_His Majesty has granted favor to the citizens of the islands, by
permitting two ships, each of three hundred toneladas, to sail annually
from Nueva España to the Filipinas; and they may carry therein from
the Filipinas such property as is to be transported. There shall be
three ships, in order that one may remain in dry dock at the port
of Acapulco. They shall sail on his Majesty's account, paying the
expenses thus incurred from their own earnings._
The viceroy and Don Pedro de Acuña, governor of the Filipinas, are
of the opinion that this tonnage should all be utilized, so that
each ship may carry three hundred toneladas of lading, six hundred
toneladas between the two ships; and these should be the toneladas
of the Southern Sea, which are larger than those of the Northern
Sea. There should be three ships, all alike and of the same model,
each containing four hundred short toneladas of the Northern Sea,
which amount to three hundred. The citizens of Manila shall lade on
each ship two hundred toneladas and no more, which consequently will
amount to six hundred toneladas in all the ships, in order that the
goods may be distributed to better advantage, and the ships may carry
more mariners.
Under this arrangement the expenses are greater, as there is one ship
more, as well as the increased cost of the escorts of soldiers, and the
artillery for the protection of the ships. Therefore the viceroy orders
that henceforth in the Southern Sea, instead of paying thirty-two
pesos on every tonelada, there shall be paid thirty-two ducados on
every tonelada of stuffs coming from the Filipinas. This increase will
amount to 12,000 pesos, more or less, with which may be defrayed the
expenses of the infantry who return as guard of the ships and property
which come from the Filipinas Islands, thereby assuring greater safety.