_Of the election of our father Fray Juan Enríquez_
Our father Fray Alonso de Baraona, in the course of his government,
as a person who so well understood the province and its members,
thought that no one was better fitted to govern it than our father
Fray Juan Enríquez, then the senior definitor. Concerning him, I have
not said much of what was seen, and the troubles which he suffered,
on the occasion of the unhappy death of our father Fray Vicente. We
were made to see how unjust that was, for our Lord freed him from
those annoyances with so much honor, by making him provincial, to
the applause and pleasure of all; and he was elected May 7, 1620. The
father master, Fray Pedro García, presided over this chapter, as he
had letters-patent for that from our most reverend father-general,
which the archbishop brought, together with his title as master, when
he came from España to these islands. He was received in the province
although it has not been the custom to have masters in it. May God
arrange matters in the future, for in this [capacity the archbishop]
shows his devotion not a little. As definitors were elected, in
this chapter: father Fray Hernando Guerrero; the second, father Fray
Antonio de Ocampo; [47] the third, father Fray Juan de Henao; [48]
and the fourth, father Fray Hernando Becerra. The visitors were our
father Fray Alonso de Méntrida and father Fray Juan de Tapia.
The chief proceeding in this chapter after the regular business--that
is, what is here regarded as most important--the provision for offices,
was the appointment of father Fray Juan de Tapia as definitor for Roma,
and also to the procuratorship for the court of España. He is a man
of great worth, and has been very useful in the islands and labored
not a little, to the approbation of all. For he was with Don Pedro de
Acuña in the taking of Maluco, and founded there a house in the name
of the order; and there he was not only the father and consolation
of all, but a very valiant soldier, who strove for the service of
his king as well as the best. While definitor, he was also prior of
Manila, increasing that convent with many works--as he did afterward
in the convents among the natives where he was prelate, which he left
notably increased. During that triennium, while going out as visitor,
he went also as prior of Manila, and on making the voyage to España,
was very well received there. Beyond doubt he would have secured the
bishopric had he been a trifle more active, but he was always slow
when his own affairs were concerned, and did not consider them as
the affairs of the order, which he always managed with the greatest
diligence and care. Consequently, he brought back a fine company
[of religious] as we shall see in due time.
Our father Juan Enríquez was unwilling that there should he any
failure in the growth of the province during his term. Accordingly,
although it was said that it was of little advantage to have a
convent in Maluco, yet the provincial kept it, sending a father
there. He also maintained the other convents, notwithstanding that
he suppressed that of Cavite--as if it were not the most important,
for that place is growing daily; and although it be not for the gain,
at least it may serve as a hospitium for those journeying to and fro
between here and España. All the orders are doing the same thing,
although they can not support themselves there.
He visited all his province, although he did not come to that of
Bisayas, for the sea was very much infested with enemies, and his
predecessor had gone through it more than any of the other prelates
had done. At that time the province enjoyed great peace and quiet,
which was due to the prudence of our father, who ever carried himself
as the admirable religious that he was.
During that triennium I acted as prior of Panay for the second time;
for during the intermediary chapter of our father Baraona I went as
prior to Aclán, which was a house with a vote. Soon after the arrival
of the said visitor, that priorate falling vacant, he appointed me to
it, and for the sake of the vote. And on returning, that triennium,
together with the office of vicar-provincial, while in that convent,
and having in my company father Fray Martín de San Nicolás (who
I have already said was with Captain Lázaro de Torres at the rout
of Mindanao), we were eating one fast day [_dia de pescado_], when
a large fishbone, which must have been as long as a sewing-needle
and was thick and bent, and had a very sharp point, lodged in the
father's throat. Although he said nothing to me for a moment, he
stopped, ceased eating and commenced to groan, as one who feels
a very great pain. Afterward he kept changing color, but without
saying a word. I was about to ask him what was the accident that
caused his pain. I saw him rise, for already his breath was failing,
and with a loud voice he cried, "Ah! blessed St. Nicholas! help me,
for I am choking!" And, upon saying that, he threw from his throat
a fishbone of the size above mentioned. It had been so securely
fastened there that it seemed as if that fishbone could not have been
dislodged without divine aid, as was proved by the mark of the blood
on it. It was considered as a wonderful thing, and the said father,
in token and proof of gratitude, is keeping the fishbone, and tells
the circumstance to everyone, while he always celebrates as best he
can the feast of that saint. Of a surety, he shows himself very devout.
