Countersigned by Eraso, and signed by Luis Quixada, Vazquez, Molina,
Salas, Aguilera, Votello, and Maldonado.”]
[This document is followed by another one entitled “The said [Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi is granted] the lieutenancy of a fortress in Cubu.”
It reads practically the same as the above-mentioned document of VOL.
III, to the beginning of the last clause on page 62. We translate from
that point:]
And inasmuch as we believe that it is thus advisable for our service,
and the welfare and preservation of the same island and of the other
islands in its vicinity, we consider it fitting and it is our intention
and will that now and henceforth you be for all the rest of your life
our warden and keeper of the said fortress. You shall perform the
service, homage, and act of fidelity which are required in such cases
and which you must make. After that has been done, we order any person
or persons who may have or shall have charge of the said fortress, that
they shall, as soon as they shall be summoned by this our decree,
deliver and surrender it to you or to whomever is empowered by you
without consulting us further or awaiting any other decree or order
from us, or our second or third injunction. They shall give you full
and free possession of it in its entire height and depth and strength,
together with the arms, equipment, food, and other things that it might
contain, in inventory and before a notary. After they shall have done
this we do by the present or by a copy thereof, signed by a
notary-public, relieve and discharge them of any covenant, homage, act
of fidelity, or pledge that shall have been made by the said fortress,
and we declare them free and quit of it, both they and their goods, and
their heirs and successors forever. They shall do and perform this
notwithstanding that no known porter of our exchequer intervenes in the
surrender of it, or the other ceremonies that are usual in such cases,
under penalty of being condemned and of incurring the other penalties
which those who keep fortresses and do not deliver them at the command
of my natural kings and seigniors, are exposed to and incur. Further we
order the Council, justices, regidors, knights, squires, officials, and
good men of the said island of Cubu and of the other islands in its
vicinity, to consider and hold you as our warden and keeper of the said
fortress for the rest of your life as is said above; and they shall pay
and cause to be paid to you the fees annexed and pertaining to it for
its lieutenancy. They shall cause to be observed toward you the honors,
grace, rewards, exemptions, licenses, preeminences, prerogatives, and
immunities, and all other things which you ought to possess and enjoy
as our warden and keeper of the said fortress; and which must be kept
for you in the same way as they are possessed and held by the wardens
and keepers of the fortresses of these our kingdoms entirely and
completely, so that no omission shall be made to you. They shall not
place or allow to be placed any hindrance or opposition to this or any
part of it. Given in Madrid, August six, one thousand five hundred and
sixty-nine.