3. In regard to the inspection of the Chinese vessels, when they come
with their merchandise, your governor appoints an inspector. The
ex-governor was wont to appoint a member of his household. On
that account notable wrongs have been committed; but no one has
dared to demand justice against the inspectors, because they are
such persons. He petitions your Majesty to order that this post be
filled by one of the alcaldis-in-ordinary--who, inasmuch as they
understand the great importance of conserving that trade, and as it
is a matter that grieves them, will show the Chinese good treatment,
since it is incumbent upon those officials to consider the interests
of their community.

34. _Item_: That the trading-ships that navigate to Nueva Espana have
sometimes not been despatched, for personal purposes of the former
governors, which is to the great injury of your royal treasury and of
the citizens, since those ships are the sinews of that community. He
petitions your Majesty to order your governor to prevent such a thing,
so that, unless compelled by a very great necessity, the annual
despatch be not neglected.

35. _Item_: He petitions your Majesty to order your governor not to
exclude the regidors of the city from appointments in accordance with
their merits, since they derive no profit from the city magistracy,
and are serving the community.

36. _Item_: He petitions that your Majesty be pleased to order that
religious be provided, belonging to the orders there, for there is
great need of them

37. _Item_: The maintenance of commerce with the Chinese, and the good
treatment of those from that nation who dwell in those islands, are of
so great importance that that community cannot be maintained without
them (as they practice all the trades needed by a city), and it is
advisable to treat them well. But your governor, Don Juan de Silva,
after having levied upon them so great a tax as the annual payment
of nine reals of eight for permission to remain in the country (which
meant, however, to impose this tax on the citizens, since because of
it all prices were raised), besides this made them render personal
services, by which they were sorely vexed. He therefore petitions
your Majesty to order your governor to treat the Chinese as well as
possible, and to exempt them from those personal services, which are
a greater burden on them than are the licenses. This should be done,
also, since they are foreigners, and remain volun