than that of the order; and, consequently,
did not attempt to elect a provincial by force, although he could
have done it, for he had many followers. Our father, Fray Juan de
Henao, performed a truly religious action; he stated publicly that
he renounced any claim that he might have on the provincialate, and
signed the same. He declared that those who had hitherto been his
partisans he authorized to support any other man who should be of
greater account to the province. He said that he was not considering
his own welfare, but that of the province, which he recognized as his
mother; and, as such, he would always place its good in the foreground.

All were highly edified by this, especially the governor and the
archbishop, who were there. Father Fray Alonso del Rincon, who bore
letters-patent to preside, made the same renunciation. Consequently,
without any opposition, our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida was
immediately elected, _viva voce_, on Sunday, May 20, 1623. Father Fray
Hernando Guerrero, senior definitor, presided at this election. The
definitors elected were: our father master, Fray Diego del Aguila; [58]
the second, Fray Alonso del Rincon; the third, Fray Hernando Cabrera;
[59] and the fourth, Fray Francisco Coronel. [60] The visitors were
Fray Juan de Henao and father Fray Hernando Becerra. In assembly
with the outgoing provincial and the father president, they enacted
regulations for the province with the devotion that could be expected
from fathers so venerable.

[After relating several remarkable and miraculous occurrences connected
with the ministry of certain Augustinians, Medina continues:]

During this term, although our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida was
so great a religious--for which reason the priorate of the whole
province was given to him, and he was made provincial, with the
greatest renown that any one has ever had in this province--some
trouble occurred in the province of Bisayas. This was occasioned, no
doubt, by our father provincial, who was oppressed with ill-health,
not visiting it, although he was a son of the said province. Although
this province is less desired, as it is so far from Manila, yet the
Lord seems to care more for it, sending to it the most illustrious of
our religious; and taking therefrom the most devout of the province--as
at that time our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida--for its credit and
reputation. He was very zealous, and obtained an increase of income
for the house