ve the governor informed that, considering all
the circumstances that he sets forth in his letter, the measure
for benefiting the imposts for the royal treasury does not appear
improper; but that it will be necessary to consider very carefully
how this increase of duties may be attempted and obtained. For in
order to obtain that increase we cannot risk the commerce, which
must be considered with the coming of the Chinese, as it conduces to
the benefit of those islands; nor also the security of the country,
if their numbers be greatly multiplied. For it seems that this will
be necessary, if the money were to increase to so great a sum as
he mentions. Have the matter entrusted to the governor himself and
to the Audiencia, so that, after weighing the advantages of this
measure with the advantages which might occur in its execution,
and considering all the above, the decision which shall be most to
his Majesty's service and that of his royal Audiencia may be made;
and that they shall report whatever they do to the Council. Have the
Audiencia notified to the same effect."]

Sire:

A communal fund was established in the Parian or alcaiceria of the
Chinese, who are called Sangleys, in the time of Don Alonso Faxardo
de Tenca, and with your approbation given April 8, 1622. Each
Sangley pays into it three tostons annually, in two payments. The
ministers of justice of the said Parian are paid from that fund,
as are those who live there to administer the holy sacraments, in
case that some [of the Sangleys] are converted--namely, two fathers
of St. Dominic. That fund also takes care of the works that your
Majesty needs; and the requisite sum is furnished from it for the
payment of the laborers, so that they may go willingly, and so that
no other assessment need be made. With the consent of the Sangleys,
Don Juan Nino de Tabora assigned from this communal fund a salary for
a minister to administer the holy sacraments to the Chinese living in
the town of Santa Cruz, on the other side of the river, which is in
charge of the fathers of the Society of Jesus; for the said Don Juan
Nino deemed that necessary. But at his death, and when an attempt was
made to collect that stipend belonging to the minister of Santa Cruz,
the fathers of St. Dominic refused to pay it, but on the contrary
went to law about it with him. And as if they were a party in this,
they brought a very strenuous suit against him, before my predecessor,
Don Juan Cerec