Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 08).djvu/179

 I, Melchor de Baeça, declare, in the name of the cabildo, magistrates, and regimiento of this city, that the rights of those whom I represent require that a formal report of this inquiry be made, in order to notify the king, our sovereign, concerning the lack of harm and the great profit which would be derived from commerce between Macan and these islands; and that, besides the benefit which the Portugese receive, this commerce would be of great importance for the conversion of Great China and for its trade and commerce with these islands. Likewise the king ought to be informed that no ships or merchants have gone or are going to Goa or other ports of Yndia to trade or traffic, or to take away their [i.e., the Portuguese] shares, bargains, and profits; and how they could pursue their business in the said port of Macan, and at Canton, without there being felt any scarcity, or enhancement of prices; but, on the contrary, a great excess of goods would remain at Macao—all that arises from the trade which they are about to begin with Goa, Chave, and other regions that maintain trade with Macan. All this would result in the great increase and prosperity of these islands, from which it appears that the said commerce, which does no harm, should not be hindered.

I beseech and beg your Lordship to give orders that the said report be accepted, and that the witnesses whom I shall put forward testify according to these questions. Your Lordship will please make a decision concerning the matter. I offer my plea to that effect.