Chapter XLII: Of the election of our father Fray Juan de Henao

Our father Fray Francisco Bonifacio, with the mildness which we have seen, with which he began and divided his government, ended it with the same, not leaving any religious any ground for complaint. For he loved them all equally, and equally strove for their spiritual welfare, acting toward them in every respect as a true father and shepherd. He had cast his eyes on father Fray Jerónimo de Medrano as his successor. The latter was then definitor, and he was a person of great talent for what the office requires, and had preached at Manila in a very satisfactory manner. But since there are so many different understandings in a province, all men cannot judge of a thing by the same method, for every one feels regarding it as his own judgment dictates. Consequently, there was a following which tried to elect father Fray Francisco Coronel, a man of vast learning, and of whom very great hopes were entertained for the future. But that following never could gain the full game, nor even check the other faction. Thereupon they settled on a scheme which did not succeed badly, and that was to cast their votes for our father Fray Juan de Henao, who belonged to the other faction, and had the father president on his side. By this means, the election was conferred upon the man who was least expected [to gain it]. One would believe that the Lord chose to give him therein the dignity which He had taken from him six years before--the reader will remember what we have said about that.

At this time the fathers born in the Indias, although they were few, had obtained a bull from his Holiness, so that between them and the fathers from Castilla there should be alternation [in the celebration of Corpus Christi]. Its execution was committed to the archdean of Manila, Alonso García, a creole, who was much inclined to it. Accordingly he proceeded without allowing any appeal or argument, although those presented by the Castilian fathers were very cogent. Finally he proceeded to extreme measures, by declaring the fathers excommunicated. Here the province refused to admit the letters of excommunication. Finally, our father Henao was elected in this contention, with father Fray Estéban de Peralta acting as presiding officer of the chapter. The definitors elected were: father Fray Juan de Tapia; the second, Fray Juan de Medina; the third, Fray Nicolás de Herrera; [75] and the fourth, Fray Martín de Errasti. [76] The visitors were father Fray Jerónimo Medrano and father Fray Cristóbal de Miranda. [77]

The father provincial and the other father definitors looked after the affairs of the province with great prudence, and discussed the most important matter of that time--namely, the choice of a person to go to the court of Roma to represent the causes which had moved them not to accept the alternation, giving him the money for expenses which the other fathers are accustomed to carry, with additional pay, and as the case required. The father master, Fray Pedro García, was selected for that purpose. He was the brother of the archbishop and a person of great talent and resources, who would be well received anywhere because of his person, learning, and excellent mode of procedure. But the Lord was pleased not to allow him to reach Nueva España. The creole fathers also requested that permission be granted to them, for they wished to send a procurator on their own account; and their request was granted. Accordingly they sent father Fray Alonso de Figueroa, [78] a person of much ability, and the most suitable that could be selected among the men of his following.

Father Fray Hernando de Cabrera, an admirable minister of the Tagalos, of whom we have already spoken, asked for leave to go to España. Together with the father master, Fray Pedro García, he took passage on the flagship "San Juan," a new ship whose first voyage this was. Aboard it was Don Fernando de Silva, who had governed these islands, four procurators for the city of Manila, who were being sent to look after the property of the citizens, on account of unfair dealings by those of Nueva España in the returns made for it [_i.e._, for goods exported thither from Manila]. Further, two fathers and a brother named Fray Juan de Peña took passage with them. Two of our religious embarked aboard the almiranta--father Fray Lorenzo [_sic_] de Figueroa as procurator of the creole fathers, and a brother named Fray Francisco de San Nicolás. They left the port of Cavite, August 4; they experienced considerable suffering, for the vendavals were blowing vigorously, and those winds make it difficult to get out of the bay. At last it was God's good pleasure to give them weather which enabled them to make their voyage. In this line, on the return trip to Méjico, the ships do not sail in company, but each one takes the direction which is most expedient for it, relying on God, who will aid them. The storms were frightful. The almiranta suffered the most terrible voyage that ever ship has suffered. For after a few blasts they had to cut down the mast, and, when they reached thirty-six degrees, they lost their rudder. In such plight they agreed to return, suffering destructive hurricanes, so that, had not the ship been so staunch, it would have been swallowed up in the sea a thousand times. Finally God was pleased to have it return, as if by a miracle; and as such was it considered by all the inhabitants of Manila. The other vessel, being a new and larger ship, on perceiving the storm, went to a lower latitude. It continued to plow the sea, to the great discomfort of all, for it was six months on the voyage. The father master, Fray Pedro, died on that voyage, with so excellent an example that there was no one aboard the ship who was not edified. Father Cabrera also died with great piety, and like a devoted religious, as he was. The brother lived. Even the chaplain aboard the ship died. In all the dead numbered ninety-nine persons, who could have peopled a world. Those who arrived were in such condition that it was necessary to let them regain their strength in the port of Valdebanderas. The procurators on both sides had this lot, which was plainly that which occurred to all. But against the will of God there is no one who can go; what is important is, that His will be always done.

