of supplying [with those goods] Nueva España, the Windward Islands [Islas de Barlobento], the new kingdom of Granada, Tierra-Firme, and Perù, as we have seen for the last forty years, when, as those who are intelligent [in these matters] understand, it is not possible to do so even with two millions' worth of goods of the said class?" Manila is accused of fraud, bad faith, and deceit in the conduct of that trade and in misrepresenting it to the government; and the royal officials, of collusion in the illegal trade, and disobedience to the royal decrees which commanded that the original invoices and sworn statements of goods should be sent to the Council of the Indias. The only way to check this procedure is to prohibit entirely to Manila the trade in Chinese silks; and Cadiz offers to make up this lack by ceding to Manila the entire spice trade in Nueva España. The following estimate, based on the amount of spices carried thither by the trading-fleet, is made of the value of this trade: Of cinnamon, that country needs 250,000 libras annually, which, estimated at eight silver reals a libra (although it has been worth at Manila nine reals), would amount to 250,000 pesos; 100,000 libras of pepper, at one silver real in Manila, 12,500 pesos; 10,000 libras of cloves, at twelve reals, 15,000 pesos; in all, 277,500 pesos, which is somewhat more than half of the amount of investment now allowed to Manila. "It is certain that if only the merchants of Philipinas trade in these commodities, they will advance the price more than 150 per cent, obtaining their money in Acapulco." Besides the spices, they have permission to trade in many other commodities which are generally desirable for the trade with Nueva España, where the consumption of these is great; and there is more than enough of these to fill out the 500,000 pesos' worth of goods allowed them. The result of this arrangement would be to revive the ruined silk industry of España (and "experience makes it plain to us that there is no other fabric than silk, of our own weaving, which can produce any profits"), besides retaining within the domains of España the money which now goes to heathens and infidels. "While the commerce of Philipinas shall last, as it is now carried on, neither the conquests, nor the reduction of the Indians, will proceed with the increase that people confidently believe; but rather these will be diminished," because the Spaniards who have money care only for commerce and not for the propagation of the faith. This is proved by their neglect of the interests of the natives in Luzón; for "we do not see that the Spaniards apply themselves to what is so much their obligation, since they so loudly profess it; and consequently they will not reëstablish the manufactures of cotton fabrics, which can very well be done in those same islands--by which industry the natives furnish this product, and others which are yielded there can