The title-page reads:  “Itinerary and epitome of all the notable things that lie on the way from Espana to the kingdom of China, and from China to Espana, returning by way of Eastern India, after having made almost the entire circuit of the world:  Wherein are recounted the rites, ceremonies, and customs of the people of all those parts, and the richness, fertility and strength of many realms, with a description of them all.  Compiled by the author himself, both from what he has seen, and from the account given him by the descalced religious of the order of St. Francis.”

[34] Documents relating missionary efforts in these islands will be published later in this series.

[35] An expression of the opinion, then current in Europe, that the New World was either an extension of the Asiatic continent, or separated from it only by a narrow sea.

[36] “The Philippine archipelago comprises 12 principal islands and 3 groups, adjacent to which are 1,583 dependent islands” (U.S.  Philippine Gazetteer, pp. 4, 69).

[37] This paragraph, here enclosed in parentheses, is found at the beginning of the Madrid copy of this document (see Bibliographical Data).  Other additional matter found therein will be similarly indicated throughout.

In the Ventura del Arco MSS. (Ayer Library), a paragraph at the beginning of the “Memorial” states that the general junta was held on April 20, 1586, in accordance with an edict issued (on the day preceding that date) by the Audiencia.  The assembly decided that Sanchez should be sent to Madrid, bearing a suitable memorial to the home government stating the needs and wishes of the colonists; and that other conferences should be held by the various estates and interests represented, to decide upon its contents.  On May 5, the Audiencia insisted that Sanchez should accept the office of envoy, which he did on the same day.

[38] Here, as elsewhere in this document, we have represented by italic side-heads the marginal notes on the original MS. They are written in a different hand, and were probably made by some clerk of the Council.

[39] The stated times of devotion of the Catholic church.

[40] A note on the margin of the Madrid MS. at this place reads, “or at least in Acapulco.”

[41] A tax formerly paid to the government by those not belonging to the nobility.

[42] A word used in America to signify an Indian village newly consecrated to the Christian religion, and evidently transferred from there to the Philippines.

[43] At this point the Sevilla MS. ends, and it lacks any signature; there is reason to fear that the latter half of this copy—­apparently, from the marginal notes, the one sent to the Council of the Indias, and used in their deliberations—­is lost.  The remainder of the document is translated from the Madrid copy, which is fully signed by the notables of the islands.

[44] For mention of the localities where these minerals are found in the Philippines, see U.S.  Philippine Gazetteer, pp. 83-85.