as an envoy
from the city of Manila and from his order there. He sets out for
the Philippines with a large reenforcement of missionaries; but not
all of these are permitted to embark at Acapulco. Medina gives brief
sketches of the characters and lives of these men, and some account
of Guevara's proceedings as visitor of the province. The provincial
Solier is exonerated from blame, incurred through erroneous reports of
his conduct, but is obliged to go to Spain to render an account of it;
he does this so well that he is made bishop of Porto Rico. In 1611 Fray
Miguel Garcia is elected provincial of Filipinas, and administers his
office very acceptably. Another reenforcement of missionaries arrives
in 1613; their outfit for the journey is so meager that they barely
survive its hardships. By vote of the chapter of 1611, the interval
between its meetings was extended to four years. Much discontent arises
at this, and the act is revoked, the next chapter meeting in 1614. An
attempt is made to reduce the number entitled to vote therein; this
is done, although in the face of strong opposition. At the chapter of
1614, Fray Vicente de Sepulveda is made provincial; his severity of
rule is onerous to his subordinates. The Dutch send a fleet to Arevalo;
the Spanish commandant there takes to cowardly flight, as do all his
forces, and the enemy burn the town. The missionaries seek refuge in
other places; and their convents shelter and feed homeless refugees
and hungry soldiers, to the extent of their resources. After the
enemy's retreat, the fathers return to their missions, and encourage
the Indians to resume their former homes and labors. Another attack by
the Dutch, on Oton, is repulsed by the Spaniards, after a desperate
resistance; and the latter build an excellent fort there, to defend
themselves from such raids.

Fray Jeronimo de Salas is elected provincial in 1617, but dies
within three weeks' time, and Sepulveda succeeds to his post. His
rigorous rule arouses much resentment; and he obstinately refuses,
even when advised and warned, to give up his office. Finally, in
August of that same year, Sepulveda is murdered by three religious
of his own order. One of these escapes from the islands; the other
two are hanged. Another meeting of the chapter is held (October 31,
1617) and Fray Alonso Baraona is made provincial.

Archbishop Vazquez de Mercado dies, and is succeeded by the Augustinian
Pedro de Arce. The Dutch make an attem