governor and archbishop to the Dominicans to found a college at Manila.

At the close of the year 1623, an expedition is sent to explore and
pacify the province of the Igorrotes (in northern Luzon), already
famous for its rich gold mines. The report of this enterprise,
furnished (June 5, 1624) by its leader, Alonso Martin Quirante,
narrates its progress from day to day, the plan of the campaign, the
encounters between the Spaniards and the Igorrotes, and the success of
the former in repulsing the attacks of the natives and obtaining ore
from the mines. Martin describes the country through which he passes;
the native tribes, their customs, and their methods of obtaining gold;
the mines, and the ore secured from them. He considers the general
idea of the richness of these mines incorrect and exaggerated; he
examines them, however, carefully, and obtains specimens of the ore
from each. Then follows a report of the various tests and assays made
thereon, from which the results are not very satisfactory; a table
showing the values of the metal obtained in each of the assays; and
the action of the Audiencia of Manila thereon--they deciding to abandon
further attempts to explore or work the Igorrote mines, and to send to
Nueva España for further test the ores brought by Martin to Manila;
moreover, the men now at the mines are to be sent to Nueva Segovia,
to subdue the revolted Indians there.


_The Editors_
September, 1904.