ll suited for the work in the Philipinas; so that counting those who
were well fitted to go, they would not number twelve. It seems that he
wished only to make it appear to the Council that he was embarking with
friars, since this was commanded so insistently. He had, as I have been
told, thirty religious quite suitable for the journey, ready to embark
in the fleet; but as there was no fleet, and they saw that according
to the orders of the Council they must embark in the heart of winter,
and in weak craft, they, being discreet, returned to the houses from
which they had come; and father Fray Gabriel, to comply with his
orders, sought others in their places, most of whom did not fill the
places of the others, or come near doing so. From this resulted many
expenses that might have been avoided; for if those who returned had
been left in the convents of Andalucia, to come over in the fleet
this year, all the expenses that were incurred would be obviated,
and they would arrive at the proper time to go to the Philippinas,
as they would come in the patages. Even if not all came, most of
them could come, and none of these would have to be refused, as we
have to do now--for, if the lord viceroy does not give permission to
leave some, there is no use to consider sending religious there. Then
I, who am going to seek them in Espana, for the second time, with
so many labors and dangers, would find them half way, without the
least cost to myself. Supplicate and beg this from his Excellency,
by the bowels of Christ. The objection raised is that it will not be
expedient for them to go; but I hope through God that it will be so,
and that it will be explained to his Majesty that it is very important
for his service. This is the truth, which I am bound to tell my king
and lord, as his faithful vassal and servant, which I am.

_Fray Diego Aduarte_

_Jesus, Mary_

Father Fray Antonio de Santo Angel, procurator-general of the order
of the discalced friars of our father St. Augustine, declares that
in the year 1608 your Majesty gave permission to father Fray Pedro
de San Fulgencio, of the said order, to return to the Philipinas
Islands, taking with him thirty religious of his order, and six
servants for their service. In the said year he was obliged to
go to Rome to secure some favors and jubilees from his Holiness;
but an illness attacked him, and our Lord saw fit to take him unto
Himself. For this reason his embarkation for the