and order you to observe
the same in regard to commissions and appointments on land and sea,
particularly in the appointment of masters and officials of vessels;
for, the grant will be made to those who have worked, and deserve the
appointment, and will give hope to the others, and, will persuade
those who are absent to return. Thus the country will be settled
and will grow, your government will be so much more mild and easy,
and a condition of general and individual happiness will exist.
As I was informed that it would be desirable not to allow Chinese
or other foreign vessels to sell at retail the merchandise that they
might bring to the said islands, or those of the country to buy them,
publicly or secretly, under heavy penalties, it was resolved that
as many persons of the requisite qualifications as were necessary
should be deputed and chosen to purchase the said merchandise in the
bulk. They were to buy at wholesale all the goods brought in the ships,
and afterward to distribute them to the Spanish, Chinese, and Indian
inhabitants justly and fairly, at the cost price. Now, since in regard
to this matter, I ordered the said Gomez Perez, in his instructions,
to enact what he judged fitting, without allowing anyone except those
assigned by his orders, to go to the vessels, notwithstanding that
he wrote me afterward that many difficulties stood in the way of the
execution of this plan, since the religious opposed it, I caused him
to be ordered by my decree, dated June 11, of last year--the duplicate
of which will be given you--that in spite of that he should continue
the plan, according to instructions, of selling by wholesale. This is
what is termed _pancada_ there. And inasmuch as it appears advisable
now, you shall continue the same order. You shall endeavor to traffic
for the said merchandise with other products of the islands, so that
the exportation of so much coin as is taken to foreign kingdoms may
be avoided as far as possible. However, since it is my royal purpose
and will to have the government of the islands adjusted in this, as
in all else, in the manner most conducive to their sure conservation,
and desired advancement, I charge you to discuss this matter with
the Audiencia and those persons who possess the greatest prudence and
experience in those islands. The latter must be quite disinterested,
and anxious to serve God and myself. After their opinions and yours
shall have been heard and considered, y
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