ila to explore it, and that it look there for a good port, so that
the ships can get water and wood, and reprovision. The exploration
of it may be of the highest importance. It is necessary also because
near that region the ships generally lose their rigging in storms, and
they can be refitted and repaired there, and can continue their voyage
without having to put back to Manila. I advised your Highness of that
some years ago, as it is so important for that voyage I believe that a
decree was sent to the governor in a former year [100] to explore it;
but that must be ordered again. A man of experience should be sent, so
that he may display the prudence and make the exploration requisite,
in accordance with the art and science of hydrography; and likewise
so that he may live in Manila and examine the pilots of that line,
and make faithful and accurate sea-charts. For that purpose I shall
give him considerable enlightenment by giving him the documents on
the demarcations, and the information that I possess, on which I
have labored much in order to serve your Highness. Nowhere does your
Highness need a cosmographer so much as in that land, for many things
that arise and may arise.

_Item_: A plan occurs to me whereby the ships that have to sail in that
line may cost your Highness less than half, and a vessel last twice
as long, compared with those that are built in Filipinas. Likewise
the Indian natives would be saved many hardships and annoyances in
the cutting of timber, which they have to do for the building of the
ships. This consists in the governor going from Manila to Vengala
and Cuchin in India to buy the ships; for they sell them there made
from an incorruptible wood together with a quantity of extra rigging
made of _cayro_, [101] which is better than that of hemp. With the
rigging alone that can be imported from there, the cost of the ship
can be saved. Thence Lascar sailors can be brought, who are cheaper
and are very good seamen. All the Portuguese of those parts use
them in navigating, and they are very needful in the Filipinas. They
will come very willingly and will save your Highness a considerable
sum. For that it is necessary to send orders to your viceroy of Goa,
and to the chief commandant of Malaca, to protect the Lascars who
shall go thither, and not to harm them.

_Item_: Your Highness granted a concession to the city of Manila of
a decree ordering your governor Don Pedro de Acuna to assign to the
ca