The two auditors who were to come to this Audiencia, remained in Mexico, as there was no accommodation in the ship to enable them to sail.  Their absence causes a conspicuous deficiency; for I am the only judge in the Audiencia, because the sickness of Doctor Juan Manuel de la Vega is of long duration, and few hopes are sustained of his recovery, according to the physicians’ reports.  Licentiate Manuel de Madrid y Luna has determined to go to serve in the position of alcalde of the court in Mexico (which your Majesty has bestowed upon him as a reward), notwithstanding that I did not allow him to quit that of auditor of this Audiencia on account of the just reasons for serving therein—­through the many affairs concurrent in it of justice and government, and through the great lack that all these would experience if they were in charge of only one person.  Should it happen that I were to die, there would be no Audiencia nor any one to govern these islands—­irreparable injuries, for which it is advisable to prepare the remedy beforehand.  And although, besides these things, I presented to him many considerations that should oblige him to postpone his departure; and notwithstanding the requests and protests that I have made to him regarding the present injuries and those that might happen on his account; all this has not sufficed to move him from his purpose.  He has answered me with the arguments which if your Majesty pleases may be seen in the accompanying testimony.  Manila.  August 10, 1617.

Licentiate Andres de Alcaraz

[Marginal note:  “Take particular account of what is stated about his services, in order to reward him as may be fitting, especially for what he did on the occasions that he mentions which have been so advantageous to the royal service and to the conservation of those islands, which results from achievements as great as were the defeat and punishment of the enemy.  In what concerns the persons of whose services he gives information, let attention be given to them in the Audiencia; and have them summoned so that they may know what knowledge his Majesty has of them, and what he has entrusted to their persons.”]

TRADE BETWEEN NUEVA ESPANA AND THE FAR EAST

Of the Trade of Eastern India, Nueva Espana, and Filipinas with Macao and Japon

Beyond a doubt Christian interests in Japon and China are sustained and prospered, after the grace of God, through the trade which your Majesty’s vassals carry on with those kingdoms; for the heathen there, being avaricious, are much pleased with the gain they derive from the goods carried to them, and from those which they sell to the Christians.  Therefore, they allow the religious of Europe in their countries, because they know that, if they do not admit them, they will not enjoy this trade; for they see that principally on account of religion your Majesty’s vassals come to them with their ships and goods.  This is shown by the experience of many years.