ngly easy to
take, as it is nothing more than a palisade, with but little rampart;
and, as your Majesty will have been informed, we are surrounded by
so many enemies.

All of this could be remedied, did your Majesty feel the needs of
this city so strongly that you would be pleased to grant us some
public property. Although I, as a regidor and attorney of this city,
have endeavored, in your Majesty's name, to have certain villages
of Indians granted to the city as its property, your governors have
always answered me with fair words, and have done nothing. Our only
hope now is that, when your Majesty understands that this is all
to be employed in your royal service, you will take compassion on
us and grant us, as city property, some Indians. With this grant,
all these difficulties can be remedied.

With this ship sails Father Alonso Sanchez, of the Society of Jesus,
a very learned man, having much experience in the affairs of these
islands, as well as of China and other countries. Since he is thus
qualified, this city resolved to send him as agent for this kingdom,
in order to give your Majesty a detailed account of affairs here. May
our Lord preserve your sacred royal Catholic person, with increase
of greater kingdoms and seigniories, as we, your Majesty's servants,
desire. Manila, June 30, 1586.

Royal Catholic Majesty, your Majesty's humblest servant kisses your
royal feet and hands.+

Juan de Moron

[Addressed: "To his + sacred royal Catholic Majesty, King Don
Ffelipe, our sovereign. To be given into his royal hands."]

[Endorsed: "1586. Legajo 1; letters from Manila. + Number 17. To his
Majesty." "Manila, Joan de Moron, June 30. The expedition to the land
of Maluco, and the lukewarmness encountered in the commandant, Diego
de Cambujar, as will appear from the accompanying investigation. Need
in that city of a fortress. In favor of Father Alonso Sanchez."]

Measures Regarding Trade with China

Letter to Felipe II

Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:

In order to discuss your Majesty's commands regarding the commerce
between the Philipinas Islands and Nueva Espana, Don Cristobal Mora
and I met yesterday and examined a long report which Ledesma had drawn
up from many papers which have been sent from both sides, together
with a certain clause of a letter to your Majesty by the viceroy, Don
Martin Enriquez, written on the twentieth of March of the past year,
eighty [-five]. [54] In this letter he says t