execution of this, an auditor of the Audiencia is engaged by special commission every year, together with some assistants.  On petition of the city cabildo, he usually allows as many Sangleys to remain as are necessary for the service of all trades and occupations.  The rest are embarked and compelled to return in the vessels going to China, and a great deal of force and violence [254] is necessary to accomplish it.

Those merchants and artisans who remained in Manila before the revolt of the year six hundred and three had settled the Parian and its shops.  The Parian is a large enclosed alcaiceria of many streets, at some distance from the city walls.  It is near the river, and its location is called San Graviel.  There they have their own governor, who has his tribunal and prison, and his assistants; these administer justice to them, and watch them day and night, so that they may live in security, and not commit disorders.

Those who cannot find room in this Parian live opposite, on the other side of the river, where Tondo is, in two settlements called Baybay and Minondoc.  They are in charge of the alcalde-mayor of Tondo, and under the ministry of the religious of St. Dominic, who labor for their conversion, and for that purpose have learned the Chinese language.

The Dominicans have two monasteries with the requisite assistants, and a good hospital for the treatment of Sangleys.  In a district kept separate from the infidels, they have a settlement of baptized Sangleys, with their wives, households, and families, numbering five hundred inhabitants; and the religious are continually baptizing others and settling them in that village.  But few of them turn out well, for they are a vile and restless race, with many vices and bad customs.  Their having become Christians is not through the desire or wish for salvation, but for the temporal conveniences that they have there, and because some are unable to return to China because of debts incurred and crimes committed there.

Each and all, both Christians and infidels, go unarmed and in their national garb.  This consists of long garments with wide sleeves, made of blue cangan (but white for mourning, while the chief men wear them of black and colored silks); wide drawers of the same material; half hose of felt; very broad shoes, according to their fashion, made of blue silk embroidered with braid—­with several soles, well-sewed—­and of other stuffs.  Their hair is long and very black, and they take good care of it.  They do it up on the head in a high knot, [255] under a very close-fitting hood or coif of horsehair, which reaches to the middle of the forehead.  They wear above all a high round cap made of the same horsehair, in different fashions, by which their different occupations, and each man’s rank, are distinguished.  The Christians differ only in that they cut their hair short, and wear hats, as do the Spaniards.

They are a light-complexioned people and tall of body.  They have scant beards, are very stout-limbed, and of great strength.  They are excellent workmen, and skilful in all arts and trades.  They are phlegmatic, of little courage, treacherous and cruel when opportunity offers, and very covetous.  They are heavy eaters of all kinds of meat, fish, and fruits; but they drink sparingly, and then of hot beverages.