Prepared by Jeroen Hellingman and the Distributed Proofreaders Team.
Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century
Relation of the Filipinas Islands. Francisco de Sande; Manila, June 7, 1576.
Relation and Description of the Phelipinas Islands. [Francisco de Sande]; Manila, June 8, 1577.
Bull for erection of the diocese and cathedral church of Manila. Gregory XIII; Rome, February 6, 1578.
Letter to Felipe II. Francisco de Sande; Manila, July 29, 1578.
Grant of a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who visit churches of the Friars Minors. Gregory XIII; Rome, November 15, 1578.
Royal decree regulating the foundation of monasteries. Felipe II; Aranjuez, May 13, 1579.
Letter to Felipe II. Francisco de Sande; Manila, May 30, 1579.
Expeditions to Borneo, Jolo, and Mindanao. Francisco de Sande and others; Manila, April 19, 1578, to June 10, 1579.
Appointments to vacancies in Manila cathedral. Felipe II; [promulgated from?] Guadalupe, March 26, 1580.
Letter to Felipe II. Gonçillo Ronquillo de Peñalosa; Manila, July 17, 1581.
Ordinance restricting departure from the islands. Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa; Manila, March 2, 1582.
Letter to Felipe II. Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa; Manila, June 15, 1582.
View of Mallaca, in _Eylffte Schiffahrt_, by Levinus Hulsius (Franckfurt am Mayn, 1612), p. 64; enlarged photographic facsimile, from copy in Harvard University Library.
"Indiae orientalis, insularumque adiacientium typus" (original in colors), map in _Theatrum orbis terrarum_, by Abraham Ortelius (Antverpiae, M. D. LXX), fol. 48; reduced photographic facsimile, from copy in Boston Public Library.
"Incola ex Insulis Moluco" (picture of a Moluccan warrior; original in colors), engraving in _Voyage ofte Schipvaert_, Jan Huygen van Linschoten (Amstelredam, M. D. XCVI), p. 64; photographic facsimile, from copy in Boston Public Library.
The first official report sent by Governor Francisco de Sande to the home government is dated June 7, 1576. It is introduced by a description of the winds prevalent in the Indian Archipelago. Arriving at Manila (August 25, 1575), he finds that much of the city has been destroyed by a Chinese pirate named Limahon; and he relates, in a graphic manner, the circumstances of this affair. In the first attack (September, 1574), fourteen Spaniards and more than eighty Chinese are slain. The enemy renew the attack a few days later, but are repulsed with much loss. The Moros of the vicinity rebel, insulting and robbing the friars and defiling the churches. The Chinese proceed to Pangasinan, where they erect a fort, determining to establish themselves there. All the Spanish forces are assembled, and an expedition is sent (March 23, 1575), under Juan de Salcedo, to attack the marauders. In the first encounter the Spanish are victorious; but through mismanagement they fail to follow up their success, and finally the Chinese depart from Luzón. A Chinese officer named Omocon comes to search for the pirate Limahon; on his return, he carries some Augustinian friars to China, but they return in a few months. The Chinese bring certain presents to the governor, which he turns over to the king. He does not like that people, saying that they are mean, impudent, importunate, and deceitful. He relates many interesting particulars regarding the country and people of China--derived from the various reports which have come to him from traders, missionaries, and the Filipino natives.