[103] of silver for one of
gold. Two hundred leagues south of Luzon is the island of Mindanao,
whence is brought cinnamon. Likewise about one hundred leagues
north of Luzon, and very near the mainland of China, is an island
that they call Cauchi, which has a great abundance of pepper. The
king of China maintains trade with mis island, and so there are many
Chinese there. They have their own agency for the collection of the
pepper. Twelve or fifteen ships from the mainland of China come each
year to the city of Manila, laden with merchandise: figured silks of
all sorts; wheat, flour, and sugar; many kinds of fruit; iron, steel,
tin, brass, copper, lead, and other kinds of metals; and everything
in the same abundance as in Espana and the Indies, so that they lack
for nothing. The prices of everything are so moderate, that they are
to be had almost for nothing. They also bring a great deal of bronze
artillery, very well wrought, and all sorts of military supplies. This
island of Luzon is very suitable and convenient for trade with China;
men can reach the mainland from this island, because it is so near. On
this same island there is very good material for building ships and
galleys, if it should please your Majesty to send workmen for this
purpose. As has been pointed out above, the said island of Luzon
is very clearly shown to be fertile and abounding in provisions,
cloth, apparel, and whatever is most necessary for the preservation
of human life. Therefore this island ought to be settled and pacified,
and what there is in it sought out and discovered, because the island
is so large and powerful. For that reason, it is desirable that your
Majesty be pleased to provide what is necessary for that purpose,
and for his plans for the future, as follows:

The first thing necessary, in order to secure and settle the said
island of Luzon, to gain accurate information of what is yet unknown
about it, and to sustain the claims that we have advanced, is to send
Spanish people--that is, religious and soldiers.

The religious whom your Majesty might send for the present are forty
or fifty friars--learned theologians of mature age and good life and
habits. With these and the religious of the order of St. Augustine,
who have five monasteries in the neighboring islands--namely, one in
the island and town of Cubu, another in the island and town of Oton
[in Panay], another in the island and town of Mindoro, another in
the city of Manila