Consequently many vessels were wrecked with a great
amount of property, in which your Highness has also lost much. And the
citizens of Manila, when they might be very prosperous and wealthy,
are, thanks to him who has despatched the vessels, very needy and
poor--so much so, that they could not collect a gratuity to give
me. Since it is a matter of so great importance, if your Highness be
pleased to order the observance of the plan that I shall set forth
in these articles, as a person who has so great experience in it,
and which has been for some time in my charge, the necessary remedy
will be applied in the following manner.
First, that the ships be despatched by the middle of June, and that
this be an inviolable law; that a fine of six thousand pesos be
imposed on the governor, to which your Highness shall immediately
condemn him if he do not despatch them then. The reason why this
is so necessary is because the vendavals generally set in at some
time in the month of June; and if they catch the ship in the port,
it cannot sail until that first monsoon passes. That usually lasts
fifteen or twenty days, or one month. If they are caught outside
during this weather, they can sail until they reach the district
and altitude where they find the usual winds, with which they can
make their said voyage easily. Consequently, they will pass Japon,
which is the point where all the difficulties of the said voyage lie,
with good weather.
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