seeing that the gain which they derive from trade is taken away from
them, and ships and Spaniards go thither no longer--through fear
of whom they dare not rise from the subjection and obedience which
they now observe. The said trade being in the present condition, it
might be so regulated, that the expense to your Majesty in ships, men,
and supplies for their navigation should end by having them furnished
from the merchant service, as on the routes by the Northern Sea. This
I have written your Majesty in the eighteenth section of my letter of
May 10 of this year, in which I said that greater economy and profit
will result than loss be incurred in continuing the trade of the said
islands. This I shall try to secure by every possible means.

And because these difficulties seem serious and the harm that might
result does not come to pass, I have seen fit to disregard your
Majesty's orders, until you direct me further. In the meantime,
I shall see that the affairs of those parts remain in their present
state, so that the vessels leaving this kingdom for the said islands,
shall take half the money that they could carry according to their
tonnage. The shipment shall consist in such part of gold as will
supply the present want of silver and coin--which are withdrawn as I
have written your Majesty in the same section of the said letter. Your
Majesty will give directions therein at your pleasure.

And in order that this navigation may be accomplished by the medium
of merchants, which is a matter truly important for your Majesty's
royal service, and in order to avoid the increased expense of the
port of Acapulco, I have today ordered that every tonelada of cloth
brought in your Majesty's ships shall pay a duty in conformity with
those paid on the Northern Sea. This is done to oblige the merchants,
by incurring this duty, to turn their attention to buying ships, in
order to economize and enjoy greater profits; also in order that in
the interim, while this is being established, it may prove of some
help for the great expense incurred by the ships. For hitherto--as
I have written to your Majesty in section 9 of my letter of February
23, 86--they had not paid and were not paying more than nine ducats
per tonelada; now they will pay from thirty-two to thirty-four. Your
Majesty will order all according to your will.

[Endorsed. "Sections from the letter of Marques de Villa Manrrique,
viceroy of Nueva Espana, to his Majesty."]