[26] The letters or words in brackets are conjectural readings, the original being illegible or worn in many places.  When no conjectural reading is given, the break is indicated by leaders.

[27] A sort of vessel with lateen-rigged sails, used in the Levant trade; the name is of Arabic origin.

[28] Thus in original—­apparently a misnumbering of paragraphs.

[29] See La Concepcion’s account of Dasmarinas’s unfortunate expedition (Hist. de Philipinas, iii, pp. 231-277).

[30] Bolinao is the name of a cape at the northwest extremity of the peninsula of Zambales, Luzon; also applied to a narrow channel between that cape and the small island of Santiago.  The submarine cable from Hongkong formerly landed here, but now reaches Manila direct.

[31] The paragraphs in italics which accompany the sections of Tello’s letter are apparently brief summaries thereof, made by some clerk for the use of the Council of the Indias.

[32] Referring to the diocese of Nueva Caceres (also known as Camarines).  It was offered successively to three Franciscans, two of whom declined the honor; the third, Fray Pedro Bautista, was already a martyr in Japan when the royal decree arrived at Manila.  The office was finally conferred (1600) upon Francisco de Ortega, O.S.A.  Benavides was the first bishop of Nueva Segovia, and Agurto of Cebu.

[33] A grant of graces, indulgences, and dispensations awarded by the Holy See to the faithful of either sex, inhabitants of Spain, Portugal, their colonies, and the kingdom of Naples.  The condition requisite for the enjoyment of these favors is the contribution yearly of a small alms for the support of divine worship and maintenance of institutions of beneficence, as hospitals, asylums, and the like.  Among the privileges granted are absolution from reserved cases, commutation of vows, exemption from abstinence and fasts, and so on.  In former ages the alms thus contributed were employed in battles against infidels and heretics.  The document empowering the recipient of the above favors to make use of them must be printed on stamped paper, and sealed and signed by the commissary-general apostolic delegated therefor by the Holy See.  The dispensation must be renewed yearly.  Moroni—­Dizionario (Venezia, 1840), v, 283-285—­states that, from the revenue thus received from the Crusade sales annually, the following amounts are turned over to the Basilica of Sts.  Peter and Paul in the Vatican, for its support, viz.:  by Spain, $12,000; by Portugal, $4,000; by Brazil, $2,000; by Naples, about $700. (See Ferraris—­Bibliotheca, art.  “Bulla Cruciatae.")—­Rev. T.C.  Middleton, O.S.A.

[34] Another appellation of the diocese of Nueva Segovia, which comprised the province of Cagayan.

[35] This was Fray Pedro de Agurto, bishop of Cebu; his official appellation in the text is derived from the name of the capital city of Cebu.  Agurto was a native of Mexico; he became a friar in the Augustinian order, in which he filled many important posts.  He took possession of his diocese of Cebu on October 14, 1598, and died at Cebu on the tenth anniversary of that day (1608).