they are of no benefit or utility; but, on the contrary, very harmful.

54. On departing, the Japanese are wont to take cargoes of silk and
gold, which are merchandise intended for Xapon. This should not
be allowed until the Spaniards have made their purchases, for it
increases the price of silk.

55. The Japanese and Chinese strive to take many deerskins as
merchandise from these islands to Xapon. They hunt for these, and
buy them from the Indians and even the religious, who give and sell
them. This traffic must be stopped, for it is very injurious to the
country, as the animals are killed solely for their skins, and thus
the supply of game will become exhausted.

56. The flour, biscuits, and wax brought from Xapon are suitable
commodities for this country. Some persons have already become so
keen in their plans to dispose of these goods that they buy them
by wholesale, store them, and retail them. This must be prohibited,
and an order issued to the effect that this state shall be provided
and supplied with them at moderate rates.

57. It does not appear that the alcaldes and regidors of Manila use
their offices to the good of the state, but each for his own private
interests. They must be instructed in their duties, and punished for
any negligence.

58. There is no system in regard to the provision of beef, for
there is no one who is compelled to provide it. What there is,
is not properly cleaned. It is not cut, divided, or weighed with
equality and fairness. As the regidors and people in authority are
the owners of the cattle, they weigh and sell them as they please,
without observing any system.

59. There is likely to be a scarcity of rice, for the city does not
make the necessary provision for it. Those who have this grain--the
encomenderos--hoard it and make a profit from it, selling it to the
Sangleys at high rates; and thus it becomes dear. The same thing is
true of fowls. The rate fixed is not observed, and no one takes any
pains to enforce it.

60. Fish is the most abundant and most general food supply. The
Indians do not occupy themselves, as formerly, in fishing, but leave
this work to the Chinese. These avaricious and interested people have
raised the prices, an evil that must be restrained and checked.

61. The fishing is done with salambaos, [7] and with fine-meshed nets;
with which they block up the bay and kill the small fish. These nets
ought not be employed, and the size of the mesh shoul