we men cannot know), we shall make one of the largest conversions ever seen since the time of the primitive church.  This is what the devil tries to hinder by spreading abroad the notion that the only way by which China can be entered is by force of arms.  The truth is, that until now no people has been discovered so ready to receive the gospel as this, or of whom can be entertained such hope of great results by going to preach the gospel as our Lord Jesus Christ commanded; and if any one, be he even an angel from heaven, were of a different opinion, may your Majesty consider him an agent of the devil, who tries to convince people that the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be preached with zeal and not with knowledge, with violence and force of arms, like the alcoran of Mahoma.  This is a principle which may God remove from the minds of all Christian princes, and from all men who are well acquainted with the law of God and evangelical truth.  I am confident that, when your Majesty learns the truth, you will not allow anything to be done contrary to the will of God.

Now I shall speak of the Sangleys, of whom there would be much to say had I not in the past given to your Majesty an account of many things concerning them.  Therefore I shall be brief, in order not to make this account longer than is necessary.

When I arrived in this land, I found that in a village called Tondo—­which is not far from this city, there being a river between—­lived many Sangleys; of whom some were Christians, but the larger part infidels.  In this city were also some shops kept by Sangleys, who lived here in order to sell the goods which they kept here from year to year.  These Sangleys were scattered among the Spaniards, with no specific place assigned to them, until Don Gongalo Ronquillo allotted them a place to live in, and to be used as a silk-market (which is called here Parian), of four large buildings.  Here, many shops were opened, commerce increased, and more Sangleys came to this city.  Anxious for the conversion of this people, I soon cast my eyes upon them, and took precautions that they be well treated, for in that way they would become attached to our religion—­as I was aware that this was your Majesty’s desire.  Considering that, wherever Spaniards are to be found, there will always be some unruly ones, who, forgetting the good example which they ought to give these infidels, ill-treat them at times, I began on this account to protect and to assist the Chinese, reproaching those who maltreated them.  I took care to have their grievances removed so as to give them freedom to attend to their mercantile interests, and to sell their goods.  In this there has been very much abuse in this city by those who were under obligation to furnish a remedy for it.  For this reason the Sangleys began to have much love for me, for they are the most grateful people I have ever seen.  Gradually commerce has so increased, and so many are the Sangley ships which