d, some goods would still be sent to
Mexico, the money now taken by the Chinese would not be withdrawn from
the country, and goods would be bought more cheaply and in exchange for
products of the islands. Now, because I am desirous of the advancement
of the said islands, and the best interests of their inhabitants,
I have therefore granted them by one of my decrees [24] that, for
the space of six years, only the said inhabitants may trade in China
and in the said Nueva Espana. You shall observe the said decree, and
shall not allow anything to be done in any wise contrary to its tenor.

20. The question was also discussed whether it would not be better
to prohibit Chinese or other foreign vessels from selling at retail
the merchandise that they bring to the said islands (as is done
now), and the inhabitants of the country from buying those goods,
in public or private, under heavy penalties; and to provide that,
for the purchase of the said merchandise in bulk, as many and as
capable persons as the matter requires be there deputed and appointed,
so that they, and they alone, may buy in mass all the goods brought
in the vessels, and afterward divide them among the Spanish, Chinese,
and Indian inhabitants, with just and fair distribution, at the same
prices which they paid for them. After discussion and conference by
the members of the said assembly, it was decided to refer the entire
matter to you, as I hereby do. I order you, since you will have the
matter in hand, to ordain therein what you deem best. You shall advise
me of what you do, and shall not permit or allow any person to go
to the vessels except those assigned for that purpose, in the order
that shall be prescribed. You shall see that their said merchandise
is exchanged for other products of the islands, so that the taking
of so much coin as is now carried to foreign kingdoms may be avoided.

21. In addition to the good effects, that, it is said, will result
from the execution of what is ordered in the above section, it is
presupposed that another, no less important, will follow--namely,
that, through the operations of the aforesaid, the Chinese hucksters
who lurk there and hawk their goods, will not stay there. Moreover,
other very heavy expenses and increase in prices, and the secret
sins and sorceries which they teach, would be avoided; while their
shops, which are necessary for retail trade, in the course of the
year could be given to Spaniards, so that the