frigate in a river, with a shore lined with cocoa-palms, which is a fruit of this country.  If some memorial of some king imprisoned, or some notable deed were to be placed on them, they [the Spaniards] would consider them suitable.  But of them, I say, that should the Indians seek for a coat of arms as a memorial of their native place and country, they could find none more suitable.  Therefore I believe that the city will adopt with ready compliance such design as your Majesty may ordain.  For this purpose, I have ordered that, on the facades of the principal gate of this city, and in other places, where I have had your Majesty’s arms placed, collateral stones be placed for those of the city, as yet left blank, until your Majesty shall determine what shall be decreed in the matter.

The procession made here on Corpus Christi day, with the assent of the bishop, passed before his residence; and although but twenty or thirty paces from the royal buildings, the procession did not go to them, which they could have done at the cost of so little time and space, and would not, on that account, have been prevented from returning to the house of the bishop.  Will your Majesty order in this regard according to your pleasure.

The city is concerned, and I believe I wrote to your Majesty, about the ten per cent duty imposed in Mexico recently on merchandise from this country; and although I desire nothing so much as that there be found a way to provide for the pressing need in which your Majesty finds yourself in these necessitous times, still, with your Majesty’s permission, I will say only concerning this, that, although it is true that the profits of this merchandise, if well administered, might endure this duty, yet the citizens of this country are poor, the money and capital are restricted, and the land is new; and at the beginning these gains were larger than now, since, because of the heavy expenses, the net profit obtained is much less.  Likewise it appears that the same statement is true of the natives, who feel keenly so many burdens, and who are suspicious that we are gradually increasing them.  Therefore they say the Castilians have good words but few deeds, and those evil.  Those who might better carry this burden are the Chinese, because of the great profit and gain that they make and obtain here in so little time.  But I fear also that if they are annoyed, they will not come and will abandon the trade, by which this country lives and increases.  I do nothing but put both of these considerations before your Majesty, so that you may ordain in everything what is most to your service.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty for many happy years as Christendom has need, and as we, the vassals and servants of your Majesty, desire.  Manila, June 20, 1593.

[Endorsed: “Filipinas.  Copy of a letter written by Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas.”]

Memorandum of Troops Required in the Philippines.

The soldiers necessary to guard the city of Manila, and the redoubts, galleys, forts of Cagayan and Cebu, and presidios erected against the Zambales: