The latter brought it
from Macan to Manila, and sold it there at whatever price they pleased;
for the Spaniards had to export something, as otherwise they could not
live. For their other incomes, acquired through encomiendas--I know
not how they are valued--do not suffice or enrich, and least of all
satisfy. Perhaps the reason is that in collecting them no attention
is paid to what is produced. Besides that, the governor knew that the
Dutch were settled in Hermosa Island, a very large island, which lies
more than two hundred leguas north of Manila. It is called Hermosa
[_i.e._, "Beautiful"] Island because of its fertility. It is quite
near China, although it is inhabited by Indians, like the rest of the
islands. The governor thought that, from that place, the Dutch were
depriving us of the trade; this would mean the destruction of Manila,
which only a lucrative trade could sustain. To remedy all this, he
thought to capture Hermosa Island, and he discussed and conferred
about this plan. The Dominican fathers, influenced by the gain of
souls, encouraged this affair, because of the nearness of the island
to China.
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