wrongs, I was greatly afflicted.  The confusion and lawlessness which prevailed in taking the goods from them was so great, that in order to get these better and cheaper, those who had authority in this matter would not allow the Sangleys liberty to sell to those whom they might prefer.  But these of whom I speak took all the goods.  Then, after having selected what they desired, at whatever price they might choose, they would give the rest to their servants, friends, and associates.  In consequence, although twenty ships have come from China—­and so many have never before been seen in this space of time—­nothing of all that comes from China has been visible this year.  On the contrary, Chinese goods have risen to such excessive prices that a piece of satin formerly worth ten or twelve tostons here, has been sold at forty or forty-five, and yet could not be found, even for the church, which is so needy that it has not been able to obtain silk to make a single ornament.  The same is true of all other Chinese goods, which were formerly hawked in vain through the streets.  Who may have been the cause of this, what has become of these goods, or where they may have gone, it is not incumbent upon me to say.  What devolves upon me is, to represent to your Majesty the condition of this country, which can not last long volves upon me is, to represent to your Majesty the will insist upon knowing whose is the guilt, and upon providing a remedy for your vassals who are so greatly in need of it.

From this condition of affairs has resulted very great harm, which must be the reason why the trade of this city has ceased.  That is, since all the goods have this year come into the possession of a few persons, the traders who came here on the strength of reports of the good trade in this country have not spent their money; or else those who have spent it have bought very little, and at so high prices that they will do well if they get back their money.  The evil does not stop here; for these traders are compelled to perform sentinel-duty, just as the soldiers do, and in order not to leave their goods to be stolen, they pay a soldier who does this for them, and collects the money.  Thus every week they have to pay one toston (the equivalent of four reals) for the services of a sentinel.

These same merchants were summoned for an expedition which was going to Iapon [Japan], and a fleet was made ready to sail thither; and in order to avoid going they paid as much as thirty and forty pesos each.  Thus, in many ways, trade has been unfortunate this year.  The latest injury—­that which most harassed the Chinese, and most succeeded in irritating them—­was that, in sending a galley on the expedition to Iapon which I mentioned, twenty or thirty Sangleys who had come this year to remain here were seized, and compelled to row.  Many have come to me to complain, saying that they had come here to earn a living for their children; and asked that, since they were not allowed to accomplish