Afterward the Jesuit fathers came to these regions; they have been of great help to the above-mentioned religious.
On their arrival at these islands, the Spaniards at once heard many things concerning the great kingdom of China, both through the relations of the islanders, who told of that country's wonders; and through what they themselves saw and heard, after a few days, from the crews of certain vessels entering that port with merchandise and very curious articles from that kingdom.

These latter told them in detail of the greatness and wealth of that country, and the many things related in the first three books of this history.

As soon as the Augustinian religious (then the only religious in those islands), and especially their provincial, Fray Martin de Herrada--a man of great worth, and most erudite in all branches of learning--were aware of the greater advantages possessed by the Chinese, who come to trade among those islands, in comparison with these islanders, and especially in the matters of civilization and ability, they immediately conceived a great desire to go to preach the gospel to those people, so capable of receiving it.

With this object in view, they began most carefully and studiously to learn the Chinese language, which the above-mentioned provincial mastered in a short time, making also of the same a grammar and dictionary.

Besides this, they gave many gifts and presents to the Chinese merchants, in order to be conveyed to their country.