to go from Mexico to Macao is to destroy both those kingdoms and these, since the Chinese raise the prices of their merchandise to such an extent that Portuguese and Castilians cannot live.  May your Majesty be pleased to order the viceroy to hold these lands in somewhat higher estimation, since your Majesty considers them (and justly so) worthy of constant attention.  Ever since the viceroy came to Mexico, he has not sent to this country any troops (except exiles or criminals), or ammunition, or the customary supplies for this camp, as wine, flour, and other articles; he has so reduced everything that there is great privation here, and very little profit to your Majesty.

Your Majesty’s governor and royal Audiencia in these islands look well to the service of your Majesty and the good of this country.  Will your Majesty be pleased to order the viceroy of Nueva Espana, present or future, not to disturb or change what may be decided by them? not only in the customs duties, but in the price fixed for each tonelada, and in the mode of registration.  According to our information, the viceroy has changed everything, greatly increasing the taxes imposed here.  The labors of the citizens in the service of your Majesty in these islands should be sufficient without still more severe requirements from Nueva Espana.

During the past year there was great confusion, which still continues, about the goods which were brought to this city by your Majesty’s ships.  The citizens claim that they ought to be preferred to the merchants; and the merchants complain that, on account of the cargoes of the citizens, their merchandise remained here.  I understand that on this point offenses’ against God have been committed, and still more serious damage may be done—­some persons being ruined, as they have no space in the cargoes for their property—­unless it is checked by your Majesty commanding what order must be followed in this affair.  It is of exceeding importance for the quiet and content of this city.

There are so many Chinese that come to this land that the islands are full of them.  Thereby follows much damage to the natives, as the Chinese are a very vicious people, from intercourse with whom no good but much harm can be gained.  I have tried to have the governors remedy the matter by commanding that all the Chinese be collected in this city.  I see no improvement, however; and it is of much importance that this be corrected, for the temporal and spiritual good of these lands.  Will your Majesty be pleased to order that this be remedied by severe measures.  May our Lord guard your Majesty many years for the good of us who can do but little.  At Manila, June 27, 1588.

The Bishop of the Filipinas

Documents of 1589