gladdened these islands. May God direct this, and grant that
this new world may be saved by your direction and order. The many
kingdoms, the infinite number of people, and the wealth of those
realms, is incredible. The Japanese are an energetic race, skilled
in the use of our weapons. All the other nations lack that spirit,
and are cowardly, dastardly, and abject.

As above remarked, two vessels came this year from the islands of
Macan, whence the Portuguese brought provisions, a quantity of raw
silk, taffetas, damasks, and other merchandise. I showed them much
hospitality and friendship, for which they were very grateful; and
they desired to come here again, because they had derived much profit,
and the voyage, in fair weather, can be accomplished in two weeks. I
did not allow any duties to be collected on what they brought, or on
the merchandise of the Japanese, not only as it was very premature
to impose these, but to inspire them with desire for our commerce
and trade; also because your Majesty ordered us to have friendly
intercourse and communication with them, but chiefly because of
having no order from your Majesty for such collection. Besides, as
this land is so new, and must be treated like a sprout, I thought it
advisable, in order that it may increase daily, to try not to burden
it, but to maintain it--especially by means of the Portuguese, so
that they may lose the ill-will that they bear toward us; and so that
other foreigners may desire our trade and the Christian religion. I
beseech your Majesty to give orders regarding what should be done
for the future.

I have informed your Majesty that some of the Chinese Sangleys,
upon coming to this city, become citizens and Christians. The bishop
thereupon orders their hair to be cut, in accordance with our custom;
but they, following their own custom, wear it very long, and braided
and tied in a certain manner. They so dislike this, that, in order
not to be compelled to cut their hair, many of them are not baptized;
for, in their country, it is a great insult to them, and is regarded
as a great crime to cut off their hair, and without it, they do not
dare to return in order to bring their property, and their wives and
children, to settle here. I have told the bishop that, inasmuch as
that is not a religious rite, but a custom, just as it is a custom of
ours to wear short hair, he should not have it cut. But he refuses to
observe this, saying that he fears lest