that means, and without any remarkable cost to your Majesty (since other expenses were cut down), the villages were relieved of many thousands of ducados which they had to contribute (to their own ruin) every year for the just payment of the aforesaid services.  Thus, adding to all this the efforts that, as I wrote in the letter on military affairs, have been made and are being undertaken in regard to their protection, I think everything possible will have been done this year for the just government and administration of these unfortunate natives. [In the margin:  “Take it to the fiscal.”  “The fiscal says that from what this section shows, the zeal and care of the governor in the welfare, protection, and instruction of those natives ought to be esteemed, and he ought to be ordered to go ahead.  At present nothing else in particular can be answered or advised, because this letter does not contain the matters mentioned in it and said to have been given to the religious orders, etc.”  “Advise him that the papers have not come, and that we are awaiting them, in order to decide as shall be most advisable.”]

Quite a number of meetings were also held in regard to the government of the Sangleys or Chinese, both those naturalized in the country and those who are transient—­the traders and mechanics, who are very numerous.  All that needed reform was discussed very deliberately, and is being carried out in accordance with the decisions of the other tribunals.  However, we cannot help having a million difficulties in regard to all the matters concerning that nation, as we do not govern them after their own manner—­as I state in greater detail to your Majesty in the letter on judicial matters, when discussing the manner in which I think those people should be governed.  It is sure and certain that so long as there cannot be the remedy that I ask for in this matter, what is desired and expedient cannot be attained. [In the margin:  “Seen; and have particular care in this.”]

The decrees, instructions, and ordinances sent to these islands, both to the governors and to other tribunals and officials, are the rule for the right government of the islands.  Very many of them are missing—­some being lost by carelessness, and others hidden through malice—­and orders are not found for many things that would be necessary, while others, because they were carelessly drawn up, are, when placed in practice, overruled by saying that there was a decree for it.  Consequently, desirous of the clarity required in so important a matter, I petition your Majesty to be pleased to have some folios of them printed and sent to this government. [In the margin: “For all the Council.”  “Have a pamphlet printed of all these orders and send it to him, and for that purpose send Antonio de Leon to me.”  “I have made an agreement with Don Fernando and Antonio de Leon.”]