All of this could be remedied, did your Majesty feel the needs of this city so strongly that you would be pleased to grant us some public property.  Although I, as a regidor and attorney of this city, have endeavored, in your Majesty’s name, to have certain villages of Indians granted to the city as its property, your governors have always answered me with fair words, and have done nothing.  Our only hope now is that, when your Majesty understands that this is all to be employed in your royal service, you will take compassion on us and grant us, as city property, some Indians.  With this grant, all these difficulties can be remedied.

With this ship sails Father Alonso Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus, a very learned man, having much experience in the affairs of these islands, as well as of China and other countries.  Since he is thus qualified, this city resolved to send him as agent for this kingdom, in order to give your Majesty a detailed account of affairs here.  May our Lord preserve your sacred royal Catholic person, with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories, as we, your Majesty’s servants, desire.  Manila, June 30, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your Majesty’s humblest servant kisses your royal feet and hands.+

Juan de Moron

[Addressed:  “To his + sacred royal Catholic Majesty, King Don Ffelipe, our sovereign.  To be given into his royal hands.”]

[Endorsed:  “1586.  Legajo 1; letters from Manila. + Number 17.  To his Majesty.”  “Manila, Joan de Moron, June 30.  The expedition to the land of Maluco, and the lukewarmness encountered in the commandant, Diego de Cambujar, as will appear from the accompanying investigation.  Need in that city of a fortress.  In favor of Father Alonso Sanchez.”]

Measures Regarding Trade with China

Letter to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty: 

In order to discuss your Majesty’s commands regarding the commerce between the Philipinas Islands and Nueva Espana, Don Cristobal Mora and I met yesterday and examined a long report which Ledesma had drawn up from many papers which have been sent from both sides, together with a certain clause of a letter to your Majesty by the viceroy, Don Martin Enriquez, written on the twentieth of March of the past year, eighty [-five]. [54] In this letter he says that the merchants of that country are greatly disappointed that trade with the Philipinas Islands should be taken away from them; for, although the satins, damasks, and other silken goods, even the finest of them, contain very little silk, and others are woven with grass (all of which is quite worthless), the people mainly resort to this cheap market, and the prices of silks brought from Spain are lowered.  Of these latter, taffetas had come to be worth no more than eight reals, while satins and damasks had become very cheap.