e 26, 1587). He entreats that more soldiers be sent, and that
they be supplied with food and other necessaries; for, as those
hitherto sent have received no food or pay, most of them have died
from their privations, or from the unhealthful climate. In view of the
recent destruction of the city of Manila by fire, Vera has forbidden
the people to build any more houses of wood, obliging them to use
stone for that purpose. Finding the city practically defenseless,
Vera has begun to build near it a fort and other means of defense;
and he asks for a small number of paid soldiers as a garrison for
the city. He has assessed on the encomenderos and other citizens
and on the Indians the expenses of these works. Another fort is
needed at Cavite. The king is asked to grant money and workmen
for completing these fortifications. Copper has been discovered in
adjoining islands, also sulphur. The trade with China is important
and flourishing; and the products of that country are offered at
Manila at very low prices. The Chinese ask that the Spaniards will
establish a trading-post in their country. Friendly intercourse with
Japan is commencing, and the Jesuit missionaries there are freely
allowed to preach the Christian faith. Vera has remitted the duties
on goods brought to Manila from Japan and Macao. A controversy has
arisen between him and the bishop, the latter having ordered that
the Chinese converts to the Christian faith should cut off their long
hair, which causes many to avoid baptism: the king is asked to settle
this question. Vera has sent to Macao for the recalcitrant Mexican
officer who was mentioned in a previous document. A Japanese prince,
a Christian, offers to aid the Spanish with troops in any warlike
enterprise that they wish to undertake.

A letter from the Audiencia to Felipe (June 25, 1588) reports the
capture of the treasure-ship "Santa Ana" off the California coast,
by the English adventurer Thomas Candish, which has caused much loss
and hardship to the Spaniards in the Philippines. Complaint is made
of vexatious imposts levied on the Philippine trade by the viceroy of
Mexico; the Audiencia ask that he be ordered to cease these measures,
also that he shall not meddle with letters sent from Spain to the
islands, or with the personal affairs of officials there. The existence
of the Philippine colony is endangered by the trade which is beginning
between Mexico and China; and, having lost its best ships, colonists