_Of the election of our father Fray Pedro de Solier_
Our father Fray Pedro de Arce, acting with that uprightness that
always characterized him, for the period that remained to govern,
assembled his chapter, in pursuance of the orders of our rules,
namely, on the twenty-sixth day of the month of April, 1608. In this
chapter, there did not fail to be its little animosities, occasioned,
in my opinion, by the fact that the province found itself so far out
of swaddling-clothes, that it had enough people and workers to give
and to found another province. For, as we have seen, men of grand
abilities had gone from España and from Nueva España, while habits
had been given to many good men in Manila. Consequently, there were
many men on whom to set the eyes. Father Fray Estéban Carrillo was
a man of the talents which we have already mentioned, and received
votes. The father president also received them, and so grand a man
was he, and so admired, that opinions were not lacking that he might
become provincial. But the father Master Solier, although he was
youngest of all in years, was apparently well liked for his character,
and his labors in navigations, and the service which he had rendered to
this province in bringing it so glorious men. Finally, God was pleased
that he should win in the contest, and become provincial. The father
president had to confirm this action, giving him a dispensation for
the years that he lacked. Then, proceeding to the other elections, the
following definitors were elected: first, Fray Francisco Serrano;
second, Fray Pedro de Salcedo; third, Fray Jerónimo de Salas;
and fourth, Fray Hernando de Trujillo. [14] The visitors who were
elected were father Fray Juan de Villalobos and father Fray Miguel
Garcia. In council with the president, provincial-elect, and the
rector provincial, they arranged [the affairs of] the province,
both in order to provide the convents with heads, and to-adjust other
things pertaining to the spiritual welfare. And in fact, considering
the enactments of other chapters, it seems that they attained so
much excellence in this chapter, that if it did not surpass them,
at least it shone out strongly--especially a letter which our father
Master Solier sent to the provinces, so learned, spiritual, and so
suitable to the times that it could not be more so. Its warnings were
so necessary, not only for that time, but for any most important
thing. I cannot excuse myself from writing here the chief thing,
so that one may see the desires for the increase of their order,
and the love with which they discussed matters touching the natives,
which shone forth in those fathers. In the time of our father Solier,
the province had a very good reputation, for it made itself feared
and respected. Consequently, there was no difficulty in receiving
his mandates and enforcing them, so that the province was greatly
reformed. The great devotion of our father Fray Miguel García, who
was then chosen as prior of the convent of Manila, aided him. He
was later provincial, and after that he went to España, where his
Majesty presented him as bishop of Cagayán. He returned to these
islands with a fine company [of religious], and in the islands was
appointed archbishop of Manila....
Thus, then, as I have said, the convent of Manila did not differ at
all in divine worship from the most devout house in España; for the
exercise in the choir was continuous, both day and night, and there
was no cessation, unless necessity demanded it, when some of it
could be dispensed with; for so did our rules decree for that. The
infirmary was so full of all comforts, and so well cared for, that
truly there was nothing lacking of anything which the sick asked,
or that the physician demanded. I being attacked by a sudden illness
when I arrived at these islands, because of the change in climate,
so great was the attention with which I was cared for that it could
not have been more in the house of my parents, although they were
very wealthy. Consequently, I became better very soon, and was well
enough to go to the province of Bisayas; and, although I was unworthy,
it must have been the will of the Lord that I should come. The fathers
made strenuous efforts to have me remain there, and even our father
prior himself, Fray Miguel García, would have liked me to remain as
master of novitiates. That which grieves me is that I have served the
Lord so very little, although I have been offered enough opportunities
in which to serve Him.
Two years after the provincialate of our father Solier began, a
visitor-general arrived, to visit this province in behalf of his
Holiness and our most reverend father-general, and to reform it. For
that purpose he was given permission to bring twenty-four religious. He
who came as visitor was father Master Fray Diego de Guevara, who died
afterward as bishop of Camarines. He was most religious, and devout
beyond belief. While living in the convent at Madrid, he was there an
example and model to all those excellent men who are never lacking
in the convents of the capital; and, as that place is the _non plus
ultra_ of the world, one would think that all were keeping the best
men for that place.
[A professed religious of Salamanca, Guevara, after his arrival
at Manila, serves in several capacities--as reader in the Manila
convent, prior of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús, and prior of Manila. He
lives an austere life. While prior of Manila occurs "the rising of
the Sangleys, which was ended with so great glory to the Spanish
nation. For the Spaniards were so few, while the Chinese were so many
that those who assert the smallest number say that they exceeded four
thousand. Finally they were killed and destroyed throughout those
districts, and their possessions and houses were ruined and burned,
a thing regarded as marvelous. For they might have killed the Spaniards
with great ease, as the latter were quite unprepared, not expecting any
such thing. The city desired to advise his Majesty of the fortunate
outcome of the matter; and that in regard to those who have entered
Manila through the gates, it has always been extremely fortunate, and
has always triumphed over its enemies, but never been conquered. Our
father Fray Diego Guevara was chosen, and he accepted very willingly
what the city requested, in all having the approbation of our father
provincial. It was learned that a galleon was to be despatched from
Malaca to India, while it was not the season here for despatches. He
took as companion a choir-brother named Fray Diego de Urive, [15]
a native of the town of Consuegra in Mancha." Arrived at Malaca, they
find the galleon gone. They go to Goa, thence to Ormuz, and accomplish
the journey to Rome overland. "Clemente VIII rejoiced greatly at
receiving him, and much more at the good news from the islands of
the West." The general of the order gives Guevara a warm reception,
and allows him to depart for Spain. "At that time some differences
arose between Ours and the Recollect fathers of our order, who were
now commencing to settle. Thereupon an ordinance from Roma ordered
an inspection. On petition of the royal Council, the visitation was
entrusted to father Fray Martín de Perea, an illustrious member of
the province of Castilla, who had been assistant of España. Our
father Fray Diego de Guevara was chosen as his associate. The
father-visitor entrusted to him, because he himself was busy, the
visitation of several convents of the discalced fathers, in which he
acquitted himself with great discretion. While engaged in the said
occupation, Filipinas affairs must have made some stir--and so great,
that news thereof came to the royal Council of the Indias. I think
that the great devotion of the fathers then in chief authority, did
not appear so well to those to whom time had given more license than
was fitting. Therefore they wrote imputing to their prelates what it
was very fitting should be punished." The president of the Council,
Count de Lemos, after consultation with Father Juan de Castro,
of the Augustinian order, secures the necessary papers from Rome
and sends Father Guevara to the Philippines with authority to make
a general inspection of the order. He sails from Sanlúcar, June 22,
1609, taking with him a company of religious, among them Medina. The
voyage to New Spain is made without incident.]