The King: To Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, [19] knight of the order of
Santiago, and appointed by me governor and captain-general of the
Phelipinas Islands. As soon as Father Alonso Sanchez, a religious
of the Society of Jesus, came here, ordered and empowered by all
the estates of the islands to discuss certain matters regarding
the service of our Lord, and the welfare and preservation of the
inhabitants and natives of those islands, I ordered certain members of
my councils to come together to hear him. This they did, and a thorough
examination was made of certain memorials which that religious had
been ordered to present. [20] After they had consulted with me upon
certain points of the said memorials, I decided, with the approval
of the above-mentioned councilors to whom the matter was delegated,
upon the following instructions which are given to you. I order you
to fulfil your duties, in every respect, with the consideration,
care, and diligence which I expect from you. The father has also
entreated me, in behalf of the said city, to order that no persons
entering the ports of the said islands from without shall be made to
pay duties--whether they be Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Siamese,
Borneans, or any other people whatsoever, especially when they bring
provisions, ammunition, and raw material for these articles. These
taxes are a grievance to the Chinese, and trade is hindered, and there
are other resultant disadvantages, as the said Father Alonso Sanchez
has informed me at length; accordingly I have held and do now hold it
best that for the present no more of the said duties be levied upon
provisions and ammunitions. Therefore you will not permit any duty
to be levied until otherwise ordered and decreed. Another advisable
measure discussed was that no Chinese or foreign ships could sell at
retail the goods which they carried to the islands, as is done now;
nor could the inhabitants buy the goods, openly or in secret, under
severe penalties. The purchase of the said goods was to be discussed
by the Council, and as many and so qualified persons as the business
demanded were to be appointed. These persons alone should buy in a
lot all the merchandise brought by the ships, and then distribute it
fairly among the citizens, Spanish, the Chinese, and the Indians,
at the same price at which it should be appraised. The matter was
discussed and examined by the members of the said Council, and it
has seemed best to send you the decision reached in this affair,
as I now do. I order you, keeping this in mind, to give the orders
which you may think acceptable to me. You will keep me informed of
your proceedings, and will not permit or allow any person to go to
the ships except the ones appointed to do so by a special order. You
will endeavor to give products of the islands in exchange for the
said merchandise, so as to avoid, if possible, the introduction of so
much coin into foreign kingdoms as has been customary. Besides the
good results which will follow from carrying out the provisions of
the preceding clause, we may expect another of no less importance;
and that is, that by enforcing the regulations, not only will you
rid yourself of the Chinese retailers, who conceal and sell their
merchandise, but there will be also avoided many other losses,
expenses, and scarcity, and the secret sins and witchcraft which
they teach. Their shops, which are necessary for the sale at retail,
could, in the course of the year, be given up to Spaniards, so that
they might remain in their possession and bring them profit. Such a
course would also bring together a larger number of citizens. You might
permit the Chinese Christians and other old inhabitants to remain,
who do not come and go, and are not retailers in the true sense of
the word; but who work as mechanics, carpenters, gardeners, farmers,
and in other labors for food production. Considering the importance
of this affair, you are warned not to permit or allow the presence of
infidels and retailers in the said islands; and to prevent their coming
together in so large numbers as to give rise to difficulties. All this
you will carry out with the care and diligence which I am confident
lies in your character and prudence, and the zeal which you will show
where my service is concerned. San Lorenzo, August 9, 1589.