the Chinese
inhabitants--for vicious practices, for making or clipping coin,
and for buying stolen goods from Indians. All natives residing in
Manila who have not some employment are ordered to leave the city at
three days' notice. The duties of the late Alvaro Cambrano, deceased,
are to be assumed by others of the auditors. Provision is made for due
inspection, appraisal, and sale of merchandise brought from China. All
Indians belonging to the royal encomiendas must pay their tributes,
even when they reside in Manila. The sum of three hundred pesos is
appropriated to furnish and adorn the chapel of the Audiencia. The
Chinese are forbidden to have godchildren, a practice which has led to
many evils; and the Christians are ordered to follow the occupations
which they had exercised before their conversion. Officials whose
terms of office expire must furnish residencia before receiving any
further appointment.

On July 3, 1599, one of the Franciscans in charge of the hospital for
the Indians at Manila writes to the king, asking further grants of
aid for its work. The governor and bishop are directed by the king
to advise him as to the needs of the hospital. A letter from the
royal fiscal to the king (July 21) displays the needs of the royal
exchequer in the islands, and suggests means for supplying these. He
complains of the burden imposed on the colony by the support of an
archbishop and three bishops. Much is wasted in salaries, for useless
or nominal services. Salazar y Salzedo advises that the offices and
their salaries be both reduced. Especial loss and injury to the royal
income arises from the frauds and violations of law which are practiced
in the Mexican trade. The payment of tributes by the Indians in money
is demoralizing them; they no longer pursue their former usual labors,
and their products are now scarce and high-priced. They ought to be
compelled to work, at agriculture, stock-raising, and mining. The
treasury needs more money, and more Indians should be assigned to the
crown. Encomiendas are fraudulently assigned by the governors. The
erection of wooden churches in the encomiendas is another source
of useless expense; these should be built of stone or brick. Certain
offices should be taken from their present incumbents, and conferred on
men of character and standing. The fiscal complains of lax management
of the treasury by its officials, and calls for an investigation;
and the same with the cabildo of M