tch of the said ships for the return than
is fitting. Consequently, they arrive so late that already the season
of the vendavals, the contrary winds of these islands, has set in;
and therefore the ships have been compelled to put in at Xapon, as
happened in the year 17, and last year. On that account they ran a
risk of being captured by the Dutch; for since the viceroys are not
interested, even in making those provisions, the ships sail later
than they would be permitted if the persons who have charge of the
ships were appointed by him, in whose good success would be also his
share of reputation, or the contrary. Will your Majesty be pleased
to order this to be noted, and take what measures may be most to your
royal pleasure. [_Marginal note_: "Obey the ordinances."]

One could not believe the injury that is done to the soldiers and
sailors, and to all the wage-earners, by not paying the vouchers earned
by their labor and sweat; and on the other hand, by buying these for
much less than their face value. For, being rendered desperate, they
sell vouchers valued at one thousand pesos for one hundred, and the
lamentable thing is that, if they did not sell them, they would never
be paid. Scarcely have they sold the vouchers when they are immediately
paid, and the purchasers even take the poor wretches to the office of
accounts, so that they may be present at the payment, and that it may
appear justified, by their saying that they did it of their own accord,
for which they give a receipt. As it is the price of blood, and they
see that others take that price, it is a grief and sorrow that cries to
heaven for redress, and petitions your Majesty to be pleased to have
a very effective and rigorous correction applied. [_Marginal note_:
"Have a letter written to the governor that this has been learned;
and that he accordingly must correct it immediately, if there is need
therefor, and advise us of what shall be done."]

There are at present more than sixteen thousand Chinese in this
city of Manila, who have received license to stay in the country. In
addition about one-third as many generally remain without having a
license, so that, on good computation, there are now more Chinese
in the country than there were sixteen and a half years ago, when
they revolted and made war on us--without reckoning a great number
of Japanese, whose number I have been unable to ascertain, although I
am told that it exceeds three thousand. Accordingly