This volume documents the critical years of 1593 to 1597, chronicling the political, military, and religious developments in the Spanish settlement of Manila and the Philippine archipelago. The period begins with the aftermath of Governor Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas's death and the temporary succession of his son, Luis Pérez Dasmariñas, a move later revoked by the crown, which re-established the Audiencia (high court) and appointed Francisco Tello as the new governor and president. The documents reveal an increasingly fortified Manila and the growing prosperity of the city, which was elevated to the seat of an archbishopric with three newly formed dioceses. Spanish attention was frequently drawn outward, attempting to pacify Mindanao and launching an ultimately unsuccessful expedition to aid the kingdom of Camboja against Siam. Internally, the Spanish administration grappled with the increasing number of Chinese immigrants, whom they viewed as a source of danger, imposing various restrictions. A key theme is the precarious diplomatic and military tension with Japan, whose ruler, Hideyoshi, sent ambassadors with veiled threats of subjection, prompting the Spanish to strengthen Manila's defenses. The papers include reports and correspondence from governors, clerics, and other officials discussing trade, the plight of the Spanish soldiery, missions by the various religious orders, and the initial efforts toward printing in the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898 (Vol. 9, 1593-1597)