nt state,
it seems that the traffic and commerce which has been encouraged with
the natives of the Filipinas and those of China and other nations,
and the friendship and good treatment which has been accorded them,
have been of considerably greater importance, since they are a
well-armed and numerous people. It seems very difficult to subject
them or negotiate with them against their will; and as they live for
the most part by commerce, it will be seen, that, by the advantage
accruing to them therefrom, they will not only become Christians,
but, with the lapse of time, they will be profitable to your Majesty
and instruments for whatever your Majesty would like to undertake
among those nations. And if this should come to an end, it is well
known also that this people, because of our recent knowledge of them,
and because of their covetousness, would drop Christianity, return
to their idolatries and old customs, and close the door which they
are now opening for their gain and self-interest. That might be of
greater importance than the annoyance of enduring and supporting them
with some loss, especially as the trade and commerce that comes from
those parts to this kingdom [of Mexico] usually amounts to one ship and
sometimes two, aboard which arrive the returns from the encomenderos
of the said islands--silk, both raw and woven, cotton cloth, iron,
copper, earthenware, and other things of no great worth, carried to
those islands from the said land of China. As these are in no greater
quantities than heretofore, the success achieved in this trade, and the
benefit that might result from it, seem to be held in greater account
than the damage which occurs, as I have said. Although the figured
silks are most usually not so fine as those that come from Espana,
some are good; and those that are not, are of such a price that,
considering the price of those that come from Espana, there is no
comparison--because, as a rule, the damask is better than the taffeta
from Espana, and costs hardly half as much. The same holds with regard
to all other cloth. The raw silk is very good and profitable in this
city. As it is made, it is better than the native product; and from it
are made good fabrics. In the first, second, and further sales of it
that are made, your Majesty's customs also receive greater increase,
rather than diminution, from that which used to come from Espana,
and now does not come for this reason.

Also with this trade and