more and better soldiers would be needful than those who could go from this land, for those born here are but little used to hardship—­although it is also understood that the people of China, in spite of possessing weapons, horses, and artillery, are but little superior in valor to the Indians.  Commercial relations are now beginning to be established with the Chinese; but until this is definitely completed the hopes of the merchants here will not rise, in spite of all I do and contrive with them to encourage and spur them on; for, to tell the truth, no certain information comes of a nature to induce them to go.  And one of the difficulties consequent upon this commerce and intercourse is, that neither from this land nor from Espana, so far as can now be learned, can anything be exported thither which they do not already possess.  They have an abundance of silks, and linen likewise, according to report.  Cloths, on account of the heat prevalent in the country, they neither use nor value.  Sugar exists in great abundance.  Wax, drugs, and cotton are super-abundant in the islands, whither the Chinese go to obtain them by barter.  And thus, to make a long matter short, the commerce with that land must be carried on with silver, which they value above all other things; and I am uncertain whether your Majesty will consent to this on account of having to send it to a foreign kingdom.  I beg your Majesty to consider all these matters, to inform me concerning them, and to give explicit orders to the person in charge here so that no mistakes may be made.

The management of affairs here is attended with great difficulty, especially concerning the people who shall go; for it is almost necessary to force them to go.  Also with regard to the ships, which are taken wherever they can be found.  Usually they are miserable little vessels, which draw but little water, and cost almost as much in employing them as a ship of six hundred toneladas—­necessitating, as they do, pilot, master, mate, and sailors.  Nor is it possible to get along with less, especially for the different watches, for otherwise the vessels could not possibly be navigated.  And, inasmuch as it does not appear that the merchants are inclined to buy and fit out ships with a cargo, I am not sure, if this business is to go on at your Majesty’s expense, whether it would not be wise to have two ships of about five hundred toneladas constructed; and to arrange that one of them should not return the same year it went, in order to have time to collect thoroughly all the articles of barter; but that it should return the following year, and another ship then set forth from here.  In this way, and in accordance with this plan, after the first expedition a ship would sail from there every year, while another would depart hence every year.  One of them alone would be sufficient to contain the people going to those islands, and keep business progressing and increasing there, since there is no regular expedition.