Another mission of the religious to the kingdom of Camboja
In España many times the conquest of Camboja, Sian, and Champan,
neighboring kingdoms, was much discussed. The theologians whom his
Majesty consulted declared that this conquest was justified within
certain limitations. As captain-general was appointed the Conde de
Bailen. There came to Manila in 1603 an embassy from the new king
[of Camboja] asking for the friendship of the governor, for a force
of soldiers, and, most important of all, for religious to come and
preach the gospel. The king disclaimed any part in the murders which
had been committed a few years before by the king his predecessor (who
was his nephew), and by the Malay Moros whom that king favored. By
them all the Portuguese and Castilians who were there had been slain,
except one who made his escape. [37] This new king had had nothing
to do with that murder, because he was at the time a prisoner and
captive in Sian, and had been taken from prison there to the kingdom
at the death of his nephew, who had been slain by the Malay Moros
whom he had favored. They had taken possession of the kingdom,
thus rewarding the ungrateful treachery which he had shown to the
Spaniards, although they had restored him to his kingdom. At this time
the governor of these islands was Don Pedro de Acuña, a man of noble
birth and a brave soldier, a devoted servant of his Majesty, and a
true Christian. In this same year the Lord had given him a glorious
victory over fifteen or sixteen thousand Chinese who attacked this
city, of whom scarcely one was left alive, the Lord aiding this noble
gentleman and the few Spaniards who were in Manila. Not long afterward
He gave him the great victory by which Maluco was recovered and given
into the possession of his Majesty, without the loss of a man, which
greatly enhanced the victory. [The governor was delighted by this
embassy from Camboja, and sent to ask preachers of the order which
had spent so much and labored so hard to introduce the gospel among
these tribes. The province immediately appointed father Fray Iñigo
de Santa Maria as vicar, and, as associates and apostolic preachers,
father Fray Geronimo de Belen [38] and father Fray Alonso Collar, or
de Santa Cathalina--whom the governor despatched with six Spaniards,
letters, and a present, in a good frigate. They had bad weather,
and were obliged to touch at Cochinchina and to coast along the
kingdom of Champan, where they were attacked by Indians when they
went on shore to get fresh water. They reached the port of Camboja
called Chordemuco, in April. The king received them with great marks
of honor, showing particular favor to the religious. The kingdom
was in constant disturbance, but the king was greatly encouraged
even by the presence of these Spaniards. He was greatly desirous of
receiving further assistance from the Philippinas; but the fathers
were doubtful whether any ought to come, for fear that things would
turn out as they had before. Some vessels came from Cochinchina, the
captain of one of them being one of those Sangleys who had killed the
governor of the Philippinas (Dasmariñas); he took possession of the
Spanish galley, and became a pirate. He had at this time the title of
ambassador from the king of Cochinchina. Some of the Japanese knew him,
since he had stolen a ship from them; and they wished to kill him,
but were restrained by the religious. Soon after, when some more
Japanese vessels came into port, they plotted against the man, and
took his life, before the fathers could hinder them. At this time the
fathers and the Spaniards suffered great risks, because the Siamese,
the Chinese, and the Cochin-chinese, and much more the Malay Moros,
who were all assembled here, hate Christianity. There was promise of
much disquiet and many factions; and, to pacify them, the king asked
one of the fathers to go to Manila and to ask for reenforcements
of soldiers and for more fathers, promising to pay the soldiers,
who might defend and guard those who were converted. Father Fray
Iñigo went back for that purpose. The priests, or bonços, frequented
our church and approved our manner of life, giving hopes of their
conversion if the religious should remain. Some conversions were made,
and the manner of life of the fathers greatly impressed all the people
of the city. On his way back to Manila, father Fray Yñigo lost his
life. He was a son of San Estevan at Salamanca, and was almost one
of the first who came to this province, having been sent as a result
of the activity of the first bishop of these islands, and of his
associate, Fray Miguel de Venavides. He was a great preacher and
very devout in prayer. He was elected to the priory of Manila, and
was most useful in enlightening the consciences of the inhabitants
of that city. He was most devoted to St. Cecilia and to St. Ursula;
and when he called upon their names, miracles were wrought for him
by the supplying of a convent in Pangasinan with fish at his prayers,
and on other occasions. He showed at some times the spirit of prophecy.
At the same time there died in Camboja father Fray Alonso Collar or
de Sancta Cathalina. Father Fray Alonso was a native of Cangas de
Tineo, and assumed the habit and professed in Oviedo. He had come
to the province in the previous year (1602), and after beginning
to learn the Chinese language, had been sent by the order of his
superior on this expedition. His death caused great grief in Camboja,
and his funeral was attended like that of one of the grandees of the
nation. His bones were afterwards taken to Manila, that he might be
buried with his brethren. Thus there remained in Camboja, in the
midst of many and great perils, one single religious (Jerónimo de
Belén), who dared not baptize the people, although he had the license
of the king to do so, because of the confusion and disquiet of the
time. Looking for no future success, and knowing the fickleness of
the Indians of that region--who had asked to have missionaries and
soldiers sent to them, and who then had received them so ill, and
had finally killed them--he wrote back asking permission to return;
this was granted him by the provincial, until such time as the affairs
of this kingdom should promise greater stability and quiet.]