Note 1 — Laws Regarding Navigation and Commerce

By reason of haste in the despatch [of the ships], the clerks of the register are usually left, through forgetfulness, with some registers which have been made of the merchandise; and, as the registers do not appear, the judges condemn the goods as confiscated. We order the viceroy and auditors of our royal Audiencia of Méjico that, when this happens, they shall enact justice1 so that the parties’ right to collect it shall remain free. [Felipe IV—Madrid, October 9, 1623.]