offense receive attention.  Certain rites and ceremonies, social and economic conditions, and characteristics of the people, are mentioned briefly.  The islands of Japan are also described, and the origin of the Japanese touched upon:  as well as portions of the history of the people, their religion, and missionary efforts among them.  Mention is made of an island of Amazons, the existence of which Mendoza doubts.  En route to Lisbon, Father Ignacio and his companions pass from Macao to Malaca, the famous trading port of the East Indies.  Slight descriptions of the various kingdoms of the East India district are given, including Cochinchina, Cambodia, and Siam, “the mother of idolatry.”  Thence the return is made via the Cape of Good Hope, the distance comprehended in the circumnavigation being reckoned by Father Ignacio at nine thousand and forty leagues.]

Documents of 1586

Memorial to the Council, by citizens of the Filipinas Islands.  Santiago de Vera, and others; [July 26].

Letter to Felipe II.  Alfonso de Chaves, and others; June 24.

Letter from the Manila cabildo to Felipe II.  Andres de Villanueva, and others; June 25.

Letter to Felipe II.  Antonio Sedeno; June 25.

Letter to Felipe II.  Domingo de Salazar; June 26.

Letter from the Audiencia to Felipe II.  Santiago de Vera, and others;
June 26.

Letter to Felipe II.  Pedro de Rojas; June 30.

Letter to Felipe II.  Juan de Moron; June 30.

Measures regarding trade with China.  Felipe II, and others; June 17-November 15.

Brief erecting Franciscan province of the Philippines.  Sixtus V;
November 15.

Sources:  All these documents, except in two cases, are obtained from the original MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias at Sevilla.  The first document is taken in part from another copy which is preserved in the Real Academia de Historia, Madrid; and the papal brief is translated from the text given in Hernaez’s Coleccion de Bulas.

Translations:  The first document is translated by James A. Robertson, Emma Helen Blair, and Robert W. Haight (of the University of Wisconsin); the second, sixth and ninth, by Arthur B. Myrick, of Harvard University; the seventh, by Robert W. Haight; the papal brief, by Rev. T.C.  Middleton, O.S.A., of Villanova College; the remainder, by James A. Robertson.

Memorial to the Council

Memorandum of the Various Points Presented by the General Junta of Manila to the Council, So That in Regard to Each the Most Advisable Reform May Be Instituted