On Sunday, the ninth of this month, I was in the cathedral, where were gathered all the people and the orders, as there was to be a solemn procession and sermon.  The deacon came out to sprinkle the holy water, and went directly to the choir and sprinkled it on the bishop and all the persons who were in the choir.  It is the custom to give it first to the Audiencia.  When the deacon came back from the choir, your president and auditors told him that if the bishop would not cause precedence to be observed for the Audiencia, they would go to hear service elsewhere.  When the bishop learned this, he left the church immediately, and sent orders to the preacher not to preach; and we were left without a sermon, to the great scandal of the people gathered there.

There is nothing else at present.  Only I pray that our Lord may preserve your Majesty many years in perfect health, and with increase of greater kingdoms and seigniories, in His holy service.  At Manila, July 15, 1589.

The licentiate Ayala.

Royal Decree Regarding Commerce

The King:  To Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, [19] knight of the order of Santiago, and appointed by me governor and captain-general of the Phelipinas Islands.  As soon as Father Alonso Sanchez, a religious of the Society of Jesus, came here, ordered and empowered by all the estates of the islands to discuss certain matters regarding the service of our Lord, and the welfare and preservation of the inhabitants and natives of those islands, I ordered certain members of my councils to come together to hear him.  This they did, and a thorough examination was made of certain memorials which that religious had been ordered to present. [20] After they had consulted with me upon certain points of the said memorials, I decided, with the approval of the above-mentioned councilors to whom the matter was delegated, upon the following instructions which are given to you.  I order you to fulfil your duties, in every respect, with the consideration, care, and diligence which I expect from you.  The father has also entreated me, in behalf of the said city, to order that no persons entering the ports of the said islands from without shall be made to pay duties—­whether they be Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Siamese, Borneans, or any other people whatsoever, especially when they bring provisions, ammunition, and raw material for these articles.  These taxes are a grievance to the Chinese, and trade is hindered, and there are other resultant disadvantages, as the said Father Alonso Sanchez has informed me at length; accordingly I have held and do now hold it best that for the present no more of the said duties be levied upon provisions and ammunitions.  Therefore you will not permit any duty to be levied until otherwise ordered and decreed.  Another advisable measure discussed was that no Chinese or foreign ships could sell at retail the goods which they carried to the