of Canton. As I have stated in previous
communications, if it is permitted to carry on trade between Piru
or Nueva Espana and China, this country will be depopulated and
ruined. The principal means of support here is the merchandise from
China, and the profit which results from sending those goods to be
sold in Nueva Espana. This would be completely done away with, should
ships go from that country or Piru to China; for it is evident that,
if these ships bought the merchandise needed, there would be no market
or sale for the goods brought from these islands. Neither would the
Chinese come here with their ships to sell the goods, or at least
not in so large numbers; and besides the general loss to this land,
there would be lost the customs duties of import and export.

At my petition, in view of the fact that a large part of the gold
paid as tribute had not been declared, and the fifth taken, it was
decreed that within a fortnight after the collection of tribute, the
gold should be declared, and the registers of collection displayed,
before the officials of your royal exchequer, under penalty of
losing the third part of the tribute for that year. The aforesaid was
proclaimed and notification was given to the encomenderos of this city,
and the decrees therefor were sent to the alcaldes-mayor. Nevertheless,
there is laxity in the declarations; and it would be of great benefit
for your Majesty to order the officers of your royal exchequer to
exercise great care in this, and to see that the disobedient suffer
the penalties. [_Marginal note_: "Bring the decrees in this case."]

Last year a fragata was despatched from this city to Maluco. Therein
were two descalced friars, who were going to that court on business
connected with their order; and they carried with them a packet of
letters from this Audiencia and your governor. This fragata anchored
in a port of the island of Borney, called El Paso; and the natives
attacked them, after having given assurance of safety so that they
would land. They killed one of the friars, and all the men except
three or four Spaniards; and burned the fragata, after having robbed
it. Those who escaped say that this attack had been made by order
of the king of Burney, and that a Spanish soldier who had gone
there had been persuaded to turn renegade. They pay him a stipend
for making plans for stone fortifications, and making weapons and
powder. Your governor despatched a ship, sending a messenger