much harassed by the exactions made upon them for the public service, and, with the consent of all interested—­the royal officials, the encomenderos, and the ecclesiastics—­prepares new instructions and ordinances, which are designed to relieve the natives from all oppression, and provide fair wages for their labor on public works.  The royal officials are endeavoring to secure more satisfactory methods of government for the Chinese who are in the islands, both residents and transients.  Tavora asks for a printed copy of all the royal decrees that apply to his government.  He has done all in his power to aid the seminary for orphan boys at Manila, but it needs more; and he asks the king to grant an encomienda in support of this charity.  He is doing what he can for the hospitals, but asks that brethren from a hospital order be sent to manage them.  The ships from Mexico were sent late this year, and were almost lost through storms; Tavora urges that this be not allowed to occur, as the very existence of the Philippine colony is thus imperiled.

A document dated October 7, 1628, presents (apparently to the Council of the Indias) various arguments for suppressing the silk trade of China in Spain and its colonies.  The old complaint is reiterated, that the silver coin of Nueva Espana is being drained away into China; besides, this trade deprives Spain of all this money, and the customs duties are greatly decreased from what they might amount to.  Large quantities of contraband goods are, moreover, carried to the South American colonies, thus injuring the exports from the mother country.  The Chinese wares are apparently cheap, but their poor quality, and their depreciating effect on the values of Spanish goods, diminish the real profits of the Chinese trade.  The necessity of protecting the silk industry in the kingdom of Granada is used as a strong argument against allowing the Chinese silk trade in the Spanish colonies, as the former adds greatly to the revenues of the crown.  If Chinese silks were prohibited, those of Granada (the sale of which is much diminished) would be in much greater demand; and the producers there could meet their obligations, while the royal revenues would increase accordingly.

Some decrees are issued by Felipe iv for the protection of the Chinese.  One (dated June 8, 1628) orders the governor of the Philippines to protect them from extortion and oppression in the matter of tributes and that of permissions granted them to travel in the islands; another (August 17) refers to him the demand that all Chinese except the married Christians be strictly confined within the Parian.  On March 7, 1629, the king orders him to ascertain whether the Chinese need a protector; and, if so, to send him a list of persons from whom such official may be chosen by the Council of the Indias.

The Jesuit annals are continued for 1628-29; there are two relations for this year, one of which consists of letters from various fathers of the Society, merely strung together.  Hernando Estrada relates the success of a Spanish fleet from Oton in punishing the Joloan pirates.  Pedro de Prado writes of the raids made by the Camuzones, other pirates, and the dangers encountered by the missionaries; and describes the animals and products of the country.  Another letter (unsigned) states that the Dutch have been driven out of their establishments in Eastern India.