Legazpi: Father Urdaneta’s Reports

Levesque, Rodrigue (1992). "Legazpi: Father Urdaneta's Reports". History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents. Volume 2, Prelude to Conquest, 1561-1595. Gatineau, Quebec: Éditions Lévesque. pp. 247–257. ISBN 0-920201-02-4.

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Abstract: Recounts the vital contributions of Father Andrés de Urdaneta to Spain’s 16th-century Pacific expeditions, beginning with his detailed account of the return voyage from the Philippines to New Spain in 1565. The journey was marked by hardships, including adverse winds, illness, and the loss of crew members. Despite these obstacles, the expedition successfully made landfall on the coast of New Spain, proving the feasibility of a return route across the Pacific.

In addition to his navigational feats, Urdaneta prepared an opinion for the Council of the Indies regarding the legal ownership of the Philippines. He carefully examined the treaties of Tordesillas and Zaragoza, which divided the world between Spain and Portugal, and argued that the Philippines properly belonged to Spain. While acknowledging earlier arrangements that had pawned certain rights to Portugal, he stressed that the islands fell under the Spanish Crown’s jurisdiction. His reasoning relied not only on legal interpretation but also on technical expertise in cartography and astronomy, supported by collaborators such as Father Martín de Rada.

Also notes the enduring recognition of Urdaneta’s legacy. A monument in Manila, shared with Miguel López de Legazpi, honors his achievements and was originally funded by public subscription before being completed under American administration in the Philippines.