of what was done, as it was to check him who was trying
to destroy us. The inspector should consider what
he should do, if any similar case happened in China.
What he was sorry for was in not having been able
to save any of the Anhays among the Sangley merchants,
who perished among the guilty. But it was impossible
to prevent that, for the violence of war does not
allow some to be killed and others exempted, especially
since they were unknown to the soldiers in the heat
of war. Employing clemency toward those captured
alive, he condemned them to row in the galleys, which
is the punishment substituted by the Castilians for
those who merit death. However, if they in China
thought that the punishment should be lessened, he
would give them liberty. “But it should
be noted,” says Don Pedro, “that this
might be the cause that, if so serious a crime were
unpunished, they would fall into it a second time,
a thing that would close all the gates to kindness.
The goods of the Chinese killed are in deposit.
And in order that it may be seen that I am not moved
by any other zeal than that of justice, I shall have
these immediately delivered to their heirs, or to
those to whom they rightfully pertain. I am not
moved to any of these things by any consideration
other than that of right. To tell me that if
I do not free the prisoners, permission will be given,
to the relatives in China of those who were killed
in the rebellion, to come with a fleet to Manila,
causes no disturbance in my mind; for I consider the
Chinese as so sensible a race, that they will not
be incited to such things with little foundation and
especially since we have; on our side, given them
no occasion for it. In case any other resolution
is followed, we Spaniards are people who know how
to defend our rights, religion, and country very well.
And do not let the Chinese consider themselves lords
of all the world, as they give out; for we Castilians,
who have measured it with palmos, know with exactness
the lands of China, where it will be well to know that
the king of Espana has continual wars with kings as
powerful as their own [i.e., the Chinese king],
and subdues them and inflicts great troubles upon
them. It is no new case, when our enemies imagine
that we are defeated, to find us desolating and destroying
the confines of their lands, and not ceasing until
we have hurled them from their thrones and taken away
their scepters. I would be very sorry for a change
in trade, but I also believe that the Chinese do not
wish to lose it, since so great gain accrues from
it, and the Chinese take to their kingdom so much
of our silver, which is never diminished in amount,
in exchange for their merchandise, which is composed
of poor articles that are soon worn out.”
The English ships that reached the coast of China,
he was determined not to receive, for they are not
Spaniards, but their enemies, and are pirates.
Consequently if they came to Manila they would be
punished. “Finally, because we Spaniards