he Spaniards are
brave fighters, the havoc and slaughter will be infinite, to the great
damage of the country. Therefore an effort should be made to have the
troops so numerous, well equipped, trained, and strategically handled,
that there will be no chance for resistance; and their mere presence
and a demonstration will suffice to cause the Chinese to submit,
with no great bloodshed. In this way there will be no danger that
the Spaniards, finding themselves surrounded and pressed by such
a multitude, incited and urged on by the mandarins, should cause
appalling havoc and cut them down, thus harming agriculture and
lessening the population of the country.

Second: Do not let them come so few in numbers, or ill armed and
supplied, undisciplined or insubordinate, as to cause any danger of
confusion, discouragement, or desertion, in parts so remote as these,
as this would be the ruin of the expedition; or they would go about
it in such a way as to preclude success, and leave the Chinese our
declared enemies, meanwhile losing our reputation and the bright
hopes we now have of getting the port of Macan and a passage to
Japon. There would then be no hope of the christianization which
depends on intercourse with them, and we should lose the riches which
are secured from Canton, and spread throughout all Yndia and Portugal,
together with the returns of the public granaries, and a great many
other advantages.

Third: Let his Majesty take great care and consider well whom he sends
with this expedition, both the captains, leaders, and commanders of
it; for it is very probable--nay, almost certain--that if this be
not done, things will fare just as they did in the island of Cuba,
and in other countries that were once thickly peopled and are now
deserted. If the Spaniards go into China in their usual fashion,
they will desolate and ravage the most populous and richest country
that ever was seen; and if the people of China be once driven away,
it will be as poor as all the other depopulated Yndias--for its riches
are only those that are produced by a numerous and industrious people,
and without them it would not be rich.

Fourth: His Majesty should know that the government of that people
is so wonderful, both for restraining and keeping in order so great a
multitude; and because, although lacking the further light and aid of
the faith, it is maintained with such peace and quiet, so much wealth,
happiness, and plenty, that never s