sent the royal despatches
to him, for while he was in the height of his glories, sudden death
assaulted him, brought him to his feet, and cast him into the gloom
of a sepulcher. For that reason the recognition of the decrees and
orders was suspended for some time. But at last, having been examined
and ordered by the royal Audiencia and other officials to be observed,
permission was freely given to father Fray Joan de San Geronimo to
erect the establishments that he wished.

_Foundation of the first convent of Manila_

The announcement made by father Fray Andres de San Nicolas while on his
deathbed to his brethren was fulfilled without any failure--namely,
that they should not despair, for divine Providence was already
arranging a house for them, which would give great pleasure to all. The
fact was that, in verification of his words, on the same day on which
the despatches for their voyage were made in Espana, the deceased
governor began to build a very fine summer-house, which had its garden
and its ponds, in a site called Bagunbaian, only three hundred paces
from the walls. It was just being finished when he returned from his
conquest, and when he ended the pleasures and joys of this life. The
retreat and pleasantness of this place were very welcome to Ours;
consequently they tried to buy it, and did so--having collected the
alms in two afternoons. During that time two religious went through
the city, accompanied by certain influential persons, [and collected]
more than three thousand pesos, with which they paid the sum asked,
a great portion of what they should have given having been forgiven to
them. Accordingly, they immediately took possession of their convent
on the day of St. Nicolas de Tolentino, to whom they dedicated it by
a special vow, which all took at the beginning of their navigation
from the shores and coasts of Espana. Under such good horoscope
was born the happy province of the Philipinas Islands. And thus we
should not wonder at the great luster that it has cast, shedding its
rays by its zeal through the darkest and most forgotten districts,
where a notable number of pagans, who were living like wild beasts
in a blind barbarism, received the truth of the faith which we profess.

The apostolic men first settled the firm foundation of their
house--not in the material of it but in the direction of their solid
virtues. They lived in the greatest poverty and contempt of [earthly]
things, without other e