es and
several lighter ones. This is but little artillery for the needs of
this land, for defense and the expeditions that are made. Some copper
mines have been discovered but although at first they seemed to be
very rich, on commencing to work them, it was found that the labor
was expensive and there was but little metal. Everything necessary
could be brought from Macan, if your Majesty were pleased to have
money sent from your royal treasury of Mexico for this purpose.

I have already written to your Majesty of the necessity that, for the
preservation of this land, the viceroy of Nueva Espana send annual
reenforcements of troops, arms, and ammunition. As this has not been
done for three years, the majority of the troops have died, and there
are now so few here, that if reenforcements are not supplied according
to the requests of the governor and officers of the royal exchequer,
great risk will be run, and what your Majesty has gained and preserved
at cost of such labors and expenses will be irretrievably lost. I
especially beg your Majesty to order such provision to be made that
so propitious a beginning be not lost, and the door closed which
has been opened by your Majesty for the conversion of so large and
powerful kingdoms with untold riches and innumerable inhabitants.

According to your Majesty's commands I had some galleys made in
these islands, and I have three at this port. They are of little use,
because of the lack of men skilled in managing and sailing with lateen
sails, and the scarcity of rowers. I have tried to keep up its crew by
hiring men; but the natives are so despicable a people that they are of
little use for this purpose, nor do they have sufficient strength for
rowing. On hearing the report of an arquebus they throw themselves on
the ground, and do not rise even at the lash. I have selected three
hundred Chinese, who are stronger, and who, if allowed liberty to
quit the work, and exemption from tribute, will bind themselves to
serve on the galleys. But although earnest endeavors have been made
to teach them, they row very badly, and have as little energy as the
natives of these islands have. They row in their own country with
a sort of oar which they call _lios lios_. By means of these the
galley moves very slowly, and therefore they may be of some benefit
among these islands. Better results would be obtained, however, if
instead of these galleys there were small ships of from sixty to a
hundr