n. But as soon as this contingent
arrived, the discussions that had been aroused increased; so that,
as we have seen, the intermediary chapter deprived him [of his office]
as above stated.
CHAPTER XXXII
_Of the election of our father Fray Pedro de Solier_
Our father Fray Pedro de Arce, acting with that uprightness that
always characterized him, for the period that remained to govern,
assembled his chapter, in pursuance of the orders of our rules,
namely, on the twenty-sixth day of the month of April, 1608. In this
chapter, there did not fail to be its little animosities, occasioned,
in my opinion, by the fact that the province found itself so far out
of swaddling-clothes, that it had enough people and workers to give
and to found another province. For, as we have seen, men of grand
abilities had gone from Espana and from Nueva Espana, while habits
had been given to many good men in Manila. Consequently, there were
many men on whom to set the eyes. Father Fray Esteban Carrillo was
a man of the talents which we have already mentioned, and received
votes. The father president also received them, and so grand a man
was he, and so admired, that opinions were not lacking that he might
become provincial. But the father Master Solier, although he was
youngest of all in years, was apparently well liked for his character,
and his labors in navigations, and the service which he had rendered to
this province in bringing it so glorious men. Finally, God was pleased
that he should win in the contest, and become provincial. The father
president had to confirm this action, giving him a dispensation for
the years that he lacked. Then, proceeding to the other elections, the
following definitors were elected: first, Fray Francisco Serrano;
second, Fray Pedro de Salcedo; third, Fray Jeronimo de Salas;
and fourth, Fray Hernando de Trujillo. [14] The visitors who were
elected were father Fray Juan de Villalobos and father Fray Miguel
Garcia. In council with the president, provincial-elect, and the
rector provincial, they arranged [the affairs of] the province,
both in order to provide the convents with heads, and to-adjust other
things pertaining to the spiritual welfare. And in fact, considering
the enactments of other chapters, it seems that they attained so
much excellence in this chapter, that if it did not surpass them,
at least it shone out strongly--especially a letter which our father
Master Solier sent to the province
|