Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, governor and captain-general for his Majesty
in these islands, to you, Juan de Alcega, alcalde-mayor of the province
of Pan Panga, and of the places pertaining thereto; or to your deputy:
Be it known unto you that some days ago the city of Manila issued an
ordinance, which was confirmed by me, forbidding the Indian natives
of these islands to wear silks or stuffs from China, for many reasons
mentioned in the said ordinance. And in order to ascertain whether
any benefit or advantage will result to the said Indians from the
said ordinance and whether certain offenses against God and other
abuses will be averted; and whether there are any for whose sake the
execution of the same should be suspended: I therefore now, by these
presents, ordain and command you that, by reason of the declarations
hereinbefore made, you secure information from Spanish and Indian
witnesses, examining the same in accordance with the interrogatory
sent herewith; in order that his Majesty may be informed of the
facts disclosed and asserted, and may issue commands at his good
pleasure. Given at Manila, on the ninth day of April, in the year 1591.
_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_