[_Endorsed_: "June 17, 1638. Let there be no innovation."]
_Chinese_
[_In the margin_: "He says that the pagan Indians pay annually, for the
general license given them, permitting them to live in those islands,
nine pesos less one real; and that they live in a place called the
Parian, from which they went out. And having brought them back to it,
they asked permission to go to live in other places; and it was given
them, by their paying ten pesos."]
Sire:
The heathen Chinese who live in these islands and come to trade with
the vassals of your Majesty, pay annually nine pesos less one real
for the general license which is given them for permission to live
in your Majesty's lands, and by way of recognition. They live in a
place which has been built for them near the Manila walls, called in
their language "the Parian." Many of them have gone to live outside
in the stock-farms and gardens of the inhabitants, and in other parts,
because of their convenience, without permission of the government. At
petition of the city, I ordered an edict to be issued, ordering
that all of these Chinese should return to live in their Parian,
and most of them did so. Afterward, they asked with many requests
and petitions to be allowed to return to live at their posts. That
favor was permitted them, on condition of the payment of ten pesos
two reals in place of the nine pesos less one real for their general
licenses, and, in addition to this, the half-annats for the favor--the
even ten pesos being for your Majesty's treasury, and the two reals
for the printing of the said licenses, and for the judge, notary,
chief constable, and other officials in the matter of the licenses,
who issue them and collect the silver, in which your Majesty has a
profit of nine reals from each one of those licenses. Those people
have no room in their own land; and when they come in their ships to
bring their merchandise to this city, many come who remain. In order
that that number may not increase so much, it is ordered that they
be returned in the same ships, after giving them the good usage and
treatment that is shown them at present. They are so contented that,
with but a message sent them by their alcalde-mayor [requesting]
that they aid his Majesty with [a grant of] four thousand pesos for
the erection of a bulwark which has been begun, to be built in the
port of Cavite, they gave that sum very willingly, without making any
opposition, and offered whatever else remained in their [communal]
fund. For these reasons and for others, especially for the favors
and kind treatment that are accorded them, I am obliged to petition
your Majesty to be pleased to grant me permission, so that, setting
before them skilfully and discreetly the necessities of your Majesty
for maintaining the fortifications of the port and of this city,
all the remainder of the said licenses may be paid at the rate
of ten pesos two reals apiece. This will increase your Majesty's
revenues by eighteen or twenty thousand pesos, and this additional
income will remain in your royal treasury. I will assure to your
Majesty, with the signatures of many theologians and the opinions
of learned jurists, your [peace of] conscience and mine; and also
by managing it with so much mildness that they themselves will ask
it. That has been done by the four or five thousand Chinese who now
pay it. By means of this aid and others which are being arranged,
I preserve the authority of your Majesty, and free your conscience;
and, provided that no one steals anything from your royal revenues,
the support of these islands will be arranged for, without any help
from Nueva Espana beyond the proceeds of the merchandise carried by
the galleons. But by following this plan I have no need of anything
else except that your Majesty be pleased to grant me permission to
do this. May our Lord preserve your Majesty's Catholic person, as is
necessary to Christendom. Manila, the last of June, one thousand six
hundred and thirty-six. Your vassal kisses your Majesty's feet.