Although the ships and soldiery that have ordinarily been here have been also of great effect in placing affairs in their present state, it seems that the traffic and commerce which has been encouraged with the natives of the Filipinas and those of China and other nations, and the friendship and good treatment which has been accorded them, have been of considerably greater importance, since they are a well-armed and numerous people.  It seems very difficult to subject them or negotiate with them against their will; and as they live for the most part by commerce, it will be seen, that, by the advantage accruing to them therefrom, they will not only become Christians, but, with the lapse of time, they will be profitable to your Majesty and instruments for whatever your Majesty would like to undertake among those nations.  And if this should come to an end, it is well known also that this people, because of our recent knowledge of them, and because of their covetousness, would drop Christianity, return to their idolatries and old customs, and close the door which they are now opening for their gain and self-interest.  That might be of greater importance than the annoyance of enduring and supporting them with some loss, especially as the trade and commerce that comes from those parts to this kingdom [of Mexico] usually amounts to one ship and sometimes two, aboard which arrive the returns from the encomenderos of the said islands—­silk, both raw and woven, cotton cloth, iron, copper, earthenware, and other things of no great worth, carried to those islands from the said land of China.  As these are in no greater quantities than heretofore, the success achieved in this trade, and the benefit that might result from it, seem to be held in greater account than the damage which occurs, as I have said.  Although the figured silks are most usually not so fine as those that come from Espana, some are good; and those that are not, are of such a price that, considering the price of those that come from Espana, there is no comparison—­because, as a rule, the damask is better than the taffeta from Espana, and costs hardly half as much.  The same holds with regard to all other cloth.  The raw silk is very good and profitable in this city.  As it is made, it is better than the native product; and from it are made good fabrics.  In the first, second, and further sales of it that are made, your Majesty’s customs also receive greater increase, rather than diminution, from that which used to come from Espana, and now does not come for this reason.

Also with this trade and profit many merchants and other people from Espana and this land are going to live in those islands, and continue to settle there.  Thus the country is made safe, because, when any necessity arises, they take arms and incur the dangers of war, so that the natives of the said islands and of those surrounding are peaceable, and fear the Spaniards.  If these and the trade that they now maintain should fail, and if your Majesty should not supply as many more men at his own cost, it is well-known that with the instability and suspicious nature of those peoples, they would rebel, and recover the liberty that they have lost.  Worse than that, they would return to the heresy or the heathenisms which they professed a little while ago.