Archbishop Don Fray Miguel Garcia saw that the time was approaching for the provincial chapter. He hastened and left Manila to visit and confirm those of his jurisdiction. It is certain that, had Ours detained him, affairs would have come out better. Finally, being constrained, they had to summon him; and his coming adjusted affairs. He returned to his confirmation, being desirous of concluding it in order to return for the feast of Corpus Christi in the city, which was his greatest devotion. But his haste cost him his life. He was corpulent, and had been ailing many days; his blood became heated, and gave him a fever. He was not attended to in time, and when they took care of him he was a dead man. His death occurred on that same day of the most holy sacrament, at nine o'clock at night. He died as an apostle, after having done his whole duty as religious and bishop. Great was the concourse of people, for his great sagacity and prudence made him not only liked but loved by all. He was buried in our convent, at the foot of the high altar, among the religious. Beyond doubt our Lord chose to snatch him from this life on that day which he so much venerated, so that he should see the reward which the Lord gave him for so great devotion. He was a liberal almsgiver, and at the time of his death had nothing that was his own. All his possessions had been expended in charitable works many days before. The city grieved much over his death, but his church grieved more; for, besides remaining orphaned, there was no other who would thus look after it. The bishop of Sugbú came to govern it, by indult of his Holiness, with which he has governed twice at Manila.

[After dwelling at some length on the virtue of a Bengal slave woman and her miraculous escape from death, she having been dangerously wounded by her would-be seducer, Medina continues:]

In our father Fray Juan Henao's first year, when we had already entered upon the year 1630, the orders considered the little security that they had from the Moros, for the latter were becoming insolent with their successful forays; and thus, without giving our people any breathing-space, were destroying the villages and missions in charge of the orders--and more especially they were pressing the Jesuits, as those fathers were established in places more exposed to the insolence and violence of the enemies. The governor, in an endeavor to uproot so great an evil at one blow, had a fleet built in the islands--the largest ever made by Indians--at the expense of the king our sovereign, and of the Indians and encomenderos. A great sum of money was expended upon it. Command of it was entrusted to the master-of-camp of the forces at Manila, Don Lorenzo de Olazu, a soldier, and one of those of highest reputation in those regions. The fleet bore more than four thousand Indians, taken from all districts at great expense, and more than five hundred Spaniards, picked men, commanded by captains of note. The fleet was composed of two galleys, three brigantines, a number of caracoas, and champans to carry food. With this fleet it was confidently expected to subdue not only Joló, but all the hostile islands.

