Certain documents illustrative of this history of Legazpi’s enterprise in 1565 are given in full.  An interesting document—­first published (in Latin) at Manila in 1901, but never before, we think, in English—­is the official warrant of the Augustinian authorities in Mexico establishing the first branch of their order in the Philippines (1564).  It was found among the archives of the Augustinian convent at Culhuacan, Mexico; and is communicated to us in an English translation made by Rev. T. C. Middleton, of Villanova College.  The other documents are:  the act of taking possession of Cibabao (February 15); a proclamation that all gold taken from the burial-places of the natives must be declared to the authorities (May 16); several letters written (May 27 and 29, and June 1) by Legazpi and other officials to the king; a letter (May 28) from the officials to the Audiencia at Mexico, with a list of supplies needed at Cebu.  To these is added a specially valuable and interesting document—­hitherto unpublished, we believe—­Legazpi’s own relation of his voyage to the Philippines, and of affairs there up to the departure of the “San Pedro” for New Spain.  As might be expected, he relates many things not found, or not clearly expressed, in the accounts given by his subordinates.

Next is presented (in both original text and English translation) a document of especial bibliographical interest—­Copia de vna carta venida de Sevilla a Miguel Salvador de Valencia.  It is the earliest printed account of Legazpi’s expedition, and was published at Barcelona in 1566.  But one copy of this pamphlet is supposed to be extant; it is at present owned in Barcelona.  It outlines the main achievements of the expedition, but makes extravagant and highly-colored statements regarding the islands and their people.

In a group of letters from Legazpi (July, 1567, and June 26, 1568) mention is made of various interesting matters connected with the early days of the settlement on Cebu Island, and the resources and commerce of the archipelago.  He asks again that the king will aid his faithful subjects who have begun a colony there; no assistance has been received since their arrival there, and they are in great need of everything.  The Portuguese are jealous of any Spanish control in the Philippines, and already threaten the infant colony.  He sends (1568) a considerable amount of cinnamon to Spain, and could send much more if he had goods to trade therefor with the natives.  Legazpi advises that small ships be built at the Philippines, with which to prosecute farther explorations and reduce more islands to subjection; and that the mines be opened, and worked by slave-labor.