BENAVIDES, MIGUEL, O.P.--Native of Carrion de los Condes, where he was
born of illustrious parents; takes the Dominican habit in San Pablo at
Valladolid, where he also becomes a collegiate at the college of San
Gregorio; reader of theology; goes to Manila with the first Dominican
mission in 1587; spends a short time in the Chinese missions, whence
he is exiled; helps promote building of Chinese hospital in Manila;
elected procurator general for his order and accompanies Salazar to
Spain; there gains three missions, and an increase in the commerce;
elected first bishop of Nueva Segovia; consecrated in Nueva España,
in 1597; arrives at Manila, 1598; takes possession of bishopric, 1599;
presented as archbishop, 1601; takes possession of Manila see, 1603,
the king defraying the cost of the bulls, on account of Benavides's
poverty; by decree of Sept. 9, 1603, gives administration of the
Japanese in Manila to the Franciscans; partly responsible for the
Chinese massacre of 1603 (see the various documents in our series); in
response to a royal decree ordering all natives to take a new oath of
allegiance to Spain, takes possession of all the natives in the name
of the crown of Castilla and Leon; dies on St. Anne's day, July 26,
1605; buried in Dominican church; leaves bequest for foundation of
Dominican college (San Tomás); a generous alms-giver. See documents
on the foundation of San Tomás.