The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 36]

1649-1666] ROYAL FUNERAL RITES 25
of the truth of that news, for its arrival with the
Superscription of misfortune gave it the credit of
truth. But neither the condition in which we found
ourselves, with arms in our hands, nor prudence
allowed us to proceed with public demonstrations
and funeral ceremonies until we received a letter
from his Majesty, and with the letter the order,
direction, and prudent management which so serious
a matter demanded.
[The royal announcement arrived in July, 1648;
and by his decree the king ordered the demonstrations of sorrow to be made on the same scale as if
intended for his own person.]
In conformity with that decree, and in order that
they might obey it, the auditors called a meeting,
and resolved to publish the mourning, and to prepare the things necessary for the splendid celebration of the funeral ceremonies. At the same time
they elected as the manager of that solemn function
the fiscal auditor, Don Sebastian Cavallero de
Medina, who was as vigilant and punctual in the
affairs of his office as attentive to the service of both
Majesties-guaranteeing by the completeness of his
arrangements the entire success which so serious a
matter demanded. As his assistants in carrying out
that commission were named the treasurer, Lucas de
Porras Ontiberos, alcalde-in-ordinary, and Captains
Gabriel Gomez del Castillo and Don Diego
Morales, regidors. At a suitable time, the mourning rites were heralded, in fulfilment of the above
resolution; and all the provinces were notified to
make the same demonstrations, so that the external
conduct of so faithful vassals should correspond to
the sorrow which palpitated in their hearts and sad