rders and to private persons, recounting to them this
event. I sent to each of them a copy of the letter which I wrote to the
Chinese viceroy, so that, as they possess more extensive and intimate
knowledge of the Chinese customs, and of the conditions, and methods
of negotiating, they might advise the person who takes the despatch
what he should do in order the better to achieve his object and attain
success in his undertaking--representing to them the service which
they will render to your Majesty, and the obligation to them under
which these islands will be. Since, considering the great amount of
gunpowder and munitions which have been expended on this occasion,
these supplies may fail us, owing to what we fear from China, and
other troubles which every day arise, I wrote likewise to those persons
that they should buy for me and send as much gunpowder and saltpeter
as possible, on your Majesty's account; and that the royal officials
there should send it upon the credit of this treasury, so that it
could be paid for in this city--for only enough money was sent for
anchorage--money for the ships, and the expenses which are necessary
there. The Chinese will listen to no one if they are not paid first,
and it is a custom very strictly observed among them. If we are cut
off from China the many ordinary dangers cannot be overcome; and in
a country so surrounded by enemies and so far from reenforcements,
it is very necessary that these resources should remain, and not fail
us. May God grant that all come out according to our need; for if
the trade with China should fail, in no wise could this country be
maintained, nor could your Majesty sustain the great expenses here
without much difficulty. For the duties which the Chinese pay here,
and what the merchants who carry the cloth pay in Nueva Hespana,
amount to much more than what is expended here, as we are always
waging war with some nation or other, besides the ordinary expenses;
and the Christian religion which is so recently established among
these natives would be in great danger.

As soon as I arrived in this city I went out to inspect the Parian
of the Chinese, which certainly needed inspection. Considering the
many who were there, and those whom I met on all the streets and
everywhere I went, it appeared to me that there were great numbers
there. Accordingly I desired to learn under what regulation they
were living and residing there. Learning that the Audiencia had i