4.  Almost similar was another question that arose a few days after, when some Chinese merchants had been condemned, by the judge who visits the Chinese ships, to pay the penalty which they had incurred because of not having brought the ammunition and stores for your Majesty’s magazines which were ordered from them since the time of Don Juan de Silva.  They appealed to the royal Audiencia, who ordered the judge to come to report on the matter.  It seemed to me that the same argument ruled in that as in the preceding case, and even more closely, as it was a matter of war.  However, I had the lawyers consulted again.  They decided that it was a military matter, and that it did not belong to the royal Audiencia.  Consequently, I ordered that they do nothing further in the matter until your Majesty should be informed. [In the margin:  “Have the fiscal examine this also.”  “It was taken to him.”  “Answered on a separate paper.”]

5.  Another appeal has also come in these last few days to the royal Audiencia from the governor of the Sangleys themselves.  He is a person appointed to govern them in their own manner, and to take charge of the suits that are brought before him, written in the Chinese characters, and according, to their custom.  And although I did not think that such appeals should be listened to, and gave my reason therefor, still the auditors persisted in endeavoring to try this case.  In order not to irritate them, I have overlooked the matter, as it seemed to me that they could act in this case with less evil consequences than in the others.  I advise your Majesty of it, petitioning you that it may be to your royal service to have the Audiencia notified as to what regulations cover not only the governmental and military suits, but also those of justice, touching the Chinese or Sangleys.  For this some arguments occur to me, which I shall represent to your Majesty, in order to say at one time what I believe in this matter. [In the margin:  “Take this to the fiscal also.”  “It was taken.”  “Answered on a separate paper.”]

6.  The Chinese, Sire, who live in these islands are almost all infidels.  Their god is silver, and their religion the various ways that they have of gaining it.  Their nature is cowardly; and those who come to this country have so little character that, as they are not entitled to anything among their own countrymen, they come to get their livelihood among us, serving in the most menial trades.  They engage in suits and disputes very readily, in which they threaten one another; and each day they arm themselves for their sinister ends.  They have innumerable methods of hiding the truth.  They furnish as many false witnesses as they choose, for, as they are infidels, they do not fear God; and as they are so greedy for money, they swear [falsely], and even sell their own parents.  Their names and occupations are changed in every step, although for this there may be no better reason or argument than their own ideas.  They