made by both nations. With this I send a Chinese map, from which one
can learn something, although the Chinese are so barbarous, as will
be seen from their papers.

79. In a letter from China, from the Yncuanton (as they are barbarians,
and the real information that they possess of us is that our numbers
are but two hundred men), he states (I know not what the words are,
but they mean "tribute"), that a present taken by the Chinese the past
year, before my arrival, was placed in the king's treasury. As Omocon
falsified the letters that he took from here, as the friars told me on
their return, and as he even stole a large part of that present--he
must have said, that it was through his efforts that the fleet of
the corsair Limahon was burned, when he joined the Castilians; and
that the latter would send the corsair to their king. Afterward they
tried to induce us to write from here in accordance with their desires,
as I have said before. I treated them kindly, but the council decided
that the Chinese should take no present, since it might happen that
they would steal it; but that two priests should go to that land,
who should carry letters and instructions from me, and should send
back an answer, to ensure better success.

80. It is said that every three years the king changes the viceroys
in China, because of his knowledge that they have robbed the whole
country; also that those in command there resist the king's authority,
as soon as they end their terms of office, and persuade others to do
the same. In short, as no one can or does speak to the king or his
viceroys except through a third party, they never tell the truth,
and thus the whole country is in a state of infidelity and barbarism.

81. Concerning the demarcations, it is perfectly clear that the Malucos
and all the rest extending from Malaca toward this direction, including
Burney, the whole coast of China, Lequios, the Japanese islands, and
Nueva Guinea are in the demarcation of your Majesty. The Portuguese
pass the limits of their demarcation by more than five hundred leagues,
and are busied in fortifying themselves. However, it is not necessary
to take any notice of their fortifications; for, if ordered to do so,
we can go to Maluco very easily. We are only awaiting the will of your
Majesty. The Chinese bring here quantities of pepper which, as well
as cloves, they sell for four reals a libra--and one hundred nutmegs
for the same amount. This year, they