_Sources_: Two of these documents are taken from _Recopilacion de leyes_--the first from lib. ix, tit. xlv; the third, from lib. vi., tit. xii (ley xl). The second is obtained from _Annuae litterae_ (Dilingae, 1610), pp. 507-532. _Translations_: The first and third of these documents are translated by James A. Robertson; the second, by Henry B. Lathrop, of the University of Wisconsin. LAWS REGARDING NAVIGATION AND COMMERCE [The following laws are translated from _Recopilacion de leyes_, lib. ix, tit. xxxxv, "Concerning the navigation and commerce of the Filipinas Islands, China, Nueva Espana, and Peru." [1] The various laws of the _Recopilacion_ are not arranged chronologically, but they are here thus given--retaining, however, the number of each law. Those laws given in the present installment range in date between 1583 and 1609, those beyond the latter date being reserved for a future volume. Some of the laws, as shown by various dates, were promulgated more than once, either in the original form, or possibly amended. When there is more than one date, the chronological order follows the earliest of these.] Law LVIII The appraisements and registers that shall be made of the merchandise shipped in the vessels despatched from Filipinas to Nueva Espana and other places, shall be made solely by the officials of our royal exchequer. The distribution [of cargo] that shall be made in the vessels of the said islands, and of the merchandise shipped on our account, and the appointment and examination of the pilots, masters, and other officials, shall be made in the presence of the aforesaid persons; and the laws ordained by this titulo shall be observed. [Felipe II--San Lorenzo, June 14, 1583.] Law XXXV It having been committed to, and charged upon, the governor and captain-general of the Filipinas that he should endeavor to introduce, in the exchange and barter for the merchandise of China, trade in other products of those islands, in order to avoid, when possible, the withdrawal of the great sums of reals which are taken to foreign kingdoms, the governor executed it in the form and manner that he considered most fitting; and a method called _pancada_ [2] was introduced, which has been observed and executed until now. It is our will that that method be observed and kept, without any change, until we order otherwise. [Felipe II--Anover, August 9, 1589; Toledo, January 25, 1596.] Law LXVI We order that a duty be collected on the first and subsequent sales or all the merchandise shipped from Filipinas to Acapulco, and the pesos per tonelada on freight according to custom; for this sum and much more is needed to pay the troops, and equip the vessels that engage in commerce. In this there shall be no innovation. [Felipe II--Anover, August 9, 1589.] Law V