that the king of China will at least cut off the trade with these countries, under the heaviest penalties, which would be the total ruin of this commonwealth.  The king of China did this to the Japanese, who formerly had trade and commerce with the Chinese between the two countries, the Chinese going to Japon and the Japanese going to China.  The king of China, seeing that the Japanese did not maintain their trade with the care and honesty that they should, did not make war upon them, but took away their trade and commerce under a singularly vigorous penalty—­which is, that if any Chinaman trades with the Japanese not only he but his father, mother, and relatives shall be put to death.  This has remained the law up to the present, inviolably; and no Chinaman has transgressed it, unless it be some villainous and desperate man.  This is one of the most important considerations to be judged in the present case.  He begs and entreats your Highness to command that this be considered, and commands me to give an attestation of this petition and procedure.

Fray Miguel, archbishop of Manila.

In the city of Manila, on the thirteenth day of June of the year 1605, the lords president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of these Filipinas Islands being in session, this petition was read; and, having considered it, they decreed that the depositaries should be commanded to render an account as soon as possible, of the property which they have held on deposit, so that it may be surrendered; and that, when the ships shall have arrived from Castilla, what is owing shall be paid into the royal treasury.  As concerns the Chinese who are in the galleys, the matter is being examined, so that suitable measures may be taken in the matter, and that a decision shall be reached and a decree issued before the Chinese leave.  The attestations which he asks will be given to the archbishop, in the manner that he desires.

Before me,

Pedro Hurtado Desquivel

In fulfilment of which I, Pedro Hurtado Desquivel, notary of court for the king our lord in his royal Audiencia and Chancilleria of these Filipinas Islands, have given this copy of the said petition and command, which is certified to be a true copy, corrected and compared with the originals which remain in my possession.  Witnesses to the examination, copying, correction, and comparison:  Pedro Nunez de Herrera, Geronimo de Peralta.  Manila, the seventh of July, of the year one thousand six hundred and five.  In witness thereof, I have set my seal in attestation of truth.

Pedro Hurtado Desquivel, court notary.

Letter from Acuna to the Viceroy of Ucheo