I cannot refrain from telling here, although out of place, that in
the year in which our father Baraona was elected, when the latter
came to visit the Bisayas in the year 1617, Admiral Pedro de Heredia
had come, with the governor's permission, to the district of Aclán,
his encomienda, to build a ship. And although he claimed to do it with
only his encomienda, the affair went so well with him that he finished
a vessel of greater burden than was reported or believed. No Indian ran
away from him. On the contrary, the Indians were rich, for he paid them
liberally; and Indians even came from other districts to work there,
because of his fair treatment of them. Father Fray Lúcas de la Peña,
[49] a very devout and zealous religious, as we have written before,
was prior of that convent then. He had encounters with the admiral, for
rarely do these fail between the encomenderos and missionaries. These
happened because the Indians were carrying and bringing, and sowing
discord, as they can. The admiral was very indignant, blustered against
the missionary, and said that he would oust him from that place, if
it cost him his estate. When the provincial came, the admiral found a
good opportunity; he went to the provincial, and told him resolutely
that the father must leave there. The father provincial understood
thoroughly that there was no cause for such a proceeding; but he knew
that influential man's obstinacy, and that, if carried away by his
wrath or anger, he might commit some extravagant act. Accordingly,
in order to remove the religious from a dangerous situation, [50]
the father provincial made him resign his mission. This the religious
did very willingly, as it was by the order of the superior. The good
religious has no other desire than to do the will of his superior,
as our father Fulgencio tells us: _Illos veros monarchos esse
dicebat qui, mortificatis voluntatibus suis, nihil velle, nihil
nolle, sed tantum-modo abbatis precepta, servare._ [51] Our father
provincial thereupon changed the said father, thus giving a very
admirable example of humility, patience, and self-mortification; for,
being a prior elected by the chapter, he might well demand, without
being disobedient, that charges should be made against him, and that
according to the result thereof he should be punished. But he refused
to do that, and left his cause to God, who is the most righteous of
judges, and who knows naught by hearsay but by sight, for all things
are plain to Him. Another religious was sent there, with whom the
admiral had a more familiar acquaintance. The ship was finished and
launched. It cost sixteen thousand pesos, for it was the reproach of
[other] ships. But it cost his Majesty much more, without paying the
Indians--many of whom died, for there are no mines so severe as are
the shipyards. It was launched and sails bent, for the Audiencia had
sent for the vessel to make a trip to España. At that time there are
no winds of the sea along that coast; therefore the moorings of the
vessel were all ashore. While in this condition, and with a cargo of
lumber, unexpectedly so furious a wind sprang up on the sea, that
the ship ran aground without being able to make any resistance. As
the vessel was laden with lumber, there was no remedy. The wind was
for no other purpose than the above-mentioned [destruction], since it
ceased its fury with the loss of the ship. The admiral suffered this
blow patiently, for he understood that the Lord had no other reason in
it than to avenge the wrong done to His religious. _Mihi vindicta, et
ego retribuam._ [52] For the Lord esteems the honor of His ministers
as His own, and thus charged them, saying: _Nolite tangere Christos
Meos, et in Prophetis meis nolite malignari._ [53] All the others
understood this and were warned. Often since that have I heard him say
to an encomendero, that even though the missionary should destroy his
encomienda, he would neither enter suit against him, nor do anything
to him that he should not do. For the judgment of men is deceptive,
and their passion generally leads them astray and casts them headlong.
Our father Fray Alonso de Baraona was very sensitive regarding this
occurrence, and set it right by advancing the father and making
him prior of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús, and visitor for those
convents. Thus he voted in this chapter which elected father Fray
Juan Enríquez, and himself obtained therefrom the convent of Octóng,
the chief one of the island.
