Letter from Luis Perez Dasmarinas to Felipe II

Sire: 

Although the duties and obligations of my office are ended, I have no less obligation as a private individual for the service of God and your Majesty.  That service and recognition is due while life shall last, and therefore it does not seem as if I were fulfilling my duty by keeping silent and not informing your Majesty of some things which have been proposed and set forth elsewhere.  I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to regard and consider them as things very important to the service of God and of your Majesty.

What I have thought fit to submit particularly to your Majesty are the injuries, hindrances, contradictions, and great disturbances which are experienced here, whence follow results very offensive and contrary to the service of God our Lord, and of your Majesty.  They are also prejudicial to the common spiritual and temporal good of this land, and the quiet, safety, and preservation of these districts and islands, and of the vassals who live and serve your Majesty here.  One (and a general) injury is the unrestricted presence of a great number of Sangleys or Chinese heathen who live and mingle freely with us and the natives of these islands in their trading occupations, and business.  They serve but to consume, make scarce, and enhance the price of both supplies and money, and to cause uneasiness, fears, and distrust.  Of all the aforesaid we have had experience, and the particular instances are not referred to, in order to avoid prolixity.  On occasions when there are expeditions, or when it may be expedient to make them, there are some persons who do not desire to do so—­either for their own interests or convenience, or for other considerations, ends, and motives which they have for opposing the accomplishment of the expedition.  They say that there are many Sangleys in the land who are inclined or are able to revolt.  This and other things they say in excuse; but although this consideration and caution should not be condemned but praised, together with everything else which may be classed under the name and title of preservation, I doubt whether they are always most advantageous to the service of God and of your Majesty.  I am only certain that it is of great importance to be rid of these disturbances and contradictions, which are contrary to all good.  These heathen are the whole year living on, and, little by little, consuming and obtaining, the goods and money of the state in their traffic, business, and occupations.  This does not take into account the sale and profitable trade in merchandise which takes place every year.  All the money goes and passes to China, and remains there from year to year and in fact always.  Although it is true that the profitable trade and sale of merchandise is the sinew and support of this state, and very necessary, and cannot nor should be checked, nevertheless, it