natives, that is a large province, and has a great amount of commerce.  About ten leagues farther up the coast there is a broad river with a fort and a town named Tisciu.  Opposite this river there is an island called La Mao.  About fourteen leagues farther is the great river of Canton where it is said there is a large fort with an ordinary garrison—­as nearly as I could make out, of about six or seven hundred soldiers, who guard the fort, and their captain and governor, from the city and province of Canton.  Opposite this river are islets where the Portuguese go to trade, because they are not allowed to enter Canton. [78] The first of these islets, as one enters the river, is called Tanquian; and then come the islands where the Portuguese anchor their ships, where there are neither houses nor anything else; but it serves as a harbor for their vessels.  The place where they are is called the quiao of Canton.  Even as far as Paquin [Peking], which is the city of the king of China, it is said that one would have to be on the road a year; and all the route would be found full of cities and large provinces.  Those on the road are Chincheo, Cantun, Hinchiu, Mimipou, Ouchiu, Yrinari, Sisvan, Conceonau, Nanguin, and Paquin, where the court and the king reside.  There are other provinces, namely Suchiu, Veou, Histau, Cencay.  The last king, who died two years ago, was named Ontee, and his son who succeeded him is called Taycii. [79] The latter has issued a general pardon for all those, who were out of their native lands, who should return freely to the condition in which they were during the life of his father; for, before, there was a law that he who did not return to his country within a year should be condemned to death, and his goods confiscated for the expenses of justice.  But this new law ordered that the former law would not be enforced for four years, within which time those who wished to return to their former conditions might do so freely.  Therefore some of those converted to our holy faith, who were in the city of Manila, have returned with their wives and children.  Father Fray Augustin de Alburquerque who is charged with the conversion of the Chinese, wished to go to the mainland this year with these Christians and the traders who came to the port of Manila.  It seemed that there was no way of getting there—­because, as we are told, a law had been passed that no foreigner whatever might enter the mainland under the penalty of losing his life; and those who convey them thither should receive the same punishment.  Accordingly, no one dared to take foreigners thither.  The fertility, abundance, riches, and curiosities of die land need not be related here, on account of the notoriety that, from the beginning, exists regarding these things.  Of all the things that Europe has, cloth and velvet are the only ones lacking in this country; in all else it is better supplied—­both in food, and in other particular and interesting articles.  In the City of Mexico, January viii, MD.  LXXIIII.  Catholic royal Majesty, your Catholic royal Majesty’s faithful servant, who humbly kisses your Majesty’s royal feet, and commends himself to your royal favor,