Opening the text

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 32, 1640: 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.Aduarte, Diego

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 32, 1640: 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.

Name: The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume 32, 1640: 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.
Author: Aduarte, Diego

Aduarte, Diego

Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources

1594, and returned to Alcala on some business, without thinking of
journeying to these regions. In spite of the incident described, he
had never had any inclination to it, or to any other of the Indias;
but was possessed by a particular love for the quiet and calm caused
by retirement in the cell.] At that time there arrived there one of
the religious who had founded this province in the beginning, Fray
Alonso Delgado; he had returned to España, to assemble companions to
carry on the many conversions of the heathen which had been happily
begun. A few days before, the patents of the general of our order
had been read in this convent, giving him authority to take with
him those who might enlist in so holy a work. Father Fray Francisco
Blancas, who was afterward called here "de Sant Joseph," had offered
himself. The prior and the friars of the convent had tried to hinder
him because of the need of him which they should feel; for it seemed
to them that there was scarcely anyone in the province who in life,
spirit, and teaching could fill his place. Father Fray Alonso Delgado
had complained of their interference, and was now returning with new
directions that no one should disturb those who desired to go on this
holy expedition. This brought to an end the force brought to bear
by the prior and the convent, but not their prayers and persuasions
that the said father would remain. Father Fray Francisco Blancas
and father Fray Diego Aduarte were very fond of each other, being
natives of the same kingdom of Aragon, sons of this convent of Alcala,
and being almost of one age and of one mind. [Accordingly the prior
asked father Fray Diego to persuade father Fray Francisco to remain;
but both of them were induced to go to Filipinas by the arguments of
father Fray Alonso. With great content the two began their journey
from Toledo on the first of June, and reached Sevilla in a fortnight
walking poorly and humbly, and setting a noble example. They caused
great joy in all the companions who, expecting father Fray Francisco
alone, saw him arrive with so good an associate. When they set sail
they met with great hardships. The ship was very inconvenient, being
small and having no quarter-deck. They met with contrary winds and
heavy seas the first fortnight of the voyage, which is the hardest
for inexperienced sailors. They met with the heaviest weather in
the gulf well named the Gulf de las Yeguas (i.e., "of the Mares")
because of the kicks which it generally gives to those who sail through
it. On the land journey, before they reached the City of Mexico four
of the religious fell sick, among them father Fray Diego, who alone
escaped. The rest of the chapter consists of a somewhat abbreviated
repetition of the accounts of journeys already given in the body of
the work. A few details are added. For instance, we are told that,
in the prayers of the fathers, father Fray Diego was usually the one
to wake the others up by beginning the singing of the Te Deum. Those

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.