xcess of the above sum, they may
be appealed to the royal Audiencia of Mexico."]

Restrictions on Commerce

The King: Inasmuch as, whenever we have promulgated ordinances
prohibiting trade between the Western Yndias and China, and regulating
that of the Philipinas, I have been informed that there has been
neglect in the execution thereof; and that, as the merchants and
other persons in the Northern Sea who trade in these our kingdoms
of Castilla, and in the Yndias, have suffered so many losses during
past years, and those engaged in the profits of the Chinese trade
have gained so much, the latter has increased greatly, while the
commerce of these my said kingdoms has declined, on which account
both these kingdoms and my royal income have received great damage:
therefore, since it is so important that the commerce of these my said
kingdoms and of the Yndias be preserved and increased, and that there
be quite usual communication and trade between them, I have, with the
concurrence of my royal Council of the Yndias, determined to prohibit
by new orders--as by this present I do pruhibit, forbid, and order--in
the future, in any manner and under any circumstances whatever,
any vessel from sailing from the provinces of Peru, Tierra Firme,
Guatimala, Nueva Espana, or any other part of our Western Yndias,
to China, for trade or traffic or for any other purpose. Neither can
they go to the Philipinas Islands, except those from Nueva Espana,
which are permitted to go by another decree of this same date. We have
ordained that, should this be done, such vessel will be regarded as
confiscated, with all its money, merchandise, and other cargo. One
third part of all of this shall be applied to our exchequer, a second
third to him who shall give information thereof, and the other third
to the judge who shall pass sentence. And further, we forbid that
any merchandise brought to the said Nueva Espana from the Philipinas
Islands be transferred to the said provinces of Piru and Tierra Firme,
even when the duties imposed on such merchandise have been paid. For
our purpose and will is that nothing from China and the Philipinas
Islands be used in the said provinces of Piru and Tierra Firme,
except what may be there at present, and for which we allow them four
years, to be determined from the date on which this our decree shall
be promulgated. For this purpose every person shall register what
he has at present before the justice of the ci