The monumental 55-volume series, The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898, was compiled, translated, and edited in the early 20th century to make primary source documents of Philippine history accessible to a wider audience, particularly in the United States following its acquisition of the islands. Volume XIII focuses on the crucial years of 1604–1605, a period of heightened activity and tension in the Spanish colony. It includes the conclusion of the Jesuit Pedro Chirino's comprehensive Relación de las Islas Filipinas, detailing the expansion of the Catholic missions, particularly the Jesuit efforts in the Visayas and Mindanao, and providing insight into the social and religious life of the indigenous populations. The volume also documents political and economic challenges of the time, such as Governor Pedro de Acuña's reports to King Felipe III concerning the problematic Audiencia (royal court) in Manila, decrees regulating the vital Manila-Acapulco commerce, and letters detailing the perpetual concerns and complaints against the large and politically sensitive Chinese population residing in the islands. This collection serves as an indispensable record of the administration, evangelism, and colonial commerce defining the Spanish Philippines in the early 17th century.
The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898 (Vol. 13, 1604–1605)