e were over two
millions besides the 500,000 pesos allowed.

This and all else which is carried is placed in the power of the
infidels, who receive it as the price of the Chinese merchandise;
and it can therefore be returned neither to the Indias nor to these
kingdoms. Silks, damasks, taffetas, needlework, hand-mills, cotton
stuffs, earthenware, wax, nails, and other merchandise of little
profit are carried to those regions, thereby depriving his Majesty
of his dues.

Eighth Point

_The discontent of all the islands, on account of depriving them of
the profits which might be had from the purchase of this merchandise;
and the lading of it which his Majesty has granted, by his decrees,
to the citizens of Peru and Nueva Espana._

The citizens of the islands, except one here and there, are very
poor. They wish to abandon the islands, as there are no means of gain
or profit except in trade and commerce. They are deprived of this by
the citizens of Mexico and Peru, who bring over a great quantity of
money, with which they do not hesitate to purchase merchandise at
excessive prices. Then, in order to ship these goods, they hasten
to pay high rates for the tonnage, and thus succeed in occupying
the space which belongs to the citizens; and when the latter ship
their merchandise it is so little that it is not sufficient for their
support. On the other hand, the Portuguese pass from Acapulco to China
with their money, and do not return to Nueva Espana. They either
remain there, sending cargoes therefrom, or they send merchandise
to Portugal, by way of the ports where the Portuguese trade, thus
defrauding the native-born citizens of their rights.

Ninth Point

_That the royal decrees prohibiting trade with the Filipinas are
not observed, chiefly on account of the opinion of Doctor Sacedo,
a citizen of Mexico, that the violation of royal decrees involves
the penalty thereof, but is not a mortal sin. Thus the citizens
of Mexico may carry on commerce in the Filipinas, and those of the
Filipinas may invest money which is sent to them, without burdening
their consciences, or being obliged to make restitution._

The opinion of Doctor Juan de Sacedo, a citizen of Mexico, replying to
the decree of January 11, 93, states that this decree does not show
clearly, and with the explicit statement necessary, that it was his
Majesty's intention to bind strictly to an eternal punishment those on
whom he imposes a pecuniary penalty; or