on of what concerns the Sangleys_

The commerce with the Sangleys has always been considered very
important for the supplies and trade not only of this city, but of
those who come here to invest their money, and for what is expected
from it in the future. For it might be that by this means we shall
get a foothold in that great realm, which of all things is so much
desired. This trade has been so harassed and injured this year that
we are in great dread lest those who come here, or many of them, will
not return, or that they will not be willing to sell their merchandise
at former prices, because of the bad treatment that they have received
and the lack of order here.

During the past year and the present one the ill feeling has
increased, because at first they paid nothing; but later anchorage
dues were levied upon them--more by way of securing acknowledgment
than for gain; while last year and this they have demanded three per
cent from the Sangleys, from which many injuries to the latter have
resulted. The first is, that they all were ordered to live apart, in
one fenced-in dwelling made this year, whither they have gone very
unwillingly. There the shops have made them pay higher prices than
goods would cost them outside. A warden has been appointed for them,
with judicial authority to punish them; and, according to report,
many wrongs and injuries are inflicted upon them. Indeed, for very
trivial causes they are put in the stocks, and pecuniary fines exacted
from them. Sometimes they have been fined for going outside at night
to ease the body, or for not keeping their place clean.

Under the pretext that they must pay taxes to your Majesty,
a penalty was imposed upon the sale of any article without its
previous registration; but at the time of this registration the best
of their merchandise was taken from them, and that at the price
which the inspector or the registrar chose to set. Some pieces of
silk were therefore hidden by the Sangleys, either to sell them to
better advantage or to give them to persons to whom the goods had
been promised. For this they were punished with as much rigor as
if the penalty had been required from them for many years, instead
of being, on the contrary, only the first or second time when they
had heard of it. Among other things, I know that because a Chinese
merchant sentenced him to one hundred lashes and a fine of seventy-five
tostons. A brother of his came to me to ask protection fo