and you will find their necks all
covered with chains and necklaces of gold; and this is the gold that
I told you of." Finally the governor sent back the said mandarins,
apparently satisfied; and he wrote to the viceroy, the eunuch,
and the inspector of the town and kingdom to which the Chinese
who came here belonged. By one of these men Governor Don Pedro de
Acuna wrote a very discreet letter concerning the matter. Now we are
waiting to see how the greed of the king of China and of his eunuch
will be affected by these things, and what measures the captain of
the guard and the sureties will take to right their falsehood and
save their lives; for, if they are declared impostors, they will
lose their lives. We hope in the Lord, that He will look upon this
Christian community which is being founded here, and will calm the
feelings of the Chinese in this region; and that, if they come, they
will find that the governor has the country so well prepared that
either they will not go back, or will return in such a state that
they will not desire to come here again. This country could be with
little difficulty, if the viceroy of Mexico provides sufficient aid,
put in such a condition that this war need not be greatly feared. I
was the first one who learned of this matter, and who protested. I
informed the governor of the matter, and afterward, on St. Dominic's
day and on St. Francis's day, I likewise explained the whole affair
to the congregation, quite publicly in the pulpit, so that the truth
might be known--as well as the importance in which I held this, being
a man who knows the language of these Chinese, and is acquainted with
many of their affairs and customs in China, having spent many months
there. I also did this that the affair might be taken up prudently and
carefully, as there might be counselors to advise ill in the matter,
not understanding it. With this affair, and its many misfortunes, this
country is much troubled; and there is great need of aid on the part
of your Majesty. Likewise, of late years, there have not been wanting
omens and warnings in this country. A notable warning that they tell
of, is two stars that fought with one another, going backward and
then returning to the encounter--a thing which seems supernatural;
finally, one of them moved toward Manila, and the other one toward
China. I do not count these things for much; but this thing is of
much importance, namely, a sadness and depression on the par