Note 103 — The Printing of the Books
Reading edition
Sangley, a term used by the natives to designate Chinese, was derived from the Cantonese hiang (or xiang) and ley meaning a “travelling merchant.” It was adopted by the Spaniards and in most instances used interchangeably with Chinese. If any distinction existed it was that a Sangley was a permanent resident of the Philippines—quite contrary to the derivation of the word—or a Chinese of partially native blood. See San Agustin, p. 253.