s, who have as much power and
state as kings have elsewhere.

Fifth: After all these things have been seen to, and the land is in
a settled condition, his Majesty may levy from it a great income and
much merchandise for his realms, as has already been said.

Sixth: Peace can be made and an understanding reached with the Tartar
and other tribes that lie in the region from China to the land of the
Turk; and we can better know his condition and strength, and find a
way to harass him from here in the East.

Seventh: Couriers and relay postmen can be sent to Spain by land;
for, although some have already come by land, they are all the time
finding shorter and better routes.

Eighth: The former peace and amity with the Sofi and the Armenians,
[47] and any other people that may be discovered or treated with,
or become known, in all Asia, will be greatly strengthened.

Ninth: When his Majesty is lord of China, he immediately becomes lord
of all the neighboring states of this coast, including Cochinchina,
Canboxa, Sian, Patan, and even as far as Malaca; and it would be very
easy to subject the islands of Samatra, Javas, Burney, Maluco, &c.

Tenth: Therewith can be secured the states of Yndia, and the returns
from the merchandise coming from China--without whose commerce
they could not be maintained; and which is now not secure, but very
doubtful, unless it be conquered.

Eleventh: The reason for establishing these possessions in some
kingdoms, and alliances and commerce in others, will be cogent--the
opportunity for the conversion of souls; by this means the knowledge
of the name of Christ may be brought into all these regions, and in
all of them souls may continually be converted.

Twelfth: The Chinese will navigate the seas to the Yndias of Peru
and Nueva Espana; and their relations with us will be more settled
and confirmed.

Thirteenth: The population of that country is so great and so dense
that many of the Chinese can be brought to these islands as colonists,
and thus enrich themselves and this land.

Fourteenth: The immediate occupation of China will forestall the danger
that the French and English, and other heretics and northern nations,
will discover and navigate that strait which certainly lies opposite
those regions--that of Labrador, [48] as those peoples say.

These are, in brief, the many evils which should be averted, and some
(not to speak of many others) of the numerous benefits--which it would
ta