e, consuming and obtaining, the goods and money of the state
in their traffic, business, and occupations. This does not take into
account the sale and profitable trade in merchandise which takes place
every year. All the money goes and passes to China, and remains there
from year to year and in fact always. Although it is true that the
profitable trade and sale of merchandise is the sinew and support
of this state, and very necessary, and cannot nor should be checked,
nevertheless, it would at least be fitting for the Christians to gain
what is gained by the heathen from year to year in these islands and
state, in their damaging trades and occupations. Thus would a great
part of the poverty and necessity of the Christians be done away with,
and they would be relieved, maintained, and aided. They could live
more comfortably, and there would be avoided the inconveniences of
discontent, murmuring, and offense, which exist when the people see
themselves so little favored, helped, and appreciated. They become
discouraged with the condition of affairs when they see that the
heathen are much more favored and treated more kindly by us than they
themselves, solely for the advantage arising from what they give,
and greed for it. They carry on their pretensions and business with
us while we ourselves fail in many respects to give an example of
Christian charity which should be observed, and to show the zeal and
consideration which is due to the service of God our Lord and the
common good. The evils which may result from trading are very common,
and these heathen secure many things which they desire, and obtain
by means of payment and reward. In doing this, although they are
exceedingly avaricious, yet in behalf of their vices, unchastity,
and abominations, and for their wishes and desires, for the sake of
gain and profit, they do not stop at trifles; nor are they stingy and
careless, but open-handed and generous, and endeavor and negotiate in
a thousand ways to procure what they purpose and desire. The Spaniards
themselves favor, intercede and negotiate for them for the sake of
their own private interest and their gain in doing so. This manner of
carrying on affairs has been continued until they are now accustomed
to it and perhaps confident therein because of their experience in
conducting business in this way. In addition to this, there has been
negligence and laxity in enforcing decrees in their cases, thereby
causing the heathe