinas; February 8, 1587.  To his sacred royal Catholic Majesty, the king, our lord, in his royal Council of the Indias.  Let a duplicate be made of what is here related.  Duplicated.”]

Letter from Santiago de Vera to Felipe II

Sire: 

Last year, 86, I informed your Majesty of the condition of these islands, and the need of certain things for their betterment and conservation.  Because of the great distance and remoteness of these islands, and the dangers that the letters must encounter until they reach your Majesty’s hands, I enclose a duplicate of the last letter with this.  For the same reason, I beseech that your Majesty will please to answer that letter, and order that what is most fitting for your service be provided—­since the decision is delayed three years, at the very least, and, if left for other vessels, six; and this delay might cause great harm to this land, and bring about irreparable injuries.