s serve but to
inflict still greater injury, and to cause universal ruin.

As long as the viceroy of Nueva Espana continues to appoint the
captains and officials of the vessels sailing to the Filipinas,
the fitting reform cannot be instituted; for, it is clear that, as
such officials go from Mexico, they will not hesitate to take their
money and that of their friends; and even if other prohibitions may
be issued, they will not cease to do so.

The fitting remedy for this matter consists in having a consulate in
Manila, and in providing there the said officers, and in assigning to
each citizen of the islands the amount of goods that he may export. By
this method, a complete remedy for this evil will be provided, and
the inhabitants of the islands, for their own benefit and interest,
should endeavor to keep the trade themselves, and prohibit trading
or sending consignments of silver from Mexico or Peru.

The trading in, and consignments of silver to, the Filipinas by the
inhabitants of Mexico causes great detriment to the inhabitants of
the islands; for, because of the Mexicans sending so much silver,
the price of Chinese silks and merchandise has risen, so that, while
for twenty years, when only the inhabitants of the islands were
permitted to trade, they were wont to gain one thousand per cent,
now they do not gain one hundred, whence results much resentment in
the Filipinas. Therefore it is most certain that, if the trade be
conceded to them alone, with a just limitation, they will desire to
be the only gainers; and hence will endeavor to see that no Mexicans
send any silver, and will execute whatever penalty his Majesty imposes
on the Mexicans. This they will do, because clearly much advantage
will accrue to the islanders thereby, by the lowering of the price
of the merchandise in Manila and a rise in Mexico. If this reason be
examined closely, my assertion will be quite clear.

I maintain the same in regard to the port of Buenos Ayres; and what
has been ordained but lately I think was by divine ordination; for
hitherto, notwithstanding the prohibition that there should be no
trade, ships entered and cleared, and traded between Brasil and Potosi,
and between Potosi and Brasil and Espana. And, although six judges
were sent to enforce this prohibition, they were unable to effect
a remedy, until the governor, Don Diego de Baldes, gave permission,
as he considered it an extreme necessity, and the ultimate remedy,
for