not have done with them as they wished. In the beginning the
articles traded were very cheap, and extravagant fortunes were made
in Mejico. Now, however, it makes such inroads on the capital, that
loss on the cost has often occurred in Mejico. But then, who can
remedy this? These Indians or Chinese are generally called Sangleys,
not because they call themselves Chinese or Sangleys, for they have
been and are surprised at the two names. They are called Sangleys,
because when they came to Manila, and the people saw men of so strange
appearance, with hair like that of women--and of which they take most
especial care, more even than of their faces and bodies--and done up
on the head very nicely, and with a most peculiar headdress, their
long garments, their ample and long drawers reaching to the feet, and
all their other apparel in keeping, which seemingly belong to women
rather than men, they asked the latter who they were. The answer was
"Sangley" (or "merchant"); as one would say, "We are merchants." They
were canonized with this name, and it has proved permanent, and hence
they are now called by no other name. The name China must have been
given by the Portuguese. Their own name is Songsua. [75]

[A short description of China and its people follows. The fathers
no sooner saw the Chinese traders, than they were filled with zeal
for the conversion of the country. But they were unsuccessful in
persuading the traders to embark them on their vessels. A letter
written by Legazpi to one of the Chinese viceroys, and accompanied
by a present, also failed of effect, for neither was delivered. Thus
China remained a closed door for the time being.]

Chapter XVIII

_Of the part played by our religious in the siege of Manila by Limahon,
a great Sangley pirate, and of the latter's flight and destruction._

The month of August, 1572, was, beyond doubt, a sad one throughout
the Filipinas Islands; for, in that month the Lord was pleased to
take to Himself Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, by whose valor
and prudence these islands had been won, and increased with the
advantages that were seen. For in his eight years of governorship he
did not begin anything that did not have a prosperous conclusion--well
known to arise from his zeal and Christianity and his firmness and
forbearance. Hence he was, with reason, loved by his own men, and
feared and respected by foreigners. Thus, by merely the renown of his
name in the islands,