Nueva España, and the ship "Sanctiago" with the religious for Japon,
there was more time to discuss further the matter started by the coming
of the Chinese mandarins. For finding themselves unoccupied with other
matters, fear of the Sangleys became universal, and the suspicions that
were current that the Sangleys were about to commit some mischievous
outbreak. This the archbishop and some religious affirmed and told,
publicly and privately. At this time, a considerable number of Chinese
were living in Manila and its environs. Some of them were baptized
Christians living in the settlements of Baibai and Minondoc, [5] on the
other side of the river, opposite the city. Most of them were infidels,
occupied and living in these same settlements and in the shops of
the parián in the city; [they were employed] as merchants and in all
other occupations. The majority of them were fishermen, stonecutters,
charcoal-burners, porters, masons, and day-laborers. Greater security
was always felt in regard to the merchants, for they are the better
class of people, and those who are most interested, because of their
property. So great security was not felt about the others, even though
they were Christians; because, as they are a poor and covetous people,
they would be inclined to any act of meanness. However, it was always
thought that it would be difficult for them to cause any commotion,
unless a strong fleet came from China, on which they could rely. Talk
continued to increase daily, and with it suspicion; for some of the
Chinese themselves, both infidels and Christians, in order to prove
themselves friends of the Spaniards, and clean from all guilt, even
told the Spaniards that there was to be an insurrection shortly,
and other similar things. Although the governor always considered
these statements as fictions and the exaggerations of that nation,
and did not credit them, yet he was not so heedless that he did not
act cautiously and watch, although with dissembling, for whatever
might happen. He took pains to have the city guarded and the soldiers