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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 47, 1728-1759: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 47, 1728-1759: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources

This little work is condensed, but those who are capable of
comprehending it will see that it is [so] on account of being written
out of thorough understanding and knowledge of what I write about,
and not for lack of a very broad field in which I might descant,
for it cannot be denied that there is material for filling a volume.

Nevertheless, I do not claim to lay down the law, nor do I presume to
change any system; my intention is only to depict things as they are,
in order that his Majesty may have actual knowledge of the treasure
which he possesses in these islands. No advantage results to me, nor do
I expect more than to be a man ready to communicate [what he knows],
and desirous to do what shall depend on a limited ability, for the
greater benefit of his Majesty and the advancement of his realms. But
it is already time that we show in what consists the advantage and
benefit which will accrue to his Majesty from the Philipinas Islands.

What precedes this serves only to demonstrate that the Spaniards
settled in Manila have a broad field for carrying on a flourishing
commerce, and even it would redound much to the advantage of his
Majesty. But what I am earnestly advocating is cinnamon, and it is of
great importance to his Majesty and worthy of his royal attention;
and if I say that no one has hitherto, or since España conquered
the Philipinas, made a proposition so certain, so well founded,
and so advantageous to his Majesty, and to all his dominions and his
vassals, it is not much to say. For it is no exaggeration when I say
that it is more than the conquistador accomplished; he succeeded,
with honor and glory, in conquering the islands, but they have always
cost España most dearly for their maintenance. For not only do I aim
to relieve those expenses, which are so large, but those islands can
in a few years become a benefit to his Majesty, and to his vassals,
both Spaniards and Indians. I do not ask these gratuities, [70] nor
that the king should spend one maravedi; my chief object and desire
is, that a stable commerce be allowed from those countries to these
kingdoms by the most direct route.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 47, 1728-1759: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources

This little work is condensed, but those who are capable of
comprehending it will see that it is [so] on account of being written
out of thorough understanding and knowledge of what I write about,
and not for lack of a very broad field in which I might descant,
for it cannot be denied that there is material for filling a volume.

Nevertheless, I do not claim to lay down the law, nor do I presume to
change any system; my intention is only to depict things as they are,
in order that his Majesty may have actual knowledge of the treasure
which he possesses in these islands. No advantage results to me, nor do
I expect more than to be a man ready to communicate [what he knows],
and desirous to do what shall depend on a limited ability, for the
greater benefit of his Majesty and the advancement of his realms. But
it is already time that we show in what consists the advantage and
benefit which will accrue to his Majesty from the Philipinas Islands.

What precedes this serves only to demonstrate that the Spaniards
settled in Manila have a broad field for carrying on a flourishing
commerce, and even it would redound much to the advantage of his
Majesty. But what I am earnestly advocating is cinnamon, and it is of
great importance to his Majesty and worthy of his royal attention;
and if I say that no one has hitherto, or since España conquered
the Philipinas, made a proposition so certain, so well founded,
and so advantageous to his Majesty, and to all his dominions and his
vassals, it is not much to say. For it is no exaggeration when I say
that it is more than the conquistador accomplished; he succeeded,
with honor and glory, in conquering the islands, but they have always
cost España most dearly for their maintenance. For not only do I aim
to relieve those expenses, which are so large, but those islands can
in a few years become a benefit to his Majesty, and to his vassals,
both Spaniards and Indians. I do not ask these gratuities, [70] nor
that the king should spend one maravedi; my chief object and desire
is, that a stable commerce be allowed from those countries to these
kingdoms by the most direct route.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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