dicated.

It is our purpose not to exceed the number of volumes already
announced, fifty-five. We are able to do this because in our original
plan, to avoid a subsequent increase in the number of volumes,
a certain amount of space was purposely left for possible future
changes as a result of later investigations to be made in foreign
archives, or on account of the necessary excision of extraneous or
irrelevant matter from the printed works which are to be presented
in this series. The new title will be "The Philippine Islands:
1493-1898." The early and especially important history of the
islands will be covered as fully as before. For the history of
the nineteenth century, we will present various important decrees,
reports, and other official documents; and provide a clear, careful,
and impartial synopsis of some of the best historical matter extant,
down to the close of the Spanish regime. Throughout the series will
be used, as has been done from the beginning, all the best material
available--historical, descriptive, and statistical--for reference
and annotation. With the copious and carefully-prepared bibliography
of Philippine historical literature, and the full analytical index,
which will close the series; the broad and representative character of
the material selected throughout; and the impartial and non-sectarian
attitude maintained, the Editors trust that this change will still
further enable scholars, historical writers, and general readers
alike to study, with reliable and satisfactory material, the history
of the Philippine Islands from their first discovery by Europeans to
the close of the Spanish regime, and incidentally the history of the
entire Orient.

Contents of Volume VI

Preface ... 13

Documents of 1583-85

Foundation of the Audiencia of Manila
(concluded). Felipe II; Aranjuez, May 5, 1583 ... 35

Two decrees regarding the religious. Felipe II;
San Lorenzo, June 21, 1583, and Aranjuez, April 24,
1584 ... 45

Annual income of the royal exchequer in the
Philippines. Andres Cauchela, and others; Manila,
June 15-30, 1584 ... 47

Letter to Felipe II. Melchor Davalos; Manila, July 3,
1584 ... 54

Letter to the archbishop of Mexico. Santiago de Vera;
Manila, June 20, 1585 ... 66

Two letters to Felipe II. Fray Geronimo de Guzman
[Madrid? 1585]; and Fray Jhoan