ILLUSTRATIONS

Aqvapolqve (view of harbor of Acapulco, Mexico); photographic facsimile of engraving in Levinus Hulsius’s Eigentliche uund wahrhaftige Beschreibung (Franckfurt am Mayne, M. DC.  XX), p. 60; from copy in library of Harvard University 103 View of Japanese champan; photographic facsimile of engraving in T. de Bry’s Peregrinationes, 1st ed. (Amsterdame, 1602), tome xvi, no. iv—­“Voyage faict entovr de l’univers par Sr.  Olivier dv Nort”—­p. 42; from copy in Boston Public Library 223

PREFACE

The documents here presented range from 1605 to 1609.  Many of them concern the Chinese revolt of 1603 and its results, of which much apprehension still exists; but the threatened danger passes away, and the ordinances excluding the Sangleys from the islands are so relaxed that soon the Parian is as large as in 1603.  The usual difficulties between the ecclesiastical and the secular authorities continue; and to the religious orders represented in the islands is added a new one, that of the discalced Augustinians, or Recollects.  Acuna conducts an expedition to drive out the Dutch from the Moluccas, and soon afterward dies.  Various commercial restrictions hinder the prosperity of the islands; and the new fiscal, Guiral, complains of various illegal and injurious proceedings on the part of officials.  The expenses of government are nearly double the amount of the revenues.  The province of Cagayan is explored by certain private adventurers, attracted by the prospect of gold-mines.

In July, 1605, several letters of complaint against the archbishop of Manila are sent to the king, Acuna writes that Benavides is arrogant and self-willed, and quarrels with everyone; and suggests that hereafter bishops for the islands be selected more carefully.  The provincial and other high officials of the Augustinian order state that the archbishop’s rash utterances had much to do with precipitating the Chinese insurrection, and that his quarrels with the governor are unnecessary and notorious—­moreover, he opposes their order in every way; and they ask the king to interpose his authority and restrain Benavides.  At the same time the Audiencia complain that he interferes with their proceedings, treats them with little respect, and assumes precedence of them to which he is not entitled.

Interesting documents of similar date touch on the relations of the colony with the Chinese.  The archbishop appeals to the Audiencia, in memorials presented June 10 and 13, to accede to the demands of the Chinese emperor by making restitution to the Chinese merchants for property of theirs left in Manila at the time of the insurrection and sold by the Spaniards; and by sending back to their own country those Chinese survivors of the revolt who were sentenced to the galleys.  The letter sent to Acuna in March, 1605, by a Chinese