copy in library of Wisconsin Historical Society 135
View of boat of the Ladrone Islands; from engraving in
_Histoire générale des voyages_ (Paris, 1753) xi, facing
p. 171; from copy in the library of Wisconsin Historical
Society 139
Exterior of Augustinian church and convent, Manila; from
plate in possession of the Colegio de Agustinos Filipinos,
Valladolid 205





PREFACE


The present volume contains but few documents relating to current
affairs in 1629-30, the greater part of its space being occupied with
the Augustinian Medina's history of his order in the Philippines to
1630; but the annual reports of the governor present an interesting
view of the colony's affairs at that time. As usual, the colonial
treasury is but slenderly provided with the funds necessary for
carrying on the government, and Tavora proposes expedients for
obtaining these, and for utilizing hitherto neglected resources of
the country. He has to contend with hostility on the part of the
royal officials, and apathy in Mexico as to the welfare of the far
western colony dependent on it. The southern Malays are hostile,
but thus far have been held in check; and threatened hostilities
with Japan have been averted. Medina's history is of course largely
religious; but it contains considerable mention of secular events and