Preface ... 9 Documents of 1588

Relation of the Philipinas Islands.  Domingo de Salazar, and others; Manila, 1586-88 ... 29 Letter to Felipe ii.  Santiago de Vera, and others; Manila, June 26 ... 52 Letter to Felipe ii.  Domingo de Salazar; Manila, June 27 ... 64

Documents of 1589

Excerpt from a letter from the viceroy of India.  Manuel de Sousa Coutinho; Goa, April 3 ... 79 Letter to Felipe ii.  Santiago de Vera; Manila, June 13 ... 83 Conspiracy against the Spaniards.  Santiago de Vera, and others; Manila, May-July ... 95 Letter to Felipe ii. [Gaspar] de Ayala; Manila, July 15 ... 112 Decree regarding commerce.  Felipe ii; San Lorenzo, August 9 ... 137 Instructions to Gomez Perez Dasmarinas.  Felipe ii; San Lorenzo, August 9 ... 141 Customs of the Tagalogs (two relations).  Juan de Plasencia, O.S.F.; Manila, October 21 ... 173

Documents of 1590

        Letter from Portugal to Felipe ii. [Lisboa?] ... 199
        Decree ordering a grant to Salazar.  Felipe ii; Madrid,
        April 12 ... 205
        Letter from members of the suppressed Audiencia to
        Felipe ii.  Santiago de Vera, and others; Manila,
        June 20 ... 208
        The Chinese and the Parian at Manila.  Domingo de
        Salazar; Manila, June 24 ... 212
        Two letters to Felipe ii.  Domingo de Salazar; Manila,
        June 24 ... 239
        Decree regulating commerce.  Felipe ii; San Lorenzo,
        July 23 ... 262

The collection of tributes in the Filipinas Islands.  Domingo de
Salazar, and others; Manila, 1591 ... 265
Bibliographical Data ... 319

Illustrations

Autograph signature of Doctor Santiago de Vera; photographic facsimile from Ms. in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla ... 61 Autograph signature of Juan de Plasencia, O.S.F.; photographic facsimile from Ms. in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla ... 187

Preface

Important events and changes occur during the four years included in the scope of this volume.  The Audiencia is suppressed, and in its place is sent a royal governor; the instructions given to him embody many of the reforms demanded by the people through their envoy Sanchez.  Extensive and dangerous conspiracies among the natives against the Spaniards are discovered, and severely punished.  Trade between Nueva Espana and China is beginning, and seems to menace the welfare of the Philippine colony.  A large immigration of Chinese to the islands has set in, and is already seriously affecting economic interests there.  The city of Manila, recently destroyed by fire, is being rebuilt, this time mainly with brick and stone.  As usual, there is much friction between the ecclesiastical and secular authorities, largely concerning the collection of tributes from the Indians; the most prominent figure in these contentions is the aged but fiery bishop, Salazar.