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. 13]

1604-1605] DECREE REGULATING COMMERCE

Manila, to be used for the expenses contracted for the
said ships and their crews; with this shall be placed
the freight charges which may be collected conformably to the order which will be given, as has hitherto
been done; and in all things the necessary order and
system must be maintained by the said accountant and
inspector, and by my royal officials of the said Philipinas Islands.
I charge and command my viceroys of Nueva
Espafia, both present and future, to take especial care
in the accomplishment and execution of all the foregoing; and to station in the port of Acapulco, besides the royal officials who are now there, a person of
great integrity, trustworthiness, and competence, with
a commission as alcalde-mayor, so that this decree
may be suitably enforced in all respects; and no more
money may be carried [in the ships] than the amount
permitted, whether with or without license. In the
said port the registers of all that is brought from the
said Philipinas Islands shall be opened by the person
to whom that duty is entrusted by my viceroy and
by the officials of my royal exchequer at the said port
of Acapulco. They shall also together inspect and
check off the bales and chests, with the scrutiny and
care necessary to ascertain what has come without
registry and contrary to permission. The said registers are to be sent to Mexico, as usual, with the results of the investigations made in the said port of
Acapulco, by a person of integrity or by one of my
said officials. In Mexico everything shall be again
checked off, and appraised; and the duties that belong to me shall be collected and proper measures
shall be taken to ascertain and learn what has come
registered, and whatever shall be found to have come