This volume is a part of a monumental 55-volume collection of translated primary source documents covering the history of the Philippine archipelago during the entire Spanish colonial period, from 1493 to 1898. Compiled and edited by two American scholars, the work was published in the early 20th century, coinciding with the establishment of American governance in the Philippines. The massive collection of documents, drawn from Spanish and other European archives, was crucial for making a vast repository of foundational historical records—such as government decrees, religious reports, and personal correspondence—accessible to an English-speaking and international audience. Volume XII specifically focuses on the years 1601 through 1604, detailing critical administrative, military, and commercial matters of the time, including expeditions to the Maluku Islands (Molucas) and the regulations of the vital Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. The entire series is regarded as a cornerstone reference for scholars studying the political, economic, and religious development of the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 (Vol. 12, 1601-1604)