and eighty quintals of
cinnamon, besides some belonging also to individuals, which I have
not seized from them, but have paid them a moderate price for it,
of which a previous account has been given to your Majesty. Since
your Majesty has not had any answer sent me regarding it, I gather
that your Majesty does not desire that this should be done. Likewise
I infer the same with regard to other things to which your Majesty
has had no answer made me. And besides all this, the ships carry
silks of different colors (both damasks and satins), cloth-stuffs,
a little gold, and a lot of cotton mantles, both white and colored;
a quantity of wax, glazed earthenware; and other knick-knacks such
as fans, parasols, desks, and numberless other little manufactured
articles. On account of its being an initial attempt, and because the
merchants' interest in this commerce has not been roused or acquired,
the matter of import and export duty, as I have written your Majesty,
has not yet been settled upon. For the future, however, I will see
that they make payment like the rest.
I do not believe that the cinnamon will prove a success in this
land, for it is very little used, because of the use here of other
spices which grow in these regions. I beg your Majesty to order what
disposition is to be made of the same; and likewise to be pleased to
advise me whether cinnamon imported by individuals shall be allowed
to be brought here.
They say that in an island called Cauchi, not two hundred leagues
from Manilla (where the Spaniards are settled now), there is a
great quantity of pepper, and that the Chinese resort thither for
trade. This seems to be the best site which could be chosen, and to
secure it would obviously be attended with but little difficulty. I
see no other objection in this, other than that I fear the opportunity
for general trade, which is desired there, may not exist; and that
the Chinese will resent being deprived of their trade, which must be
very lucrative to them, or having to depend upon the Spaniards to
carry on the same. But all the ability to remove these obstacles,
and to arrange everything satisfactorily, depends upon the person
whom your Majesty may place there to administer justice, and to see
that no wrongs are done; for in the absence of unjust conditions,
self-interest will attract people.
Your Majesty orders that no Portuguese shall go to the islands; yet
it is understood that some have gone there, and hav
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