Note 14 — Chapter XXXII

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 España and from Nueva España, while habits had been given to many good men in Manila. Consequently, there were many men on whom to set the eyes. Father Fray Estéban 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 Jerónimo 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 provinces, so learned, spiritual, and so suitable to the times that it could not be more so. Its warnings were so necessary, not only for that time, but for any most important thing. I cannot excuse myself from writing here the chief thing, so that one may see the desires for the increase of their order, and the love with which they discussed matters touching the natives, which shone forth in those fathers. In the time of our father Solier, the province had a very good reputation, for it made itself feared and respected. Consequently, there was no difficulty in receiving his mandates and enforcing them, so that the province was greatly reformed. The great devotion of our father Fray Miguel García, who was then chosen as prior of the convent of Manila, aided him. He was later provincial, and after that he went to España, where his Majesty presented him as bishop of Cagayán. He returned to these islands with a fine company [of religious], and in the islands was appointed archbishop of Manila....