ce, which was confirmed by me, forbidding the Indian natives
of these islands to wear silks or stuffs from China, for many reasons
mentioned in the said ordinance. And in order to ascertain whether
any benefit or advantage will result to the said Indians from the
said ordinance and whether certain offenses against God and other
abuses will be averted; and whether there are any for whose sake the
execution of the same should be suspended: I therefore now, by these
presents, ordain and command you that, by reason of the declarations
hereinbefore made, you secure information from Spanish and Indian
witnesses, examining the same in accordance with the interrogatory
sent herewith; in order that his Majesty may be informed of the
facts disclosed and asserted, and may issue commands at his good
pleasure. Given at Manila, on the ninth day of April, in the year 1591.

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

By order of the governor: _Juan de Cuellar_

Compared with the original:

_Felipe Ramirez_, notary.

Whereas, the city of Manila, on the thirtieth day of March of this
year, issued an ordinance forbidding the natives from wearing silks and
stuffs from China, for many reasons mentioned in the said ordinance,
which are of importance to the general welfare and the good government
of these islands; we, the cabildo and government of the city of Manila,
command that the said ordinance be submitted to the royal Council of
the Indias for confirmation, in order that the said causes, and any
others that may exist, may be certified to his Majesty. We entreat
your Lordship to send us information, in accordance with the questions
sent you herewith, and that an authorized copy of said information
be sent us for transmission to his Majesty, with the said ordinance;
for which purpose, etc.

The witnesses are to be asked if they know whether, when first the
Spaniards discovered these islands, all the natives wore any other
garments than those made in the islands, planting cotton and weaving
cloth for their own use, and continuing to do so even for many years
after the Spaniards had settled in the islands; and whether the one
or two ships that came from China each year, brought any cloth or
silks to the islands. For these were not sold among the natives;
and all that was carried in these ships was earthenware, horns,
herbs, _desaumerios_, and other trifles of little importance. Also
whether, after the Spaniards settled here, and the Chinese began