divided by wars in their own interests, and were neglecting so common an interest as that of undoing the power of Moors and Turks.  He also answered that he understood his father and father-in-law, the Catholic king Don Fernando, to give the same answer.  As I have said before, the histories of Portugal are full of these old enmities.  It seems as if this evil sect had increased and multiplied in the West as well as in the islands and countries of the East.  Indeed the various causes for this are to be found in the condition of these regions and in the measures, decrees, or instructions like those issued for Peru, Nueva Espana, and the other Yndias.

Concerning slavery, the main thing to be noticed is that we have here many kinds of slaves:  some are slaves because their fathers and grandfathers were such; others sold themselves ad pretium participandum, either to make use of the money or to pay their debts; others were captured in war; others became slaves because, being orphans, they were held in that condition for food and expenses; others were sold in times of famine by their fathers, mothers, or brothers; others bear that name because of loans, for interest multiplies rapidly among the Indians and the Moros, and thus a poor man becomes a slave.  There are men who become slaves on account of crimes, and failure to pay fines and penalties; and others for not having paid the tribute or tributes of their lords.  Each of these reasons is an argument for justifying slavery.  I chose to mention these details because it is proper to notify your Majesty and your Council of them.

Your Majesty has passed laws forbidding any one to take money out of your realms, or to buy or sell to pirates.  But every year the Chinese take away all the money there is.  There are many ships here, twenty-five or thirty in number, with four thousand men who have come here to trade.  We fear no extortion on their part, because of the great importance to them of our commerce; but, as we have no merchandise to give them, having nothing except reals, it will be advisable for your Majesty to send orders as to what we should do, and how we are to decide the question of slaves, since there are so many classes of them, as I have shown above.

The poverty of the soldiers who come here is extreme, for they draw no pay, and the country cannot support them.  It would be advisable to send orders to employ them in conquests, and to send over many soldiers.  Also orders should be given to build some galleys which should not lie idle and become ruined, as did those left by Doctor Sande.  Although the Indians and Moros here have taken to the oars with reluctance, we are greatly aided by having here, usually, Chinese who are willing to be hired at a low price.  In all this may your Majesty take such measures as are most advantageous to your service.