ather Fray
Pedro Garcia; [29] second, our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida; third,
father Fray Alonso Ruiz; [30] and fourth, Fray Juan Cabero. [31] The
visitors were Fray Jeronimo de Salas and Fray Nicolas de Alreybar. All
of them assembled, they enacted carefully what they deemed most
suitable for the province.

As prior of the province and definitor of Roma was elected our father
Fray Miguel Garcia; and, as discreto of the general chapter, father
Fray Hernando Guerrero, with sufficient authority so that in case
our father [_i.e._, Garcia] should die he should enter upon his duties.

Leave was also given to our father visitor-general to go to
Espana. They made him prior of Manila. His voyages were fortunate,
although in the following year, when they went to Espana, the fleet was
overtaken by great danger and obliged to put in at Lisboa. But affairs
went so well in the court of Espana, that after only a short wait his
Majesty appointed them as bishops--our father Fray Miguel Garcia,
of Cagayan; and our father visitor, of Camarines. They arrived at
their bishoprics, and died in the islands, where they furnished an
excellent example.

Our father Fray Vicente, as one who found himself with the province in
charge, and who took especial care of its increase, managed its affairs
with great assiduity. He visited all the provinces personally. He went
to that of the Bisayas, which even yet bewails the cost to them of that
visit. And if we must confess that the prelate's zeal was proper,
we have not to confess that the province which has ever enjoyed
an austere reputation had grown so careless as to need so bitter
medicine. And since those who were removed from their priorates were
given others, this rigor could well have been avoided, in my opinion,
although perhaps it ought to be considered proper, as the government
of the prelates is paramount. The provincial returned to Manila,
leaving Fray Alonso de Baraona as his vicar-provincial.

During this period the islands were passing through very great
dangers; for the Dutch from Maluco were vaunting themselves more
than was proper, and every day brought news that the Mindanaos were
assembling to destroy the islands--fears that made the people timorous
and too anxious. Finally their fears came to a head with the arrival
in great force of the Dutch off the coast of the town of Arevalo,
whose purpose was to prevent the aid which was to be sent from that
port to the forts of Ternate