The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 6

Philipinas Islands, who signed their names to the
above act, declared and proclaimed it in public session.
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that the clerk of court who receives the bonds of
suitors shall accept only reliable bonds, and at his own risk; and that his
residencia in regard to the said office shall be taken._
In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas in the suits
that are brought and considered in this royal Audiencia it is sometimes
necessary to order the parties to give bonds, which are accepted by the
clerk of court of this royal Audiencia, without his knowing whether
they are good or not: therefore as some trouble and annoyance might
result from this, and it is expedient to avoid this, and, where bonds are
concerned, to require the residencia, they ordered, and they did so order,
that now and henceforth the said clerk, in all suits in which bonds are
ordered to be given, shall accept only honest, reliable, and valuable
bonds, under the penalty of having them charged to his own account
and risk if they are not so. He shall give reliable bonds therefor, and
shall likewise undergo the residencia of his said office; and shall pay
whatever is adjudged and decided against him, and any public demands
which shall be lodged against him, as he is obliged to do by law. Thus
it was provided, ordered, and decreed.
Don Francisco Tello Doctor Antonio de Morga The licentiate Tellez
Almazan The licentiate Albaro Cambrano Before me:
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel _Proclamation_: In the city of Manila, on the
twenty-second day of the month of January, one thousand five hundred
and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and
Chancillería of these Philipinas Islands, who signed their names to the
above act, declared and proclaimed it in public session.
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that the auditors who regularly review the charges
against prisoners may make what decisions shall be necessary in the
suits of prisoners por sala, until their sentences shall be pronounced._
In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five

hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of these Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas, in despatching suits of the prisoners in the royal prison of this
court, there might be some delay on account of there being many
persons imprisoned por sala who are never released during the review
of cases made, from which they receive great harm by protracting their
release: therefore, the president and auditors agreed, and they did so
resolve, that, now and henceforth, when they shall review the cases in
the royal prison of this court, on the Saturdays appointed therefor, they
may release those who were arrested por sala, if arrested therein by
alcaldes of the court; and that, likewise, they may issue the acts which
shall seem fitting to them concerning the regulation of criminal cases,
until they are definitely concluded by sentence, so that the cases of the
said prisoners may be despatched with the greater celerity.
By this act they so ordered, provided, and decreed.
Don Francisco Tello Doctor Antonio de Morga The licentiate Tellez
Almazan The licentiate Alvaro Cambrano Before me:
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel _Proclamation_: In the city of Manila, on the
twenty-second day of the month of January, one thousand five hundred
and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and
Chancillería of these islands, who signed their names to the above act,
declared and proclaimed it in public session.
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that the interpreters shall not trade or traffic with the
natives._
In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of these Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas it has come to their knowledge that the interpreters, as a result
of their occupation as interpreters, and being for the most part friendly
to the natives, seek and attempt to acquire, with trinkets and other
illegal means, jewels, slaves, and other things, at lower prices than they
are valued by the said natives: therefore, in order to put a stop to the

aforesaid evil by applying a remedy for it, they resolved, ordered, and
decreed, that now and henceforth, no interpreter shall buy from the said
natives any jewels, slaves, or other valuables, except in the presence of
the magistrate, under penalty of confiscation of what shall have been
bought by the interpreter violating this law, half of which is
immediately to be applied to his Majesty's treasury, and the other half
to