Permission was given for two ships to go to Nueva España annually
from Perú for commerce and trade to the value of two hundred
thousand ducados; which was afterward reduced to one ship, with
certain conditions. And inasmuch as the trade in Chinese stuffs
has increased to excessive proportions in Perú, notwithstanding so
many prohibitions expedient to our royal service, the welfare and
utility of the public cause, and the commerce of these and those
kingdoms; and a final decision of the viceroy, Conde de Chinchon, [8]
having preceded, and a vote of the treasury to suppress absolutely any
opportunity for this trade: therefore we order and command the viceroys
of Perú and Nueva España to prohibit and suppress, without fail, this
commerce and trade between both kingdoms, [9] by all the ways and
means possible; and that it be not carried on by any other regions,
for we by this present prohibit it. This prohibition shall be kept
strictly and shall continue to be so kept. [Felipe III--Valladolid,
December 31, 1604; San Lorenzo, June 20, 1609; Madrid, March 28, 1620,
clause 1. Felipe IV--Madrid, November 25, 1634; Madrid, March 29,
1636, a clause of a letter to the Conde de Chinchon.]


Law XXIV

The inspection of ships sailing from Nueva España to Filipinas shall
be made by our royal officials, according to custom. They shall
examine in great detail the lists of soldiers and sailors of the
ships, in order to abolish the places that shall be found without
justification; and they may proceed by law, when they discover any
infraction or fraud in this. Such shall be visited on the person
causing it, with the greatest severity. [Felipe III--Valladolid,
January 25, 1605. Felipe IV--Madrid, October 16, 1626.]