[28] The Aetas, or Negritos, were the primitive inhabitants of the Philippine Islands; but their origin is not certainly known.  It is perhaps most probable that they came from Papua or New Guinea.  For various opinions on this point, see Zuniga’s Estadismo (Retana’s ed.), i, pp. 422-429; Delgado’s Historia general, part i, lib. iii, cap. i; and Report of U.S.  Philippine Commission, 1900, iii, pp. 333-335.  Invasions of the islands by Indonesian tribes, of superior strength and culture, drove the Negritos into the forest and mountain regions of the islands where they dwelt; they still remain there, in a state of barbarism, but in gradually decreasing numbers.  See the Report above cited (pp. 347-351), for habitat and physical characteristics of this race.

[29] For much curious and interesting information regarding these superstitions, beliefs in demons, etc., see Blumentritt’s “Diccionario mitologico,” in Retana’s Archivo, ii, pp. 345-454.

[30] This paragraph is a quite literal translation of the clause therein mentioned; the latter (in Portuguese) is at the end of the original MS. of this document.

[31] This was the Cardinal Archduke Albert of Austria, nephew of Felipe II, who in 1583 appointed Albert viceroy of Portugal.  In that post he remained until 1594, when he was removed to the archiepiscopal see of Toledo.

[32] The above instructions were intended doubtless for this document.  They occupy a separate sheet in the collection of documents, but their position warrants this inference.

[33] The first sentence is the official endorsement by the Council; the second, evidently that of the king; and the third, that of the Council’s secretary.

[34] The collection of documents of which the above forms a part contains a letter from the licentiate Ayala to the king, under date of June 25, 1590.  As in so many letters from royal officials, Ayala narrates his devotion to the king’s service, and especially in the Philippines, whither he had been ordered suddenly from the Canaries, his previous post.  He begs for a position in Mexico, and means to return to that country.  The king orders that one-half his salary be given him.

[35] At that time, Java was supposed to contain two islands; the western part, inhabited by the people of Sunda, was thought to be separated by a river from the other, forming an entire island.  Trapobana is a misprint for Taprobana, the ancient name of Sumatra; and Dacheu, for Achen (Achin).

[36] The cahiz is equal to twelve fanegas, or nearly nineteen and one-fifth bushels.

[37] Villamanrique was removed from his post in 1589, and in his stead as viceroy of Nueva Espana was appointed Luis de Velasco, Conde de Santiago, a son of the second viceroy; he reached Mexico on Jan. 25, 1590.  “The country made steady progress in every branch of industry during Velasco’s rule; political, commercial, and social conditions were improved, and prosperity prevailed.” (Bancroft, Hist.  Mexico, ii, p. 766.) He held the office until 1595, when he was appointed viceroy of Peru.