that wealthy persons resident in Mexico send here. These give rise to
two wrongs: the first, that they advance the price on all Chinese
merchandise, so that the poor and common people of the islands
cannot buy those goods, or only at very high prices; the second,
that, since the shipments of goods [to Mexico] are many and large,
and the vessels few--at times (nearly always, in fact) not more than
one--and, because of the great amount of ship stores required for
so long a course, and the difficulty of the voyage, these vessels
go but lightly laden, the citizens and common people cannot export
any goods. We ask that his Majesty ordain and confirm what has been
ordained here by his royal Audiencia--namely, that neither shall such
consignments be sent from Mexico, nor shall Mexican factors or trading
companies come hither from that country; but that only the citizens of
these islands be allowed to buy and export to Mexico the products of
this land and foreign products. If any other person wish to do this,
he should be obliged to become a citizen and reside here at least
for three years; and he should trade with none but his own property,
under severe penalties. These should include the confiscation of both
such goods and his personal property, in addition to which he should
not be allowed to carry any wealth to Mexico; nor from there shall
the money be brought which now the Chinese take, so that their goods
may be bought more cheaply, and with the products of this land.

2. _That purchases be not made from the Chinese, at retail, but by
wholesale._ Second: We desire that, now and henceforth, neither the
Chinese nor other foreign vessels shall sell at retail, as is the
custom at present, nor shall the inhabitants of this city be allowed
to purchase in public or in secret, under severe penalties. We ask
that, for the purchase of these goods at wholesale, there be appointed
and chosen persons, so many and such as the affair requires, so that
they alone may buy at wholesale all the goods brought by the Chinese
vessels, and afterward apportion them to the Spanish citizens, the
Chinese, and the Indians, by a just and fair distribution, at the
rate of the prices paid for them, plus the other incidental expenses
required. If his Majesty order and confirm this, the prices shall
be determined and established by the governor and persons whom his
Lordship shall appoint.

3. _That there be no Chinese hucksters in Manila._ Third: From t