Chapter XLI: Continuation of the preceding

Governor Don Fernando de Silva thought that the trade of this country with China was annually decreasing, because of the Chinese pirates, who were now very bold, so that the traders could not leave port without manifest danger to their property and lives. And indeed, if any came, it was to bring rather people than cloth and the other things that the country needed. Besides this, since the Chinese had Portuguese in their country, they could transport their cloth without so much danger and sell it to the Portuguese. The latter brought it from Macán to Manila, and sold it there at whatever price they pleased; for the Spaniards had to export something, as otherwise they could not live. For their other incomes, acquired through encomiendas--I know not how they are valued--do not suffice or enrich, and least of all satisfy. Perhaps the reason is that in collecting them no attention is paid to what is produced. Besides that, the governor knew that the Dutch were settled in Hermosa Island, a very large island, which lies more than two hundred leguas north of Manila. It is called Hermosa [_i.e._, "Beautiful"] Island because of its fertility. It is quite near China, although it is inhabited by Indians, like the rest of the islands. The governor thought that, from that place, the Dutch were depriving us of the trade; this would mean the destruction of Manila, which only a lucrative trade could sustain. To remedy all this, he thought to capture Hermosa Island, and he discussed and conferred about this plan. The Dominican fathers, influenced by the gain of souls, encouraged this affair, because of the nearness of the island to China. As all are dependent on the governor in these regions, no one dares to contradict him in whatever pleases him; for they fear his anger upon them, which often deprives them of sustenance. But, I think time has proved what an unwise thing was done; for none of those injuries have been remedied, but have remained. The forces, which are daily becoming fewer in the islands, were divided, and there were innumerable other inconveniences. Finally, the governor sent troops to the island, and possession of it was taken, more than forty or sixty leguas from the Dutch fort. Only Dominican religious went on this occasion. Then it befell that many of the troops died, for the island is very cold. Most of the fruits of Castilla are raised there. Its inhabitants are fierce, and live without law or reason, but more as their chiefs dictate. Ours have suffered signal hardships there. Sargento-mayor N. Careño was governor of that fort and the troops; and he did his utmost. The Chinese came and offered many things when the soldiers had money; but, when money failed, all was about to perish. That year, 1626, Don Juan Niño de Tábora came as governor. He was told of Hermosa Island and its great importance. Accordingly, he resolved to make an expedition thither, with as many of the remaining soldiers as possible. They filled three large galleons and other smaller ones. Captain Lázaro de Torres, of whom we have made so much mention, sailed in the "Trinidad," the smallest of all the ships. They left in August, after the despatch [for New Spain] of the vessels of 1627. The weather was rough, so that the governor grew afraid. After incurring so great expenses for his Majesty, and sailing in galleons which carried fifty or sixty pieces of artillery, a return was made to Cavite. Only Lázaro de Torres went ahead, with whom sailed father Fray Lúcas de Atienza, of our order, as prior and vicar-provincial. They suffered terrible storms, and ran manifest dangers; especially when, running with the lower sail on the foremast, they ran aground on an island, which they had not seen because of a dense fog. At last they all got away. They flung out, or rather raised, the greater yard (which they were carrying down), shook out the sails full, and then were able to make land with the sides under water, and the sea running sky-high. They just missed scraping the sunken rocks about the island. The most courageous man among them was our religious, for no one, neither soldier nor sailor, met the danger with greater courage or resolution. At length they reached Hermosa Island at a time that proved the redemption of those men, for already were they eating rats. They were in the extreme of necessity; for neither did any Chinese come, nor had the Spaniards any silver to attract them, for that is the most efficacious allurement. Captain Don Antonio de Vera had gone out with twenty men; but some Indian chiefs daringly killed him and his men. Captain Lázaro de Torres rallied to this necessity. He went outside, relieved the fort, gave what food he had, and then--having nothing to do, and suspecting that the governor had put back into port--he returned with our religious. The latter came near dying on account of his great hardships; and indeed death overcame him after he returned to the land of Manila--where because of those sufferings he never again raised his head in health.

During this same time, I mean in 1628, the house of our convent of Bisayas was burned--the one which I had built with so much trouble. It was the best in the province. It is suspected that the rebellious Indians burned it, as it was not the time when fires are wont to happen, for it was Christmas, when it is always rainy.

During the triennium of our father Fray Juan Enríquez, the church and house of Dumangas were burned. They were fine edifices. Both fires occurred during the night, so that it was a miracle that the religious escaped; for they were asleep, a sign that the fire was set on purpose.

During this triennium the Manila Parián was burned. It was a miracle that the city was not burned; and the interests that were ruined were very large. Although the church of the Parián was so near to the houses, and entirely of wood, it did not burn, whereat all the Sangleys were much surprised. They said afterward in their broken language, "Here St. Mary great" [_aqui Sta. Maria grande_]. The walls and supports were aglow with the fire and brightness, or rather, were ablaze, as they were so hot that the hand could not be placed upon them. This made the wonder all the greater, and the Sangleys became more attentive to the consideration of our truths. The Parián was rebuilt better; its houses were roofed with tile, so that it is very sightly; and, with the point adjoining it on the river, which has been finished, it has added glory and honor to the city. All was done, as I have said, at the cost of the Sangleys. But they cause the Castilian to pay it, by raising prices universally.

[The chapter closes with several miraculous occurrences and pious observations that emphasize the grandeur of the Christian religion. These marvels are interspersed with other matter as follows:]

During the triennium of our father Fray Alonso de Méntrida, the sending of a religious to Maluco was discontinued, and the convent of Cavite was completely abandoned. It must have been the opinion of grave fathers that that was not of importance. Many things are kept, which although they are of no use at the present time, are at least preserved for the hopes which are entertained that they will be useful in the future, and that they will prove of advantage. No notice was taken of that, for four eyes are worth more than two; and what has appeared in one way to me may appear to others in an entirely different light. Hence I shall leave the discussion of this matter.

In the first part of the year 1629, the most holy sacrament was found missing from the altar of the cathedral of Manila.

It was a thing that troubled all greatly; but it most troubled the archbishop of Manila. The greatest and most painstaking efforts imaginable were made. Many were arrested, and put to severe torture; and, for many months, no other efforts were made than to ascertain whether the aggressor could be discovered by any manner or means. But that one was never found, nor could they discover who stole it, nor what was done with it. The archbishop retired to San Francisco del Monte, which is a convent of the religious of our father St. Francis, who spend their lives there in the contemplative life with notable perfection and spirituality. There then our archbishop took refuge, and spent many days in other similar works, furnishing an example to all the country; and although it is true that he was always an example during all his life, he seems on this occasion to have redoubled his acts of penitence--praying God, as a truly contrite man, that, if that lamentable case and one so worthy of sorrow throughout the islands had happened through his omissions. He would pardon him and regard those sheep which had been committed to him with eyes of pity and kindness; and that he might not be the cause that their punishments be multiplied. He caused prayers to be said by the convents and parishes, noting that beyond doubt the sins of the people were great, since the Lord was working against them and permitted that the sacrament be taken from its place and dwelling in so sacrilegious a manner. For no less in the present desecration than in that which these sacrilegious Jews practiced toward our Lord in the garden, the gravity of the sin is recognized, since He allows such treatment. And no less is the love recognized which He has for us, accepting and receiving to Himself the insults which He does not wish to fall upon His people--like the pious mother who shielded the dear body of her son, whom she loved, with her own, so that the tyrant might not wound him, preferring the welfare of her son to her own.