islands at different
periods 283

Illustrations

Title-page of _Annuae litterae Societatis Iesv_ (Dilingae, M. DC. X);
photographic facsimile, from copy in Library of Congress 51
Title-page of _Documentos, datos, y relaciones para la historia
de Filipinas_--MS. collection of transcripts from documents in
Spanish archives, for the period 1586-1792, by Ventura del Arco
(Madrid, 1859-1865), possession of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago;
photographic facsimile 101
Autograph signature of Gregorio Lopez, S.J.; facsimile from tracing
of original, in Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer library) 141

PREFACE

The present volume covers the seven years from 1609 to 1616,
the leading subjects in the documents therein being commerce and
navigation, missions, and ecclesiastical affairs. The commercial
and navigation laws covering a quarter of a century previous to
this period give incidentally much curious information on social and
economic conditions in the islands. The outflow of silver from Nueva
Espana to China via Manila still causes alarm; but it is evident
that the suppression of the trade between Acapulco and Manila is
not an infallible remedy for this difficulty. As it is, the islands
are suffering from the injuries to their trade that the Dutch have
inflicted, and from the ruinous expenses caused by their wars with
these persistent enemies. No less do the Indians suffer from the
exactions levied upon them for the public works and defense; but the
home government attempts to lessen these burdens, and protect the
natives from oppression. The missions of the Jesuits are reported
as making rapid progress; and statistics of the work conducted by
them and by the other religious orders give a view of the general
missionary field. The Dominicans begin their college of Santo Tomas
at Manila; and their officials urge upon the king the suppression of
the Audiencia. The relations between the various orders appear to be
not strictly harmonious. The power of the Spaniards in the Orient,
and the future of the Philippine colony, are seriously menaced by
the increasing gains of the Dutch in the Moluccas.

Various laws regarding the navigation and commerce of the Philippines
are presented, in chronological order, dated 1583-1609. The sale of
merchandise by _pancada_ is to be re