The governor and captain-general of Filipinas shall furnish the ships
of that commerce from Nueva España with the arms needed for their
defense, and shall see that the soldiers, sailors, and passengers
go well armed. He shall order each ship to carry a person to whose
care the arms shall be confided, and who shall have charge of them,
and shall make efforts to preserve them, as is advisable. [Felipe
III--San Lorenzo, April 22, 1608.]


Law LII

Great disorder has occurred in the Filipinas ships, and the sailors
have been permitted to take two or three very large boxes, under
pretext that these contain wearing apparel, and thus cumber the
ships. We order that no irregularity be permitted in this, and that
the utmost circumspection be exercised; and that the sailors be not
allowed to carry more boxes or clothing on the said ships than that
indispensably needed for the voyage. [Felipe III--San Lorenzo, April
22, 1608.]


Law LVI

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