Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Prospectus).pdf/7

Rh either political or sectarian. It is confidently expected that this matter, thus presented, will throw light on present conditions in the archipelago, both secular and ecclesiastical, and thus aid in the solution of the difficult questions now confronting the American people in the Philippines. The material from which this series is compiled consists of both manuscript and printed documents. In the selection of manuscripts great care has been observed; and no effort has been spared to make this selection as full and representative as possible. These documents cover nearly the entire period (1493-1803) of history treated, and all its aspects—secular and religious, social, economic, and political. The writers of these manuscripts were mainly government officials, and ecclesiastics of the various orders; and they throw much light on the inner history of the times, besides furnishing much matter that supplements or explains the relations found in printed works. In their selection, the editors have resorted to the fountain-head. Manuscripts have been copied from the great Spanish archives at Madrid, Simancas, Seville, etc., and many libraries in this and foreign countries have been and will be visited in the hope of discovering new material relative to the Philippines. The archives at Seville are the fullest, and contain the richest treasures in Philippina; and naturally they have been consulted more than others. But many other archives and many libraries are rich in this material; and in one case a document was discovered and rescued from oblivion, the existence of which was previously unknown to even the officials. Researches have been made in Portugal, France, and England; and farther investigations are being made in all