ajesty's exchequer."]

_Two workmen are asked for to cast artillery, of which there is
considerable need._

II. A couple of artillery founders are very much needed here, because
of the artillery cast in the islands--sometimes by Indians, and
sometimes by Chinese--besides the great cost and delay, not even one
piece out of four turns out good, although there is plenty of material,
which I have caused to be collected with the greatest care. I beg your
Majesty to send me these masters because there is a great scarcity
of artillery for the defense and protection of this country.

[_In the margin_: "Endeavor to have these two founders sent; have
them sought carefully, and ask the captain-general for them."]

_That a master-builder is needed to repair defects in the wall and
the fortifications._

III. I beg your Majesty to have a master-builder sent me, because
the work on the wall of this city did not have the necessary finish
and foundation. In some places it has fallen. The fortifications were
not built with the plan and in the form necessary for their purpose.

[_In the margin_: "Have some suitable person found to send."]

_That no more assistance is asked from Nueva Espana than is necessary;
that the succor which has been ordered for this colony has been ill
attended to; that there are fears of the Japonese who came this year,
1599, to plunder these islands; and that a relation of the state of
Xapon is being sent_.

IIII. In a royal decree, your Majesty orders me not to ask from
here too much assistance of Nueva Espana, which shall be fulfilled
according to your Majesty's orders. I assure your Majesty that nothing
more than what is actually necessary is, or shall be, asked for from
here. Mexico is not in close accord with us, because, although your
Majesty has ordered that the customs and freights derived from the
Chinese trade be sent from that country for the payment and assistance
of this colony, it has not yet been done or observed. Now besides the
men to whom I am pledged in La Caldera for the second ... the island
of Mindanao and a check to ... the enemy in Terrenate from coming
to ... the Pintados, your Majesty's vassals ... year Japonese have
commenced to come ... almost within sight of Manila. Formerly not
more than two or three ships were in the habit of coming, but this
year seven piratical vessels appeared, who have done considerable
damage; and nine merchant-vessels, who have entered Manila within