three frigates, one
_patache_, and all the other native boats that could be obtained--each
soldier or captain could only receive [as his rations] each week two
_almudes_ of unwinnowed rice--which, when winnowed, yielded no more
than three _cuartillos_. This ration was accompanied by nothing else,
neither meat nor fish.

The natives sustain life by eating little and drinking much--so
heavily, that it is a marvel if they are not drunken all the time,
or at least from noon on. And the more important their position,
the more intoxicated do they become, for they have more to spend for
this purpose. The inhabitants of the coast are fishermen who barter
their fish and buy from those living inland, who till the soil, the
above-named foods. They eat all kinds of shell-fish and slimy plants
which grow at the bottom of the sea.

They are but ill supplied with cloth. They use a kind of cloth made of
wild banana leaves [69] which is as stiff as parchment, and not very
durable. The natives of Panae and Luzon manufacture a cotton cloth
with colored stripes, which is of better quality. This cloth is used
by the Spaniards when they can find it; otherwise they use the cloth
above-mentioned. Both kinds are so scarce, that we are suffering great
privations for lack of clothing. The people are very poor. There are
few islands where, as it is reported, gold does not exist--but in so
small quantities that quite commonly [as I think I have said] a native
can be hired to dig, or to work as he is commanded, for three reals
a month. A slave can be bought for fifty reals, or sometimes for a
little more. It is therefore evident that it is not possible to save
from the mines much gold, as can be seen by any man who zealously
wishes to serve your Majesty who laments the great expenses of both
men and money incurred here.

In that land people buy and sell slaves to one another in great
numbers, and even bring them to the islands of the Moros. Most slaves
are children and grandchildren of slaves from time immemorial. In
this connection, it seems to me that it would be less troublesome, and
that God would be better served, if the Spaniards bought these slaves
and took them to Nueva Espana, where they would become Christians;
they would thus supply the great need for slaves there, and would
prove a resource for the Spaniards who live there.

Farther north than the aforesaid islands are others, the nearest to
Luzon being called Xipon [S: Japan]. We