[56] "[Lower] California serves as a way-station for the vessels which sail from the Philippines to Mexico; Cape St. Lucas, situated at the southern extremity of the peninsula, is the place where they halt. They find there a good port, fresh food, and signals which warn them if any enemy has appeared in those places which are most dangerous for them. It was in 1734 that the galleon landed there for the first time; and the orders given to it, and its necessities, have drawn it to that place ever since." (Raynal, Établissemens et commerce des Européens, ii, p. 106.) [57] The writer of this letter was one of the auditors of the royal Audiencia at Manila (Concepción, Hist. de Philipinas, xi, p. 295). [58] Evidently referring to Pedro Murillo Velarde, extracts from whose Historia de Philipinas have already appeared in this series. The phrase "the Orient" alludes to the route via India to Europe. [59] Full accounts of this mission may be found in Ventura del Arco MSS., iv, pp. 447-591, in letters from the Jesuits Pedro Estrada and Juan Angles, dated June 25, 1748, and June 18, 1749, respectively--with letter from Felipe V to the sultan of Joló, and the latter's reply. [60] This was Fray Pedro de la Santisima Trinidad Martinez de Arizala; he was a native of Madrid, and had been an auditor in the royal Audiencia of Quito for seventeen years, and was an honorary member of the Council of the Indias. But, "disillusioned with the world, and weary of honors, his sensitive conscience found room in the estate of a Franciscan religious, taking their habit, and professing their austere life." He took possession of the archbishopric of Manila on August 27, 1747, at the age of fifty-two years. Difficulties arose between him and Arrechedera; but he contented himself with laying these troubles before the court at Madrid. He died on May 28, 1755. (Concepción, Hist. de Philipinas, xii, pp. 38-40, and xiii, pp. 338, 339.) [61] See the detailed account of this episode, and of events connected with it, in Concepción's Hist. de Philipinas, xii, chaps, ii-v, which may thus briefly be summarized: