_From Father Francisco Vaez, [32] June 10, 1601, to Reverend Father
Claudio Aquaviva, general of the Society of Jesus._
Amid all the calamities and miseries which it has pleased the Lord to
inflict on these islands, the chief has been the loss of some ships
which were wrecked, including among others the flagship and the ship
of the second in command. They set sail from this coast during the
last year, 1600, for Nueva España, being laden with a large amount of
treasure and merchandise; and by them the records of this province
and the letters from Japan for your Paternity were sent. But, after
sailing for eight months, these ships encountered a violent contrary
wind, and, having on board a great number of sailors, were gradually
driven back by sickness, hunger, and the fury of the waves, which
swept the men from the very decks of the ships to be drowned in the
waters. The vessels struck on rocks and were wrecked, a few men only
being rescued, like the servants of Job, from the immediate danger,
to announce the destruction--which, being increased by one misfortune
and mishap in war after another, heaped sorrow upon us. On one of these
ships, called the "San Geronimo," was Father Pedro Lopez de Parra, a
professed religious of our Society--who, as we trust, after this long
voyage (or rather that longer one of thirty-seven years in religion),
has entered the gate of eternal life, laden with a rich treasure
of good works. He taught philosophy and theology in Nueva España,
having been one of the first members of the Society formerly sent
thither; he trained our ministers with fruitful results. Although we
have heard nothing certain with regard to the details of his death,
yet, as he took great delight in the duty of hearing confessions and
helping souls, it is likely that with great devotion he aided all in
that extremity of danger. [33]
In another disaster we have lost another priest and a brother, if loss
be the proper name to give to the death of those who have been slain
for the gain of souls, and while aiding their brethren in a just war
against heretic pirates. These were Hollanders and Zeelanders who
were driven to the Philippine Islands in the year 1600, and came to
get booty on the sea called the Northern Ocean, or "Mar del Norte"
(for they had already made spoil of a Portuguese ship), and, after
passing the Strait of Magellan, had, in that southerly ocean called
"Mar del Sur," done likewise with a small vessel from Peru. Their
leading vessels, the flagship and the almiranta, took a station six
leagues from Manila, where the Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese ships
had to unload their cargoes, and to which all the smacks and other
small boats that left the city had to hold their course. Against
these ships of the enemy there were sent out from Manila two ships
provided with three hundred of the best soldiers of these islands,
together with many bombards and other equipments of war. In the chief
ships were Father Diego de Santiago and Brother Bartolomeo Calvo,
at the request of the general, Antonio de Morga, auditor of the
royal Audiencia, and of other officers of rank, who were accustomed
to confess to the said father.
Now when the father had exerted himself to receive the confessions
of the soldiery, and had exhorted them to fight bravely, on the
fourteenth of December they came in sight of the enemy; and the
flagship spread its sails and bore down so swiftly on the other
flagship that the passage from one to the other was easy. In the
conflict our men tore away the enemy's flags and carried them back to
their own ship, shouting, "Victory!" with joyful voices. Just then
our ship, having taken in a great quantity of water from all sides,
was by the permission of God suddenly swallowed in the waves with
all the sailors, except a few who by the help of a skiff captured
from the Dutch, or by swimming, made their way to land. The general
was one who threw himself into the water with two flags of the enemy's.
Then the almiranta, having encountered the enemy's almiranta,
captured it, and carried it away to Manila, where punishment was
inflicted on all the sailors. Among the number of those on our side
who were slain or drowned, a hundred and fifty-nine in all, Father
Diego was drowned. He had heard, as it appeared, the confessions of
all; and as he was making the effort to throw himself clear into the
sea, he was called back by the voice of a captain desiring to make
his confession. While he was hearing the confession he was drowned,
with the brother and the rest. The father was in the twenty-ninth year
of his age, and had lived fifteen years in the Society. The brother,
his companion, was of the same age, and had lived in the Society seven
years; he had entered it in these regions. He was a man endowed with
every virtue, being especially noteworthy for his obedience, to which
he was always greatly inclined.
Of the brethren there has also died Martin Sanchez, a native of these
islands, who was for a decade a member of the Society, and who left a
glorious example in life and death. There remain in this vice-province
thirty priests and twenty-nine brethren (of whom two are scholastics
and four novices)--those nine being included whom your Paternity has
sent hither with Father Gregorio Lopez, in whom this vice-province
assuredly receives a great assistance. As it is of later birth, more
scantily supplied with workers, and further from Rome, it is likewise
poorer; and, as the younger daughter, ought to be the dearer and more
precious to your Paternity.