It has been reported that the passengers and sailors of the trading
ships of Filipinas transport and carry slave-women, who are the cause
of very great offenses to God, and other troubles; this should be
prohibited and reformed (and more reasonably so in a navigation so long
and dangerous), and all occasions for offending God suppressed. For
the remedy of this, we order and command the president and auditors
of our royal Audiencia of Manila not to permit any slave-women to
be transported or carried on those ships. They shall pay particular
attention to the correction of the aforesaid evil, so that those
difficulties may cease and be avoided. We also order and command the
fiscal of the Audiencia to see to its execution. The senior auditor
shall inspect the ships at the time of their sailing, and see if
any married woman is aboard, who has no necessity for making the
voyage. The trying of any cause shall be before the said president
and auditors, who shall provide justice, and this shall be made a
clause of their residencias. [Felipe III--San Lorenzo, April 22, 1608.]