fifty thousand maravedis.  I have learned that afterward Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, without any orders, created for that purpose a position of accountant-in-ordinary, with a salary of five hundred pesos, and a secretary with two hundred and fifty pesos.  This could have have been avoided by pursuing the former method, with no other expense than the said hundred thousand maravedis.  It has seemed best to me to refer this matter to you, as I do, in order that you may examine it and apply such remedy as you think best.  You will inform me of the steps you take in the matter.

I understand that the office of clerk of the regimiento in Manila has been filled by the secretaries of the governors, and that on this account justice is no longer sought for certain injuries inflicted not only on the Chinese but on the citizens.  I also learn that it would be best to sell this office to a person who is not a servant or a relative of the governors.  Since it is not befitting that this office should be filled by any secretary or follower of yours, or of an auditor or an official of the Audiencia, you will not allow any such appointment.  You will nominate three from deserving men of those islands, who in your estimation possess the necessary qualifications for the office, and will send me their names, in order that I may elect the one who seems best to me.  In the meantime you will make arrangements for the suitable performance of the duties of that office, and so that no difficulties will arise.  With this I shall order to be sent you copies of two clauses of a letter, in which are proposed two expedients which may benefit my exchequer in recompense for the expenses which are incurred by it in those islands.  One of these relates to the cloves which could be obtained from the Malucas, carrying thither the produce of the island of Panay in exchange; and then bringing the said cloves to Nueva Espana on my account.  The other proposal suggests that a monopoly be established in the raw silk brought from China—­allowing each ship to carry only a certain quantity of it, and that to be carried to Nueva Espana on my account and not for any other, as you will understand more fully from the said clauses of a letter, which I have thought best to send you.  Thus after you have discussed the matter with my royal Audiencia, and heard the opinion of my royal officials and of such persons of experience and intelligence as you think best, you can ascertain what can be done in the matter, the benefit and advantage which may result from the said measures, and the difficulty or facility which they offer.  You will send me a detailed account of all, with your opinion.