is, until the ship reaches Quanto, there are more than two hundred
and twenty leguas of very thickly settled mainland. Granting the
prohibition which your Majesty has made that no merchandise beyond a
certain stated amount should go from the Philipinas to Nueva Spana,
on account of the great difficulties which result otherwise, it seems
well worthy of consideration that goods bought from China in those
islands of your Majesty should be diverted to Japon, from which so
much silver is and may be obtained for the benefit of your vassals
and the increase of their wealth and of your Majesty's exchequer--at
least making unnecessary in the Philipinas that which is and may
be brought from the lands of Piru and Nueva Spana, with benefit to
both those colonies and the islands. For the ships which go from the
Philipinas to Nueva Spana it is of the greatest importance to have a
safe harbor in Japon, in which to repair and supply themselves with
the necessities for so long and dangerous a voyage--because, for not
having had it hitherto, great losses have been suffered; and some,
such as that of the galleon "San Phelipe," amounted to more than a
million. It is more fitting for this purpose and for others that
our ships should go to Japon than that theirs should come to the
Philipinas, because when they come to those islands they buy from the
Chinese, who come there to sell, the merchandise which the Castilians
would have bought, enhancing the prices of it, and giving the Chinese
for it the silver which they would have given to the subjects of your
Majesty; nor is there any remedy therefor, although it has been sought.

As for the entrance of religious, the Council persists in the opinion
of their last report, a copy of which is subjoined; but in regard
to the prohibition of commerce it changes the opinion which it
had reached, on account of the new information. It thinks that for
the present your Majesty ought to allow one or two ships to go each
year from the Philipinas to the kingdoms of Quanto, at the same time
warning the governor that he should manage this matter with the care
and prudence necessary, so that your Majesty's purpose may be attained
in facilitating and spreading the law of the gospel, and keeping your
vassals and realms in peace and quietness, in order that thus they may
serve God and your Majesty. Since the Council of Portugal, in its last
report, begs your Majesty to discuss this matter jointly with it, that
mi