Item:  It is fully as advisable that no Japanese be [allowed in the city], which is a great cause of trouble.  For they are, on the one hand, a warlike race, and easily come to blows with the Spaniards, for they will not suffer ill-treatment.  Consequently they have sometimes risen against us, and have seized arms.  This has occurred because some soldiers have desired to harm or injure them, whereupon they, to revenge themselves, seize certain cutlasses that they carry, and begin to assemble together.  They may place us in exceeding great danger.  On the other hand, if we are careless in permitting them, many Japanese will come.  We are in great danger, besides, lest some take to the highways, for among those who come from those kingdoms of Japon are many who have fled for crimes, and who have no right to return to their country.  Likewise [it is advisable to restrict their coming] in order to preserve the friendship of the emperor; since, if we do not retain them in that kingdom, there will be no occasion for any event of treachery that should force us to break friendship with him.  I petition your Highness to order this straitly, and that the said judge also have it in charge.

Item:  There are certain depositories in the said islands called “commons” [comunidades], in which each Indian places one-half fanega of rice at the annual harvest season.  Those commons were ordained with the object and purpose that they might serve the said natives in time of need, by relieving the poor and lending to other needy persons, who return it at the harvest.  The plan would have been of great importance had that end been secured; but what actually occurs is, that the alcaldes-mayor sell the rice, or appropriate and loan it, and never return it.  And between the stewards and the religious for feasts of the village (for they are those who have charge of the Indians of the missions), at the end of the year all the rice has been used, so that the needs of the poor Indians are not succored.  That waste can well be avoided; and they regard it as another very large tribute.  Therefore, it is advisable for the service of God and the welfare of those poor natives that your Highness order the said commons to be suppressed.  If it be necessary to keep them, it is advisable that the governor of the Filipinas order that there be one reliable steward in each one, who shall have charge of the said depository; that no magistrate or religious put into or take out of the said commons; and that during any time of necessity the rice be lent to the poor; and at the harvest it be paid in kind.  If this were to be put into execution, it would be of great importance, according to an opinion that I expressed on this matter in the Filipinas.  If the above plan were observed in the commons round about Manila, some forty in number, there might be, as a result, one hundred thousand fanegas of rice or more on the occasion of any sudden need, which could be placed within the city very speedily;