These things which are brought from Nueva Espana are so necessary that the people, especially those of gentle birth, could not do without them.

For instance, they cannot clothe themselves with stuffs that are made in this land, or with those that are brought from the mainland; for these are thin silks of such quality that garments made of them are worthless, for lack of durability and fineness.

Consequently, they would not be worn if the people were not very poor.

The supplies that we have at present in this country are pork and buffalo meat, fowls, rice, wax candles, and lard; and the Sangleys' flour, which is very poor and cannot be eaten.

It is now held at so high a price that what was bought four years ago for a toston cannot now be bought for three pesos.