e. His only consolation was the
companionship of his spirited wife, Dona Isabel de Ardila, who inspired
him with courage and strength. It is certain that Don Juan de Vargas
was not the worst governor of Filipinas; but he was unfortunate in his
disagreeable and harsh manner," and his friend Francisco Guerrero, "a
very astute and sagacious man," whose aid would have been invaluable,
was then in Nueva Espana, having deserted his patron to save himself.

[126] Apparently referring to the "ordinary," or usual ecclesiastical
court.

[127] Spanish, auto de legos; a decree issued by a superior tribunal,
prohibiting to an ecclesiastical judge the cognizance of a suit that
is purely civil, and between laymen, referring it to a competent judge.

[128] Diaz says (Conquistas, pp. 781, 782) that this residencia,
taken by Juan de Zalaeta, was the most bitter and obstinate ever known
in the islands, for it lasted four years, and its records occupied
twenty large volumes.

[129] Salazar (Hist. Sant. Rosario, pp. 131-133) gives an account of
this assignment. He asserts that the Zambals had formerly been under
the charge of the Recollects, who in more than seventy years had been
unable to convert that tribe. In 1676 the natives themselves asked for
Dominican teachers; some were sent, at which the Recollects complained,
as an intrusion on their field, and the Dominicans withdrew. In 1678
Juan de Vargas came as governor, and, the Zambals again asking for
Dominicans, the governor induced the Recollects to accept Mindoro in
lieu of Zambales, making over the latter to the Dominican order. The
latter gave up these missions in 1712. (See Resena biografica, i,
pp. 486-504.)

Concepcion (Hist. Philipinas, viii, pp. 47) declares that the
Recollects were unwilling to surrender their Zambal missions, yielding
to the compulsion and threats of the archbishop and the governor;
and that the natives themselves were angry at the proposed change,
but were pacified by their Spanish alcalde-mayor.

[130] A loose note in Ventura del Arco MSS. (iii, p. 555), evidently
made by that compiler from some writing of 1685, states that the
citizens complained of the lack of vessels every year for their trade,
and for this blamed his henchmen. Two of these, whom he employed in
business affairs, were arrested, Fabra and Gallardo.

[131] Spanish, dijo tijeratas; literally, "talked scissors."

[132] Spanish, que vuelvan las nueces al cantaro; literally, "the
nuts