4. The difficulty caused by thinking that China and other kingdoms can be converted, since it is not so. Fourth:  Likewise one may reckon as a harm and a serious difficulty the settled opinion formed in Nueba Espana, Castilla, and Roma, through letters, that China or Cochinchina, Canboja, Sian, and other districts, will be converted.  Therefore, it is necessary that his Majesty be undeceived and that people in Europe [Nueba Espana, etc.] should be informed that, after all these departures, an embassy was sent by order of the governor, the bishop, and the community, who traversed all those kingdoms, even Malaca, yet now they are all more tightly closed than ever; while the religious, who have gone without orders, have accomplished nothing more than to be insulted and maltreated, and to leave the pagans more haughty and more on their guard.

5. That no secular person may leave the islands, nor give the religious aid to leave them. Fifth:  It is very needful, for a reform of the said disorders, that his Majesty order the governor of Manila, under severe penalties, that no secular Spaniard may leave the islands for any place or for any business, or furnish a fragata, supplies, or any other aid to any religious in order that the latter may leave the islands, without showing a special order from his Majesty, from the governor, bishop, or any one else whom (or, in Manila—­Madrid MS.) his Majesty may consider a suitable person.

6. That the religious come from Espana and Mejico for the islands, and for no other place. Sixth:  His Majesty should order that, now and henceforth—­since all the mainland is so closed, and there is, on the other hand, in the islands a very wide open gate for the increase of Christianity and of his kingdoms—­the religious coming from Espana and Mexico shall come assigned for the Philippinas Islands, where there is the greatest abundance of souls.  Many who are already baptized, are yet without instruction or ministers; many others pacified, and yet to be baptized, are daily asking for baptism; and there are an infinite number of others to be pacified, who have no knowledge of God—­all for lack of ministers; and it is a most serious error that, while this land is so ready, all thought is centered on China, which is wholly averse to the faith; and its doors are closed against it.  This is the, art of Satan, so that neither the one nor the other may be effected. [43]

The Proposed Entry Into China, In Detail

First:  The person who is sent as an eye-witness will give his Majesty a brief relation of the vastness of China, of the abundance of its fruits and provisions, of the richness of its merchandise, and the great quantity of gold and silver, quicksilver, copper, iron, and other metals; of the immensity and certainty of the treasures, and the infinite amount and variety of the products of the handicrafts and of human industry;