is directed to Malan [sic; sc. Macan] which is a settlement of Portuguese in the land of China itself.  I wrote to the commandant of the place, and to the bishop and the fathers of the Society (which, I am told, takes considerable part in the affairs of state), and to the other orders and to private persons, recounting to them this event.  I sent to each of them a copy of the letter which I wrote to the Chinese viceroy, so that, as they possess more extensive and intimate knowledge of the Chinese customs, and of the conditions, and methods of negotiating, they might advise the person who takes the despatch what he should do in order the better to achieve his object and attain success in his undertaking—­representing to them the service which they will render to your Majesty, and the obligation to them under which these islands will be.  Since, considering the great amount of gunpowder and munitions which have been expended on this occasion, these supplies may fail us, owing to what we fear from China, and other troubles which every day arise, I wrote likewise to those persons that they should buy for me and send as much gunpowder and saltpeter as possible, on your Majesty’s account; and that the royal officials there should send it upon the credit of this treasury, so that it could be paid for in this city—­for only enough money was sent for anchorage—­money for the ships, and the expenses which are necessary there.  The Chinese will listen to no one if they are not paid first, and it is a custom very strictly observed among them.  If we are cut off from China the many ordinary dangers cannot be overcome; and in a country so surrounded by enemies and so far from reenforcements, it is very necessary that these resources should remain, and not fail us.  May God grant that all come out according to our need; for if the trade with China should fail, in no wise could this country be maintained, nor could your Majesty sustain the great expenses here without much difficulty.  For the duties which the Chinese pay here, and what the merchants who carry the cloth pay in Nueva Hespana, amount to much more than what is expended here, as we are always waging war with some nation or other, besides the ordinary expenses; and the Christian religion which is so recently established among these natives would be in great danger.

As soon as I arrived in this city I went out to inspect the Parian of the Chinese, which certainly needed inspection.  Considering the many who were there, and those whom I met on all the streets and everywhere I went, it appeared to me that there were great numbers there.  Accordingly I desired to learn under what regulation they were living and residing there.  Learning that the Audiencia had it in charge, I spoke with the auditors about it, and told them that it was my affair—­I being the governor and captain-general, in whose charge was the defense of the country, and not in that of the Audiencia or any auditor who was