During this triennium of our father Fray Juan Enríquez, our Recollect
fathers founded a convent in Sugbú, as Bishop Don Fray Pedro de Arce
was pleased to give them a chapel which is in that city, between
the native and the Spanish towns, and called Nuestra Señora de la
Concepción [_i.e._, "Our Lady of the Conception"]. The city agreed to
it in the vote that was taken--although the city was not sufficiently
large for such a convent, for it contained that of the fathers of
the Society, ours, and the cathedral church; and the Parián, a short
distance from there. However, beyond doubt it suited the fathers;
for the bishop seeing that there were no seculars who would go to
the island of Mindanao, and that, with the fort built by Don Juan de
Silva in Caraga, excellent results might be expected, therefore gave
that district to the Recollect fathers, together with the river of
Butuán, situated in the same island. The Recollects accepted it, and
began to establish priorates. Thus they had already seven priorates,
in which more than fourteen religious resided. The convent of Sugbú
served them as a hospitium, asylum, infirmary, and place to rest--to
which purposes more than to anything else it was devoted. Further,
not only are the convents there not supported by the alms of the
city, but also one can say that they support the city; for most of
the inhabitants are poor soldiers, and many now are married there,
and receive the king's ration, which is very meager. Besides these
are others who have ceased to receive the ration; who are so poor
that, were it not for the aid of the religious, they would doubtless
perish. Those who have the most wealth use it up during the year,
being limited to what comes to them from their encomiendas, in order
not to run into debt; but they borrow the rice in the convents. Thus
laymen and religious form a very friendly village and neighborhood.
At this time the alcalde-mayor of Sugbú was Don Juan Alcarazo,
a gentleman so deserving of praises, that the sum of his many good
qualities cannot be told in few words. He was endowed with the courage
of a good soldier, and had served thus for many years in the galleons
of España with his brothers and father, whence his Majesty had derived
honors and advantages. He was a Viscayan by birth. During this time,
the island of Bohol rebelled. This island lies, as above stated,
opposite Sugbú, on the side whence blows the vendaval. It was in charge
of the fathers of the Society, who had more than two thousand Indians,
the tallest, handsomest, and stoutest in the island. A _babaylán_ or
priest called Tamblot had deceived them, by telling them that the time
was come when they could throw off the oppression of the Castilians;
for they were assured of the aid of their ancestors and _divatas_, or
gods. And in order that they might know this, it was proved by certain
signs. The priest went with some of the more trusty among them, cut
a bamboo with a small knife, and wine gushed forth. He cut another,
and rice came out. These articles he had hidden there cunningly and
adroitly. Consequently those men were convinced, and became preachers
of those lies, which the Indians love and believe so readily; while
we have no power to enable us to persuade them of the certainty of our
faith so readily as this sort of trickery can influence their natural
disposition. In such manner spread the spark that there was no island
where it did not catch little or much; although they did not dare to
show their faces, but awaited the result in Bohol. The fathers warned
the city of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús, and came to solicit aid from
the alcalde-mayor. Here there were no evil-doers among those [natives]
who lived in the city. Don Juan de Alcarazo did not dare [to send out
troops], as he had no order from the governor, Don Alonso Fajardo,
and it might be imputed to him as a blameworthy act. But the fathers,
seeing that whatever delay occurred was to make the wound incurable,
surmounted all difficulties. Consequently, they were able to negotiate
with potent arguments, saying that it was especially important to
check the evil in its first stages, so that it should not spread. The
alcalde-mayor was persuaded, and assembled the soldiers and adventurers
who appeared most suitable to him, besides a number of Sugbú Indians,
armed with sword and buckler. With these he landed in Bohol, and went
to look for the enemy--who, courageous in their mountains and supplied
with rice, thought that they were most safe, and that victory was sure.
But the most diligent effort made by this gentleman was to go to
our convent to have a mass said to the Holy Child, before whom many
candles were burned; to promise to take Him as patron; and to perform
no action in that war which should not be done in His name. Since His
[Divine] Majesty, he said, had, by His favor, given those islands to
the Spaniards, he prayed that He would not permit them to lose, for
his sins, those that they already possessed. For the Christianity
founded therein with so great toil would be wholly lost, and the
victorious enemies of His name would leave no kind of evil undone to
the conquered, to the contempt of His name. The most Holy Child showed
Himself very gracious, as is His custom in events [that are to be]
prosperous, whereupon victory was regarded as sure. Encouraged by such
omens, they did not hesitate to attack the enemy, who were entrenched
in their fields. The latter were insolent, and reënforced with allies
and supporters. During the battle, the rain was so heavy that they
could not use the arquebuses, so that the enemy were beginning to
prevail. Thereupon, the shields of the Sugbú Indians were brought
into service, and the latter aided excellently, by guarding with them
the powder-flasks and powder-pans of the arquebuses, so that they
were fired with heavy loss [to the enemy]. When the shower of rain
came, the enemy's babaylán encouraged them by saying that there they
could see how their divatas had told them true; for what could be
of greater use to them at that time than the rain, so that the arms
of the Castilians would be useless. Consequently, they became like
mad dogs; and they preferred death to enduring the conditions of the
conqueror. But so many fell that death had to fulfil its duty, namely,
to inspire them with fear. They wounded Don Juan with a stone, but not
very dangerously, as his morion received the blow. Although he fell,
he arose cured, and with renewed courage, by calling on the Holy Child,
who gave the Spaniards the victory, and, with it, the islands for a
second time. Truly, had so good an outcome not befallen the Spaniards
in Bohol, there would not have been a single one of the Pintados--and
these form the bulk of the islands--which would not have risen against
them. After this victory, those who had desired to raise the yoke
placed their necks once more under it. However, it was not sufficient
to deter the natives of Leyte from likewise trying their fortune,
which resulted as ill to them as to the natives of Bohol. Then the
islands became quiet, and the Indians more humble. However, whenever
they see their chance, they will not lose it, as they are a people
who wish to live free. The captured Indians were made slaves for the
space of ten years. Upon learning of this affair, the governor approved
the enterprise, praised it, and promised to reward it. This victory
was recognized as the doing of the most Holy Child. Consequently,
Don Juan de Alcarazo gave Him thanks, and shared the booty with Him.
