But since that barbarian had once espoused that desire,
it was not easy to find a means to settle the matter without causing
jealousy or anger. Dayfusama requested then that the Spaniards trade
in Quanto, a port of one of his own provinces; that they establish
friendship, so that the Japanese could go to Nueva Espana; that
the governor send him masters and workmen to build ships for him in
Japon, in order to continue that navigation. Dayfusama insisted upon
this, having been persuaded by one of our religious of the Order
of St. Francis, one Fray Geronymo de Jesus, whom the Japanese king
esteemed greatly. This was a serious matter, and in many ways most
damaging to the Filipinas. In those islands, the greatest security
against those provinces has consisted for many years in the lack of
ships and pilots among the Japanese, together with their ignorance
of the art of navigation. It has been observed by experts that,
whenever that insolent barbarian has shown any intention to arm against
Manila, he has been prevented by this obstacle.
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