e; while
now they have taken to denouncing it. May our Lord keep the Catholic
person of your Majesty for many a long year, as Christianity requires.

Manila, June 20, 1591.

_Gomez Perez Dasmarinas_

It appears that the duty [i.e. the ordinary duty of three per cent]
on the appraisals amounts in this present year to thirteen thousand
two hundred and fourteen pesos and six tomins. XIII U. CCXIIII pesos.

Hence, in proportion to the three per cent duty, the duty now imposed
for the building of the wall comes to eight thousand eight hundred
and nine pesos and six tomins. VIII U. DCCC IX pesos.

This is without having finished the clearing of the vessels, although
there is little left now to be shipped.

[_Marginal note_: "Everything that has been done in regard to the
walls is approved; let this impost and the others be continued until
the fortification is completed."]

Investigations at Manila Concerning Trade with Macan

+

Most potent Lord:

The city of Manila in the Filipinas Islands declares that the
investigation which it presents to the governor, Gomez Perez de las
Marinas, was made at his request and contains its opinion. Since
this document will show clearly the excellent reasons for, and the
great advantage and lack of all harm resulting from, trade between
Macan and the said islands and, besides the general advantage,
that it would be of great importance for the commerce, trade, and
conversion of Great China--the city beseeches your Highness to have
the investigation examined; and to favor the said city by ordering
that commerce be opened with the inhabitants of Macan, in order to
enable the inhabitants of the Filipinas Islands to trade and traffic
with them. Since this is a matter of so great utility and necessity,
as appears from the investigation, may the city receive favor.

_Romo_

+

(The city: The investigation presented to the governor. Manila,
July 15, the day on which it was presented.)

I, Melchor de Baeca, declare, in the name of the cabildo, magistrates,
and regimiento [9] of this city, that the rights of those whom I
represent require that a formal report of this inquiry be made, in
order to notify the king, our sovereign, concerning the lack of harm
and the great profit which would be derived from commerce between
Macan and these islands; and that, besides the benefit which the
Portugese receive, this commerce would be of great importance for
the conversion of Great Chi