islands against the Moro pirates, in contributions for building royal ships and for meeting other pressing needs of the royal treasury, and always freely offering their lives and their property for the defense or aid of the crown--to say nothing of their devotion to the observance and extension of the Catholic faith, their support of missionaries, and their zeal in converting the heathen. Manila asks for the extension in perpetuity of the permission of 1726, with various minor concessions; if this be not granted, then it is asked for another five years, with the proviso that no change be made at the instance of Andalusia only, or without opportunity being given to Manila to express its wishes and set forth its needs.] 191-192. [This memorial was sent by the Council to the fiscal; his reply was handed in on November 10, 1733. He thinks that the islands need indispensably the traffic to Nueva España, including the Chinese silks, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the viceroy of that country; and that the prohibition made by the latter ought to be raised. Moreover, he finds that the royal treasury is the gainer by the new arrangement: the duties up to 1702 amounted to 74,000 pesos, and from that time to 1729, to 100,000 pesos; but in 1730 (the first year in which goods were shipped under the permission of 1726) the duties, including the 20,000 pesos of contribution, were 202,754 pesos, and in the following year 229,552 pesos. He would not make a positive regulation regarding the Manila-Acapulco trade until the five-years' term is completed; but he makes the following recommendations: that the commerce be free in all kinds of goods, not excluding the Chinese silks and ribbons, but that the lading of the galleon be restricted to 3,600 piezas, of which 400 may be in those silk goods and others which do not allow the use of the press; and that the duties on all packages be the same as those specified in the decree of 1726, and that Manila be freed from the contribution of 20,000 pesos. He also recommends that Manila be allowed to send wax in cakes of eighteen (instead of twelve) arrobas net; and that his proposed arrangement be put in force for five years, in order to test its practicability--or, if the king so prefer, that the decree of 1726 be extended for another term of five years.]