ch, who may be in their
jurisdiction, as against persons making use of a title and right not
pertaining to them. And as for the said edifice and its demolition,
it shall be entrusted to the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silva,
captain-general, likewise of the artillery of my said islands, so that
when he has examined it, and found that it is within the said three
hundred paces about the walls of the city of Manila, he shall have it
demolished and razed until it be put in the state in which the said
Plaza de Armas had been before, at the time when the said edifice was
commenced, in such manner that the purpose of my royal command in my
royal decree shall be complied with. And this, my letter and royal
edict, shall be publicly cried in the customary districts and places,
so that it may come to the knowledge of all. Given in the city of
Manila, on the twenty-fourth of July of the year one thousand six
hundred and twenty-four.

_Doctor Don Alvaro de Messa y Luga_
Licentiate _Don Juan de Saavedra Valderrama_
Licentiate _Don Matthias Delgado y Flores_

I, Captain Pedro Alvarez, chief secretary of the government and
department of war of these Philipinas Islands for the king our lord,
have had this written by his command with the decision of his president
and auditors.

Registered by Don Juan Sarmiento.
_Chancillor Don Juan Sarmiento_

In the city of Manila, on the twenty-fourth of Jury of the year one
thousand six hundred and twenty-four, was published this decree in
conformity with the provision therein, in loud and intelligible words,
by the voice of Augusto de Navarrete, public crier, in front of the
gate of the Audiencia hall, and on the corner where resides Captain
Antonio de Xerez Montoro, and on the site of Bagun Bay, outside the
walls--Captain Martin de Esquival, sargento-mayor, Geronimo Enrriquez
Sotelo, and many other persons being witnesses. To this I certify:

_Pedro Alvarez_

I, Captain Pedro Alvarez, sargento-mayor of the government and
department of war of these Philipinas Islands, at the command of
Senor Doctor Don Alvaro de Messa y Lugo of the council of his Majesty,
and his auditor in the royal Audiencia in these islands--who, as the
senior auditor, fills the office of president thereof--have ordered
to be drawn, and have drawn, this copy of the act and royal decree,
the originals whereof remain in my possession; and this is certain
and true, corrected and compared with the said original, t