I have already reported to your Majesty the removal from these forts of a quantity of artillery, for the security of the two ships which I despatched to Nueva Espana last year, eighty-eight.  That carried by one of the ships is paid for by the merchants, as well as the powder, arms, and ammunition; and that on the other was at your Majesty’s expense.  Part of the money received I sent to the kingdom of China in order to buy what metal could be obtained.  Thence they brought me one hundred and twenty-five picos [13] (about five arrobas) of copper, at thirteen pesos and eight rreals.  With this artillery is being cast; to take the place of the pieces carried by the ships, I had others cast from the metal which I had here.  The results are very good.  Bronze is so cheap in China, and so easy to transport and cast in this country, that, if your Majesty will have money sent hither from Nueva Espana for this purpose, artillery could be provided in this country both for Nueva Espana and Piru.  Will your Majesty signify the royal pleasure in this. [Marginal note:  “Write to the viceroy of Nueva Espana that this seems expedient, and that he may send money to the governor, in order that some artillery may be made there, both for Nueva Espana and Peru.  Advice as to what is needed must be given to the viceroy of Peru.”]

The trade with the Chinese is continually increasing in these islands.  About four thousand men of that land are here as a general rule, including merchants and workmen.  These become citizens and settle in the alcaiceria [silk-market] of this city.  In the surrounding villages there are also a large number of Chinese.  Their houses are being rapidly built of stone, according to the Spanish custom.  They are very strong, large and imposing in appearance.  In two or three years, God willing, all the buildings will be erected, as also the cathedral church, the monasteries, and other churches.  They are being built very substantially and some are already finished.  The materials are so good and the workmen, both Chinese and natives, so numerous, that everyone is encouraged to build the houses in this manner.  But it is a melancholy fact (for it all is like an empty purse, or an inn without a guest) that the land is unhealthful, and there are no doctors or medicines; and so there is great lack of troops, and of men for the usual work of guard and sentinel-duty, and for expeditions to carry succor to the settlements and to pacify the uprisings of the Indians.  The soldiers are constantly dying and passing away, in such number that I fear there will be no troops to defend the city from any of the many enemies by whom we are surrounded.  For the remedy thereof, will your Majesty be pleased to have the viceroy of Nueva Espana send the troops, arms, and ammunition which may be requested by the governor of these islands, and also the medicines and supplies necessary for the camp.  It has been three years since we have had any kind of aid whatever,