The Chinese Silk Trade with Spanish-America from the Late Ming to the Mid-Ch'ing Period

In 1492 the Spanish government sent Columbus to discover America. In 1519 Spain subdued Mexico, and later, in 1565, went on to the Philippine Islands from Mexico. Because the Spanish rule and colonization of the Philippines stemmed from its relations with Mexico, in the two and a half centuries after 1565 two or three galleons were sent each year from Acapulco to Manila in order to strengthen the ties between the two places. The main item sent from America to the Philippines was silver, and in the other direction the chief cargo was Chinese silk goods.