he had his boat beached, and, taking to the mangrove swamps, saved his
life after great danger. This he attributed to a miracle of the apostle
St. Peter, to whom he was very devoted, and to whom he made a great
feast as a thank-offering. The piteous death of that alcalde-mayor, Don
Jose de San Miguel, could be attributed to the punishment of God, as he
had been a cruel persecutor of the regular ministers; so much so that
in the time during which he governed that province (which by the Divine
permission was short), they suffered a great persecution. But God knows
the truth; and it is not permitted, nor do I wish, to interpret the
events of His holy will and providence. But it has not seemed proper
to me to omit a circumstance which I positively know concerning that
ill-starred youth; namely, that after his death, there was found
among his papers a letter from his father, Don Basilio de San Miguel
(who is said to have been much given to astrology and soothsaying),
who told and ordered him not to receive an office of justice under
any circumstance, for the first that he should obtain threatened him
with a very great disaster. I know that fact absolutely; for the rest,
concerning the infallibility and even possibility of like judgments,
I declare that I am ready to obey the command of our holy Mother the
Church, in the constitution of his Holiness Sixtus V which begins,
_Caeli et terrae Creator_.

Father Fray Geronimo de Medrano finished his triennium, notable
both for his pacific and prudent government, and by the two martyrs
of Christ who ennobled this province during his triennium. In the
chapter celebrated in the convent of Manila, April 28, 1635--over
which father master Fray Alonso de Carvajal presided, by virtue of
the letters of our father-general--father Fray Juan Ramirez, [34] a
religious of great prudence, learning, and devotion, was elected, to
the content of the whole province. The definitors elected were father
Fray Estacio Ortiz, the father master Fray Teofilo Mascaros, [35] Fray
Cristobal de Miranda, and Fray Andres Berdugo. [36] The visitors were
father Fray Diego Martinez [37] and Fray Juan Gallegos. They enacted
regulations very useful for the good government of the province, and
provided ministers for the ministries of it, both priors and vicars,
as at that time it contained many distinguished members of the order.

Two galleons arrived at Cavite on St. John's day, which were returning
from Nueva Espan