in order to send advices to China it was necessary for the citizens to lend here a plate and there a pitcher, and other pieces of silver, for money there is none; and the little silver which remained to me, after the loan which I had made to the fund for aiding the soldiers, I also gave on this occasion and with all ... this infantry, to pay two instalments of their pay; and as they were not given rations they endured much suffering, so that I was greatly troubled by the difficulties and weakness that resulted—­and at the time when it was most reasonable to keep them content and paid.  I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to order that the viceroy of Nueva Espana be notified to provide immediately a considerable quantity of money, so that this embarrassment may at once cease; as it is a very great difficulty that when anything is brought for the treasury we can make no use of it except to pay past debts, and it is not even sufficient for that.  May our Lord preserve your Majesty in that prosperity which is needful for Christendom.  Manila, December 18, 1603.

Don Pedro de Acuna

[Endorsed “Manila; to his Majesty; 1603.  Don Pedro de Acuna; December 18.  Duplicate.”]

Sire: 

In a clause of a letter which I have just written to your Majesty, I give a particular account of the uprising of the Sangleys who rebelled against this city.  I set forth the measures which I immediately took upon my arrival here to have the Audiencia refer to me the licenses for the Sangleys who were allowed to remain here, since I was charged with the defense of the country against them and other nations who come here to trade.  I also desired this in order to remove and prevent certain difficulties which arose by reason of this, in connection with my proceedings, from those who have that matter in charge, and from your ministers, whom I have informed on various occasions to be careful in what they did.  The whole city blames them, as it appears that, although it was agreed that there should not be more than four thousand Sangleys, yet there were found in the uprising more than eighteen thousand.  This is a matter which has much to do with the condition of affairs here, and it requires an investigation, because the people keenly feel their losses, and are complaining.  I give an account hereof to your Majesty, so that the matter may be understood.  May our Lord protect the Catholic person of your Majesty, according to the needs of Christendom.  Manila, December 23, 1603.

Don Pedro de Acuna

[In the margin:  “This matter is already provided for as appeared expedient; (between the lines:  “In a letter of December 18, 603"); and as to the matter of the licenses, the inconveniences mentioned should be well considered, as they result from giving so many licenses.”]

[Endorsed: “July 21, 1606; examined and provided for within.”]

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