been opened at Canton, where
Spanish ships may go with safety to trade with China, for which there
is a chapa [i.e., "passport"]._

By clause 21 of the instruction for my government, your Majesty gives
permission for certain citizens of this island to trade--if that
seem best to me, and with the consent of the royal Audiencia--in the
neighboring kingdoms where trade and traffic with these islands is
permitted. With this basis, and the knowledge that the Chinese do
not resist the coming of the Spaniards as they have hitherto done,
and considering the importance of the opening of this port in that
country, so that the preaching of the holy gospel might enter there,
which is your Majesty's desire, I determined last year to give a
license to Don Juan de Camudio to go (in his own vessel, at his own
expense) to the province of Canton, and establish in the best way
possible his enterprise; and to bring certain metals and other articles
which we were lacking, for the royal stores of these islands. He made
the voyage and carried out this mission. Besides this, he opened at
Canton a port for the Spaniards in China, which is called El Pinar,
although he was greatly opposed by the Portuguese of Macao; and the
Spaniards were left there to go to trade in Canton--a house being
given them inside the city, and a chapa to come back and settle there
whenever they might wish to. With this despatch and some merchandise,
the said Don Juan came back to these islands well content.

30. _That a ship is being sent to Canton, to follow up the good
beginning made there by the Spaniards_.

This year, in continuation of the beginning which Don Juan Camudio has
made in China, I have agreed with the opinion of the royal Audiencia
that it was therefore best to send another ship, well equipped with
artillery and arms. This vessel will sail very soon, and has for
captain Joan Tello y Aguirre; and it will cause no expense to the
royal exchequer. I hope in our Lord that a way is about to be opened
up for what is desired for so great and powerful realms.

31. _That the king of Sian, desiring trade for his realms with the
Spaniards, sent an embassy to them, which was well received; and
that he treated Joan Tello very well, and opened a port at the city
of Odia_.

After my arrival in this government I received a letter from the
king of Sian, a copy of which will go with this. In it he told me
of his desire for commerce and trade with these islands of y