There was a terrible earthquake in the islands at this time, which
none of them escaped. In the island of Panay, where I was stationed
then, it lasted more than a fortnight. But none of the succeeding
shocks were equal in violence to the first, which was so severe
that all expected everything to be overthrown. The columns of the
church and house, colliding against one another, strewed the ground
on all sides, so that a thick club could easily be thrust around
the columns. The same thing happened in the other convents, where
the images fell and were broken into bits. In the church of Passi,
which is of stone, and was then just roofed, all the upper part fell,
and it sank in many places. Many rivers changed their course, as that
of Aclán, which abandoned its former bed. Mountains were opened, and
there were innumerable other terrible occurrences during that awful
earthquake. At last it was the Lord's will that it should cease, and
with it the fears of all. In Ilocos the shocks were also exceeding
great, but not so severe in Manila. The Lord allows all this, so
that we may recognize His power; and, recognizing it, love Him; and,
loving Him, not offend Him.
During these years, the Dutch enemy did not discontinue coming to the
coasts of Manila, where they robbed the Chinese and did all the harm
possible. They tried to capture the ships carrying aid [from Mexico],
so that without war they were growing rich, and disabling the people
of Manila. In this emergency the pilots carried sealed orders, which
they were to open on the return voyage and learn the port where they
had to go, thus defeating the designs of the Dutch enemy, and freeing
themselves from the secret spies who were in Manila--who, as it was
said, were not lacking. Consequently, in many years no company [of
religious] entered Manila directly, so that whatever missionaries
the ships carried were scattered, and, not reaching Manila, no
benefit was derived from them. Father Fray Alonso del Rincón [54]
was coming from España with a fine company of religious. He reached
the port of Acapulco, where that year the flagship from these islands
did not arrive. After it left Manila and rounded the shoals, it had
been wrecked near Verde Island, for the tides drove it upon some
reefs. The almiranta passed on, and immediately another despatch
followed it which the governor made, when advised of the event. In
the latter the pilot and commander was the overseer Gaspar Nuñez. This
boat sailed September 16, and our Lord was pleased to let it arrive,
but both vessels were very small. The governor of Terrenate, Pedro de
Heredia, was coming. At last a vessel happened to arrive from Perú,
and was immediately laden. Our religious embarked in it, as also did
the fathers of the Society. Although the other two small boats had
sailed a fortnight before, this vessel overtook them, and all entered
the port of Casiguran, opposite Manila, about the same time. This
small boat bore religious of our father St. Francis, and all the
vessels suffered from a plague that was like to finish them. All
the Franciscans died, although only one of Ours died, father Fray
Nicolás Goyas, a Viscayan by birth, of the province of Castilla. He
was an excellent Latin scholar, a fine poet, a very good theologian,
and an eloquent preacher--all qualities useful here. But if the Lord
chose to take him, who doubts that it was fitting?
