8. That workmen and mechanics in Manila be paid their wages here and not in Mexico. Eighth:  His Majesty should order that all workmen and mechanics who serve for pay or wages in this country—­such as sailors, carpenters, blacksmiths, and any others (who remain and are needed here—­Madrid MS.)—­be paid their wages here, [40] according to contract; that the money for this be provided from the royal treasury of Mexico, since the treasury here has but little; that what is to be given them there be paid here, as it will be of much more value to them, and will be the occasion of increasing the population of this country by those who will have trades, and will remain with hope, and do more and better work in every way.

9. That there should be a ship-purveyor in Manila. Ninth:  That in place of the other third royal official of former days, his Majesty appoint a ship-purveyor (who should not be a royal official), because the two officials of the royal exchequer cannot at present attend to this matter, which entails much work, along with the other things to which they generally attend.  With this appointment the ships will be despatched better, and more punctually, and at less expense; for they can be kept in better equipment, and their condition known with exactness—­and not as now, when this is not known, nor are they able to attend to all things.

10. That there should be no commissary of the Inquisition. Tenth:  We ask that at present there be no commissary of the Inquisition in this city or these islands, as they are so new, and have so few inhabitants, and are so far from Mexico.  For a commissary so far away, and in a matter of so great import and weight for the honor, property, and lives of men might cause so many wrongs; and many times it might happen in cases that, after all this expense, they will be set free in Mexico.  The person who is going [for us to Spain] should give information on all these points.  We recommend that this matter be left with the bishop for the present; or, at least, that one of the dignitaries with the bishop act as inquisitor, and that there be no commissary.

Chapter third.  Of the traffic of these islands, on which likewise depends their increase and conservation

1. That no consignments of money be sent to the Filipinas from Mexico. First:  It should be related to his Majesty that one of the things that has ruined this country is the great consignments of money that wealthy persons resident in Mexico send here.  These give rise to two wrongs:  the first, that they advance the price on all Chinese merchandise, so that the poor and common people of the islands cannot buy those goods, or only at very high prices; the second, that, since the shipments of goods [to Mexico] are many and large, and the vessels few—­at times (nearly always, in fact) not more than one—­and, because of the great amount of ship stores required for so long a course,