The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
In 1606, missionaries of the discalced (or Recollect) Augustinians
arrive in the Philippines. The missions established by them are
enumerated, many being ceded to them by the regular Augustinians;
their labors extend even to Cuyo and Calamianes, and eastern Mindanao,
among the Moro peoples. Leon's unexpired term as provincial is most
worthily filled by Pedro de Arce. In 1608 he is succeeded by Fray Pedro
de Solier, a man of great ability and zeal, who conducts the affairs
of the province well, and brings the religious therein under stricter
discipline. Certain differences arise between the two Augustinian
orders, and an inspection of their houses and affairs is ordered
from Rome. For those in Filipinas is appointed (1609) Fray Diego de
Guevara, who had been sent to Europe some years before as an envoy
from the city of Manila and from his order there. He sets out for
the Philippines with a large reenforcement of missionaries; but not
all of these are permitted to embark at Acapulco. Medina gives brief
sketches of the characters and lives of these men, and some account
of Guevara's proceedings as visitor of the province. The provincial
Solier is exonerated from blame, incurred through erroneous reports of
his conduct, but is obliged to go to Spain to render an account of it;
he does this so well that he is made bishop of Porto Rico. In 1611 Fray
Miguel Garcia is elected provincial of Filipinas, and administers his
office very acceptably. Another reenforcement of missionaries arrives
in 1613; their outfit for the journey is so meager that they barely
survive its hardships. By vote of the chapter of 1611, the interval
between its meetings was extended to four years. Much discontent arises
at this, and the act is revoked, the next chapter meeting in 1614. An
attempt is made to reduce the number entitled to vote therein; this
is done, although in the face of strong opposition. At the chapter of
1614, Fray Vicente de Sepulveda is made provincial; his severity of
rule is onerous to his subordinates. The Dutch send a fleet to Arevalo;
the Spanish commandant there takes to cowardly flight, as do all his
forces, and the enemy burn the town. The missionaries seek refuge in
other places; and their convents shelter and feed homeless refugees
and hungry soldiers, to the extent of their resources. After the
enemy's retreat, the fathers return to their missions, and encourage
the Indians to resume their former homes and labors. Another attack by
the Dutch, on Oton, is repulsed by the Spaniards, after a desperate
resistance; and the latter build an excellent fort there, to defend
themselves from such raids.
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