The Jolog group consists of many islands, but the principal one, where the king lives, has a hill in the middle of it like a volcano. It has only one very steep ascent, and is an impregnable point, and as such it is regarded by all. Accordingly, when the Indians are visited by enemies, they fortify the hill, and then imagine themselves secure against any force. But when, about two years ago, Admiral Don Cristóbal de Lugo had burned their villages, and they knew that the Castilians were about to attack them, they had fortified the hill strongly, mounting thereon the guns that they had taken from the [Spanish] shipyard. The master-of-camp believed himself sufficient to take that hill alone. Accordingly as soon as he arrived, he landed, and heading them, led his men up the hill without delay. That fleet was accompanied by one of our religious, father Fray Fulgencio, an excellent preacher, and a very good worker, who was preëminent among the others who went. There was also a Recollect father named Fray Miguel, who did not move from the side of the master-of-camp. The latter, finding himself almost alone on the height and near the stockade, many sharpened stakes and bamboos hardened in the fire were hurled at him, so that the master-of-camp fell, while others of the more courageous were wounded, and some killed. Thereupon, had the others ascended and entered, as the attack would have been less difficult after that first fury, they would have gained the fort, which had but few men, as was afterward learned; but they remained inactive. The master-of-camp arose, and retired without doing more than this; and with this result, that that fleet, that had made every one afraid, returned. My opinion is, that the Spaniards were punished for the arrogance that they must have displayed there; and that along those coasts, and at the expense of the wretched subjects, they tried to find the pearls of the king of Joló, which were said to be most beautiful. And accordingly this was proclaimed, to the sound of drum, in the port of Ilong-ilong and in Sugbú, and a reward promised to whoever would seize them; for they considered the victory their own already, and shouted it forth before obtaining it. If they, as Christians, had gone with good intent to punish those Mahometan enemies for the desecrations that they had committed against the churches and sacred images, who doubts that the Lord, whose cause that was, would have aided them? But they were greedy for their own interests, and had their eyes on their own convenience. Thus they lost both the moneys expended and their reputation; and to save reputation one should expend much toil, for by it are conserved monarchies and kingdoms. They returned to Manila the laughing-stock of all the islands. From that time the Indians of Cagayán began to talk among themselves of lifting the yoke, placed on their necks by the Castilians; for as has been seen, all is not gold that glitters. Many deaths occurred among the Indians of different districts. The expenses of the natives, as above stated, were great, for although no one goes from his village except with very liberal aid, in this case that aid was unusually generous. Thus there was no encomienda that had a thousand Indians that did not expend more than a thousand pesos, besides rice--in addition to their tribute, personal services, and other taxes. It should be considered and recognized how these poor wretches were continually harassed; hence, why should one wonder that events do not succeed as one would desire?

In the present year the vessel "San Juan" returned, the ill-fortune of which was feared, because the almiranta had put back to port. It gave report of its voyage, whereupon the order voted what was important. [79] They appointed a procurator who went to España. This was the father reader, Fray Pedro de la Peña, [80] who was prior of Macabebe in Pampanga. He took passage on the flagship "San Luis." In the almiranta embarked another father, from Valencia, named father Fray Vicente Lidón. These vessels left the port of Cavite on August 4. They put back to the same port to lighten, and set sail again as heavily laden as before. They experienced no better voyage than the last ones had; for, besides putting back, they did not lack misfortunes. The flagship cut down its mast on the high sea, and was all but lost. The other vessel also suffered greatly, and between them both they threw overboard more than one hundred and forty [dead] people, while the others were like to die of hunger, for the voyage lasted seven and one-half months. Nueva España no longer expected them, and therefore despatched [to the islands] two small vessels from Perú, in which came the visitor of the islands, Don Francisco de Rojas. Both vessels suffered greatly. They lost their rudders, and their arrival was a miracle. It is quite apparent that the Lord is very merciful toward the islands. We surmise that these vessels arrived, one in July and the other in August of 1631. The worst thing resulting to the order in what happened to the vessels was, that no one would take passage on the ships, so that the province came to a condition of the utmost peril. For, if procurators are lacking in España, there is no hope of getting religious; and the religious who are here now are dying daily. For never have I seen a triennium when there were not more than twenty deaths, and sometimes even thirty; while few are invested with the habit. Thus, perforce, the province is always in need of men.

