all this structure.
I have already explained how the city of Manila is like the center of
a circle, whose circumference includes all the kingdoms mentioned. It
remains to explain how it maintains this structure and bears the
whole burden of it.
In the first place, it maintains the war of Maluco and feeds it with
troops, supplies, and munitions continually, a thing which Portuguese
India could not do. I argue the matter thus, that I may not seem to
be actuated only by affection for my own country, instead of making a
just estimate. It must be considered that people cannot go to Maluco
from India more than once a year, on account of the weather; this is
well known to all those who sail on those seas. From Manila the voyage
can be made almost the whole year; whence it follows that Maluco could
not be reënforced so conveniently [if the Filipinas were abandoned],
especially in cases of great need.
_Item_: They cannot so well send news [to India as to Manila], or
receive advices, of the difficulties in which they find themselves,
in order to seek aid; for they are very far away and there is no
favorable weather except during a certain monsoon of the year in
order to go to India, and still less to come from there.
_Item_: On account of the lack of available funds in India, for it is
well known that that country is quite exhausted; and news is coming
continually to Manila from, Maluco, for information comes and aid is
sent in a fortnight or less. Likewise on account of the abundance
[in Filipinas] of provisions and other necessary things with which
your Majesty provides them.
_Item_: Because, beside the garrisons of troops which your Majesty
has in Maluco, you have ships of war which molest the enemies. It is
necessary, for the profit that they obtain, that they should not buy
[46] cheaply, since they have to maintain, for the safety of the trade,
a number of fortresses and armed ships on account of the Spaniards
of the Filipinas; but, if the latter were not there, there would be
no enemy to cause them anxiety, nor occasion for expense.
_Item_: Because the trade from Manila with Great China prevents the
Chinese from trading freely with the Dutch; but if they could do so,
it would induce the former to drain from their country great quantities
of merchandise, in order to satisfy their greed.
_Item_: The check and apprehension which is imposed on the enemy lest
they extend their navigation farther, for fear of encountering our
people; accordingly they do not sail on those seas excepting with
great caution.
_Item_: In the city of Manila is a concourse and traffic between
many nations, by whom it is supported--which proves how important it
is to maintain it for the greatness and reputation of your Majesty,
with all those nations and with all the world. For they see with how
few vassals you subject and make so many nations tremble, with the
aid of God, who protects them surrounded by so many enemies as you
have, even within the gates; and yet they live in as much security,
but not heedlessness, as if there were no enemy.