y Christian Highness take the measures befitting the service of God,
and the advancement and good government of those islands.

_Gabriel de Ribera_

AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPINAS ISLANDS

_By Fray Domingo de Salazar_

_Memorial regarding occurrences in these Philipinas Islands of the
West, also their condition, and matters which require correction;
written by Fray Domingo de Salazar, bishop of the said islands, in
order that his Majesty and the gentlemen of his royal Council of the
Indies may see it._

At first, when the Spaniards came to these islands, there was a great
abundance of provisions, such as are produced in the country; namely,
rice, beans, fowls, swine, deer, buffaloes, fish, cocoanuts, bananas
and some other fruits, wine, and honey. Of these a large quantity
could be bought from the natives with very little money. Although
among them there was gold, with which they traded and trafficked,
yet it was most usual to barter eatables for rice until the Spaniards
introduced the use of money, from which no little harm has come to the
country. Wine and rice are measured by the ganta, which is equivalent
to a quarter of a celemin in our measure.

The prices which articles brought after the Spaniards introduced
silver coins--which are, as a rule, tostons, as the four-real pieces
are called--were as follows: [four] [28] hundred gantas of rice [for
one toston]; for another, a hundred of wine; and for another, twelve,
fourteen, or sixteen fowls; and other things in proportion. These
rates continued until a year and a half or two years ago. Then
products began to be scarce in this country, and articles which were
formerly cried through the streets have today reached so high prices
and such scarcity that there is now no one who can obtain them, even
when they go to search for them in the Indian villages. For what
is thus found the common prices are forty or fifty gantas of rice,
or eight or ten gantas of wine, for one toston; fowls have advanced
to two reals apiece, although the usual price is one real; while a
hog costs four or five pesos, or six or eight for one of considerable
size. Oil of agenxoli [sesame], cocoanuts, and butter, which formerly
could be bought very cheaply, cannot now be obtained--although in
this there is variation, as little or much comes to the market.

I have tried to ascertain the reason for so great a change, and for
the dearness of food; and after thoroughly informing myself t