The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 32, 1640: 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 32, 1640" by Diego Aduarte is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work provides an extensive exploration of the Philippine Islands from their earliest interactions with European nations, focusing particularly on the intertwining narratives of the islands' history and the Catholic missions established by Spanish Dominicans. The narrative encapsulates the political, economic, commercial, and religious conditions of the Philippines, shedding light on the profound influence of missionary work during the 17th century. The opening of the volume concludes Diego Aduarte's "Historia de la Provincia del Sancto Rosario de la Orden de Predicadores," providing insights into the lives and experiences of early Dominican missionaries in the Philippines. It details the significant contributions of Fray Luis and other missionaries, who faced numerous challenges in their efforts to convert indigenous peoples amidst widespread persecutions and personal sacrifices. Through a blend of miraculous accounts and biographical sketches, the text illustrates the fervent dedication of these religious figures, culminating in tales of martyrdom in Japan, while also highlighting the establishment of the Dominican order and its long journey in spreading Christianity across the region.