d inquiry had been made into the circumstances
of the Franciscan mission; but, in spite of the severe ordeal of the
_diaboli advocatus_, cononization was conceded to Pedro Bautista and
his companions.

In 1629 the Papal Bull of Urban VIII., dated September 14, 1627, was
published in Manila, amidst public feasts and popular rejoicing. The
Bull declared the missionaries of Japan to be Saints and Martyrs and
Patron Saints of the second class. Increased animation in favour of
missions to Japan became general in consequence. Ten thousand pesos
were collected to fit out a ship to carry 12 priests from Manila,
besides 24 priests who came from Pangasinan to embark privately. The
ship, however, was wrecked off the Ilocos Province coast (Luzon Is.),
but the crew and priests were saved.

A large junk was then secretly prepared at a distance from Manila
for the purpose of conveying another party of friars to Japan; but,
just as they were about to embark, the Governor sent a detachment
of soldiers with orders to prevent them doing so, and he definitely
prohibited further missionary expeditions.

In 1633 the final extinction of Christians was vigorously commenced
by the Emperor To-Kogunsama; and in the following year 79 persons
were executed. The same Emperor sent a ship to Manila with a present
of 150 lepers, saying that, as he did not permit Christians in his
country, and knowing that the priests had specially cared for these
unfortunate beings, he remitted them to their care. The first impulse
of the Spaniards was to sink the ship with cannon shots, but finally it
was agreed to receive the lepers, who were conducted with great pomp
through the city and lodged in a large shed at Dilao (now the suburb
of Paco). This gave rise to the foundation of the Saint Lazarus'
(Lepers') Hospital, existing at the present day. [34] The Governor
replied to the Emperor that if any more were sent he would kill them
and their conductors.

The Emperor then convoked a great assembly of his vassal kings and
nobles, and solemnly imposed upon them the strict obligation to fulfil
all the edicts against the entry and permanence of Christians, under
severe penalties, forfeiture of property, deprivation of dignities,
or death. So intent was this Prince on effectually annihilating
Christianity within his Empire, that he thenceforth interdicted all
trade with Macao; and when in 1640 his decree was disregarded by
four Portuguese traders, who, describing the