The rest recovered and reached the said port on June 25, of the year
1622. There are many convents belonging to our father St. Francis
in that district, and they assisted generously the needs of all, and
especially of the religious, who were in need of everything. But for
Ours, while going to Manila, the route which they took overland was so
dangerous and so full of difficulties that daily they braved death a
thousand times at the passage of the rivers. For the rainy season was
at its height, and consequently the rivers were swollen outside their
beds, and had very swift currents. They came afoot and shoeless, for
the mud unshod them in two steps. Their food was _morisqueta_. [55]
They suffered so great need of all things, although not through the
fault of the father commissary, who ever treated them with great
liberality and no less charity; but on the roads they met no people,
but only buffaloes, and in the rainy season they experienced all
these inconveniences. Finally they came to the confines of Pampanga,
where, forgetful of their hardships, they began to receive innumerable
welcomes from those most devout fathers, who know how to show kindness
to strangers, and all the more to their own who came to aid them,
when they had suffered so much and were in need of all things. Thence
they went to Manila, where they were received heartily by our father
Fray Juan Enríquez--who had them rest, so that they should begin
their labor in the Lord's vineyard, for which they had been chosen,
with greater courage. Those who entered Manila in the company of
father Fray Alonso Rincón, their commissary, were the following:
1. Father Fray Francisco Bibero, a Castilian, an eloquent preacher.
2. Father Fray Diego Martínez, a preacher, from Mancha.
3. Father Fray Antonio Portes, a preacher, and a Castilian.
4. Father Fray Juan de Silva, a preacher, from Andalucía.
5. Father Fray Juan Venegas, a preacher, from Andalucía.
6. Father Fray Pedro de Torres, a preacher, from Andalucía.
7. Father Fray Andrés Verdugo, a reader, from Mancha.
8. Father Fray Martín de Paz, a reader, and a Castilian.
9. Father Fray Baltasar Salcedo, a preacher, and a Vizcayan.
10. Father Fray Juan Basán, a priest, from Andalucía.
11. Father Fray Juan Velasco, a preacher, and a Castilian.
12. Father Fray Juan de Aguirre, a priest, and a Castilian.
13. Father Fray Estéban de Peralta, a preacher, and a Castilian.
14. Father Fray Pedro del Castillo, a preacher, from Andalucía.
15. Father Fray Pedro Valenzuela, a preacher, and a Castilian.
16. Father Fray Baltasar Jiménez, a priest, from Andalucía, who
returned to the province.
17. Father Fray Felipe Tallada, a preacher, from Andalucía, who
returned to the province.
18. Father Fray Rodrigo de Quiñones, a priest, from Andalucía.
19. Father Fray Juan de Ugarte, a priest from Perú, and a
Vizcayan. [56]
20. Father Fray Francisco Rubio, a priest, and a Castilian.
Three religious died, in Méjico and San Juan de Ulua, of whom very good
hopes were entertained. This has caused a great lack here as is the
case when any sound religious is taken away. For since so many die,
if there is no one to hold the fortification, what has been gained
must necessarily be lost. For, if the devil learns that there are no
soldiers, who doubts that he will return to gain the mastery of what
was taken from him? Those religious have labored exceedingly well,
and some of them have become eminent linguists; and, God willing, we
shall have to say much about them. Our father provincial immediately
distributed them through the four provinces, very wisely, according
to the need of each.
At this time one of the Recollect religious, a doctor and scholar,
named Fray Diego Rodrigo, was head of that order here. He bore the
title of father vicar-provincial, for the province had as yet no
authority to elect a provincial. He had some disputes with a beneficed
secular, whereupon the said beneficiary complained to the archbishop,
Don Fray Miguel García. The latter sought advice as to whether he
could try that cause, and, I know not why, kept the priest secluded
in our convent. The cause was continued, and afterward the said
vicar-provincial, Fray Rodrigo, went to España by way of India. Through
that journey he accomplished matters of no little importance; for he
suffered much and served the Catholic church greatly. He converted
and reduced many schismatic Russians [57] to the Catholic church, and
bore a solemn message from them to his Holiness. For this religious
had excellent qualifications for distinction; he was a fine Latin
scholar and an excellent preacher, and was no less a theologian. In
the Roman court he was of great aid to the religious of the Filipinas
against the pretensions of the seculars, so that his arrival there
was very important. He was very well received in that court, and in
that of España; and he would have obtained his desires, had not the
Lord been pleased to cut him off, taking him from this life to enjoy
that which is eternal. He had written a book on the affairs of this
country, but it is not known into whose hands it has fallen. May it
bring to the light achievements so eminent and honorable. Without
doubt they would be of much importance for a knowledge of what there
is in these lands so remote from our own.