Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Prospectus).pdf/8

 those archives, as well as in those of Italy and Mexico, and in the Philippines. These researches are under the direction of one of the editors, Mr. Robertson, who has personally visited many of the archives. Thus much valuable and interesting material has been gathered, and is in process of collection, which is now, for the first time, to be presented to the public; heretofore only the few scholars who were interested in the comparatively unknown Philippine Islands have had access to these documents. At this time, when interest in that region is so wide-spread, and when the relations of America with the far Orient have suddenly assumed so great importance, this series throws open to all readers the wealth of information presented in these documents.

The saving of time and expense which the publication of these manuscripts effects for scholars is apparent. The difficulty of access to these sources has hitherto debarred many students from closely studying the history of those islands; but when presented, as here, in the English language from accurate transcriptions, with all necessary data for locating the originals, and arranged with reference to the printed books, these manuscript documents will prove a boon to  the student, as well as to the general reader. The relation by Antonio Pigafetta, taken from the original manuscript preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (which will in this series be for the first time reproduced, with accompanying English translation) will be found invaluable as giving the earliest and best record of Magellan's voyage of discovery. The relation (1580) of Miguel Loarca, a Spanish govermentgovernment [sic] official, will prove of great social and economic value. The numerous letters and reports from missionaries will present important information along all lines,