houses formerly standing having been destroyed during this year of six hundred and five, and more by the other fire that occurred in the year six hundred and three—­they determined to have one thousand five hundred infidel Chinese stay here for the rebuilding of the burned part, and the service of the city.  They commanded me by an act to give permission to the said number of infidel Chinese, choosing them from the crafts which should appear to me most necessary.  This I did with exactness and fairness, being personally present, and not entrusting this task to any other person.  In this way, the said number will not be in any way exceeded; it has appeared necessary and sufficient, and it will be important for the service of God and of your Majesty that this number be not exceeded in years to come.  May God protect the Catholic person of your Majesty.  Manila, July 5, 1605.

The licentiate Manuel de Madrid y Luna

[Endorsed:  “To his Majesty; Manila, 1605:  The licentiate Manuel de Madrid y Luna.  July 5.”  “That, by commission of the Audiencia, the inspection of the ships of the Chinese Sangleys has been attended to; and by order of the said Audiencia, considering the great necessity of labor and repairs, permission was given for a thousand and five hundred of them to remain in that city, as they are very necessary.  And in compliance with this they will be allowed to stay for this purpose, without the said number being exceeded.  March 22, 1607.  This measure is in the letters of the governor.”]

Letters from Pedro de Acuna to Felipe III

Sire: 

On the twenty-fifth of February of the current year, 1605, there arrived in the port of Cabite a ship from Nueva Hespana, and in it Brother Gaspar Gomez of the Society of Jesus, with news of the decision which had been reached regarding the matter of Maluco; the order for this military service also came.  There were, besides, in the said vessel about two hundred infantry, in two companies, of those who are to go on the expedition.  Their arrival was very seasonable and caused much rejoicing in these islands, because it occurred at a time when we had received news by way of Macan that an army was being prepared in China to come here. [4]

The diligence shown by the viceroy of Nueva Hespana in despatching these advices, and informing me of the condition of the embarcations there, was of great value in assisting me to prepare some necessary supplies; for nearly everything has to be obtained from different provinces, while some supplies must be imported from distant kingdoms, as China and Japon.  Hence time is requisite for this purpose—­and, indeed, even more than we have; but all will be made ready although with some difficulty.