Nevertheless, I, who had always been desiring to go to España, at last obtained my wish this year of 1631, under the greatest strife and oppositions that can be told; but I will not speak of them, as they are personal, although a not small history might be made of them. Finally I embarked in the flagship (where I went as vicar), in which no other priest embarked. The ship was a new one, and had been built in Cavite, during the residence of Governor Don Juan Niño de Tábora, who named it "La Magdalena" for his wife. It was always said that the ship had no strength and ought not to make the trip. The people said this among themselves; but, when they spoke of it to the governor, they praised it, and said that it was the best vessel in the world, for the contrary grieved him greatly. It was laden, and then its weakness was evident, so that they had to change their tune to that very governor. It was said that it would be made all right by putting in some stiffening--namely, three planks on each side, very thick and heavy--whereby it seemed that the vessel would be strengthened. Accordingly, the people embarked, a thing that ought not to have been done. On Thursday, at dawn, we were about to set sail; and when they weighed the anchor that held the ship, it listed to starboard so rapidly that, had not the point of the largest yard caught on the shore, the ship would doubtless have turned keel up. To see so many men perish there and so much property lost, was a day of judgment--an event such as no one remembers to have heard told before. The artillery was fired at intervals from the fort of Cavite, whereat the governor and many vessels came up. I was the first to escape from the ship, but as by a miracle; for I jumped into the water from the lantern, clothed as I was with my black habit. By God's help I was enabled to reach a small boat, in which I escaped, as above described. May the Lord's will be fulfilled. With this I have been in danger of death seven times from the water while in the islands, whence the Lord by His mercy has miraculously drawn and freed me. The first was shortly after my arrival in the country, at Aclán. While bathing in the river, suddenly a current came whose rapidity seized me and bore me beyond my depth. I was already lost and surrendered myself to the mercy of the water, for I could not swim. God inspired a sacristan who was there, who dived quickly into the water, followed me, and, catching hold of me, drew me ashore. The second was while prior of Ibahay, and when I was visiting the islands. While crossing to one, so fierce a storm struck me that the Indians gave up hope, and thought only of dying. The little boat was a poor one, without helm or sail. All human aid being exhausted, I had recourse to the [departed] souls, who obtained a change of wind from the Lord; thus, with a powerful north wind, and the anchor thrown astern from a cable to aid as a rudder, we reached a little islet at two o'clock at night. There we moored, that stormy night. As soon as we reached the islet, the vendaval began to blow again, so that it would seem that the north wind had blown only for that. The third was in the same river of Ibahay. While ascending it when it had a very large strong current (for it is a furious river), it overturned my little boat, and drew me under; but, although I did not know how to swim, the water was drawn from under me, and I remained on the surface of the water, in such manner that I did not sink beyond my girdle. And thus, with half my body out of the water, the current carried me a long distance. The Indians were following me in all haste with the little boat, supporting it with their hands; and, when it overtook me, I climbed on top of it, overturned as it was, and in that manner they dragged me ashore. From there I went to the village, passing through streams as deep as my waist, or even to the shoulders, and many times even up to the throat, at the imminent risk of attack by crocodiles, and of life, and health; for I did not dare enter the boat again. The fourth was in Laglag, when I was going on horseback to the visitas of that district. The road was so close to the edge of the river that it could not be followed without risk. The rest of the country was so rough that it could not be penetrated. I was going carefully, but the horse knew little of the reins, and made a misstep and fell into the river--from so high a precipice that surely, had there not been much water in the river at that time, we had broken all our bones. But it was deep and had a strong current, so that when we fell into it we sank. The horse reached the shore immediately by swimming. The current carried me above water for a very great distance, until I seized some reed-grass by which I was able to reach the shore, where I thanked God for so many mercies. The fifth was by falling into the Dumangas River from a little boat. The above one of the ship is the sixth. I have left untold countless other dangers, while on the sea so many times--now from enemies, now from the weather. The seventh time is the loss of Sugbú, after the burning of that city and convent. It is not little to tell what the missionaries suffer here; but, as they are caused by works for God, His [Divine] Majesty aids us with His help and protection, when by any other means it seems impossible to save one's life on account of the enemies and hardships that surround a religious on all sides. May thanks be given to His [Divine] Majesty for all. Amen.

In 1631 there happened a wonderful thing in Sugbú. On account of the ill-success achieved at Joló, the governor sent Sargento-mayor Tufino to Sugbú, so that, being posted in Dapitan (situated in Mindanao), he might prove an obstacle to the Joloans, so that they should not infest the islands. He reached the city of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús, and was lodged in a house belonging to the convent, opposite the prison; the two houses are separated only by a very wide street. The sargento-mayor stored his powder, amounting to sixteen barrels, in his house. The prison caught afire. All the people ran thither, since if the fire leaped to the house opposite, and caught in the powder, the city would surely be blown to pieces. The most Holy Child was immediately taken out, at sight of whom the fire was checked, and burned only the nipas of that piece, and left the supports on which it rests intact. This is the latest thing [of this sort] that has been seen. It was a solemn miracle; but that Lord who is omnipotent in all things can do this.