Illustrations



Title-page of _De rebus Iaponicis_, compiled by John Hay,
S J. (Antverpiæ, M. DC. V); photographic facsimile, from copy
in Library of Congress. 187
Title-page of _Relatione breve_, by Diego de Torres (Milano,
MDCIII); photographic facsimile, from copy in library of
Harvard University. 189





Preface


During the three years or more covered in this volume (1599-1602),
the most notable occurrence is the coming to the archipelago (in 1600)
of the fleet commanded by the Dutch adventurer Oliver van Noordt,
bent on plunder and the damage of the Spanish settlements there:
but he is defeated and driven away, although with heavy loss to the
Spaniards. This event, with the quarrels which it arouses in Manila,
and fears of like danger in the future, disturb the colony for several
years. The people, both Spaniards and Indians, are also in constant
dread of the Moro pirates, who ravage the coasts of the Pintados
(Visayas) Islands, encouraged to commit these depredations by the late
withdrawal of Spanish troops from Mindanao. In the face of all these