We, Caesar Montius, by the grace of God and the apostolic see patriarch of Antioch, nuncio of our most holy lord Urban VIII, by divine Providence pope, with power of legate _a latere_ of the same see in the kingdoms of the Spains, and collector-general for the apostolic chamber, to all and singular who shall view and see as well as hear these present letters, hereby do attest and in the word of truth do vouch that this present copy of the same agrees with the original in every respect. Wherefore we command that to it full regard be shown. In testimony whereof we have sealed these presents, signed by our own hand, and have ordered the same to be issued by our secretary. Maduti, of the diocese of Ysleta, the twenty-eighth day of June, 1633. By order of the same most illustrious lord: _D. Francisco Gutierrez Corrilla_, secretary. NEWS FROM THE FAR EAST, 1632 _Information which has been sent from the city of Manila of the present condition of the Catholic religion in Philipinas, Japon, and Great China; sent by father Fray Juan Garcia, [100] professed religious of the Order of St. Dominic, to the royal convent of San Pablo at Sevilla. Account of how the king our lord has taken an island in Great China, called La Hermosa, with a great fortress which is there_. During the former year of 631, twenty-eight professed religious of the Order of St. Dominic, from different convents in Spana, who voluntarily offered themselves for the service of God our Lord, the holy apostolic Roman see, and their order, left the port of San Lucar de Barameda, having embarked to cross over to the province of Nueva Espana in the Yndias, thence to the Philipinas Islands, Japon, and the kingdom of Great China, in order to preach the faith of Jesus Christ in those said kingdoms to the barbarous and idolatrous heathen there. After a prosperous voyage of eleven months they arrived at the city of Manila, where they were well received by the other religious who reside in those islands. However there died during the said voyage father Fray Juan Quixada, a native of Xerez, and a son of that convent; father Fray Vicente Ripol, a native of Zaragoca, and a son of the same convent; father Fray Francisco Castaneda and brother Fray Jacinto Robles, both sons of Salamanca; brother Fray Vicenta Ybanes, a son of the convent of Valencia; and brother Fray Jayme Escuder, native of Mallorca. The rest arrived safe and sound, full of joy at finding themselves where they desired to be busied in the preaching of the holy gospel.