r they are quite simple
and unsophisticated, and suffer great oppression and tyranny. With
the women, who are very numerous, there will be even less difficulty
in introducing the faith, because of their virtue and great reserve,
which is remarked by all who know of them--to such a degree that they
lack only Christianity to be much beyond us in all matters of morality.

The eighth: It will result in time in preventing the entry of the
cursed doctrine of Mahoma, which has already infected almost all the
other realms, and its establishment there, which would be an easy
thing, as the Chinese are so sensual and full of vices; and if it
once enter that country, the conversion of souls will be extremely
difficult, and the conquest of the land almost impossible, for this
wicked belief renders men obstinate in its retention, and ferocious
in its defense.

The ninth: And it makes us sad here to think that if this opportunity
be let slip, all hope will be lost of the greatest conversion of souls
and acquirement of riches that ever lay within the power of man,
just as we have lost so many great realms in Yndia, which have so
strengthened and fortified themselves that little or nothing remains
of them. [46] And these benefits, in particular, will be lost.

Of other especial advantages

First: Not only is that country sufficient for its own maintenance,
but his Majesty can also, with what he will obtain from it, check
and menace all our old enemies. For he can easily exact every year,
without injury to any one, five galleons--built and rigged, equipped
with artillery and munitions, and even loaded with materials and
military supplies. Further, if the Chinese are well treated and paid,
from them will go the men necessary to work the ships; they are no
less industrious and capable than our seamen, as we consider them
very expert in the Portuguese ships.

Second: Those vessels, or as many others, can be loaded every year with
gold, raw silk, and all sorts of silken fabrics--taffetas, satins,
damasks, etc.; with musk, chests inlaid with ivory, boxes, wrought
and gilded curtains, and whatever kinds of furniture, appliances,
ornaments, and jewels are used by man; and many a web of linen cloth,
of every sort and kind. Thus there would be no necessity for bringing
to Espana, as is now done, these goods from foreign lands; and our
money and wealth would be retained in Espana, as it now is not.

Third: Many persons who have seen the