these islands from China with merchandise and many supplies, with which
this land is but ill furnished. The fear of customs duties on such
things as provisions and supplies, which are of great bulk, the great
expense in lading, and their small profits here, induce those merchants
to discontinue bringing the above-named articles, substituting others
in their place. Thus there has been a great scarcity of supplies,
and considerable distress in the land. We have seen your Majesty's
decree in which you order us to make a report of the duties imposed
upon the merchants by Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, governor of these islands;
and whether it is expedient to impose heavier duties, or to drop them
altogether. In the meantime, we shall take such measures here as we
consider most necessary for your service. We are ordering that the
collection of one and one-half per cent imposed on money coming to
this land be discontinued; and, in order that the Chinese might bring
us an abundance of supplies, with horses and cattle, as they had begun
to do, it is decreed that no duties be imposed on the grain, biscuit,
flour, and all other provisions brought by them, in order to encourage
them to provide this land abundantly with these supplies. Moreover,
besides the above reason, the amount collected from this source for
your Majesty is very small. Your Majesty will order what you shall
be pleased to have done in this matter.