hese marginal remarks and provisions offer a good example of the
Spanish method of treating the communications received from royal
officials. They show a distinct business-like method, that sought to
dispose of such communications in the briefest time.]

Relation and Description of the Phelipinas Islands

[This document (which, in the archives at Sevilla, is separated
from the preceding one) is, although dated on June 8, 1577, partly
a duplicate of Sande's first report, dated June 7, 1576, which
immediately precedes this one in the present volume. We therefore omit
such part of it as repeats matter contained therein, and present all
that gives additional or new information.]

The natives are all very idle. If they would but apply themselves to
work a little of the time, they could have all they wanted; but as it
is a hot country and they are barbarians, they go naked. Nevertheless,
all know how to raise cotton and silk, and everywhere they know how to
spin and weave for clothing. There is no need for anyone to spend any
gold; for they catch the fish which they eat; the wine is made from
the palms, which are very abundant; and from these same trees they
obtain also oil and vinegar. In the mountains there are wild boars,
deer, and buffalo, which they can kill in any desired number. Rice,
which is the bread of the country, grows in abundance. Therefore
they are afflicted by no poverty, and only seek to kill one another,
considering it a great triumph to cut off one another's heads and
take captives.

In this island there is much gold, in sheets, among the natives; and,
although they trade but little, they understand the value of the gold,
and know how to adulterate it by mixing it with silver, tin, copper,
brass, and other metals brought from China. They have established
the value and qualities of gold as follows:

There is a very base gold that has no name, with which they deceive;
and a second grade, called _malubai_, which is worth two pesos. Another
quality, called _bielu_, is worth three pesos; and another, called
_linguingui_, is worth four. The quality called _oregeras,_ for which
the Chinese name is _panica_, is worth five pesos; and this is the best
gold in which they trade. It is of sixteen or even eighteen carats,
and of this are made all their trinkets and jewelry. The best gold
obtained is another grade called _guinogulan_ [12] which means "the
lord of golds;" it weighs about twenty-two carats. Fr