Summary:
"The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 29 of 55, 1638–40" by Emma Helen Blair et al. is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This volume is part of a larger collection that chronicles the history, explorations, descriptions of the islands, and the religious missions in the Philippines from their early interactions with European powers to the end of the 19th century. It likely focuses on the events and political dynamics in the Philippines during the years 1638-1640, highlighting the conflicts with Moro pirates, the Chinese revolt, and the colonial governance under Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera. At the start of this volume, the book unfolds amidst a tumultuous period marked by military conflicts, conspiracies, and natural disasters affecting the colony. The events are recorded by Jesuit chroniclers and other participants, documenting major occurrences such as the hostilities with the Moros, the intricacies of Spanish governance, and the insurrections by both Chinese and indigenous peoples. Through letters, annals, and reports from various officials, the opening portion reveals the challenges faced by the colonial administration, the socio-economic interactions between different communities, and the shifting allegiances within the region during these critical years. (This is an automatically generated summary.)