year, they told us, there are no Portuguese in China; for they all gathered at Malaca, because of the war waged against them by the king of Achen.  Others who have come here, have told us that they were not in Malaca either; but I did not believe it.  I believe only that the Chinese like our trade better because of the silver from Mexico and the gold from these regions; and that business with the Portuguese is business transacted with corsairs.  Among other reasons why your Majesty should, without hesitation, despatch troops as soon as possible to this land, is that the king of Achen—­who is a wretched, little, naked, barefooted Moro—­is treating the Portuguese very badly.  This ill-treatment arises from the fact that five or six hundred Turkish arquebusiers have come to him from Mec[c]a, and with their help he is conquering all the region thereabout.  This territory is about the same distance from Malaca as Berberia is from Andalucia.  Malaca is on the coast of China itself, which at that point turns toward the north.  In that region we find two more petty kings, one of Cian [Siam] and the other of Patan [Pahang?], both Moros.  They are about three hundred leagues from us here, while about one hundred and fifty leagues from us is the king of Borney—­who is also a Moro, and in constant communication with the first named kings; and the whole archipelago would very willingly render obedience and pay tribute to him, if we were not here.  These Moros of Borney preach the doctrine of Mahoma, converting all the Moros of these islands.  I have investigated the matter so that, whenever God pleases, if we have forts and troops in this land, we might aid the Portuguese, in order that the petty king of Achen might be subdued—­who persistently continues to send out his Mahometan preachers.  As I before remarked, he has Turks in his service; accordingly, by depriving them of that vantage-point, the passage would be closed, and neither Turks nor Moros could travel from Malaca to this place.  These are the most dangerous people, and know the use of all manner of arms, and of horses.  Waiting for the Portuguese to do something is a weariness to the flesh, for they are a poor people at best.  Nearly all the inhabitants here were born in Yndia, and are children of Indians.

Condition of the Country

82.  These Philipinas islands are numerous and very extensive.  The climate is hot and damp.  There is no protection from the sun, as the houses are built of stakes and bamboo and the roofs are made of palm leaves.  Notwithstanding all this the country is healthy.  At night there is an agreeable temperature, and during the day are the flood-tides of the sea.  There is water in abundance.  The evening dew is not harmful.  If there were the same protection from the sun that exists in Sevilla, this country would be as healthy—­and some places more so, if one lives temperately (especially as regards continence), and does not imbibe too freely; for the