men and subordinate officers the salaries and wages
proposed by the government, it is better to continue the present system
of allowing each to do a little trading for himself. The auditors
recommend that some changes be made in the duties levied on goods,
which are onerous on the merchants.

By the same mail goes a letter from the new fiscal, reporting to the
king the condition of affairs in the islands. He complains that the
Sangreys are allowed to remain in Manila, and that this is done by
the Audiencia without heeding the remonstrances of the city officials
and himself. Many Chinese also come without registry, evading even
the slight restrictions heretofore imposed. Their number is steadily
increasing, and the Parian is now as large as it was when the revolt
occurred. He advises further and more severe restrictions on the
Chinese immigration. Guiral also notifies the king that the laws
regarding the succession to encomiendas are being constantly violated;
and recommends that all which are wrongly held shall be declared
vacant and be reassigned. The encomenderos resent his enforcement of
the royal decree that they should furnish to the priests who instruct
their Indians wine for celebrating mass. He recommends that the matter
of granting offices to small encomenderos be further examined. The
increase in extent and number of the cattle-farms near Manila causes
much damage to the Indians and Guiral recommends that these farms be
abandoned within a certain distance of all towns. The peaceful Pampango
Indians are frequently harassed by the head-hunting Zambales; the only
way to stop this is to allow the latter to be enslaved by anyone who
will capture them. Certain questions regarding the status of children
of slaves should now be settled. Guiral makes various recommendations
as to the sale of offices and the use of certain funds. The seminary
of Santa Potenciana recently lost its house by fire, which has since
been rebuilt; the king is asked to aid it. A public-spirited citizen
of Manila has established a hospital for Spanish women, and royal aid
is asked for this also. The hospital for Spaniards is not properly
cared for, and the king is asked to send over hospital brethren of
the Order of St. John of God. The guardians of minors often prove
unfit for such trust, and they should be called to account by the
Audiencia. Disputes having arisen over the rights and prerogatives
of the Audiencia in case of their succession _