Every one asserts that the chief deficiency of that land is justice;
and without justice there is no safety. He who at the present time
exercises the duties of general is not, I believe, held in much
esteem; for they knew him when he held the inferior position of a
bookseller here. To enter into this subject is very disagreeable to
me, but, as your Majesty's servant, I am obliged to mention this; for
I am convinced that, if this venture is to succeed, as I hope in God
that it will succeed, your Majesty must appoint a man to that office
who will be respected and esteemed, and who possesses the necessary
qualifications both for peace and war. I beg your Majesty not to make
trial, especially in the case of those who are to participate in the
administration of justice, of men from the Indias.

As for the question of helping the Philipinas islands, I have up to
this time adhered to the instructions which your Majesty has ordered
to be given me. Since I came here, I have never failed in any year
to send a ship or ships with reenforcements and munitions; but sea
and land and climate have their effect, and the number of men is
constantly diminished; so that, although people are regularly sent
thither, they are actually but little increased in numbers. The object
and plan which should be pursued in matters yonder I do not know; but,
whatever it may be, people are necessary, for the islands are many. As
for the mainland of China, it is so large a land and so thickly settled
that one of its hundred divisions, according to report, is as big as
half the world itself. It is learned from the Chinese that they admit
strangers only with reluctance to their land. For this reason, more
and better soldiers would be needful than those who could go from this
land, for those born here are but little used to hardship--although it
is also understood that the people of China, in spite of possessing
weapons, horses, and artillery, are but little superior in valor to
the Indians. Commercial relations are now beginning to be established
with the Chinese; but until this is definitely completed the hopes of
the merchants here will not rise, in spite of all I do and contrive
with them to encourage and spur them on; for, to tell the truth, no
certain information comes of a nature to induce them to go. And one
of the difficulties consequent upon this commerce and intercourse is,
that neither from this land nor from Espana, so far as can now be
learn