here an invention of the Sangleys for founding
artillery. It is easy of accomplishment, and as there is much metal
in the royal warehouses I am having fifty pieces of artillery made,
which will take a ball of one to three libras' weight, the size
most needed here. After these are finished, I shall not fail to go
to China to attack the Sangleys. May our Lord preserve the royal
Catholic person of your Majesty as is needed by these kingdoms,
and as we your vassals desire. Manila, June 17, 1598.

_Don Francisco Tello_

Sire:

Your Majesty's royal instructions despatched in the year ninety-six
were received in the month of May of the year ninety-eight. Your
Majesty's commands will be fulfilled with all punctuality, in each
and every respect; and the viceroy of Nueva Espana will be advised of
what concerns him, in order that he may also observe your Majesty's
commands. It is best for the service of your Majesty that the viceroy
should punctually send the reenforcements supplied to this kingdom,
and carefully attend to all other things pertaining thereto. I am
very sorry to see the manner in which your Majesty's revenues are
being wasted, and with so small a result; for the troops are in a
wretched condition and without arms, and the captains try rather
to rob them of their money than to secure good and serviceable
troops. They are striving to deprive this last contingent, who are
poor and unprotected, of the greater part of their pay. Owing to a
misunderstanding, the viceroy also does something unsuitable to your
Majesty's service--namely, he sends freight on certain ships which are
despatched to these regions by private persons. To avoid expense to
the royal exchequer, he makes entry thereof, and gives them license to
carry a large sum of money. [22] From investing this they secure four
times its value in goods; and all this wealth they use, and lade on
their ships, and they take away the cream of the trade from those who
were born in this country. As a result, this land is poor, harassed,
and wretched; and the Peruvians and Mexicans are rich and powerful,
for it is they who are engaged in this traffic. By the methods above
described, there can be no obstacle which prevents them from receiving
the highest profits. Your Majesty will command orders to be given in
this matter as is most beneficial.

The troops of this land, old and deserving soldiers, are in great need,
for the encomiendas are in rebellion, and they cannot