for the masses, administration of the sacraments, preaching, reading
and all their other ministries to their fellow-men nothing whatever,
but do all these things gratis. It should further be observed that
the citizens of the said city of Santo Nombre de Jesus are few
and very poor, and are unable to aid the said religious with any
gifts or alms. In addition to the aforesaid affirmations, which are
contained in the official evidence, there are other statements in
the _ex parte_ testimony in which the same things are said by twelve
witnesses, one of whom is Bishop Don Fray Pedro de Agurto. Besides
the above, he has written a letter, which is enclosed herewith,
in which he declares as an eye-witness the great service done to
our Lord God in those regions by religious of the aforesaid Society;
and the great value of their residence there, from which great profit
results to the said city and all that province of Cebu, distant from
Manila one hundred and fifty leguas by sea. This said residence is,
as it were, a nursery and asylum for all the missions and centers of
teaching that are under the charge of the aforesaid Society in that
province. There are two letters from the royal Audiencia in which they
state that which they consider necessary to relieve the wants of the
aforesaid residence, and the excellent use to which such a grant would
be put. I pray your Majesty that, in view of these considerations,
this favor may be granted, by giving commands that a regular income
of two thousand ducados of eight reals may be allowed, as has been
requested, for the support of the religious who reside therein. The
aforesaid sum is to be charged against the royal treasury of Mexico,
from the proceeds of offices which are sold, deposited therein;
and therewith the Society will receive a great grace from your Majesty.

_Father Pedro Chirino_

Granted by the Camara, May 26, 1607:
The licentiate _Alonzo Fernandez de Castro_

DECREE REGULATING COMMERCE WITH NUEVA ESPANA

The King: The king my lord and father (may he rest in peace!) by
various decrees prohibited trade and commerce of the Western Indias
with the Philipinas Islands and China generally, to obviate the
loss that resulted therefrom to these kingdoms and to their trade
and commerce; and he ordered and commanded that no vessel whatsoever
should go from the provinces of Peru, Tierra Firme, Guatimala, or any
other part of the Western Indias, to the said kingdoms of China