[35] In legajo 2637, sec_a_, de est_o_. of the Simancas archivo is a document recording the proceedings at a session of the Council of State on July 20, 1604; among the questions discussed was this one of trade between the American and the Oriental colonies.  The councilors gave their opinions separately.  Their conclusion was that the prohibition of trade in Chinese goods then in force between Peru and Nueva Espana be made general; and that a period of only six or eight months be allowed for the consumption of such goods already on hand, instead of the two years recommended by the Council of the Indias.  “It is desirable to do this promptly and rigorously; but merchandise brought for use in the churches and in Divine worship should be excepted from this prohibition—­save that in the future neither this nor any other exception should be considered, but the door to this trade should be closed by all means.  The Marques of Montesclaros was recommended as the proper person to carry out these instructions, as he had not been concerned in that trade.  One of the councilors advised that the appointments of the commanders on ships in the Philippine trade be retained by the viceroy of Spain, rather than given to the governor and archbishop at Manila.

[36] Literally, “average;” a certain duty levied on merchandise in the India trade.

[37] See account of this affair in Vol.  XII, in the first document 1603; this name is there given as Tio Heng.

[38] Apparently a corrupt phonetic rendering of the name of Wan-Leh, then emperor of China (Vol.  III, p. 228).  As he succeeded his father in 1572, the blank date here must refer to the thirty-third year of his reign (1605).

[39] Lorenzo de Leon was a native of Granada, and entered the Augustinian order in Mexico where he made profession in 1578.  Four years later, he entered the Philippine mission, and spent twelve years as minister in Indian villages in Luzon.  He was then advanced to various high offices in his order, among them that of provincial (1596).  He was a religious of exceptional abilities, and the general of the order, as a recognition of his great endowments in virtue and knowledge, appointed him master and president of provincial chapters.  After his second election as provincial (1605) he was at the intermediate congregation deposed from this dignity by the fathers definitors.  Accepting this rude blow with humility and Christian resignation, he withdrew to the convent of San Pablo de los Montes, where he spent the following year in prayer and pious works.  Returning to Mexico in 1606, he died in that city in 1623.  This account is condensed from Perez’s Catalogo, p. 29.

[40] Spanish, propiedad:  property enjoyed contrary to their vows by members of religious orders.

[41] As the word “creole” is often used in a vague or inexact manner, it seems best to state that, as used in our text, it means a person of pure Spanish blood, born in any of the Spanish colonies.