This despatch is being made August 4, one day after the arrival at this port of the ships from Nueva Espana. Those ships spent just four months in a voyage that can be and usually is made in less than three, and after suffering innumerable storms and maladies--with the evident risk of leaving these islands without help, because they had not left Nueva Espana a fortnight earlier. Sire, this government, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of him who may govern here, will be only, what the viceroys of Nueva Espana wish. If aid comes in time and is abundant (or at least sufficient), all goes well and affairs progress, for everything is obtained. If the aid comes late, and does not contain what is necessary, everything is lost and destroyed, as was pointed out more minutely to your Majesty in the letters of war and revenue. I petition you humbly that--although I have come to these islands so desirous of furthering their prosperity, but have found them tied down by undertakings and expenses greater than in the time of my predecessors--since I do not merit being aided as they were, or cannot be aided because of the inclemency of the weather, your Majesty will be pleased to use me in another place where the employment and attainment of my desires is not impossible through the lack of cooeperation and outside aid. May God preserve the Catholic royal person of your Majesty with the increase that we, your vassals, desire, and which Christendom needs. Manila, August 4, 1628. Sire, your Majesty's humble vassals, _Don Juan Nino de Tavora_ [_In the margin_: "Seen. Have the viceroy charged to be very punctual in this."] ECONOMIC REASONS FOR SUPPRESSING THE SILK TRADE OF CHINA IN SPAIN AND ITS COLONIES _Reasons of expediency existing why the importation of the silk of China and the other merchandise of that country ought not to be permitted in the Indias and these kingdoms, but rather prohibited; and the damages and troubles that follow from its not being prohibited in every point, and its trade, are the following._