The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 28 of 55: 1637-38; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century

"The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 28 of 55" by Blair, Bourne, and Robertson is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the complex history and conditions of the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, covering political, economic, commercial, and religious aspects. It provides insights into the interactions between the indigenous peoples and European colonizers, particularly focusing on the role of Catholic missions. The opening of this volume introduces the reader to the religious and ecclesiastical affairs in the Philippines, mainly through documents from 1637-1638. It discusses the conflicts faced by the Augustinian order due to the "alternativa" decree regarding their administrative appointments and outlines the consequences of these disputes. Additionally, it details Corcuera's military campaign against the Moro stronghold in Jolo, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Spanish forces, including their repeated assaults and eventual strategic blockade that led to the surrounding of the enemy. These early accounts set the stage for a deeper exploration of the intertwining of religion and colonial power in shaping the islands' history.