were necessary for the public service, to enter petition therefor
within four days, giving a memorandum of the number necessary and the
duties that they were to perform. As they did not do as I had ordered,
for a number of days, and as the ships wished to return to China, and I
to despatch in them all the infidel Chinese who were here, I reported
the case to the royal Audiencia here. Considering what great lack of
service there is in this city, and how necessary workmen are for its
restoration, as it has been ravaged by two fires--more than a hundred
of the houses formerly standing having been destroyed during this year
of six hundred and five, and more by the other fire that occurred in
the year six hundred and three--they determined to have one thousand
five hundred infidel Chinese stay here for the rebuilding of the burned
part, and the service of the city. They commanded me by an act to give
permission to the said number of infidel Chinese, choosing them from
the crafts which should appear to me most necessary. This I did with
exactness and fairness, being personally present, and not entrusting
this task to any other person. In this way, the said number will not
be in any way exceeded; it has appeared necessary and sufficient,
and it will be important for the service of God and of your Majesty
that this number be not exceeded in years to come. May God protect
the Catholic person of your Majesty. Manila, July 5, 1605.

The licentiate _Manuel de Madrid y Luna_

[_Endorsed_: "To his Majesty; Manila, 1605: The licentiate Manuel de
Madrid y Luna. July 5." "That, by commission of the Audiencia, the
inspection of the ships of the Chinese Sangleys has been attended to;
and by order of the said Audiencia, considering the great necessity of
labor and repairs, permission was given for a thousand and five hundred
of them to remain in that city, as they are very necessary. And in